Library Chic Etc.

FYI

2010-02-25T11:50:00.005-07:00

I haven't posted in a while, I know.
Blog(spot) sabbatical.

In the meantime, feel free to follow my tumblr.

It's less wordy, and more visually oriented.

<3

never gonna get past Face Control

2009-06-15T11:21:00.006-06:00

A snippet of QTV interview of fab group Handsome Furs, if anything just watch the performance of current single "Legal Tender" off their newest album Face Control (awesome album name, by the way). I saw them last weekend at the small dive Larimer Lounge, and the energy and intensity these two gave off was astounding. I, like many, never gave this band much of a chance because I didn't want anything different than Dan B's other band Wolf Parade. Needless to say, I've been converted. Throw this into your next party playlist, and things will really start heating up.

They have a pretty insane video for other hit "I'm Confused" which you can watch here. Probably should only watch that if you're into zombie lovin, a-la-Thriller.

Did I mention these two are husband and wife? Insert Bonnie and Clyde reference here.

like a riot like a riot oh!

2009-06-01T18:09:00.010-06:00

Phoenix - Lisztomania

New video from band Phoenix, who were deserving of Band of the Year* status before their album even came out. Somehow everyone and their professors were rocking out to Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix before it's release last week (and we aren't telling how either). The album is a pop masterpiece: a perfect dance tempo and lead singer Thomas Mars' ridiculously cool phrasing stick in your head long after each listen. I always have trouble remembering the boys are French (of Versailles, no less), but the video for Lisztomania is a good reminder.

Plus, I learned a new word:
The term lisztomania was coined by the German romantic literary figure Heinrich Heine to describe the massive public response to Liszt's virtuosic piano performances. At these performances, there were allegedly screaming women, and the audience was sometimes limited to standing room only.

Phoenix will be playing in Denver on June 25th. Get your tickets early, boys and girls.

*Not necessarily by anyone yet. It should be, though.

would you always.. maybe sometimes..

2009-05-24T20:46:00.008-06:00

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

Many describe this as creepy. I say it's eerily beautiful. Either way, it's one of those videos you can't look away from... like fireworks, or a car crash. I love the big open eyes, scary smiles, uncomfortable stillness, and obviously fantastic outfits. I don't know how they can manage to look like 5-year-olds and grown men at the same time, but it's pretty fantastic to watch.

an ugly sweater party for the whole family

2009-05-24T15:13:00.006-06:00

Families are awkward, and awkward is the new black. Awkward Family Photos is a new site bringing it all together for your enjoyment. The site is new, but picking up quickly. I guarantee you'll find at least one photo that will make you laugh (and question your patriotism to this country).

My favorite is the Winnie the Pooh family (above).

keep off hipsters

2009-04-28T00:40:00.006-06:00

Finally, someone is bringing the issue out in the open: The Hipster. Fresh new site Look at This Fucking Hipster gives us a chance to laugh at the ridiculousness of the hipster elite, and also helps us secretly recover from hipster envy.

PS: the fact that this is the one picture on Wikipedia's entry makes me smile a little, inside.

Dear Old Love,

2009-04-15T11:17:00.009-06:00

VARSITY
I should have given you my letter jacket senior year.

FIND AND REPLACE
Every time you say “girlfriend,” in my head I swap
it for another word, like “aunt.”

LEVI SPOUSE
My wife wonders why I keep that old pair of jeans.
It’s because I was wearing them the last time I was with you.

TRUE DOV WAITS
I wish American Apparel had been around when we were
together. I would’ve relentlessly stuffed you into
their underwear. Just thinking about it makes me quiver.

MY TINE
The way you held your fork, I knew I’d do
anything you suggested.

A BURRITO SUPREME
When your new hippie friends abandon you, I’ll be here
waiting. With Taco Bell.

HAD ME A BLAST
You broke my heart once, and when you return for the
summer, I will let you do it again.

Along the lines of favorites such as Post Secret and F My Life, Dear Old Love is a new blog where posters anonymously send short notes 'to' their old loves. I expected a lot of hostility, but not all are so. The posts range from sweet to bitter, from angry to relieved. Though I don't think there's as much of a release as Post Secret (or you know, calling the person), the site has me hooked for the time being.

Jury says:

2009-04-13T21:31:00.006-06:00

Officially convicted for the murder of Lana Jackson in 2003, Spector will serve a manadatory 18 years in prison before being eligible of parole. You can read the story here.

If a picture says a 1000 words, I don't even know where to start.

right over the top

2009-04-10T10:14:00.005-06:00

Not all of you will enjoy this video, as it is trashy and classless.
Plus the hot dogs are über creepy.
At the same time, connoseuirs of Sir Sébastien will appreciate his quality dance bopping-in-place moves, the spoon on the nose, the hair over the face, and the uncomfortable looking suits.

