Tragically Hip

::   U  N  H  A  P  P  Y     H  I  P  S  T  E  R  S   ::

She reconsidered the eight story drop to the street

{ Photo: Hertha Humaus, Dwell, March 2004 }

Okay, I admit it: I'm a fairly happy-go-lucky-gal for the most part. Yet I do have my fair share of gloom and doom songs which to my chagrin, don't make for the most engaging blog fodder. So I was pretty elated when Unhappy Hipsters (UH) became a darling of the internet a few weeks ago.

Unhappy Hipsters is a lovely site that pokes beautiful photographic fun at the bobo* lifestyle for the 30-something generation. (a term I learned while working on Land Rover's brand strategy, fittingly enough)

*bobo (adj.): A fairly affluent or educated person who repudiates, denies, or rejects the background from which he or she comes and embraces that of another, most likely lower or less educated, socio-economic one so as to not appear snobbish. Bobos, from the French term “bourgeois bohémien” often graduate from private schools, live in hip, but somewhat sketchy neighborhoods, marry an ethnic or ‘other’ to upset their parents, or espouse unconventional food or cultural traditions to prove that they are above their bourgeois upbringing. As soon as the going gets tough, however, their breeding will show, and they will watch your napkin placement and use at the dinner table.

Serendipitously, UH became a muse to which I've paired some of my fave melancholy tunes that are more tongue + cheek vs. slit your wrists. Essentially, this post is really me being "down". I realize the irony. Enjoy, despite the conundrum. ;) ~Joy

St. Vincent's Marrow
I saw St. Vincent this past winter when she opened for Andrew Bird. Annie Clark is electric in concert (which is why I'm posting a video vs the mp3.) She is waif-esque in appearance yet she writes these gut wrenching tunes that are rich in guitar distortion. This tune in particular embodies the ying/yang nature of Unhappy Hipsters.

Kiss With a Fist
Florence + The Machine 
Love this tune. It's catchy, campy...but give the lyrics a good listen: one hell of a lover's spat, eh?

Gravity
Nico Vega
Heard this on my morning drive w/this blog post in mind and, "Over time you can kill me, But I'll resurrect so...NANANANANANA" caught my attention immediately.

Casual Goodbye

Bear in Heaven
This band was a find off Seattle's KEXP's weekly download. Dreamy tune w/an ever so slight bitter tone--a wonderful, delicate balance.

Little Lion Man
Mumford + Sons
Mark my words (and essentially every other music blogger's) these guys are going to be huge. Their sound is so robust. The songwriting is superb. If you don't like it out of the gate, stay at least until 1:10 mark. It gets wonderfully layered from there on out. There is a clean version to this song, but the explicit one I'm posting here is essential to get the angst that fits this blog post in particular. Enjoy it fully.

Pursuit of Happiness (Kid CuDi Cover)
Barbara
Kid CuDi is all the rage now yet I feel this version by LA fusion band Barbara is incredibly smooth and reigns supreme over the original. Sorry, Kid.

Gotta Cheer Up
Cotton Jones
This tune could easily be the soundtrack for ANY of the images posted on Unhappy Hipster. Def take a moment to check out the site-the image captions have a Larry David nature to them. Brilliant.

Misfit
Elefant
I've been wanting to feature this song in a blog post for quite a while. Just love the downtrodden lyrics against the melody. My fave part of the song however is when he sings, "C'mon" at the 2:28 point which kicks off the instrumental. Just. Dig. It.

Bow Down and Die

The Almighty Defenders
The quasi-shouting effect in this tune is was grabs and pulls me in. And keeps me there for 4:04 gritty minutes. 

Virginia, Don't Drown
Chin Up Chin Up
This tune was a toss up w/Pinback's Penelope, but then I realized I posted Penelope in my Poster Child post from March '09. Frankly, I'm not precisely sure what these lyrics are even after reading them...love that confusion. Ha!

Sooner or Later (HeartMe! remix)
Zaza
And I REALLY don't know that Zaza is saying/singing in this song but that it warrants belonging to this post as the vibe is so choice. That, and I wanted to end this post on a tune that will linger with you.

Fashionably Late

::   V  O  G  U  E    M  A  G  A  Z  I  N  E   ::

October 1935 + May 1935 Covers, respectively

Happy Twenty Ten, All! Hope your holidays were fab. Mine were especially wunderbar under 75 degrees of goodness in Fort Lauderdale. In fact, the flight to an fro CMH to FLL gave me some overdue time in my iTunes Library. I spent most of Nov/Dec discovering/listening to new artists, or established artists' lesser known tracks. All good. However, the holidays always make me sentimental thus I found myself gravitating to my older songs as the new year approached. Older songs, but still relevant in their sound and lyrics, for this new year.

