Sunday, September 30, 2012

Spirit Desire // City Head

 I spent the entire weekend in silence.  No spoken words to any other soul, except the occasional "C'mon darlin" to my pup.  It's a pretty surreal experience.


The question begs what to do with all your free time when the blank canvas reigns.  Neither the past nor the future pierce you with dictorial directive.  No song reminds you of a lover past, present or future.  Emotions no longer compel, distract, hinder, cling or push to make decisions.   There is neither the anchor of feeling nor the cannon of action.  You know longer love them or long for those long gone.  Nothing nostalgic connects you.  No one person binds you.   Neither disconcerting, peaceful or content.  Neither full nor blank. 

Unknown but not an unwanted, because I want for nothing and no one.  There is instead unnamed unfamiliar desire. There is breath, blood, a synaptic pulse. This reprieve and this pounding pressure.

Sonic Youth - Teenage Riot by Atlantic Records

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Into Galactic Matter...



Tonight lovelies the dear dear friend I mentioned the other day is coming over for dinner.  I'm making my special cacciatore slash primavera fusion dish and an artichoke tomato salad and of course there will be wine and music.  So much wine and music.

Most of you already know how much I love David Byrne [honorable mentions here, here, here and here] and so I've also really been digging his collaboration with St. Vincent on the recently released Love This Giant.  It has this quintessential Byrne-esque funky horn zesty pop vibe which has been missing from my life recently in a big big way.  I think it was Rolling Stone that likened it to a science project by two brainy kids speaking in tongues which is such a charmingly perfect compliment if you ask me.  Picking songs to post was pretty difficult since this entire album is pretty fantastic but the following tracks definitely take the synchronistic cake.

David Byrne & St. Vincent - Who


David Byrne & St. Vincent - Dinner for Two


David Byrne & St. Vincent - Outside of Space and Time
[the horns and the lyrics on this track are just lovely.. no words kids, no words will do this one justice]

Monday, September 24, 2012

Mary Belle



A dear dear friend of mine that I once lost is on the precipice  of being found.  I have missed him so much and his voice in my life has been severely absent.  To dream of a long lost friend, to wish with all that you are of their return and to hope that this new chance constellation will be the orbit that brings your planets back into balance... there are tears, there are shivers... there is pleading, internal and celestial.  Let me welcome your orbit back into mine, I embrace your atoms and give forth my own in return.  There is only love, please this time let's orbit in harmony.

Wouldn't it be so amazing if someone heard? I would be so happy if someone listened.


Star Horse - Mary Belle

Friday, September 21, 2012

Me And The Swedes



They're a boy/girl duo from Sweden called Alpaca Sports smashing guitars and riding around on a bicycle wearing bright sweaters and cool shades being cute Scandinavians singing about dark moodiness.  Duh, this is a no brainer.  What more could you ask for on a Friday afternoon than an infectious twee pop song like I Was Running??  Ahem, well if we're playing that game....

FACEBOOK  ///  BANDCAMP

PS. The more I watch this video the more I can only think the phrase PREP SCHOOL MAGIC.  Incidentally, I rewatched Dead Poets Society the other day.  

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Morbid Romance

Molly Nilsson has ended up on several mixes I've made through last spring up until now.  Calling all lovers!



I passed along Dinosaur Tears, Won't Someone [Take Me Out Tonight], Poisoned Candy, Whiskey Sour, Wounds Itch When They Heal.  She's beyond amazing and I feel really blessed that she floated into my life when she did.  I call her track I Hope You Die my Morbid Romance track.  There's a lot of blog talk about her and John Maus' collaboration of "Hey Moon" but truth be told I think this song is one of the ultimate romance tracks ever illuminated on this here silly blog.  And Maybe Ever.

Molly Nilsson - I Hope You Die


photo via What Natanya Did

Unveiling the Bruise

Yesterday it seemed like a lot of ladies had a rough time, myself included.  Maybe the moon, tides and planets are sparring, wreaking a special kind of havoc on our psyches [in my case it's more that some bosses are just evil fucktards].  So if you too also had a shit day, listen to this righteous glorious mix by 8tracks user robin13.

If you let it work its magic, it'll right the planets and your waters.  Trust me, it's absolute perfection.




The Horrors - Dive In
Desire - Under Your Spell
Psyche - Unveiling the Secret
Casiokids - Kaskaden
The Pastels - Baby Honey 12
New Order - Age of Consent
Austra - The Future
The Mantles - Don't Lie
Vitalic - Trahison
The Close Lobsters - Foxheads
Echo & The Bunnymen - Angels and Devils
Austra - Lose It
Wild Nothing - Chinatown
Alphaville - Dance With Me
Anika - Sadness Hides The Sun
Siouxsie & The Banshees - The Killing Jar
OMD - Silent Running
Secret Machines - Nowhere Again
Austra - Woodstock [Joni Mitchell cover]
Belle & Sebastian - Dog on Wheels
Coeur de Pirate - Comme des Enfants  [Le Matos Andy Carmichael Remix]
The Horrors - I Can See Through You
Echo & The Bunnymen - Ocean Rain

I came so hard in your mouth.  -Austra, The Future

We're not happy till we're running away, clouds in your eyes.  - Wild Nothing, Chinatown

Speaking of things that right the planets...

