Svenskarna är awesome

I joked about being Death from The Seventh Seal for halloween this year, but I think I'm really going do it.

The plan:

be pale 

be bald and no eyebrows

black robe

speak swedish 

a chess set with me so people can play with me-if you lose, you die.

then the dance of death.

I think it's a great idea, I'll just work on the swedish part.

Cinematically this film kills me (ha!)

It's a perfect day for feeling melancholy

I made a small mix for days like these:

1. The Airfields-Never See You Smile

2. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Come Saturday

3. Jens Lekman-A Higher Power

4. Pipas-Wells Street

5. Cocteau Twins-Pearly Drewdrops' Drops

6. Swirlies-Sarah Sitting

7. Mahogany-My Bed is My Castle

8. The Raveonettes- Sad Transmission

9. Yo La Tengo-Magnet

Seeing comes before words

The last few days have been pretty strange for me. It's to the point where I feel that I'm no longer in this planet. These disillusions I've been having has a root and it's cause by my own being. Most of the time people want to blame everyone and everything, but I know better.

Out of no where all these strangers have been talking to me lately (again-this used to happen a lot to me). I want to ignore them, but they just keep talking (or they curse at me-which happened to me today). There's something about me that attracts strange people to have a conversation with me. It's sorta like Psychic Kids: Children of the Paranormal, except
1. I'm not a kid
2. I'm not psychic (okay maybe slightly)
3. These strangers aren't paranormal, but sometimes they are.

This one guy yesterday whom I made the mistake of making eye contact with was telling me how he's seen me around, but was intimidated by me. This isn't first time someone I barely know has told me that. Apparently I appear to have a "fuck you asshole" look to me, but these people still approach me. I've had guys telling me how they want to "make art" with me, or young ladies on the verge of an anxiety attacks randomly picking me to talk to because they need advice.
I've been trying to examine myself unsuccessfully on what is it about my appearance that makes people want to talk to me, and it hits me-culture has the same appeal to me. Something so unusual and interesting can capture my undivided attention. I want to understand it so I try it out. Perhaps the people who approach me find something in interest with me. A lot of these people are normal looking people whom want to talk my ear off or what to know everything about me.

Appearance is everything.

Sympathy For The Devil: Art and Rock and Roll Since 1967::Hail Satan

The current exhibition in the Museum of Contemporary Art at North Miami is pretty rockin'. It was curated by Dominic Molon -whom lectured at FAU in 2002, but sadly I was still in high school and didn't care much for art. Research well done when being a slave for the Sculpture Arts Society at FAU. I would love to hear a lecture from him about this exhibition. After I'm done with this post I will use the google search engines to see if there's any good interviews and or what so not.

It's been a while since I got overly excited about certain artists being in one group show together. 

First off-Pipilotti Rist's I'm Not The Girl That Doesn't Misses Much

I've seen this video on youtube before, but it's always exciting to see it in an exhibition. Unless it was an exhibition of youtube videos. Anyways the video is quite hypnotic with Rist in a frenzy singing the first lyric to Happiness is a Warm Gun, but changing the pronoun she to I'm. For some reason that I still can't figure out why I can relate a lot to this video, and I think the reason that I don't know why makes me love it even more.

Second off-Christian Marclay's installation of records on the floor.

Badass. I think I had the biggest smile jumping over the records and saying "I'm stepping on art!" The perspective made it fun, but I would love to see a huge room with an overwhelming amount of records. As my Sculpture professor would say "Turn up the volume!"

Third off-Rirkirt Tiravanija's Untitled 1996 (Rehearsal Studio NO. 6 Silent Version) 

The first thing you notice when coming into the MOCA is this plexiglas room in the middle of the floor. Instruments, mics, headphones and recording equipment. inside and a headphones outside. Being the type of person who obsesses over any active art pieces I put the headphones on, but I only heard static. Richard did the same and we just figured it was a conceptual piece. On our way to almost leaving the junior docent asked us if we play any instruments, because this piece is meant for the "viewers" to participate in making music. The music is recorded on tape (Tiravanija has tapes since 96)  and voila art! Junior docent asked us if we wanted to try it out. He took the drum kit, Richard guitar and me bass (duh-I'm a lady). Twas fun! Even an older lady put on the headphones to listen to us jam.