As this playlist was formulating in my mind, it wasn't yet aligned to a given design inspiration. I prefer organic inspiration of theme + tunes for my blog (which hopefully explains my erratic blog schedule.)  The obvious common thread twix these artists were that they were all male. I wasn't able to make a relevant design connection. Then, this week I came across CoverBrowser.com and VintageAdBrowser.com and was smitten when the tie to this playlist struck me: Fashion. That is what these artists and their tunes exude: fashion- and design-forwardness in the haze of the mid '80s through early '90s. The sounds are highly stylized, unique and confident. These bands were trendsetters not imitators in the new era of music videos.

These particular Vogue Covers above appealed to me for their simplicity and sophistication and gave me pause as to how the publication and its covers have transcended time. Bravo Vogue. In a time when many magazines are folding, you remain true and strong to your essence.

Thus true to my nature, I am going against the glut of the blogs out there touting new music for the new year and joyously kicking off my first 2010 post with some relatively old artists and tracks that could very well be new to your ears and heart. Proof that all that glitters does not fade away. 

Chez les Yé-Yé's (Minimatic Remix)
Serge Gainsbourg
I couldn't kick of a fashion-centric post w/o a nod to the French. Monsieur Gainsbourg is the provocative embodiment of french fashion + lifestyle: cool and sexy. Oooo-la-la.

:: The Talking Heads 

David Bryne is a visual mastermind. The wafer thin man in the big suits understood the theatrics behind music concerts, recognized it was unexpected, and then overdelivered to cement The Talking Heads as everyone's favorite eclectic band. I recall the first time watching Stop Making Sense. I owned the CD. Liked it well enough. But watching the DVD brought about an entirely different revere I had for David Bryne and The Talking Heads. First and foremost was the typographic treatment of the title credits created by Pablo Ferro. They were visually arresting and immediately set the tone for the rest of the visual experience ahead. Stop and hit Amazon right now if you don't own this DVD. I emplore you.

Psycho Killer
Barren stage, Sperry Top-siders, boom box at the ready. A classic case of "less is more." My mantra for the new year. Brilliant.
This Must be the Place (Naive Melody)
Bar none, my fave Talking Heads tune. End of discussion. 
Strange Overtones
David Byrne + Brian Eno
Two masterminds. Not much else needs to be said.

:: The Blue Nile

The Blue Nile have been a mainstay in my weekly listening since my days at Wittenberg. They play on my senses w/their aloof tones and dreamy ambient beats: "soulful songs of urban melancholy." 

Stay
This song was my first exposure to the band. And fan to the end since. 
A Walk Across The Rooftops
I've never been to London, but this is were my mind wanders when I listen to this song. Donning a trench coat, of course. Love the lyrics: "I am in love. I am in love with you..." 
Downtown Lights
From the critically acclaimed Hats LP. I agree with Stylus Magazine, "Monumental is one word to describe the second track, “The Downtown Lights”. It glistens and sparkles, as it utilizes all the 80s synth touches people seem to be ashamed of, with a dreamy sense of awe and beauty." 
Tomorrow Morning
I live for the end of this song where Paul Buchanan croons, "Come on, Girl" and the singular hand clap soon thereafter. Don't ask me why.

:: Roxy Music 

Sex. Fashion. Music. Enter Bryan Ferry, frontman for Roxy Music. Roxy was in a class their own with Ferry's vocals paired with Brian Eno's trademark keyboard and synth arrangements. If Ferry seems effeminate to you, watch Live At the Apollo. While he's high glam, you'll see he's all man.

Love is The Drug
I love the sfx of the foot steps and the car starting, James Dean style. 
The Space Between
From their most commercial LP, Avalon. Great any time, day or night.

Same Old Scene (Glimmers Remix)
A hit w/Warhol, Bianca + Crew at Studio 54 in the early 80s. No doubt.

:: The Style Council

 Dear Style Council, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. All these tunes are from their 1984 LP Café Bleu which captures their breadth perfectly. 