Monday, September 17, 2012

Boys...

Okay boys let's have a quick dating lesson.  When a girl asks something simple like "What are you doing tonight?" there are a myriad of possible interesting responses.  Practicing my Grammy acceptance speech, making a Lucha Libre Clay-Mation film, organizing a circle jerk, polishing my collection of plastic fruit... whatever but the ole "gotta be honest I'm not looking for anything serious right now" is just cliche, yawntastic and the opposite of forthright  Grow a spine, if you're not interested just say so and besides when did having a cocktail translate to an engagement? Slow down buckaroo, the only commitment this gal can swallow these days is deciding what kind of liquor I want in my frosty glass and some nights even that's a stretch.

I just said "Guess I'll cancel the order for our wedding invitations then".

Silly Kissers - You Could Even Like Me (Jack Tennis Party Jam)




Sunday, September 16, 2012

With The Shift Comes The Scream

A shift so delicate in nuance, the flood is a surprise.  This moment when Sunday stops feeling hazily warm and morphs into something darker, colder dusting your tongue with its cruel tangy metallic flavor.  You can clear your throat or even touch yourself in hungry, searching ways hoping it will keep at bay the beast just a little longer.  We are nothing if not creatures desperate to sustain life. 



We are facing each other both producing a continuous block of sound.  We slowly build up the tension, our faces coming closer together.  Until we are screaming into each other's open mouths.


Marina Abramović and Ulay's film AAA AAA, 1978 perfectly captures this space and time.   The embedded video is only a portion, the actual piece is a glorious 15 minutes.

Friday, September 14, 2012

Are You My Family?




Bat For Lashes - Siren Song
 

Are you my family
Can I stay with you a while
Can I stop off in your bed tonight
I can make you smile

In the morning I'll make you breakfast
In the evening I'll warm the bed
And I'll always be happy to kiss you
Promise I'll never get sad

Till the sirens come calling, calling
It's driving me evil, evil
Mama was a heart breaker
Loved you the same way I do
But I've got so much wickedness and sin

My name is Pearl
And I love you the best way I know how
My blonde curls slice through your heart
When the sirens come calling
It won't be long until you're running

Help you dress yourself up fancy
And bathe you when you get sore
I'll be good, I think I could
Be all you would want and more and more

Be proud when you dazzle the wanderers
And glitter your eyes for the town
Tell every last boy that you're my man
I'll try not to let you down

Till the sirens come calling, calling
It's driving me evil, evil
Mama was a heart breaker
Loved you the same way I do
But I've got so much wickedness and sin

My name is Pearl
And I love you the best way I know how
My blonde curls slice through your heart

When the stars are exploding in your eyes
It won't be long till you're running
No it won't be long till you're running
It won't be long until you're running
It won't be long until you're running
'Cause I'm evil, 'cause I'm evil



Weekend Warrior



Are you ready boots??? START WALKING!

British Electric Foundation featuring Paula Yates - These Boots Were Made For Walking



Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Ways of Magic

Magic Wands today via their Twitter tasked their followers with a survey.  Name your favorite Fleetwood Mac song and why.  Choosing one definite favorite track is almost impossible since pretty much anything from Rumours or Mirage is guaranteed to get me vibing and feeling peachy keen.  My mom used to put this record on when I was a young puppy and do this swaying groovy dance around the living room with her wine spritzer.  Isn't Christine McVie just an amazing vocalist??? So here's a little shout out to both her and also to my dearest friend Christine whose birthday is today.  Happy Womb Rebellion!



Sweet wonderful you,
You make me happy with the things you do
This feeling follows me wherever I go

You, you make loving fun


Tuesday, September 11, 2012

No Ordinary Atmosphere



This track Ordinary Life by Signal & Report is thumptastically [yes that's a word] My Heart.  The way he heartbreakingly puts himself out there and pleads "Just turn away" makes me think of Ian Curtis' brutality when he rips through Atmosphere

At the two minute mark this gorgeous music CRASHES into you... beating heart,  this is everything.   I don't know much about this vocalist [I'm confused as to whether it's Chris Hall or Noah Miller that's singing on this track] but that really doesn't matter.  I'm in love with this song too much to bother over silly details like origins. I do; however, think it's fantastic that both of their releases No New Rome to Burn and Marshlands were recorded at Sacred Heart Studios in Duluth, Minnesota, located inside a desanctified cathedral*.  So far I really like the bass and guitar on tracks The Bell RoomCurrent, and Over the Wire too.

