PROPAGATION REVERBERATION

New Gossip Video

2009-06-15T11:16:00.000-07:00

The Gossip have a new video out for the song "Heavy Cross" off of their album Music For Men. Beth Ditto is the UK equivalent of Karen O in this video with her gold and plenty of glitter. I think I need to start wearing gold lipstick.

Speaking of her fashion sense, Beth Ditto will launch her own plus-size fashion line at the UK store Evans and will be in stores late March/early April. Hopefully the line will soon be available in the US and will include as much glitter as possible.

Music For Men is out 6/22 via Columbia/Sony.

MP3 - The Gossip - Heavy Cross

On a side note, now you can follow me (@Gina323) and Felicia (@felonfresh) on Twitter and find out all about our fabulous lives.

Micachu, Pikachu and the Shapes

2009-06-02T09:55:00.000-07:00

We've been quite absent these past few months, but I'm feeling some greatness coming along just in time for summer.

What inspired this first post in months? What's my new obsession? MICACHU AND THE SHAPES.

This brand new trio from East London is all about glitchy beats and quirky colliding melodic lines that seem like they are pasted together messily with a hot glue gun. I know you remember arts and crafts in 2nd grade. The band's head, Micachu (Mika Levi), composes these off-beat unusual pop songs from homemade instruments, creating music that sounds so wrong but feels so right.

Jewellery, their debut album off Rough Trade Records, introduces a fresh, creative and eccentric feel and will take you right out of a terrible music rut. The one take away is that the tracks are all so short with the entire album only being 26 minutes long! Key songs are Lips, Golden Phone, Just In Case, and Vulture, but pretty much they're all fantastic. ChChCheck 'em.

Micachu & the Shapes - Golden Phone

Micachu & the Shapes - Vulture

New Cursive Album For $1

2009-03-01T01:20:00.001-08:00

Hey everyone, sorry for the extreme lack of posts lately!

This is just a quick reminder that even though we mentioned it before, Cursive has a new album coming out! Mama, I'm Swollen is set to release on March 10, 2009. I know I'm excited, and I'm sure you are as well. They have a small tour coming up which will hopefully expand. Check the date to see is Tim Kasher and Co. are coming to a city near you and check out two mp3 from us to you off their new album called From the Hips and I Could Never Love You. Enjoy and let us know your thoughts on the new album! I'm thinking the album has a darker feel, more like pre-Happy Hollow.

Head over to Saddle Creek where you can download the album for just $1! But hurry because each day approaching the release date, the price raises by $1. So head over there now or wait until March 10th for the real thing!

Mon-Mar-9 Brooklyn, NY Music Hall of Williamsburg The King Left, Peasant
Tue-Mar-10 New York, NY Bowery Ballroom Bear Hands, Mañana
Thur-Mar12 Los Angeles, CA Spaceland Modern Memory
Fri-Mar-13 Los Angeles, CA Troubadour Little Brazil, Ladyfinger
Sat-Mar-14 San Diego, CA Casbah Little Brazil, Ladyfinger
Sun-Mar-15 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room Little Brazil, Ladyfinger
Mon-Mar-16 Albuquerque, NM Launchpad Little Brazil, Ladyfinger
Wed-Mar-18 San Antonio, TX White Rabbit Little Brazil, Ladyfinger

Cursive - From the Hips
Cursive - I Could Never Love You

Happy Holidays!

2008-12-25T21:06:00.000-08:00

So I'm just making it with the Christmas deadline because I started this post in the wrong blog, but it's still the holidays! Sorry for the lack of posts lately, but finals were brutal. But now it's break! Hooray! Lets celebrate with some xmas jamz.

In case you missed it, here was todays headline:

Santa 1; Martians 0.

I know it might be a little late for new Christmas music, but whatever, it's never too late for fly new tunes.

Of Montreal - Christmas Isn't Safe for Animals
Princess Superstar - I Hope I Sell a Lot of Records at Christmastime
Jason Anderson - Christmas and Pizza
Run DMC - Christmas in Hollis

Speaking of fly new tunes, Animal Collective's ninth full-length Merriweather Post Pavilion is being released on January 20, BUT they have decided to push up the release of their album on vinyl with a digital download coupon! I have had the pleasure of getting a listen to the whole album, and let me tell you, get excited. It has a very Beach Boys feel, if the Beach Boys did (more) drugs. If you remember their album art, this should come as no surprise.

So as my gift to you, here is a sneak peak of their new album, and their song Lion in a Coma, which has a nice use of the Didgeridoo.

Animal Collective - Lion in a Coma (link removed as requested by the Web Sheriff, who IS the web sheriff?)

Tilly and the Wall on Sesame St.

2008-11-13T21:48:00.000-08:00

Children's television is trying really hard to up their indie cred these days. It used to be that the only option cool dads and free-spirited moms had to show their hipsters-in-training was Pancake Mountain, and that was mostly via internet, unless you lived in the few cities that aired it. Then came Yo Gabba Gabba with Biz Markie, indie music and their performance from the Ting Tings. Now Sesame Street is hopping on the indie rock band wagon, as we saw from Feist counting 1,2,3,4 on their season opener.

Keeping the trend going, Sesame Street featured Tilly and the Wall teaching the kids about the alphabet and tap dancing. They might be in the running for happiest band ever, (sorry, Matt & Kim), everything they do is happy and energy-filled, especially their live show. I mean how could a band featuring a tap dancer as a main instrument be anything but awesome? This video is great and fun, and I only wish I had the chance to be this cool as a preschooler.

Tilly and the Wall - Nights the the Living Dead
Tilly and the Wall - Too Excited

New Kills Video

2008-11-10T18:59:00.000-08:00

The new video for "Tape Song" by The Kills features Jack White playing some intense patty-cake, and some pretentious hipsters mugging it up for the camera, but damn, does it sure look cool (I'm guessing that's the point). Check out the video and grab the mp3 below.

(And P.S., if marching band uniforms looked that cool, I totally would have joined.)

According to Stereogum, the footage comes from their US tour with the Raconteurs.

The Kills - Tape Song
The Kills - M.E.X.I.C.O.C.U.

Ramones Cover on Gossip Girl

2008-11-07T11:25:00.000-08:00

I'm not afraid to admit that Gossip Girl is one of my all-time favorite shows. It includes so many of my favorite things like:

Gossip:

Drama:

And most importantly, headbands:

On last week's episode of Gossip Girl, Jenny Humphrey decided to have a guerrilla fashion show at a benefit (why??) and despite the fact that her dresses looked straight out of Valley Girl, (honestly, no one ever needs that much tulle), it did bring us a sweet new jam. Thurston Moore (of Sonic Youth) and Jemina Pearl (of the now-defunct Be Your Own Pet) recorded a cover of Sheena is a Punk Rocker by The Ramones. It's not a great cover, I was expecting something so much cooler, much like the Sonic Youth cover of Superstar by The Carpenters. Here's the mp3 of both for you to compare. The Ramones cover is not great quality because it is a tv rip, but it's enough for sampling purposes.

Jemina Pearl and Thurston Moore - Sheena is a Punk Rocker (alt link)
Sonic Youth - Superstar

Exciting Things...

2008-11-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

WE DID IT!
Senator Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States of America come the new year.
This is something that many many people, Americans and not, have hoped for for a while, and it has finally turned into reality. And I couldn't be happier.

Something a little similar to this is the rumor of McQueen working with Target that has just been confirmed. Alexander McQueen for Target? WHAT? Although it seemed like a distant dream or an absurd rumor, IT'S TRUE. AND THANK GOD.

McQueen will launch his McQ Alexander McQueen line for Target's first Designer Collaborations, which will bring well establish designers (rather than the emerging designers of Go International) to Target consumers at low prices. Who's next, Chanel??? Although I'd rather see the Alexander McQueen runway collections at Target prices, I sure will settle for his McQ collection. We are to expect lots of studs, bubble hems, a jean jacket, a men's inspired blazer, and skinny jeans on March 1st, which will continue through April 11th. With Leila Moss of The Duke Spirit as McQueen's muse for the collection, and studded fabric involved, I can't see it going wrong.

