Thursday, June 29, 2006
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
A series of talks given at the TED conference in Monterey are now available in podcast and direct download. Check 'em out.
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
GOLDEN AGE OF AIR TRAVEL?
"Airbus has unveiled a novel “super first class” concept on its revamped A380 cabin mock-up in Toulouse which could debut on the aircraft with some of the early operators."
I'm really doubting this will ever see production. With walk-up business class fares on New York to London hovering around $8,000 return, somehow I doubt there would be a market between this level, and that of the private jet. Perhaps on Emirates or Singapore, (as the article indicates), but when you consider how much space is being taken up in this suite, it doesn't seem sustainable. It is always frustrating to see the mock-ups of new airplanes, because all of the artist renditions show these lovely, luxurious spaces with workout centers, lounges, etc. The reality is each available square inch will be crammed with seats.
I am intrigued with the new entrants into the NYC-London route, Maxjet and Eos. The former offers promotional fares for around $1500 return for the route (similar to a premium economy fare on Virgin), but offers a better seat, better meals, better lounge access, and the fact that you don't have to deal with the terrible Heathrow 7am customs queue, though you do have to fly into Stansted. Early reports from friends indicate a satisfying experience, though they only have one plane going back and forth, meaning if your flight is canceled, things get messed up.
Eos is much more expensive, but based on the reviews I've read, is quite nice. They advertise 48 people on a plane built for 220, and the meal service, amentities, etc are all first class. For now, according to today's Times, "the airline is breaking even financially. June load factors will be above 70 percent, and 100 corporate clients have signed up. Eos said it would add a second daily flight between New York and London Stansted Airport in September.
It will be very interesting to see how both of these fare (har har) going forward. There is a market for what they're providing, but it comes down to execution and sustainable business models in an increasingly difficult sector.
Update:
According to Dan Crivello, a MAXjet pilot, "MAXjet is acquiring more airplanes to have spares. We just took delivery of airplane number 3 and have put bids on airplane 4 and 5.
In the meantime, rest assured. MAXjet has a reciprocal agreement with Virgin Atlantic and will book you on that airline if there is cancellation."
"Airbus has unveiled a novel “super first class” concept on its revamped A380 cabin mock-up in Toulouse which could debut on the aircraft with some of the early operators."
I'm really doubting this will ever see production. With walk-up business class fares on New York to London hovering around $8,000 return, somehow I doubt there would be a market between this level, and that of the private jet. Perhaps on Emirates or Singapore, (as the article indicates), but when you consider how much space is being taken up in this suite, it doesn't seem sustainable. It is always frustrating to see the mock-ups of new airplanes, because all of the artist renditions show these lovely, luxurious spaces with workout centers, lounges, etc. The reality is each available square inch will be crammed with seats.
I am intrigued with the new entrants into the NYC-London route, Maxjet and Eos. The former offers promotional fares for around $1500 return for the route (similar to a premium economy fare on Virgin), but offers a better seat, better meals, better lounge access, and the fact that you don't have to deal with the terrible Heathrow 7am customs queue, though you do have to fly into Stansted. Early reports from friends indicate a satisfying experience, though they only have one plane going back and forth, meaning if your flight is canceled, things get messed up.
Eos is much more expensive, but based on the reviews I've read, is quite nice. They advertise 48 people on a plane built for 220, and the meal service, amentities, etc are all first class. For now, according to today's Times, "the airline is breaking even financially. June load factors will be above 70 percent, and 100 corporate clients have signed up. Eos said it would add a second daily flight between New York and London Stansted Airport in September.
It will be very interesting to see how both of these fare (har har) going forward. There is a market for what they're providing, but it comes down to execution and sustainable business models in an increasingly difficult sector.
Update:
According to Dan Crivello, a MAXjet pilot, "MAXjet is acquiring more airplanes to have spares. We just took delivery of airplane number 3 and have put bids on airplane 4 and 5.
In the meantime, rest assured. MAXjet has a reciprocal agreement with Virgin Atlantic and will book you on that airline if there is cancellation."
Monday, June 19, 2006
Sunday, June 18, 2006
OH, THAT VOICE
Wait for a quiet, humid night (preferably with crickets chirping) when you are alone in your house. Turn off the lights. Pour yourself a double of Lagavulin and go listen to Scott Walker's Drift on repeat.
Wait for a quiet, humid night (preferably with crickets chirping) when you are alone in your house. Turn off the lights. Pour yourself a double of Lagavulin and go listen to Scott Walker's Drift on repeat.
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
THE CAT AND THE CANARY
"Karl Rove was told by prosecutors today that he won't be charged with any crimes in the investigation into the leak of a C.I.A. officer's identity." Check out the expression on his companion's face. Need I say more?
"Karl Rove was told by prosecutors today that he won't be charged with any crimes in the investigation into the leak of a C.I.A. officer's identity." Check out the expression on his companion's face. Need I say more?
SAVE THE DATE
The Long Blondes will be playing some stateside dates in late July, including NYC. Check the Whats Your Rupture? page for the details.
The Long Blondes- Giddy Stratospheres
The Long Blondes will be playing some stateside dates in late July, including NYC. Check the Whats Your Rupture? page for the details.