Mick's Blessings
This song is so me: hand-clapping, a tambourine (!!) and piano (note: will try to learn to play in '10)
Paris Match
I get lost in Tracey Thorn's vocals. Just pour a decadent french red and off you go. Ah, vive la France.
The Whole Point of No Return
Paul Weller, I am forever a fan. "From good stock and the best breeding..." 
Council Meetin'
This last track on Café Bleu is simply a feel good tune to send you on your way.


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Out of all those kinds of people
You got a face with a view
I'm just an animal looking for a home
Share the same space for a minute or two
And you'll love me 'til my heart stops
Love me 'til I'm dead
Eyes that light up, eyes look through you
Cover up the blank spots
Hit me on the head
~ This Must be the Place (Naive Melody) 
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valslist Avatar Mashup

:: A V A T A R  by  J A M E S  C A M E R O N ::

(I'm on a roll here w/mashups... second post in a row. Who knew?!)

So proud of my business partner, Val Haller, for her YouTube mashup posted a week ago which now has +1,300 views.

While video mashups aren't Val's focal point, call it serendipitous inspiration that moved her to create this video. As she poignantly states on, www.valslist.com:

"I saw AVATAR 3-D over Christmas break and to say I was moved is an understatement. Producer, James Cameron is brilliant and this theatrical creation is a masterpiece on many levels. A must-see.

While the emphasis on fight scenes in the movie trailer might cause some to dismiss it as another shoot 'em-up, the movie's overall message about the interconnectedness of nature, and the moving relationship between protagonist Jake Sully and his Navi tribal love, beautiful Neytiri, reveals the depth of the story and the breadth of Cameron’s imagination.

The day before I saw Avatar I had just been introduced to a young new singer-songwriter, Zach Heckendorf (age 16) whose tracks were continuously running through my head. All the way home from the theater I kept thinking that one of his songs, “One of Them” could literally be the soundtrack to this movie. It’s uncanny how closely Zach's lyrics track to the film’s story line – so much so that I felt compelled to share it. So we created a mash up interpretation, combining Avatar video and Heckendorf's song.

Bonus Points: Download "One of Them" mp3 for free at www.valslist.com. To hear more of Zach Heckendorf's music, visit his mySpace. And lastly, while you're getting your social networking groove on, become a Facebook Fan of valslist. Tell her I sent you. ;)  Cheers! ~ Joy

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Monster Mash(up)

::   S  P  U  D    L  O  V  E   ::

Okay, I am keeping this post light and breezy. I stumbled upon some killer mashups (a craft that I am just beginning to learn about) and wanted to pass them along in the spirit of Thanksgiving. They're clever + whimsical and will linger w/you for a while, I guarantee. So please enjoy (and post your any feedback and other mashup resources care to share.)

Have a fab Thanksgiving! ~ Joy

djBC creations:

Gimme The Nightclub
50 Cent + George Benson. This is the most tight mashup in this offering. I've always loved In Da Club because I am a shorty. ;) And the injection of George Benson's Gimme the Night is sweet.

Bossa Confusion

New Order meets Bossa Nova. In this case Confusion + Elis Regina. Divine.

Promiscuous All Night
I've always loved Nelly Furtado/Timbaland's Promiscuous. Throw in a lil Beyonce/Jay-Z (not too much) w/some old school dancehall reagge. Yummy.

Snoop's Nu Shooz
I've a weakness for Snoop. I can't explain it. I just like him (along w/KidRock...) so this mashup really pulled me in, as back the day I la-la-loved this Nu Shooz tune.

Summer In The City
ANY tune that successfully works in "She put de lime in de coconut and called de doctor, woke 'im up." is alright by me.

PartyBen Creations

Pump Up the Doorbell
I chose this tune during my CD101 Guest DJ stint last summer. Great energy via White Stripes + MARRS's Pump Up the Volume

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Fall Moon

::  T H E  B L U E   M O O N   A R T   P R O J E C T   ::

( Moondance by Dan Gerdeman + Under a Blue Moon by Angela Lichi )

Blue Moon Beer. Fall beverage goodness. With citrus fruit, even better. And a brewery which supports art? Holy Hey Joy jackpot, I say! :) The Blue Moon Art Project was developed to extend the brand's passion for art beyond the brew kettle and connect with the local art communities in Philly, Chicago, Columbus, and Boston. The submissions were impressive. I encourage you to take a look. And proof if ever that these guys take this Belgian-style witbier seriously artistically.

