mekjm

London

2011-07-09T21:33:00.006-04:00

Well, my trip is coming to a close. Been over in Europe a few weeks now. Didn't go exactly as I had planned, but that's kind of the fun right? Plus, some amazing things happened that wouldn't have if my "plans" worked (back in London, stories to follow).

Anyway, Sooooo much inspiration the last few days. Just got back back from NewDesigners, a fantastic exhibition showcasing the best designers from the top art/design schools here in the U.K. It was really inspiring (and sometimes intimidating) to see how good these kids were. At the end of the day though, got super excited & inspired to better myself as a designer, go home and illustrate again, and started a great project with my buddy Josh. Design is so good, I couldn't picture myself doing anything else and I'm getting excited to start a career soon.

Ok so if you haven't listened yet, go check out that tune by Benjamin Francis Leftwich. A fantastic tune from the young, 21 year old Brit. Excited to see where he goes.

Ok long typing, next post will be a bit more pictures and stories from my trip. Hope all's well with er'one.

Cheers.

Leaving

2011-06-16T15:50:00.004-04:00

Hey guys, so I apologize early if I don't post often for the next month or so. Leaving in about 3 hours for London (and from there who knows!). These past few months have been a bit crazy, working, interning, graduating college, looking for a full time job, new roommates, etc. Buuuuut, I decided that this is the perfect time for me to take some time for myself and travel. Luckily everything fell together quite nicely.

Although this blog is in no way a travel blog, and even though I'm not sure how often I'll be able to post while I'm gone, I look forward to gaining more knowledge and experience in art, music, and film (and hopefully pass some of my discoveries on to you guys).

I hope you guys are having a fantastic summer and hopefully I'll return soon with new stories and experiences. See ya soon!

Sarah Elizabeth Blais

2011-05-31T13:04:00.000-04:00

Sometimes you need a muse.

Sarah Blais' work is pretty sweet. She's def got a cool style and is worth checking out. Enjoy!

FOLLOW UP - got the EMA vinyl for Past Life Martyred Saints the other day and I must say it's even better than I thought it would be. 2011's first must listen for sure. Get hooked. Here's another taste of this fantastic album. Moody 90's at it's finest.

uploaded by AwkwardSound

EMA

2011-05-24T12:04:00.000-04:00

So I was just listening to the new My Morning Jacket album (which is fantastic) on NPR and I stumbled across the music of Erica M. Anderson, EMA. Formerly of the Gowns, Anderson is killing it under her new alias. "The Grey Ship" was my first introduction to EMA and I'm hooked. 7 minutes of just fantastic. Her new album Past Life Martyred Saints was released on May 10th and just reached the peak of my must haves. A must listen and as the folks over at NPR say, "enjoy your 7 minutes of catharsis."
-The Grey Ship

Damn, the transition at 3 min is epic.
Enjoy this tune. I'm off to buy the EMA record. Keep you updated.

Shit Robot

2011-04-25T01:26:00.000-04:00

Shit Robot - Losing My Patience from DFA Records on Vimeo.

Shit Robot is pretty awesome. If you haven't heard of him before, Shit Robot consists of Marcus Lambkin, an Irish electro-house producer. While living in NY in the early aughts (2000's) Robot befriended James Murphy (later of LCD Soundsystem) and had a DJ partnership with him for a time.

In '04 Robot moved to Germany and started producing his own music and released his debut album From the Cradle to the Rave last September (2010). The album features James Murphy as well as Alexis Taylor from Hot Chip and is recommended. Perfect to listen to on a rainy spring day.

You can stream the album for free here. Enjoy!

Dana Tanamachi

2011-04-19T17:03:00.005-04:00

Dana Tanamachi makes some really cool stuff.

Tanamachi is graphic designer & custom chalk letterer who has been living and working in Brooklyn, NY since 2008. Tanamachi has worked for SpotCo designing posters for Broadway shows and currently works for Louise Fili Ltd, a NYC Graphic Design Studio specializing in logo, package, restaurant, and book design.

When not at work, Tanamachi has developed an amazing skill in chalk lettering. She has created a unique style that really draws the eye. Her stylized typography is really fantastic. Check out some more of her chalk renderings below and def check out her site here. And if you're in NY and know a hip place that could utilize her talents, def send her a message.

Peaks

2011-04-15T00:06:00.001-04:00

Ok so I realize that this is not news for many fans, but Twin Peaks is an amazing show. If you haven't watched it or heard of it it's a mystery/thriller/soap opera(sorta) created by David Lynch and Mark Frost. Twin peaks only ran two seasons from 1990-1991 and is a fantastically quirky gem of a TV series. I highly recommend.

A good friend of mine and I started it on his recommendation but we were unable to finish it before he had the chance to move to British Columbia. Well after a period of not watching I found it on Netflix and decided to go for it, and I must say it's even better than I remembered. If you love Lynch films; Blue Velvet, Lost Highway, Wild at Heart, etc; or really, if you like fun, you'll love it. Ok all ya Netflixers that haven't watched this yet, get to it.

Makes you just want some coffee doesn't it?

Title Art

2011-03-22T00:27:00.002-04:00

This is A Brief History of Title Design from Ian Albinson. This video is an amazing compilation of title art from some of the most influential designers of the last century. If you're either a film nut or a design geek (luckily I'm both), I'm pretty sure you're gonna love it.

Albinson's video compilation comes from his website artofthetitle.com. It's an amazing site collecting new and old title art into one convenient place. Convenient and awesome enough to possibly steal much of your free time. I highly recommend it. If you love art, film, and design; and if you found yourself watching the ending credits of Blue Valentine or or the opening of Se7en thinking, "I'd love to have been a part of that," this site is for you. So enjoy, and let me know whatcha think.