I was mostly excited to see him sitting in the egg chair- just like the one at my workplace (see 1:44):

the time of the assassins

2009-04-06T23:06:00.011-06:00

Now that The Strokes' overextended hiatus is coming to an end, I've been listening to their side projects as a build up, because I love how much they sound like The Strokes even when they do their own, completely different stuff. Albert Hammond Jr. was an immediate contentment, and I've continued to be pleased by his music. I haven't listed to Fab's band Little Joy yet, but I was extremely excited to a) tenatively listen and b) immediately turn the volume up for bassist Nikolai Fraiture's band Nickel Eye.

And yes.
It took me a moment to figure out that Nickel Eye = Nikolai.

Though keeping with some basic Strokes elements, Nickel Eye is an interesting, more low key sound from a seemingly whole different era. Fraiture's voice is a surprise from the bassist's normally quiet and reserved stage persona. He's got this fantastic noir/western-but-still-whiney-rock feel. Choice tracks are Intro (Every Time) and Brandy of the Damned.

Best of all? The covers- with beautiful guitar playing, shy voice, and genuinely personal feeling: Nico's These Days (above) and Leonard Cohen's Hey, That's No Way to Say Goodbye (below).

Who's with me? Go Green Death!

2009-04-01T22:33:00.004-06:00

The coach of this precocious soccer team sadly had to resign due to this creative yet much unappreciated pre-season email to the parents of the team.

My favorite excerpt:
I believe winning is fun and losing is for losers. Ergo, we will strive for the "W" in each game. While we may not win every game (excuse me, I just got a little nauseated) I expect us to fight for every loose ball and play every shift as if it were the finals of the World Cup. While I spent a good Saturday morning listening to the legal liability BS, which included a 30 minute dissertation on how we need to baby the kids and especially the refs, I was disgusted. The kids will run, they will fall, get bumps, bruises and even bleed a little. Big deal, it's good for them (but I do hope the other team is the one bleeding). If the refs can't handle a little criticism, then they should turn in their whistle. The sooner they figure out how to make a decision and live with the consequences the better. My heckling of the refs is actually helping them develop as people. The political correctness police are not welcome on my sidelines.

If I was a parent, I would welcome a coach like this.

children, wake up

2009-03-31T21:08:00.006-06:00

I haven't been this excited by a movie trailer in a long time. Not to mention, I am always wary when my favorite children's books are adapted to film. But this is a whole new ball game.

With Spike Jones directing and an Arcade Fire soundtrack, Where The Wild Things Are looks to be absolutely stunning. The imagery looks unbelievably true to Maurice Sendak's original drawings.

someday, someday

2009-03-27T20:58:00.007-06:00

photos by Thomas Hawk

It's official. My loyalty will be rewarded. The greatest band of the millenial age- New York's The Strokes are back in the studio, all of them. Not only that, they're 10 songs deep. See the "Smoking Section" of your most recent Rollingstone.

Plus on a different note, front man Julian Casablancas is set to appear on an Incredibad song. Didn't see that coming. Reminiscent of the strange Converse ad (below). Julian, you never cease to confuse me.

a music video is worth a thousand words

2009-03-24T18:50:00.003-06:00

Refreshingly simple song and video:
the Books - 'Smells Like Content.'

Their current tour is mostly at contemporary art museums, and that is cool.

Elvis Lives

2009-03-24T00:17:00.001-06:00

My second-favorite Elvis, the Perkins one, has released his newest, and you can have it free in just two shakes of a lamb's tail.

'Shampoo' is a strangely hypnotic combination of woodsy background buzzing and chirps, with Perkins' quirky, longing voice. Plus when was the last time you heard a romantic song involving crossbows? It's been a while (and a long time coming, in my opinion).

He'll be at the Hi-Dive on May 8th, for you Denver hipsters.
Expect to see lots of carefully arranged plaid & well-placed belts.

ready, set, break

2009-03-18T10:25:00.002-06:00

Even librarians need a Spring Break.
I'll be back with the new next week.

xo

making life's big questions delicious

2009-03-12T18:34:00.004-06:00

Soul Pancake is the newest website/forum, created by Rainn Wilson and friends where people can go to talk about Life's Big Questions. You name it, you can talk about it. Bringing religion, morals, etc out of their typical viewpoints and untouchable-stances, into day-to-day conversation. The site started on Sunday, it'll be interesting to see how it turns out. There's already some great content on there, between articles and different things to play with and 'chew' on. No need to be scared of religion when you've got Dwight Shrute's face helping you out.

He was recently on (don't laugh) Oprah's Soul Series show, and though I have a hard time listening to Oprah sometimes, I did enjoy one thing Rainn said in introducing discussion of the Baha'i faith toward the end of part 1:
"The making of art is no different than prayer. There's not any difference between lifting up a paintbrush and touching it to a canvas and bowing your head in a church."

