Dig This Real

RIP

2012-02-08T15:06:00.000-08:00

Did I Miss Something?

2012-02-07T06:32:00.000-08:00

By now, dear readers, you know a thing or two about me. One thing is that I tend to side step the obvious. This has always been the Dig This Real way. So when people don't laugh when I ask, "did I miss some BIG game Sunday?" I find myself retorting back to the zine's mission statement (or lack of one). Another thing you may know about me is that I am a fan of only European Futball and not that nonsense they play here in the States. I mean, c'mon. Fashion Models as Coaches? I just don't get it. And speaking of fashion, it's here - as in Fashion Week in NYC. I will probably hit up a party here or there but it won't be in Hot Rod Prada wear because, well, that's soooooo 1996 (or 1934 in some cases). It's probably the same reason I won't stop at Target for Jason Wu. Why would I want to be caught dead wearing something EVERYONE is reselling on EBay?
Focus, edie. Focus.
Ok.
Since there is a music part of the Super Bowl, I must comment on what I didn't view: The M.I.A. / Madonna performance. I am happy to report that just reading about it was entertaining enough. You see, I tend to live in my head 99% of the time... But I did kick myself to the floor laughing when I read this: www.hollywoodilluminati.com. So you see? It's all a big, fat subliminal message in the end. So as long as that message doesn't have us wearing high heels, miniskirts and predictable pastel colors on the beach, we'll all be fine.
In the meantime, make sure to check out the Dig This Real youtube channel for some sanity.

Read This...

2012-01-10T06:39:00.001-08:00

2012 has started with much excitement here at DTR. Our Editor-at-Large, MC Lee has dropped his first book and if you are like me and just can't get enough reading about the life and times of musicians, pick up a copy through Lulu. Reading this book made me realize that musicians and performers must be born with two genes; a talent one and a "did that really happen to me/us/the band?," gene because you just can't make this sh*t up. Each page in this book (despite the word "weird" in the title) is all TRUE.

A City Holiday Scene...

2011-12-08T10:01:00.000-08:00

I snapped this photo yesterday when leaving my apartment in Hell's Kitchen. It's so NYC during the holiday season. Wishing you a happy holiday time!

Happy happy, joy joy...

2011-12-04T14:23:00.001-08:00

Crashed the Philly Zine Fest recently. This is what my office looked like when I got back to NYC. I am such a child, I know. Can't help it. I just love zines. After I took everything out I spread each zine on the floor and then I rolled around on them. Then I snapped these photos and did a little happy dance. Also, for those who aren't recognizing me on the street, it's true. The loooooooong two toned blond/black hair of mine is gone. I cut it all off and dyed it a purple-ly red because, like stated above, I am such a child sometimes. And one more thing. New site, new zine stuff, cd compilations are back! Podcasts and tons of video! Stayed tuned...

It's The Most Wonderful Time of The Year...

2011-10-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Let the madness begin!

...another typical day at the offices of DTR

2011-09-13T14:55:00.000-07:00

Ok. So Oscar is the only DTR peep allowed to nap during working hours. It may seem like we have all been sleeping. We're not. Check out our youTube page because the proof can be found there. At least we can count on Mark to be working...

...psssst!

2011-08-16T12:18:00.001-07:00

I have a secret.

I love blogs. I read them everyday. I can be found checking my subscribed feeds before I scan the daily news. And I follow tons.

With that said, Dig This Real will be rolling out with a "favorite blog" column starting with next issue. In the meantime, please feel free to let me know about any blogs that you find obsession-worthy.

edie

Heads Up

2011-07-12T10:09:00.000-07:00

DTR fave The Suicide Denial is performing on this years Warped Tour. Go see 'em. Also, they have just dropped a monster of a release entitled, We'll Go Down Fighting. Get it. It will make this the best summer ever.

Courtney Love Waxes Poetic in Her Etsy Profile

2011-06-28T13:38:00.000-07:00

Courtney Love Waxes Poetic in Her Etsy Profile

For Real...

2011-06-07T11:00:00.000-07:00

We here at Dig This Real are cooking up tons of stuff. Stay tuned.

Wait??!?! I'm Not Ready!

2011-05-17T07:25:00.001-07:00

Judgment Day is right around the corner (May 21st, Peeps) and I am sooooo not ready. The same goes for the End of the World (slated for October 21). Hopefully by then I will have my shit together.

In the meantime, Angelica Wytch, aka Jen "Grinwithin" B. spent some time in Mexico doing weird rituals and recording folk songs.

At least one person here at DTR is together.

