Stuck inside a mobile with Bobby Dylan again

 I have a colossal curiosity for roots- as in a person's roots. Its nothing new to me, I have always had an almost innate(annoying) obsession with the idea.Here are a few oddities of my own:


So I found out tonight that my parents are making an unexpected trip to my city tomorrow. This is such a parent thing to do. As pleased as I am to hear the news, I am equally doubly (surprised this is a word) infuriated by it. Simply because my weekend is plagued with a tedious work schedule, so actual time spent with family is severely compromised. I cannot stay angry too long I suppose considering it is my mom's birthday and my dad's follows soon afterward. My parents are funny folks and I'd like to think I am a pretty equal combination of both of them. A lot of my habits/opinions etc. I have today are easily traceable to being raised by them folk. Like my hatred for Jerry Seinfeld or all things Seinfeld (besides Larry David) can be issued back tothis childhood not-quite-trauma. Jerry Seinfeld has been a huge part of my life since I was like three years old. My parents would toss me into bed and being a child I would always sneak downstairs to find my parents watching Seinfeld.
My presence was always ignored due to the apparent enchanting aura of Jerry Seinfeld. Next I use to think my uncle was Jerry Seinfeld (Italian not Jewish) I think it was probably the hair, perhaps the voice though too. I also found a deep resemblance to Jerry Seinfeld in a farm-themed pillowcase I had. If Jerry Seinfeld was a golden-haired cartoon horse...he absolutely found his place on my childhood pillowcase. As well the same Jerry Seinfeld comedy cd would be on repeat every single road trip. Only Bob Dylan took precedence over Seinfeld, which also manifested into a deep repulsion. Only a year or so ago did this reverse but, for a long time I really could not stand "Bobby Dylan" or "Dilly" as my dad calls him affectionately. This hatred didn't come out of emotional trauma, rather physical. See, as a kid I would get severely carsick and as Bob Dylan was generally the soundtrack to my nauseous state  that stuck with me for awhile. So for about 15 years every time I heard Bob Dylan I would literally feel instantaneously  ill just by mere association. I am over it now, which is great cause now I really adore him, but Tangled up in Blue still manages to get me sometimes. My parents also made me love a lot of things but I don't think they are as funny, nor would they believe me (my mother refuses to believe i can enjoy classical music for some reason)

Anywho, to thank my parents for destroying the (apparent) great sitcom and (almost) one of the greatest musicians of our time here are some of the songs that they made me love.

 

Both my  parents have a really great appreciation for Gordon Lightfoot but my mom still listens to him pretty often whilst by dad always interjects with "Give it up Gordie" to fill his exasperation quota for the day (in one statement)

I obviously did not grow up with this cover but my dad introduced it to me nonetheless. My dad "found" Jack White a summer or two ago and is deeply infatuated with the man, even going as far to call him the "Dilly" aka Bob Dylan of the generation. hmmmm.

If You Feel Mud, You will End up Gold

The length of my last blog wasn't fair to the eyes or the mind. So this one will be short. A kewl song to share and that is all.




M.

I'd Rather be Blue

I always start of a post by apologizing for neglecting my own blog, it is kind of silly, but i will apologize again because my ignorance has been paramount, nearly matching the apathy I feel towards my hair (i currently have two, almost fully formed (unintentional) dreadlocks

If we do have any actual followers you may have picked up on two main themes thus far.
One, we are very inconsistent, and two, there isn't too much continuity within posts, but I have never been for continuity, not exactly my forte. Ask my mother. Never expect one theme in our blog posts is what I am saying.

That being said, I'm starting this blog off with some stuff I've been digging, and it will probably end with some more stuff that I dig, but it is more than likely they will have no (known) relation to eachother.

Cliff Edwards, a.k.a Ukulele Ike

 This post was potentially just an excuse to post this picture, just because everything about it is just so good. Cliff Edwards was a musician and voice actor( notably,he was the voice of Jiminy Cricket (!!!!))  popular in the 1920s and 1930s. I don't know too much about the guy yet, but I think I will have to because he seems like quite the rad character. Another cool thing about this ol'Cliff Edwards is that he happens to hail from the same Hannibal Missouri as Mark Twain.

I was going to post about Fanny Brice,(singer/entertainer during 1920s/1930s) the real Funny Girl, but I won't because the fact of the matter is I like Babs Streisand heaps more. Yes, I love Barbra Streisand.

So I guess it would be appropriate to do a Barbra Streisand post then. I have no idea where this post is going. I think i like Barbra because I just find her really awkwardly talented.


Weirdly enough its almost like I have an actual theme to this post, that idea is almost uncomftorable, but I guess my infatuation with the twenties and thirties is kinda overwhelming my mind. So I suppose I will just post a bunch of picture circa those two decades. I particularly really like the 20s because aesthetically it seemed to be some sort of reconciliation of bohemian sensibilities and a kind of theatrical glamor? I've spent my whole life trying to merge those two worlds and in the 20s they seemed to figure it out pretty ok. 

