The Joy Formidable

The other night, bored out of my mind...I YET AGAIN found myself randomly downloading music off i-tunes. Frantically trying to find something that would, dare I say, catch my attention. From one click to another, I randomly stumbled upon-The Joy Formidable. As the 30 second sample of single "Whirring" methodically dove through the speakers, I decided I had to hear more. The song had a child like happiness that tagged along, with the precisely scripted lyrics that followed the melody.
I naturally, after hearing the entirety of "Whirring", decided I could not go on with out here the whole album. Yes, this album did come out in January, and maybe I am a little late, but it never can be too late to recognize something great. The Joy Formidable's debut album Big Roar, is yelling for your attention. Don't ignore it.

Bon Iver-Calgary

"Calgary" is the first single of Bon Iver's self-titled Sophomore LP.  Andre Durand and Dan Huiting directed (Justin Vernon co-wrote)  the beautifully haunting high-concept clip for Bon Iver's first single "Calgary".

When talking to Pitchfork recently, lead singer Justin Vernon said the song is one of the materials on the album that he is proud of lyrically. "I really like the opening line: 'Don't you cherish me to sleep.' There's that whole thing that happens in relationships-- you can love someone but, as soon as they stop loving you so unconditionally that they stop being themselves, it can be so dangerous." 


There might be a "fire going out" in the hearts of the two people in this video, but not in the heart of the man who created it. 

LISTEN TO: THEE OH SEES

One of my favorite bands from San Francisco, graces us with a new album, but this time they seem to be short a few members...mainly the entire band.. Thee Oh Sees, Castlemania out now on IN THE RED records. Pitchfork Music summed it up best..."Even at his most reflective, Dwyer's songwriting retains a sinister, "Sesame Street"-on-LSD sensibility-- simple melodies and creepy lyrics, frequently delivered in a whacked-out monster-voice." 

Thee Oh Sees have spent the last decade showcasing lead singer John Dwyer's sensitive side, and have quickly evolved to one of the hardest working bands in garage-rock. Their music is nothing short of epic, and their live shows are in the same category. But on Castlemania, Dwyer takes a stab at the whole thing on his own. The band is on hiatus until the fall, and are scheduled to release another full-length later this year. 

It's like listening to John Dwyer on an old Califone record player with a slowed down turn table. He's out on his own, minus the big guns of his band, but it's refreshing and prolific to hear him on his own, for now. 

LISTEN TO I NEED SEED

Little Shop of Horrors-Chris Habana

Take your conventional crosses, skulls, and gender iconography hand them to Chris Habana and be taken to the world of unconventional jewelry. He is sure to grab your attention with his edgy designs, that are more than wearable. His designs have been worn by various celebrities and musicians, but as he said in a recent interview with ZINK magazine they are "fit for girls, boys and everyone in between."

His current S/S collection is a force to be reckoned with. "He creates magic with his resurrection of gothic iconography." The collection is entitled Mon Amour, Mon Ennemi, a repersentation of Habana's paradoxical style. Thorny gold roses tempered by pearls are a central theme, while crosses and cage-rings make yet another appearance. The collection is not only tragic, but romantic. It definitely feels like love lost, imprisoned and caged in a disturbing dark room for all eternity.

As Chris Habana says about his personal aesthetic..."Dark. Serious. Kidding." He has become well known for not taking things too seriously, but SERIOUSLY check this designer out, and I'm not kidding.

CHRIS HABANA SS11

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Yes, wear Black, and No, You don't have to feel GOTH.

Working for MAC cosmetics since I was 19 I have accumulated quite the collection of black clothing. In fact, some of my favorite pieces happen to be black. It seems from about mid-September to the start of Spring that I have no qualms about wearing my favorite omniscient color. As soon as the leaves start to reappear on the trees, and flowers begin to bloom in gardens on my street I begin to feel a little out of place in my attire.

This summer, I have decided to not let my gothic threads go to waste. Instead I feel empowered to tie in black, with all my favorite S/S trends.
Here are my BLACK MUST HAVES:

1.) BCBG BLACK MAXI- Perfect for work. Very in TREND for the summer. I like mine with a stripped cropped shirt, or any shirt that has a little color and is a little bit baggier.