That Girl

2011-04-28T14:46:00.001-07:00

Is there anything Martha CAN'T do?

What Should I Wear?

2011-04-05T07:49:00.000-07:00

Totally stoked. Can't wait. What to wear?

oliebollen, anyone?

2011-03-08T07:46:00.000-08:00

Happy Shrove Tuesday!

Tomorrow is D-Day for some of you (though, probably not a lot), so get your pancake fill.

I am thrilled to announce that DTR Alumna Stefanie Kelly has launched her blog so please check it out and do not hesitate to ask her for some jambalaya.

Well thank goodness THAT'S over with...

2011-02-14T14:30:00.000-08:00

Grammy Scammy....Watching some of the Grammys last night (mind you, I say "some") helped me in only one way. It helped me decided who is going to grace the cover of the next issue of DTR.

After so many years tooling around in the "industry," I am still not getting the Grammys. Is it supposed to be like a huge Football game for Record Labels (make that, whatever is left of the Majors), with cheerleaders (the musicians) rooting for their teams (the songwriters, A&R staff, stylists and personal trainers)?

I wasn't popular in high school and I loathe football, so maybe that's why I am coming up empty.

Here's what I did get from viewing:

1) Lady Gaga, though she would probably make an excellent brunch date, isn't really breaking ground anymore. She did it a couple of years ago but by making a huge statement by allowing herself to be "ugly" and somewhat grotesque (read: artsy), but is now only misleading the public. First off, Gaga was not the first one to do so. No silly! I am not talking about THAT M. I'm talking about Marilyn, as in Manson. I never got 'pretty & sexy' musicians because music was where those types fled from and where the gangly with bad teeth flocked to. However, Lady Gaga should have won a Grammy for "Best Abs."

2) Girls! Girls! Stop crying on your Vlogs and listen. Justin Bieber will be around at least long enough for you to start crushing on local college boys, so don't get your 'efron Zac-ness' into a big, whole mess. BTW, Bieber wins points in my book because he's Canadian. All great things come from up there.

3) Miranda Lambert scored her first Grammy for, "The House That Built Me." Actually, last night might as well had been the very first time she was on a stage for all I know! Anyhoo - despite that she gave a scared shitless, afraid to move except for her left foot performance of the song, Miss Lambert impressed me only with the fact that she was performing a "story" within music (something that is soooo lacking in today's music). It's just a shame that she didn't write the song herself. doh!

4) The public should just leave Christina Aguilera alone. First off, the Superbowl screw up is a million miles away. Let's talk about the fact that she was part of a stellar group of ladies doing a tribute to Aretha Franklin and had to actually share a stage with Florence Welch from Florence and the Machine. What I did learn is, big, blond hair is perfect for hiding tummy fat and big hips. Ms. Aguilera should hit the gym with Ms. Gaga.

5) It amuses me that I have no idea who Muse are?

6) Yeah - Arcade Fire...

7) Wincing at the thought of actually watching Mick Jagger perform, at one part of the evening I became extremely confused because Keith Richard actually performed...oh, wait. Is that - Bob Dylan? Wow. Poor Bob. He doesn't have to work another musical day in his life (his back catalogue from 1962 - 1975 proves it). But when we have to endure the paring of Dylan with lackluster 'up and coming folk acts,' Mumford and Sons and the Avett Brothers, this had me flashing back to when some knucklehead thought it would be kosher to pair Dylan with Victoria Secret. It was a total bomb and not in a soy kinda way.

8) Let's now talk about this epidemic known as Twitter. Why are people tweeting play by plays of the evening's event? Wouldn't the same folks receiving these tweets be, like, actually watching for themselves?

9) Would someone please pass the ham? I'm starving. Starving for anything.

It's True Because This Guy Says It Is...

2011-02-11T14:46:00.000-08:00

ok...so he's not exactly a Groundhog but hey! He speaks to us here at Dig This Real and his message is: "early Spring Bubbas..."

Perfect.

2011-01-25T13:46:00.000-08:00

Pending another snow storm - check. Hot chocolate (made with real milk) - check. Videos on a VHS - totally check.

It's Not Always About That, You Know...

2011-01-11T10:03:00.001-08:00

...cake that is. Or pie...

I saved a piece for you. Enjoy. I am still shaking in my pants with excitement because the Barbarellatones have just dropped a new album entitled, Confessions of a Teenage Prostitute, and a copy has been purchased via cdbaby. This birthday is gonna be the best ever.

Capricorn Birthdays

2011-01-07T11:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to Herck, DTR photographer, artist, long-time friend. But let's not forget, music fan in the worst way.