That, I can relate to.

RIP

2009-03-09T22:19:00.009-06:00

Today, we remember Bill Buchanan.

One of CTU's finest, he continued serving the country even after CTU was disbanded, acting as a special agent for the FBI in 2009. A brave, courageous man, Buchanan was given the silent clock at 8:11pm, Monday, March 9th after he took his own life in order to save the President during a terrorist attack on the White House. He will be remembered as a fine agent, as well as a noble American, and our country is at a great loss. May he rest in peace.

Lights & Music

2009-03-08T16:41:00.013-06:00

I know I've been posting a lot of music lately, but these guys are definitely worth talking about. Cut Copy is leading a technicolor dance music revolution. They're the future of dance/rock and sound straight from the past . Coming from a current trend of fantastic Down Under acts, (see MGMT, FOTC) Cut Copy is exactly what the people want right now: genuinely happiness-inducing tunes.

Their Denver show 3/14 is already sold out, but if you can get a ticket by another means, it'd probably be a fantastic show (or if you know anyone who will sell their ticket to ME please get in touch!). Their newest album In Ghost Colours is a guaranteed dance party starter, impossible not to bop to.
Some choice cuts:

Track 3/ Lights & Music

Track 7/ So Haunted

Track 9/ Hearts On Fire

Track 10/ Far Away

Yes, no, maybe is all I need to hear from you
If things go crazy, she's lost herself and lost to you
Now that nothing's spoken she's out there on the ice again
She'll take me down slowly, she's holding on to what she can

they were actually both on that album

2009-03-04T21:53:00.008-07:00

The best Ebony & Ivory combo since Sir McCartney & Stevie Wonder, Lil Wayne and Charles Gibson are perfection as late night guests on Jimmy Kimmel Live. There's another good clip of the BFF's when Lil Wayne is brought out to talk about, oh $150,000 teeth and losing his virginity at 11 (that's right, 11). You've probably already seen the Scrabble video too (thanks Boy Kings).

Charles Gibson ~ Lil Wayne
Jimmy Kimmel > Dave Letterman

(it's just that simple)

quiet down I need to make a sound

2009-03-04T21:13:00.005-07:00

Sometimes a single will come out that's just too big for me to give the rest of the record a chance (Paper Planes...all I wanted to do was bang bang bang bang my head against the wall). If the record is good enough though, eventually I'll come back to it and discover what else was there, and usually it's even better. Cue the above, 'Bucky Done Gun.'

The beat is super catchy, the lyrics are perfect, and M.I.A. continues to look amazing doin the damn thing.

'Sunshowers' is another good not-Paper Planes song. Most people don't even realize they knew M.I.A. before with remix-popular song 'Galang' (the video is worth checking out even just for her super wicked style).

everything is amazing right now, and nobody's happy

2009-03-03T20:24:00.003-07:00

I know this video has been making the rounds, but I feel that it's worthy: Louis CK spoke on Conan (who has replaced Leno! ohhhh snap!) about how "the crappiest generation of spoiled idiots" taking the strides of current technology for granted. If only he would speak at DU.

"Give it a second! It's going to space! Can you give it a second to get back from space?"

it's a city of rhinos, tell your friends

2009-03-02T17:57:00.005-07:00

Their Myspace says it best:

About Rhinoceropolis
We live here, and despite our better judgement, decided to start throwing shows, open basically to anyone. Weird.

Part house, part gallery, part venue- Rhinoceropolis is the somewhat underground, well, place that these people live at, host DJs and shows, and sell art. A funky house, walk on in and you enter an open space with paintings and installation art, people either talking about the art on the walls, or dancing to the music provided by the DJ a few steps away. The next room is what you might call a kitchen, with someone handing you a beer for a donation, couches, and the previous day's dishes and groceries. Not to mention you're surrounded by people who are far and above hipster classification. These people eat and breathe underground and DIY culture. They were even voted as Westword's Best Mixed-Use Venue. I went with some friends once last year, and I'm itching to go back soon.

Ch-ch-check it out:
3553 Brighton Blvd.
Denver, CO

Check the schedule on their Myspace, or thru Westword's listing.
Really, anyone's invited.
Just play it cool, man, real coooool.

not a robot, but a ghost

2009-02-27T09:17:00.021-07:00

Andrew Bird played a sold out show last night at the Ogden, and what a show it was. I have always really liked his music, but it was hard to imagine what it would be like live, and whether it would have enough oomph on stage was soon to be answered. Swedish opener Loney Dear was sweet, thoughtful and playful, as a perfect intro to Bird. Bird came out all bells and whistles, pun intended, backed by a 3-piece band while he himself manned a guitar, xylophone, his infamous violin and of course his unreal bird-like whistling. Bird played newer material from current album Noble Beast, while also keeping his long-time fans thrilled with everything from 'Imitosis,' 'Tables and Chairs,' and a disarming rendition of 'Why.' He even reawakened Dr. Stringz as a lead-into song 'Fake Palindromes.'

