Focus Media

Robots

2007-10-27T18:32:00.001-07:00

Last weekend Doc had the pleasure of DJ'ing at Core 77's connecting party.
The party included, a 20ft robot, a half naked marching band, and free tacos.
Doesn't get much better than that.

Photo's are up here.

Ghetto Gloss

2007-09-17T13:40:00.000-07:00

If you're in L.A. this weekend, please join us at the Ghetto Gloss gallery for music, art, and drinks to celebrate the release of Project Parallel's latest record and the works some of L.A.'s most talented artists. Project Parallel is a transcontinental collaborative project between a Boston based architect/musician and a Los Angeles based composer who create music about miscommunication in an era of mass communication.

Keeping with the theme of distress in the modern world, the work on display will include Andrew Siegel's strange and provoking illustrations for Noise Tank (lovesyou)'s first release. Other featured artists include the fine art of Mark Mothersbaugh, Blake Hazard, Shasha Shumyatsky, and more.

The Ghetto Gloss Gallery is located at:
2380 Glandale Bldv.
Silverlake, C.A. 90039
(Google Map)

Saturday September 22nd
7pm - Midnight

http://www.ghettogloss.com
http://www.projectparallel.com

DTM

2007-04-21T23:10:00.000-07:00

We would like to congratulate our friends the Detroit Techno Militia on the release of their much anticipated debut record. It's currently available via Beatport and iTunes, and the vinyl will available at it's release party during Detroit's Movement Festival. For more info, please check DTM's website.

Hello Gorgeous

2007-03-06T21:12:00.000-08:00

We decided to give ourselves a face lift. Brand new look, same great haste. We needed something bigger and prettier for some of the upcoming projects.

Oh, and we moved to San Francisco! We'll still be hanging around Detroit from time to time, we'll be primarily working out of SF. Detroit is wonderful, but after a while it makes you feel isolated from the rest of the world. This means that our office address has changed as well. All demos, music, and questionable photos can be sent to:

Focus Media
2269 Chestnut St.
San Francisco, CA 94123-2600.

Disco D

2007-01-23T13:58:00.000-08:00

Rest In Peace - Disco D.

Dave Shayman (aka Disco D) was found dead this morning of an apparent suicide. He was 27 years old.

Read more at the Urb blog.

Dorkwave NYE 2006

2006-12-25T00:50:00.000-08:00

Our friends Dorkwave have once again asked us to design all their graphics for their annual crazy New Years Eve party.

Doc and Ashley Nowak teamed up on this poster for the 1950's swingin jazz theme.

(larger version)

Croquet Social

2006-03-19T10:23:00.000-08:00

What better way to spend a Sunday morning than to put a bunch of art school kids in period costumes, walk right into an abandoned factory and play a nice game of croquet?

The Edwardian dress code (obviously...) was chosen because our site of choice, the Albert Kahn designed Packard Motors Plant was constructed in 1907. (We may be crazy, but we are thorough.)

A noble sport notwithstanding, the game of croquet (as played by the official rules) can be quite dull. Thus, we were compelled to make up rules as the game proceeded to keep thing interesting. "Anything you can build from objects found on the course is permissible." This rule led to everything from simple bumper mechanisms, to more elaborate ramp structures for the purpose of jumping balls over piles of debris and toxic standing water hazards. In keeping with the DIY miniature golf direction the game had taken, it was determined that game-play would be concluded not in the usual manner of striking the starting stake, but by each player launching their ball through a decent sized hole in the wall of the factory, four floors up: a much more satisfying way to end the game, which we my submit to the USCA for consideration.

Full set of pictures here.

Also worth mentioning: Our Mad Tea Party

Dorkwave NYE 2005

2005-12-20T07:38:00.000-08:00

Our friends Dorkwave have asked us to design a poster for their super swanky New Years Eve party at the legendary hotel Pontchartrain.

Larger poster image (link)

Edit: the party was great! Although the hotel got tired of the madness and kicked everyone out at 2:00am, the party raged on at the Focus Media Bunker until daylight. Pictures Here and Here.