2011

2011-01-04T13:24:00.000-08:00

...my New Year's Resolutions.

1) update blog more often with interesting fodder
2) plug my magazine more
3) stop being so goddamn precious about stuff
4) stop angering when I hear something on the radio that is rubbish
5) get out to see more shows
6) try and stick to a production schedule

blahblahblahblahblah....

Happy New Year! Hope that you achieve rocking greatness and heaven in 2011.

Captain...RIP

2010-12-18T14:46:00.001-08:00

The Christmas/Yule time always washes over me with such memories, mostly of music. As a kid growing up, I was allowed two gifts every Christmas for as long as I remember. My parents probably gave me more (socks, nitegowns, new underwear) but all that mattered were those "two," because we got to choose what those would be. The year 1980 was especially magically for me because my parents allowed me to watch Saturday Night Live, which, to an 8th Grader was sooooo edgy. So dangerous! So punk rock!

One day in November of 1980, the musicial guest on SNL was Captain Beefheart and his Magic Band. Not aware of who this was, it didn't really matter. Music was all that did matter to me growing up and I was going to watch no matter who played. That night as the soft glow of a tiny color (big news back then!) TV (rabbit ears most likely) painted the living room walls with dancing images, I sat, mesmorized, as Captain Beefheart and his band broke into song. I couldn't move. The hair on my arms were standing on end. It was the most shocking, disconnected and beautiful sound and vision I had ever seen...

When December rolled in, my Mother asked me what I wanted for Christmas. That year I only wanted one gift: Doc at the Radar Station, Captain Beefheart's latest album.

On Christmas morning as I crawled over two younger brothers ripping apart wrapping that produced Hess Trucks, I nervously tried to find the package that would be flat as a board and easy to "break," especially with tons of dancing feet around the tree. Eventually I found it and ripped open the festive paper to find the album. Both my parents were looking at me, as all do, when their kids open the best gift ever. "Thank you," I whispered to them as my eyes went back to the album displaying artwork by the artist himself, Don Van Vliet. "Did you open your second gift, Mija?" my Mother inquired. Another gift? I don't remember ordering another one because this was all I wanted. My father then promptly handed me a second gift - a pair of stereo headphones.

Happy Holidays everyone. May all your holidays be musical.

Art does what?

2010-12-07T15:43:00.000-08:00

As they say, "Life imitates Art." Or is it "Art imitates Life?" Well, in this photo, Art imitates Art.

Here is a photo of DTR's Oscar Meyer (the facebook wonder cat), striking a pose along side my collection of Andy Warhol's 25 Cats Named Sam and One Blue Pussy. Notice the fearlessness in him. He is actually balancing himself over the fish tank. Argentina, the big Orange Fish, was not pleased. I'm not sure if this was because of yet another Devil's game loss or the cat sticking his paw in the tank (if you look close enough, you can see the hockey games reflection on the tank - and it's most likely the one million-ith goal scored against us.)...

ugh.

Latest Issue Digital-a-Rama

2010-11-23T17:25:00.000-08:00

Latest issue of Dig This Real can now be downloaded via the website at www.digthisreal.com. I would love to hear your comments on this very new method. No, for real.

More Than Meets The Eye

2010-11-16T06:14:00.001-08:00

The song, "The Electric Version," by the New Pornographers is running around in my head this morning. In a flash, you'll see why.

This photo makes me think of the upcoming holidays. Upon first glance, it's shimmery and festive, like holiday lights, blowing in the snowy air. But like everything in life, it can also not be what it seems.

The latest issue of DTR is almost ready.

F'ing finally.

PS - the photo is actually of the planet Jupiter. It was taken by my brother Will. He used his i-phone and a monster telescope to capture it.

End of Summer, Beginning of Publishing

2010-08-24T13:54:00.000-07:00

I can't believe that September is only one week away.

Time for school, time for getting back to business, time for wrapping up vacations...

I spent last week-end at one of my favorite places - Asbury Park. When there, even in the dead of January's Winter, it still feels like summer.

Take a trip to the beach soon! Before you know it...?

A Piece of Cake...

2010-07-28T13:15:00.000-07:00

I have a fabulous relationship with Leandro, Dig This Real's Creative Director and Designer. When we work together, a zillion miles apart (me in NYC, he in Brazil), it's almost psychic. I tell him some half-baked scheme or "brilliant idea," and Leandro weaves it into, well, something magnificent.

But things have been slow for Leandro since I am now busy wrapping up editorial for the next issue. So he took matters into his own hands and baked this little number.