Read more about McQueen for Target here, and take a look at some looks from the McQ line while you count the days til March 1st!
And YAY OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!

The Duke Spirit - Ship Was Built
The Duke Spirit - Wooden Heart

HAPPY ELECTION DAY

2008-11-04T11:54:00.000-08:00

Today is Election Day!

If you're already registered to vote but you're unsure of where to go, visit http://maps.google.com/vote/ to find out your voting information.

Go out and make a change.
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Animal Collective Gets (More) Trippy

2008-10-22T21:32:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, Stereogum posted the new, trippy artwork for Animal Collective's new album, Merriweather Post Pavilion, which is out 1/20 on Domino. The album art is a pretty basic optical illusion, cereal box style.

It may be simple, but it definitely works in the trippy department. Looking at it is making my head hurt and I'm only a little sleep-deprived. I bet it wold be quite the experience on certain mind-altering substances.

Head on over to Animal Collective's website, and try to navigate it's bizarre set up. Lots of art video.

Enjoy an mp3.

Animal Collective - Fireworks

New Matt & Kim Video

2008-10-19T17:22:00.000-07:00

If there's one band on this planet that could put a smile on your face, it's Matt & Kim. Whether live or via music video, their happiness is contagious.

They are second on my list of couples that need to have a baby immediately. There are just some people that are so awesome alone, not to mention together, that they owe it to humanity to procreate. In case you were wondering, the couple that was first on my list was Amy Poehler and Will Arnett. Amy looks ready to pop any day now, so my wish came true. In case you haven't seen it, make sure to check out their Gap ad, because it is adorable.

So here's the video for 'Daylight' by Matt & Kim. Watch it and let it cheer you up a bit.

Matt & Kim - Dash After Dash (Alt Link)

Breaking It Up

2008-10-19T12:36:00.000-07:00

Lykke Li is taking the indie world by storm with her angelic voice and iconic swedish style. With hits on everyone's playlists like Little Bit and Dance Dance Dance, Breaking It Up is sure to the be the next one.

Enjoy some tunes below and watch this live video of Lykke Li and her band filmed by Christian Haag.

Lykke Li - Breaking It Up
Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone (Black Kids Remix)
Lykke Li - Can I Kick It (A Tribe Called Quest Cover - Live)

Ryan Adams New Album

2008-10-16T19:32:00.000-07:00

So I'm sure you all know by now of the huge amount of love I have for Ryan Adams and his craziness, but let me assure you, my love knows no bounds. I even love that he dated Mandy Moore because I love her too. Lots of love going around.

That being said, I am way pumped to let you know that Mr. Adams is releasing his 10th studio album this month called Cardinology, out 10/28 on Lost Highway. Check out an advance review over at Stereogum.

My main man also has a book coming out 4/1/09, and you can preorder at Akashic Books.

A few of the new songs were recorded at the Bank of America Pavilion in Boston (yay!), where during the song Fix It, Ryan gives a shout out to Pizzeria Regina, which is totally where my dad works. This is a sign that my elaborate plan of us getting married is totally going to work out. Check out the new songs and get pumped. There is also a nice 80's hair metal medley during The Color of Pain.

Ryan Adams - Cobwebs (alt link)
Ryan Adams - Sinking Ship (alt link)
Ryan Adams - Fix It (alt link)
Ryan Adams - The Color of Pain (alt link)

Another thing to check out is my favorite new blog Hipster Runoff, where they've dissected why they hate the RyanAdamsLookAlikeBag more than any other AltBag because everyone that's not him can't pull off the southerny alt-ness like he does.

Vote.

2008-10-15T23:36:00.000-07:00

What other candidate would be walking down the runway at Paris Fashion Week?
Don't forget to vote on November 4th. We decide our future.

New MGMT video

2008-10-10T11:45:00.000-07:00

Check out the new video for "The Youth" by MGMT. It features kids dancing and a lot of glitter. What more could you want? A 14-minute song by MGMT? Oh okay, you got it. Here's the video, and check out the mp3 for "Metanoia"

MGMT - Metanoia (alt link)

Port O'Brien

2008-09-28T16:06:00.000-07:00

Last week, Port O'Brien hit us with not one, but TWO new videos.

Here's one for "In Vino Veritas"-

And the second for "Stuck on a Boat"-

Sorry for the lack of updates, but school has been nuts! Here's an mp3 to make up for it.

Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today (alt link)

Sir Ben Kingsley and Minor Threat

2008-09-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

One of the things I never thought I'd see in my life, or WANT to see, punk rock Gandhi. Mean Magazine has a video of Sir Ben Kingsley taking on the role of Ian MacKaye, frontman of hardcore punk band Minor Threat. Its just a little (or a lot) akward, and in most of the video SBK's face is covered by crowd members. I guess its still a cool concept, and seeing as Minor Threat are my favorite punk band of all time, (I don't think I wore anything but my Minor Threat t-shirt my first two years of high school), I just had to post.

Check out Sir Ben Kingsley's rendition of the track "Minor Threat" below. I guess it works because both of the guys are bald?

Sir Ben Kingsley STOMPS into the shoes of Minor Threats' Ian MacKaye from Mean Magazine on Vimeo.

Minor Threat - Straight Edge

New New Kids

2008-09-06T09:07:00.000-07:00

I don't know if it's because they're from my hometown, but I, much like every kid of the 80s, love the New Kids on the Block. When I heard there was going to be a reunion, you can imagine my excitement. I'll admit that I haven't heard too much from their new album, but the other day I was looking up music from an artist featured in So You Think You Can Dance (don't judge me, I need to live out my wish of imagining that I could ever dance). The artist's name is Lady GaGa. According to her, pop music will never be low-brow. She will apparently be performing a song on the Hills Monday night.

Here is a video of her on SYTYCN performing her cheesy but oh so catchy song "Just Dance":

So anyway, back to the topic, I found a song off the new NKOTB album called "Big Girl Now" and it features our girl Lady GaGa! let me just warn you, this song is so dope fly that you have to get yourself prepared to listen to it. Just a fair warning.

New Kids on the Block (featuring Lady GaGa) - Big Girl Now

Check out The Block, out now.

On another unrelated note, check out this cover of MGMT's Kids by The Kooks. Kids is one of my favorite songs of the summer, and this is an interesting cover of it.

The Kooks - Kids

Happy NY Fashion Week!

2008-09-05T15:46:00.000-07:00

From the 5th to the 12th, over 100 designers will showcase their Spring 2009 collections down the runways at Bryant Park in New York. And although we may not be A-list enough to cover the shows from inside the tents, we'll do our best to let you know what's in for next season.

Get pumped!

Matt & Kim New Album

2008-08-25T12:50:00.001-07:00

Matt & Kim are releasing their first new material in two years on their new album. According to Matt, every spare moment they've had while touring non-stop during those two years was spent recording a new album. Read what Matt has to say about it and download their new song Good Ol' Fashion Nightmare over at RCRD LBL I hope their new album keeps up their standing as the happiest band on the planet. Matt & Kim played here at Syracuse last year, and hopefully they will come back and rock our faces off with their never ending cheeriness.

Hpstr Rnofs

2008-08-19T16:47:00.000-07:00

Check out my new favorite blog, y'all, Hipster Runoff. Its a really funnie blog about blogging. So I'm blogging about a blog about blogging. Sooo meta.

"s000 rand0m, but kinda authentic in a post-meaningful kinda way. Just searching for authenticity, y'all." - The Hipster Runoffs

Big Digits - Making Progress

Grizzly Bears, Beets, Battlestar Galactica

2008-08-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

Well, I guess this post only has to do with one of those things. (But I sure do love The Office.)

Ed Droste, the lead singer of Grizzly Bear, updated the band's blog a little while ago with a recounting of how, for over a year (and for reasons known only to him), he’s been hounding band member Dan Rossen to record a cover of cheese-filled Top 40 hit 'Too Little Too Late’ by Jo Jo. I know I'm a little late on this, it was put up almost a year ago, but I just found out about it, and I thought it was too good not to share.

Enjoy the Grizzly Bear version and the original JoJo jam.

