i love the way she said LA.

My latest mix was made for my friend who is moving from DC to LA tomorrow. It is a grouping of feeling, well wishes, borrowed songs, tunes to drive to, and a bit of self promotion. Here's the tracklisting:


1. starrsha- ringo deathstarr
2. you're making this hard- sweet jane
3. a traitor in my mind- last tide
4. bled white- elliott smith
5. rip it up- orange juice
6. nantes- beirut
7. you're only king once- beulah
8. the d in detroit- the anniversary
9. coast to coast- the jesus & mary chain
10. sixteen- skywave
11. elevate me later- pavement
12. gentle tuesday- primal scream
13. the wait- the american analog set
14. poetaster- miracle fortress
15. blue jeans- blur
16. berlin, without return- voxtrot
17. fortress- the glands
18. just like honey (home demo)- laura reading
19. (david bowie i love you) since i was six- the brian jonestown massacre

you know that we already know you.

Last night I stumbled upon my latest musical obsession, Miike Snow. I went to their show at Rock & Roll Hotel without ever hearing any of their music. I was pleasantly surprised with the performance I was treated to. The Swedish-American electronic group has been described by The Guardian as "cooly emotional pop [that] suggests A-Ha meets Animal Collective." Here is my favorite track & a stellar music video:

PAVEMENT REUNION!!!

Yesterday, Brooklyn Vegan was abuzz with tales of a rumored Pavement reunion. Today it was confirmed, with Pitchfork stating that they "will perform a benefit show at Central Park SummerStage on September 21, 2010." After over 10 years apart, Malkmus & co will come together. This leaves the doors open for even more performances and the possibility of a tour. I will finally have the opportunity to see them live. I AM ECSTATIC! HOORAY! Only a year away...

EDIT 9/25/09: Got tickets to the 9/24/2010 show in Central Park. Whoo!

i get serious in the fall.

Before Beirut was a band, it was solely Zach Condon. When he was fifteen years old, Condon put together a brilliant record full of untitled tracks. It was called The Joys of Losing Weight. His command of strings, synth, and melody was already apparent. A friend of mine sent me this rare compilation during the dark winter months of early '09. As we step into cooler weather again, I revisit it as a calming yet melancholic force. If you can find it, scoop it up immediately, and if you want it maybe we can arrange something...I can't sleep, and so I blog.



Reminiscent of this earlier work is "Nantes" from The Flying Club Cup (2007)

i'm on a boat!

In early August, I participated in a video shoot for the Party Bros track "Ooh Bay Bay." Set at the Sharp family pool, the theme was sun, fun, and there's a Corvette in there too. The day was fruitful, and everyone waited patiently in anticipation of the finished product. Tuesday was the official premiere, which first took place on the "Celebrity" yacht and then migrated over to Wonderland Ballroom. A good time was had by all.

And so, without further ado:


More About The Shoot
More About The Boat

slim thugga...

This song has become my current jam to listen to while I walk around the city. "Three Kings" by Slim Thug, T.I., and Bun B is included on Ratatat Remixes Vol. 2 (2007), the second self-released remix album by the Brooklyn rock duo. On the whole, I find Ratatat hip-hop remixes to be a bit busy and harder to listen to than the original tracks. However, "Three Kings" thrives on the upbeat tempo and electronic backing. It definitely denotes a feel-good mood.