Nufonia Must Fall, also three years in the making, is a 300-page comic complete with an accompanying soundtrack (composed by Kid Koala, of course) and tour dates that boast intimate candlelit settings with music appropriate for "first and last dates."
Nufonia tells the story of a depressed robot on a solitary quest, struggling to define himself artistically, when he meets and attempts to win the love of a workaholic office girl with his love songs. Along the way he has to deal with the Nufons, a negative race fixated on going out, standing with their arms folded, and not having a good time.
While on tour in Seattle last year, shortly after making a witty rebuttal to a persistent heckler, San announced to the crowd that it would be the last time in quite a while that fans would see him playing out in a performance-DJ setting. Though San begs to differ, Nufonia seems to be somewhat autobiographical--much of the comic was sketched while he was on tour for Carpal Tunnel, during sound checks, in hotel rooms, and on the road.
Live, San has always been equal parts turntablist, comedian, and storyteller (or "vinyl vaudeville," as someone once put it), making this latest project a logical progression for him. The fact that he seems to take ample time in between projects shows that he is more interested in articulating his artistic voice and vision--as opposed to obsessing over how quickly he can heighten his public profile. Much as he did in Gorillaz with Dan the Automator, San chooses to let artistic concepts take precedence over notoriety--which is always the sign of an artist testing his boundaries.
Though San might be fledgling in the world of published comics, his illustrations have confidence and show that he's not a stranger to the black pen. This tour is probably one of the most unprecedented approaches to DJing, and has a little something to offer everyone--romance, comedy, visuals, and turntable wizardry. NICOLAE WHITE
Kid Koala's Nufonia Must Fall Book Tour w/DJs Jester and P-Love, Tues March 25 at Chop Suey, 1325 E Madison St, 324-8000, early show 7 pm, late show 10 pm, 21+, $12.