Apparently you're suppose to do this whole appointment to do an hour session, and come with your own tape (because you get keep one). Thanks junior docent kid.

There were more that I would talk about, but those 3 were my favorite. I would've liked more sound installations and maybe everything being an 11 on the sound. Seriously. 

Go if you like music and art!

Holla at yo culture

Cat and Girl

Oh Grrrl don't you know that Project Runway is back on air and that is America's culture!?

We thrive on image being reproduced and sassy designers. Nothing else is that interesting to us. Food and music are now just a product of a really great ad. Right Kanye?

Myspace-Place for silly ads

Like my moms said today "Gente que inventar"

Be Kanye

This ad was in New Times and I got too excited and scanned it (just in case nobody believes me).

Well I went to the website because I wondered why the heck is Kanye this bizzare ad (it's an Absolut Vodka ad) and well if knows he's photoshop with white people in the site. And there I see it-a youtube ad:

Did not know he had a sense of humor.

If Walmart was human he will be eco-friendly

There goes your new logo for Walmart (that's right, it's no longer WAL-MART). When I first saw it I thought wow, aren't they trying to be eco-friendly. Design wise I think that message will get across, but I won't buy into it. I've only been in that place like 3 times in my life, and only once I bought something (blue zebra printed bed sheets). Though the logo is not as visually as strong as Target, but then again Target has that bold red that is very confrontational. I don't think a lot will change (profit wise) for Walmart. Most people will notice the difference of the logo, but if it's saving them a buck they don't care if it's eco-friendly or not. 

Here's an article about it. 

Indiepop ain't noise pollution

The second batch of singles from Happy Happy Birthday To Me Records 7" singles club finally came in today! Once I opened my package and saw that Tullycraft single staring at me I ran to my room to play it. The single is called On Tape and I thought wait that's a Pooh Sticks song. Leave it to namedropping music lovers Tullycraft to rewrite a song that has everything you want...on tape. 

Rewriting a song is tricky, but Tullycraft did it with grace and musical snobbery. The best part of Tullycraft's version is when GBV is mention and then they played the first few chords from I Am A Scientist. Tullycraft even rephotographed a Pooh Sticks photograph. 

The other side of the split is The Smittens covering My Boyfriend's Back, but it does not live up to the original or the rewritten On Tape. Though one of the splits-Andy From Denver (Marshmallow Coast/M Coast) and Red Pony Clock is amazing! Both sides are just lovely. I'm fan of Andy Gonzales so when I found out that M Coast was no more I was distraught. Andy From Denver is fizzed out electropop. Nice to groove to.

Which leads me to-Athens Popfest. There are a few bands I haven't seen perform before (Circulatory System!) but I'm not sure if I should go. I met up with a friend of mine a few days ago and we spoke about different popfests which got me amped. Also Bunnygrunt is letting their fans request songs for Athens Popfest and how so badly I want to see them play Favorite Food. Music is making me poor.

Empanada is the new cupcake

Current TV is one of those channels that is really good, but doesn't get enough credit (Link and Ovation TV has the same problem). But this video-Hipsters in Space could be the answer to their success.

It's no Hipster Olympics-AKA probably my favorite youtube video, but it will do.

3 things about America's Best Dance Crew

When America's Best Dance Crew Season 2: Live Auction first aired I almost made a post about it. It's better to wait I thought until there's someone I love or hate. When it's weird because I love all the crews this season, but I'm extremely annoyed with someone with a passion. Which leads to me my number one. 

1.Lil Mama. I get really antsy and mad whenever she starts talking-or whatever it is she does, because she really isn't saying anything. It's just mere sounds like kiltit (killed it) or turteditup (turn it up). I thought of making a dictionary for newbies to the show-with an in depth analysis of the conglomerating of words Lil Mama makes up. Seriously-who gave her a mic? 

2. The camera work-I slightly like it. I know a few people who hate it, but if I wanted to see a standard long shot I'll watch a cheerleading competition. It's playful and it's also "dancing". Plus all those multiple shots makes the dance routine way better. And sometimes (if you've watching a repeat) I like counting how many different shots are in one 30 second dance. Try it out!

