Had to drag myself away from the computer a few times today to herd a bunch of stray cows away from the studio. They’re cute, but stepping in one of their over-size turds in the dark wouldn’t be too amusing…

I had the pleasure of putting my new 4 fin fish from Luke Short through its paces out the Bombie today. Totally wrong waves to christen it on - decent sized 4-6ft steep take offs and fast sections - which were a bit challenging on 5′10″ of foam, so I ate it quite a few time before working out I needed to set my line early to avoid trying to bottom hand turn. Crazy board though - super fast in a straight line, and once you got the hang of it you could whip it around quite easily. It even locked me into one of the better barrels I’ve had in a long time. Should be many more fun sessions to come…

A brilliant response Theo Parrish gave to the BBC when sent some interview questions:

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We approached Theo Parrish for an interview with these questions…

1. Why do you think house is often regarded as having less “meaning” than jazz, for example? Do you agree? Is your music an attempt to redress this?

2. Do you see your music as conceptual?

3. Or political, in the sense of reaffirming the music’s black roots? Kenny Dixon Jnr has quite militant views on people sampling black music. Do you share these?

4. Do you see yourself, Dixon, Pittman et al, as part of a unified movement - the much talked about “third wave”?

5. What current artists/music would you recommend people check for?

This is his unedited response…

If the music formerly known as “house” has less or more meaning than any other music conveniently categorized into a one-word catchphrase, it is because of weak, uninformed, uninspired, lazy music journalism. Perhaps, if you actually commented on something I have said, as opposed to offering a blanket statement for me or any other artist to co-sign on to, this unbalanced view of any music in any form might change.

Any practitioner of music that passionately expresses themselves finds meaning in what they do. These expressions came from inside me and through my faculties, out into the world, and my mind has a significant role in that process. So yes, it is conceptual. Yes, concepts from the mind of a “black” man. But my race is not a choice, so I find it disrespectful to label anyone “political” or “militant”, or any one-word catchphrase, simply because they happen to be “black”. Most of the world has a tendency to lump “black” in with those adjectives you mentioned, the second a person of colour decides to publicly or privately speak their mind on any given subject.

Furthermore, we are not one monolithic group of people. Just because a “black” man that I know has a point of view doesn’t mean I share it, or the opposing view either. There are so many types of “black” people that the term “black” doesn’t even apply. My skin colour is a dark, reddish brown so understand the ignorance you are putting on display to the folks of African descent by the manner of your questions.

Anyone you regard as “black” is of African descent. All music is “black” music, all of it - anything you have ever heard - has African roots. Any musician from any culture knows this, whether they admit it or not. Millions of artistic waves have reverberated across the world and back in call and response. The attempt to capture, imitate, package and sell them at any given moment is the foolish attempt of those who should just watch and enjoy, to do what they simply cannot. That cheapens the efforts of those dedicating their lives to catching a reverberating frequency and expanding on it. These artists are plentiful and cross time, gender and geographical location. They can be described as anything that sounds subjectively essential and you can find their recordings at your local record store. Not online.

PS. Do not print or display this interview if it is to be edited in any way, shape or fashion. AGAIN - DO NOT EDIT!

Theo Parrish,
Sound Signature

I just stumbled on this panorama from our NZ heli boarding trip in 2004. Click to view the full size 6000 pixel wide shot (770Kb).

Also a couple of great frame grabs from video footage on the day…

The Zeitgeist movie is a great evening’s entertainment if you like a good conspiracy theory. This one covers a whole range of them - Christianity, 9/11 and the evil bankers striving to create the World Government. I googled quite a few of the movie’s references, and they all checked out (unless they seeded the BBC with false stories). Stories like the accused 9/11 hijackers who are still alive and the covert SAS operations in Basra make for amazing reading.

But you can make any idea look plausible of you produce a well made documentary - like Loose Change or the Great Global Warming Swindle.

There’s a very easy formula here that works just as well for inane money grabbing exercises like The Secret or crackpot ideas like “Intelligent Design”:

* Assume/hope most of your audience doesn’t have a good grasp of history, economics, politics, economics or science (usually a safe bet).

* Roll out a number of “experts” who sound important.

* Edit it in a competent way that develops and engaging story supporting your premise.

One of the best in this genre is The Power of Nightmares about the history and myths of Al Queda - most of which is highly likely to be true. And I’m still waiting for someone to do a film version of one of my favourites The Gemstone Files.

But are these docos just produced by the perpetrators of the conspiracies to make us think there is a conspiracy in the first place and distract us from what’s actually happening?

If anyone’s ever dealt with a bureaucracy, as government departments and major corporations tend to be - most of them aren’t smart enough or organized enough to pull off most of the shit attributed to them. Incompetence and hubris are usually the prime drivers. Remember Neo-cons? Then again, Paul Wolfowitz is now running the World Bank, which just goes to prove it’s all true…