Band of Horses – Carnegie Hall

Sometime around 3PM yesterday, a friend and I made the decision to throw down a not insubstantial sum to see Band of Horses perform a “special acoustic set” at Carnegie Hall. It may have been the best deal I’ve ever got. To see one of my favorite bands play at the hallowed venue was an experience I won’t soon forget. The band played stripped down versions of songs from both of their studio LPs and several new tracks that sounded fantastic. Ben Bridwell’s vocals soared and filled the voluminous hall, perhaps exemplified on my now-favorite song of the moment: “Monsters.” When Bridwell belted out the last refrain “If I am lost/It’s only for a little while” in successively more passionate wails, I geeked out to the max. Damn I wish I could do it all over again. Look forward to seeing them in town again soon.

Handsome Furs – Talking Hotel Arbat Blues

Been liking the Handsome Furs album, especially Talking Hotel Arbat Blues. Enjoy.

Sole 2 Sole by David Park

Found this cool vid this morning detailing some milestones in sneaker culture. Very well done…

Soul 2 Sole from David Park on Vimeo.

Dirty Projectors – Stillness is the Move

I’m pretty late to the Dirty Projectors game, but it really doesn’t matter. I “acquired” a copy of their new record “Bitte Orca” and I love it. Particularly this song, “Stillness is the Move.” I know it’s not Dave Longstreth singing, but beyond that, I know little about the vocalist. All I know is that it makes me happy. I might make you happy too.

Kanye West – Amazing

Call Kanye what you will, but dude consistently comes out with dope music videos. The production is usually tight and they’re always very well conceptualized aesthetically. Ego/megalomaniacal tendencies aside, the guy has style and taste. His latest video for “Amazing” is just another example. Directed by Hype Williams, this one is shot on location in Hawaii and depicts some pretty breathtaking landscape. To be honest, I think the song is kind of wack, but the video more than makes up for it. Plus it reminds me of my buddy who recently moved out to Hawaii in perhaps the greatest pseudo-impulse decision ever made. Props Tim. Can you see your house in this one?

NPR’s Eulogy to the Boombox

NPR’s All Things Considered recently ran an awesome “Eulogy For The Boombox” piece. Read/listen HERE. Whattup Radio Raheem?! Makes me want to re-up my search on eBay that I abandoned a while back. Party on the rooftop.

Jenny Holzer at the Whitney

I can’t lie. The first time I heard about Jenny Holzer was in a recent piece in the New York Times about Shephard Fairey, referencing Holzer as an influence in Fairey’s own [formerly] subversive/pseudo-guerilla artwork. The article stuck with me A) because it all but blasted Fairey for his recent commercial work for Bloomingdales and Saks, which seems to wholly contradict the message in his art (I agree, c’mon homie) and B) because I had seen Holzer’s name all over subway ads for her current Whitney exhibition that caught my eye.

Upon further research, I learned that Holzer has become well-known for her use of words and phrases in public spaces as a means to present a message or evoke response. She has become perhaps best known for her ongoing work Truisms. Her latest exhibition at the Whitney, PROTECT PROTECT, encompasses much of her work from the 90s, and according to the Whitney is her most comprehensive exhibition in fifteen years. I think it looks pretty rad and definitely look forward to checking it out. It’s up until May 31.

Public Ad Campaign Whitewashes NYC Billboards

Over the weekend, the Public Ad Campaign organized teams of people to whitewash illegal outdoor billboards in Manhattan. You know all those atrocious sticky poster things pasted on street-level spaces everywhere? Apparently most of them are illegal, so the Public Ad Campaign teamed with a whole host of artists to make them look cool. Pretty good idea if you ask me. Check out more of the work over at Wooster Collective.

One Shining Moment

“One Shining Moment” has got to be the corniest, most melodramatic song on the planet. You can basically smell the cheese coming off of it. But you know what? I’ll be damned if I’m not staying up until 12:30AM after the NCAA Championship to watch the montage of highlights and emotional moments of March Madness that accompanies Luther Vandross’ serenade. It’s magical. If there’s a better sport than college basketball, someone please let me know.

Mimicking Birds

You know what you should do right now? Head over to RCRD LBL and download “Burning Stars” by Mimicking Birds. Isaac Brock of Modest Mouse has started a record label called Glacial Pace and made this Northwest folk trio his first signing. If you listen, you’ll understand why. It’s a rainy day here in NYC right now, and this song feels really appropriate for some reason. Now I’m going to pull the covers over my head.