Another gem from my favorite artist Merrill Garbus, a.k.a. tUnE-YarDs. This song, "Bizness" is the single off her new album, set for release on my little brother's birthday, April 19th. tUnE-YarDs returns to Boston on May 16th to play the Brighton Music Hall. See you there. Until then, watch this video. It rules.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Album of the Week: False Priest
Though it came out last summer, I'm just getting around to listening to this most recent album from the Athens, Georgia's Of Montreal. False Priest is funky and features both Solange Knowles and 2010's it-girl Janelle Monae. I'm less into the first track "Do You Strutter" and the single "Coquet Coquette" but I love the rest of the album. In his usual fashion, front man David Barnes creates some pretty hot "Oh hell yeah" moments and his lyrics are as ridiculous as they are unusually honest and vulnerable. These are my favorite lines so far:From "Girl Named Hello":
If I treated someone else the way I treat myself I'd be in jail.
And, in "Do You Mutilate?" Barnes is surprisingly assertive in his condemnation of religious fanaticism, a far cry from some of his older songs about hipsters, touring and party girls:
Everybody's searching for a cause
A reason to blow themselves up
Could be anything
When will certain people realize
An afterlife is nothing to live for
Nothing to die for, nothing to fight for
If those in this life are not sacred
Then nothing that's a part of it is sacred either
If you think God is more important than your neighbor
You're capable of terrible evil
If you think some prophet's words are more important
Than your brother and your sister
You're ill and you're wrong
You're wrong
In other Of Montreal news, David Barnes recently published an art book called What's Weird? which features, among other things, many colorful images of animal mashups and people with fruit for heads. The band's latest EP, thecontrollersphere, comes out April 26th.
An image from What's Weird?Sunday, March 20, 2011
On Being Fabulous
I recently came across the blog of a fellow Vanderbilt alumna. She calls it "All Things Fabulous: A Daily Reminder of the Good Things in Life." It's a lovely title that made me smile and feel like my blog was comparatively depressing and decidedly unchic. But, I'm not going to let this worry me, as I've already launched a personal campaign to re-chic my life. Half of the effort is a workout group called "Fit As Shit." Starting this week, me, my roommate and some of our friends will embark on a strict training, sleeping and eating regimen designed to get us fit enough to run a 10K this spring and looking amazing in bathing suits by Memorial Day. The other half of the effort is designed to glam up my image. I'm tired of waking up in the morning, staring into my closet for 10 minutes, and then walking out of the house looking like a schlub.
Sometimes I go so far as to blow dry my hair or put mascara on, but most days I just look like a lazy stoner who can't dress herself. To combat the schlubbiness, creativity block and general fashion ennui, I took it upon myself to do some research. This has involved trolling through runway pictures on Style.com and flipping through many, many magazines at the gym. I even went so far as to pay $5.oo for a 500-page issue of InStyle.
I feel weird about knowing that the 70s are back, bright colors are in and the hemlines are all over the place this season but I am trying to embrace my girly side and look better without becoming a vapid slave to consumer culture. A visit Nordstrom Rack and four hours at the Leesburg Premium Outlets nearly killed me yesterday and reminded me why I don't typically go on epic shopping sprees. But, despite the exhaustion, disgust and the sick feeling I got in my stomach each time I swiped a credit card, I do feel better. Dressing for work is going to be easier and much more fun, and I can show up to work without feeling like I have to apologize to my boss for my appearance. Hurray!
Sometimes I go so far as to blow dry my hair or put mascara on, but most days I just look like a lazy stoner who can't dress herself. To combat the schlubbiness, creativity block and general fashion ennui, I took it upon myself to do some research. This has involved trolling through runway pictures on Style.com and flipping through many, many magazines at the gym. I even went so far as to pay $5.oo for a 500-page issue of InStyle.
I feel weird about knowing that the 70s are back, bright colors are in and the hemlines are all over the place this season but I am trying to embrace my girly side and look better without becoming a vapid slave to consumer culture. A visit Nordstrom Rack and four hours at the Leesburg Premium Outlets nearly killed me yesterday and reminded me why I don't typically go on epic shopping sprees. But, despite the exhaustion, disgust and the sick feeling I got in my stomach each time I swiped a credit card, I do feel better. Dressing for work is going to be easier and much more fun, and I can show up to work without feeling like I have to apologize to my boss for my appearance. Hurray!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Monday, March 14, 2011
Crazy Money
For one moment, I got to be a trillionaire. This is what happens when inflation gets really bad.