Although his band was fantastic in itself, one of the most interesting parts of Bird's live performances is his seeming multiplication of his own self ; he uses two microphones, one of which he makes plays into for a few beats, which is essentially recorded and immediately played back in a loop as background, so he can move to his main microphone and then interact with his own sound- he's a full band all by himself.

An earlier recorded concert of Loney Dear and Andrew Bird can be seen here, courtesy of NPR. A track-by-track of album Noble Beast, here.

Some shots from the evening:

she was just 22

2009-02-26T15:19:00.008-07:00

A fellow 22-year old fringed brunette girl has finally caught my eye on her second album. Lily Allen's newest album It's Not Me, It's You is poppy, catchy, blunt and extremely well written; her lyrics especially stand out on this album. From very straightforward bed-time disappointment in 'Not Fair:'

There's just one thing that's getting in the way
When we go up to bed you're just no good, it's such a shame
I look into your eyes, I want to get to know you
And then you make this noise and it's apparent it's all over
It's not fair, and I think you're really mean
I think you're really mean, I think you're really mean
Oh you're supposed to care that you never make me scream
You never make me scream...

Another favorite is the Marilyn Monroe Some Like It Hot sound of 'He Wasn't There'

With her sweet, girly voice and strong British accent, you almost don't realize you're singing along about lying in the wet patch, ex-wives, and Chinese food. She's beautiful, talented and writes exactly the way girls feel. I knew girl power would never go out of fashion.

$52.80

2009-02-25T12:49:00.007-07:00

from Il Posto

It's late February and you know what that means: Restaurant Week. Out here in Denver, 200 restaurants, ranging from moderate to extremely upscale, are opening their doors with a fixed menu (cleverly priced at $52.80 for two, in reference to our beautiful Mile High City) for everyone to enjoy. Some restaurants are even extending the menu through March 6th, so if you're in the area, you aren't out of luck yet. Restaurant Week is great way for people to check out places they might normally not be able to afford, or to just shop around. It also benefits the restaurant economy during the post-Valentine's lull- and you can do your part by eating fabulous food and having an excuse to go out on the town.

I'll be checking out Le Chateau, a French bistro and fondue restaurant on 15th St. Review update to follow.

a duo begins

2009-02-22T22:11:00.014-07:00

Joshua Radin. One of many ' whisper rock' singers of late, but deservedly one of the best.

Sundrenched World

A combination of Sam Beam, Andrew Bird, and Simon & Garfunkel, you have to like him just a little if you know he's on a Zach Braff movie soundtrack (...unless you hate Zach Braff that is, which just isn't possible). Joshua Radin's soft voice weaves in and out of beautifully and simply orchestrated harmonies and instrumentation; his tone is a perfect fit with some of the more thoughtful moments in said film. Relaxing without being sleepy or sappy, longing instead of forlorn; the perfect soundtrack to a wintery afternoon.

Imogen Heap also does a light and fluffy remix of Only You:

The Muscles from Brussels

2009-02-20T12:29:00.004-07:00

JCVD: Jean-Claude Van Damme as... Jean-Claude Van Damme.

Released in France, May 2008 / DVD release here in April (fingers crossed).

A satire of his own action star career, Van Damme ironically plays himself in a comeback about, well...himself. The glamour is gone, finances and battles over child custody have taken over. A comeback about no comeback? A comeback as a comeback? He becomes a metaphor for himself, which is reason enough to check it out.

Plus it's in French. Always a good sign.

the man on the moon

2009-02-17T23:30:00.009-07:00

Kid Cudi is, best put: coming in hot.

Starting from mixtapes, Cleveland's Kid Cudi caught Kanye West's eye (or ear, I suppose). He soon performed at the 2008 VMAs with the likes of Travis Barker and DJ AM. Rolling Stone named him one of their top 5 indie hip hop artists of the year. He's even going to play a role in HBO's How To Make It In America, Mark Walhberg's latest project.

Kid Cudi will be playing a show this Thursday at Denver's The Church. Not a venue I frequent, but this show would be hard to pass up.

You'll also notice him on Kanye's newest video (say what you will, the video visually continues to blow my mind).

sofuckingcute

2009-02-15T12:54:00.001-07:00

I know it's old, but it's the just cutest damn thing I've ever seen.
He's going to grow up and rule the world.
Don't forget kittens inspired by kittens...
And maybe my favorite, the Star Wars according to a 3 year old. And OBI KENOBI SAYS...!!!

