Guest Lecture at UIC

Tomorrow, I’ll be doing a guest lecture in Mike Schandorf’s “Writing for New Media” class at the University of Illinos at Chicago. I’ll be talking about Follow for Now, the philosophy behind the book, and how it all came together. If you’re around, come check it out. I’ll be speaking from 3:30 to 4:45 on Thursday, February 18th. It should be a hoot.

Copyright Criminals

From Kembrew McLeod:

Word up! I want to introduce my alter ego, RoboProfessor, who just finished a dance music video about digital sampling and copyright law, with an interactive component. Here’s the website: http://www.robotainment.net/musicvideo

Also, below is all the info you need about next week’s launch of Copyright Criminals. Please forward this to any interested parties, and feel free to post anywhere!

Best,

-KM

Can you own a sound?

Copyright Criminals, a documentary produced by Benjamin Franzen and Kembrew McLeod, examines the commercial and creative value of musical sampling, including the ongoing debates about artistic expression, copyright law and money.

Copyright Criminals showcases many of Hip Hop music’s legendary figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul and Digital Underground along with emerging artists such as audiovisual remixers Eclectic Method. The film also provides an in-depth look at artists who have been sampled, such as renowned drummer Clyde Stubblefield, the world’s most sampled musician, best known for his work with James Brown, as well as commentary by Funk legend George Clinton.

JAN 19: Broadcast & DVD Release Party with ECLECTIC METHOD, MR. LEN & DJ SPOOKY

FREE with RSVP at IndiePix Evite.

Doors at 8pm. Broadcast Premiere on Independent Lens at 10pm. Brooklyn Bowl 61 Wythe Ave Brooklyn NYC 11211. Facebook Event Page

View the Trailer and promo video for the Broadcast & DVD release party at copyrightcriminals.com.

Watch on JAN. 19th PBS TV!
Check local PBS listings for the COPYRIGHT CRIMINALS broadcast on Independent Lens.

Pre-Order! The Copyright Criminals DVD is currently available for discounted pre-order from IndiePix, which manages the distribution of this film in theatrical, DVD, digital and new media markets throughout North America. The DVD will also be available at Amazon and from local video retailers January 26, 2010.

Copyright Criminals features Bobbito Garcia, Chuck D, Clyde Stubblefield, De La Soul, DJ Qbert, DJ Spooky, Eclectic Method, El-P, Eyedea & Abilities, George Clinton, Hank Shocklee, Harry Allen, Mark Hosler, Matt Black, Miho Hatori, Mix Master Mike, Mr. Len, Pete Rock, Prefuse 73, Sage Francis, Saul Williams, Shock G, and Steve Albini.

Follow for Now at the University of Illinois

My friend and colleague Mike Schandorf required Follow for Now for his Writing for New Media class this semester at the University of Illinois at Chicago. He snapped this shot of the stack of copies in their bookstore. I’m stoked.

Many thanks, Schandorf. See you soonly.

Follow for Now on Google Books

Now you can get Follow for Now for your Sony Reader (or other non-Kindle eBook device) via Google Books. Their format allows you to read books on the screen of your choice.

Of course, it’s also still available for Amazon’s Kindle and, if you prefer, as a good ol’ paperback from the following fine places:

If you are near any of these stores, support the independent: Buy my book there. If not, it’s also available at Amazon and at its own site.

Thanks for your continued interest,

-Roy Christopher

Jawbox on Jimmy Fallon

No time to do this properly at the moment, but I have to post this: My old friends Jawbox reunited to play “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” to celebrate the reissuing of their third full length (and major label debut) For Your Own Special Sweetheart (1994). The remastered record is now available from Dischord and Kim and Bill’s DeSoto Records. (Go get it.)

I’ll follow up on all of this properly when this semester is over, but for now, here’s “Savory” from “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” [runtime: 5:00]:

Is This Image in the Public Domain?

It’s called “We’ll All Be Happy Then” by Harry Grant Dart, and it ran in Life magazine in 1911:

Is this image in the Public Domain? If anyone knows anything about it, I’d greatly appreciate it.

Thanks.

Slayer World Painted Blood Contest Entry

In honor of the release of Slayer‘s new record, World Painted Blood, I interpolated the old Sherwin-Williams “Cover the Earth” logo. I was always reminded of this design by the title “World Painted Blood,” so here it is:

Slayer-Williams: World Painted Blood

I entered the design into their World Painted Blood photo contest. You can see it on the Slayer site here.

Slayer’s World Painted Blood comes out on November 3rd.

LINT: The Movie Teaser

Steve Aylett sent over this teaser trailer of the forthcoming documentary regarding the life and work of largely forgotten science fiction author Jeff Lint. Up until now, Aylett has been Lint’s only champion, but this clip shows Alan Moore and several others coming to his aid. Check it out [runtime: 2:23]:

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