Get On With It

sweet february jams + iMix

My taste in music is pretty eclectic. This is a small sampling of what I've been listening to. For the most part most everything I've been into has very distinct vocals. Two of my favorite bands right now are the Decemberists and the Silversun Pickups.  For the women, I've been playing Sia, Cat Power, Corinne Bailey Rae, Regina Spektor and Lily Allen. Right now I'm having my first listen of the new AIR album "Pocket Symphony". So far, it's wonderful. A haunting electronic blend. I love the piano running through the album and when it's woven with the Japanese koto. It's atmospheric. 

On a similar note, I finally caught up a bit on music videos. I've been too busy to watch any. My favorite video out is "Sewn" from The Feeling by director Caswell Coggins.  I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. The Modest Mouse video for "Dashboard" was great too.

hahahaha...ow.

 

Lately I've been listening to Demetri Martin's comedy CD, These Are Jokes. It's always interesting because I'm either listening on my iPod or on my computer and either situation is equally awkward when someone sees you laughing. What I love about Martin's particular brand of comedy is that it's so creative and dynamic. He uses props, music, one-liners, anecdotes, word-plays, pictures, & pretty much anything you can conjure up. I love when someone exposes their own inner monologue. Listening to Martin is like listening to all of someone's random thoughts, observations, and hypothetical musings. If you want a taste take a look at this overwhelming collection of Martin's quotes. I thought of just picking one, but it turned out to be an impossibility. When talking about "creative generalists" Demetri Martin definitely qualifies. He's a comedian, actor, musician, writer, filmmaker, poet, artist, not to mention his affinity for palindromes and who knows what else. Here's the start of his comedy special, Demetri Martin. Person.

Ok Go: content breeds content

First Ok Go had a new video "A Million Ways."

Then that inspired another video "Ok Go! Vs. Lego."

Then Ok Go introduced treadmills to the culture by way of a tricky tango in a new, infectious dance meets running meets music way with "Here We Go Again."

Then that inspired a whole slew of videos with everything from Ok Go's dancing logo to hippos to more Legos in "ok go treadmills."

It even inspired the commercial for Nike +.

And a Ok Go YouTube dance competition.

72andSunny + SSSR = Zune

So minutes after my last post, I became rather curious about the SSSR animators and decided to explore. Just like that I found out that the wise folks at 72andSunny in Los Angeles had felt so engaged with SSSR's talent that they had them do a bit of a brand film for Zune. Great stuff.

incoming: iPhone: OMG

    I have yet to be disappointed with an Apple product, and now comes the Apple iPhone (not till June though). Is it too good to be true? Will my wireless company even let me buy it? Aside from one trooper of an LG phone, every cell I've had has been hyped and then sucked. The Motorola Razr fell short. The Chocolate...a bust. I'm hope this new gem has all the kinks worked out before it goes public, and that it lives up to the buzz.

    I'm not surprised that this product is coming out, although I am a bit surprised it took quite this long. Companies are learning that consumers really want a more integrated product. They want phones, internet, music, photos, GPS, basically a small computer. This may not be something for everyone right now, but the technology is going this way. I won't be surprised if Apple's the first to do it (completely) and the one to do it best. So far no one's been able to match the iPod (errr...Zune.)

    Needless to say I'll be waiting patiently (while I save some dough) & I better not be disappointed. I'll probably be able to cough up the $495 asking price by the time my current cellphone contract expires and Apple's undoubtedly unveiled their generation four iPhone. Ugh.

turn on the magical, shining light!

The Christmas/Festivus season has come to a close, but don't look so glum! You can still surprise the neighborhood with fun, random acts of illumination (no, I'm not talking about rearranging lighted deer into compromising positions). All you need is some LEDs, batteries, magnets, and tape. See how to create throwies on the instructables site or check out the video. I'm happy to reignite my old Lite-Brite obsession in a new, healthy and perhaps more creative form. Ooh, ahh. Me likey the lights.