Happy Valentine's day, to one and all.

xo

there is no sound

2009-02-14T19:01:00.007-07:00

Lonely London Lad - Buffalo Jump

A new music obsession, band Lonely London Lad is the creation of Robert Savage and Johnny rK, with Gabriele Berneri, Nico Bentley, and Billy Fuller. Best defined as experimental music, they are unlike much else I have heard, or seen for that matter. Their first album is in the process of being released, but the wait is filled with plenty of songs and videos - they have over 50 songs recorded this past year, and 45 videos as well! The videos are the type of thing I would expect to see projected on one of the walls at the DAM, along with the music of course. So artsy, so tasty.

And don't I love learning new things each day? My favorite song, Buffalo Jump, got me on a wikipedia frenzy. A buffalo jump is the name for a cliff that buffalo would be herded off of. The fall would either kill them or render them immobile, so that hunters below could finish them off easily.

The repeated line "in the desert there is no sound," on top of a very elusive westernesque sound makes me wonder: If a buffalo herd falls in the desert with no one around to hear it, does it make a sound? I think LLL makes their opinion pretty clear.

why speak what you could write, send, and be removed from?

2009-02-14T16:23:00.002-07:00

And a Happy Valentine's Day greeting, courtesy of Passive Aggressive Notes!

As most of my readers know, I am an avid follower of PostSecret and of Passive Aggressive Notes. If you didn't know, just look on the right side of the page.

Anyway, because I am a fan of these sites, occasionally people ask me if I sent in some of the ones they come across. Recently questioned over the following, generally by fellow workers:

This, since obviously I am a librarian. Unfortunately no, I don't dress provocatively for the job, though I can look a bit bookish at times. I do like the extra touch of Betty Draper in the corner. She would definitely make a tempting librarian.

This I was also questioned about, but no, not from me. I do like the idea, and have had had experience involved in a passive aggressive note series at a prior living space. Luckily it never quite came to broken dishes left about the house, though there were some Italian swear words thrown in.

27b/6

2009-02-13T09:31:00.014-07:00

My boyfriend turned me onto David Thorne's site, 27b/6, and I can't get enough.

How do you make a David Thorne? Take Nick Hornby, add some David Sedaris overtones, maybe a little John Kirby, and a pinch of Jim Halpert. Voila, my new favorite site. He rags on his office mates, ponders what it would be like to be a space commander or to own a monkey and endlessly disses his friend Lucius for his unicorn hair*:

* note the creepy unicorn decorations behind said friend.

My favorite articles feature Thorne's purposefully uncomfortable responses to people's emails or notes. One of the all time best were the series of emails sent after he refused to pay an outstanding fee, and wanted instead to pay using a drawing he made of a spider. Obviously, the company refused the drawing as a payment, so he has refused to pay as well. You can see how the story has strangely unfolded into an eBay bid for the drawing here.

it's the sunglasses that worry me

2009-02-11T22:36:00.008-07:00

I can't help but wonder what is happening to one of my favorite actors, Joaquin Phoenix. Part of me is hopeful that this is an Andy Kaufman type stunt, but it's almost too painful to consider fake.

I'm counting on the hoax side of things.
He may have just created a character for himself to play.
I may just be optimistic.

And that's why I don't watch Dave Letterman.

I'm only dreaming

2009-02-09T16:32:00.006-07:00

Oren Lavie - Her Morning Elegance

Does this remind anyone else of the Science of Sleep?

A perfect example of how a video can really add to a song.
(In my opinion)

and I would name it 'from Denver'

2009-02-06T16:52:00.011-07:00

Having artists like Geminitactics designing their merch is one more reason to like of Montreal (so does having videos like this classic, but that's a whole other conversation).

I like of Montreal's approach to merchandise and art. They want you to get something meaningful when you buy their music, not just a cd or album. So, you can buy actual decorative art pieces like their paper lantern, tote, or wall decals, which come with the code to then be able to just download their album. Why come away from a show with a cd when you could bring home a newly decorated apartment instead?

a picture is worth a thousand words

2009-02-04T00:04:00.006-07:00

The Maine College of Art teamed up with the Portland Public Library to create a contemporary project that is so spot-on it almost hurts. As an art student who works part time at the campus library (putting the 'library' in 'library chic'), this is almost too good to be true. Long Overdue: Book Renewal takes books that can no longer circulate, and transforms them into absolutely stunning works of art.

So good.

because everything is temporary

2009-02-03T22:44:00.012-07:00

I have to send respect any time a good artist comes out of Denver.
[On a sidenote: The Denver wikipedia entry gave me a whole new view of this fair city.]
[And, on a totally unrelated note: I learned something new today: the word 'draw' is an acronym for Direct Read After Write. It blew my mind.]

