Calexico – Alone Again Or

A buddy of mine recently got me into Calexico. I’m a particularly huge fan of the song “Alone Again Or,” a beautiful cover of Arthur Lee’s original. I first heard the track on the Fully Flared skate video, where it accompanied Jesus Fernandez’s part. Check it out below…striking song, sick skating.

Where The Wild Things Are

I must have a nostalgia addiction, because every time I go back home, I inevitably find myself going through all my old stuff—books, toys, photos, ticket stubs—and reminiscing about the good ole days. I also always find a few knick knacks that I bring back with me that I’ll never actually use. This time I dug up a pair of Crest sunglasses the color of toothpaste. Where the hell do you even get something like that?

One thing I found that I’m totally jazzed about is Where The Wild Things Are, the children’s book to end all children’s books by Maurice Sendak. When I used to read this story as a little dude, I would immerse myself in the character of Max and get lost in the vivid illustrations. It’s sad, but as people get older, their imaginations dissipate. It’s a natural byproduct of the trappings of adulthood—getting a job, making money, settling down, blah de blah blah blah. I think that’s bullshit. People should be encouraged to maintain an imagination, if only as a way to keep one’s sanity. I’m not saying we should all jump into cardboard boxes and act like astronauts, but pick up a book like Where The Wild Things Are and get lost in it for 10 minutes. It might change your day.

PS—As I’m sure many are aware, there’s a film version of the book by my man Spike Jonze slated for October 2009 release. Apparently it’s been pushed back several times due to disagreements over the filming process (obviously) but let’s keep our fingers crossed that this actually sees the light of day…read more at the film’s website HERE.

Mankind Is No Island

One of the coolest events I’ve attended during my time in NYC was Tropfest, “the world’s largest short film festival,” held every spring in Sydney and fall in New York. One of my roommates scored passes through work, so a few of us went to the NYC event this past September, conveniently held in the marina near Battery Park City, right near our crib.

Upon entry, we all had to pick our tongues off the floor so as to look like we actually belonged amidst the presence of copious amounts of free food (collectively we must’ve scarfed like 20 sliders), booze and scores of purty ladies. Regrettably (or perhaps not so) our attention focused heavily on the aforementioned trifecta of awesome, and not so heavily on the films being shown. At one point I forced myself to break free of conversation with two bourgeois chicks from France (or was it Russia?) to check out a couple shorts, which wound up being overwhemingly mediocre. One of them revolved around a gay tryst on a yacht—seven minutes of my life, gone. Of course, I turned my back just in time to miss the film included below, Jason van Genderen’s “Mankind Is No Island,” which wound up winning the damn festival. My roommate was lucky enough to view it first hand and predicted the victory, straight up.

Shot entirely on a cellphone camera, it’s a very poignant and compelling short and explores the dynamic between society and its homeless through a series of words and images. Check it out, and if you’re lucky to cop corporate passes, maybe we’ll see you next year. That sounds so dick.

Happy Thanksgiving

Blue Sky Black Death w/ Jean Grae

I recently stumbled upon Blue Sky Black Death, a duo of producers based in San Fran and Seattle. Composed of Kingston and Young God, the pair has produced tracks for the likes of A-Plus, Casual, Del and Pep Love of Hieroglyphics, Wu Tang affiliate Holocaust, Jus Allah, Ras Kass and Jean Grae, one of the most criminally overlooked MCs in hip hop (probably because she’s female and actually writes real shit). I was initially struck by “Away With Me,” featured below, as it really hightlights the soulful and meloncholy production that seems to be Blue Sky Black Death’s forte. To me, this song sounds like driving over a bridge at night, something I always enjoyed. “Strikes” is just an ill song. Both are featured on Jean Grae: The Evil Jeanius, a full length collaboration between Jean and BSBD. Check out BSBD’s myspace HERE.

“Away With Me”

“Strikes”

Old School Hip Hop Sundays – Nice & Smooth

Universal is still stuck in the 1990s and has disabled all the videos for Nice & Smooth. I guess it’s somehow appropriate for the theme of this post. For now, you’ll have to settle for imeem streams. If you listen to “Sometimes I Rhyme Slow” without bobbing your head, someone should hit you in the face with a pie.

“Sometimes I Rhyme Slow”

“Funky For You”

“No Delayin”

Bond Girls

I don’t fashion myself a Bond expert by any means. I’m a casual fan at best. But for me the best facet of the films, other than the cars, gadgets and exotic locales, is the gorgeous women and their preposterous names. Pussy Galore? Holly Goodhead? Are you serious? The latest object of Bond’s obsession, Camille Montes, played by Olga Kurylenko in Quantum of Solace, might be the hottest Bond girl yet. I’m usually not one for gratuitous photos of total babes, but what the hell, this post is an homage to a few of the finest Bond girls. Film is art after all right?

Olga Kurylenko aka “Camille Montes” in Quantum of Solace:

Famke Janssen aka Xenia Onatopp in GoldenEye:

Honor Blackman aka Pussy Galore in Goldfinger:

Diana Rigg aka Tracy di Vincenzo in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service:

Halle Berry aka Jinx in Die Another Day:

Old School Hip Hop Sundays – Monday Edition – NWA

Rough weekends make it tough to do anything constructive on Sundays. So apologies to anyone looking for the weekly post last night.

This week is dedicated to West Coast’s arguably greatest group: N.W.A. Enjoy.

Straight Outta Compton –

Express Yourself –

If It Ain’t Ruff –

Something Like That –

This dude is cooler than you

I was reading the Post the other day and saw a photo that caught my eye. Apparently David Sheridan, an Australian kite surfer, was cruising along when he noticed what he thought was a shadow beneath him. Turns out it was a whale. Turns out the whale whacked him in the head with his tale. Turns out he coasted away unharmed. Turns out he took the photo himself with a camera mounted on his kite.

The photo is ridiculous. Check out the story HERE.

School of Seven Bells

I tried not posting about music. I really did. But this is sooooo dreamy. Keep an ear out for these guys.