I think about (and listen to reconstructions of) those Headz 2 compilations all the time. A bummer the Mo' Wax thing isn't remembered more than it is. Thanks for this.
Musically? Kinda... But undoubtedly incredible documents of that moment though! Can never forget the worlds-collide moment when I first heard Shadow's "Lost And Found" and Larry Mullen Jr.'s drums kick in. Also clearly remember one of our first conversations SV4 (must have been 2001), you invoked MW as a model for Ghostly, but you described it less in musical terms than in what we'd now call "world-building." Instantly endeared you to me as someone thinking about the label as something more than a record company. "Mo Wax" needs to be gallery show, if the archive's in good shape.
fair play, but i think the tracklists provide connections that likely weren't apparent at the time, forgot Autechre "Lowrider" on Headz 1! RE: Lost and Found i just watched an interview with Shadow where he said he sampled Fleetwood Mac and U2 to make a point that digging wasnt the only virtue, you could use anything and make it dope. cool stuff.
An exhibit already happened + I imagine would be ready to go. Not sure there's an institution in the entire United States that could justify hosting such a thing though? Too obscure for big ones, too 'expensive' for small ones. Maybe some place like Deitch if there was enough surrounding artifacts to sell?
Musically, yeah some of it seems lounge/boring but a lot better (cooler?) than the trip-hop equivalent of 'landfill indie' that surrounded it. Certainly connected dots that are still being colored in today (to mangle a metaphor).
The point about convergence is key imo. That vision and will to create a blockbuster-like universe around the music he loved. The artwork, the characters, the streetwear, the toys...
I've always admired James' hustle above all else. I still remember interning at Straight No Chaser and Paul Bradshaw telling me this story about some kid from Oxford who bowled up at the mag's East London office and declared, "You need me".
So good Sam. Lavelle just seemed to be a step ahead of the rest of us, weaving a perfectly curated set of influences into more than the sum of their parts.
The Unkle “Do Androids Dream of Electronic Beats” triple CD is a prized possession and still a regular play, the DMX & Tears for Fears mashup never fails to get the party going.
Side note: loving how you are turning these “almost herbs” into as enjoyable a ride as the ones you won. Bravo.
Seminal stuff for those of us that grew up in touch of London in the mid-to late 90s. Mo'Wax and Ninja Tune opened my eyes to so much music and culture, in a way that my 45 year old self can just not see in the culture of today.
I think about (and listen to reconstructions of) those Headz 2 compilations all the time. A bummer the Mo' Wax thing isn't remembered more than it is. Thanks for this.
they stand up!
Musically? Kinda... But undoubtedly incredible documents of that moment though! Can never forget the worlds-collide moment when I first heard Shadow's "Lost And Found" and Larry Mullen Jr.'s drums kick in. Also clearly remember one of our first conversations SV4 (must have been 2001), you invoked MW as a model for Ghostly, but you described it less in musical terms than in what we'd now call "world-building." Instantly endeared you to me as someone thinking about the label as something more than a record company. "Mo Wax" needs to be gallery show, if the archive's in good shape.
fair play, but i think the tracklists provide connections that likely weren't apparent at the time, forgot Autechre "Lowrider" on Headz 1! RE: Lost and Found i just watched an interview with Shadow where he said he sampled Fleetwood Mac and U2 to make a point that digging wasnt the only virtue, you could use anything and make it dope. cool stuff.
An exhibit already happened + I imagine would be ready to go. Not sure there's an institution in the entire United States that could justify hosting such a thing though? Too obscure for big ones, too 'expensive' for small ones. Maybe some place like Deitch if there was enough surrounding artifacts to sell?
Musically, yeah some of it seems lounge/boring but a lot better (cooler?) than the trip-hop equivalent of 'landfill indie' that surrounded it. Certainly connected dots that are still being colored in today (to mangle a metaphor).
https://www.theguardian.com/music/gallery/2014/jun/13/urban-archaeology-21-years-of-mowax-in-pictures
Had no idea bout that Southbank Centre show...thanks for that
Found some documentation on DJ Food's website:
https://www.djfood.org/mo-wax-21-urban-archeology-exhibition-london
Loving this version of social media! (Uncovering mutually interesting stuff rather than anonymous randoms yelling at one another.)
its crazy what humans can accomplish with a shared goal!
Returning to say: https://bronxmuseum.org/exhibition/futura-2000/
Might finally get me to the Bronx Museum!
🏛️✌️
cant wait this was a good one too
https://bronxmuseum.org/exhibition/henry-chalfant-art-vs-transit-1977-1987/
The point about convergence is key imo. That vision and will to create a blockbuster-like universe around the music he loved. The artwork, the characters, the streetwear, the toys...
I've always admired James' hustle above all else. I still remember interning at Straight No Chaser and Paul Bradshaw telling me this story about some kid from Oxford who bowled up at the mag's East London office and declared, "You need me".
the bravery, good point, a key virtue here.
So good Sam. Lavelle just seemed to be a step ahead of the rest of us, weaving a perfectly curated set of influences into more than the sum of their parts.
The Unkle “Do Androids Dream of Electronic Beats” triple CD is a prized possession and still a regular play, the DMX & Tears for Fears mashup never fails to get the party going.
Side note: loving how you are turning these “almost herbs” into as enjoyable a ride as the ones you won. Bravo.
Haha what's herbier than writing about your failures...I think this mix will arrive one day so I'll get to do this post again!
Seminal stuff for those of us that grew up in touch of London in the mid-to late 90s. Mo'Wax and Ninja Tune opened my eyes to so much music and culture, in a way that my 45 year old self can just not see in the culture of today.
my target demo it seemsssss