In this post Dirty Street brings you a blend of entertainment and info featuring: More of the story of Rich and Famous; this week's episode is set in the homely surrounds of Arcade Studio's and an entertaining look at When Websites Go Bad!
RICH AND FAMOUS PART II - THE RECORDING
An ultra prepared Y.G and Lukas arrived at The North Star, an Indian restaurant on the outskirts of Hackney, London bang on 1pm. And it occured to Lukas that this was part of the media and music industry which really suited him; whether it was shooting L'Oreal hair competitons, filming with sky or laying down some vocal tracks in Essex, the industry of media bursts into life about midday. Albeit we work happily through the night, but anyone who takes it seriously is pleased to make the choice to be the nocturnal variety of professional. The side effect of which is what Pete from Aracde Studio refered to as the 'Studio Widow'. Basically this is the other half of the 'nocturnal professional' who knows their partner is still alive and they've smelt them recently, but not seen them in a while - Usually because they been in the studio working their little butts off.
After meeting the other two rappers Styla and Defy and Defy's brother we drove from Hackney to a rather desirable residence in Essex. Along the way we were treated to a glimpse of 45 year old Defy's driving 'skills'. After a 40 mph plod down a duel carriageway, Defy decided that he'd take us on a hair-pin off road attempt - which WAS all the satnavs fault! - but eventually we reached the converted bungalow.
Here we were greeted by producers T and Pete booker, who have previously worked with Madonna, Kylie and Iron Maiden to name just a few, and of course a wicked selection of munchies! The rappers were then given the chance to write their parts, and each rapper would be have backing punches. After the very short time they were given they each took their turn in the booth, kicked off by Defy.
Whilst in the kitchen I took a moment to relect at what I was doing. I was making a cup of tea in a kitchen with a very random group of people, I felt like how Chantelle from the first celebrity big brother must have felt. There was Pete Booker (producer to the many), David van Day (former Dollar singer and reality TV winner), Sue Moxley (former Sun beauty editor and cosmetic guru), Colin Evans (Sky guy and Jonathon Ross' best friend), T Green (Massive producer) and little old me. I'd like to think that one day someone will be making me a cup of coffee thinking a similar thing.
When Mr. Y.G took to the booth the rhetoric of the session changed as he began to work at a professional level, nailing his flo and even editing himself as he went - much to the relief of T and Pete. Even Defy's brother got in on the action as he enthusiastically joined in on the group punches.
Mr.Y.G got involved in the editing process as he prescribed his own brand of compression and computer audio wizardry. You could see the meeting of minds plumbing the depths of music production.
As we saddled up to head back to the coast we took look at the set and decided that the standard had been set and we couldn't wait to shoot the video next.
WHEN WEBSITES GO BAD
You can see them now, all huddled around a laptop experimenting with different ways of naming their site. Until the top man at a launderette decides, "lets call it touching cloth!......" Some where inside the heads of the people around him, there was an agreement that this was a wonderful name for a shop which gets clothes clean. Along these lines, there are people who haven't really read what they've written.
1. Want to holiday in Lake Tahoe? Try their brochure website at www.gotahoe.com
2. Therapists in the US merely wanted to offer troubled souls a shoulder to cry on. Let's hope their advice is not as short-sighted as whoever registered the URL www.therapistfinder.com
3. Welcome to the First Cumming Methodist Church. Their website is www.cummingfirst.com
4. There is one betting site that is way out in front as our favorite. With their name they are bound to attract a lot of people looking for each-way wagers: www.oddsexchange.com
5. "We're not just a printer," claims the American firm Tri-Plex. And they guarantee: "Short runs or long, we can handle both equally well." But it makes you wonder what kind of service they are offering from their website with a name like this: www.triplexbusiness.com
6. If you are looking for a place to download the latest songs you might think this one is a homage to bad digital music. Mind you, the site is flagging up the new Michael Bolton album, so maybe it does what is says on the tin after all: www.mp3shits.com
7. Law firm Morrison and Foerster have more than 1,000 legal eagles worldwide. Surely you would have thought one would have spotted the clanger in their site. They couldn't have been briefed properly that it contains a slang abbreviation for a rather strong swear word that would leave them in contempt in the courtroom: www.mofo.com
8. This drinks franchise has spawned a host of copycat stores around the US as it attracts customers by the barrel-load desperate for a schoolboy giggle and quick slurp: www.beaverliquors.com
9. Some say Americans don't understand irony and a site set up by Ingleside Vineyards of Virginia bears that out. They must be flushed with success if the name they chose is anything to go by: www.ipwine.com
10. The plant-growers of Mole Station Nursery in New South Wales claim to specialise in the production of frost- hardy native shrubs and farm trees. Sounds like they are more into deflowering: www.molestationnursery.com
11. If you need an IT professional to fix your broken PC this could be a great place to start, especially if you are having a problem with your hard drive or interruptions to your AC/DC supply: www.expertsexchange.com
12. Looking for an actor and want to get in touch with his or her agent? Then Who Represents is a database of contact names and numbers. But the site owners may well become brassed off by some of the unsavoury clients it attracts: www.whorepresents.com
13. The official site for Barnet Copthall Masters Swimming Club says it has a 12A rating to warn off young kids. It has all the club?s latest news. So why not a section on how to improve your breaststroke? www.upthebeavers.com
14. A building firm based in Ontario, Canada, promises: "No job too small, or too tall." They have even helpfully included some handy pictures showing exactly how they manage to get it up: www.mammotherection.com
15. Then of course, there’s the Italian Power Generator company… www.powergenitalia.com
16. And then there’s these brainless art designers, and their wacky website: www.speedofart.com