Winning you is too much work
But wanting you is so much worse
God knows I've tried to swallow my pride
Watching you, your hands, your face
Makes my anger melt away
And you know that just makes me lonely
- Just turn away

I don't know you, I think that you know me
There's a presence behind your eyes
I hate the way you got a hold on me
You make me forget ordinary life
And turn away

I need someone to know me now
Someone to help me, show me how
To begin to live in ordinary sin
You holy angel
Just turn away
You holy angel

All I've known is my own self
I've never dealt with someone else
And I'm scared of wanting to drown in you
My insides out and out of place
I give myself up to your grace
Let's take a risk, let's say we do this
And turn away

You turn away
Just turn away


*You can read more about Signal & Report at Fear of a Blank Planet.  This blurb is really nice:  "Signal & Report make music for the 3 a.m. hour, full of mystery, doubt, fear and cold sweat...Amongst all of it is a deep and resonant voice communicating a range of anxiety, terror and empathy with equal parts croak and croon."

link

Sunday, September 9, 2012

We Live Always Underground


New Order - Leave Me Alone


On a thousand islands in the sea
I see a thousand people just like me
A hundred unions in the snow
I watch them walking, falling in a row
We live always underground
It's going to be so quiet in here tonight
A thousand islands in the sea
It's a shame

And a hundred years ago

A sailor trod this ground I stood upon
Take me away everyone
When it hurts thou

From my head to my toes

From the words in the book
I see a vision that would bring me luck
From my head to my toes
To my teeth, through my nose
You get these words wrong
You get these words wrong
Every time
You get these words wrong
I just smile

But from my head to my toes

From my knees to my eyes
Every time I watch the sky
For these last few days leave me alone
But for these last few days leave me alone
Leave me alone
Leave me alone

Friday, September 7, 2012

Black Roses

Lust on a Friday.  Pure unadulterated lust.



What witch doesn't dream of beautiful suppliant women kneeling in a row... of one day leading their own prostrate coven called Black Roses?  Or Black Waves, Black Tears or even Black Tits?   As long as it's black, right?  Usually witch house makes me laugh because it just takes itself so fucking seriously but for some reason this song and gorgeous video really hit the coffin nail on the head.  Read more about director Julieta Triagular's delightfully wicked ritualistic concept over at The End of Being.

Excerpts from her Q/A to die for [but edited for my own sanity]:

What was your concept?  What intrigues you?
It is about two women, one is the creation of the other.  One is like Frankenstein, the other as the witch eager to love.  The work and the creator.  Executioner women want to give love to their mistresses and murder women of hearts on fire to get it...
  
Who are the mysterious women?
They are the soul, the vulnerable part of the woman who believe that blood can find its origin


Thursday, September 6, 2012

Muchas Arigato

Tonight a buddy and I are going to watch Tokyo Godfathers and gobble up some tamales from the tapatia near his house.  It's a poor man's International Film & Food Festival and I just can't wait.



*Tamales for those don't know are amazing heaven filled corn wrapped bundles of goodness.

**Tapatias [in my neck of the woods] are usually divey joints with amazing food that may or may not poison you but are worth it because....

***Tamales give you magical powers. It's a known fact.

link

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Metal Moon

Tonight a dear friend and I hung for the first time in what seems like ages.  Whenever we do, it's as if the winds of something effervescent and fizzily delicious blow into my life.  After our meetings I am inevitably left feeling clean.  Calm even.  Life is possible.  As much as she would probably demur, she is an incomparably positive gloriousity and the world's inhabitants would all be better people to call someone like her a friend.


As is usual, tonight we discussed our selves.  As they are now and as we would like them to one day be.  We all carry with us some form of loss and it is this loss, like some sort of sticky oil desecrating the wildlife, that becomes a part of an internal landscape touching everything with its oily embrace.  Once upon a much sadder time [as witnessed in many earlier blog postings], I thought one day I would wake from my loss and somehow would have magically transcended It All.  Become this new hermit crab with baby soft skin ready for my new fabulous existence with none of the clingy icky-ness of the past left to remind me of what once was.  No more darkness, no more twisted rage-pain to color an otherwise pastel background of health and perfection.  This new being would have all the answers.  She projects nothing but warmth and love and of course she is only successful.  [are you smirking yet?]

Though I am free from certain sadnesses, I also recognize I will never really be free of others.  As I recently posted some things wash through our lives ephemerally with the grace and violence of the ocean.  Some things... some things, they never leave us.  Understanding and appreciating the difference between the two is key. 

So here we are, at the end of an imperfectly amazing summer.  The summer that I gave myself 'time off' to play, pounce, devour and be utterly hedonistic.  The babies have to grow up sometime and I'm terrified.  What now?

The Bats flap it pretty much perfectly.



Collection is easy
Direction is hard to find
Time is the healer

*This is a really super important 2012 track y'all.  I don't really want to go into why I just wanted to make a little foot note

Saturday, September 1, 2012

FA FA FA FA FA

Wisconsin-based photographer, Margaret Durow's photographs have me craving Autumn's anaesthesia.   Today I will submerge myself in moody images and hum Talking Heads Pyscho Killer Qu'est-ce que c'est






DON'T TOUCH ME I'M A REAL LIVE WIRE
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