The Bulletin: Arts & Culture News | 14 January

MUSIC MONDAY: OUTKAST, BROKEBACK, COMANECHI, LAPALUX AND GOLDEN GRRRLS
In the first reunion of the duo seen since a 2010 collab with the Wu-Tang's Raekwon, itinerant Outkast founders Big Boi and Andre 3000 have teamed up with Odd Future alum Frank Ocean on a remix of the track Pink Matter. Their verses were recorded separately -- Andre 3000 appears on the original version of the song, with Big Boi's verse an additional element added for the remix, so it doesn't quite spell an Outkast reunion (although, speaking in a new interview over at Huffington Post, Big Boi's not ruling one out). Nevertheless, it's a welcome return to the public eye for the much-missed, outre hip-hop duo. In related news, The Fader recently reported on Ocean's misfortunes at the hands of the California police, after his license was confiscated for speeding, and being in posession of marijuana.

Thrill Jockey Records will be releasing the new album by Brokeback, aka Douglas McCombs of the band Tortoise, on 21 Jan. The album is titled Brokeback and the Black Rock, and was recorded in 2012 with a new band lineup, consisiting of McCombs, Pete Croke (Tight Phantomz, Head of Skulls!, Reds and Blue), Chris Hansen (Pinebender, Head of Skulls!), and James Elkington (The Zincs, The Horse’s Ha), with Tortoise veteran John McEntire on production duties. Stream and download the first track to be revealed from the album below.

Experimental noise-rockers Comanechi make a welcome return in February with the Valentines Day release of their new album, You Owe Me Nothing But Love, via Tigertrap. Their debut, Crime of Love, effortlessly blended noise, punk and metal influences, and lead single Dream of Dream (out 4 Feb) shows no signs of their intensity and energy abating. Stream the track below.

After two strong EPs in 2012, Brainfeeder signing Lapalux will unveil his full-length, house and R&B-influenced debut album on 26 March. Nostalchic will feature vocal contributions from singers Jenna Andrews, Kerry Leatham and Astrid Williamson. The Essex-born producer unveiled the lead track from the album, Guuurl, on his Soundcloud page last week - stream it below. Lapalux plays Broadcast in Glasgow on 28 March.  

Indie-pop trio Golden Grrrls take their cues from a very Scottish musical heritage, with shades of The Vaselines and The Pastels in their delightfully sunny, hook-filled, jangly tunes. Having been well received on the live circuit, a debut album is due for release on Night School on 25 Feb. Their album launch in Glasgow is on 22 Feb at Stereo. You can stream a track, Past Tense, from the album below.

TARANTINO VS. SPIKE LEE
Celebrated film director and activist Spike Lee has very publically taken Quentin Tarantino to task over his treatment and depiction of slavery in his new film, Django Unchained. Lee, who has previously called out Tarantino on his use of the n-word in his scripts, used Twitter to brand QT's new movie "disrespectful," following up with a Tweet which read: "American slavery was not a Sergio Leone spaghetti Western. It was a holocaust," The Hollywood Reporter announced late last year. Tarantino hit back in early Jan, saying he would not "waste time" responding to Lee's comments. Author and director Candace Allen discusses the controversy intelligently on the Guardian site today. The debate was reopened yet again on Channel 4 News, as news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy posed some uncomfortable questions to the director about the film's 'historical accuracy' and violent content. Watch the debate and decide for yourself who wins -- Guru-Murthy / Lee, or Tarantino.

BLACK SABBATH ANNOUNCE NEW STUDIO ALBUM
Announced in the early hours of Sunday morning (13/13, no less), this June will see the release of the first new studio material from Black Sabbath since 1995 (and their first full studio album featuring Ozzy Osbourne since 1978's Never Say Die!). The lineup on the new record sees original members Tony Iommi, Geezer Butler and Ozzy joined by Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk (standing in for the estranged Bill Ward) for 15 tracks, and was produced by Rick Rubin. All other details about a subsequent world tour, album art and tracks are yet to be announced. Watch the band play the classic track Paranoid live in Birmingham last year below.

PETER HOWSON PAINTS THE CRUCIFIXION
Celebrated Scottish artist Peter Howson unveiled his new painting, depicting the crucifixion, this week at Glasgow's St Mungo's Museum of Religious Life & Art. The image, which depicts the crucifixion without the cross itself, is on loan to the Museum for a year. On his website, Howson asserts that the painting is one of his most important so far. Watch the video below to catch a glimpse of the painting, or visit the Museum's website to find out about opening times.

KOMPAKT TURNS 20
Seminal Cologne-based record shop and label Kompakt celebrates its 20th anniversary in March this year with plans for special commemorative releases throughout the year, and an extensive tour taking in dates in Geneva, Paris, Amsterdam and Berlin, with more dates to be annnounced. Over the years, Kompakt have released a stunning collection of techno, minimal and experimental electronic sounds, with high-profile releases from the likes of The Orb, Thomas Fehlman, WhoMadeWho, Panda Bear and Superpitcher. This year they have releases lined up by artists like Coma, The Field and Gui Boratto, among others. We'll keep you posted with more news on the Kompakt anniversary as it is announced.  

WATCH THE TRAILER FOR I AM NOT A HIPSTER
Ah, the much-maligned hipster. Target of satire everywhere from the pages of Vice to the bars and clubs of Glasgow, these bespectacled, cardigan-wearing, fragile creatures, who suffer from a terrible burden - the overabundance of privilege - would be in danger of becoming extinct, merely through the opprobrium of their fellow, less abominably pretentious fellow man, were it not for their uniquity and cultural dominance. Film-maker Destin Daniel Cretton has decided to take on the subject of hispter lifestyles in his Sundance-nominated film I Am Not A Hipster, which tells the story of one focally-challenged, misanthropic singer-songwriter as he faces issues of mortality, family, and where to buy the best vintage knitwear. Watch the preview below.