LATE NIGHT posted by J

So here's a new playlist i just put together. It's really late and actually I haven't been up this late in awhile. Anyway...

01.  The Books Ft. Jose Gonzales:  Cello Song

02.  Cat Power:  Lived in Bars

03.  Belle & Sebastian:  If You're Feeling Sinister

04.  The Beach Boys:  Here Today

05.  The Breeders:  Chances Are

06.  The Hidden Cameras:  He is the Boss of Me

07.  Dinosaur Jr.:  Freak Scene

08.  Solex:  That's What You Get With People Like That on Cruises Like This...

09.  Stereo Total:  I Love You, Ono

10.  Television Personalties:  Part Time Punks

11.  The Raincoats:  Lola

12.  Danger Mouse & Sparkelhorse:  Little Girl (Ft.  Julian Casablancas)

13.  Vells:  The Rhyme Sees Mine

14.  Animal Collective:  Summertime Clothes

15.  Arthur Russell: Wild Combination

16.  Electrelane:  Saturday

17.  Autolux:  Asleep at the Trigger

18.  The Vasalines:  Jesus Don't Want Me For a Sunbeam

19.  The Crystals:  Then He Kissed Me

20.  The Velvet Underground:  After Hours

MUSIC 4 MEDITATION posted by J

I was compiling some songs the other day for one of my friends that does yoga. I feel like u should have some relaxing, special songs for that, and here they are:

Music 4 Meditation:

01. The Earlie's- Song for #3
02. The Velvet Underground- Sunday Morning
03. Efterklang- Cutting Ice to Snow
04. The Liars- The Other Side of Mr. Heart Attack
05. Atlas Sound- Oliver
06. Slowdive- Miranda
07. Grizzly Bear- Deep Sea Diver (Castanet's Mix)
08. Squarepusher- Tommib
09. Plaid- Zamami
10. Kid 606- Sometimes
11. Dntel- Last Songs
12. Inca Ore- Baby Tiger, I Went Far Away
13. Tape- Beams Out
14. Hot Chip- Look After Me
15. Radiohead- Worrywort
16. To Rococco Rot- Feld
17. Underworld- 8 Ball
18. Future Sound of London- My Kingdom

STONED OUT BLISS MIX posted by J

I know it's been awhile since we did on one of these. What can i say? It just hasn't been at the top of the list this summer. Lately I've started to stay in more, so... I have this one and a couple more coming. You know, to make up for them. This is one is all about summer, late at night. Thanks.

STONED OUT BLISS MIX

01. Seabear- Singing Arc
02. El Perro Del Mar- From the Valley to the Stars
03. Dusty Springfield- Son of a Preacher Man
04. Atlas Sound- Another Bedroom
05. Clinic- Mr. Moonlight
06. Crustation- Down Down
07. Robert Lippok- I Can Tell
08. Efterklang- Step Aside
09. Royskopp- A Higher Place
10. Mum- We Have a Map of the Piano
11. Slowdive- Shine (Splendiferous Locust Mix)
12. Deerhunter- Wash Off
13. My Bloody Valentine- Sometimes
14. Fuck Buttons- Sweet Love for Planet Earth
15. Mogwai- 2 Rights Make 1 Wrong
16. Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazelwood- Some Velvet Morning

WORTH A LITTLE MENTION posted by J

If you know me, you know that I'm always on the look out for new and interesting music. Lately I've grown really fond of noise, or drone music. Letters Letters is a new band from Montreal. There on Type Records, a branch of Morr Music Records (one of my favorite labels, home to the likes of Mum, Seabear, Lali Puna, and The Notwist). This trio from Canada has taken noise and experimentation to a poppy sort of sound. Great beats and synth work with a dirty, gritty edge to it. There self titled album is quite good, especially as a debut album.

And that's that. Be there friend on myspace (www.myspace.com/lettersletters), they don't have many and that's a damn shame. You can purchase the album at Type Records website, www.typerecords.com, or at emusic.com.

WHAT A ICON posted by J

For some reason Kurt Cobain popped in my head today. Maybe it because i have flannel on. Maybe it's because I'm feeling quite "grungy". I'm not really sure. I do know that he was there. Moments later i had found some really great photos of him that I'm showing below along with a great video for Nirvana's song "In Bloom".