Mary Pickford (aka Madonna, there is a resembance, no?) and Douglas Fairbanks 

Because I don't like the idea of a mono-topic or theme, here is some other stuff I've been digging.

Super bad ass picture of the love of my life, James Dean

A chill-lookin' photo of the actual love of my life, Freddie Mercury

Art Nouveau, mannn





thus concludes-



M.

B.A.M.F.

Gould: One Bad Ass Mother Fucker. Seriously the most awesome; super genius, classic wardrobe, funny guy, Canadian, and of course most importantly, photogenic.  (or is it the other way around....?)

 I know everyone has seen this clip before, but it is the best thing ever.

Who needs shoes? exactly.

I too often perform duets with my pets

Refreshingly, an un-tortured + brooding artist.

Yeah he's just eating some graham crackers, surrounded by pictures of naked women. He's Glenn Gould he does what he wants.

*most of the above pictures are from LIFE magazine and most probably the photo session they did with him while he was recording the Goldberg Variations in 1955, in NYC.

** I really wanted to share this, but for some reason am having issues. So...click below.

 Wait...what?

kapes, later

-b

OH! also, do you want your heart to automatically shatter into 1 million pieces? - then listen to this.

When there is a dramatic movie adaption of my life made. And there is a scene depicting a tragic farwell in the rain (which has yet to actually occur) this will be playing in the background. 

Oh to be Clara.

(Brahms was super in love* with Clara, the wife of his good friend/mentor Robert Schumann)

*allegedly

gl'amour

 I have so many other things I should be doing right now, but I think we have done a pretty good job  establishing that this is a 'priority free' zone. So moving right along...
Is it kosher to discuss Brahms and Dynasty in the same paragraph? oh well, I am going to go there anyways, I am willing to be that person. I was being semi-productive and listening to some recordings of Brahms' Symphony no. 2, and I came across this one. Not only is it great listening, but I am in love with the aesthetics of the clip. The chandeliers, the white ornate walls, the red in the background, the quality of the video. It is just brimming with kitschy, vintage, late 70s/early 80s Soviet glamor (or what was left of it). love.

Mravinsky, with what I am assuming is the Leningrad Philharmonic

(second movement)

 I know he was not the most exciting conductor to watch, but exciting to listen to.He had amazing and subtle technical control over his orchestra, and it worked well.

(in my humble opinion).

also, great cardigan.

Of course I couldn't watch something like that without immediately planning some outfits. You know, to wear to a performance at that concert hall (wherever it is) when I find it/go there (never).Also I couldn't help thinking of Dynasty while watching it, probably because of the red seats and very understated light fixtures. It seems like if the cast found themselves in Leningrad (unlikely), this is where they would hang.  So running with the extremely cohesive theme of fading soviet glamor, Dynasty, and spring, voila. 

Flash of Foliage dress- modcloth

Endless Dawn dress- modcloth

Follow your Gleam dress- modcloth

Salutations and Closings heel- Anthropologie

Pot of Gold heel- modcloth

Alabaster Peacock earrings- Anthropologie

Aged Leaf ring- Anthropologie

Corsage Bouquet Broaches (in m' hair)- Anthropologie

and so ends the coherent ramblings of someone who is avoiding accomplishing anything relevant.

ahh-thankyou

-b

House Party

Indie Bands <3 houses
 Prepare yourself for an overload of flannel, facial hair, soft indie , oh and Orwell-esque animal takeovers.

 

Yukon Blonde- Wind blows

                                                         The Elwins-  Sittin' Pretty

                                                       Born Ruffians- I Need a Life

ugh...why do I never get invited to these parties/mundane afternoon get-togethers?

-b

How to Hang a Warhol

So as it is 3a.m, the coveted blogging time, I shall blog. Sure if I am up this late/early I should probably be utilizing this time to focus on some pressing issues, like those 3 interviews I need to schedule/complete by next week, or finding out/deciding where I am living/going to school next year, contemplating my singledom (yes, this has become an issue I would define as 'pressing') and last but not least catching up on the recent wins of Carlos Estevez. This blog just got relevent y'all. But I shan't because at 3 am...or 12 pm or 8pm.. I am adverse to things that matter. This means watching MTV and contemplating what brand of toothpaste I should call the colour of my nail polish (they are toothpaste hued) I am leaning towards Colgate because it seems kinda of neglected in dental hygiene world....so welcome to the nail enamel world? I guess it really is 3am.I decided maybe I should do some fashion inspiration or something...make this post at least visually appealing as it quite obviously isn't so mentally stimulating.

And so I present to you Binki Shapiro, one third of the Brazilian-American folk group Little Joy. I chose Binki, not only because she too has a great name but because I myself have been takin' quite a few ques from the Binks. She has an annoyingly casual style(irritating because she still looks good) and has a great mix of menswear and feminine pieces. She, like me, seems to be a "say something" hat person, a good enough basis for me to prove perhaps we are soul sisters.

