The time is fast approaching… the eager awaited album of the French duo Daft Punk is just a week away. On the 21st May we will be able to travel back in time on a huge scale.

Daft Punk emerged from the enormous talent of Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, who launched their astonishing home produced album, the glorious “Homework” in 1997. The album was an entire manual on how to have fun in a discotheque. “Around the world” was the soundtrack for carefree, unpretentious bash that the mysterious couple (who’ve had hidden faces since 1996) held in the backyard of the global dance scene.

But today’s party it’s very different in all senses. The advertising campaign they are using to get the new album out there is a splendid relic of the 90s, even 80s, (although I wasn’t there to see it that decade in person). Billboards, television commercials in the intermissions of the most watched programs in the U.S., the recent ad campaign for all of Daft Punk’s outfits designed by Hedi Slimane of fashion label Saint Laurent, press trips across the world for 20 minutes interviews (presumably without the helmets). All the flavours of the album so far appear to be a heartfelt homage to the golden age of funk and disco, paying tribute to great figures such as Giorgio Moroder and Quincy Jones. The extravaganza recalls the splendor of the music industry of yesteryear, with multi-million productions, 13 tracks albums and stellar collaborations (including Pharrell Williams, Julian Casablancas, Nile Rodgers and Panda Bear).

Who could have predicted the guys that produced discs in their bedrooms would go on to drive a campaign generating such expectation that their first single “Get Lucky” would reach number 1in the UK and on Spotify within a few hours of release. It seems the simple and catchy funk theme, with the seal of approval of Nile Rodgers (who runs the entire production), is a perfect hit for modern clubs, weddings and even christenings. A hit that appeals across the board. A blockbuster.

Here is the last episode of Random Access Memories by Paul Williams.

In the end, like it or not, the disc will serve as magnificent essay to the music industry about breathing new life into the old business, using old methods of production and promotion – much like the recent Bowie release.

We are all waiting for a recovery of the essences of musical fun and inspiration for a generation of artists born in the heat of this great idea that still squeeze.

It seems the world is waiting with baited breath, whether we’re old enough to remember funk the first time round or not, to see what the Gallic maestros have in store for us.

As they say themselves: “It’s always about following the unexpected.”

DVD players are pretty much obsolete in today’s landscape of media on demand and hi res imagery. But this old tech dinosaur could soon be helping speed up medical process – facilitating an on the spot technique for HIV testing amongst other uses.

The KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm have managed to convert a commercial DVD drive into a laser scanning microscope that can analyse blood and perform cellular imaging. The ‘Lab-on-DVD’ allows HIV tests to be completed in minutes – the portable DVD allowing an alternative to bulky hospital bound flow cytometry units.

It is suggested that modified units would cost as little as $200 USD compared to $30,000+ for its static counterpart.

Extremetech report that the modifications to the DVD unit are relatively simple – two physical changes and a software alteration.

http://www.extremetech.com/extreme/153223-researchers-turn-regular-dvd-player-into-cheap-hiv-testing-machine

The simple to use ‘Lab-on-DVD’ opens the door for huge benefits in healthcare and the struggle against AIDS in the developing world. I for one will now be quiet(er) when complaining about cheap optics when having to watch material from a DVD player…

In a week where the news has been all about possible triple dip recessions and Luis Suarez’s vampiric tendencies, something which may have slipped under your radar, but which deserves its own share of attention, is the announcement that after over 30 years of tireless championing, Robert Redford is stepping down as chairperson of the Sundance Film Festival.

By 1981 Redford was one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but being such a nice man, he wanted to help others find their way in the ruthless and rapacious film industry, so he founded the Sundance Institute. Having gained its name from Redford’s hugely successful role in ‘Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid’ the Sundance Institute is a non-profit organisation dedicated to discovering new talent and to providing creative and financial support to not just all aspects of film making, but theatre and music too.