Grizzly Bear - Too Little Too Late
JoJo - Too Little Too Late

Conor Oberst's New Video

2008-08-08T12:33:00.000-07:00

Conor Oberst debuted a new haircut and his new video for Souled Out!!! the other day. More lighthearted than any of his previous videos, this one has Conor and his Mystic Valley Band in front of an old school projector doing fun everyday activities like getting a haircut and going snorkeling. Check out the video, along with his Elliott Smith-esque hair, and get his new album Conor Oberst, out now on Merge.

Also this past week, Conor performed on Jay Leno and Craig Ferguson, both episodes also had an appearance from Jack Black. Coincidence? Maybe. Or maybe they're secretly BFF. Jack's comedy is the yin to Conor's mopey yang.

Check out C.O. and his Mystic Valley Band performing Get Well Cards on Leno, all in matching shiny letterman jackets with their names on it. Sorry for the poor quality, I'll get a new one up as soon as I find it.

On Craig Ferguson performing Moab, without the lettermans, but wearing the same windbreaker from the Souled Out video.

Conor Oberst - Souled Out!!!
Conor Oberst - Get Well Cards
Conor Oberst - Moab

Bollywood with Devendra and Natalie

2008-07-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

Devendra Banhart and Natalie Portman could look like a match made in heaven, but who knew Bollywood would enter the equation?

For his single, "Carmensita" of Smokey Rolls Down Thunder Canyon, Banhart released a music video starring himself and girlfriend Natalie Portman in a short Bollywood flick. Like most Bollywood videos, "Carmensita" includes awesome dance moves, a steamy hot male hero, a totally intricate love story, and ...Spanish lyrics?

I grew up watching Bollywood movies past midnight on the multi-asian channel with my mom. Bollywood is no joke to me, and many of my closer friends can confirm that. Which is why this amazing video from Devendra and boo ranks high in my favorites. Which is why you MUST watch it.

Buy his newest album at Amazon.

Devendra Banhart - Now That I Know
Devendra Banhart - I Feel Just Like A Child
Devendra Banhart - Little Yellow Spider

Andrea Crews

2008-07-26T13:13:00.000-07:00

Today, being green is in, and overconsuming is out. Many clothing lines such as American Apparel and Jovovich-Hawk have already ventured into a medium of organic materials, but Andrea Crews is one of the first to create a full brand of recycled clothing.

The Parisian's collections are fresh, edgy, and fun, transforming an old pair of baggy sweats into a hott nightlife dress or trousers into a sexy pair of mini overalls. She's used her styles on both Santogold and Nike, and basically, she's fucking cool.

The only places in the US to pick up some garb is at Nektar De Stagni in Miami and I Heart in NYC (which is coincidentally my new favorite store!)

Watch a silly and slightly provocative video showcasing her collection below, and DEFINITELY check out the website!

Andrea Crews Anthem

New Album Time

2008-07-22T17:20:00.000-07:00

We all know that 2007 was an amazing year for album releases. We had new ones from Arcade Fire, Of Montreal, Bright Eyes, Cold War Kids and so many more. Now many of these bands are coming out with their next albums, and even though it feels like they're last albums just came out, it's time to get way pumped for another round.

First up, we have Cold War Kids' new album Loyalty To Loyalty which is out on Downtown Records on September 23. You can head on over to their Myspace and check out a new track called "Something is Not Right With Me" and their upcoming tour dates.

The tracklisting for the album was announced the other day:

1. Against Privacy
2. Mexican Dogs
3. Every Valley Is Not A Lake
4. Something Is Not Right With Me
5. Welcome To The Occupation
6. Golden Gate Jumpers
7. Avalanche In B
8. I've Seen Enough
9. Every Man I Fall For
10. Dreams Old Men Dream
11. On The Night My Love Broke Through
12. Relief
13. Cryptomnesia

Another release is also in the works for everyone's favorite Outback lovers, Of Montreal. The new album will arrive on October 7 via Polyvinyl and is called Skeletal Lamping.

Never ones to disappoint, oM are back with 15 more crazy song titles and album art filled with ambiguously naked people. One can only hope that the songs will match up to the awesome titles.

Album Art:

Tracklisting:

1. Nonpareil of Favor
2. Wicked Wisdom
3. For Our Elegant Caste
4. Touched Something's Hollow
5. An Eluardian Instance
6. Gallery Piece
7. Women's Studies Victims
8. St.Exquisite's Confessions
9. Triphallus, to Punctuate!
10. And I've Seen a Bloody Shadow
11. Plastis Wafers
12. Death Is Not a Parallel Move
13. Beware Our Nubile Miscreants
14. Mingusings
15. Id Engager

Finally, (for now), we have the first solo album from Conor Oberst in 13 years. Although 2007 gave us a Bright Eyes release, I felt that his solo album was worth mentioning.

Recorded in Mexico with the Mystic Valley Band, the new album will be out not on his normal breeding ground Saddle Creek, but on Merge Records, which is also home to Arcade Fire. The whole album is available to stream over at his website. I've already checked it out, and I can assure you that it's still awesome, even without Bright Eyes pal and collaborator Mike Mogis. Conor Oberst is out on August 5th.

Album Art:

Tracklisting:

1. Cape Canaveral
2. Sausalito
3. Get-Well-Cards
4. Lenders in the Temple
5. Danny Callahan
6. I Don’t Want to Die (In the Hospital)
7. Eagle on a Pole
8. Moab
9. NYC - Gone, Gone
10. Valle Místico (Ruben’s Song)
11. Souled Out!!!
12. Milk Thistle

Hold the phone! As brought to our attention by reader Jessy, Jenny Lewis's new solo album Acid Tounge drops September 9 on Warner Bros. I completely forgot that Rilo Kiley also had an album out in 2007. Sorry to say, it just wasn't that memorable. (Sorry, Jenny and co.)

Tracklisting:

1. Black Sand
2. Pretty Bird
3. The Next Messiah
4. Bad Man's World
5. Acid Tongue
6. See Fernando
7. Godspeed
8. Carpetbaggers
9. Trying My Best To Love You
10. Jack Killed Mom
11. Sing A Song For The

Head over to Pitchfork for more info and for her tour dates with our other newly solo-ed, Conor Oberst.

MIA's New Clothing Line?

2008-07-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

After posing for a Marc Jacobs ad campaign earlier this year, M.I.A. has decided to do fashion her way, by starting her own clothing line. You can see a preview video of it HERE. I'm not sure if M.I.A.'s styles are for the office, but you could probably rock 'em on E at your weekly rave night.

Give it a try, and pick up Kala if you haven't already.

M.I.A. - World Town
M.I.A. - Bird Flu
M.I.A. - Bamboo Banga

"You Only See the Wackness"

2008-07-15T01:17:00.000-07:00

It's mine it's mine it's mine... who's world is this?

As soon as I heard the opening song of the Wackness, I knew I was going to love the film. I mean come'on. Nas's Illmatic. How could you not love?

If you're an avid reader of this heavenly blog, you must know by now that i've been dying to see The Wackness since April. After not being able to go to the advanced screening due to the fact that it was in the middle of long island, I finally and conveniently went down to Soho's Angelika Film Center tonight and saw it.

Delicious and satisfying. I do feel like the plot could have been a little deeper, and it was mostly a flashback to '94, but how could you not love and embrace the deliberate frames of Adidas Superstars, blowing in Super Nintendo cartridges, and pressing the record and play button at the same time to make a mixtape? And a dope soundtrack with Biggie's first, A Tribe Called Quest, Biz Markie, and DJ Jazzie Jeff? Total throwback.

However, aside from the flashback, Josh Peck as Luke Shapiro and Sir Ben Kingsley as Dr. Squires are captivating and hilarious. For those of you who haven't read the plot overview, take a look back. I won't give too much away, but watching Luke and Squires "grow up" is a great reminder to not to forget to live and experience.

New Yorkers can catch the film at Lincoln Plaza Cinemas midtown, Angelika Film Center in Soho, AMC Theaters Empire 25 in Times Square, and Bam Rose Cinemas in Brooklyn. Bostonians can catch it at AMC Loews Boston Common 19 in Boston, Landmark Kendall Square Cinema in Cambridge, COolindge Corner Theater in Brookline, and Embassy Cinema in Waltham. If you live in another major city, you'll have to look it up yourself. And if you live in suburbia, you're have to wait til August 1st. Bummerrrrr.