Alas, this post is a celebration of fall + fall-inspired activities. And most certainly an homage to the amazing full moon seen in CMH this week– just glorious! The 16 tunes (is that too many?!) below are a potpourri of indie/jazz/electronica/big-band treats designed to bring the ideas in this post full circle. Love when that happens! As always, thank you for reading all this! Salut~ Joy

:: Howling like a Wolf

These two tunes I've had in my library forever. I think I've stated before-I must have a subliminal affinity towards tunes that have 'wolf' in the name/band/lp title. Ha! Here are two of the best in my offering:

Wolf Like Me
TV on The Radio
Love these lyrics. Werewolf to the hilt, Baby.

You're a Wolf
Sea Wolf
Love love love the enunciation on, "Cut to the ocean"...

:: Boo!

Yah, I hear ya, Halloween was last week. But my blog, my rules. :) Enjoy these devilish delights.

Seven Steps to Satan
Luna
I swear, I could post a Luna tune every blog post. This one is particularly lush in the melody and lyrics: "Seven vodkas to the wind / Seven ways from sundown / Seventh heaven seventh veil / I was only joking". Sigh.

Blood Bank
Bon Iver
This song gave me chills when I saw them this past Lollapalooza. So haunting. And so worth it standing in the rain for the performance: "And I said I know it well / That secret that we know / That we don't know how to tell / I'm in love with your honor / I'm in love with your cheeks..."

Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Kaiser Chiefs
This tune made this playlist as EVERY time I hear the laugh in the background at the :30 mark, it reminds me of Count Von Count (One, muhhaah... Two, muhahhah...) which is even more fitting in light of Sesame Street's 40th Anniversary. Google did a fab job w/the custom mastheads too.

:: Fall With Me

Autumn Sweater
Yo La Tengo
Much like Luna, I've forever share YLT tunes w/you guys. Their range is just ridiculously diverse. I love the shy yet flirty context of the lyrics. And the gentle tambourine throughout. 

Fall Bicycle (The Album Leaf Remix)
Lymbyc Systym
I started listening to The Album Leaf years ago. Then I was on a shoot in '07 in San Deigo w/photographer, Bil Zelman. His iPod started playing TAL and he was surprised I named the band as he had just finished shooting their launch promotional materials. Kismet. :)

Carry Me Ohio
Sun Kil Moon
I'm forever the romantic: this is such a great love song.

Come On Over (Turn Me On)
Isobel Campbell + Mark Lanegan
I know I am in the minority but, I am not a Belle + Sebastian fan (sorry Vince!). However, when Isobel is paired with Mark Lanegan (Sunday at Dirt Devil LP) it's a whole different story. Their combined talents are mezmerizing.

Time Won't Let Me Go
The Bravery.
From The Sun And The Moon LP. "Whenever I look back on the best days of my life..."

:: Under the Milky Way

Florida
Starfucker
"You had a hand and it was loneliness. And all I wanted was you, oh, you..." Note the narrative that endulates in and out of this tune to the bitter end. Nice touch.

Fade Into You
Mazzy Star
I try to not post obvious tunes, but when they are just this good, I allow it. This song was released in 1993. Timeless.

Moon and Sand
Kenny Burrell
My jazz collection is huge. As such I want/need to start peppering my posts w/more of it. Here's a fab start. Take it away, Kenny.

Old Devil Moon
Frank Sinatra
Ah, Frank, you old devil... Cocktails anyone?

:: Moon Rocks

Metal Heart
Cat Power
I am bending my rules here again. This tune is in this post b/c it's from the "Moon Pix" LP which aligns w/moon theme I've got goin' on here. Granted, a stretch... But it IS a killer tune and this version is the best of them all. Dripping w/angst and guitars and Chan Marshall.

Star Guitar (featuring Au Revoir Simone)
Shinichi Osawa
This song captures the essence of taking a star-lit walk on a brisk night.

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Can't count to
All the lovers I've burned through
So why do I still burn for you
I cannot say

Sorry that
I could never love you back
I could never care enough
In these last days

Heal her soul
Carry her my angel
Ohio

~ Carry Me Ohio by Sun Kil Moon
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Living Vi-CARY-iously

:: R O C K + R O L L S I G N A T U R E C O L L E C T I O N ::

Cary Whitt's autographed Yeah Yeah Yeah's "It's a Blitz" LP

I admit it: I've been a lazy blogger this summer. But for good reason: I've been out catching a lot of live music. Yay! Between Lollapalooza '09 and CD101's Summerfest, I've seen A LOT of great live music. (On my fall hit list: Ra Ra Riot, STS9, Passion Pit, Wilco, + Stone Temple Pilots to name a few...) And while I am still basking in the afterglow of the summer's bounty, simulatneously I am ruminating on few shows I've missed over the years.