Russ Chimes

2011-03-09T20:37:00.003-05:00

Check out this video for Russ Chimes by Saman Keshavarz. It's pretty awesome.

So I'm loving the way that trend now to make music videos is to mix narrative and a unique film style in order to garner buzz. It's just much more entertaining and effective than having a couple kids dancing around quirky places and mouthing the music. This in no way is something completely new, but is completely awesome.

Keshavarz has done some awesome stuff and you def check out his stuff. This short film (slash music vide) is the final portion of a trilogy but I sorta loved watching it first. It was really entertaining to piece together the story as I watched and so I wanted to present it that way here. He's also done a music video for !!! as well as some work for Canon. Def a dude worth checking out if you liked the video. Enjoy kids.

Das Racist

2011-03-04T16:03:00.002-05:00

What to do tomorrow (Saturday) night in Buffalo?

Go see Das Racist.

I know a lot of you remember This Song from last year; an awesomely repetitive/memorable tune with this possibly intentional (or unintentional?) comment on contemporary American consumerist culture. Ok that sounds lofty and maybe they were just having fun, but I think they knew what they were doing. Either way, it polarized listeners with it's style but in my opinion, was awesome. Since then they've released two mix-tapes; Shut Up, Dude and Sit Down, Man. They even let ya download the entire mix-tapes for free right off their website, so there's no excuse not to check em out if ya haven't.

These Brooklyn-ites have a unique style of flow while combining their signature mix of comical and serious content. Their new stuff is pretty solid and def worth checking out. And if you're around BLO this weekend looking for something to do, def head out to Soundlab (110 Pearl Street, Buffalo NY 14202) and check out this show. It's gonna be awesome.

Oh and listen to this tune on the drive down.
-Hahahaha jk

Beach

2011-02-21T22:40:00.020-05:00

Dirty Beaches is fantastic.

You have got to check out this tune

-Lord Knows Best

Dirty Beaches is made up of Alex Zhang Hungtai and a bunch of eerie sounds and awesome vocals. He's surfy, Springsteen-y, spookie, and Presley-y. I'm sure you could add a few more comparisons but what's the point? All that matters is that it's damn fantastic.

When I listen to him I tend to think of that post-fight scene from a Tarentino movie where the camera is slowly panning over a room with broken lamps, tables, clocks, etc. with the surf crashing in the background. Weird right? Ha maybe I watch too many movies, but despite that (or perhaps because of), I know you'll enjoy.

Anyway, If you like what you hear his new album Badlands is getting released on March 29th. Till then enjoy some of his tunes.

-Sweet 17

-The Singer (Johnny Cash Cover)

Fall Again

2010-11-22T13:08:00.000-05:00

I love the fall.

Things are just beautiful and awesome. It's my final semester of classes, I got my show opening coming up, and all I wanna do is go off to the woods and walk around. So, I took a day off from school, and worked a short project into a little day trip. Got to take some fun pictures and got to just spend some time away from everything. Little sick of looking at a computer to be honest.

Anyway, didn't turn out exactly how I wanted as I sorta ran outa time. But it's all good, check it out:

Beauty

2010-10-17T22:30:00.004-04:00

It's been a while but i found this, and it needed to be shared. This is beautiful.
I cannot wait until I am done with school and perhaps I will go this direction. Agencies need film too.

autumn by the lake from Bart van der Gaag on Vimeo.

Bear

2010-08-14T00:02:00.005-04:00

Seriously, Film is one of the most amazing things in life.
So is Vimeo.
Check out this animation (make it full screen, it's awesome).

Between Bears from Eran Hilleli on Vimeo.
What an awesome animation. So peaceful, interesting, and clever.

yesssss

2010-08-05T12:08:00.011-04:00

'All the kids have always known that the emperor wears no clothes… but they bow down to him anyway, ‘cause it’s better than bein’ alone.'

The Arcade Fire are my heroes.

The new album (released Aug 8th) is fanfantastic. This is a band I fell in love with when Funeral came out, and was surprised but really pleased with Neon Bible. Bands often choose to remain stagnant but this is once again not the case with the fire. They choose to move forward with their artistic inspiration and insight and created another wonderful piece of work that gets better with each listen. Not only are their sounds so pleasing but their lyrical compositions don't fail to inspire (as seen above from my favorite song of their album, so far, "Ready to Start").

Each of you should check out some of my fav tunes below and then you should prolly go out and buy the album or go see them live many times.

-Month of May

-Ready to Start

why do some storms keep coming back?

2010-08-03T03:59:00.008-04:00

???

Some times life aint best.
Some times it is.

Maybe it's the same face.

(thanks to by buddy pete for this awesome song.)

This is home

2010-07-29T01:49:00.006-04:00

This is my home town.

Love it here.

Back

2010-07-26T13:46:00.014-04:00

Back in action.

Saw music, saw Chicago. Wanted to start blog'n again. Miss ya, blog.

Food

Friends

Chicago

Awesome time. Missed music. And going new places. I could def see myself living in Chicago someday. Ok, so listen to music from the fest, reaaaaaady, GO.

Surfer Blood

-Swim

LCD Soundsystem

-I Can Change

Vid of Titus from Pfork

WWF

2010-05-01T04:03:00.004-04:00

So I've posted this all over facebook and tons of people's walls, but I think it's cool enough for people to check out on my blog too. Love this video, you need to watch. So do it :)

Space Monkey from Leo Burnett on Vimeo.

For art, for beauty, for earth.

I made a movie!

2010-04-19T23:09:00.003-04:00

So this is an environment that I created for an Illustration 2 class at school. Took foreeeeeeever and it's pretty simple, but it's awesome at the same time haha. Hope you enjoy this little clip.

