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Chocolate Bar NYC has made a tattooed punk rock CBGB's chocolate set just in time for V Day. I'm not even that big a fan of chocolate, but these are kinda awesome.
(link) : (via)
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I love NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month that occurs every November-- and now the collective (headed by Chris Baty) has come up with another great idea to inspire you for 2007: The Year We Will Be Trying Big, Fun, Scary Things Together.
Think for a moment about those activities, classes, and endeavors that you've long daydreamed about, but have never quite got around to tackling. I'm talking about the roads less traveled---the tuba lessons, the family-history writing, the foreign language learning, the transformation of your living room into a multi-story race course for feral hamsters. These are the nonessential creative activities that get us in over our heads, bring new people into our lives, and help make life more magical.
As adults, we tend to steer clear of these pursuits because they t ake time and cost money. But putting off all our adventures for later comes with its own set of costs. Our souls become dry and brittle. Our energy levels sag. Our noses fall off.
Which is why I'm inviting you to pick a couple never-before-attempted endeavors that have long intrigued and daunted you, and then do them in 2007.
Publicly.
Read more here or announce your adventures here. Bueno suerte!
(link)
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I recently purchased an instrumental album online from
french producers Onra & Quetzal and it took me an hour
to do it. (Because I don’t speak French and google
couldn’t translate the page.) So you may be asking me
if it was worth the time and effort? Well, it hasn’t
left my computer since I put it in so the answer to
that question would be a resounding “Fuck Yeah!”
(pardon my French and the unintentional pun.) The
title of the album is “Tribute” as in a “tribute” to
soul music. It contains 35 tracks. (Don’t worry, the
album only clocks in at an hour.) 17 were produced by
Onra, 17 by Quetzal and one song co-produced by the
both of them. Any one who loved J-Dilla’s (R. I. P.)
“Donuts” or Madlib’s “Beat Konducta Vol. 1 - 2: Movie
Scenes” or just loves soul music in general will
defiantly love this one. More info at their MySpace.
Onra & Quetzal - Arts And Policy
Onra & Quetzal - Let Me Know
Onra & Quetzal - You Don't Have To Go
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This contest is now closed! Congratulations to Nils! (Yes, Sir Growls McEataseal is fine, fine bear name.)
----
I have a deep respect for any band that can turn a He-Man toy into a musical instrument. Not only that, but Favors and Friends has introduced me to the fine pleasures to be derived from the use of a melodica. These two facts alone should be enough to win you over, but if that's not enough, then go play around on their website: there are easter eggs that involve a swimming polar bear.
I don't think the polar bear has a name, though. He's an anonymous easter egg polar bear. Poor thing. How about this: leave a comment with the snazziest name you can think of for the polar bear. Best name gets the band's new CD.
Favors and Friends - Early Graves and Textbook Mistakes
Favors and Friends - Time We'll Tell
** You can pick up the album on iTunes, too. Hooray!
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How badly do I want thee, let me count the ways. Crafty, crafty Littleput Books has made a handbag out of a vintage camera. It comes with a spy mirror, foreign money clip, magnifying glass/firestarter, and Never be Exposed Lipstick Wrap.
(link)
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Diesel Sweeties has an adorable shirt for sale-- in the light, it's a normal looking turtle, and a normal looking heart. But! In the dark of night (or perhaps in the dark of hallways, or bedrooms) letters magically appear telling anyone nearby that it's time for smooching. Great for shy people-- though you might want to be careful who you find yourself in the dark with.
(link) : (via)
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Some of you may remember me ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over The Parson Red Heads this summer. I'm here to do it again! They have a brand new album coming out in February called "King Giraffe" that contains more beautiful vintage pop tunes to gush over than you can shake a stick at. The band was nice enough to give me two songs from the new album to share with you here. Listen and fall in love. Oh, and if you are in Los Angeles, they'll be at Spaceland with The Autumn Defense on February 16, so do yourself a favor and check them out live.
Days Of My Youth
Mossback
Pre-order "King Giraffe" from Yukon Records
Hear more songs and befriend the band on Myspace.
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Jonathan Coulton is by far one of the most under appreciated singer songwriters right now. I know I've linked to him before and have posted a song, but I'm somewhat ashamed that I haven't done a whole entry dedicated to JoCo.
Stylistically, Coulton is very They Might Be Giants-esque: unbelievably clever, hilarious, and musically versatile (everything from "soft rock" to ballads to completely infectious pop.) I hesitate to call it "geek rock" as that might turn people away, but most of the beauty behind his catchy rock music lies in the brilliant and, more often than not, hysterically funny lyrics.
You can download a bunch of songs for free on his site, where they are also available for purchase (which is recommended!) It was nearly impossible to choose just a few songs to post here, so go forth and listen to as much as you possibly can.
I Feel Fantastic
Skullcrusher Mountain
Shop Vac
When You Go
Dance, Soterios Johnson, Dance
Brookline
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Gallery 1988 has started a very sweet podcast called Glimpse, interviewing different artists that showcase there. I'm looking forward to see how this progresses-- and the podcasts are being filmed by art enthusiast extraordinaire and friend of mine, R. K. Pirovino.. "It's a smalll wooorld, aaaffter all."
(link) : (via)
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I think Mexico is bio-engineering an army of magical super-directors. I've had a crush on Alfonso Cuarón for a good handful of films now, but Guillermo del Toro has just won me over, making me think this is a full-fledged movement out of Mexico to change cinema as we know it.
Both directors have a tendency to avoid glorifying violence in a way I really like-- as opposed to the current trend of filmmaking which makes violence feel like something out of a video game. Watching both Children of Men and Pan's Labyrinth, the violence exists as a consequence, and one that has weight, and depth, and value.
Both films should be seen, but it's Pan's Labyrinth you really need to march over and watch, right now. I walked into the movie knowing only two things: it's a fairytale, and the entire film is in Spanish, with subtitles. I shall tell you nothing else, other than you are about to find one of your favorite films.
(link)
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washthis on 
