The official video for Ra Ra Riot’s sweet little love song “Can You Tell“. They’re an attractive bunch that band, no?
When in Vegas…
…dance! And so we did at Flaunt Magazine’s private party at Ghostbar featuring Diplo. It’s not my typical genre of music but I do respect the influential and innovative DJs/producers on the scene taking music to new places. Diplo is certainly one of them and most notably accredited for bringing the Brazilian musical genre funk carioca to the United States. My friend Vichelle was putting the hard core press on him to spin at Burning Man next year and by the end of the evening was seemingly convinced. So if he shows up on the schedule, you can all thank her personally.
Take a listen to the his remix of one of my favorite track by The Black Lips “Veni Vidi Vici”:
Coming to a Retail Store Near You…
Welcome to MAGIC people. I’m here in Las Vegas for the mac daddy convention and marketplace for the fashion industry. It’s the show where buyers from around the country come to source fashions for their stores. I’m here as part of the inaugural eco-fashion initiative, which I can tell you is about the only enlightened entity of this show. Everything else is just plain schlock. Hideous to be more exact. The most pathetic display of fashion I’ve seen in a long time was the Men’s marketplace. How much longer do we have to endure the embellished, silk screened woven shirt, T-shirt and jeans? Perusing the industry’s bulk of designers in one fell swoop revealed it’s only become more gaudy and tasteless. Witness the representative buyers of said merchandise. America’s curators of fashion. Bringing the worst of fashion to a retail outlet near you.
Listen to Deer Tick “Art Isn’t Real (City of Sin)“:
Video: J. Tillman “Firstborn”
Welcome to my first obsession of 2009.
Video: Fever Ray – “When I Grow Up”
Kudos to Stockholm Sweden’s Fever Ray for producing another extremely compelling video I can’t seem to take my eyes off of. Karin Dreijer Andersson is so Bjork. Their debut eponymous album is out now.
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Dig For Fire Episode: Black Lips
The Black Lips have a new album, 200 Million Thousand, coming out February 24. Listen to the single, ‘Starting Over‘. The notorious, ever-touring bunch will be back in San Francisco April 30 at The Great American Music Hall. In the meantime, enjoy this new DigForFire episode.
A.C. Newman – Get Guilty
Artist: A.C. Newman
Album: Get Guilty
File Under: Baroque Pop
Recommended if You Like: The New Pornographers, Elliott Smith, The Shins, Arcade Fire
Featured Track: Submarines of Stockholm
The New Pornographers melody maker, A.C. (Carl) Newman has released his second solo album, Get Guilty, on Matador Records and it’s one of the many great albums released in the past few weeks that has consistently bubbled to the top of my playlist day after day. The songs are beautifully produced, orchestral and lush without being overdone. And his powerful pop lyrics are so catchy and charming you could almost liken him a modern day Elton John. This is the kind of stuff that will get stuck in your head all day long.
But don’t let the ‘pop’ reference mislead you here, there is no shortage of craft and genius on this album. Just as with The New Pornographers, the parts of this production are as impressive as the sum. With the aid of drummers Jon Wurster (Superchunk, Mountain Goats) and Charles Burst along with Nicole Atkins and Mates of State’s Kori Gardner lending some vocals, songs like “There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve” and “The Heartbreak Rides” are transformed into pure magic.
A.C. Newman plays The Independent in San Francisco February 28.
Get this album free via eMusic’s 50 Free MP3 Promo
“Bitch, I Love You” Valentine eCards
When flowers and candy just aren’t enough, let Black Joe Lewis and The Honeybears help you say it from the heart with “Bitch, I Love You” Valentine eCards. Their new EP is out now on Lost Highway Records. Go get it!
Boundaries
The days of Mommy and me bath time are officially over. Our innocent games of squirt toys, pirate ships and rubber ducky have now turned wrong…really wrong. The first cause for alarm was when he tried to use my chest as a race track for his cars. In an attempt to redirect his attention, I leaned over to fish out his squirty dinosaur toys from the bottom of the tub. When I sat up he said, “Ohhh, Mommy, your boobies are all wet. Shake ’em off, Momma, shake ’em off.”
Whoa! Okay, all done. While I do feel a little violated, in a strange way I think I’ve gained more insight and perspective into the male mind. It’s all starting to make sense this nature vs. nurture thing. You really can’t help yourselves, can you? You just learn how to censor yourselves with age.
Check out Canadian indie rock quartet The D’Urbervilles “We Are the Hunters”. Their debut album We Are the Hunters is out now. Look for them at SXSW.
Too Cool for Pre-School
My little guy is home with the flu which means he gets to watch his favorite TV shows all day. And there’s nothing better than Nick Jr.’s Yo Gabba Gabba – a hipster kids TV show on acid. I’m convinced this show was created by aging hipsters for their toddlers. It’s like watching a tot-sized rave. And they feature all the cool, hip indie bands like The Ting Tings, Mates of State and The Roots. Elijah Woods made a dancing appearance too. The educational message of the program? As Yo Gabba Gabba says: “Listening and dancing to music is AWESOME! ” Dancy dance, people.
the OCMD 