I also started to think about if he where still alive. Would he be still be making music? Would he of really quit his suffocating addictions? Would he and Courtney Love still be together? Or is the fact that his death, with out sounding horrible, more of an impact on our society?

I was 15 when he died, so I think it's interesting now at 28 that I'm seeing how much his music has influenced bands and such today. Anyway, I'm not trying to get really serious. I just wanted to pay a little tribute to someone that made a pretty big impact on me.

R.I.P. Kurt Cobain

QUITE FUNNY posted by J

The videos below are of "Sad Kermit". The covers below, Elliot Smith's "Needle in the Hay", and Johnny Cash's (NIN version of Hurt) are rather amusing. Check out the website (www.sadkermit.com) to learn more about are sad little green friend.

Oh yeah, be his friend on Myspace at: www.myspace.com/sadkermit

SOON TO COME posted by J

The gang and I will soon be loading up some Muxtape mixes (maybe if we can figure it out)

Watch out!!!

TAKING IT BACK posted by J

During my latest adventures with the Internet I found a website a rather amusing website that helped kill some time. It can be funny, offensive, sexy, curious, and very inspiring. LP Cover Lovers (you can find the link in the blog roll) has it all. There are sooooo many to look at. All sorts of different categories and styles. Gay, Lounge, Drugs, Soundtracks, Fashion, Truckers, Classical, and fun stuff I've never heard of before. Quite amazing. Below are some of my favorites.

FREE posted by J

For all of you Nine Inch Nails...

I don't know if anyone has heard the new album, Ghost, and instrumental double disc. I kind of gave up on them with the last 2 albums. I liked them upon first listen but after that i never listened to them again. Ghost is really good. Very ambient.

And now following in Radioheads trail (and others), NIN has put up and even newer album of 10 songs on there website (www.nin.com) for free download today. Get it. It's free!

Make Death Look Good posted by L

Listen to this, and buy yourself tulips...They make death look good, so take note.

o1. Working In a Coal Mine- Devo
02. I Was Made for You- She & Him
03. Ribs Out- Fuck Buttons
04. Neighbors- Gnarls Barkley
05. Iko Iko- The Dixie Cups
06. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea- Neutral Milk Hotel
07. The Clockwise Witness- DeVotchKa
08. Window- Breathe Owl Breathe
09. Bat's Mouth- Bat's for Lashes
10. One Too Many Mornings- Bob Dylan
11. Ponytail- Panda Bear
12. Nantes- Beirut
13. Lava Lava- Boys Noize
14. Crimewave- Crystal Castles
15. Happiness- Goldfrapp
16. Bistortions- Clinic
17. Love Love Love- The Mountian Goats
18. Mama, Wont You Keep Them Castles in the Air and Burning? Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
19. Do You Realize- Flaming Lips
20. I See Monsters- Ryan Adams
21. It Make A Long Time Man Feel Bad- Negro Work Songs and Calls (The Library of Congress)

LET THE BLIND LEAD... posted by J

"Let The Blind Lead Those Who Can See But Cannot Feel" is the second album from the incredibly talented Bradford Cox. Atlas Sound is the solo effort from Cox who is the lead singer of Deerhunter.

I've been reading about the album since it came out in February which lead me to check out his myspace page(www.myspace.com/bradfordcox). Upon here the first song i was completely hooked. Shoe gaze guitars and ambient electronics, subdued drums and ghostly vocals, all are some of my favorite qualities in music.

Speaking of the vocals, they where all created while recording on the first take. Two of my favorite tracks are "Recent Bedroom" and "Quarantined". As with most ambient-esque music (and most music in general when i think about it) the listening experience can be further enjoyed with headphones. So get the album, get out your headphones, turn down the lights, and lie down in your bed and LISTEN!