Binki in ELLE magazine (2010)

Try and tell me this picture doesn't tempt you to drop whatever you are doing right now and go purchase a pair of suspenders 

Red bow in my hair right now.srsly.

Binki with fellow Little Joy member and boyfriend, Fabrizio Moretti,in ELLE (2010)

May I join this relationship please?

Performing with Little Joy...probably in LA

In NY

Also Little Joy is a super fab(rizio) band & everyone should czech them...expect not because I want them to remain little...but for the greater good, meaning your greater good. You may also come across Binki in some Beck tunes and being adorable Devendra Banhart videos.

If you are still unclear of who the real Binki Shapiro is, if you feel her style mix&matches are far too complex and difficult to comprehend, Oogum Boogum by Brenton Wood is here to be an aural aid. She mentioned in an interview this sweet jam is the aural expression of her style...so listen to that song...if you don't understand...or just want to listen to it...because its a really good song.


Last point* Listen to the band/guy Giant Hands if you dig yourself some folk tunez

Alright then...bye....



M

The End Has No End

Today had a plan; it had a plan to wake up really early (early for me doesn't exist before 9:15-any earlier is just insanity-you might as well have just not slept at all.) Yes, today I was going to wake up early get dressed, get a start on my super thrilling assignment (web critique-woo!) that is due tomorrow and by 10, I would be able to use the adjective "productive" to describe my day-for once in my life. Well, I have only been awake and moving for 1.5 hours so that should tell you how well my day has gone as planned. My trusty old alarm clock, has been oh-so-kind to me this week (in terms that i get an 8 hour sleep) not so kind to the (seldom) academic side of things. I was even prepared to be mind-folk'd as soon as I woke up (its what i listen to every thursday morning and its the best thing to wake up to)

Anyways other than that- what else has been going down? Well I didn't want to do another Strokes blog (sorry B) but I guess it would make sense to follow it up- plus its an actual thing to write about-faulty alarm clocks are a little passe. Well some would say the same about the Strokes, but perhaps not anymore because their new single Undercover of Darkness is gettin' a lotta lovin' and oddly not by me. I certainly do not hate it, but maybe while everybody else's nostalgia may be fueled by the  Is This It? circa melody, I won't be pleased until I am reminded of the Casablancas croon/growl. I know the man doesn't smoke or drink anymore, but can he at least make his voice seem like he does? This new track makes it sound like he is addicted to helium. Not only that but it sounds like he is purposely out of tune-but perhaps Casablancas is just using his ironic vocals to "re-crown" himself indie/hipster king.Who knows if this album fails maybe we can just put to rest any hope that tunes from the lower-east side have any relevance (worst thing I have ever said) Casablancas even admitted himself that Brooklyn "was the epicentre of new music." Well here is to hoping this album is the Is This It-part 2 for the next decade and perhaps it too will considered the greatest album of the decade.

So here is the song. It is free on their site fro a few more hours so get it while can y'all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NY0vTgAX0Cc&feature=related

M

Don't Think Twice, Its Alright

This space has gone untouched for a while, so I decided to ignore my priorities and give some lovin' to the the blog world. Actually, I have been ignoring work all day, deciding that today was much more suited to watching The Graduate (and just drooling looking at Mrs. Robinson's leopard-print coat.) I love the Graduate an inexpressible amount, and I have not had any Benjamin Braddock in my life for a painfully lengthy amount of time. Yep, that's my justification for it.

 

An artsy image of David Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft from The Graduate

*I have this issue where without fail I will call him David Hoffman.

Also, I discovered recently that Anne Bancroft's real last name was Italiano. Why would one change that? (this blog is the grand revealer of  stage names)

The new Strokes song is being previewed online. It is going to be released sometime soon, and from the 30 second preview I want to love it but I wouldn't say its pulling too strongly at any heart strings. While it does have remnants of the "classic" Strokes sound, I'm just hoping this album isn't going to be some rehashed version of  Is This It? You can listen to the song here  http://www.amazon.com/Under-Cover-Of-Darkness/dp/B004MDPI9Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dmusic&qid=1297020260&sr=8-2 and I would maybe appreciate someone agreeing with me that it is perhaps a little too bouncy. I find that it sounds a tad like this song from Julian Casablancas' solo effort- the worst song too. I might even go to say I hate this song

What else to discuss? I went to go see the Black Swan again.This time I understood its perfection. So for all you Black Swan hesitaters (i know this is not a word) i encourage you to return to the theatre or whatever medium you want to watch it through and fall in love with Hershlag (Natalie Portman) but not her character. Nina is just crazyyyy.

Oh, and if you dig kinda folky "world music" (what does even mean- vaguest genre) You should watch this. This really great radio show called "Mind-folk'd" played this song the other day and its just really great.

.ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!ELAINE!

-M