Enter my good friend, amazing designer, gifted photographer and music aficionado, Cary Whitt. He's seen more shows already than I will in my lifetime, I'm fairly sure. A strong distinction between Cary and my verve for live music is his fortitude to take it one step further: he gets autographs. That painstaking craft of waiting and waiting for the elusive moment a rock star will give their John Hancock. Thus I'm living vicariously through his good fortunes by pairing autographed LPs from his Flickr collection of artists/shows he's seen— which I've either missed fully or are on my future radar— to tunes I love.

Enjoy. And long live rock + roll~ Joy

Well I Wonder
Morrissey
Of all the music I listen to and have fallen in love with in my lifetime, The Smiths is one of my Top 5 Bands. Morrissey and Johnny Marr made magic in the '90s. I love this tune and it's perfect for my theme as I do wonder what it would have been like to see them live. Sigh...

Do It Clean
Echo + The Bunneymen
Okay, I did see Echo + the Bunnymen play live in Pittsburgh circa '91, but they did not play this song. I was in denial. They played 2 enchores and I was like, "wait for it.... wait for it...." then boom, auditorium lights on. Total "You don't have to go home, but you can't stay here, Folks" deelio. Boooo.

Cut Your Hair
Pavement
I became a huge fan of these "indie rock trailblazers" far too late. My loss, without question. I love this song and serendipitously, it's from the LP Cary had autographed. If you aren't familiar w/Pavement, do so now.

(Bonus: Pavement's version of Echo + the B-men's "Killing Moon" from my March "Vox Boxing" post.)

Love Like a Sunset
Phoenix
While I haven't seen them live, I can safely add, "yet" to the end of that sentence as Phoenix is hot, hot, hot right now. When I do see this produit au France play, I hope they play this mostly-instrumental tune. C'est magnafiqué.

Find My Baby
Moby
I have scoured the web trying to find the video for the American Express commercial featuring Tiger Woods and this Moby tune to post, but it doesn't seem to be anywhere. Which I find remarkable— as the 30 sec spot of Tiger hitting a lone golf ball in Manhattan juxtaposed to this haunting Moby tune was just that— remarkable. (Please send me a link if you find this vid!)

ps: I'm rather impressed that Moby took the time to sketch his Little Idiot vs merely a quick sig, Cary.

Over and Over
Hot Chip
Hot damn does Hot Chip produce some catchy cool tunage or what? I hope to see Hot Chip in the near future and I def hope they play this song. I love the repeated spelling in the lyrics which surely is a crowd fave when played live:
k-i-s-s-i-n-g
s-e-x-i-n-g
c-a-s-i-o
p-o-k-e
y-o-u
m-e
i

Passing By
Zero 7
Just a mellow dandy of a tune from Zero 7. Not sure if this is in their live repertoire or not, but if I get the chance to see them live, I will keep my fingers crossed.

Flathead
Fratellis
My self-profesesd love for jumping (vs actually dancing...) would be in full force upon hearing this song live. Me, and every other Fratellis fan, that is. Fun stuff. ;)

Hey
Pixies
Get out: "Cary, Hi. Kim Deal". Bragging rights for sure, CW! And Happy 20th "Doolittle" Anniversary, Pixies (although I wish you were coming closer to CMH than your 11/20 show at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago.)

"Hey" is a fab tune. Raw lyrics and riffs. Pure Frank Black and Kim Deal.

(Bonus: La La Love You from last November's "Heavy Metal" post.)

Woman
Wolfmother
Ending on a high note here with this full blown rock anthem for the Ladies. I am sure this song gets the crowd in an uber frenzy— air guitars a wailin'. lol Stay tuned...

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All the promises I gave you
Helped me to survive
And all the times I wished you'd save me
You were the love of my life

~ passing by
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Holla for Lolla >> Hooray for the Underdogs

::   L O L L A P A L O O Z A   B Y    D A Y   ::

photo courtesy of doucebagface.com (no joke)

Lollapalooza is next weekend!! The 3-day music festival in Chicago's Grant Park has become an annual voyage for me — 4th year running, in fact (all thanks to my ever gracious hostess + festival partner in crime, Newman!)