IT'S GOOD TO WANT THINGS MIX posted by J

So as i said when we started doing this I'm not going 2 talk about it that much anymore. And on that note here it is:

IT'S GOOD TO WANT THINGS MIX

01. Iron & Wine- Lion's Mane
02. Grandaddy- Now It's On
03. Super Furry Animals- The Door To This House Remains Open
04. Massive Attack- Sly
05. Nine Inch Nails- Right Where It Belongs
06. Mum- Marmalade Fires
07. PJ Harvey- Working For The Man
08. The Smiths- This Charming Man
09. Loney Dear- Saturday Waits
10. The Coral- Far From The Crowd
11. Aphex Twin- Petiatil Cx Htdui
12. Clinic- Evil Bill
13. Peter Bjorn and John- Saturday Night At The Parties
14. Chin Up Chin Up- Water Planes in Snow
15. The Shins- New Slang
16. Beth Orton- Stars All Seem To Weep

I'VE BEEN WAITING... posted by J

...for this album! It's been six years since The Notwist released the instant classic, Neon Golden. I cant say enough good things about that album. Flawless. Timeless. I've been craving something new form them, and its not that they haven't been doing anything. They have a couple of side projects, for example, the great Ms. John Soda and 13 & God. As well as doing most of the production on Lali Puna's new album. It sometimes worries me when a band takes such a long break but fear not, they do not disappoint.

There new album, The Devil, You + me, is just as amazing. Here is a band that upon forming in 1989 has evolved from grunge, metal, and to the dark indie electronic music they make now. They make music rich with influence and creativity. The new album takes off right where neon golden left off. It has beautiful and intricate production. I'm really fond of the title track, The Devil, You + Me, and the opening track, Good Lies, which is actually there first single.

I need not say anymore. Get the album.

RICEBOY SLEEPS posted by J

Riceboy Sleeps is the art and music collaboration of Jon Thor Birgisson (better known as Jonsi, the lead singer of Sigur Ros) and his long-time boyfriend, Alex Somers. They have been making art and music together for about four years.

I just got their first book, titled Riceboy Sleeps. A collection of drawings, paintings, found photographs, and bits and pieces of old books. Riceboy Sleeps was first released in a limited edition 1000 printed book which was hand numbered and signed. It was only released in Iceland. I only wish i could have got one of those. I ordered the copy they had mass produced. I have to say, to my disappointment, the book was a little to small. Don't get me wrong, the art work is amazing, it's just that i think it should have been a wee bit larger. The art work itself is quite reminiscent of Sigur Ros. Quiet and dream-like. There are lots of birds and children. The over all appearance is very aged and has a delicate, almost breakable feel.

Riceboy Sleep swill also be releasing their first single later this year on 10 inch vinyl.

I only wish i could recommend buying the book, i mean unless your a die hard fan, i would just say check out the websites and such. Maybe their next book will be a bit larger.

www.riceboysleeps.com

www.myspace.com/riceboysleeps

She & Him by L

It is quite hard to miss spring, with its sopping mornings and brilliant blue afternoons. Weather perfect for walking or watching from the comfort of you apartment window. Naturally, this sent me in a scurry to find my spring album (which will always be distinctly different from an essential spring mix).

I stumbled on She & Him vicariously, and it made me smile - you know, the kind that makes your ears tingle. Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s Volume 1 (Merge) mavericked a clever arrangement of easy songs which provokes you to unconsciously press the repeat button. “Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?” is definitely the album's bait song, but the late 50’s feel of “I Was Made for You” sent my head swimming. Nevertheless, it was the cover of The Miracles’ “You Really Got a Hold on Me” that sealed the deal. Brilliant!

SWEET WARM BREEZE posted by J

This play list is best for, well i went out for some beers last night with a couple of friends and it was one of the first evenings when it was a pleasure to be outside. A quiet warm evening, a glass of wine, and great conversation with a dear friend. Or while reading a good book next to an open window. Get it?...


SWEET WARM BREEZE MIX:



01. Wheat- Don't i hold you?
02. Thurston Moore- Silver Blue
03. The Shins- Those to Come
04. Album Leaf- Spinning Makes Me Dizzy
05. The Strokes- Ask Me Anything
06. Seabear- Singing Arc
07. CocoRosie- Tekno Love Song
08. Beach House- Apple Orchard
09. Broken Social Scene- Handjobs for Holidays
10. Bjork- Charlene
11. Apparat- You Don't Know Me
12. Carissa's Weird- Heather Rhodes (Remix)
13. Yeah Yeah Yeah's- Diamond Sea (iTunes Exclusive)
14. Taken By Tress- Lost and Found
15. Bat For Lashes- Trophy

SOUND OF COLOR posted by J

The Gap company did something really cool...

...They launched an online campaign in February to hopefully entice younger customers. That's a bit corporate, but what they came up with is really awesome. They asked 5 artists to write songs about a specific color. Then they got five fresh and up-and-coming directors to put the songs to a video that represented that color. Above is what they came up with (going down the list put up the blog if your picking up what I'm throwing down). Good job.