One of the Institute’s original directors was Redford’s wife’s cousin, Sterling Van Wagenen, who had co-founded the Utah/US Film Festival back in 1978 and had used his family connections to get Redford on the Festival’s board to help raise its profile. With the dual aim of showcasing independent American films whilst promoting Utah as a place for film-making, the Festival struggled financially despite its success. With this connection handily in place, the Utah Film Festival was taken over by the Sundance Institute in 1985 to become the Sundance Film Festival.

The Sundance Institute’s work is prodigious; Community Programs involve over 25,000 Utah residents each year, Theatre Program supports over 200 plays, Feature Film Program supports over 300 films, Documentary Film Program over 500, plus its Short Film, Film Music and Native American & Indigenous Programs. And then there is the Sundance Film Festival, which has grown into one of the most prestigious independent film festivals in the world, helping propel the directing careers of Jim Jarmusch (Stranger Than Paradise), Steven Soderberg (Sex, Lies and Videotape) and Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs) to name but a few. And of course, Sundance went on to inspire ditto’s ‘Sunrise Film Festival’ the UK’s largest online independent film festival.

That all takes some doing.

Mr Redford and your crew, we salute you!

A year on from Tim Cook stepping into the rather large shoes left behind by Steve Jobs as Apple CEO, he is teasing all slaves to the brand by promises of new product categories.

There have been suggestions that it may be in the auto or healthcare arenas.

It’s unlikely that the possible release of a sports watch supporting iOS will be enough to live up to people’s expectations of the brand built on the unparalleled innovation of Jobs.

The last two quarters have seen shares in the company fall by hundreds of dollars from their $700 peak last year, and the big surprises promised by Cook may not even happen until Autumn of 2014.

One can’t help but wonder if the long delay to unveil new innovation is the fear of failing to live up to Steve Jobs’ legacy.

Luckily for Cook, most of those who have taken a bite of the Apple brand shudder at the thought of using anything else, but they will be expecting more than merely enhanced versions of existing devices to keep them happy.

Outside of my graphic design role at ditto I like to illustrate and last year I was involved in a project put together by Inkygoodness who showcase new illustration talent. Run by Lisa Hassell the project invited artists from all over the world to use beermats as their canvas’. A panel of art curators and conference organisers including Pictoplasma, Illustrator Zeegan Rush and Digital Arts editor Neil Bennett judged the entrants.

I submitted four beermats under my artist pseudonym ‘El Tobe’, three of which were realised in 3D using paint and ink (shown below). Mine was a surreal approach, which is something I pursue in my personal illustration style. I always find one of the best ways to push yourself creatively is to sometimes work outside of you comfort zone and get involved in projects that aren’t part of your day-to-day routine. In turn this always helps to keep the creative juices flowing. Overall I thought it was a great idea and I’m very excited to be involved in the project.

An exhibition of the competition winners, along with works from invited artists such as Tado, Hattie Stewart and Kristyna Baczynski will take place at the Coningsby Gallery in London from April 29^th to May 4^th. If you happen to be in town then head down to the gallery and have a look. The launch night is on Tuesday 30^th April between 6-9pm and Inkygoodness always put on a good show, so if you can, come down and say hello.

For more information on the exhibition visit the Inkygoodness website here.

In London there is a market for everyone: vintage markets, food markets, flower markets, farmer’s markets, art & antique markets…

I personally love markets, because they are improvised and nomadic, buzzing with rarities and quirkiness, they are like little outdoors adventures where you can try food, meet friendly people or find that little thing that you don’t need but makes your day. Unfortunately the immense touristic revenue that they bring to our wonderful city has made markets in London change a lot over the years.

A great example is Camden Market, this iconic market has very little left from the one I knew few years back, and I’m sure the one I got to know was a pretty exploded version from what it originally was. However, soon it is going to go though another big transformation.

If Hollywood can be considered the Mecca of cinema, then from this September the London Borough of Camden Town aspires to be global epicentre of music. The music impresario Lee Bennett is preparing the inauguration of the Music Walk of Fame to honour some of the artists who have given birth to or who have marked an era. The route will go from Koko to the Roundhouse, and among the names along the path are icons like Jimi Hendrix, Elvis Presley, Amy Winehouse, Madness, Bob Marley, The Beatles, Oasis and Public Enemy.