Made The Cut

2005-12-05T16:19:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to inform you that Urb Magazine lists Noise Tank (lovesyou) as one of 2005's best overlooked bands.

Thanks be to Urb and everyone who likes Noise Tank (lovesyou)

iTunes

2005-11-13T00:34:00.000-08:00

Focus Media releases are now available on iTunes, along with many other digital music distributors. (Tank now, rest to come soon)

Check it out

Which means, you can buy Glee, Ad Nauseam (new review) for like $3.96, which saves you roughly $4.04 if you were to buy it from us or your local record shop. Which, isn't a bad deal.

Goodnight Comrade

2005-08-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

A good friend of Focus Media, Denis Balwdin is moving away to Flordia. Well... we cant let him leave Detroit unscathed. So were throwing a big going away party for the guy.

Larger flyer image (link)

Date: September 2nd, 2005 (that's a Friday night!)
Time: 10 PM until Denis falls over dead

DJs and other musical types playing:

- Keith Tucker (Aux88 / Puzzlebox)
- Benji Hayes
- Darkcube (Detroit Techno Militia)
- Dethlab (Burnlab / Dethlab)
- Sneak @ Datavibe (.net)
- Stos (Fist Clencher)
- T.Linder (Detroit Techno Militia)

Electro! Chaos! Anarchy! Hair Metal! Makeout Action! Bad 80s Radio Hits! Blood! Booze!

Free if you love Denis

Location:

The Focus Media Bunker
440 E. Lafayette
Bricktown, Detroit 48226

Edit: The party was a smashing success! Pictures Here and Here.

Interstate

2005-07-20T12:13:00.000-07:00

Doc and his best friend Denis Baldwin will be DJ'ing tonight at Interstate. The party is hosted by the ever scandalous Toybreaker and Atsiluth. You should come watch us try to mix records that don't go together. With any luck, it'll resemble the blood bath that happened last Interstate (link)

sleazy electro | techno | nowave | cheese | black metal | breakcore | j-pop | acid polka

Forans irish pub.
612 Woodward Ave.
10pm - 2am. Detroit

Fat kid . bunny suit

2005-04-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

There is an awesome article in this week's Metro Times about our friends, Dorkwave where we got an honorable mention regarding Noise Tank (lovesyou), the release party, and the state of things.

...The event is being put on by Focus Media, a new Detroit label that the Dorkwavers stand behind. The label just released a four-song EP called Glee, Ad Nauseam, And How It All Works Out by Noise Tank (lovesyou). One of the titles is “Rabbits Dead, Easter Day.” The press release describes the genre as “Spaz-Pop” and offers the slogan, “music so happy you’ll vomit rainbows.” It’s all a bit cheeky, naughty, smart, engaging; with a talent for self-caricature and group-promotion that echoes the lessons learned (and shared) by their elder champions in Dorkwave.

The folks at the party look comfortably silly in bunny outfits or wearing Dad’s (or Granddad’s?) suits from the JFK era. Some of the girls are hopping (of course) to the music, which is a mish-mash of electro, indie rock, drill ’n’ bass and psychedelic pop. Doyle heads back to the decks. He lights a cigarette and lets it dangle from his lips as he searches for records and CDs. Allow yourself to imagine it’s Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker, circa 1995, dragging on that fag. At the moment, the resemblance is that striking. The magnetic Servito is approached by one person after another and greeted warmly. Ozias and Theakston walk into another room where drinks are being served by a fat kid dressed like a pink rabbit. They get the attention of a couple of photographers, who turn their heads when they come in. Everyone seems to know, or sense, that Dorkwave is in the house. They have star quality; or is it anti-star quality? Doesn’t matter. Their presence has changed the mood of the party, which now starts to swing upward. The kids are not vomiting rainbows, not yet, anyway. But you sense they will be before the long night is over.

Diabolic

2005-03-28T21:11:00.000-08:00

Last night's event went swimmingly. Click for photos.

