A one stop shop for all things arts related, this blog will profile music, film, artwork, books, etc., that either you should know about, or just completely ignore.
Who: Collaboration of the actress and the musician from Jersey.
Why I like the song: I know it is getting a lot of hype right now, but I still like it. Catchy, poppy, and I am surprised I don’t hate Scarlett Johansson. Pete Yorn does his rock thing while Johansson sings along with. I was surprised that I liked her voice so much. It’s deep, hypnotic and not at all annoying like I feel her speaking voice sometimes can be. (I have read that some people feel the same with Zooey Deschanel. But I adore Zooey so I am not one of those people.) Pete Yorn is at his best vocally and instrumentally. As far as their whole album goes, I have not heard it yet. Just their hit song "Relator." But I am excited to see if there are any more good songs. I will keep you all posted.
Who: A unique Web site for true fashion lovers who can't afford to be a true fashion lover.
Here’s the “Why:” I like to be an individual. With my taste in music, books and even fashion, I usually try to find things, or end up liking things, that no one has ever heard of. From knowing the names of the most obscure actor to seeing a band none of my friends have ever even heard of, I like to stand out from my group. And fashion is nothing different. Yes, my personal style revolves around the classic pieces, but I like to have things no one else has.
Thinking back to a high school homecoming dance, I remember being appalled that another girl had my dress on. I was furious. As much as I like to blend in with society, I secretly like to NOT look like a clone of my peers. I always dressed the way I wanted to and listened to the music I liked. My friends all had individual tastes as well. That is what made our group, our group. A cluster of different characters who all didn’t conform to the society of Abercrombie and Fitch and pop music. As far as fashion goes, my point is this: I like new styles from independent designers that not everyone knows about. My problem: I am unemployed and I don’t have the money to spend on a designer t-shirt that I will probably only wear once. My solution: sideRack.net. I love fashion as much as any other art so when I came across this Web site, I took notice.
SideRack.net has creative, young, hip, and new fashions at affordable prices. Also, where applicable, they even give you the option of renting these fashion finds! Yes, renting. Just like renting a designer purse or dress from those other Web sites, the Rack gives you the chance to be the envy of all other women by wearing amazing, fashionable pieces where you can be an individual. This site has dresses, tops, bottoms, outerwear and even accessories that you can purchase or borrow when it is an option. And not only does the Rack carry new designer pieces, but it also has a vintage section and it takes custom orders for some pieces. Nice.
I have this blog so others can know about some of the music, writers, films, artists and designers that get me excited. In a way, this blog shows who I am, my character, and my uniqueness. SideRack.net helps me to continue with my personal style of individuality. I have a feeling it will allow me, to be me and I will not have the anguish of wearing the same dress as someone I see on the street. Ugh. I hate that!
Who: Blues band from Austin, Texas. The Album: Tell 'Em What Your Name Is!
Why: I like the whole album. Every song. Seriously, every song. Rare, I know. This band gained notoriety by playing the South By Southwest Festival, Lollapalooza and the Austin City Limits Festival. Very James Brown, soulful blues, with a garage band sound. Spoon drummer, Jim Eno, produced their first full length album. The band has even opened up for Spoon and Joe Lewis has opened for Little Richard.
I saw a preview screening of this documentary with a question and answer session with the director a few months back in NYC. This film blew my mind. It started off slow and I worried it was going to be boring. Then, everything completely changed. This is the story of 3 different musicians sharing a mutual love and respect for the guitar. Simple concept but the director takes it to a deeper, more personal level with the musicians. From the director of an “Inconvenient Truth”, Davis Guggenheim, “It Might Get Loud” follows the stories of Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin), The Edge (U2) and Jack White (White Stripes). The film documents each artist’s individual journey that leads him to an obsession with the guitar. The director said in his Q & A session that he purposely chose these three musicians because they were from different eras and they had completely different sounds.
The documentary follows Jimmy Page from his beginnings as a studio session guitarist, to the English countryside house where Led Zeppelin IV was partially recorded. There, Page takes the viewer inside what it was like when the album was created. The Edge goes back to where U2 began, back in an Irish school where he answered an ad on a bulletin board looking for a guitar player. Jack White takes the viewers back to Detroit where, as an upholsterer and drummer, he discovers the guitar and his love for the blues. After each musician describes his background and what leads him to the guitar, they come together to share their stories and to teach each other their signature cords. The result was an inevitable jam session.
Highlight Scenes (for me): Jimmy Page describing “the thunder” of John Bonham recording the beginning of “When the Levee Breaks.” And, be sure to pay attention to the faces of both The Edge and Jack White when Jimmy Page plays the beginning of “Whole Lot of Love” for them. It gave me goosebumps.
Who: Santi White from Brooklyn, NY. Why: I am fascinated by her. She unlike any artist I have heard or even seen. Not all of her music sounds the same. Her genre "label" on MySpace says New Wave/Dub/Psychobilly. Interesting. She has been compared to The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and M.I.A., but she is different from either of them. Very unique. There are elements of Indie Rock, Pop, Hip-Hop and definitely 80s New Wave in her music, but I could not classify her into any one of these. And, well, just look at her photos on her MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/santigold. She's got style. Her and her friends definitely remind me of Willaimsburg, BK. Ah Williamsburg. I miss you so.
Other reasons why you should listen, although she has been labeled Hip-Hop, Rap and R & B, she has said she doesn't like R & B. Check out this interview of her calling these comparisons racist: http://www.nme.com/news/santogold/36709
P.S. She also has been noted as saying that Devo is her "ultimate favorite band." Wow. I think I am in love.
Highlight song (for me): "Lights Out" From the album:Santogold Why: Her voice. Delicate, hypnotic. Plus, emerged within an Indie Rock background, oh my. I'm obsessed. Kinda reminds me of something ... oh, Blondie.
Why I like it: It's fast pace, hyper, puts me in a good mood, oddly enough. The lyrics read like poetry. Not beautiful poetry but descriptive like poetry. Mainly it's the catchy-ness of the song that I like. That and the mood the song puts me in. Downside: I saw them perform on what I think was The Tonight Show recently. They didn't perform this song very well. At least the live performance didn't do the song's justice. I'll just have to see them live to really tell for sure if they are a good live act.
The Album: Breakup