3. Crushes are lovely! I don't know all the names but for example the dude from SoReal Cru whose jaw is too small for his face-Total crush.

But the ultimate crush-

 

Super Cr3w! For one thing I turn into a schoolgirl when I see them, and the other well they are all good looking guys and they are amazing b-boys. 

I really enjoy a lot of the crews this season and so far I can't pick a favorite to win but it will be fun to watch.

And why don't I know how to dance like this? 

New goal in life-be in America's Best Dance Crew.

White boys in white

When I turned on the tv this morning I was stuck on the program that was on channel I had on the night before. This channel so happen to be VH1 and the program was Top 20 Countdown. To my surprise Kid Rock was number 2 (whaaat!?) and number one was New Kids on the Block (whaaaaaaaat!?) I couldn't help but think how much NKOTB style looks a lot like BSB style back in 1999 in the Millennium days (My BFF was big fan). See for yourself:

 

I'm trying to think what's the reasoning for this. I mean I'm pretty sure their stylist knew this because well there would be no BSB if it wasn't for NKOTB. Maybe NKOTB wants the success of Millennium or maybe it's one of those rebirth type of meaning.

All I do know is that my favorite boy in white is Andrew W.K.

JAKP8 and SM!

Every now and then a reality comes and captures America's heart (COPS, The Anna Nicole Show, Flavor of Love etc) but Jon and Kate plus 8 is rules them all. For one thing the kids do not get voted off the show (I think Maddy would be the first out) and well the kids are pretty much why I watch it. 

Aaden is my favorite and he looks a lot like my stuffed Dictionary doll:

So I was stoked to find out there was an official music video for Jon and Kate Plus 8 for two reasons:

1. Just two weeks ago my sister and I came up with idea of being in a band together and only write about Jon and Kate Plus 8 (like Harry and the Potters)

2. Kids making music is the best thing ever

It ended up not being what I thought. Neither Jon and Kate or the plus 8s sang and there was minimal participation from the kids. Coming from an artistic background and working with kids who are making art, I think it's highly important at a young age for kids to experiment with the arts. They learn to be creative independently and the results can be pretty mind blowing. 

Examples:

My 3 year old niece makes the most bizarre, borderline disturbing drawings and they are solo gallery material. In this episode of JAKP8 Kate being the OCD mom that she is painted over what one of the 8s painting a pottery bowl (that they did as a part of their girls outing). That's such an asshole thing to do mom.

Also-my niece and I have band named The Ladybugs, and we've gone strong for almost a year. I let her sing (trees up your noses!) and play whatever she wants while I sometimes play the drums or accordion. It's the most fun we have together. 

One of my favorite bands I discovered this year comes from a 5 year old. Her band is called Snow Monster! and the music is experimental pop. It is also pretty impressive.  The 5 year old Mabel wanted to make music and has her dad making the music while she writes all the lyrics and her little brother joins along shaking and rattling. My neice loves them and whenever I see her she always ask me if she can watch the video of the little girl-so here it goes!

 

Unicorn vomit album covers and a sad puppy eyed robot

The greatest news ever: The Sea and Cake are releasing a new album on October 21 called Car Alarms. I was just thinking this week how I wish they will come out with a new album, but thought I had to wait about 4 years for this dream. So 2008 might not be so bad after all. Automatically this will be a favorite because jazzy post-rock popness will be oozing out of my ears and that sensation is one that I kindly love.

Also-Anyone who loves the cinema needs to go see WALL-E.

It's the most radical film Pixar has made and one of the most realistic sci fi ever.

Top 2 of 2008 for sure (4 Months, 3 Weeks, 2 Days still haunts me).

Beware-if you do not like kinda silent films you may want to skip it and rent My Dinner With Andre.

The birds and the bees

The new issue of BUST magazine has an article on Isabella Rossellini's new work-Green Porno. Green Porno are very short films about the bizarre ways bugs doing it. The project is creative, funny and educational. It reminds me of my youtube video of a banana and cherries making a sex tape and Irene Moon's artwork. These short films are actually meant for the "fourth screen" (mobile phones) but you can watch it over at Sundancechannel.com/greenporno.

