the vibes

Canal Motif

Posted on August 20, 2012 by Mark

These pictures are taken from a canal-boat cruise from Boothstown to Wigan in the North of England. The legacy of Britain’s industrial past glided by, full of rust and texture. There was wildlife in the undergrowth, the banks overgrown with character (and pubs.) We had a birthday party on board and almost demolished the barge, which was eventually confiscated by the owners. Even our picnic table collapsed beneath us as we moored at a local watering hole. All told, a wonderful day, Pimm’s on the boat – terribly English!

Doctor Who is back!

Posted on August 15, 2012 by Mark

The Good Doctor returns shortly with a new season to take us into the 50th anniversary year. This trailer looks like a whole heap of fun, raising the stakes with a real blockbuster approach. Expect big changes, from a shocking shake-up in the regular cast and some new titles (like Bond, the Doctor demands an iconic introduction.) Opening episode Asylum of the Daleks has premiered at the British Film Institute, so expect transmission dates to be announced soon!

Images © BBC

PLEASE BE AWARE – THERE ARE SPOILERS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW!

Categories: Random, Vibe Monitor, Video | Tags: Asylum of the Daleks, bbc, Dalek, Daleks, Doctor Who, Preview, Science Fiction, Season 7, Series 7, trailer, tv, Tv shows | 4 Comments

The Olympic Games Closing Ceremony

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Mark

Take your seats please, ladies and gentlemen because the party’s nearly over. But not until The Fab Lady sings.

Kate Bush Olympic Games Closing Ceremony Mark Wallis The Vibes

Kate Bush is rumoured to be performing Running Up That Hill at the Olympic Closing Ceremony. If it’s true then let me tell you, the top of my head will blow off and all manner of fantasmagoria will erupt like the cover of Never For Ever. The astonishingly inept Amazon might have accidentally posted the Running Up That Hill 2012 remix too early and spoilt the surprise…and then removed it again – so I’m taking that as confirmation that she’s on the bill.

The last time she performed live was 1987 (apart from a mere cameo vocal in 2002 with Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd), and her last tour was in 1979! This a monumental event for British music and Kate’s vast fandom. It’s been a fantastic fortnight of sporting achievement, but this really is the cherry on the cake. I hope she jumps out of one!

We’ll be celebrating in Manchester with Boots’ Chocolate Gold medals and mucho Absolut.

+ + + UPDATE: track available on iTunes, click image to preview + + +

+ + + UPDATE2: Kate Bush no show + bunting taken down + + +

Main picture based on original motion graphics created by Anthem and Mammoth Graphics. Closing ceremony Sunday 21:00 GMT on a TV screen near you, unless you have NBC and then you’ll have to wait for an edited version.

Categories: Design, Music, Random | Tags: 2012, Closing Ceremony, Gold, Gold Medal, Kate Bush, London 2012, Olympic, Olympic Games, Olympics, remix, Running Up That Hill, tv | 19 Comments

Magical Mystery Tour

Posted on August 7, 2012 by Mark

It’s a magical mystery tour! My new About page has been completely redesigned as a visual map of my blog. Just click on the goose, it’s the best way to explore…

Categories: Art, Design, Music, Photography, Travel | Tags: About, blog, Blogging, Mark Wallis, The Vibes | 4 Comments

The Cosmic Jukebox – Digital Art

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Mark

For some strange reason I woke up with a head full of gramophones and bass-bins, and a vague smokey idea formed in my mind’s eye. Combining my fascination with retro-tech, mandalas and nixie-clock neon, a rather bold-looking music machine emerged from Photoshop in all it’s steampunk glory. This is a collage of about ten separate images, all wrangled into place.

The Cosmic Jukebox is here, and you can hear my remixes, edits and original tunes on my dream-pop music page. Expect “shooting stars and astral choirs, summer flutes and sitars.”