Back to business: The Contemporary Art world right now is much more accessible than ever before, but also even harder to be new in. Yet some ideas still fine a way to stick, pun intended. Magnet Mafia is a movement of street artists (born from the metro area) who use magnets as their mode of mark making. Magnet Mafia creates all kinds of messages on their magnets, then they post it on any metal surface throughout the city. When I first met the Mafia, I was skeptical about the magnet idea, it seemed 'flimsy.' Needless to say, I changed my mind. Magnets can be moved from place to place, unlike stickers. It's the ideal participatory street art out there, because the audience member is an equally big player in the process; anyone walking down the street can change the meaning by placing it on a new object. And if people want to write or draw the magnets, they create even more meaning.

Plus who doesn't want 'artistically-thoughtful-and-yet-ironic-decorated-fridge' status? I know I always check people's fridges when I visit their house for the first time.

They even came to my school to let us play with great rolls of magnets, and were super chill. It was a blasty blast.

There is still hope!

hide & seek

2009-02-02T11:39:00.003-07:00

The Golden Filter - Hide Me

I realize this is 3+ months old, but it's too good to pass over.

Exactly what love at 22 feels (and sounds) like.

I wear my binary on my sleeve

2009-02-01T21:47:00.007-07:00

And once again, Urban Outfitters starts to carry something I can't help but fall head over heels for. Fly t-shirts, by... MICROSOFT? Wait. The computer company? That's right, Microsoft's Softwear (ohhh, the name is just too good) is a new line of t-shirts drawing on the nostalgia from the days of computer disks.

Softwear has both a Classic collection, and a Common collection (by hip hop legend Common). Both are equally delicious.

The perfect gift for that friend who once told you: "There are 10 types of people who understand binary, those who do and those who don't."

on the fringe

2009-02-01T13:23:00.021-07:00

As an avid reader of popular blogs that make fun of people like me, it's no surprise that I follow Stuff White People Like. If you didn't already know, I'm about as white as they come, and dark hair only helps to emphasize this fact.

Speaking of white girls and their hair brings us to one of my favorite posts, #104 Girls with Bangs. As an experienced bang wearer, I am both reassured and embarrassed by the possible hipster status this post ensues. SWPL explains that "[For] for white people, this simple haircut makes a bold declaration by saying that the wearer is artistic, deep, and has probably dated a guy in a band you like," and that "the haircut-with-bangs is an important symbol that a female has completed her transformation from a nerdy girl to a cool woman." The look also brings a sense of innocence, a reference to childhood and softness. Which keeps girls looking, well, like girls.

Granted, not every fringed female knows how to wear her bangs so as to achieve such a first impression. Zooey Deschanel is a good starting point, as she is both an actress and singer (artistic), as well as a hipster heroine.

Bangs should either be bluntly sheared straight across the eyebrow:

Or gently side-swept, preferably covering one eye so as to give the feeling of shyness:

Continuing with the artistic, introspective allure that corresponds with the short bang/long hair approach, it is also preferable to be a brunette, although red heads have been known to be successful with this style.

Needless to say, SWPL has reassured me that I am correctly displaying who I am through my hair. I only wonder: does the girl make the bangs, or do the bangs make the girl?

a Good Book for the rest of us

2009-01-28T13:06:00.010-07:00

One of my favorite politically incorrect comics: The Perry Bible Fellowship.

PBF is the work of Nicholas Gurewitch, and blends all of life's cruel lessons into a variety of satirical comic strips. Gurewitch started his strip for the Syracuse University newspaper, and it has blossomed into an award winning webcomic. The style progresses from simple drawings to highly detailed, beautiful artwork; the subject matter is mildly to extremely offensive. The comics are unapologetically blunt and crass, and fill my daily need for cleverly controlled cynicism (try saying that 3 times fast).

A choice selection:
Now Showing
Magic Eyes
Boy Scouts
Q. P. Inc.
Mittens
Scorpy the Forest Friend
Unicorn Power
Stiff Breeze

Saint Schwartzman

2009-01-27T10:13:00.015-07:00

Coconut Records is the painstakingly simple and quirky project of indie god Jason Schwartzman, best known for his films (such as Rushmore, I ♥ Huckabees, The Darjeeling Limited) and as the drummer for Phantom Planet. That aside, Coconut Records just released second album Davy, and I have eaten it right up. No track is longer than 3 minutes, each is a little burst of melancholy with music that lets you bounce along and lyrics that make you ponder whether you'll ever know what to do with your life. It's all of life's questions concerning love and what it is to be young. Plus there is xylophone, which is hard to resist. I bought my album from Amie St, because I hate iTunes. Schwartzman's one artist I don't mind paying full price for.

