October 26, 2008, 5:53 pm : Click Over to PLAYLIST November to Beat Those Economy Blues

Filed Under: Music, Show Reviews and Stories, Upcoming Shows
Discussion: C[1]mments

Yeah, the economy is going down a terminal sewer hole, and that means many of us are going without luxuries large and small to fortify against impending financial collapse. Fine, you say, but what does that have to do with PLAYLIST?

First of all, it’s free. Free free free, when NOTHING is free anymore. Second, perhaps you can’t afford to dig deep for that brontosaurus burger at Capital Grill, but you can definitely find a live show or two to check out for ten bucks or so, or even free. What’s more, it will take your mind off your dwindling portfolio for a few hours without setting you back much, and without the stuffy service.

October 17, 2008, 3:32 pm : The b Foundation and Slightly Stoopid Coming to a Club Near You

Filed Under: Music, Upcoming Shows
Discussion: C[0]mments

For reasons unknown, Outlaw Nation was pulled as the opener for the recent Slightly Stoopid national tour. Replacing them will be The b Foundation, from Pasadena, CA. Showgoers in D.C. get two chances to catch this one, on October 29th and 30th at 930 Club. Check the full schedule here.

October 6, 2008, 9:37 pm : Best Airline Advertisement Ever

Filed Under: Imagery, Surfing
Discussion: C[0]mments

Like a lot of people who love to travel, I began thinking that the days of cheap flights to the tropics to get some warm water waves in the winter were a thing of the past. With spiraling fuel costs and most airlines hemorrhaging millions of dollars a day, dare I say it is the intrepid surfer who stands to suffer the most. Tickets run about double the amount that they used to, and many airlines are enforcing stringent policies on checked surfboards. Bottom line: wanna take a little surf trip? Turn yourself upside down and shake all that coin out.

Just when it was all going bad, JetBlue steps in to offer new, surfer-friendly service from NY to Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. But the best part is the movie short ad they did in conjunction with the New York Surf Film Festival crew.

I’m not in the business of publicizing airlines and their attendant promotions, but this work stands alone as a smart, surfy short that should be shared. Enjoy…

New York Surf Film Fest and Jet Blue Commercial… from Russell Brownley on Vimeo.

October 3, 2008, 10:28 am : Engine No. 9 – Slater Clinches in Mundaka, Spain

Filed Under: Events, Imagery, News, Surfing
Discussion: C[0]mments

Nearly a foregone conclusion, Kelly Slater from Cocoa Beach, Florida, sealed his ninth ASP World Tour Championship today. Beating wildcard Eneko Acero of Spain handily in round 3 finished the matter of making it mathematically official.

With one of the most  dominant World Tour seasons ever, Slater burned five contest victories and a 2nd place finish into the books through the first 8 of 11 contests of the season. Near domination. Some on tour have lost all motivation, pulling out with mysterious injuries, or just not showing up, ala Andy Irons. Others see the reign of King Slater as the great challenge, and continue gunning for him every event. Because in essence, if you want to win a tour contest, you will probably have to beat Slater.

Hats off to guys like Bobby Martinez, Bede Durbidge, Ace Buchan, and the Hawaiian contingent of Freddy Pattachia and Roy Powers. They’ve not only shown up and put in motivated performances knowing they cannot catch Slater, but also called out the guys that are over it and not pscyhed to be going to one of the best jobs in the world.

Have a look at the ratings finishes of Slater throughout his career. Can you believe he’s been at it since 1992?

rating by year:

2008: 1st
2007: 3rd
2006: 1st
2005: 1st
2004: 3rd
2003: 2nd
1998: 1st
1997: 1st
1996: 1st
1995: 1st
1994: 1st
1993: 6th
1992: 1st

Good on ya, Kelly. Living legend.

October 1, 2008, 9:26 pm : And The Winner Is…

Filed Under: Events, Genres and Styles, Music, News, Surfing
Discussion: C[0]mments

Films taking the honors at the New York Surf Film Festival were as follows:

Best Feature: Musica Surfica
Best Short: Distant Shores
Viewers Choice: The Rocks

Musica Surfica brought the house down with its unique portrayal of the open-minded merging of the acclaimed sounds of classical music and the obliqueness of fins free surfing. The movie that almost never happened, it was only by chance that writer and director Mick Sowry was in the right place at the right time, with the right idea to birth this work. Go here for the full story on how this film came to be.