Here's a break down:

1. Black & White: "Black/White" by The Ravonettes; Dir. Chris Do

2. Yellow: "Paint Me in Your Sunshine" by Marie Digby; Dir. Mike Maguire

3. Green: "Candy Paint" by Swizz Beatz; Dir. Tom Gatsoulis

4. Blue: "Magic" by The Blakes; Dir. Russ Lamourex

5. Red: "Turning Red" by Dntel; Dir. Mary Fagot and James Frost

MY NEW ADMIRATION posted by J

Cocorosie, one of the many bands I enjoy, is two sisters, Seirra Casady (27) and Bianca Casady (25). I'm talking today about the younger, Bianca. She's quite the little motivationilst (if that's even a word) for me right now. Dabbling in music and the art world with a brilliant intertwining of the two.

Cocorosie seems to only be doing a handful of selected shows here and there, festivals, and such. Which as given Bianca more free time to, you know, start a record label, have a couple of art shows, open a gallery, etc. Her record label, Voodoo Eros, is home to Bunny Rabbit, Quinn Walker, Diane Cluck, and Metallic Falcons (sister Seirra's new project). The Enlightened Family: A Collection of Lost Songs, a compilation Bianca and Friend Melissa Skimkovitz put together features a solo song by Sierra, and other artists like Devandra Banhart, Metallic Falcons, Diane Cluck, and Patrick Wolf.

As for her art... She has had two recent art shows in New York. One at Deitch Gallery called "Lil Girl Slim "Cosmic Willingness" Pipe Dreamz a Revolution" that showcased paintings, drawings, and installations (pictured). The other show, "Red Bone Slim vs. Itself", was at her own gallery Voodoo Eros Museum of Nice Items, which runs till April 30th. Again I'm struggling financially at the moment so I don't think i will be seeing it in person. Sad. I really enjoy her childish, girly, freaky folk style. Very sweet and naughty.

for more:

www.myspace.com/voodooeros

voodooeros.com/nice_items

www.deitch.com

SLEEP DROWNS THE RIVER MIX posted by J

This is going to be the first in a weekly series of sort of themed playlist posts. It may seem a little pretentious but i don't really care. I'm into it. The first one is mine, J. I've been revisiting a lot of my old idm (intelligent dance music), and experimental electronic music the past couple of weeks while working on some new art (see what i mean about pretentious?). So i compiled a playlist of songs ranging from purely electronic acts to some of the more well known artists, that tend to wallpaper my room atmosphere. It may seem a bit sleepy or dreamy but that's why its great for making art to. It's there but not a huge distraction. In normal conditions we probably won't have this long intro to the playlist, I'm just trying to lay the ground work for the following weekly posts. Get it?...

SLEEP DROWNS THE RIVER MIX

01. Plastikman- Korridor
02. Future Sound of London- Yage
03. Sonic Youth- Campfire
04. Plaid- Zamami
05. Mum- Winter (What We Never Were After All)
06. Squarepusher- Tommib
07. Radiohead- MK1
08. The Notwist- Formiga
09. Jens Lekman- Rocky Dennis in Heaven
10. Kid 606- Now I Wanna be a Cowboy
11. Super Furry Animals- Father Father (Boom Bip Mix)
12. Beniot Pioulard- Patter
13. Mogwai- O/Sleep
14. Lali Puna- Satur-Nine
15. Nico Muhly- Quiet Music
16. Bright Eyes- Cremation

EVERYTHING GOOD posted by J

WOW!!! Pretty much summarizes everything about next years release of "Where the Wild Things Are", an adaptation of Maurice Sendaks children book classic. I really can't believe the amount of talent that has and is working on this film. Just listen to this... Where do i begin? Okay, Spike Jonze is directing and co-wrote the screenplay with Dave Eggers. Like that's not enough, Spike Jonze asked Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs to write some music for the film. She then got the help of Bradford Cox, a member of Deerhunter, and the man behind the critical acclaimed, Atlas Sound. Can you handle it? Catherine Keener, Forest Whitaker, Paul Dano, Catherine O'Hara, Lauren Ambrose, among others all star in instant classic. AMAZING! Can. Not. Wait.