Start with tracks 'Saint Jerome' and 'I Am Young.'
If you're as indie as you think you are, you'll enjoy Coconut Records.

A One of a Kind Apparel Experience

2009-01-26T12:20:00.008-07:00

I had the pleasure of meeting the guys from Drive By Press in the fall when my printmaking teacher invited them to stop by our class. Drive By Press is a good example of a graduate thesis gone WELL(!), and this I find very inspiring. Greg and Joseph wanted to find a way to bring printmaking out in the open and out to the public so that it could be better understood and appreciated- and especially so that other people could participate. They tour the US year round visiting different schools, events, and concerts where they make shirt after shirt on-site. They are able to do this by creating their own woodcuts, and toting around a giant beauty of a press attached to the back of their truck. Somewhat guerilla and fully participatory, I love that these guys have opened up the world of printmaking to everyone. Normally you won't find any printing presses that can be moved around, much less from city to city. They've got an idea with a purpose, to mention some great style.

As a printmaker myself, I am very grateful there are people out there continuing to find ways to make the art form relevant.
I'm also proud to have two of their fabulous tees, fo free!

so much more than a murse

2009-01-24T23:24:00.006-07:00

Jack Bauer's man-bag is so badass, it has it's own Twitter.

The man-bag says few words, but so far my favorite tweets are as follows::
1) Chewbacca sports an impressive Man Bag all that fur must tickle I prefer Jack's hip mmm Jack's hip:
2) @real_jackbauer What would you do without me?
3) Glad jack ditched the trench coat, it was seriously clashing with my fashionable accessorizing.
4) Jack, you better not have dumped me in the basement along with @JacksInspectorGadgetTrenchCoat

I still wonder show after show what Jack keeps in his reliable tote...
A gun? A PowerBar? Those elusive weapons of mass destruction?

I'm bringin filthy back

2009-01-24T15:55:00.025-07:00

The Filthy Youth. Where do I even begin? I first heard them knowing I would hate them. Then I listened, and can't get them out of my head. A very british pop punk band from Stevenage, London, they're the kind of band that makes you need to run your fingers through your hair at a show. His voice adds the perfect amount of grit and distaste to keep it punk and with the right level of intoxication the combination of authentic British punk, impossibly disintrested singer, and low-fi pub cellar sound make it impossible to be still. You don't know whether to kiss someone or punch someone first. When I'm feeling especially angsty, the line "she goes to Uni for free and I don't know what she studies, fuck knows what she plans to be" from song 'Come Flash All Your Ladies' strikes a chord, while 'Pirate' is almost a nod to The Doors.

Not only that, but for those of you that care about this kind of thing, The Filthy Youth's lead singer is Ed Westwick, a star of the show Gossip Girl (and also apparently the new face of K-Swiss?) Like, wow. Busy guy.

I think it's time for a trip to England:

Not the potatoes!

2009-01-23T23:26:00.007-07:00

I've found myself much more aware of pop culture in different media lately, and am inspired knowing that all different kinds of people are able to create art and express themselves to a very wide audience. It's amazing how everyday people are suddenly able to entertain millions of people, at any time. Now that's 'all men are created equal' if you ask me. YouTube has changed everything.

Space Potatoes from comedy troupe The Whitest Kids You Know. Not too slick, but still satisfies the basest humor desires.
I also really enjoyed their We Buy Drugs as well.

Holla at ya Kings

2009-01-21T19:01:00.016-07:00

Reppin the KVDU shirt, post-graduation. Yes yes yes.

My favorite alpha males are coming in hot and keeping us up on the fresh. They're celebrities in their own eyes, and it looks like pretty soon they might be famous for reaaal.

www.BoyKings.com

They've even got twitters, so you BKers can follow their every move!

disclaimer: They talk about Chicago (a lot). <3

No Reservations

2009-01-21T17:23:00.010-07:00

Anthony Bourdain is exactly the type of celeb I can't help but notice. He's written memoirs and novels, traveled the globe (no really, I am sick with envy when I see the places he goes to), and starred in two successful television shows (on Travel Channel & Food Network)... did I mention he's a world renowned chef? I first came across him after picking up a copy of Kitchen Confidential, which chronicles his life as a chain smoking, doping dishwasher up to his infamy as a critically acclaimed French chef. Then much to my delight, I realized he is on television, for me to enjoy in hour long segments. No Reservations follows his tall, skinny, greying self as he eats food in the dirtiest kitchens and the most beautiful unknown travel destinations.

That said, let's take a look at the man. He's a chef, without being pretentious. He smokes 2 packs a day and drinks any alcohol he can get his hands on throughout each show. He travels everywhere, (and paid to do it) eating the best of the best. He's sarcastic and has the mouth of a sailor. Even one of his tattoos is the same symbol I've been considering getting for a long time (I won't tell you which one, he has a number of them). He's tall, dark and handsome. He's what Humprey Bogart probably wished to look like. And he talks trash about vegetarians like you wouldn't believe.