It's ok you can still check out the trailer and most of the soundtrack! (Or buy it off Amazon)

Feist Visits The Street (You Know Which One)

2008-07-14T10:29:00.000-07:00

Feist will be guest-starring on the 39th season premiere of Sesame Street on August 11, and her performance of a tweaked-for-kids "1 2 3 4" is already online.

Teaching kids how to count to four is obviously of the utmost importance, those are the only ones you really need to get by in life. That anguished pink monster in that back looks like he's as sick of this song as everyone else. I like that Sesame Street is keeping it topical. Maybe next they'll have have a Hilary Clinton joke tailored for the preschool sect that was relevant six months ago.

Also stopping by will be Will Arnett, Jessica Alba, David Beckham, Heidi Klum, Neil Patrick Harris, and Jack Black, and the show will have new parodies of 30 Rock, High School Musical, and Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader.

Maybe Will Arnett will make some sly hints about the Arrested Development movie that will get all the kiddies excited? I know that if they keep making hints about it and there ends up being no movie, there's gonna be a riot on their hands. I mean COME ON!

Pick up The Reminder, and in case there's anyone on the planet who doesn't already have it, here's the mp3:

Feist - 1234

Buy The Reminder, out now on Cherry Tree.

Cursive's New Album

2008-07-13T08:59:00.000-07:00

Tim Kasher and crew are currently recording a new album that just happened have the Cursive name. According to Tim in an interview with Self-Titled Magazine, the band gets together to record music with no regard to what they sounded like before, and if it sounds like Cursive, they call themselves that, and if it sounds so erratically different that it can't be Cursive, they call it something different. They decide Cursive's future on an album-by-album basis, and lucky for us, they have decided on a sixth studio album.

From recording in different cities, and even going as far as recording Tim's vocals from inside his bedroom closet, the band who have settled down in different places to start families made an effort to come together one week out of every month to record their new album, playing a few shows to cover the cost of travel.

In addition to bringing back the trumpet and trombone from their last album, they have added Geoff Dolce to play some mean fiddle. While their last album made references to Dorothy and "no place like home" feelings, the new album seems to have taken their cue from Saddle Creek's other main man, Conor Oberst, by being inspired (or dismayed) by the state of the union.

The album is being mixed as we speak, and we should expect an early September release. Now that Conor Oberst is releasing his first solo album in 13 years, not on his normal breeding ground Saddle Creek, but on Merge, which is home to pal M. Ward and a little band called Arcade Fire, and The Faint have split with Saddle Creek to form their own label, blank.wav., Cursive seem to be the front runners to take the crown as kings of the Creek.

I know I'm really excited to hear their new material, and here's hoping that Tim Kasher and crew keep "accidently" making many more Cursive albums.

Here are some new songs from the band's Daytrotter session, maybe they'll be included on the new album?

Cursive - Let Me Up
Cursive - Donkeys

And here's some oldies to remind you of how crazy awesome Cursive is (how could you forget?)

Cursive - Mothership, Mothership Do You Read Me?
Cursive - Lament of Pretty Baby

If you don't already have it (which you should), Happy Hollow is out now on Saddle Creek.

Music Meets Fashion

2008-07-10T12:06:00.000-07:00

Music, fashion. Both are loves of my life. But together?? That's simply orgasmic.

Converse recently partnered up with a dream team of musicians for their 100th birthday. By dream team I mean dreamtastic. (Yes, I just made that up). Santogold, Julian Casablancas of The Strokes, and Pharrell and the N.E.R.D. crew. I told you! Dreamtastic!

The group produced a spicy hott single (and video) for Converse available for free download via their website. There's the music.

They also did an awesome photoshoot in black and white, sporting All Stars and Converse wear. There's the fashion.

Since I'm a marketing gal myself, I won't detract website buzz from Converse... so download "My Drive Thru" at the website while you browse through the classic roster of Converse All Stars or the new clothing collection by John Varvatos. And don't forget to watch the sweet video below!

Produced By Pharrell - Santogold, Julian Casablancas, N.E.R.D.

Lindsay's Leggings

2008-07-10T12:03:00.000-07:00

By now, I'm sure we're all aware of Lindsay Lohan's love for the leggings. And I'm sure you've all heard about her possible leggings line (no matter how much we wished it was just a funny joke). Now, coming to a store (or website) near you! 6126 by Lindsay Lohan! I know you're really excited, so head on over to Shop Intuition and pick up a pair for yourself! Now you're just some self-tanner and a (maybe) girlfriend and some daddy issues away from becoming everyone's favorite celebrity! The name of the line, 6126, is based on Lindsay's love for Marilyn Monroe, of which we saw as much as we could handle in her NY magazine photo tribute. 6126 is Monroe's birthday (June 1, 1926).

Now on to the real news; the prized leggings. Priced to own from $42 - $132, how can you resist?

First off, we have the Mr. President leggings, (knee pads included). Is this a dirty joke? Or unintentionally funny?

Next up are gold stirrup pants. Now you can be the most stylish gal at disco aerobics!

Zipper Leggings:

And my personal favorite, ankle gloves. Why do my ankles need gloves, you might ask? Especially leopard ankle gloves? The better question is why wouldn't they? You never know when there will be a sudden blast of arctic air directed solely at your poor, unsuspecting ankles rendering you unable to do anything, especially aerobicizing in your stirrup pants. You'll be thanking Lindsay when everyone else is suffering from Frozen Ankle Syndrome (a serious ailment), and yours are toasty and warm (not to mention stylin') in these amazing leopard ankle gloves.

So don't delay! I know you're as excited as I am to never wear real pants again! I'm sure if Lindsay had her way, every girl around the world would forever be pants-less! (Zing!)

My Mercury's In Retrograde

2008-07-09T17:58:00.000-07:00

Bloc Party. Well that's a name I haven't heard in a little while. Weren't they good or something? While listening to their new single, "Mercury," Kele Okereke's unique voice brought it all back. Ohhhh yeahhhhhh. Bloc Party. They're fucking tasty.

After last year's A Weekend In the City, the Bloc Party crew has been touring and working on a third album that could be released by the end of the year. A wonderful surprise, their new single, "Mercury," was debuted on BBC Radio 1 this Monday. The third album is said to take on an electro, experimental direction, and their first single confirms that. Kele has stated that it will have the rawness of Silent Alarm and experience of A Weekend In the City. I'm not sure what that means, but "Mercury" has already been named the "hottest track in the world." I figure that should count for something.

While you're waiting for the much anticipated album to come out, check out their totally ordinary music video for "Mercury" (if you think a life story of a walking lobster clawed cow, operated on by gorilla surgeons and fortune tellers, is ordinary)... or catch them at Webster Hall August 6th and 7th.

Bloc Party - Mercury
Bloc Party - Flux
Bloc Party - Hunting for Witches (RAC mix)

John Galliano Knows Something We Don't.

2008-07-04T10:00:00.000-07:00

I was looking through the Spring 2009 lines when I stumbled upon John Galliano's Men's RTW line, and it is crazy. As much as I love neons, there is a limit to how many you can shove on to one person.

Maybe I'm just being naïve and John G is on to something huge here. I think I can feel some trends coming on.

Like:

Meshfaces plus Snowboard Boots -

Carrot Tops with Gold Lamé Speedos -

Soda Can Heads and Furry Crotches -

And my personal favorite, which I think will be a huge trend for Spring 2009, get so ready.

Giant Sword Hair -

So you never know what's going to be a huge hit, and I mean who doesn't trust a man that looks like a pirate in a hair metal band with an awesome hair curler? I know I do.

Fashion Week: Haute Couture FW 08 in Paris!

2008-07-04T09:30:00.000-07:00

Monday to Thursday, tall skinny and exotically beautiful creatures have strutted down the catwalk with intricately and wonderfully sewn masses of cloth on their shoulders. What does this really mean? It's couture fashion week in Paris!