Adobe

2010-04-11T14:35:00.000-04:00

Ha so CS5 is coming out tomorrow. Really Adobe? Gotta come out with a new product every year? Ha I don't have the money for this. It does look pretty cool though.

If you wanna know what's new in CS5 check out this page. I must warn you all however, it might scare you. Some of the new tools take the design right out of the process. By CS12 we're all gonna be out of a job haha. Anyways, what do you guys think? Cool? Scary? Stupid?

Brand

2010-04-07T12:52:00.008-04:00

Super cool branding strategy video for the Euro 2012.

The logo was inspired by Wycinanki, the traditional art of paper cutting practised in Poland and rural areas of Ukraine. The logo features a flower for each of the host nations with a football in the centre, representing the emotion and passion of the European Championships; the stem of the flower symbolises UEFA and European football, the structural aspect of the competition. Other colours used in the logo – including woodland green, sun yellow, aqua blue, sky blue and blackberry purple – were also inspired by nature. Wiki

Really awesome logo IMO, and what a great presentation. Well done guys.

Tune it

2010-04-01T16:53:00.004-04:00

Song of the Day

Prefuse 73 & School of Seven Bells - The class of 73 Bells

HA

2010-03-31T02:55:00.003-04:00

I've
Just
Discovered
Podcast

Ha, i don't know how I ever survived without them.

So I was listening to the radio today to a great history of music show on the edge (the one I pick up from Toronto, not gonna lie, the BLO one sucks), and they mentioned how they have a podcast. So I went home, and finally figured out how to use it and wham, HOLY LOOK AT WHAT I WAS MISSING.

Ok so this totally isn't a post to make people listen to podcasts, I gotta be like one of five people that have never used them (and like the one person in my field).

But if for some reason you haven't started on the podcast, I highly suggest you do! It's like radio, cept you get to pick exactly what you want. AND, a great first choice is NPR. Completely free (I used my Itunes to find it). And their "All Music Considered" is fantastic.

Fanfreak'ntastic

Ok, sorry for all the words. Pictures next time. Go listen to the pcasts!!!

Haha.

Brilliant

2010-03-29T23:36:00.004-04:00

Be Brilliant.
This is a pretty awesome design studio that i found that is based in SOHO London. Take a look around and see what ya think, but definitely read what they got to say HERE

If you're in the creative field I think you'll agree it's an inspiring statement.

Pacific

2010-03-19T14:16:00.003-04:00

Just started watching the Pacific on HBO.

While not unique in content or story, it is quite effective and worthwhile. I know not all of you have hours to watch an HBO miniseries but if you do, go for it. I doubt you'd regret it.

Here's the trailer and if you don't have HBO, though I don't condone it, I'm sure there are places online to watch it.

Shear

2010-03-17T23:52:00.006-04:00

Song(vid) of the day

Shearwater

This is a fantastic band I heard of courtesy of my buddy Aron. If you're not familiar they were started by Jonathan Meburg and Will Sheff of Okkervil River in 1999. I think I'm gonna go check em out in Ithica, NY next week. Should be awesome, let you guys know. They just released a new album on Feb 23 entitled the golden archipelago which i completely reccamend you all listen to. Till then enjoy the vid and listen to them via myspace.

Shearwater Link

Dark Night

2010-03-12T13:31:00.005-05:00

Dark night of the soul.

Sparklehorse's Mark Linkous has committed suicide.

I don't know how many of you listened to his tunes, but he made some great ones.

He's been working on an epic album with Danger Mouse, David Lynch, and numerous other musicians. Pretty sad day, another great artist gone.

This is from the album he was working on, "Dark Night of the Soul". Listen.

Sparklehorse

-Dark Night of the Soul

Biodegradable

2010-03-09T11:52:00.000-05:00

I love this product.

I love this ad.

Sun

2010-03-07T16:35:00.010-05:00

Here comes, a visible horizon.
Right where it starts and ends.
Oh, and then we start the end.
Here comes, a visible illusion.
Oh, where it starts and ends.
You're like a sunset

Phoenix

-Love Like a Sunset

Vancouver

2010-02-22T12:23:00.000-05:00

I hope you are all watching the olympics. I've done poorly in school and work a lot lately because of it. Buuuuut, that's ok :) haha. Anyway, check this out, it's a guy doing a digital graffiti performance inside the Athlete's Village in Vancouver. Kinda sweet.

Digital Graffiti at the Olympic Village from Alex Beim on Vimeo.

PSA

2010-02-21T12:17:00.001-05:00

Sometimes the brits just get it right.

Don't get too annoyed at the beep in the beginning.

And wear your seatbelts kids.

Fur in China

2010-02-08T12:38:00.000-05:00

If you love travel, and if you love the Handsome Furs (and if you like discovering new forms of promotion) you gotta check out what the furs are doing.

They documented (are continuing to document) their tour through asia and are posting video, music, photos, etc. on a CNN travel site.

Wonderful marketing in my opinion. I just found it while reading news on CNN. I hope many other people do as well and really get into their tunes.

Check out the site.

HERE!!!!!!

Handsome Furs

-Evangeline

I would love to be in Asia and see this band. Danged.

Yea

2010-02-05T11:29:00.004-05:00

So I can't stop listening to this tune. I mean, I've always liked Yeasayer, but this, this is behind like. You need to listen asap.

Yeasayer

-One

The new album drops Feb 9th. I suggest you kids pick it up.

Ps- they're coming to Toronto in May if anyone is interested.