What I relish most about Lolla aren't the headliners (although Radiohead last year was truly an out of body experience for me) but the energy the lesser-known bands create. Their enthusiasm is electrifying as for most of these bands, Lolla is a make-or-break deal. I mean just a few years ago, Kings of Leon, were the new kids on the block (forgive the pun) and now look at their chart success. Need further evidence? KOL's set is up against Depeche Mode Friday night. That's a lot of progress in one year. And last year, Vampire Weekend played mid-day to small crowds. This year they garner the top billing at GALApalooza (the eve before Lolla fundraising extravaganza benefiting The Parkways Foundation)

There are enormous expectations of the headliners, and beautifully, they always deliver. But man, when the newer/greener bands come on stage w/a verve for their craft, it lingers. I love reading the pubs/blogs days after Lolla where, "Daft Punk was amazing... but I still can't get MGMT's set off my mind" gets posted. Bingo, Daddy-O.

THAT is what makes Lolla special for me: to say, I was there-I was part of something much larger. Dare I say, 'history in the making'? Perhaps. And for me, being a part of music IS important. It makes me feel connected in a way that my other creative outlets do not. Best yet, being a part of music is timeless. My Mom's hospice nurse told me our sense of hearing is the last sense to leave us. Evidence music is ever lasting in our minds + hearts.

This year's Lolla is chock full of added fun: I've got my iPhone loaded w/my Lolla App. I will be attending the Blind Pilot/Ezra Furman Aftershow Sat. eve at the House of Blues, courtesy of the fantastic Val Haller of Valslist. And I just received notice that I've been selected to be an "Official LP33.tv Fan Correspondent at Lollapalooza". I don't know the deets but it's going to put a wildly fun and unanticipated lens on my Lolla experience. Surely all good blog fodder. Stay tuned.

Lastly, if you can't make it to Lolla this year, help yourself to their generous FREE 15 Song iTunes Download. You will discover some new music and get a glimpse of what next year's music landscape sound like.

So, I see I've said too much. I meant to be brief... ehgads. ;) Thus, I bid you adieu w/some of my fave Lolla Underdogs: past + present. My best~ Joy

The Underdog
Spoon Lolla Saturday 2007
A fitting kickoff to this playlist is by Spoon, of Lolla '07 fame.

Get Yo Shit
Black Joe Lewis + the Honeybears (playing Friday 1pm)
I have high hopes for Black Joe + his crew. This song just rocks, and the lyrics are so raw, so pure. Can't wait to see them to see if they are real deal or not.

Blindsided
Bon Iver (playing Friday 3pm)
I posted this tune in my Ode to Oliver post back in November. A haunting tune. Looking forward to hearing it live.

The Story I Heard
Blind Pilot (playing Saturday 4:15pm)
If you follow me on Twitter, or are a Facebook bud of mine, you've read my threads touting Blind Pilot, as well encouraging everyone to come out to the House of Blues Sat night to catch them w/Ezra Furman + The Harpoons for an official Lolla Aftershow sponsored by valslist.com. (And while you're at it, please become a fan of valslist.com on Facebook!)

Tell Me in the Morning
Cold War Kids (playing Sunday 5:30pm)
Oh man, Newman + I caught CWK last year and lead singer, Nathan Willett, got everyone in a frenzy. Looking forward to see what their sophmore appearance will entail.

Cage the Elephant (playing Sunday 2:15pm)
"Ain't No Rest for the Wicked" was featured in my June Urban Daddy post, so thought you'd enjoy this Wicked Devil Reggae Remix version. This band will surely be a huge draw!



Jump in the Pool
Friendly Fires (playing Sunday 12:30pm)
This past May, I had the amazing experience to be a Guest DJ for CD101. One hour of me on air, w/the divine Ms. Lesley James, and the tunes of my choice. It was an adrenliene rush like no other! Of the tunes I selected to play, I chose this Friendly Fires song knowing Lesley would dig it. Just a fun, high energy song.

Sugar Cinnamon
Portugal. The Man (playing Sunday 1:30pm)
I've loved this song for a long time (part of my "Rest in Peace, Chef" post last August) despite still having NO clue what the song is about. ;) But, it def has an inherent 'festival' vibe to it which should make for a deelish set.

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I know I can't slow down,
I can't hold back,
Though you know, I wish I could.
No there ain't no rest for the wicked,
Until we close our eyes for good.

- ain't no rest for the wicked

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Urban Cowboy

 

 

:: U R B A N  D A D D Y  D O T  C O M ::

Giddy up, and then some.