Haute couture is a label given to custom-ordered/fitted fashions that are very expensive, very detailed, very time consuming to make, and very fabulous. Every year, the Chambre de commerce et d'industrie de Paris names only the best fashion companies as haute couture houses. Read more about the Cult of Couture here. This year's select few include legacy designers like Dior, Givenchy, Chanel, Gaultier, as well as guest members Christophe Josse, Stephane Rolland, and Felipe Oliveira Baptista. Alright, enough talking, lets take a look at some highlights! (images from Coutouture; click photos to enlarge)

Stephane Rolland

This year, the Haute Couture Fall/Winter 08 Fashion Week kicked off with Stephane Rolland, who was all about black and white satin, silver, and jewels. The crown of diamonds reminds me of Erin Wasson's crown of thorns she wore to the Alexander Wang show. (You can watch the crown and some booze in action here)!

Christophe Josse

Models were adorned with loose updos and wispy hair on the runway. Christophe Josse dressed his models in a mixture of fabrics from tulle to lace and managed to put it all together with a uniform stiletto: the super "in" gladiator with a velvet and jeweled twist.

Christian Dior

With a designer as crazy and eccentric as Gibraltarian John Galliano, of course Dior's couture line is the same. This season, it's all about the angles and curves for Dior. Galliano brings us a wardrobe for the 1940's vixen meets flapper. Add in jeweled platform stilettos and what I'd like to call sexy side bang hats. Now take a look at the final piece and try not to gasp.

Felipe Oliveira Baptista

All I've got to say about this collection is... my mom always wonders how I can see through my hair always covering my right eye. Well mom, look at these girls!

Giorgio Armani Prive
Armani Prive marked the end of the first day or couture week. Forbes-named most successful Italian designer, Giorgio Armani, is 73 years old, but he's still kickin it. This season's collection includes finely tailored suits, and flowy sequined chiffon dresses shown below.

Givenchy

Alright, I'm not gunna lie. I relaly didn't like most of Givency's collection. I think it might have to do with the fact that half of the collection reminded me of Jamiroquai. However, I have fallen for the two dresses shown below. Maybe it's the sexy sheerness, maybe it's the braided collar, maybe it's the beautiful far from tacky embroidery, maybe it's the bouncy tassles. Whatever it is, it's a million times better than the other half of Givenchy's collection that drove designer Riccardo Tisci into "Virtual Insanity." Haha I'm so funny.

Elie Saab

Think 18th century Romanticism. As we saw earlier in the Christophe Josse collection, wispy and loose updos are the craze. The ruffled and gathered fabric mixed with floral details makes me swoon.

Jean Paul Gaultier

This season's Jean Paul Gaultier collection is all about the superheroine. Think bird feather woman, barbed wire veil bride, you know.. the classics. So this october, when you're desperately looking for that perfect and unique Halloween costume, just call up your buddy Jean Paul, and wave a few hundred thousand dollars in his face.

Stayed tuned for a special post highlighting Chanel's FW 08 Couture line!

Monthly Update

2008-06-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

This afternoon on my lunch break, I sat alone listening to Illmatic at a table at the Bagel Mill on 88th and 1st, jotting down some ins and outs that came to mind on the back of a paper bagel bag. It was peaceful and inspiring. So I'm hoping to make a monthly blog habit of posting about what I think is in and out, what I love and don't love, what I crave and avoid. This should pretty much be your life bible for the next month, since team chains always knows what's up. (duh).

In and Out
Mary-kate . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ashley
A Tribe Called Quest . . . Soulja Boy
gladiators . . . . . . . . . . . . . flip flops
bright nails . . . . . . . . . . . . dark nails
Josh Peck . . . . . . . . . . . . . Drake Bell
body chains . . . . . . . . . . . chain mail
Paris Vogue . . . . . . . . . . . American Vogue
New Yorkers . . . . . . . . . . Parisians
urbania . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . suburbia
thai food . . . . . . . . . . . . . chinese food
Crystal Castles . . . . . . . . Justice
walking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . driving
short hair . . . . . . . . . . . . . long hair
All Points West . . . . . . . Warped Tour
Paper mag . . . . . . . . . . . . Nylon mag
studded up . . . . . . . . . . . blinged up
Steve Urkel . . . . . . . . . . . Stefan Urkelle

This month, I'm in love with Pharrell and the N.E.R.D. crew, Korean bbq, Universal News Cafe, snake rings, capes, and the new Girl Talk album (see Gina's post earlier). Flourescent lime is the new gold, and charcoal is the new black. As for the song of the month? American Boy by Estelle featuring Kanye. It's this year's "Umbrella."

Alright, now go on, paint those nails a bright orange, get a hair cut, pick up some Paper, load Crystal Castle's new album on your ipod, take a stroll in your new gladiators for some thai food, and have a great month!

MP3: Estelle feat. Kanye - American Boy

Karl Lagerfeld Does Not Kid Around.

2008-06-22T16:12:00.000-07:00

Fashion Designer Karl Lagerfeld is the new face of French safety. A new campaign for road safety tells the French bike riders, "It's yellow, it's ugly, it doesn't match anything, but it can save your life."

Lagerfeld agreed to pose in the shapeless protective apparel as part of a French government safety-awareness campaign, which was kicked off yesterday. The vest and a reflective triangle will become mandatory for all drivers and cyclists on July 1.

Speaking of good ole Karl, I have to mention my favorite interview with him ever in which he describes 10 things he hates. It ranges from fat people to the nineties, to people who try and touch him (they bore him to death). Its a must-read.

On another Karl note, did you know he used to be really overweight? He decided one day that he wanted to be thin to fit into to slim suits that were in style, so he managed to drop 92 pounds in 13 months! He even wrote a book on how to lose weight. Who knows, maybe everything thing we needed to know about weight loss is hidden in the head of everyone's favorite eccentric designer!

Here's a before picture, in case you were wondering:

MP3: Of Montreal - Suffer for Fashion

Girl Talk's New Album

2008-06-19T10:23:00.000-07:00

Girl Talk AKA Greg Gillis released a new album today, Feed the Animals. He decided to go the Radiohead route and is letting you name your own price. If you choose to pay nothing, you have some 'splaining to do. It asks you to give them a good reason for paying zero dollars. Your choices are:

- I may donate later
- I can't afford to pay
- I don't really like Girl Talk
- I don't believe in paying for music
- I have already purchased this album
- I don't value music made from sampling
- I am part of the press, radio, or music industry
- Other reasons

I'm not sure what the other reasons would be, but you can decide for yourself over at Illegal Art.

According to the site, any price grants the download of the entire album as high-quality 320kbps mp3s, $5 or more adds the options of FLAC files, plus a one-file seamless mix of the album, and $10 or more includes all of the above + a packaged CD (when it becomes available)

I've been listening to the album all morning, and it's great. I fell like the mash-ups are much more coherent than on Night Ripper, and they are much more suited to getting your party on. If you want to keep tabs on all of the songs being sampled, there is a track-by-track run down over on Wikipedia. I'm sure that it will continue to be updated as more people listen and dissect the album. Maybe even add in some clips that you heard that no one has picked up on yet!

Port O'brien

2008-06-18T10:30:00.000-07:00

I feel like Gina should be writing this post because she looooves Port O'brien and introduced me to them, but I beat her to it! Coming from California, this foursome started playing indie folk pop in 2005. Their sophomore album, All We Could Do Was Sing, was released last month, and is centered around a nautical theme. All four members of the band spent their summers working along the sea, and "when you're working all day in the freezing cold, what the hell else are you going to do?"

M. Ward quoted them as his Favorite New Band on Pitchfork, and if that's not enough street cred, they've toured with Bright Eyes and Modest Mouse. Learn more about Port O'brien by checking out the "interview" on their myspace page.

PORT O'BRIEN #1 I Woke Up Today
Uploaded by lablogotheque

Port O'brien - I Woke Up Today

Nasty Gal

2008-06-17T20:29:00.001-07:00

Okay so it's been a while. I've been pretty busy with interning and working and traveling from city to suburbia and back, but once I read about a certain shop today, I knew the blog must be updated.

