This is a tumblelog, kinda like a blog but with short-form, mixed-media posts with stuff I like. Scroll down a bit to start reading, or a bit more to read more about me.
Ok, so this is Minus the Bear’s new single from their upcoming album, OMNI, due out in May. It’s a different sound for the band, and I’m not sure how I feel about it. This sounds kind of pop-y and synth-y. Hmm. Maybe it will grow on me…or not.
New Young Pony Club’s The Optimist just got reviewed by BBC. So far, I am thrilled for their optimistic critique. I can barely sit still waiting for their album to be released later this month! Anyway, read the review and enjoy sample tracks - http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/reviews/fzb6
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Ok, so listen to the entire album on myspace -http://www.myspace.com/newyoungponyclub
I really like Stone. Listen!
Album out on March 23 in the US. Already out in the UK, if you want to buy the import.
DJs Keenan and Smudge spin house, retro rock tunes, electro, Brazilian - anything that gets a crowd moving. On the last Friday of the month, they set a hip vibe at the Rock & Roll Hotel’s upstairs bar with music that’s great for dancing or just hanging out. Drink specials include a beer and a shot of whiskey for $6.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/gog/bar-club-events/two-sisters,1161332.html
Brazilian? Retro-rock? I’m there!
So this 21 year-old Elite model, Kemp Muhl, isn’t just a pretty face.
I want to kneel and praise her…seriously. She is a young little musical genius. She plays various instruments, and together with her boyfriend, Sean Lennon, she’s making awesome music that is eclectic and folky. She describes her music as a mix of jazz, pop, and rock. She grew up composing her own little melodies on the piano and she just learned how to play the bass. This girl is amazing. Her personal style is charming in a free-spirited bohemian kind of way, which includes tribal, haute couture, and Victorian era influences.
Her band is called Ghost of a Saber Toothed Tiger, but they also go by GHOSTT. She also started a record label called Chimera Music. Yea, I pretty much have a girl-crush. She loves fashion and music (jazz and nerdy-rock). The fact that she can sing and plays all of those instruments makes her even more amazing.
Check her out:
I love Zooey Deschanel. I think she is just as enchanting as her voice.
I think we all love Fridays. It’s the last day of the workweek and it marks the beginning of the weekend. This Friday was particularly delightful for me for several reasons.
First, I awakened to delicious French Roasted coffee and Bebel Gilberto music in preparation for my morning regimen. I then hopped into my car and listened to Hot Chip’s new album, and I probably hit replay on Take It In about 5 times. I’m addicted to that song, probably because it’s reminiscent of Pet Shop Boys, which revives the 80’s-child in me. The entire album is pretty great!
After a happy mood induction from Hot Chip, I got to working on submitting an abstract to the Association for Psychological Science (APS) on the reliability and validity of a recently developed screening measure hoping to accurately evaluate the negative symptoms of severe psychopathology. There’s nothing like enjoying the work you do! http://www.psychologicalscience.org/
After some mind-stimulating (a.k.a. mind-boggling) data analysis, I went home and tidied up for my friend who was visiting from Miami. Nothing but the best for one of my greatest friends; that means I busted out (pardon the Miami slang) the grey goose! Such was our enjoyment of the Goose that LITERALLY things caught on fire. AQF! Cocktails at Masa 14 followed our pregame and friendly fire! I love Masa 14’s great ambiance and their spiked Strawberry Lemonade, especially when enjoying good conversation with the best company. http://www.masa14.com/
This fabulous Friday came to end with this city girl’s cab ride home.
Last night I went to Bar Rouge and met the two Thievery Corporation guys. They had a happy hour and photo exhibit. It was pretty sweet - hipsters, good music, awesome tour photos of Thievery Corp, and great drinks (so great, that I forgot to close my tab at the bar last night). One of my friends said that no matter where you travel in the world, people know about Thievery Corporation. I actually started loving them after I heard their awesome remixes of Bebel Gilberto’s music. You should check them out, and if you are in DC, they will be playing this whole week at 9:30 Club - http://www.thieverycorporation.com/news/five_9_30_club_shows_in_jan
Vogue’s January 2010 issue has a great feature on fashion and music. This spread features model Sasha Pivovarova with eight up-and-coming, if not already famous, indie bands. This was a real treat for me given that fashion + Indie music = LOVE! I was particularly excited they included Beirut. Beirut’s Zack Condon is only 23. At such a young age his musical genius is beyond me! He’s recording a new album and he’s been listening to Brazilian Tropicalia and Ennio Morricone. I can’t wait for what he has in store for us. For more info on the musicians and a playlist of their latest songs, check out - http://www.vogue.com/feature/Indie_Bands_MGMT_Beirut_VampireWeekend_AdamGreen_ChesterFrench_In_Vogue/
Although the featured musicians steal the show in this spread, the fashion is quite amazing as well. For example, my favorite piece is the crimson cotton dress by designer Tomas Maier for Bottega Veneta. Below you can see Sasha in this beautiful dress alongside Vampire Weekend.
I also adore the striped jacket by Givenchy’s Riccardo Tisci, who states that he brings “dynamism and romance” to the brand. I completely agree. Audrey Hepburn made Givenchy famous – think iconic Breakfast at Tiffany’s dress. Now the brand has remained faithful to their aristocratic couture craftsmanship while vamping it up with modern irony.
I love reading the best albums/songs of 2009 from different magazines, blogs, etc. It’s a great way to discover music, and it also makes me realize that there is a plethora of great music out there that I have yet to discover. Here’s a short list of awesome albums released in 2009 that I somehow missed.
The XX - XX: Perhaps one of my favorites of 2009 even though I just discovered them. The XX are 20-year-old kids from London, but their sound is sophisticated and well beyond their years. This is a GREAT sultry/dark indie pop album. The songs are amazing, and while there isn’t one song I don’t like on this album, I am particularly in love with Crystalised, Infinity, Shelter, and Basic Space. Rolling Stone Magazine ranked XX #9 on their list of the best albums of 2009. Where was I? I hope they tour in the US soon.
Miike Snow - Miike Snow: His self-titled album is dark and synth-based. My favorite songs so far are Silvia and Animal. He’ll be performing at the 9:30 Club in DC on March 24th.
The Flaming Lips - Embryonic: How I missed this is beyond me. It sounds messy at first, but then, magically, it makes complete sense.
The Big Pink - A Brief History of Love: Listen to Dominos and Velvet (and the Velvet Gang Gang Dance Remix)
Girls - Album: Listen to Hellhole Ratrace
