Kanye West launches "Alligator Boots".

Kanye West got the blogosphere talking a couple weeks ago with his vocoder-only new single “Love Lockdown,” and with his latest announcement, it seems he’s ready to fire up keyboards everywhere once more. Kanye, fellow rapper Rhymefest and Jackhole Productions will be teaming together to produce a puppet-centric television show called “Alligator Boots.” Kanye will be hosting the pilot episode, but he intends to have a new guest host for every following episode. The series will feature original music from both rappers. While the show is still in the works, Comedy Central is currently considering adding it to its 2009 roster.


Watch a preview of the Alligator Boots project.
Originally written for the Cavalier Daily:
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2008/sep/25/the-pulse-7/

Pink Floyd's Rick Wright passes away.

Longtime Pink Floyd member Rick Wright passed away Monday after a “relatively short struggle with cancer,” according to former bandmate David Gilmour’s Web site. Wright was one of Pink Floyd’s founding members and made several valuable contributions to such classic albums as Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here. While he primarily served as the band’s keyboardist, he also has numerous vocal and songwriting credits to his name. As of yesterday, Wright’s family has “requested that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.”

Pink Floyd playing Wright's "The Great Gig in the Sky" live:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBWY3bli92Y

Originally written for the Cavalier Daily:
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2008/sep/18/the-pulse-6/

Oasis singer assaulted at Toronto gig.

Last Sunday, Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher was bum-rushed at Toronto’s Virgin Festival. According to reports, 47-year-old Daniel Sullivan entered the stage from the rear entrance and ran up to shove Mr. Gallagher forward. Noel fell on his monitor speakers, bruising his ribs and hip in the process. Though the band managed to finish their set, they were forced to cancel their next gig while Noel’s injuries were diagnosed and treated. While Sullivan has been charged with assault by Toronto police, he has since been released and is due in court on Oct. 24.


YouTube footage of the incident.
Originally written for the Cavalier Daily:
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2008/sep/11/the-pulse-5/

Sufjan Stevens scores Portman short.

The maestro behind such state-themed chamber pop classics as 2003’s Michigan and 2005’s Illinois is currently slated to write musical accompaniment to an upcoming short directed by Natalie Portman. The film, called Eve, is a 22-minute affair starring Lauren Bacall and Ben Gazzara. Portman, an admitted fan of Sufjan’s work, said she contacted him directly for help. Apparently, she was very pleased with the outcome. According to Stevens’ label Ashmatic Kitty, the soundtrack will consist of several brief piano instrumentals. There is still no news as to Stevens’ next full-length.

Sufjan Stevens - "John Wayne Gacy, Jr.": (from Illinois; 2005)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otx49Ko3fxw

Originally written for the Cavalier Daily:
http://www.cavalierdaily.com/news/2008/sep/04/the-pulse-3/