ACTORS PLAY SIMPSONS

ACTORS PLAY SIMPSONS

If you’re like most young adults, you have probably seen the intro to The Simpsons upwards of 2,000 times. Ever thought what it would be like in real life, with real actors?

Check out http://youtube.com/watch?v=49IDp76kjPw and prepare to be blown away by the incredible accuracy, the real life people and the surprising attention to detail. You can see Maggie going through the checkout at the grocery store, Lisa rocking out on the saxophone in music class as music teacher, Mr Largo, who looks remarkably similar to his cartoon counterpart, is obviously unimpressed. The clip finishes with the classic bad boy Bart skateboarding on top of Homer’s car as Marge pulls in and pushes Homer into the garage. What is it doing on the web? Turns out it’s part of a viral marketing campaign by British broadcaster BskyB. Developed by Sky and its ad agency, Devilfish, the video was originally intended as an on-air promotion for the Sky One network, which airs new episodes of The Simpsons in the U.K. But the company decided instead to release it on the Internet as part of a word-of-mouth brand-building exercise. Seems like it’s working.

--CHRIS CURRY

CLOUD ROOM CREATING BUZZ

It’s been a long journey for The Cloud Room’s enigmatically named frontman, J (no last name), one that began in sunny California and ended in near disappointment 3,000 miles away in New York City. Lured northward by the promise of work with indie film-maker Hal Hartley, dreams dashed by the luck of a New York intern who beat him to the job, J remained resolute, forming The Cloud Room with fellow band-mates Jon Petrow on bass, Benjamin Nugent on electric piano, and Jason Pharr on drums. Named after the Chrysler Building’s abandoned speakeasy, these four men now constitute the Brooklyn-based band that has been generating considerable buzz in the Big Apple and are now taking their sound to a wider audience through Gigantic Music and a tour that stops Wednesday, March 22 at Toronto’s own Horseshoe Tavern (370 Queen St. W.). A reputation as New York hipsters is not enough to bring you down to the Horseshoe? How about a sound that combines the Cure, Bowie, danceable beats, and an element of early 60s-inspired pop? Familiar yet unique, this is one band that doesn’t need time to grow on you.

--JAMES SANDHAM

ARCADE FIRE SURVIVES ROUGH START

During the recording of Funeral, nine friends and family members of Arcade Fire passed away. After this rough start, things have certainly brightened up for The Arcade Fire. The first full-length album by the Montreal six-member band is a blend of great songwriting and the creative use of many different instruments that ends up in a style of music that doesn’t even really have a name yet. Starting off with the basics such as drums, guitars and their own voices, the songs really take off with the addition of violins, cellos, synthesizers, accordion, recorder, organ and even a xylophone. Catchy, intellectual, moving and beautiful are a few of the words I would use to sum up Funeral.

The world is also taking notice since the band is up against super groups such as U2 and The White Stripes for both Grammy Awards and Brit Awards, for best international group, album and break through act.

--CHRIS CURRY