It's an automatic high when you come back from Salvo (Salvation Army, of course) with an amazing vintage find. The only this is, this only comes after hours and hours of sifting through nasty racks of smelly and grimy clothes. Nasty Gal attempted to fix this five days ago, and seeing from their sales, they have succeeded.

Nasty Gal is an online store selling hand=picked vintage items, styled into trendy outfits. Launched less than a week ago, already, most of their items are sold out. (This is actually good for me, as I have quite a money handling problem). However, I do believe Nasty Gal will be my new favorite web shop, as everything listed is fabulous. I'd suggest you bookmark the site, and eagerly await new vintage!

R.I.P.

2008-06-01T20:25:00.000-07:00

Fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent passed away this Sunday in Paris at 71. Laurent was a boy-wonder who was chosen to take over for Christian Dior at age 21 after Dior died in 1958. Laurent was born in Algeria, and left for France at age 17 when he went to work for Dior. In 1962, Laurent parted from Dior to start his own label, financed by his partner, Pierre Berge. Yves Saint Laurent was known for popularizing menswear for woman and largely changing the way women dress by putting them in pants, pea coats and trenches. He often said that all a woman needed to be fashionable was a pair of pants, a sweater and a raincoat.

Just the other day, I caught a documentary about his life on the Sundance channel called Yves Saint Laurent - His Life and Times/5 Avenue Marceau 75116 Paris. Although in the film he said that he wished he could become a beatnik, but thought it was too late to change his style, his clean and stylish suits and trademark glasses were what made him recognizable. Maybe now Yves is in heaven wearing all black and banging on bongos like he always wanted to.

Cory for Sebastian

2008-05-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

She was an intern for Mark Hunter, The Cobrasnake. She became an international it girl. Cory Kennedy, 18-year-old hipster from Santa Monica, CA, was announced the face of Sebastian Professional's new Whipped Creme product launching in July. Ok, we absolutely love Cory. love to hate, hate to love - and for what reasons? No one's really sure. But come on. Cory for a hair product? Please. I'm not sure she's ever even washed or brushed her hair. Maybe the idea behind it is that Sebastian's new product can fix even Cory's hair. Who knows. I'll admit she looks pretty good, but i'm on the border of whether I buy into it or not. You decide!

Gossip Girl

2008-05-25T08:25:00.000-07:00

So now that everyones favorite show, Gossip Girl is over for the season, we all need something to hold us over through a summer without the always juicy and drama-filled hookups and fights.

Although this show might have the most talked-about fashion since Sex and the City, I feel that it could always use repeating. The plot of the show sometimes takes a backseat to the fashion, but is that really a bad thing? With such awesome outfits to drool over, you can (almost) overlook whether Dan and Serena are going to get back together, or if Blair and Chuck could ever really work out. Honestly, what would the show be without Blair's classic style and headbands, and Chuck's many scarves?

Speaking of Chuck's scarves, which he admitted to wearing while doing the dirty in the season finale, (which, I personally would have it no other way), his infamous patchwork scarf is made by J. Press.

According to a spokesman: “They have been around for a few seasons. It’s made from the silk remnants created during our tie making. No one really paid much attention to them and they weren’t really selling. At some point a costume designer stumbled upon it at the J. Press store and included the scarf in the show’s wardrobe. When ‘Gossip Girl’ started to air, people came out of the woodwork looking for them — they have become some sort of power scarf. They sold out fast, but J. Press found some extra units in the Long Island City warehouse and had them sent to the Madison Avenue shop. They are available only by phone” — call (212) 687-7642 — “from the J. Press store in Manhattan.”

Good luck getting a hold of your "power scarf". Seriously? Power scarf?

Another item from the season finale that I am desperately hoping will show up in my closet real soon is the dress Blair wore to head off to the airport with Chuck. I am obsessed with nautical-themed clothing this season, and this 1940's sailor dress is exactly what I need.

I found the dress at Bettie Page Clothing.

Called the 'Captain' and selling for $150, how could you say no? I have a feeling that this dress will end up in my closet real soon. It was shortened a little for Blair and paired with white polka-dot gloves. Don't you wish that going to the airport was always that glamorous? Maybe I'll wear that on my next flight instead of my normal sweatpants and ponytail.

You can also head over to the CW website where you can view several pieces from each of the character's wardrobes. Dress like Blair on Monday, Serena Tuesday, and Jenny on Wednesday!

So I hope that these little things can help us all get through the summer Gossip Girl-less, and Chuck, I'll go to Europe with you any day.

The Ting Tings

2008-05-24T22:07:00.000-07:00

With a new album out, Ting Tings have been invading tons of blogs, and consequently, my iTunes. The Ting Tings [chinese translation: band stand] have only been together for a little more than a year, but have been voted #3 in BBC's Top Ten to Watch in 2008. Apparently they're even featured in an Apple commercial? Whatever, their indie pop beats make me shake, and that's all that matters to me. I'm thinking CSS + Tegan and Sara + IDON'TKNOW. (My old boss at Frenchkiss Records would ask me to describe music demos and I was never good at it).

You can download the new album [We Started Nothing] here or wait for the CD out June 3rd... or NYCers can catch them at the Bowery Ballroom on June 18th, Boston the 19th.

The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name

The Ting Tings - Great DJ

The Ting Tings - Keep Your Head

Watch This.

2008-05-24T21:48:00.001-07:00

Meet Muto, an animation by Blu that may be the most intrigued seven minutes you'll ever spend. I totally bummed this off of a post by SwaggerDap.com, so check out their blog/site as well. You can watch more of Blu's videos here.

MUTO a wall-painted animation by BLU from blu on Vimeo.

Heading Down Under

2008-05-18T13:35:00.000-07:00

With Gina's lack of internet connection and my lack of time, I'm sure you can tell we're not too hot at updating during the summer.

If you've read my post on Sass and Bide, you'll know that I love Australian fashion. And with Steve Irwin (RIP!) and Crocodile Dundee, it's obvious that what comes from down under is tight. The semi-annual Australian Fashion Week kicked off a few weeks ago with over 70 shows in 5 days. The collections are fantastic - angry rocker monocrome with fun brights, but nothing in between. Think Rainbow Brite + the grim reaper, mixed into a wonderful dark and spunky combination. My favorites of the bunch are Life With Bird, Illionaire, Ginger & Smart, Mad Cortes, Michelle Jank, and Sass and Bide, of course! I am still in love with Sass and Bide's amazing shirred black leather leggings, and have finally gotten a pair of black leathers for myself! (not from Sass and Bide though, of course).
[pictures from Coutorture. click to enlarge]

And hows about some Aussie music to get you in the mood.
Cut Copy - Lights and Music (Moulinex Remix)
Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire (Midnight Juggernauts Remix)
The Presets - A New Sky [off their new album Apocalypso]
The Presets - DownDownDown (Digitalism Remix)

Life with Bird

Illionaire

Ginger & Smart

Mad Cortes

Michelle Jank

Sass and Bide

I hope everyone's having a lovely summer!

It's getting warmer

2008-05-10T08:52:00.000-07:00

Summer's finally here! (summer break at least). This means more sun, more fun, and more posts from Gina and Felicia (DJ G-spot and DJ FelonFresh)! and I know you've missed us terribly.

When you're out barbecuing, laying around, or doing whatever you do while you have no obligations, you'll want to have some good summer tunes coming out of your jambox. And in preparation for the summer, here are a few tracks I think will be quintessential to the near summer '08.

The Submarines - Sub Symphonika

Tokyo Police Club - Juno

Bowerbirds - In Our Talons

The Kills - Sour Cherry

Lykke Li - Everybody But Me

MGMT - Kids

Robyn

2008-05-02T09:49:00.000-07:00

Lately, I've been obsessed with Swedish pop singer Robyn. Her catchy pop jams are hard to not bust a move to. She performed on David Letterman last night and busted out her cover of Cobrastyle by The Teddybears. She payed homage to the band by having her band wear their trademark bear heads. She's also wearing Felicia's fav, leather leggings!

Sorry for the lack of posts on my part, and the shortness of this one, but I'm suffering from a broken keyboard.

