Celebrating with Black Balloons
Happy New Year everyone. Perhaps you should celebrate the event with some Black Balloons like The Kills.
Recent Posts
Howard Wilson is an Indie Rock Nerd; Also, Cooler Than You
This may not strike anyone else as nearly as odd as I seem to find it, but Howard Wolfson (Hillary Clinton’s Communications Director? Remember?) 1) has a blog where he writes about indie rock and 2) has compiled a list of the best music of 2008 that’s basically just like reading a Pitchfork year-end summary. Take a moment to peruse it, because it really is worth your time, and includes—among so many other things—offhand references to both Jandek and Scott Walker, the use of Bon Iver’s real name, and a Last Shadow Puppets song. Howard, we hardly knew ye…
Anyway, to check it out, go here.
Nobody Knows
My friend Ben is a genius songwriter from France with a very compelling voice. His project Løzninger reminds me of David Bowie’s acoustic side with a hint of the urgency found in Elliot Smith’s music. I wanted to share this video of him performing Nobody Knows solo. I know one day he and I will collaborate on something.
Say What You Mean
Interview With Peter Saville
Peter Saville is certainly one of the most iconic designers of the last thirty years. The stylish designer who is probably best known for his collaborations with Factory Records speaks about his process and the creation of the Joy Division Unknown Pleasures sleave.
Largest Record Archive For Sale
Paul Mawhinney is the owner of the largest record collection in the world. He has collected about 1 million albums and has another 1.5 million singles. Last year when his record store shuttered it’s doors, he felt compelled to sell The Archive which is currently up for sale (asking price $3,000,000).
Friday is Awesome. Like This:
Mona Lisa (TM) Revisioned
Imagine if the Mona Lisa were painted not by Leonardo di Vinci, but Picasso…or Matt Groening for that matter. This is a goofy time killer, but it’s still kind of neat to see how Meowza Katz reimagines the most famous painting in the world were it created by another artist. To see the gallery of images, go here.
Last year Siouxsie Sioux resurfaced with a new album and a video for the track Into a Swan. Now in her 50s, Siouxsie still has more style and attitude than pretty much any female rock crooner to follow her lead.
Leslie Hall is Funny
Leslie Hall is a comedian, musician and artist, but her greatest achievement may be her ability to turn bedazzled sweaters into striking—and somewhat disturbing—pieces of art. If Cindy Sherman knew what was good for her, she’d take a page out of Hall’s book: Her bedazzled series—featuring sweaters she’s gathered in thrift stores in states across the country—are brilliant in their faux-serious, repetitive, dazzling beauty. For more, visit Hall’s Gallery of Glamore on her website.
Primal Scream Can't Go Back
Primal Scream’s latest video clip for the track Can’t Go Back sees Bobby Gillespie bouncing off the walls of a technicolor hallway. The video feels like something iconic fashion photographer, Guy Bourdin might have been proud of.
Portishead Make A Montage
The video for the latest Portishead single titled Magic Doors, feels more like a some sort of brainwashing montage.
Early Bowie Videos
Thurston Moore will be introducing and providing commentary for the early videos of David Bowie presented Monday December 1st at MOMA.
David Bowie is Unflappable
A Site for Eclectic Method
EBN may have pioneered video remixing and VJing, but it is Eclectic Method who have continued their tradition into the 21st century. The creative group have just launched a new website worth checking out.
Crazy, Real Aliens
This is genuinely amazing. It’s weird to think that things that appear in H. R. Geiger assisted movies might exist among us, in places we can’t normally get to. Please, please check this out here.
Just Something to Remember
'70s Rock Stars at Home
It’s easy to forget that someone who is remembered for writing lyrics like “I’m gonna ram it up your poop shoot” has actual parents, but biology dictates that even the most controversial songsmiths do. That fact of nature is less of a head trip than actually seeing said songwriters not just alongside their ‘rents, but in the utterly un-rock’n’roll homes where they were reared. LIFE magazine apparently realized the subtle shock and oddly touching effect of photos of ‘70s rock stars—some of whom were, at the time, mostly known for publicly doing and celebrating things most of us wouldn’t so much as discuss with our parents—in their parents’ and grandparents’ living rooms, parlors and dens. It’s pretty f’ing awesome not just for the obvious reasons, but also because the featured rock stars seem to be so geniously color coordinated with the rooms in which they’re depicted. Anyway, head here to see a sampling of these vivid, brilliant pics.
Now We Have A Chinese Democracy
Chuck Klosterman has reviewed the long awaited Guns N’ Roses album, Chinese Democracy. Klosterman likens the act of reviewing the album, which took over a decade to produce to reviewing a unicorn.
Rehab Is Where It's At
First Amy Winehouse had success with her single, rehab. And now Rihanna plans to do the same with a little help from Justin Timberlake. Maybe “rehab” is where it’s at.