Above is a great video of Bill Murray reading poetry to the construction workers on site during the building of Poets House, a poetry library/lounge near Battery Park. This was shot last year during construction, and as of September 2009, the building is complete and Poets House is open to the public (I hear it has some great views of the Hudson River). I’m assuming Bill Murray is a fan of poetry and a supporter of Poets House, which is why he took the time to not only read some poems to the workers on the job, but also acknowledge them and their work in the video. This is completely random, but nevertheless a fun and interesting clip. And since I’m a really big Bill Murray fan, and in the last two weeks watched both What About Bob? (one of both my wife and my Dad’s favorite movies) and Groundhog Day (seriously, watch this asap it’s soooo slept on), stumbling onto this video just made my morning. Enjoy.
The Life And Times Of Stan
Stan Ipcus
This is probably the last track I will record before the birth of my first child, who is due in the next couple weeks. I dedicate this to him (yeah it’s a boy), and to my wife, who has been so amazing over these past nine months. I’ve been wanting to rock over this Pharcyde “Passin’ Me By” instrumental for a while, and finally did. I don’t really write raps that much any more, at least not like I used to, but I still love it and do it when the inspiration hits me. This one is kind of a look back on some of the good times I had coming up, and a peek at what I’ve got going on right now too. Truthfully, these have been the most amazing and exciting months of my life, watching our baby grow inside of my wife’s belly, and getting ready for his birth. Shout to my boy David Roy for the superfresh artwork, based off the animated HBO series that my friend Nick Kroll stars in, The Life And Times Of Tim. Here’s the song…
DOWNLOAD/STREAM STAN IPCUS “THE LIFE AND TIMES OF STAN”
If you missed it, check out the last song I did, “Nothing U Can Do”, produced by Kaliph, HERE.
Black Plains
My DudesI first met Ace Dot back in the day when he was rapping with Bizkit. I drove the two of them down to Maryland to record tracks for a few days at Bobby and Bless’ crib, and they put in work. Unfortunately, Bizkit and my boy Wolfie were killed a year or so later in a car accident on the Bronx River Parkway. To honor their memory, and also support the release of Ace Dot’s new mixtape which is making its way through the streets right now, I dug up some old footage from Grasshoppa’s very well known local TV show The D.U.N.J.U.N., featuring Ace Dot, Bizkit (RIP), Wolfie (RIP), and his older brother Big Wolf (what up my G). And below, watch Ace Dot’s new promo video for the cut “Black Plains” from his latest mixtape, below. It’s straight project hallway hood shit, and it’s all about what’s going on right now in the streets in WP. Good to see Ace Dot still rapping, and repping the hometown.
When Bizkit and Wolfie passed away, it hit White Plains real hard. These two guys were already legendary in their late teens. Wolfie was an honorary member of our crew, even though he was four years younger than us. He would always hang out and ball with us at Highlands and spit freestyles up at the Pavilion and in my basement (I still got tapes). One of the funniest and nicest guys I’ve ever known. And Bizkit was the dopest up and coming MC who was set to blow, and was an equally great guy. I guess only the good die young. Also, I gotta give a RIP shout out to Larry Warren, another friend and local legend who was killed at a young age. You all are forever missed and will never be forgotten. More classic D.U.N.J.U.N. footage coming soon here at Westcheddar. Big ups to Grasshoppa!!! White Plains stand up!!!!
*Wolfie (RIP), Beve, and Ip on Ogden Avenue in the late 90’s*
It’s A Wrap
Events, Fly Spots
It’s only right that the first Chipotle in Westchester County is opening up in my neighborhood. See you Friday. And then every day after that. For lunch. And dinner. Let’s get salseated!!!!!
No Worries
My Dudes
I like these dudes Ten Feet Deep. They’re a really talented local rock and roll band from Northern Westchester trying to make it, and I hope they do. Check out their new video for “Worry Out”, a cut off their self titled album, which is definitely worth picking up off Itunes or their website (see link at the bottom)…
If you missed my interview with their frontman Alex, check it out HERE. And as a bonus, here’s a clip of 1/2 of Ten Feet Deep performing at our last BGC Open Mic in Mount Kisco….
Good luck boys!!!! Keep going!!!!
Dads On Vacation
My Dudes
I’ve got a really fun site for you to check out. Dads On Vacation. It’s basically a tumblr blog where people submit pictures of just that, Dads on vacation. It captures their hilarious gear, beach belly poses, funny faces, and all the other great things that only Dads can get away with when they’re on vacation. Scroll through it when you can, it’s fun! And feel free to submit pictures. I did, and the author of the blog posted the shot above of my godfather Boxer, which I sent in from a Westcheddar interview I did about the trip he took with my Dad to Alaska a couple summers ago. As someone who is on the brink of fatherhood, I can’t wait to go on vacation with my wife and kid(s) and wear ridiculous outfits and pose for some insane pictures. I might even get a fanny pack just for the fun of it!
Shout out to Clark Griswold, that’s my dude. And thanks to Frank151’s blog for putting me on the this site.
Sunday Morning
UncategorizedI figured Sunday morning would be an appropriate time to post this gem of a “Sunday Morning” cover by American Idol star Andrew Garcia (who actually just got eliminated but I thought he was a nice guy and was happy to see him get that far) and beat boxer Angie Girl. I love videos like this. Just raw flavor. And below is the Maroon 5 acoustic version, which friends honor just popped up on my Ipod shuffle earlier this morning as I was changing the sheets with my wife. One of my all time favorite songs. Cop their acoustic album HERE if you don’t have it.
Boarding By The Bay
Sports, The Good Old DaysI wish I could play this Mayer Hawthorne cover of Tony Bennett’s “I Left My Heart In San Francisco” for my Grandma Sooky. I know she would love it. I miss her. She was the Queen of San Francisco, and always will be. Check Hawthorne’s brand new version above, set to some awesome skateboarding footage taken in SF. And below, from Hawthorne’s labelmate Aloe Blacc, is the new video for “I Need A Dollar”, the theme song to HBO’s How To Make It In America, you know, the one that’s been stuck in your head for the past month…
Horse Around
SportsPresident Obama and CBS basketball analyst Clark Kellogg played a game of “Horse” during halftime of yesterday’s Butler vs. Michigan State Final Four game. It’s worth watching this clip just to hear the President of the United States say “wap” as his game winning three point shot goes in.
Nardwuar Interviews Matisyahu (Video)
Interviews, My DudesI already posted the audio, and now here’s the amazing video footage of Nardwuar’s interview with our hometown hero Matisyahu (the ending is priceless). Shout out to Nardwaur for sending this over, and also for giving me some shine in the interview! And big ups to my brother from another mother Matisyahu. Also, check out Nardwuar’s latest interview with Snoop Dogg, which is also highly entertaining…
Also, check Matisyahu’s take on Kings of Leon’s “Use Somebody” RIGHT HERE. Have a good dinner!
Westcheddar 