2.) CK JUMPSUIT- I love this! There is so much you could do with this piece. Give it some color with some bright colored necklaces, and my favorite Jeffery Campbell leopard flat, from Nordstrom.

3.) ESSENTIAL BLACK LEATHER JACKET- No matter the season, a black leather jacket is always going to be a sexy outwear option.

4.) DEEP V- V neck's are one of my favorite shirts to wear in the summer. I LOVE this black one. It's perfect with a pair of leggings, or pair with a pair of cut off denim also from urban outfitters.

5.) Cropped Denim- Cropped denim is always a must, give it a little bit of color with this cute button up from Bloomingdales.


Black is always sleek, it makes you feel thinner...so why not incorporate in your summer wardrobe?

Let's go find an ocean, cause I think we need a swim

On Tuesday June 7th, two albums I have been waiting on pins and needles for will be showing there must anticipated faces! Cults self titled full length, and my most highly anticipated album of 2011 Arabia Mountain from the Black Lips.

Arabia Mountain, the latest and greatest from the socially rebellious, garage rocking, vomiting on stage ensemble Black Lips, finds the band remastering their craft with assistance from an unlikely choice in producer Mark Ronson. Ronson best known for his work with Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen, clearly helped the Black Lips restore there roots, and get back to the basics of what the group is about.  Even though you have to wait til June 7th to get your hands on the album, you can listen to it on Grooveshark, now! Hopefully, after a good solid listen you will agree, the BLACK LIPS ARE BACK, and this ain't know two hundred million thousand, or whatever that garbage was called.

Arabia Mountain, real "Modern Art".

STUNNIN LIKE MY...

If you know me on a personal level at all, you know that I possess a small obsession with a certain rapper that goes by the name of, Lil Wayne. When I hear his voice blaring through speakers, I can't even begin to describe the phenomenon that takes place...(unless you have witnessed it yourself). Basically, I can feel Weezy coursing through my veins. It's like he's physically present, and most times I can hardly contain myself.

Now that I have let you in on my little secret, you can imagine how I felt as I was midway through doing a winged liner on a customer, and I heard "Stunnin like my daddy" repeat three times over through the speakers at work. It's like the ground below me jolted, the room spun for a moment, and than everything paused. I snapped out of my trance, as I heard the sweet voice of Ellie Goulding..."Hit, Hit, Hit, Hit me with lightening...".  I had to know more. Who was this, what was this? Was I dreaming, for months it seemed we had been plagued with unidentifiable "indie" music, and now this?! I tried to act cool, quickly finished the winged liner and ran over to the cupboard that hosted our playnetwork system.

"Basic Physics-Starry Eyed" scrolled across the screen...

Nightlife in the Northwoods, is the must hear mixtape from Basic Physics. Basic Physics is the creation of Madison, WI DJ/ Producer Alex Syse, and Minneapolis, Minnesota's DJ, Eric Mitchell. Founded in 2010, they have brought a fresh new face to the DJ/Mashup game.


Alex provided some insight into the mixtape. "Nightlife in the Northwoods is a compilation of 15 Basic Physics mashups. When we went to the drawing board to create this mixtape, the first thing we laid down was that this was going to be about quality. We are not a mashup group that releases tracks just for the name behind it. We wanted to produce a mixtape that kept the listener into it 100% of the way, that flows from start to finish. Eric and myself have so many influences, including the production quality of Xaphoon Jones, the addicting sound of Wolfgang Gartner or Afrojack, the brilliance of Daft Punk, and the creativity of artists like Pretty Lights, Ellie Goulding, and Lupe Fiasco. Having the ability to make a mashup is one thing, but making it memorable and something worth listening to is our main goal. What started as a passion for music has become something that we are pursuing. We are going to continue to produce mashups, but we also plan on diving into other projects including an original EP and producing for various artists. This mixtape is something that we hope will elevate our ability to achieve the things we want to do and the music we want to produce."


Starry Eyed E.T. (Katy Perry // Ellie Goulding // Lil Wayne) by Basic Physics


Visit BASIC PHYSICS FACEBOOK TO DOWNLOAD "NIGHTLIFE IN THE NORTHWOODS"