Hold my hands-don't ask why

The first half 2008 is done and I am wondering what songs from 08 has capture my heart. Sure there are a quite a butt load that haunts my mind, but there aren't a lot that were released in 08. Bummer.

Even album released so far in 08 had no affect on me (aside from one). I am bit let down on some of my old favorites-My Morning Jacket (Evil Urges) and I can't even let myself to listen to the new Mates of State. It's not that I don't love them anymore but that I have almost given up on concept of albums. I think only a few can make albums-everyone else should release singles-or an album of singles. Why waste everyones time with fillers. Possibly this opinion is completely influenced by my love of pop music. I love pop tunes, and I wish the world more of them. I champion 7"s for this reason. There's this philosophical notion when it comes to 7"s-it's a celebration of short moments and those collective short moments are how we live. 

Back to 2008-I've spend most of it listening to The Feelies, Husker Du, and new loves like Young Marble Giants and Black Tambourine. There has been much room for 2008 in 2008. Though I have to say I am completely head over heels for Vivian Girls.

Their single Wild Eyes could possibly be my favorite song of 2008. I've been obsessing over that song for the past 2 months and for being exactly 2 minutes long I've played it nonstop. It's as though Tiger Trap had babies with a bunch of nihilists. Oh and did I mention that the single is released as a 7" format? The Airfields' YR So Wonderful would be my favorite, but it was released last year-in Cloudberry Records no less! How did I manage to let that slip by!? 

Well I'm going to wait ever so patience for Stereolab's Chemical Chords because they don't let down, and they know how to make pop albums. Plus the cover is pretty sweet. 

EAT THE MUSIC

The first mixtape I've ever received was titled EAT THE MUSIC.

It sounds like a great idea. I think the best way to experience anything is when you get to use all your senses. So when I saw this youtube video I flipped. Two reasons: I love 7" vinyls and I love chocolate.  

I hope this is the start of a new trend of edible mp3s.

Well she wakes up every morning to the sound of Sarah records

This past weekend was the glorious NYC Popfest. Bonnowho? International indiepop! It was great even though I skipped out on a few shows.  The four days festival (aside from the five days from last year) definitely had more of a crowd than last year. A few of the shows were sold out, and there was a bigger turn out of out of state and country people this year!

Day 1:  

The Foxgloves-Oh the Pelle Carlberg signed guitar that was the official popfest acoustic guitar started with The Foxgloves which I thought was really sweet. Lyrically I was in love but sometimes my mind flutters with one man one guitar.

In Interview-This NYC band was one of my favorites in popfest. Disoriented disco pop I would feel that best described them. I think there's a lot of potential in them. 

Oh Custer!-They were loud for two Swedish dudes playing guitars so of course I fell in love. Songs about the fall! I also thought they were really sweet. Plus they ended their set with Robyn's Be Mine!

The Secret History-I didn't get a chance to see them live last year, so I was kinda excited about this performance. During the performance I was kind of disappointed. It was too clean of pop music. I think that's why I really enjoyed In Interview-they were sloppy but played so well. I had a smile the whole time they performed. But all I remembered about The Secret History is after every song them telling the sound guy more on vocals or less vocals or how is it sounding. I just really wanted them to play.

Love is All-I knew the reason why this show was sold out was because of them. They were great. A noise pop performance with tons of energy that made me a believer. I need some of their music.

Day 2:

From Bubblegum to Sky-I came in during their last song. I was surprise this show actually started in time but then I remembered Cats on Fire was playing in at different venue after that show. A little bird told me I didn't miss much in From Bubblegum's set

Pants Yell!-I was so happy to see them again, but this time I knew a lot of the songs which made it exciting. They're still awesome.

The Besties-I missed their performance last year as well so I couldn't wait to see how they play live. They were good and slightly funny. Also a slight circle pit was started in requested from the band. They definitely hyped up the show which worked well for Tullycraft!!

Tullycraft-They are the reason why I went this year. Tully rules in so many levels it's not even funny. This show was also sold out (Pianos was as tiny as Cake Shop) and if you were 15 feet away from the stage you probably couldn't see anything. Luckily I squeezed myself to the front during Pants Yell! Tullycraft was fabulous and tons of fun. It seemed that the whole crowd was going crazy but I think anyone who was within 15 feet of the stage went crazy. Even Jenny looked a bit concerned of the craziness of the crowd (which so happened to be The Besties!) There was also crowd surfing! Never would I ever think of crowd surfing and circle pits at a pop show-it all happened that nite. Watch them performed Twee (I'm one of those lovely people in the front jumping with my arms up up and away!)

