Besides the harmonica, the glass harp is an instrument that I’ve always wanted to learn to play. Not really. But, Lernert Engelberts and Sanders Plug do. And did quite well. Watch them work those glasses to a rendition of the horrendous pop song “No limit” by 2unlimited. But if there is one thing to be learned from this project, its the words of the creators themselves “Commit and dedicate yourself to even the most stupid ideas that come to mind.”
You may be thinking, Royksopp is so old school Miss Apples and Owls. Even the Geico lizard is up on them already. Yes, this is true. However, a recent discovery of their video and their use of infographics for the video has altered my world. I’m in the datasphere and I can’t get out. (nor do I want to.)
Passion Pit update folks. I just came across their video of the song “Sleepyhead” and while the first minute is pretty much the only part worth watching, it is a damn good 60 seconds. Definitely an interesting idea.
I’m currently obsessing over this five piece live band that goes by the name of Passion Pit. I first heard them on Left as Rain and that is where my love affair began. Their sound is a hybrid of many sounds including synth, pop, melancholy, etc. The Chunk of Change EP was originally put together as a (belated) Valentine’s Day present to songwriter and brainchild of PP, Michael Angelakos’ girlfriend, which then prompted him to give it out to friends and fellow students at Emerson College. They are touring with Yelle right now which is even more reason to check them out here. I’m especially fond of the track, Sleepyhead.
I discovered some unfortunate news today that the uber talented, artist, director and all around visionary died this past Sunday of complications from a surgery she had after a bad car accident last year. I did a post on some of her work back in July and I’m quite saddened to hear this news. From a news article in Tokyomanga, it claimed, “She must have known she was going to die, because she got dressed up for it—she was wearing a Mark Ryden dress, Chanel boots, and Viktor and Rolf black lace eyelashes.” That is true Nagi Noda style. She will be missed.
Music = Happy. Left as Rain = New Music Blog with handpicked songs that don’t suck and a nicely designed web site. So as I’m writing this right now, I’m thoroughly enjoying a track from The Dutchess & The Duke called Mary. Thanks Chris!
And they do it again. The folks at Non-Format are responsible for the cd and poster artwork for The Chap’s album, Mega Breakfast. Its all that I need to make me happy: lovely typography, white space and a chocolate covered, sprinkle dipped, shiny balloon dog.
You know her even though you may think you don’t. On the catchy, Peter Bjorn & John’s tune, Young Folks, Lykke Li sang the girl vocals. Now the 21- year old Swede has her own album, Youth Novels, that just came out this month. The first time I heard her on Sirius radio station, Left of Center, I got up from my chair and went to see who the artist was playing, I instantly loved her sound. Check her out here.
MGMT (pronounced m-g-m-t) is as made up of Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser and their album Oracular Spectacular is a must buy. Rolling Stone magazine put it best when they describe their music as “acid-test kool aid x Ween + Satanic era Stones.” What I love about these guys and their psychedelic randomness is the fact they began MGMT in college together at Wesleyan University in Middleton, Connecticut and would perform at the college’s notorious “clothing optional” dorm. The track “Kids” and “Time to Pretend” are must haves. Also check out their web site and try out the search function. Fun stuff.