Townes

2010-01-13T05:26:00.003-05:00

Lately my life has changed so much, and yet has stayed the same. School has taken over my life, and I hope that this school will become my life/ my career. Time will tell. But this has not kept me from seeing/hearing the world. Whether new or old, music controls my heart. This is a song that needs to be listened to, to be seen, and to be felt. Maybe it'll make your heart break as much as mine did when I first heard it, maybe not, but I hope it at least inspires, or makes you think. Listen.

Inspiration

2009-12-01T02:35:00.005-05:00

I realize I haven't posted in forever, school is kicking my ass, but it's almost done! Don't give up, keep working hard and push through it.
Almost There!

LV SC

2009-10-27T14:06:00.003-04:00

This man is 78
What an awesome photo and effective ad.

pshhhh, punk'd is lame

2009-10-20T23:08:00.000-04:00

best

prank

ever

See more funny videos and TBT Videos at Today's Big Thing.

Kakapo

2009-10-02T12:06:00.002-04:00

Gosh I love nature shows

On a journey to find the last remaining kakapo, a fat, flightless parrot, they discover that when threatened with attack, it adopts a strategy of standing very still indeed

Raquel Aparicio

2009-09-27T16:12:00.007-04:00

Raquel Aparicio is way cool.

I absolutely love her understanding and depictions of all things organic and their integration into the bigger idea. Her understanding of similarity of shape is stunning.

I haven't done any stuff even close to this for my illustration class.

I need to work harder.

Check out more of her work at her site

Levi's

2009-09-23T18:15:00.004-04:00

Ok, I'm really liking Levi's fall campaign.

Intense.

Very cool.

Live unbuttoned is great.

Bonus-Ladytron soundtrack.

Watch more at FashionIndie

Randomly Fun

2009-09-18T16:55:00.010-04:00

Ok random ass post of the week
Just found this crazy project from Christian Joy ( the designer behind Karen O' from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' crazy costumes). She took Where the Wild Things are and decided to make five costumes based off the book and it's characters.

I know it could be considered kitschy or lame, but I think these are really fun. I've always wanted to have a suit like Max since I was super little. Soooo, these are really cool to me. If I was a girl, and had some dorky occasion to wear one of these to, I would so totally buy one.

Bonus Yeah Yeah Yeahs' remix

-Gold Lion (Diplo's Optimo Remix)

Link- UO Features

Something good came out of the 500 emails I get from Urban a week, other than them convincing me to spend too much money haha.

IKEA

2009-09-10T02:23:00.004-04:00

Another question:

Who thinks that IKEA made the right decision changing their brand typeface from Futura to Verdana?

NEWS

I think that it was a retarded decision, though some of my friends and profs have different ideas. Whatcha think?

Nano

2009-09-09T16:16:00.004-04:00

Apple just released the nano with a video camera in it.Crap dude seriously? I JUST bought one a few months ago.
Arggghhhh, damn you apple and your planned upgrades that totally coincide with me just buying something. Well at least mine has the useless shuffle option that changes your favorite song when you put the nano down too hard.

Ok joking aside, does anyone else think that it was really dumb (especially since we all know they had this technology years ago and picked this timeframe to release it) that they released it in September? From a marketing standpoint wouldn't it have been better to release it at the beginning of summer? Allow us all to shoot our music festivals, fireworks, etc. with it? Ok, that's my marketing question/opinion of the day. Lemme know what you thiiiiink.

Oh and def watch the vids they have up, pretty good quality.
New Nano!!!!

JayZ

2009-09-07T20:40:00.000-04:00

Jay Z loves Grizzly Bear and had some really intelligent things to say about the indie rock movement and its artistic importance.

MTV Shows

To me, that's such an important thing he's saying, that good art pushes good art. It's awesome that he's out there experiencing and hopefully letting those influenece him to create better work.

So, check out his tune with Kanye from his ablum The Blueprint 3 dropping this Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Jay-Z

-Hate

And check out him and Beyonce chilling in Williamsburg at the G Bear show.

Here

Photo

2009-09-06T18:31:00.002-04:00

This is definately one of the cooler things I've seen in a while

Would be awesome to be able to go out and do a project like this.

WHOOOAAA

2009-09-05T20:55:00.004-04:00

Whoa kids, sorry bout the hiatus.

Disappeared for a bit.

Was out in Cali vacationing myself;

body,

mind,

soul.

Chilled at the beach,

jumped into the Pacific,

ate fresh seafood,

drank sparky's,

drove down (and up) Highway 1,

climbed the hills of San Fran,

wore a jacket at the beach and was cold,

wore shorts in Salinas and was hot (105),

saw the Silversun Pickups, Incubus, Pearl Jam,

Jason Mraz, Bat for Lashes, TV on the Radio, Conor Oberst, Dave Matthews,

Big Light, Cage the Elephant, The Morning Benders, Lenka, Atmosphere, Matt & Kim, The Dead Weather, Modest Mouse, M.I.A., Band of Horses, Tenacious D,

and two of my closest friends.

Now I'm back in school. Stressed but so inspired. Starting playing music again, started doing art again, started really having fun again. Sometimes it's just good to get away. And sometimes it's good to come home.

Ps- I think I'm going to make a new blog. Something completely different. Something that one experiences, not reads. Something that makes you hear, and see, and think, and breathe. Let's hope it works.

Highway 1

2009-08-24T16:55:00.007-04:00

3rd day in Cali, already chilled in SF, Santa Cruz, and am now spending the week in Monterey. Very sweet.

Highway 1 is beautiful.

Hope all is well kids.

Bonus: Highway 1 driving music (the first few minutes of the song at least)

Sufjan Stevens

-Year of the Dog

Cali bound

2009-08-21T23:29:00.003-04:00

I'm off to Cali. First time. Going to Outland, going into the Pacific, missing school, having a blast. I'm sure there'll be some good posts when I get back. Till then, enjoy the last week of summer kids!