Cats on Fire-I totally did not go. 

1. It was in a different venue 

2. I was already beat up from Tullycraft 

3. Queens is a long way home

4. I was meeting a friend on the train back to Queens

This worked out well because I heard that they came out around 1-which would had made me really grumpy. Though I did get a lot of flak from Roque about missing them, but he always gives me a lot of flak. Plus I joked around how I'll go see them in Finland one day. I found out the next day that they were going to play the last day of popfest-but I didn't go to that.

Day 3:

I was the most excited about this show even though it was the same night as the Love is All/caUSE co-MOTION!/Vivian Girls show (even though I already saw Love is All and seen caUSE co-MOTION before-fucking Vivian Girls!!!). 

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart-Ah POBPAH AKA The best band in the world. They was so loud and I was so happy.

My Teenage Stride-I was smiling a lot. I love them but seriously why haven't I seen you perform my second favorite song of 2007? (Ears Like Golden Bats) That song makes me happy in so many levels.

Mahogany-Hands down my favorite of popfest. Loud shoegazing and so heartfelt. I fell in love that nite and it was with this band.

The Orchids-The legendary Orchids performed really lovely. I just loved all the kids bouncing to them. Wait I loved all the popkids bouncing at all the shows! It makes me happy to see happy bouncings.

The Ladybug Transistor-Were awesome! I still can't believe they are from Brooklyn because their sound is sooooo Athens. Full lush sounds that makes people in a good mood which is good in my book.

So I didn't go to the danceparty because I had no one to dance with :( 

Not true-I'm just awkward and I was really tired. 

And I didn't go to Sunday's show because I opted in seeing my good friend instead. So I was a little bummed in missing the Cannanes. 

Overall I had a good time and I scored a few 7"-especially the Pains of Being Pure at Heart split which is sold out!!! I seriously turned my head around making sure there wasn't a hidden camera and Punkd coming out saying sike to me or something like that.

I ain't shit without tits

Hanging out with my cousin for a few days converted me back to watching telenovelas. It's one of those camp cases-it's so bad it's good. She briefly told me about this new novela that started tonight called Sin Senos No Hay Paraiso which translate to Without Breasts There is No Paradise.  It's based off a Colombian novela which was actually called Sin Tetas No Hay Paraiso so I guess the word tits is a no no for Telemundo. 

From the little bit that I watched it looked pretty decent.  It takes big balls to have a prime time show about a teenage girl that becomes prostitute because she's poor and wants big tits (two words honey-Easy Curves). Oh and her brother is a hired killer for a drug trafficker. Amazing. It's trashy and realistic. Apparently NBC Universal picked it up for an English version as well and might be out by the 2008-2009 season. Competition is fierce with Ugly Betty (as that is also a spin off of the hands down best telenovela ever-Betty la Fea) on the ABC side of the television.

I'm not sure how telenovelas got started but I find it interesting its the only thing on during prime time for spanish channels. Sitcoms and drama are package into a novela. All of them have the same plot line: someone poor or ugly is misunderstood, then later becomes rich or beautiful and they stick to their guns. Also there is always someone trying to bring them down. 

I'm glad this is a long tradition in spanish tv, but I wish more for my creative people. There's better scripts to write. Trash to prosper and inspire. 

Whatever happened to shows like El Chavo del 8?

Future me

On the subway to day 2 of NYC Popfest I ran into future me. The second she came in I knew this lady is me in the future but now. I had the feeling she just left her job at the gallery or museum or curating a show. She had those Roberta Smith glasses that I want to get. These glasses scream don't fuck with me, I know art glasses. I'm a classy lady and I will break you. I figured if I get these glasses I will become that. 

Well future me looked at me (perhaps she realized I was past her) and stood next to me. She had a section of a newspaper and I was hoping it was the New York Times' Weekend Arts. The lady next to me left and future me sat next to me. She opened up her New York Times' Weekend Arts section (yes!) and I stared at future me. I was excited. My future is looking pretty bright.

