KROZM vs. Van She & Midnight Juggernauts

What do Krozm, Van She and Midnight Juggernauts have in common? For starters, they're all Australian. Secondly, they're all amazing. It may or may not be obvious to you that Van She and Midnight Juggernauts are bands; but who or what exactly is Krozm? Their myspace informs us that Krozm is a collective comprised of five humans (Chris Hill, Ewan Macleod, Lachlan Dickie, Brandon Tay and from time to time, Dan Bronsema) who specialize in video, film, direction, cinematography, animation, design and interpretive dance.

Whether Krozm are kidding about the interpretive dancing or not, I do not know. It seems laughable, but interpretive dance would be almost too appropriate to list, considering that their videos do feature some dazzlingly killer moves and editing.

These lads are based out of Melbourne, Australia and are responsible for directing some of my favorite music videos as of late. Krozm typically make the type of videos that you watch and wonder 'how can someone (or five someones) have the brain to come up with any of this stuff?!' I've come across people that hate any video (or any piece of art, for that matter) if they cannot wrap their brain around the concept of it or figure out where the logic is. If you often find yourself staring at the screen in confusion and anger when shown a moderately abstract video, then sadly you may not like Krozm. However, If you're anything like myself and love seeing things like random deer heads on a human body juxtaposed with interesting editing and camera work, then you just might love the creations of Krozm.

The boys of Krozm have created a visual masterpiece for Van She's new single 'Cat And The Eye'. What I love about this video other than the bizarre costumes, is mainly the way the camera never stops panning right or left, circling around, or focusing out and back in. The effect is dizzying, and somehow it almost feels as if you're the one moving. The song itself is a lot more commercial sounding in comparison to the sparkling 80's reminiscent space pop previously heard from Van She. Still, Van She prove further that they know how to drop an addicting melody. If I heard this song on mainstream radio here in the U.S. it would be a welcomed change to what is typically played. Look forward to a full Van She album being released soon on Modular.

Van She - Cat and the Eye
Uploaded by krozm

Krozm have made a whole slew of videos for Melbourne band Midnight Juggernauts. 2007 saw the release of Midnight Juggernauts' full length debut Dystopia, released on Siberia Records. With a synth-rock sound that draws influence from Daft Punk, ELO, Giorgio Moroder, 70's sci-fi/horror film score music/Goblin; Midnight Juggernauts somehow manage to create a unique sound as mysterious and expansive as outer space itself. My favorite Midnight Juggernauts video may also be one of Krozm's simplest. The key ingredients are fog, lights and mirrors.

Into the Galaxy - Midnight Juggernauts
Uploaded by krozm

Again, the way that the camera pans and appears to dance around the band members is what truly makes this video great. It's incredible that simple things such as lights and mirrors in conjunction with a camera could create something so beautiful and fascinating to watch. What's even more impressive is how perfectly the atmosphere and visual aesthetics of the video match up with the song.

Check out more Midnight Juggernauts videos directed by Krozm here.

SoftLightes say no! to being cool.

The Modular label has put out some of my favorite albums of 2007. It's difficult to pinpoint one favorite, with new releases from New Young Pony Club, Chromeo, Klaxons, and Muscles (just to name a few) circulating at the same time. Most of these albums make me want to dance and pump my fist in the air a few times. SoftLightes offer up something completely different: indie pop perfection.

SoftLightes craft beautiful pop songs with melodies that are liable to melt your heart into a puddle of goo. Their clever lyrics could perhaps draw comparison to The Flaming Lips, but I personally prefer and adore SoftLightes much more. It's difficult to believe that absolutely no one I know has heard of these guys yet. Even so, you just might recall frontman and multi-instrumentalist Ron Fountenberry, formerly of the electro pop act The Incredible Moses Leroy.

SoftLightes hail from sunny San Diego, California, but I can't help thinking that there is no better music to help one get through a chilly late fall/early winter's day here in the northeast. Their songs make me want to cut out paper snowflakes and curl up in front of a fireplace with a mug full of hot cocoa. It's sort of like that strange thing that happens when a song sounds like it could be a Christmas song, yet it's not, and it is in fact better than most Christmas songs. Without a doubt, SoftLightes will generate the warmth you need to keep warm and cozy throughout the long winter.

Check out the visually stunning video for 'The Microwave Song' directed by Kris Moyes.

SoftLightes - Microwave Song
Uploaded by modularpeople

If you're anything like me, It won't be long before you have 'The Microwave Song' stuck in your head for weeks or possibly years. Be prepared to start singing 'I am just a Microwave, I am just a Microwave, I am JUST A Microwave' repeatedly around friends, family, and coworkers. You should probably also prepare to have the debut full length album by SoftLightes 'Say No! to Being Cool. Say Yes! to Being Happy.' quickly become one of your new favorite albums of 2007.

The Microwave Song

Heart Made of Sound

If The World Had Cookies

Purchase Say No! To Being Cool. Say Yes! To Being Happy. at Insound. Also be sure to check out SoftLightes on myspace and befriend these lovely lads!

b-boys, breakers, electric boogaloo!

I can't stop thinking about the Rock Steady Crew. Last week they performed on the Dancing with the Stars results show (Yes, I was watching it). Initially when I heard that they were going to be performing I imagined a bunch of grandpas out on the dance floor trying to uprock and windmill. How wrong I was. While some members of the Rock Steady Crew have been around for years, these days they are more of a collective rather than a small group of dancers. There are several chapters of the Rock Steady Crew spread throughout the nation. Apparently there are also members in Canada and Japan, among other countries.