Robyn - Cobrastyle

Robyn - Handle Me

Buy Robyn from Amazon, out now on Cherry Tree.

I never sleep, 'cause sleep is the cousin of death

2008-04-30T13:31:00.000-07:00

First of all, comment! WE LOVE COMMENTS!

The week has been filled with lots of sleepless nights (mornings) and headaches. My room is the messiest it's been with piles of clothes and papers and take-out foam boxes all around. Ahh, the pleasures of finals week. But even with two big finals tomorrow, there's still time for muzak!

I've gone through most of this week listening to Enter the Wu-Tang repeatedly (with my hood up, of course). But when it gets too hot, I've been putting the hood down and getting my dance on - bringing me to our featured artist...

SANTOGOLD is the perfect balance of M.I.A. (who has worked on Santogold's album) and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Karen O. Think Kala plus Show Your Bones. The Philidelphia native has been named Artist to Watch in 2008 by Rolling Stone, Spin, and BBC. (If the British love her, she much be good)! As an added bonus, like Lily Allen and Amy Winehouse, she's worked with Mark Ronson on his album, Version. Her debut album dropped yesterday and should definitely be given a listen. Inspired by pop music rather than R&B, Santogold makes a point to say she's "not like Ciara" or "other brown girls." And after Ciara came to Syracuse last year, I say hoorah to that.

Santogold - L.E.S. Artistes

Santogold - Creator

Mark Ronson - Pretty Green (ft. Santogold)

Some other tunes that will make you shake yo tail feather:

Robyn - Cobrasnake (Teddybears cover)

Beck - Hell Yes

Theophilus London - JAM!

Theophilus London - BLINDFOLDED (preview)

She & Him Aim for Cred

2008-04-24T20:37:00.000-07:00

Last night on Conan O'Brien, She & Him showed up with Yo La Tengo as their backing band. Even though M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel's new project tries to avoid the stigma of 'actor turned musician' according to their interview in New York Times, there will always be comparisons to other actor's bands. Who could forget Keanu Reeve's band Dogstar? Exactly. Although M. Ward was quoted as saying “As long as people are listening to the songs first and not getting too caught up with who is making the songs, I’m happy,” it can't hurt to get a little more boost in the cred department by having indie rock favorites Yo La Tengo as their back up band.

Now that their album Volume One is successful, (it sold more copies than the debut of labelmates Arcade Fire) they can sleep a little easier knowing that they no longer have to worry about what the hipsters think.
Scarlett Johansson should be so lucky with her album of Tom Waits covers produced by TV on the Radio’s Dave Sitek.

I find their songs a little flat and missing something that could be something great. M. Ward's folky, unique style mixed with the jazzy voice we heard from Zooey in Elf could be so much more interesting than what came out of their collaboration. The performance is a little awkward; Zooey seems terrified of the stage (ironic, huh?) But not to worry, M's sweets licks are sure to make up for it.

Don't forget to check them out on Craig Ferguson on CBS tonight.

She & Him - Why Do You Let Me Stay Here

Buy Volume One from Amazon, out now on Merge.

The Wackness

2008-04-24T16:49:00.000-07:00

Whether it's to relive 1994 or see Mary-Kate Olsen in dreads, I recommend going to see The Wackness this summer, a coming-of-age comedy set in the year of hip-hop. No, I wasn't at Sundance this year (or any year), nor am I best friends with director Jon Levine, but watching the recently released trailer and viewing the awesome website is enough to know --- this is going to be solid.

One of the biggest reasons to go see The Wackness is its cast, starring Josh Peck (who I love) of Nickelodeon's Drake and Josh, legendary Sir Ben Kingsley, Olivia Thirby from Juno, Famke Janssen of the X-men trilogy, Aaron Yoo from Disturbia, half of Michelle Tanner and fashion icon Mary-Kate Olsen, and oh yeah... M.E.T.H.O.D. MAN.

If that doesn't catch you, maybe the plot line [about a disturbed high schooler and pot dealer, who trades weed for therapy sessions with a psychiatrist, where both mature - from boy to man and man to boy] will.

Or how about the fact that the film is set in the summer of 1994, when hip hop was reborn with Nas dropping Illmatic, Snoop dropping Doggystyle, and none other than the great Wu-Tang Clan bringing Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) to the [turn]table. And ps. Biggie and Tupac were still tight.

If none of those reasons seem to be good enough for you, I hope you enjoy watching some top quality Kung Fu Panda or Speed Racer this summer.

As for me, you can find me on July 3rd in line for The Wackness.

A Tribe Called Quest - Oh My God

Snoop Dogg - Gin and Juice

Wu-Tang Clan - C.R.E.A.M.

Pop!

2008-04-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

It's been a week since our last post, and we do apologize. Interviews, projects, and papers have been controlling our lives for the past week, and it's not even hell week yet! (My hell week includes four final exams and two presentations in a total of three days). For those of you who attend Syracuse University with your favorite bloggers, you can particularly understand what I'm talking about and how hard it is to motivate yourself these last few weeks before year's end, while the beautiful sun (that has only come out a total of 5 days before this week) is begging you to come outside and play frisbee. That was a long sentence.

Lucky for us 'Cusers, we have MAYFEST! -a day of joy and celebration, procrastination and inebriation. Mayfest is a Tuesday in April, where Syracuse gives their students a day off from classes. And how do we respond to this? With a block party (with 38 participating houses) and a Fergie/Sean Kingston concert, of course. The annual block party was amazing, with a some thousands of students hanging out on the lawns of random houses along the sunny Euclid Ave.

Wait - so what is this post actually about? Spring fashion and a POP! of color, inspired by every single girl at the block party yesterday dressed in bright and vivid colors, bringing us out of a cloudy seven months in Syracuse. To see what I wore, head over to The Stitch Society, an awesome on-campus street fashion blog at Syracuse. (I was told my picture would be up by the end of today). This past season, it's been all about dark and deep colors: black, charcoal, plum, black, navy, and even more black. Looks have started out chic like paris, but have come to be dark and gloomy like Syracuse. How can you take the dark and bring it into spring and summer? CONTRAST and a POP of color! Nothing is more refreshing than adding something bright and fun to a dark outfit.

Milan's Etro does this best in their Spring 2008 collection.

To accomplish this look, try a fluorescent dress with black heels and a black cardigan. Or try a dark top with shocking bright pants. My favorite color combination is charcoal grey and neon green/yellow. If you don't want to invest in a bright dress or pair of pants, thinking you'll toss 'em in the fall, a cheaper and muted alternative is bright accessories! Adding a brightly colored bracelet, ring, belt, scarf, or pair of earrings shades or shoes will add a little kick and edginess to your outfit and transform it from winter to spring.

Speaking of POP!, I can't deny my love for Hugh Grant in the catchy PoP! Goes My Heart from Music & Lyrics. His 80's hip shakes will totally make you swoon.

Ryan Adams, You're Crazy, but I Love Ya.

2008-04-16T12:57:00.000-07:00

So recently, Ryan Adams has been blogging up a storm. In addition to his website where you can play games, listen to all his albums and live recordings, read his novel in progress, and listen to every one of his alter-egos, his now-defunct Youtube page, and plenty of other crazy ramblings, he now has his own blog. I have a feeling that it will soon be gone much like all of his other internet ventures.

Check out his blog where he denies dating Winona Ryder and Alanis Morisette, and tells everyone how much he hates country music. There seem to be several break-up messages to his blog, so I'd get over there quick before it's gone. Ryan even wrote a song about his blog to all the people who call it bipolar. His blog's name is Foggy, in case you were wondering.

Ryan Adams - My Blog Foggy

Sweden!

2008-04-15T11:32:00.000-07:00

Whether you're about to hit the club, have a picnic, or go out back and milk your cow, heidi braids may work for you. Personally, I enjoy wearing them while harvesting cucumbers, but you can wear them whenever you want.

In the past year, braids (especially these milkmaid braids) have been showing up on the locks of celebrities like Siena Miller, Mary-Kate Olsen, and on the runways of last fall's Bottega Veneta and Givency. However, you don't need to be an a-lister or professional hair stylist to pull it off. These braids are in fact simple to do. For a quick tutorial, watch WhoWhatWearDaily TV.

