‘Tis the season for Christmas music. Normally I say “Bah humbug” to boring old holiday tunes, but I’m really interested in the She and Him Christmas album. Take a listen!
Speaking of festive, my friend Kelly is having an ugly sweater contest in which Mr. Barnabus Stinson, II is participating. Vote for Barney here! He is damn cute in his sweater. Check it out.
I’ve been loving this song (and new album) by The Drums … so take a listen. It’s really upbeat, but the lyrics aren’t. How ironic-slash-hipster of them.
Happy Thanksgiving! You know what I’m thankful for? Awesome music. Here’s some to share.
I recently was introduced to the Tune-Yards via one of my fabulous former interns who has amazing musical taste. I picked up their new album “w h o k i l l” via emusic.com.
Let me know what you think. I’m in love.
I’m really loving this song by The Tallest Man on Earth. He’s a Swedish acoustic singer/songwriter. I found him on Spotify via my friend Steph. Let me know what you think. I love his style.
Another band I discovered via a coworker who pointed them out on Spotify is The Thievery Corporation. Who, again, I was already digging on The Current.
Here’s Stargazer by The Thievery Corporation. Let me know what you think.
I’ve been using Spotify a lot lately, but am trying to find a good balance between Spotify and The Current — for a couple of reasons. One is obvious — I’m a member of The Current and donate a chunk of money every month to keep them up and running. Two — if I quit listening to the radio, how will I ever find anything new? I get that the point of Spotify is to see what your friends are listening to and find new things that way, but my musical tastes don’t overlap my friends’ that much.
That being said, I asked my intern last week if he had any band suggestions. And he said Cults. Which I quickly realized I was already digging on The Current anyway but didn’t know it was this band. The song Go Outside is on their current rotation.
Here’s the video for Go Outside. Let me know what you think.
I made an amazing discovery on Tuesday.
And bear with me, I know I’m probably behind on this, which makes me sad.
YOU CAN MAKE MUSIC WITH NINTENDOS.
Yes. Nintendos.
And I found this out by listening to NPR on the way to work. Which kept me occupied during a traffic-stand-still caused by a burning van — that I unfortunately don’t have any more information or images of.
Anywho, the band is Anamanaguchi. I don’t feel so bad knowing that I already played the Scott Pilgrim game and loved the soundtrack — which they are responsible for creating.
Just so you know, they play other instruments. They apparently take apart old game systems and modify them to play new melodies. And the systems are on stage with them.
Here’s a video of them playing “Blackout City” live.
Also, if you want a really sweet interpretation of images with their music, check out Dawn Metropolis.
… Got Jesus on my necklace-ace-ace
Got that glitter on my eyes
Stockings ripped all up the side
Looking sick and sexyfied
So let’s go, oh, oh, let’s go
I don’t have time to pull together a full recap just yet … but here is a taste. The night also included such debauchery as table-dancing and bull-riding.
… I have a sick obsession: pop music.
Going to see Ke$ha tonight in Kansas City and it’s the first pop concert I’ve ever been to! I’m not sure if that’s a milestone or an embarrassment, but it’s going to be fun. Doing some shopping beforehand to make sure I’ve got a super trashy outfit and then pouring glitter all over myself.
Hi. I’m chimes. If you’ve been reading my blog and are just now figuring this out, well howdy. I’ve decided to try Craftzine’s 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Profile questions. Enjoy!
1. My musical flowers pitcher. And the resulting photos of it. I really miss my little brick wall porch at my old place in Des Moines.
1. Not saying no when I should. I’m to proud to admit when I can’t take on a project — I love being a jack of all trades. I recently took engagement photos of my friend’s little sister and her (now) hubby. I really shouldn’t have. I’m not a photographer. And I said yes to taking her WEDDING photos too.
[okay, so they didn't turn out too horrible]
2. Using parchment paper to bake these amazing brownies. The result? What my roommate coined “reverse brownies” — gooey on the outside, done in the middle.
1. I’m cheap — but in a good way. I use EVERY scrap of fabric — including the selvedge edges — every discarded dish, every possible inch of batting and use cereal boxes for patterns for sewing projects. I’m currently making a map of the states quilt out of pieces of fabric that are less than 2″ big. Partially because I’m a fabric hoarder too.
2. Asymmetry. I hate symmetrical and being matchy matchy. I will never make a quilt from a traditional pattern — it has to be wonky.
3. Obviously, I love handmade objects. And as a graphic designer in my professional life, I try to incorporate hand-done items into my work as much as possible — whether it’s my own illustrations, found objects, fabric or paintings created by a friend.
[album cover for a band I was in that never took off]
1. Rotary cutter. I have no idea why, but there is something so damn therapeutic about cutting fabric and placing it in neat piles.
2. Adobe Creative Suite (especially InDesign — use it daily at work)
3. Sewing machine — I sometimes think I need a fancy one with more bells and whistles, but the freebie one I got from my aunt has been kicking out great projects and working just fine. I actually got a new Janome in October and it has been rocking my world! I even completed a quilt last month using that machine with no blips in the fabric or dropped stitches. I’m saving my old machine for threadbangin’ more crafty projects.
4. Sketchbook + Prismacolors. I don’t just do things. I think them through first and find several ways of accomplishing what my desired end result may be. It’s surprising what you come up with when you take some time to brainstorm.
1. Quilters like Fussy Cut and Oh Fransson!
2. Michael Jackson. Yes. I’m serious. If you’ve not read my blog before, then newsflash: I heart MJ.
3. Every DIY and craft blog out there. ever. I think I follow all of them in my google reader.
4. My granny — she left a TON of unfinished projects when she died and I’ve been randomly finishing them up in the past several years. Here’s a quilt I completed out of blocks she made from what we think may have been old clothing (she was also cheap and thrifty).
5. And I have to mention my boyfriend. He’s constantly helping me refine my work and offers up suggestions and critique as well as an incredible amount of support.