New Radiohead

2009-08-13T13:29:00.002-04:00

So, this I cannot cease listening to this song. It's just so... dreamy/calming/powerful.

If I know you guys well enough, you are also excited and pleased by this.

Thanks for my buddy Peter for putting posting it on his FB.

Source.

WW3

2009-08-06T13:28:00.000-04:00

Can I just say these posters are sweet?
They're part of a 'WW3 Propaganda' series highlighting the affect that the interweb culture holds on us. It shows how important these things have become in a really cool, designy way.

I really like em.

The integration of modernity into an aged aesthetic is just really fun.

Check out some other designs

Mike Bones

2009-08-03T18:45:00.002-04:00

Enjoy buds :)

Confessions of a Superhero

2009-07-30T15:39:00.006-04:00

So I just watched Confessions of a Superhero.

An entertaining documentary on the people who dress up like superheros on Hollywood Blvd and make loot by taking pictures with people (and soliciting, well hinting to aquire, tips).

The film follows a group of 4 individuals that are you much more complex and intriguing than you'd have imagined. Quarky and intense, these street performers are so genuine and unique that you can't help taking interest in their lives.

I totally reccamend checking it out (considering it's free, and who doesn't love free??)

If you're intrigued and want to watch it, you can check it out here (you just gotta sign in so that they let you watch an "R" rated movie and you're set). I endorse it.

Star Wars Project

2009-07-29T19:20:00.000-04:00

Ok I must admit, this looks pretty cool.

Basically, someone had the idea to split up Star Wars: A New Hope into 15 second sections and have a different person take each section. Then when all the videos are in they're going to edit it all together into one final fan film.

Seems like a pretty fun idea. I might have to participate! Haha. Here's another clip.

If you wanna watch more, check it. If you wanna read up and participate yourself, go here.

Journalism

2009-07-28T05:01:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I wonder if I should have been a Photojournalist.
"I was in a bus when I saw a man shot dead on the road. People passed by. Further down the road, I saw a dog that had been run over by a car. There was a group of dogs gathered around his corpse, mourning his death. What does this say about us?"
Kashmir, March 2003 (quote by Bashir Ahmad Lone, TV Journalist)

Mimi Chakarova is doing some great things.

Revenge

2009-07-27T12:49:00.000-04:00

This,

is so enjoyable.

I don't know why, it just is.

Handsome Furs

2009-07-20T01:15:00.002-04:00

Proving that a two person band is more than enough since 2007.
New Plan: Move to Montreal; find a wife; make kick-ass music.

So for real, saw the Handsome Furs last night down at Soundlab in Buffalo (crappy camera phone pic above^)and I must say, they were great. I haven't been able to attend any shows in a while and like I told my friend right after, they totally "made me remember why I loved music... and shows...". I had a slight love affair with their first album but was only slightly familiar with their newest. That being said, they only played like 2 songs off of the older album and it was still F'n great. I'd highly reccamend spending the 10 bucks or so to see them wherever/whenever you can.

Buuut, until you get the joy of seeing them, listen to a few tunes off their newest album, which i now know, is completely awesome.

Handsome Furs
-I'm Confused

-Legal Tender

Also check out this trippy vid to the song I'm Confused. It's been described as a "Zombie love thriller for the ages".

Damn great.

My Photos

2009-07-18T20:25:00.003-04:00

So I FINALLY scanned in pictures from my Photography 1 class.
It was all 35mm old school photo. I learned a lot and had a lot of fun.

I'm gonna post my final project in a few days when I have the time, but till then enjoy what I have up and leave any comments!!

My Photostream

AOD

2009-07-15T01:44:00.005-04:00

First movie review of a terrible old (cult) movie.
Army of Darkness.

Pretty dang funny. Not as campy or as authentically bad as some I've seen, but a good movie to drink some beers to for sure.

Kinda like Tarentino/Rodriguez's Grindhouse; campy, fun (though come to think of it, Death proof was a well written campfest so AOD is prolly more closely tied to Planet Terror).

3.5/5 (on the campo-movie rating system).

Meaning, get some friends, a late night, and an intoxicating beverage and laugh.

Fire-Works

2009-07-09T20:41:00.002-04:00

Stop motion might be getting old,

but this is really sweet.

Happy 4th! for like the hundredth time!! haha

Bravo's Art Show

2009-07-08T13:29:00.002-04:00

So Bravo has announced a new show?

Bravo has announced that they will be having a national casting call for participants in a reality show that will pit 13 aspiring artists against each other for a gallery show, a cash prize, and a sponsored national museum tour for their work.

For anyone who has(does) watch project runway, I'm assuming it will be run in a similar fashion, pun intended. The artists' creations will be within a range of media including: sculpture, painting, photography, and industrial design; just to name a few .

While who Bravo chooses as contestants will seemingly affect the entertainment value of this show, I'm actually kind of excited. I think it will be fun to watch aspiring artists get thrown into new territories and media, and to see just how creative they are.

I think I'll watch. You?

Via: ArtCityFag

Tunes

2009-07-06T11:54:00.001-04:00

Good Tunes

4th Remeniscent

2009-07-05T21:09:00.004-04:00

I love the 4th.

I love fireworks.

Thought I'd post about a few I saw!!
(just like last year!!)

4th

2009-07-04T09:00:00.004-04:00

Love This Country

From Citizen Kane to American Beauty,

from Sufjan to DMB,

from Steinbeck to McCarthy,

from Grant Wood to Warhol,

from the Pacific to the Atlantic,

from good to bad,

I love this country.

Keb'Mo

-America the Beautiful

Thanks to all the kids willing to put themselves and their lives out there to allow me to have the freedom to make this blog.

We live in a great place.

Ok, enough sentiment, go drink beer and eat hotdogs on this awesome day!

Tune found via. BoredandBeats

Photography by Robert Frank

Royksopp

2009-07-03T11:44:00.001-04:00

I Like Royksopp,

I like electronic music.

Royksopp (feat. Robyn)

-The Girl and the Robot

Royksopp (feat. Lykke Li)

-Miss It So Much

I also like documentaries.

Takashi/Kanye

2009-07-02T20:09:00.004-04:00

Takashi Murakami and Kanye, still working the art world.
It's pretty much real gold.

Sweet.

via. Supreme Being

Dead Snow

2009-06-30T00:42:00.000-04:00

Has there ever been a better premise of a film?

Perhaps not.

In continuation of my new favorite activity, I have begun to find movies just coming out that are so very wonderful looking. Stand aside Planet Terror, there's new B's in town.

Lebowski Fest

2009-06-29T12:19:00.001-04:00

Yes, I want to go to Lebowski Fest

And I wanna see this Doc.

Shit, I know that guy. He's a nihilist.

Away We Go?

2009-06-27T16:33:00.011-04:00

Is Away We Go a hipster film?
Ya know, who the F' cares?

So if you don't know that I love Same Mendes' work, well, we haven't chatted movies. But this my good friends, is quite the departure for him. Instead of his usual study of the (depressing) nature of the American Middle Class (American Beauty, Revolutionary Road, and in a way, Road to Perdition as well) , this film is more focused on the literal and metaphorical journey(s) of life.

I know, there's some gimmicky "indie" moments within (you can see most of them in the trailer), but this film isn't meant for indiedom, nor does it bank it's marketability on this idea (ala Juno).

It's just,

plain

good.

Sidenote: does anyone (perhaps everyone?) else think that Alexi Murdoch is like Nick Drake's alter ego(or at least trying to be)?

Alexi Murdoch

-All of My Days

Nick Drake

-Cello Song

Is that a good thing? Do you guys think Nick did it better? Do you think Murdoch is improving on him?

MJ=No Justice

2009-06-27T10:44:00.001-04:00

I know I'm a little late, but it took a bit to settle in...
see you friend, off to the neverland ranch in the sky; may all your dreams come true

September

2009-06-25T19:25:00.006-04:00

For those of us who scored 65% gay on the FB quiz (or if you're a fashionable girl); there's a documentary to enjoy.

This my friends, is going to be entertaining.

It's like the Diving Bell and the Butterfly, except not sad;

or The Devil Wears Prada except not... well I guess it is The Devil Wears Prada, just real.

Anyway, i'm excited.

PS- I wanna work at Vogue designing layouts and hanging out with models.

Monster Robot is my hero

2009-06-23T20:28:00.002-04:00

So I have a new favorite summer activity, watching the worst movies ever made.

It all began with Troll 2 (a wonderful little film) and has continued on with the most recent viewing being Monster Robot (1953). Do yourself a favor; take a break from the Coen/Scorsese/Godard films for a few days and watch an oldie. You won't regret it.

Oh, and most of these movies are public domain now, so don't bother spending money on em,

check it:

Robot Monster

Japanese Art

2009-06-22T23:58:00.000-04:00

Japanese art is so silly.

That's all I have to say about that.

Christiano Ronaldo

2009-06-18T21:41:00.005-04:00

So Christy Ronaldo is going to start at £183,000 a year, and finish his contract making £556,000 a year with his new club Real Madrid once the transfer is finalized (real Madrid has already paid Manchester United £80 million for the transfer alone). For those of us that aren't great at math, that's $902,388.27 a week; $46,924,190 a year.

Can I just be the one to say,

holy shit.

You could feed a small continent with that.

Hmmmm,

Miss you Christy

David Carradine's Death

2009-06-15T21:54:00.005-04:00

I know many of you have heard that David Carradine has died.

But let's not remember him for his reported cause of death, let's remember him for a more glorious death; the Five Pointed Palm Exploding Heart Technique.

Because of the reported way he died, some church officials have been making statements that he is a "bad person".

But that just isn't right. I think that some of his 'last words' are appropriate here, in memory of David.

"You're not a bad person.

You're a terrific person.

You're my favorite person."

David, you are a terrific person.

Miss you.

IAMX/Imogen

2009-06-14T23:27:00.009-04:00

So many people have posted on their blogs saying things like,

"wow, i really love Imogen Heap, and this song with this other guy is cool!"

or,

"So yes, I love just about anything Imogen Heap related but this track is great on it’s own two feet."

Hmmmmm

Well you know what? I'm gonna be the first one to say,

I F'n love IAMX, and him getting Imogen to sing backup for him is actually pretty decent.

Take a listen.

IAMX

-My Secret Friend (ft. Imogen Heap)

If ya guys never listened to IAMX before,

IAMX is the solo project of Chris Corner;

A crazy dark androgynous bowie-esque british man making tunes reminiscent of 80's electro.

It's awesome.

And, he has just released a new album,

Kingdom of Welcome Addiction (on which My Secret Friend is found)

If you liked what you've heard. Keep listening to some of the older stuff.

IAMX

-Nightlife

-S.H.E.

In the Air Tonight

2009-06-14T04:03:00.004-04:00

Because Mike Tyson made me laugh.

And because this cover is f'n bomb

Mykromag

2009-06-10T23:38:00.007-04:00

A great web mag that I came across in my travels.

As with many fashion oriented magazines,

MYKROMAG is laid out out really nicely

and has some gorgeous photographs

and great design bio's.

It is a fashion magazine for designers.

And it is great.

It's worth checking out, you must.

Chiho Aoshima

2009-06-08T22:38:00.000-04:00

Japanese Post-ModernismI love Pop Art

I love Japanesque things.

I love the Superflat.

Chiho Aoshima was part of Takashi Murakami's design collective and has created some beautiful and poignant works in the Superflat, Murakami's self-proclaimed art movement. If you've never heard of it, Superflat is a pop art movement that among other things, relates to the "shallow emptiness of Japanese consumer culture"(Murakami). Although Murakami started this movement in the early 2K's, Aoshima is doing gorgeous and important things in the art world.

Check out more of her work.

Ribbon Staircase

2009-06-07T17:43:00.004-04:00

Freak'in awesome.I wanna buy a house,

so I can buy a new staircase.

I think I would go up and down them 500 times a day, just because they're that cool.

I mean they might not be great for small children or animals, but who needs those anyways?

Not when you have the coolest staircase in town.

The staircase was designed by the architecture firm HSH from Prague.

Original Post

Weed

2009-06-06T03:14:00.010-04:00

Shit man, Weeds is back on Monday.I know I know, it used to be real sweet then took a turn for the surreal (and not in a good way), and kinda deteriorated a little bit; but here's hoping that the new season is f'en sweet. I'm hoping... yes.

But if not, Mary Louise Parker is still pretty dang attractive, and Doug always makes me laugh.

Plus, just look at the history lessons we can learn from this show.

Check it

Shamisen

2009-06-04T14:10:00.001-04:00

If you're familiar at all with Japanese music you'll most likely recognize the sound of the Shamisen. A traditional Japanese instrument, this documentary seems to show some interesting new styles being played with this instrument. This is part of the upcoming documentary.

I'm not sure exactly when this documentary is coming out, but it seems really cool (hopefully they'll put some subtitles in the doc for us too).

If you wanna hear some more non-traditional Shamisen music check it out.

DMB is my mainstream meth

2009-06-03T01:14:00.007-04:00

DMB soothes my soul.

DMB is my mainstream meth.

This is my mainstream post of the year.

I love Dave Matthews.

I always have.

And this makes me alt to the alts.

Because they do not.

I cannot lie, the new tunes are pretty great.

I cannot wait for my next show, to drink beers with all the other bros, listening to my favorite songs like Careful of the water, it's prolly not good for drinking because it's bloody; or The insects are traipsing.

But until then I will have to settle for the greatness that are the overproduced, but still dang sexy dmb tunes.

DMB

-Funny the Way it is

PS- Am I the only one who thinks dave is better without the overproduced studio version, or even the sometimes overly dramatic/drawn out live shows? Case in point, wonderful.

(This is not to knock the band experience of course)

PSS- That picture above is incomplete, and it makes me sad. Miss you Leroi. You made my youth cheerful.

Glowing Fish

2009-06-02T07:25:00.000-04:00

Yeah, I want a genetically mutated glowing neon elecro fish.

That's all I have to say about that.

Adventureland

2009-06-01T02:25:00.008-04:00

Ok, I realize I'm a little late on the uptake (considering it came out in April), but Adventureland is an F'ing fun film.

Basically, what Juno still wishes it was.

Fun, relatable, and somewhat nostalgic which is weird because the main character is about my age, going through the "end of undergrad now what?" deal (a welcome departure from the 25 year old actor playing a 15 year old kid in high school doing things that noone that age ever really did, and then trying to convince us that it relates to us and we should 'miss those good times').

I would put a link to a trailer, but the trailer makes it look stupid. So instead, I'll just link this. Watch the movie, you'll laugh.

Passion Pit

2009-05-31T13:34:00.000-04:00

So I love this video...

Thanks to my friends over at FendMagazine for posting this vid, and reviewing the new album.

Passion Pit are coming to a little bar in Buffalo in like a month, and I'm pretty certain I wanna go; anybody that lives nearby wanna join?

Silvy Sun

2009-05-28T00:55:00.007-04:00

So I just saw this music vid on MTV.

Silversun Pickups

They grow up so fast don't they?*tear*

Love this band.

I for one am happy when good music starts getting air time.

Selling out? Pshhhhhh. I'm just happy good music is making money.

New video is directed by James Frost who directed that cool trippy video for Radiohead's House of Cards.

I remember seeing Silvy Sun like 2 years ago in a small place in Buffalo with like 50 people haha.

I went alone but it was still super fun.

And... now they have an awesome new album, and I'll be seeing them again in August!

Everyone watch this video many times. It'll bring smiles.

More Dallas Clayton

2009-05-27T20:55:00.000-04:00

Ok, cuz the simple coolness of Dallas Clayton needs to be highlighted again.

Medication

"Starting a snowball fight
with a group of six year olds
is one of the best ideas.
Period."

Check out more of his stuff here.

Postographs

2009-05-24T14:59:00.000-04:00

I love good imagery.

This Blog is pretty dang cool.

The posts are collections of photographs that (I assume) are collected based upon a certain theme. While the blog might not save the world, this chick really has an eye for good photography. Some of the pictures are stunning and it's fun to see the progression through the images within a post.

FED 2

2009-05-23T13:34:00.001-04:00

Sooooo, I just bought a new camera!

I'd previously talked about how I wanted a new RangeFinder but a Lecia M8 seemed maybe just a wee bit too expensive.

Sooo, I thought about going back and learning on 35mm, and I did my research and bought a Russian made FED 2 from like the 50's-60's. It should be here pretty soon and as long as it works (I bought it for like 30-40 bucks on ebay, from a dude in the Ukraine ha), it's gonna be awesome! I'll put some pics up just as soon as I get it and start taking some good ones!! Can't wait!