Plus he has a sense of humor. Check the photo below.
Too many piece-of-meat innuendos to even bother.

I thought I told you that we won't stop

2009-01-19T21:02:00.013-07:00

Yes, I still love him, after all these years.
And will probably immediately visit the cologne section next time I hit the mall.
I won't call him Diddy, though.

If you haven't seen Notorious, you should. The soundtrack makes up for everything and more.

Also, check the poster I found at Amoeba last summer on Haight St. One more reason to love San Francisco.

Bring on the war.

2009-01-13T22:07:00.004-07:00

Metric - Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix)

Song of the week, obviously.

One more vote for the (Kilo)metric system

2009-01-12T22:41:00.006-07:00

To the Urban Outfitters' frequenter, this is nothing new. But I see no wrong in the 'popular,' especially when it's European. Sébastien Tellier's newest album, Sexuality, came out just a few months ago, and it definitely continues Sébastien's trend of increasingly sexual songs. Aptly named Sexuality, this album is jam-packed with driving, thrilling beats coexisting with a breathy French voice. Not to mention, the lyrics that can actually be understood are straightforward advances (I'd say the repeated "sexual ideas, sexual ideas" in 'Fingers of Steel' is one of my favorites). He explains the inspiration song-by-song of each track in this Clash music article. The music itself ranges from the genius poppy 'Divine,' winner of EuroTV's 2008 song contest, to 'Kilometer's pulsing beat and suggestive lyrics, to the intense 7+ minute instrumental 'Sexual Sportswear.' Some of the moaning seems a little excessive at times, but overall this just might my favorite album of 2008.

Did I mention the vinyl is pressed in baby blue?

I was lucky enough to catch one of his shows this winter on his 5-city US tour (why Denver was one is something I'll never know, but always appreciate). Larimer Lounge is a tiny, intimate space with just the right amount of low stage and christmas lights. The opening act, Astra Moveo, was fantastic, and Sébastien didn't even come on stage until midnight. He sang his best songs and made love to the entire crowd with each track. He also borrowed my lighter without returning it, but I figure it went to a greater cause.

He also played 'La Ritournelle,' enough said.

Posivitely Divine.

What Ween would sound like post-rehab.

2009-01-11T20:49:00.000-07:00

So during a conversation questioning what Furries are possibly thinking, animal-dressing turned to animal videos. One in particular was the infamous YouTube phenom "Hamster on a Piano (Eating Popcorn)." A 1:08 minute song with few lines and a tinny electro beat is, for whatever reason, absolutely captivating; even a tough man would soon smile when that little hamster keeps being shifted further and further upside down as he enjoys his kernel of popcorn. And with a suspenseful and quick ending involving the hamster seeming to be flipped off of the keyboard- and then suddenly he's back on the piano with the help of a giant hand. I was even a little worried when that chubby little bundle of cuteness lost the kernel before the fall- it was very clear his biggest worry was losing that delicious snack.

"Hamster on A Piano (Eating Popcorn)" is among more videos by Parry Gripp, such as "Cat Flushing a Toilet" and "Boogie Boogie Hedgehog." Makes me miss my late little Nermal.

Look at Mii

2009-01-10T11:40:00.002-07:00

As someone who doesn't play video games, I have never had any interest in the strangely named Wii, much less the WiiFit. Not only does it continue the trend of fully white colored technology devices, but it also screams 'anti-social.' You don't even have to leave your house to work out anymore, nor is it even a piece of gym equipment. No, the WiiFit is a plastic scale that you stand on. Doesn't sound much fun to me.

Well...until last night. I was over at a friend's apartment with a few people, and none of us had hung out as a group before. A few sake bombs and PBR's later, and the WiiFit was suddenly the obvious activity to move on to. It took me a little convincing, as the idea of standing on what is essentially a scale in the front of people I was meeting for the first time didn't sound appealing to me. That aside, we skipped the weigh-in, and there arrived possibility. The creation of characters was thrilling enough to keep us going for at least an hour, and then the perfect use of the WiiFit was seen: the ideal drunken activity, in the safety of your own home! Hula hooping, skiing, swimming, balances, racing- your friends can all sit and watch you sway your hips with true intent, or lean forward uncomfortably as your 'Mii' goes about the actual physical exertion.

Just make sure you don't jump on it. WiiFit does NOT like to be jumped on.

Granted, I don't see myself going out and buying a WiiFit any time soon. But I did meet some insanely cool people last night, and it was the series of awkward movements on display for everyone to see that brought us together. That makes the WiiFit good in my book. Now who wants another PBR?