The initiative will include the construction of a museum of about 12,000 square meters in the Stables Market. “There will be a kind of Hard Rock cafe, a wax museum, concerts and a room where people can go on stage and, with three-dimensional holograms, play with their favourite bands. Let’s get people to relive Woodstock, a concert of Led Zeppelin or Metallica” enthuses Bennett.

Now, as a music lover, the whole music Walk of Fame idea I think it’s great, a bit cheesy but a way to pay some kind of tribute to some iconic musicians that have filled our lives with joy, but the Music Museum? Hard Rock Café meets Madame Tussauds? To be honest it sounds pretty terrifying to me.

Hopefully I will be wrong and the whole project becomes a unique experience that can be enjoyed by music enthusiast from all over the world.

The Music Walk of Fame will be revealed in September and the Music Museum in the Stables Market will open its doors to the public towards the end of 2014.

I just can’t wait until PJ Harvey gets her own star!

Who has not had tough days, where have you needed to breath in and breath out more than once? If just the concept of ‘taking a deep, meditative breath’ can be helpful to settle your mind during a stressful day, before a meeting, or even checking an e-mail… then why not? Actually, one of the cheapest and most straightforward ways to deal with stress is through ‘mindfulness’, mind exercises to increase awareness of your well-being, like meditation.

The benefits of meditation in the 21^st century are the same as in the time of Buddha, but nowadays, in a world where stress can haunt us like a predator, relaxing our mind is vital to safeguarding our mental and physical health. And that’s because these methods are able to change the way we feel so dramatically that they can be measured biologically.

In the last decade the media and popular culture has given huge attention to ‘mindfulness’, and ‘being in the present moment’, to the extent that the book I’m reading at the moment “The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle has been recognized as a major Best Seller in the last decade.

And the concept of a ‘gross national happiness index’, a measurement of the spiritual as well as material well-being of a country, an idea originating from Bhutan, is something which governments now respond to.

Extensive research has been done, and it has been proven that when you meditate, specific parts of the brain emits theta waves which relieve stress and produce a long-term reduction of anxiety; and not just that, it can increase mental ability, ignite the imagination and stimulate creativity, reduce pain, produce a state of euphoria and stimulate endorphin secretion!! All for free – what else can we ask for?

It is true that usually when we think about meditation what springs to mind are uncomfortable yogic positions, going ‘oohmm’, the inability to shut our everyday thoughts up, the lack of time to practice it, etc. It reminds me of exercising or playing a sport – it is tough at the beginning but once you get into it and you start to feel the benefits that you get, you do not want to stop. It makes you feel good!

This can be applied to the professional world too. I think that if companies want imaginativeness from their teams, they have to be willing to challenge the traditional ways of doing things, and meditation could be great one – happiness and productivity.

When is the last time you did absolutely nothing for 10 minutes? Watch the TED talk by meditation expert Andy Puddicombe, who talks about how helpful can be for us every time our mind is empty of thoughts and full of awareness.

At first might seem like abstract or esoteric concepts to very productive use in the workplace so it could be worth a try.

In December I was given a ticket to go and see Biffy Clyro at the O2. I had only really heard of Biffy due to their hit Many of Horror so was intrigued to hear some of there other stuff. To prepare for the gig I listened to the albums over and over. The group of people I was going with where keen fans so I wanted to at least be familiar with songs and possibly be able to sing a lyric or two.

The evening arrived and I headed over to the O2 to meet everyone. They were all so excited singing all the songs, some I actually recognized! We headed up to our seats to find ourselves surrounded by die-hard Biffy fans, all covered in Biffy merchandise. Finally outcomes the lead singer, in what looked like just trousers and a guitar, I looked around to check with the others that they too thought he was topless. Then on came the drummer and the bass guitarist, they too topless.