Leandro informed me that he baked this while hanging around his office, waiting for me to give him more work. HOW COME THIS NEVER HAPPENS TO ME? He also informed me that first cake, then PICANHA.

Oh, the life of a Brazilian.

Here's the recipe, in case you were wondering:

Bolo
• 3 cenouras médias
• 3 ovos
• 1 xícara de chá de óleo
• 2 xícaras de açúcar
• 2 xícaras de farinha de trigo peneirada com uma tampinha de fermento . Cobertura:
• Chocolate amargo em pó
• 3 colheres de leite
• 1 1/2 colher de margarina
• 2 colheres de açúcar
Preparo:

Bolo
• No liquidificador colocar os ovos, o óleo e as cenouras
• bater por 3 minutos para sumir o cheiro dos ovos
• Em uma vasilha a parte colocar os secos
• Misturar os dois, mexer bem
• Levar ao microondas por 10 minutos( em forma apropriada) enquanto isso fazer a

Cobertura
• é so levar tudo ao fogo e mexer sempre até que engrosse
• se preferir leve ao microondas, mas sempre parando para mexer porque ela cai e pode queimar
• Colocar em cima do bolo ainda quente

Cross my heart and hope for pie...

2010-07-27T08:49:00.000-07:00

One day (in the very near future), I promise to work on the Dig This Real facebook page. We have gotten quite a few requests for the page to come to "life." But, sadly, I am just too busy working on next issue. Promise. Promise?

...it's finally Friday &

2010-07-16T07:04:00.000-07:00

Fame is a fickle food
Upon a shifting plate
Whose table once a
Guest but not
The second time is set.

- Emily Dickenson

sad...but happy

2010-07-12T11:42:00.000-07:00

Yes, kids - the World Cup is over. Now what to do? Check out a DTR fave on tour in a city near you?

More info here: Gunfight!

Happy 4th Everyone!

2010-07-04T06:49:00.001-07:00

Yay for Weenies!

The Alternative World Cup by MC Lee

2010-07-02T15:23:00.000-07:00

Sad?

Two Brazil fans committed suicide by jumping off a stand when their team , the favorites, lost the 1950 final to Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium.

Kidnapped

Holland great Johan Cruyff missed the 1978 finals. The Dutch FA originally saying it was down to his distaste for the military government in Argentina. However 30 years Cruyff said he had pulled out because of worries over family security following a kidnap attempt. He said: "Someone had a rifle at my head and tied me up and tied up my wife in front of the children at our flat in Barcelona."

No Glove lost

Frank Borghi, America's goalkeeper when they beat England 1 -0 at the 1950 finals, was a baseball player and part-time funeral parlor attendant who had never learned to kick the ball . He used to throw the ball to defenders after saves and had a team-mate take all his goal kicks. He also never wore gloves..probably because he hands were permanently caked in formaldehyde.

The Curse

In the 1966 World Cup held in Engalnd the Jules Rimet trophy was famously stolen and then recovered. Some say there was a curse on the trophy as 3 of the figures involved in the theft and subsequent recovery died shortly afterwards.
Firstly, Edward Betchley, who stole it, died of emphysema in 1969, shortly after completing a two-year jail. Second up Joe Mears, the FA chairman who conducted negotiations with Betchley, to try to get the trophy back, didn't even see England lift it. He died of an angina attack ten days before the finals started. And lastly, Pickles the dog who had help recover the trophy from a hedge, died in 1967 after strangling himself on his lead whist chasing a cat up a tree!

Iggy Pop might like this one!

Cameroon legend Roger Milla, famous for his jiggle at the 1990 World Cup, is said to have been arrested in 1992 after his plan to organise a Pygmy World Cup led to allegations of mistreatment and cruelty. Apparently he kept the pygmy football players locked away in a guarded room underneath the ground. They were fed only one meal of rice in 72 hours. A spokesman for Milla said;
"You don't know the pygmies. They are extremely difficult to control. They play better if they don't eat too much,"

Fitness First

The great Soviet keeper Lev Yashin's pre-match routine was "have a smoke to calm your nerves, then toss back a strong drink to tone your muscles." Sounds like he should join the pocket gods!

Sleeping With The Enemy

The 1990 'art' film Cicciolina And Moana At The World Cup features two porn stars who sleep their way through the opposition, tiring out star players like Jurgen Klinsmann, Ruud Gullit and Diego Maradona thus enabling Italy to win. Well they did it for their country!

None More Round!

The Jabulani ball which will be used at the tournament has been advertised as the "roundest-ever ball" so if like me you thought that round is round apparently not but this new ball, to crib Spinal Tap, is “none more round”

Chupacabra?