As an Art Director, I feel the creative team for UrbanDaddy.com must have received a crystal clear creative brief: create demand for geo-specific products + services via uber provacative photography and whip-smart copy that appeals to time-starved, libido-influenced males. Bingo was this web site's name-o. Did they hit their mark? Oh Daddy, yes.

Better, I love UrbanDaddy as a consumer, despite not being their target demo. But damn, their over-the-top sexist site delivers with its content + approach regarding lifestyle offerings for the largest markets: NYC, LA, Chicago, Miami, and across the pond; yet w/smart nods to the fairer species.

Opt into your fave locales and receive city-specific eNewsletters that quickly become must reads vs must deletes. Also, download the newly launched UrbanDaddy iPhone app (deemed the "iPhone App You've been Craving") so you and your guy are good to go in any tony city your travels take you.


When I started to compile this playlist, I naturally gravitated towards some tried and true urban songs, and was happy to leave it at that until I played Snoop Dogg's My Medicine (link launches YouTube vid) in my library. It gave me pause. Much like jazz, country licks can be found at the root of many urban and current day indie + electronica tunes. So I challenged myself to post tunes that meet both the urban and cowboy criteria and man did I unearth some fab tunes: current, relevant, urban and edgy and all laced with country music. Yeehaw Dawg, or Beeotch, whichever fits your bad self. Enjoy. ;)

California Love
2Pac featuring Dr. Dre   (iTunes)
You may not know this, but I lived in Southern California from '99-04. (Okay, I hope you are laughing as when do I NOT mention I did time in So Cal...grin) But, those years effected me on myriad levels and this urban gang bang sound didn't elude me. I love this song as it brings back driving up the 405 to LA amidst the masses. Just felt right to kick off this playlist w/Dre + 2Pac (may he rest in peace) as it's the full monty: Urban AND Cowboy.

Ain't no rest for the Wicked
Cage The Elephant   (iTunes)
My Lollapalooza tix are coming next week. (They were to arrive in April. Whoops says Lolla.) But I am not complaining as I was one of the miniscule few who snagged the $60 3-day tickets. In fact, fermé ma bouche.

My point, all the big acts will be amazing and better, the lesser known bands are the diamonds in rough. I have high hopes for Cage the Elephant. And as you can see: they are as fresh as fresh can be, and are laying down some very country-esque sounds. So, stay tuned as we surely have not heard the last from them.

Talk of Indolence
The Avett Brothers   (iTunes)
I love this song. Just reaps of madness in its quasi rap-style account of one damn good time in New York amid a splendor of banjos. That, and I just plain love the chuckle at the very beginning.

Medicine Show
Big Audio Dynamite  (iTunes)
Here's a bit o urban cowboy served up UK punk style. Big Audio Dynamite is a late 80s band fronted by Mick Jones, the ex-guitarist + singer of The Clash. I appreciate this song as it's a 6:33 minute journey where we meet characters, hecklers, and hear the tried and true old western whistle amidst a bevvy of other sound effects. Rather epic for B.A.D., yet very good. 

Knock 'Em Out
Lilly Allen   (iTunes)
So where BAD left off, enter one Lilly Allen. She, without question, is our modern day Mae West. Can't you just see her swaggering through saloon doors with the opening piano melody? I can. So, suspend reality and simply replace "saloon" with each mention of "pub" in the song. It works, trust me. ;)

Don't Tell Me
Madonna   (iTunes)
Sure, this entire LP was cowboy inspired, but this song in particular shines as it's pure Madonna via the dramatic lyrics with a relevant, danceable groove and lush country undertones. Kudos, Madge, Lisa Douglas would be proud.

Knives Fighting Guns
Tommy Guerrero   (iTunes)
Man on man, what a find this artist is: much like designing + music go hand and hand, so does skateboarding and tunage. Tommy Guerrero is a skateboard legend hailing from team Bones Brigade circa 1985, as well as an accomplished musician (similar to Jack Johnson w/surfing + music, perhaps...) It's clear he's has a great ear for rhythm and the country tempo is ever present in this tune. Tommy G = me-likey.

Enjoy the Wait
Morcheeba   (iTunes)
For a 67 second song, this packs a whollup o twang. For this song to come from Morcheeba, who's reputation is uber trip hop + electronica, it's all the more 67 secs o' deelish.

Enjoy the Ride
Morcheeba   (iTunes)
I love Skye Edwards with Morcheeba, but Judy Tzuke breathes such a different life into this song as lead vocalist. Britt + Lisa: if you read this, know it's an hommage to you, your family, and your faith. 

