BB-Blog is one of the most amusing places on the interweb to go, hang out, perhaps have a drink or two. It's been ages since I went to visit, and there are too many things I want to tell you about over there, so instead I'm just sending you over.
My favorite link (today, anyhow) is the VOCO Clock, voiced by Stephen Fry. The alarm clock wakes you up with a very butlery sounding voice, who says wonderful things like:
I'm sorry to disturb you, Sir, but it appears to be morning. Very inconvenient, I agree. I believe it is the rotation of the Earth that is to blame, Sir.
There are fifty or so messages, so it takes a bit for you to hear any of them twice-- and they're coming out with a Madam clock over the summer, for us ladies who rankle at being referred to as "Sir." (Though you know, personally, I don't a mind a bit.)
I just got a link to El Perro Del Mar covering The Velvet Underground's "I Found A Reason." The ethereal-looking Miss Sarah Assbring of El Perro is kicking off a US tour this week in NYC. If you haven't gotten your weekly quota for Swedes (yes, she's Swedish!) you should go check her out. Take a gander at the tour dates here, and a lovely live video here.
Anyone who has seen Becky Stark of Lavender Diamond perform live will tell you that she is, without a doubt, the most charming and unabashedly cute performer in Los Angeles. The fact that she can get a room full of jaded Silverlake hipsters to cheer and holler for the fact that "peace has finally come to planet earth!" is really a testament to how bewitching she is. Lavender Diamond's music is just as lovely (if sometimes heartbreaking) as the band's name suggests, and they are finally coming out with a full length record on May 8th after signing with Matador and Rough Trade. I can't wait!
Welcome to indie rock Sesame Street, also known as Steve Paul's Puppet Music Hall. Watch as the furry little felt host of the show, Edgar, sings with the likes of Devendra Banhart, Michael Leviton, Jenny Lewis, and even Meryl Streep. It's adorable.
I got all happy when Joanna Newsom's Peach, Plum, Pear started playing at the end of this. The film is called City Paradise, and it's a quirky creature about a Japanese girl who discovers a secret underground city beneath London. More from the filmmaker: Gaelle Denis.
Kelli Bickman has been featured by MTV, studied with the Dalai Lama, and makes fantastic, vibrant art deeply laden with symbolism and magic. Also? Has a thing for the number 11. I've been reading her blog, and it makes me want to go on a road trip or two or nine.
She's currently selling lovely tiles and magnets and things featuring art from a mural she created for Neil Gaiman: 30% of the proceeds go to the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund and the Tibetan Handicap Children's Hospital. You can see more of her wonderful artwork here.
Elizabeth from Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab sent over a mystery box last week. Upon opening it, I discovered two things: 1.) When you receive a mystery box, be very careful upon opening it, as it may be stuffed to the gills with goodies, and the goodies may spill out all over everywhere, and possibly roll under your bed and between pillows and things, and you may be finding goodies for days. 2.) Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is one of the best things in the world.
Store-bought perfume smells make me faintly sick. I'm more likely to dab cinnamon and orange oil behind my ears than spray on Chanel-- I like the smell of real things, herbs and earth and roots. Black Phoenix seems to operate under similar principles; they use ingredients like juniper and honey, wine and Spanish Moss, saffron and figs. I have been chasing people around for days, going "But smell this one! It's got cognac in it!" These perfumes smell amazing and magical, many of which are inspired by poetry: Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab is some kind of playground set in a sensual wilderness.
And! Each bottle is only $15 a pop, and they also sell smaller $3.50 sample vials, so you can buy them in bucketfuls. And you should. Because on top of everything else, these perfumes are damn sexy.
If you are somehow too old or too young to have seen this movie, or if your want to reminisce, or have just forgotten how good it was, these songs are for you.
Because you need a pile of music. Because James Yorkston just landed in my inbox. Because Jonathan Coulton is cooler than words, and Jewlie can rightfully tell me "I told you so." Because it is just that kind of day: a pile of music, for you lovely people out there.
I’ve found that in my travels that most instrumental
albums, no matter the genre, are pretty boring.
So I was pleasantly pleased when I heard the sophomore
album “Classics” by Ratatat. Naming your band a
sound as opposed to a word and calling your album
“Classics” may seem a bit pretentious (They WERE the first
band ever to play a show at the Guggenheim
Museum in New York so maybe they have a right to be.) but don’t let that deter you. The album
reminds me of an awesome old school video game soundtrack.
That may sound like a bad thing but it’s really not,
I swear. Check them out at ratatatmusic.com
Dean on 