Apparently Garrincha, Brazil's World Cup hero of 1968 and 1962, lost his virginity at age 12 to a goat. He went on to father 14 children…to women…not goats.

Kick out the Jams

At the opening ceremony of USA 94 Motown singing legend Diana Ross missed her penalty kick, and also hostess Oprah Winfrey fell off the stage.

Fourplay

The Japanese squad list goes from 3 to 5 as the number 4 is considered unlucky in the country. Four is pronouced "shi" which is the same as "death."

HE(ctor) came, he saw, he conquered

Hector Castro, who scored the winner in the 1930 World Cup final for Uruguay was physically disabled. He had accidentally cut off his right arm with an electric saw when he was 13. He was known as El Manco - The Maimed.

Unbelievable Truth

The New York Times refused to report that the USA had beaten England 1-0 at the 1950 World Cup because editors believed the scoreline was a hoax.

The Horn of Africa?

On the way home from the 2002 finals, the Senegal side stopped off for a diplomatic visit in Taiwan, where it is said players were ministered to by 37 different call girls.

The Drugs Don’t Work

American physio Jack Coll was knocked unconscious during the 1930 semi-final against Argentina when he ran onto the field to treat an injured player, dropped his bag next to the stricken Yank and was overcome by the fumes from a bottle of chloroform which had broken inside.

2010-06-29T08:24:00.000-07:00

Music to Our Ears ...

2010-06-25T07:51:00.000-07:00

Check it out! Weezer posts an 'unofficial' World Cup song...

C'mon...you know you want to...

2010-06-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

make some noise!

photo by Mike D.

2010-06-11T13:08:00.000-07:00

It's time...

2010-06-07T15:13:00.000-07:00

World Cup Preview
4 years of waiting, qualifying, drinking beer, Jules Rimet dreaming, eating nachos, watching friendlies and getting very, very excited. It’s now nearly here that Holy Grail of soccer – the World Cup.

It’s all getting quite silly over here in England – cars, shops, prams, pubs, are all draped in the St George Cross and we have a swarm of really bad songs released for the world cup. My own band, the Pocket Gods, have even got in on the act, releasing the song, “Come On England (no nookie or playstation),” as an ode to manager Fabio Capello’s ban on wives and girlfriends in the England camp.

The question is, will South Africa be the best one yet? I think so. The quality of football is now greater than it’s ever been and just look at those players that will be gracing the tournament – Kaka, Rooney, Christiano Ronaldo, Torres and Messi just to name a few. Also, we have arguably the greatest player the world has ever seen – Diego Maradona managing one of the favourites, Argentina. The question is, will Diego keep his cool? He’s already showed his eccentric nature in not picking any conventional full backs for the squad and is probably going to go with 3 centre backs but I suppose with Messi, Milito (highest scored in Seria A Italian league, and Carlos Tevez who needs defenders…

Anyway, I expect Maradona to pick himself should they get to the final in a months time but think he might need a fork lift to get him on the pitch!

What else to look out for? The lowest ranked team is probably the whites of New Zealand. A country which is more famous for, Lord of the Rings, tasty lamb and rugby than it’s soccer team. Anyway I’ll be shouting for them as the minnows of the competition though I think along with North Korea they’ll ship a load of goals and come home with nul points!

Surprise package? Look out for the Mexicans. They played England off the park a few weeks ago in a friendly though losing 3-1. They’ve even managed to coax playmaker Cuauhtémoc Blanco out of retirement and at 39, he’s nearly as old as me but has still got more tricks than David Copperfield at Caesars Palace.

So keep following these pages for my updates throughout the World Cup. I’ll also be doing video casts which will be worth a look to. My World Cup claim to fame/name dropping is that my cousin Gary Stevens, who played for England in 3 World Cups He played in that famous match with Argentina when Diego Maradona (all hail the king?) went past the entire English defence and scored one of the World Cup wonder goals.

Anyway, Gary was out of position and got no where near Diego but still what a moment to witness!

Bye for now and make sure to check out www.digthisreal.com for more coverage and video!

MC LEE

Calling All Talent

2010-05-04T08:58:00.001-07:00

Dig This Real is always on the hunt for new talent. Send press kits and demos to: Dig This Real, 244 Fifth Avenue, Suite 29037, New York, New York, 10001.

Timing ...

2010-04-20T12:04:00.000-07:00

...is everything. And now is not the time to launch our blog due to the Mercury Retrograde. But, soon. Real soon. In the meantime, check out our new site. - edie