6 Underground
Sneaker Pimps   (iTunes)
Agreed: this tune might be a stretch in this category. BUT, Sneaker Pimps tunes are very electronica yet this tune has an earthy vibe that feels country at its core. Sorry, my blog, my rules. Basically, I love the attitude and love the overlay of the acoustic guitars (starting at 1:20 secs). I hope you do as well.

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With the moonlight to guide you
Feel the joy of being alive
The day that you stop running
Is the day that you arrive

~ enjoy the ride

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Cinco De Joy-O!

 

 ::  M I A M I   T H R O U G H   T H E   L E N S   O F   J A I M E  S A N T I L L A N   ::

This blog post has me fairly smitten as the elements came together so incredibly effortlessly. I've had this playlist theme for a while, but not until I was reviewing a photography portfolio of a close friend's did it all click. Yesterday, in fact.

The photographer is Jaime Santillán of Jamie Santillán Photography. The images above were taken a few weeks ago in Miami on assignment for Think Brand (more great friends of mine. It's good to be an F.O.J. Friend of Joy. Ha!) I love these shots in particular as they capture the colors and lifestyle of the Little Havana vibe so wonderfully. Please check out his entire portfolio-wonderfully diverse. Thank you, Jaime!

Enjoy this playlist: a fab latin-infused jazz explosion of sorts with succulent doses of tango, mambo, salsa + bossa nova. I had 30 songs in my original list but trimmed it down to these 16-which was damn near impossible. And you'll see I am not providing any commentary, per my usual posts. None needed in this case. Crazy madness. I love it so. How could you not–just look at the uplifting titles?!

This playlist is perfect for BBQ, beers, margaritas, or just chillaxin'. So however you choose to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, celebrate well. Here's how I'll be celebrating mine:

Cinco de Mayo + Jamie's images + Hey Joy playlist = Cinco de Joy-O

Latazz
Funky Lowlives   (iTunes)

Soul Bossa Nova/N.A.S.A. Remix
Quincy Jones   (iTunes)

Le Spinner
Isabelle Antena   (iTunes)

Lilly
Pink Martini   (iTunes)

Sun Is Shining
Trippy Nova   (iTunes)

Feeling Good
The Quantic Soul Orchestra   (web site)

Nota Bossa
The Funky Lowlives

Latina Asscape
Brownout   (iTunes)

Pandajero
Cantoma    (iTunes)

Fela Brasil/Main Mix
Raw Artistic Soul   (iTunes)

So Tinha Que Ser Com Voce
Cosmonautics

This Is Not A Tango
The Juju Orchestra   (iTunes)

Luna Roja/Soul Mix
Soda Stereo   (iTunes)

O Caminho do Bem
Tim Maia

Tabu
Gustavo Cerati   (iTunes)

Tamacun
Rodrigo y Gabriela   (iTunes)

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One day she passed him by
A twinkle in her eye
He said " she was meant for me!"
But when he turned around
He lost what he had found
Oh where can his Lilly be?

- lilly

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Ghost in the Machine

 ::  A   B I L   Z E L M A N  O B S E R V A T I O N  ::

(Hahahahaha! Caught you off guard w/that one, didn't I?! The shot above is brilliant. And shot by a damn hilarious and out-of-this-world talented photographer, Bil Zelman of Zelman Studios in San Diego. He used to have a section on his site titled, "Hate Mail". Great dose of self-deprication.)

So, okay, no I don't hate blogs, but I strongly dislike Boxstr.com right now. They are the file storing service which been down for almost a WEEK thus rendering my yahoo player silent...BOOO. The fact that I chose them is NOT the point here, people.

Moving along... in light of this temporary set back (while I'm off choosing another service provider and relink my tunes for your listening pleasure) I'm gonna keep this post short and sweet with these audio visual substitutes.

I hope to be back up and running soon. Peace- Joy





Ankle Injuries by Fujiya & Miyagi    (iTunes)
This light and campy tune oddly conjurs up the scene in Stephen King's Misery when Kathy Bates just whacks the hell out of James Cann's. She's one intense mamma-jamma.




In the, "Man, Bjork IS unusual, huh?" category, here's our Icelandic Sweetie  discussing her love for her TV. I do love her analogy of the circuit boards/fuse/wires resembling a city. Oh, and her metallic colored tights. Nice touch. Trés Bjork.