 This is obviously the style of Biffy, and as the gig got going I started to realize that maybe a reason as to why they were topless was because of the sweltering heat. As the gig went on I really begun to enjoy it, the lead singer often went absolutely crazy while playing his guitar and really entertained. The audience clearly loved it so much so that the girls in front ended up taking their tops off so they were just left in their bras.

As the show came to a close the crowd went wild, begging for an encore. Biffy obliged, blasting out their hit Mountains. Biffy seemed very much intent on playing a song after song without much said in between. Other bands I’ve seen often take up time by talking in-between songs and I think this showed just how into their music they are. I thought they put on a great show and were very entertaining.

A week ago, Thursday 28^th March, the country lost another of its many thespian ‘national treasures’, a hackneyed term which I use warmly for the actor Richard Griffiths OBE.

Despite looking every inch a luvvie, Richard’s background isn’t what you would have expected. Born to working class parents who were both deaf and growing up in industrial North Riding, (now North Yorkshire) he ‘fell into acting’ because he wasn’t able to be an artist. His early work in the 1970s was all on the stage, including with The Royal Shakespeare Company, where he was repeatedly typecast in rolls suited to his generous frame, something attributed to medication taken in childhood.

However his talent wasn’t ignored for too long, & after several bit-parts here and there his TV screen ‘debut in a proper role’ came in the last ever episode of The Sweeny in 1978. Further TV roles followed, from guest appearances in shows such as Minder, Inspector Morse & The Vicar of Dibley to lead roles such as the chef/detective Henry Crabbe in Pie In The Sky or Willie Whitelaw in Jeffrey Archer: The Truth. Stage success continued, including an Olivier, a Tony, a Drama Desk Award & an Outer Circle Critics Award for his portrayal of Hector, the teacher with a tad too much interest in ‘homework for the boys’ in Alan Bennett’s brilliant The History Boys.

Obviously it is Richard’s film roles which garnered the most fame, but the breadth of his résumé showcases his incredible versatility as well as his talent; Superman II, Chariots of Fire, The French Lieutenant’s Woman, Gandhi, The Naked Gun 2 ¹/₂: The Smell Of Fear, Sleepy Hollow, every Harry Potter film (as the nasty Uncle Dursley), Hugo and Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Stranger Tides to name but a few.

But the role for which me & my kind will always revere him, which more than any other earned him that ‘national treasure’ moniker has to be Uncle Monty, the pompous and predatory yet slightly sad, gay uncle in Bruce Robinson’s classic, Withnail & I.

A wonderful film about two failing young actors, the acerbic and egocentric Withnail (Richard E.Grant) & compliant Marwood aka ‘I’ (Paul McGann). Trying to relieve the tedium of their unfulfilled lives, they decide to have a holiday at Uncle Monty’s ramshackle and rain soaked cottage in the country, the use of which Withnail procured for free with the suggestion to Uncle Monty of Marwood’s probable acceptance of amorous advances. Despite the ubiquitous despondency, the black humour and brilliance of Grant’s performance is a joy to behold, yet somehow Richard Griffiths manages to steal the show with a perfect blend of aesthete affectation, forlornness, fragility and slight seediness, eliciting empathy whilst simultaneously making your toes curl.

“The carrot is infinitely more fascinating than the geranium!”

Thank you Uncle Monty.

Can the news of Adobe CTO Kevin Lynch’s departure from the company and subsequent appointment as VP of Technology at Apple be seen as a sticking plaster on the relationship Apple has with Adobe Flash?

As a longtime defender of Flash – Lynch has always pointed out that Flash is a more capable technology with regard to rendering video – even though HTML5 is rapidly coming of age.

Pretty much all smartphones bar the iPhone support and run Flash – will this be the turning point? Apple has always dismissed Flash for what seems like forever, with Steve Jobs’ view that Adobe are ‘Lazy’ and that Flash is ‘buggy’. So will Lynch be looking to bring Flash to the party? Or will he have to learn to skate where the iOS is about to be…

Here’s a clip of Lynch in 2009: