The Hundred in the Hands - Commotion

disruption at its sexiest.

The Hundred In The Hands - Commotion from Warp Records on Vimeo.

hungover owls

And so I love the internet, yet again.

hungoverowls.tumblr.com

"My brain is screaming."

You're a performer

If I can be super emo for just one moment... I could go on and on about Brandon Flowers. Any of you who know me at all, know this fact all too well, but I've yet to find an artist who's music hits me the way his does. Over the years... the voice, the lyrics, the chords... his music always feels relatable and just simply resonates. Is that some kind of formula for a great band? It should be. So whether it's con Killers or sans Sam's town, I will always be a beautifully naiive, loyal fan of Mr. Flowers. I can't help it. His music makes my heart heavy and body shake. I can't say that about a lot of things.

Check out some of the latest tracks off his debut album, Flamingo , scheduled to drop in the US September 14th. Sadly, the UK get's it over a week before, but to spare you all the details of what could be my UK vs US mainstream music rant, I'm going to end my emo moment... now. Oh wait. Song quote. Seriously, how do I have friends?

"Don't be afraid. This is your year. It's gonna be alright. You're a performer. Just take your time. But not too much time..."


Brandon Flowers - Swallow it

Brandon Flowers - Crossfire

laughs, tunes, stuffs...

I'm not exactly feeling 100% today, but it's for the right reasons.

I had the pleasure of experiencing the twisted humor of Daniel Tosh, Dane Cook, and next hottest thing, Taylor Bos last night at the Laugh Factory on Sunset. It was a late show, and I definitely exceeded the 2 drink minimum the club enforces, so forgive me if the commentary doesn't match the content and this post lacks any remarkable charm or wit. Just figured it was time to throw some stuff up on the ol' blog since.. I haven't all month, and time's running out.

First, here's a clip from one of T Bos' performances earlier this month. If you're smart, which I assume you are because you're reading this, you will make a point to see one his next shows before he completely blows up to become a mega superstar.

Check it.





Annnd.. here's a few less about laughing, more about dancing things that have caught my ear lately.




I heard this song at a party months ago but only recently found out it was Dragonette. Isn't that the best? Such a small, yet substantial personal victory.

Listen.

Dragonette - I Get Around (Midnight Juggernauts remix)



Two Door Cinema Club




These kids hail from Ireland and have been blowing up here in the states. I already impulsively bought tickets to their upcoming show at the Troubador in May. I'll probably still be in recovery from Coachella, but I don't think I will be disappointed. And I've yet to hear passion pit do a less than awesome remix. Seriously. I dare someone to prove me wrong.

Radness.

Two Door Cinema Club – Undercover Martyn Flexin’ It (Passion Pit Remix)






Chew Lips.


Chew Lips. Also, fantastic. South London dance pop trio. The lead singer's name is Tigs. What more do you need?

Listen.
(via shambles)

Chew Lips - Play together



And speaking of UK awesomeness, my girl Marina just continues to kill it. All her music is just so spooky and wonderful. It's like being on some acid trip in a fun house... or something.




Listen.

Marina and the Diamonds - Oh No





Well.. there you go. Hope I was able to shed some nourishing light on your Wednesday afternoon. Go see the talented Taylor Bos perform his next show if you're in LA.

And hopefully a few of these artists will find their way to your ipod. Or maybe not. I don't really care. I'll try to make my next post less hungover.

not so fast, smarty pants

I recently realized that that I’ve done a number of stupid things over the past year and, frankly...in my life. So you could imagine my relief when I drove past the latest Diesel Campaign on my way to work (most likely while texting and running a yellow light).

“Be Stupid.”

Somebody endorsing stupid? I had to know more.

Out of the thousands of advertisements I’m exposed to daily, (not to mention working at an ad agency) why was it that these two words sparked my interest enough to not only investigate the situation further, but to then go on and share it with you lovely people?

Because, like me, these words are not stupid at all. In fact, they’re brilliant.

Diesel’s latest integrated campaign evangelizes stupidity across untraditional platforms preaching the ways of a joyous, fulfilling, stupid life. Because what is being stupid, really? It’s acting on impulse. It’s taking risks, dreaming the impossible, and following your heart. Sure, stupid may lead to some awkward mornings and a set of crutches for 6 weeks, but in the grand scheme of life, stupidity is one the greatest characteristics we can have.

This campaign does not speak to everyone. In fact, from what I’ve gathered, it actually pisses a lot of people off. More aptly put, not everyone is… with stupid. There is an immediate moment of self-reflection or rejection of the campaign creating an unsettling tension. And although shock value lives most predominantly in the fashion world of marketing, this stupid girl believes that this is just the kind of charming irreverence our society could use more of.


Check out Diesel’s "Be Stupid" anthem video here.


Music: WeHaveBand

I find these words to be inspiring, so I took the liberty of transcribing the visual lyrics into a blank verse, unrhymed, iambic pentameter. Stupid? I think not.

like balloons we are filled with hopes and dreams
but over time one single sentence creeps into our lives... don't be stupid.
it's the crusher of possibility.
it's the world's greatest deflator.
the world is full of smart people doing all kinds of smart things.
that's smart.
well, we're with stupid.
stupid is the relentless pursuit of a regret free life.
smart may have the brains but stupid has the balls.
smart recognizes things for how they are. stupid recognizes things for how they could be.
smart critiques. stupid creates.
the fact is if we didn't have stupid thoughts, we'd have no interesting thoughts at all.
smart may have the plans but stupid has the stories.
smart may have the authority but stupid has the one hell of a hangover.
It's not smart to take risks, it's stupid.
to be stupid, is to be brave.
stupid isn't afraid to fail.
stupid knows there are worse things than failure.
like not even trying.
smart had one good idea and that idea was stupid.
you can't outsmart stupid so don't even try.
remember, only stupid can be truly brilliant.
so be stupid!


I posted a few shots from the campaign below, but you can check out the whole campaign here.












NOW GO ON... BE STUPID!

Musical Stairs

I'm not even going to get into it. I know. I suck at blogging.

But you know who doesn't suck?

The Swedes.

DDB Stockholm teamed with Volkswagen to top the 2009 Creativity charts with this melodious project. An initiative set to prove the theory that having fun can encourage good behavior. I love how simple this concept is and.. well, how simple people are.

Check it.



Seriously, How basic is mankind? I know we all love to fancy ourselves as such complicated, multifaceted individuals, but it's not that hard.

Stairs = Boring.

Piano Stairs = Awesome.

You don't have to go all the way to Odenplan to figure that out. But if you want to send me there, I'm not going to stop you.

Well... that's all I got for now.

More nourishment to come, I promise (all 4 of you).