LIT/Coldplay

2009-05-22T03:42:00.004-04:00

So I'm not a huge Coldplay kid, though I did enjoy a few of their singles; mainly Yellow & Fix You.

But i just found this video of my favorite movie using a Coldplay tune.

Watch it.

LIT/Coldplay

P.S. I still really wanna visit Japan someday.

Dream?

2009-05-21T07:53:00.011-04:00

You ever like have the best dream ever? Like the most uplifting, pointed dream that when you wake you realize how important certain things in life are?

Neither had I.

Till now.

"you said 'see look thats yours!
stacked on top with your brother's
see how they resemble one another
even in their plastic little covers'"

I fell asleep at like 4:30am, and I accidently left this song on repeat for the past 3 hours.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

My Itunes play count is now 49,

and I just woke up to the most optimistic/pessimistic/realistic

dream memory that I've ever had,

with this as the soundtrack.

Ok, I know it's not "real", but it is. And, I don't know. I wonder at the power of music.

I don't know why I'm writing this, like at all. Except to say that things are ok. Everything's ok.

WEST COAST!

2009-05-20T02:20:00.002-04:00

So, I just bought my plane ticket and my ticket to go to the Outland Music Fest in San Fran!!

So I'm really excited. I'm going to hang out with 2 of my closest friends who are stationed out there, goin to a pretty sweet 3 day music festival, and I'm hanging out in Cali for like 9 days!!

Like, I've never really been west of Chicago (well I guess I did go to El Paso back in high school, for like a day on the way down into Mexico, but nothing like this) so it's gonna be pretty awesome. Jumping in the Pacific for the first time?? Also awesome.

Plus I haven't been able to go to a show in months.

I'm pretty excited, I can't lie.

Money

2009-05-18T23:18:00.000-04:00

So I've always kinda wanted to be a bandit/pirate/crook/swindler, and with my current moneys situation. Who knows?

Anyways, I say this in case I don't post again for say like, 15-20. You'll know why.

Ok maybe not.

But seriously though, now that it's summer, anyone know any good jobs for a temporary cripple?

Btw, I think I kinda need a haircut.

End of Semester

2009-05-18T02:28:00.008-04:00

Soooo, the semester is finally over...

I had an easier load than usual (only two studios) but it allowed me to spend the extra time making sure I got accepted into my major (which I did, *sigh of relief*), and now I can finish in like 3 semesters!
Anyways, because I was dumb I never took basic drawing before this semester, so it was basically me and a bunch of 18 year olds.

So, I am not an illustrator by any stretch of the means (I love typography and layouts personally), but I really wanted my damn still life to turn out ok.
I kinda ran out of time, but I'm still pretty proud (considering this was the first drawing class I've ever taken, never took anything in HS and kinda faked my way along till now)

So, I just wanted to throw it up here :).

What do you think, could I pass for a freshman Fine Artist? lol.
Well, either way I learned a lot in the class, basically furthered how I see, and therefore create. Plus it was just really relaxing to sit there and shade for hours on end.

So hopefully I can now go back to a preferred medium and really excel.

Oh and since we're talking about new mediums, check out me using paint for the first time in color theory.
Armory

Spring Movies

2009-05-15T10:40:00.009-04:00

Ok, so a while back I put up a post about The Road and how excited I was about it. Well, the trailer was finally released...

...and I want to retract my excitement.

Maybe I just loved the book too much but all I could see while I watched the trailer were the reasons why it's going to suck.

Let's put those reasons into a list:

#1-It explains what happens to the world via some BS global warming stupidiy.

#2-Charlize Theron is like all over this trailer and her role is so minimal in the book.

#3-It makes it seems like they are being chased by bad dudes because of who they are.

#4It just seems to downplay the journey element of the story, which is the entire point (imagine apocolypse now, without them going anywhere).

Maybe I'm wrong, and I'd be so happy to admit that. But right now I'm just dissapointed. Think I'll go read the book again. Anyone who hasn't read the book yet, go out and do it! It's the book that won Cormac McCarthy (Author of No Country For Old Men, Blood Meridian, and All the Pretty Horses) the Pulitzer prize. It's one of the best books I've read in the past few years.

On other news, saw Star Trek last night, and it was freak'in awesome.

So that's a plus.

Anyways, what do you guys think?

Does the trailer for The Road look good? Am I having too high of an expectation?

Did you guys like Star Trek?

BDAY

2009-05-13T18:31:00.004-04:00

It's my birthday :)

that's all I have to say about that

Auditorium

2009-05-10T10:58:00.005-04:00

Oh man... So this little game is highly awesome. The aesthetics just kinda suck you in and it's just such good positive reinforcement when you do well. Basically, you redirect light and if done correctly the light makes beautiful harmony. Ok sound confusing? Just check it out, the demo is free but if you get tooooo addicted you might have to spend the 10.99 and buy the full version.

Let me tell you, it's a little distracting from finals. Ok, back to work! 4 days left!

Auditorium

Football

2009-05-05T22:17:00.004-04:00

Dude, this football vid is outa control.

Lil' footy vid w/ some RaTaTa soundtrack?

F'en sweet.

Can't wait til I can play kicks' again.

Thanks to Light for the original post.

Oh yeah, i got a new cord so my comp is back in business. Nice.

MACCCC

2009-05-04T19:53:00.001-04:00

So I'm in the macstore right now (on one of their lovely new macbooks) waiting to hopefully (fingers crossed) get a new cord so I can actually use my computer again. Ha.... I'm bored... Not having a computer is killing me.