If your hair is too short for the double milkmaid braids, there are other options that look just as amazing. You can try bringing a couple small hidden braids into a messy bun or a thicker braid to define a side part with beachy waves.

After all this talk about braids, how could Braid, the band, go unmentioned? Although it'd be pretty sweet if Braid was the surname of a Swedish yodeller and wearer of heidi braids, they are still pretty sweet. Braid was a pioneer of 90's second wave emo. The Chicago based band managed to write these great songs before breaking up into Hey Mercedes.

Braid - New Nathan Detroits

Braid - A Dozen Roses

Braid - Do You Love Coffee

Hey Mercedes - The Frowning of a Lifetime

Hey Mercedes - A-List Actor

You better not be wearing brown nylons while reading this.

2008-04-11T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is something I had talked about earlier, but I felt it was worth repeating because this is an issue that is near and dear to my heart.

I don't know if I'm alone in this, but I think brown nylons are awful. Unless you're a secretary over the age of 60, you should never wear hose! I see girls that wear them, and they look like some sort of muppet with there fuzzy legs. If there worn with open toe shoes, just sign up for the old age home right now. There is never an occasion or outfit that requires you to wear nylons. Maybe, maybe if you have really bruised discolored legs, then they would be alright in a very sheer style EXACTLY the same shade as your skin, and ONLY with closed toe shoes. Even when hose is worn with pants and shoes, it seriously ages you. It is never that cold that you can't go without socks, they don't even give you that much extra warmth! The only person I have ever seen that pulled off nylons perfectly was my high school A.P. English teacher, Ms. Hague, and it was because she was amazingly classy with awesome style, and hers matched her skin tone absolutely perfectly. The only reason I knew she wore them (because she NEVER wore them with open toed shoes) was when she took her shoes off to demonstrate a ballet move. And, oh yeah, she was 65!

So, in conclusion, PLEASE don't wear hose, and if you do, you BETTER make sure no one can tell!

Justice Clothing Line

2008-04-10T05:05:00.000-07:00

Electro house, dance-punk French music duo Justice are set to realese a clothing line with Surface to Air. Gaspard Augé and Xavier de Rosnay (Justice) met Surface to Air when they directed the duo's video for We Are Your Friends.

The pair will release a limited edition series of 3 jackets, and 2 jeans, conceived and designed by Justice for Surface To Air. With a very exclusive distribution, the line will be available beginning June at the following locations: Surface To Air Paris, Surface To Air Brazil, Colette, Barneys, Lane Crawford, Isetan, Le Bon Marché, Paris Texas, Asylum, Le Shop, Incu.

Read more about the line at Fashion Windows.

Good Tunage

2008-04-08T16:43:00.000-07:00

After a days rest from this blog, I believe it is time again to share more music. Get pumped!

Our first track is from giant indie pop artist, Death Cab for Cutie. Who doesn't love some Ben Gibbard, whether it's in the form or Death Cab or the Postal Service? I Will Possess Your Heart gives us a taste of their new album, Narrow Stairs, being released in May of this year. There was a rumor that it was leaked, but was it true?

Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart

Also in the indie pop realm of heavenly music is The Submarines from LA. You may have heard them during an episode of Nip/Tuck or Weeds. (I love Weeds)! The Submarines is Sixpense None the Richer meets The Cardigans. They are also my new favorite band of the week! Listen to Sub Symphonika on their myspace page.

The Submarines - You Me and the Bourgeoisie

With light tapping and a two note guitar line, Lykke Li sings Dance Dance Dance with her Stockholm accent. She was featured on Stereogum as Artist To Watch last October.

Lykke Li - Dance Dance Dance

From London comes another artist I'm totally obsessed with. Emmy the Great. I'm not sure if it's her soothing British voice or the fact that she was born in Hong Kong, but I can't stop watching the youtube Black Cab Session of Emma-Lee Moss singing Two Steps Forward.

Emmy the Great - Where Is My Mind

Last is something to get your shoulders shimmyin and booty shakin. All the way from Bretagne, France, Yelle brings the synth and beats. Yelle was one of MTV's featured artists.

Yelle - Ce Jeu (Rogerseventytwo bounce remix)

I apologize for the poor writing today! &leave comments! We love comments!

She'll change your life.

2008-04-06T15:26:00.000-07:00

So last night at 3:30am, after an eventful night and a pie of thin crust pineapple pizza, I thought it'd be a wonderful idea to come back to my room and pop in a movie. Because afterall.... who sleeps before 6am? pshhhh. Amelie had been sitting on the floor for about three weeks, racking up late fees on my credit card bill. (Blockbuster charged me over $100 recently for unreturned movies and videogames, no joke).

Nominated for five academy awards in 2001, the French film starring Audrey Tautou definitely lived up to the hype. It's a quirky and fun film about a shy Amelie Poulain, who decides to secretly fix other people's lives while her own life suffers with isolation. For a better synopsis, go here. If you love trippy but heart-warming movies about Parisian life, Amelie will not let you down.

Music Time

2008-04-05T17:07:00.000-07:00

So I thought I would throw in my two cents about the songs I am obsessed with this week.

First off, is a song from Crystal Castles. They're a Toronto-based electronica duo. I first heard this song when they performed on the UK series Skins. It's so catchy that if you put it on at your next party it will instantly become a turbo dance party.

Crystal Castles - Alice Practice

Buy Crystal Castles from Amazon, out now on Last Gang Records.

Next, I've been obsessed with the new solo material from Pedro the Lion's David Bazan. After Pedro the Lion parted ways in 2005, Bazan began recording under his own name. His new songs sound similar to Pedro, and they have the same intriguing story lines and sound just as awesome. I'm a huge Pedro the Lion fan, so I was reluctant to hear his new songs at first, but let me tell you, they are just as amazing. Here is a song about Pedro's break-up, and make sure to check out his Daytrotter session.

David Bazan - Fewer Broken Pieces

Buy Fewer Moving Parts EP from Amazon, out now on Eat My Flesh, Drink My Blood.

Sass and Bide

2008-04-05T16:59:00.000-07:00

If you're fashion savvy, you may know Sass and Bide as the high-fashion label by Australian designers Sarah-Jane Clarke and Heidi Middleton. But most people know Sass and Bide as the featured ready-to-wear womens line in the latest episode of The Hills. Okay. If you're a girl, and you claim you don't watch The Hills, you're totally lying to yourself. You totally love watching the on and off love affair between Lauren and Brody, and you can't wait to see how much more ridiculous and gross Heidi will look in the next episode.

Last week, Whitney, now a part of People's Revolution [avant garde fashion PR giant], worked with Sarah and Heidi in styling the fashion show. And after browsing through every Fall 2008 line on Style.com, it just so happens to be my absolutely favorite line for next season.

Sass and Bide incorporates black and white with a pop of red, aqua, and gold, mixing classic combination and fun edgyness. The shimmery black leather leggings are my favorite of the collection and will be on my wish list. (not that I could ever afford it anyway).

My sin's not quite seven

2008-04-05T15:49:00.000-07:00

So I guess I'll start this off with two songs that I am completely obsessed with. (I can't speak for Gina).

Justice's D.A.N.C.E. [1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - Fight!] has been a favorite of mine for months, but I'm starting to need a break from the electronica and high pitched voices. Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly switches it up with an acoustic version of the VMA Video of the Year nominated song that will still make you get up and shake yo booty.

Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - D.A.N.C.E. (Justice)

Imagine walking through an abandoned park on a cool summer evening, surrounded with eerie willows, and swaying shadows. This beautiful mysterious song by the Danish duo, The Raveonettes, transports you to another world with "I fell out of heaven, to be with you in hell."

The Raveonettes - Lust

I hope you will have these two on repeat as I have.

And so it begins...

2008-04-04T11:45:00.000-07:00

Gentlemen and gentlewomen:

We host a radio show on Fridays 1-4pm streamed on werw.org. We are two sweet college kids from Syracuse. We tell you what's up and what's not up. what we're obsessed with and not obsessed with. We are Propagation Reverberation. (and we are not so sure what that even means).