Typewriter Band, Stop Worrying If You Drink Like a Man and the Best From Planet Earth
This week at Brain Buffet, we get to know the Boston Typewriter Orchestra in action, a new podcast about remix culture, the best 10th anniversary scenes from planet Earth , and more.
Boston Typewriter Orchestra
Typewriters aren’t just for people looking for a more “authentic” writing experience – in this case, they’re perfect for writing little music. The Boston Typewriter Orchestra, performing at the SPJ meeting in the video above, is known for performing upbeat, pulse-beating songs as well as performing some classic vocals using their typewriters for accent. This Mental Floss article explains how the band got started:
Founded in late 2004, the history of BTO began in a diner. An artist named Tim Devin drank and also had a portable typewriter that he began to peck at. When the waitress asked what he was doing, and perhaps asked him to stop doing it, Devin replied that she shouldn’t worry: he was the conductor of the Boston Typewriter Orchestra.
Along with some of his friends, Devin took the joke and began to take it vaguely seriously, rehearsing on old hand typewriters and sensing his musical talent at private events before making his official debut at the Art Beat Festival in Boston in 2006.
“We played in a small theater, but we ended up filling it up, so there was only a standing room,” says Quigley. From there, the changing lineup played four to seven concerts annually in and around New England, usually breaking their sets into irreverent “office” settings that both mock and sympathize with corporate culture.
Of course, the full part contains more details, including the risk of damage when they howl at these typewriters, as you can see in the video above, and of course which typewriters they prefer and how they choose them. There is another video of the performance that you really should watch. [ via Mental Floss ]
The best scenes from planet Earth
When you ask a group of YouTubers – people who make their living creating and editing videos – to choose the most gorgeous and interesting scenes from planet Earth , you will get a very interesting excerpt from the entire incredible documentary. The BBC did this to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the groundbreaking documentary series and sequel to Planet Earth II , which debuted this year. Until then, hit the play button on the video above and contemplate some of the most amazing moments, then grab the Blu-ray we all know you have and watch it from start to finish. [ via BBC Earth (YouTube) thanks Kottke ! ]
Copy This, New Podcast From Kirby Ferguson
Kirby Ferguson, creator of the iconic Everything Is a Remix series, has launched a new podcast titled Copy This, in which he discusses creativity, artists, copyright and media, law, exchange and culture. In his first episode, he welcomes special guest (and Lifehacker friend) Corey Doctorow, and you can listen to him on the Soundcloud inserted above.
As you might have guessed, Ferguson uses Star Wars to teach us about copyright – a lesson he teaches well – as well as inspiration, sharing, licensing, and remix culture. The show will air monthly. [ via Re: Create , thanks Boing Boing ! ]
Bartenders explain why you should stop worrying if your drink is “masculine” or “girly”
Indulgence , the Playboy YouTube channel, has a whole series of videos in which they tell bartenders about their experiences at the bar, what they’ve seen, and of course, give you some tips on how to become the best bar goer. and get the drinks you crave when you walk up to one of them.
However, this one was especially interesting to me, because before watching it, I had no idea that some people’s masculinity is so fragile that it was difficult for them to drink from a compartment glass (a glass that I damn love when I get it is that something about that virtue of the 20s, about kindness before prohibition, which I find surprising and too rare), or how people felt that their sexuality could somehow be challenged depending on the drink they ordered, or worse, what the cocktail looked like. I get inspired by the movie “big guys don’t drink pink, they drink glasses, they pour whiskey in dirty glasses,” male Wild West chauvinism, but … to be honest, I thought it was just chauvinism. Press play for full details and some very good tips. [ via Indulgence (YouTube) ]
Basketballs singing bells
The season has arrived, so let’s wrap up the week with the song “Bell Tower” performed by five NBA basketball players. Unfortunately, I don’t know enough about the sport to identify the men in it (so someone will tell me in the comments, if you please!) And this is definitely an advertisement that will get you to buy Christmas – themed jerseys that they wear, I also thought it was a bit of a welcome greeting. Have a good week everyone. [ via NBA (YouTube) thanks Boing Boing ! ]
If you have thought-provoking stories, interesting podcasts, eye-opening videos, or anything else that you think is perfect for Brain Buffet, share it with us! Email me , leave it as a comment below or send it in any way convenient for you.