While staring at her I realized how much she looks like this librarian at FAU, just with a new cool hair cut and hardcore glasses. I wondered if she was this librarian. Perhaps she was that librarian and thats why she kept looking at me. Or it was her sister but most likely she knew it was her (me) in the past (now). 

And now while I look at this photograph of Roberta Smith (New York Times art critic) I wonder if it was her! I doubt she remembers me from the lectures she gave in FAU 2 years ago, but if she did that would be pretty sweet. Point is I need to get these glasses in order to become future self.

Aside from that posts of You Don't Mess With the Zohan and a full report of Popfest (Tullycraft!!!) in a few days.

LADIES IT IS NOT A GAME

Oh Ego Trip. Your Big Book of Racism is my bible, your show The White Rapper Show made me giggles a ton ("King of the burbs!") and all those specials about race on VH1 made my heart thump like crazy. And still I didn't give you a chance with Miss Rap Supreme. I'm not sure why it took me until yesterday to watch Miss Rap Supreme with tonight being its finale. Forgive me. I didn't know that Khia was a contestant! That's enough for me to watch any show. Oh the days when my friends would rap all the lyrics to My Neck, My Back (Lick It) ... which was just last year in my sculpture class.

Point is this show-or at least the last 2 episodes made me note that it is a gem. The last 2 contestants Rece Steele and Byata had me jumping off the couch with excitement (who said viewers aren't active audiences?!) Though my favorite didn't win (Byata) I thought Rece Steele was ill-even though when she rhymes she looks hiiiigh. Byata was my favorite just because I think if I still lived in New York I would be a lot like her. Plus she reminds me of Marion Cotillard.

MC Search was sporting a t-shirt that read : Rapping is the only element of Hip Hop

Oh snap! I think I should make a shirt responding to that. Identity is the element that makes Hip Hop. 

Well, hands down the best lyric of the night:

I eat both ya'll bitches for motherfucking breakfast!

Mmmmm I think I know what I'm going to eat for breakfast, but only if it gets me to spit like that.

I lost you, but I found Easy Curves

This infomercial had me at hello!

I am speechless that stuff like this exist.

Though I think kegels are more fun to do, a better workout and it doesn't cost a thing.

Viva la suck

Album I most likely never get based on cover and band:

How do you make a reference to one artist (Kahlo) using a painting from another (Delacroix)? One of my degrees is on Art History-so Coldplay you don't fool me. 

Interesting fact-In 1999 an album called Viva La Revolution by Dragon Ash was released juxtaposed Delacroix's painting with their god knows what:

Here's a tastefully done cover art using a famous artwork:

Oh yeah. Gregory Crewdson's photography remind me of a scene you would see in a film. A film that is eerie, atmospheric and just utterly beautiful. This album (And Then Nothing Turned Itself Inside-Out) goes hand and hand with the album cover.  I doubt that Coldplay's new album is going to make me want to lead a revolution or make me want to live the life (actually its quite the opposite).  

Babies are the new black

I would totally get this album just for its cover:

The truth is that judging a book (album) by its cover can tell you all. It's called design and concept. Lil Wayne is on to something. He's telling us that he's the same lil fellow since back in the days when he used to kill people (the tears!) though I'm skeptic when it comes to identity. I once wrote a paper denying that there is a such thing as identity in my Reason and Value course (and got 100%). I typed that while wearing hoop earrings with my name on it.  

Interesting enough the core of hip hop is identity. I think they should add that to the five elements of hip hop.  I got those earrings because since I was a kid I wanted them. To me they represented a culture (urban/hip hop) that I felt I needed to be a part of (I had the urban down). 

But back to babies: It's just another way of saying "I keep it real"

Right Biggie and Nas?

Still hatin'

I had nothing to do last nite and there was nothing to watch. Thats when FUSE decided to be funny and show Empire Records again. I watched some of it to remind myself how much I still hate it. If I had the energy I would go to the boards on imdb.com to figure out why people love that movie so much. I don't get it and perhaps I don't want to.

I mean is the movie suppose to be ironic or something?

Who cares? It's just a question that I really don't care for the answer.

What a joke.