Prior to reading up on the history of the Rock Steady Crew, I was only familiar with them for two reasons; one being their role in the legendary 1984 film Beat Street. The other thing that sprang to mind was their bizarre and campy attempt at a music career. I don't even know how to describe what the music sounds like, other than to say that it could barely be considered hip hop. It's pure bubblegum. This is what an author on last.fm said in regards to their music: "The Rock Steady Crew was picked up by a record company and they made dope tracks and music videos." Dope tracks indeed. It may have been a cheap attempt at capitalizing on the popularity of breakdancing, but It's still an enjoyable listen and definitely an enjoyable watch.

I don't know what purpose you'll need this song for, but trust me, you need to have this in your collection.

The Rock Steady Crew - (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew (zshare)


There's no way you can have a post about breakdancing without some appropriate visuals to accompany it. Here are some of my favorite Rock Steady Crew related videos:

Rock Steady Crew - Uprock: The video for their other single. I wish I had an mp3 of this, because this song is actually pretty awesome. I have always wanted a breakdance crew of my own so that we could skip down the streets in matching outfits and inform people that our moves are true.

Rock Steady Crew - (Hey You) The Rock Steady Crew: The video that goes along with the classic song. Bright yellow outfit + lady mullet = not a good combination? You be the judge.

Rock Steady Crew vs. NYC Breakers: This is the main battle from the film Beat Street. I have always found this to be the most amazing breakdance battle ever featured in a film. Both crews are phenomenal and look awesome. The Rock Steady Crew are the ones dressed in blue.

Dancing with the Stars: Here is the current incarnation of the Rock Steady Crew. Most of them probably hadn't even been born yet when the Rock Steady Crew was created (1977). However, original member and current president, Crazy Legs does make an appearance here.

Jumpity Jump Jump Jump

I'm sure by this point virtually everyone in North America has heard of Jumpstyle. You've probably watched a video or ten on YouTube and giggled as you watched some young Belgians kicking their legs in a folk dance inspired fashion to the hard beats commonly heard in Jumpstyle music.

I can't claim to be an aficionado on Jumpstyle music. It seems pretty complicated for a cultural phenomenon and genre that is simply regarded as 'gay' by so many. Let's start with what I DO know. I know that it's been around for a number of years. I know that it is now commercially popular in the Netherlands. I know that it is similar to hardcore, with a slower BPM. I have read that Jumpstyle is exactly the same as Chicago Hard House. Maybe Jumpstyle drew its inspiration from Chicago Hard House, but the typical Chicago Hard House song sounds a lot different from the typical Jumpstyle song to me. Chicago Hard House songs usually incorporate high-pitched mosquito inspired notes, whereas Jumpstyle songs often feature a melody that sounds like some sort of polka or folk dance music.

While there may be a whole slew of commercial and perhaps even mediocre sounding Jumpstyle anthems out there, I must say that I am impressed by and totally in love with some of the Jumpstyle songs I have heard thus far. Who can resist a Jumpstyle cover of Depeche Mode's classic 'Just Can't Get Enough'? A Jumpstyle remix of the A-Team theme? Please sign me up.

Wacky Jumpers - Just Can't Jump (zshare)

Crazy Fool - A-Team Theme (Picco Vs. Jens O Remix) (zshare)

Everyone seems to be jumping aboard the Jumpstyle train these days. Even If you don't like Jumpstyle music as much as I do, you still might appreciate Doormouse's homage to Jumpstyle. His song 'Ultimate Jumpstyle' fittingly enough, is not a Jumpstyle song at all. It is however, hilarious and jumperific.

Doormouse - Ultimate Jumpstyle (zshare)

Time for the icing on the cake. Apparently I'm not the only non-Netherlander that enjoys listening to Jumpstyle. It would seem that DJ Donna Summer AKA Jason Forrest also has a soft spot in his heart for Jumpstyle music. Back in September he posted a free download of an epic Jumpstyle inspired mix that he conjured up. Even If you don't love Jumpstyle music, you still might enjoy it. Not everything in it is Jumpstyle. It's a great mixture of songs (there are even some rave classics hidden in there). I would go as far as to say that this is my favorite thing that DJ Donna Summer/Jason Forrest has ever done. This mix is truly a treat.

DJ Donna Summer - Jumpstyle Mix (right click to save)

The first time I listened to that mix it was 4 a.m. I was in my jammies, pumping my fist in the air and doing miniature jumpstyle inspired kicks with my legs. Yup, It's that good.

Just another blog with 'Disco' in the title?

Nope. We've got cookies too. It's the cookies that will set us apart from the rest of the batch.

This is Ginger Cookie Disco; a blog about music, the arts & life.

The music we write about will cover a multitude of genres and span many decades. We love new music and we love old music too. We love obscure music and we love not-so-obscure music. If we post an mp3 that has been blogged a hundred times over, we're still going to post it if we feel inclined to do so. It is our belief that varied opinions should be heard!

We also plan to post about the arts. We believe that art is infinite. We may post about fashion, photography, film, dance, and pretty much any type of media that you can think of. Music will be posted about on a regular basis!

Pour yourself a glass of milk (or soy milk) and get ready for some Ginger Cookie Disco greatness!