Noise Tank (lovesyou)

2005-03-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

Noise Tank (lovesyou) Diabolic Dance Party Gala Children's Youth Benefit Freal IMPORT INFO! Yes it is a youth benefit, were young, and it benefits us. This is a cd release party for Noise Tank (lovesyou)'s new record. There will be a keg of ghettoblaster. Maybe even two. March 26 is the day before the rabbits die There will be bunny ears covered in fake blood. There will be a large tattod man serving martinis in a pink bunny costume. It will cost nothing to get into the party. Although not technically a make out party, im sure there will be alot of that going on. Focus Media is not in charge of finding someone for you to make out with. We provided beer and bunnys and djs. if you cant find someone to make out with or dance with by the end of the night, then you are a looser. If Focus Media deems you a looser, we will take your picture and hang it on what will become "the looser wall" inside the official Focus Media bathroom / laundry room. Were all who poo and do laundry will be able to clearly see, you are a looser for eternity. But seriously, im sure you wont have a problem finding someone to dance and/or make out with, so dont worry about it. for pete sake, you'll be wearing bunny ears covered in fake blood, who can resist that. Depending on how things go, by the end of the night, there will be either a swimsuit contest between the DJs, or a cage fight to the death inside the official Focus Media cage. Either way, its going to be a toss up between Mike Doyle and Annix as to who will win whichever one happens. The CD will be sold at the party for $6, which is $1 cheaper that what you would pay at the store or website for it. Thats a pretty good deal we think. There will be really cute pink Noise Tank (lovesyou) tshirts for sale too. There will also be buttons and posters for sale in addition. Bring lots of extra money for all this crap. It will be worth it. all the the stuff for sale is really cute and awesome. Yes, Noise Tank really does love you The Dance Party Disc Jockeys (in alphabetical order, cause set times are for loosers)
	Annix (DTM) Music: Punkz0r, Acid Techno Mr Annix will be playing mostly Acid Techno. Have you ever heard Acid Techno, its awesome! And then he might throw in a few classic punk records here and there, cause he can, cause hes Annix.
	Benji Hayes (Focus Media) Music: Glitch Pop, Shoegheyzer, Tweecore Im not doing to say anything about him because hes a sleazy dirty man. But hes got a few crates of stuff like Mum and Midwest Product. So i forgive him for being so sleazy.
	Darkcube (DTM) Music: Breakcore, Terrercore, Unixcore Cube isnt into this indie shit. So hes going to try to scare everyone away with more Squarepusher and Alec Empire than you can shake a stick at. I hope it works too, it will get rid the the pussys we dont want to dance with anyway.
	Doc (Focus Media) Music: Spaz Pop, Breakcore, Bunkwave So Doc isnt really a DJ at all. In fact, this is the first time hes listed as a DJ on a flyer. Expect alot trainwreaking Pinback and Xiu Xiu. But it'll be fun. He'll dance around or something to try to make up for it. Hes also the head of Focus Media and Noise Tank (lovesyou), so you direct all lawsuits for this stuff toward him.
	Mike Doyle (Burnlab) Music: Dorkwave, Bootgazer, Synth Pop Okay the reality is, Mike dresses better than you. There is nothing you can do about it, thats just the way it is. But you cant hold it against him, cause hes got more 80s records than city clubbers have scars on their wrists. You may have heard his records and seen his impeccable taste in clothing at those Dorkwave partys, which hes responsible for. Which is sweet.

Other Stuff: Google Maps for the Bunker

Diaspora

2004-11-05T21:09:00.000-08:00

This Friday, November 12th
Cranbrook Art Museum

Doc (Focus Media / Detroit Techno Militia) - Live Interview And Performance

Interview and Q+A By Herdest Cummings (aka Das Closer KMS Records) at 6:30pm
Musical Performance starts at 7:00pm and goes till 8:30pm

The performance will be out of the ordinary... He will not be playing for the audience, but rather for the exhibit, African Diaspora. Imagine if the artwork was a film, he will be scoring it. Its going to be straight up Docspeed You! Wack Emperor.

$5 All Ages Welcome

http://cranbrook.edu/art/museum/events

Our First Post

2004-10-05T20:14:00.000-07:00

Long live the internet.