PRISM Index
Mixed-Media Art Compilation
With print media on the decline, it’s always refreshing to actually hold new publications (that aren’t PEOPLE magazine). Columbus Ohio’s PRISM Index is an exuberant attempt to capture many facets of modern art in the form of a CD, DVD, and 80-page handmade book. This thing is pretty cool, featuring over 50 artists (some well known, others not) plodding through xeroxed pie recipes, “infomercial aesthetics,” and outsider watercolor art, among other things. Check out lots of content below. The visual art is by Luke Ramsey, Lisa Hanawalt, and Old Time Relijun’s Arrington de Dionyso, respectively.
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According to the Index press release:
In an attempt to appease audiences’ wide tastes and hopefully expose them to new styles, artists, and ideas, the compilation features an eclectic mix of contributors and content. The main connection between these artists are their vehemently independent personalities and output, but with these seemingly disparate pieces PRISM index attempts to create a harmony with the art. Some of the highlights from the PRISM index #1 include: cult filmmaker Trent Harris on his friendship with seminal artist Bruce Connor, legendary underground filmmakers George and Mike Kuchar discussing UFO’s, illustrations from the recent “Ignatz Outstanding Comic” winner Lisa Hanawalt, inner turmoil and comedy of a troubled man through unsent suicide letters, vagabond lullabies, homosexuality’s connection with orange juice, an exotic zoology program, and a tale of gold diggers in shocking pink.
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• PRISM Index: http://www.prismindex.com
• Index teaser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEO1vprw6tk
Mike Shiflet
“Gunpowder (for Raglani)”
Once you write for tinymixtapes, your mindset is inconceivably altered 4life. Case in point: former TMT staff writer Lars Gotrich, who has invaded NPR’s ranks on a secret mission to subvert American minds – starting with people who voted for John Kerry. Lars wrote this generous piece about drone artist Mike Shiflet, who has self released a giant slab of beautiful static called Llanos. Listen to my favorite track above and then head on over to Mike’s bandcamp to hear the rest.
• Mike Shiflet: http://mikeshiflet.bandcamp.com/album/llanos
Panda Bear
“Last Night at the Jetty”
Yeah, we already posted “Last Night at the Jetty” last year when it was released on 7-inch for FatCat, but !! Tomboy is due April 12 on Paw Tracks.
• Panda Bear: http://www.myspace.com/pandabear
• Paw Tracks: http://www.paw-tracks.com
• Sonic Boom: http://www.sonic-boom.info
Erykah Badu
“Gone Baby, Don’t Be Long”
In his review of New Amerykah Part Two (Return of the Ankh) (TMT Review), Embling wrote how Erykah Badu is “one of the most important artists currently working in the music industry, major label or otherwise.” I’d like to second that.
• Erykah Badu: http://www.erykahbadu.com
Disasterpeace
“Counter of the Cumulus”
Chiptune music has become a bit like death metal in the 90s. It’s subculture is vast and constantly expanding, but increasingly ignored by most everyone else. We’ll just have to wait 10 years for a heralded renaissance in the form of 8-bit folk-drone. In the meantime, here’s a track from chiptune artist Disasterpeace’s new album, out now on Pause Records. This one starts a bit frantically, cramming notes into every corner, only to halt entirely at the 2:50 mark, rebooting with beautiful melodic simplicity that re-frames the preceding two minutes in the best way possible.
• Disasterpeace: http://disasterpeace.bandcamp.com/album/rise-of-the-obsidian-interstellar
• Pause: http://www.iimusic.net/
Vagina Vangi
“Christ”
Call it “witchhouse,” call it “deathgaze,” call it “doomtronic,” call it whatever you want (please don’t actually call it “doomtronic” though). Vagina Vangi, Russia’s most charmingly named one-man gothgazer, has crafted some pretty massive dirges, none more apocalyptic than “Christ” (a.k.a the one that plays when you click the media player above these words). Check out his EP Benighted United at Vagina Vangi’s SoundCloud.
• Vagina Vangi: http://soundcloud.com/vaginavangi



