If not for the hit Lauren Weisberger novel with the same title, The Devil Wears Prada would be a pretty sick band name. And it is a sick band name, I just keep picturing Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway on keyboard and guitar. TDWP’s earlier releases on Rise and Ferret Records never really had me. I gave them each a few listens but the music just wouldn’t sit quite right.

But I’ve got to hand it to this band—because they have grown. With their most recent release, Zombie EP, they demonstrate a remarkably matured sound. Personally, I am relieved they dropped most of the keys/synth that littered past albums, and what keys are on this record blend better with the overall sound than before. But above that, stylistically and compositionally it is evident TDWP are growing and taking major steps forward as musicians.

Conceptually, Zombie EP is intriguing. I suppose you could call the release a concept record, with each track telling a separate part to a greater story. Without researching the lyrics word for word, it feels like a mildly political message; verses of concern for our well being; being outnumbered as a species; taking arms and finding safety.

Standout tracks for me: Escape, Anatomy, and Outnumbered. But honestly this little five-track EP has been on repeat since it’s release. It’s a good one!

The Devil Wears Prada – Zombie EP Promo from James Baney on Vimeo.

—
Listen to The Devil Wears Prada on their MySpace.
Pick up Zombie EP here.

If not for the hit Lauren Weisberger novel with the same title, The Devil Wears Prada would be a pretty sick band name. And it is a sick band name, I just keep picturing Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway on keyboard and guitar. TDWP’s earlier releases on Rise and Ferret Records never really had me. I gave them each a few listens but the music just wouldn’t sit quite right.

But I’ve got to hand it to this band—because they have grown. With their most recent release, Zombie EP, they demonstrate a remarkably matured sound. Personally, I am relieved they dropped most of the keys/synth that littered past albums, and what keys are on this record blend better with the overall sound than before. But above that, stylistically and compositionally it is evident TDWP are growing and taking major steps forward as musicians.

Conceptually, Zombie EP is intriguing. I suppose you could call the release a concept record, with each track telling a separate part to a greater story. Without researching the lyrics word for word, it feels like a mildly political message; verses of concern for our well being; being outnumbered as a species; taking arms and finding safety.

Standout tracks for me: Escape, Anatomy, and Outnumbered. But honestly this little five-track EP has been on repeat since it’s release. It’s a good one!

The Devil Wears Prada – Zombie EP Promo from James Baney on Vimeo.

—
Listen to The Devil Wears Prada on their MySpace.
Pick up Zombie EP here.

The last two weeks have had downtown Chicago all a flutter with the filming of the new Transformers film! Last week they were set up on LaSalle Street, and then moved to the tourist haven, Michigan Ave. This week, they’ve moved the set further along the river, now filming along Wacker (which means closer to my window at work!).

Check out a larger view of the set, here.

Just today I came across this fascinating and remarkable documentary about the endangered art of the muralist, called Up There. Produced by Mother NY, in association with Stella Artois, the short film takes a look at the men who are responsible for painting large-format advertisements throughout NYC, and the battle to find work while the ease of vinyl, canvas, mesh—and other substrates—exist for quick production. I am working on a large and complex campaign involving a number of sequenced mural paintings in various cities, so this documentary holds a very specific bit of my attention. My team and I are eager to see just how the muralists will approach our artwork, and Up There certainly gave me a much better understanding. Fortunately, there will be a mural painted right here in Chicago to quench my curiosity—anticipate documentation!

Credits:
Concept: Mother NY; Production Co: Mekanism; Director/DP/Editor: Malcolm Murray; Music by The Album Leaf; Painters: Colossal Media/Sky High Murals/Bob Middleton; Presented by Stella Artois.

Monday, March 1
After I Die, Will Papa Johns Keep Emailing Me Coupons?

Directed by Arev Manoukian,Nuit Blanche explores a fleeting moment between two strangers, revealing their brief connection in a hyper real fantasy. To watch the making of, go here!

For me, a highlight of 2010 so far.

An interview with art directors, Craig Allen and Eric Kallman from advertising agency, Widen+Kennedy about the making of the Old Spice tv spot, The Man Your Man Could Smell Like.

The interviewer—and his dash of industry ignorance—is a little sub par, but listening to Allen and Kallman talk about the 3-day process that went into filming this spot is fascinating.

I came across the SALAZAR Collective last night, with this wonderfully bizarre video called Wizard Smoke. I love the combination of skillful cinematography, skateboarding, and a quirky concept. I loved it so much that I ended up visiting their home base, SALAZAR, A Motion Picture Collective, where I was pleasantly surprised by other equally stunning film productions!

Other than Wizard Smoke, I highly encourage anyone with some spare time and a craving for creative film projects to take a look at the Brasstronaut – Old World Lies piece, as well as both Circlesquare music videos.

Definitely a treat.