The Long Blondes- Giddy Stratospheres
Friday, June 09, 2006
THE SOUND OF MIDNIGHT BLUE
The new Burial self-titled album on Hyperdub is absolutely incredible. Seek it out as soon as you can. I can't believe I slept on this. I used to pay a good amount of attention to dubstep a few years back, but have slipped and this is an excelllent reason to refocus on the genre. Here's a Pitchfork article on the album, and a link to Boomkat to pick it up. One for the best-of lists this year, to be sure.
Burial-Distant Lights
Thanks to my friend and Flavorpill Managing editor Jake Lancaster for tipping me off on both the album, and the fact that it is a bedroom recording. Wow.
The new Burial self-titled album on Hyperdub is absolutely incredible. Seek it out as soon as you can. I can't believe I slept on this. I used to pay a good amount of attention to dubstep a few years back, but have slipped and this is an excelllent reason to refocus on the genre. Here's a Pitchfork article on the album, and a link to Boomkat to pick it up. One for the best-of lists this year, to be sure.
Burial-Distant Lights
Thanks to my friend and Flavorpill Managing editor Jake Lancaster for tipping me off on both the album, and the fact that it is a bedroom recording. Wow.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
THINKING IN BULLETS
-Dial enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that the new Pantha Du Prince Lichten 12' is out on pre-release over at Kompakt Mp3. While you're at it, pick up the whole label back catalogue. You won't be sorry.
-Mr. Pearson has a new Enthusiasm column up on his site. Go read!
-La Decadance with the new Simian track, "Hustler".
-In other news, for those in NYC, check out the Chromatics and Glass Candy out at Night Time. And for some late night action, check out the Damian Lazarus "Get Lost" party over at Love afterwards.
-Dial enthusiasts will be pleased to hear that the new Pantha Du Prince Lichten 12' is out on pre-release over at Kompakt Mp3. While you're at it, pick up the whole label back catalogue. You won't be sorry.
-Mr. Pearson has a new Enthusiasm column up on his site. Go read!
-La Decadance with the new Simian track, "Hustler".
-In other news, for those in NYC, check out the Chromatics and Glass Candy out at Night Time. And for some late night action, check out the Damian Lazarus "Get Lost" party over at Love afterwards.
Tuesday, June 06, 2006
NYC-
Here's the PS1 Warm up series schedule:
July 1: Danny Krivit, Francois K, Joe Claussell (Body & Soul Ten Year Reunion)
July 8: The Idjut Boys, Phil South
July 15: Todd Terje, Kudu (live), Citizen Kane
July 22: A Guy Called Gerald (live), San Serac (live), Derek Plaslaiko
July 29: The Juan Maclean (live), Adam X (live), Jeffrey Sfire
August 5: Agnes B. Presents...
August 12: Rub-n-Tug, Escort (live)
August 19: Mathew Johnson (live), Beppe Loda, Lee Douglas, Jeremy Campbell
August 26: The Glimmers + a special guest
September 2: Carl Craig, Gamal Awad, special guest
Here's the PS1 Warm up series schedule:
July 1: Danny Krivit, Francois K, Joe Claussell (Body & Soul Ten Year Reunion)
July 8: The Idjut Boys, Phil South
July 15: Todd Terje, Kudu (live), Citizen Kane
July 22: A Guy Called Gerald (live), San Serac (live), Derek Plaslaiko
July 29: The Juan Maclean (live), Adam X (live), Jeffrey Sfire
August 5: Agnes B. Presents...
August 12: Rub-n-Tug, Escort (live)
August 19: Mathew Johnson (live), Beppe Loda, Lee Douglas, Jeremy Campbell
August 26: The Glimmers + a special guest
September 2: Carl Craig, Gamal Awad, special guest
Friday, June 02, 2006
TONIGHT, NYC
David Holmes w/ Andy Votel
when: Fri 6.2 (10pm)
where: APT (419 W 13th St, 212.414.4245)
price: $12 / $10 advance
David Holmes' current day job finds him melding the underground and the mainstream; pairing long-lost soul rarities, other vinyl gems, and his own edits with top-tier Hollywood blockbusters like Ocean's Twelve. Though the producer and archivist has long had an interest in soundtrack work of this sort, his DJing pedigree is certainly up-to-nick as well. Extremely versatile and able to play to a small, sweaty Northern soul crowd one night and an anthemic techno big-room the next, Holmes joins another high-caliber selector/collector: Twisted Nerve label head Andy Votel. Sure to delight vinyl-obsessives of ethno-psych, Krautrock, bizzaro-folk, prog, deep soul, funk, and more. (CJN)
David Holmes w/ Andy Votel
when: Fri 6.2 (10pm)
where: APT (419 W 13th St, 212.414.4245)
price: $12 / $10 advance
David Holmes' current day job finds him melding the underground and the mainstream; pairing long-lost soul rarities, other vinyl gems, and his own edits with top-tier Hollywood blockbusters like Ocean's Twelve. Though the producer and archivist has long had an interest in soundtrack work of this sort, his DJing pedigree is certainly up-to-nick as well. Extremely versatile and able to play to a small, sweaty Northern soul crowd one night and an anthemic techno big-room the next, Holmes joins another high-caliber selector/collector: Twisted Nerve label head Andy Votel. Sure to delight vinyl-obsessives of ethno-psych, Krautrock, bizzaro-folk, prog, deep soul, funk, and more. (CJN)
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