Soup and Soul
Spring is just rising its cute little head in Boston. It's enough to get me thinking about tomatoes and flip flops but, of course, it flurried today, so not too excited.
I've found that nothing kills the bad weather blues like Wyatt's roommate's sausage ravioli soup. Jim is his name and he uses lots of sausage and puts mozzarella straight in the soup. It's heaven in a bowl. I'm supposed to stop eating dairy so I made my own version without the cheese and used squash ravioli. It's not quite as awesome but still very satisfying.
Sausage Ravioli Soup with spinach, peppers and tomatoes.
"Winds of Change"
This is definitely good music for the gym, by the way.
I've found that nothing kills the bad weather blues like Wyatt's roommate's sausage ravioli soup. Jim is his name and he uses lots of sausage and puts mozzarella straight in the soup. It's heaven in a bowl. I'm supposed to stop eating dairy so I made my own version without the cheese and used squash ravioli. It's not quite as awesome but still very satisfying.
Sausage Ravioli Soup with spinach, peppers and tomatoes.
On my buddy Norm's recommendation I've been listening to Fitz and the Tantrums almost exclusively. The band's website calls their music "familiar but distinct" and I'm not sure I can say anything more fitting than that. It's a little hokey but in an endearing way. Imagine the Scissor Sisters and Meat Loaf coming together as a neo-soul outfit. Listeners can expect some soulful voices, saxophone, and lyrics you can learn on the first listen. Fun facts: they've toured with Sharon Jones, they recorded their album Pickin' Up the Pieces in the band leader's living room, and the female singer is named Noelle. Noelle Scaggs.
"Money Grabber" Gold Digger 2.o
"Money Grabber" Gold Digger 2.o
"Winds of Change"
This is definitely good music for the gym, by the way.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Song of the Weekend: Lazy Little Walk
Gross Ghost of Carrboro, North Carolina have just released four new songs, including my song pick of the weekend, "Lazy Little Walk." It has a jazzy little intro and especially endearing lyrics.
You say I'm a charlatan/ I don't believe you/'Cause you heritage...it deceives you/With every little word you say
You can listen to and download "Lazy Little Walk" and several other GG gems here.
http://www.myspace.com/grossghost
Farm Blog, Seedlings, Bread, Tickets
Good News: I got two tickets to see Jeff Mangum. After struggling for 10 minutes to get them on-line I literally ran to the Harvard Box Office to get them in person. Thank God the show is at Harvard, where I work.
Music adventures aside, I have been very wrapped up in food matters. I am currently doing research for a story on food security and obesity for my journalism class. If it turns out well I may try to pitch it to real publications (by "real" I mean not this blog).
My new favorite blog is that of my old boss, Farmer Jim Buckle of Allandale Farm. In the most recent post he shares his feelings on the impending slaughter of his buddies, Allandale's two Scotch Highland cows, Curtis and Willard. Even as a big proponent of eating meat, Jim admits he'll have a hard time saying goodbye. I love those beasts too, even though Willard once almost impaled me with one of his horns and I got sick of explaining to customers that no, they are not in fact bison or buffalo, just super furry cows.
With my seedlings at three inches high in my kitchen, I am getting super pumped about spring planting. I will be attending my last Master Urban Gardener class this week so, in theory, I am now better equipped to grow the garden of my dreams, and help others do the same. The plan this year is to both increase yield and integrate flowers into the bed at 34 Robeson. More on that here. I have already started holly hocks, cosmos and zinnias, though I recently read you're not supposed to start zinnias indoors. Oops. We'll see what happens.
I recently made my best loaf of bread to date. I didn't try to use whole wheat flour this time and I think it made a big difference. All together this loaf was made with bread flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, flax seed, salt and some multi-grain mix. I also coated the loaf in olive oil before baking. The crust was incredible.
Happy Weekend!
Music adventures aside, I have been very wrapped up in food matters. I am currently doing research for a story on food security and obesity for my journalism class. If it turns out well I may try to pitch it to real publications (by "real" I mean not this blog).
My new favorite blog is that of my old boss, Farmer Jim Buckle of Allandale Farm. In the most recent post he shares his feelings on the impending slaughter of his buddies, Allandale's two Scotch Highland cows, Curtis and Willard. Even as a big proponent of eating meat, Jim admits he'll have a hard time saying goodbye. I love those beasts too, even though Willard once almost impaled me with one of his horns and I got sick of explaining to customers that no, they are not in fact bison or buffalo, just super furry cows.
With my seedlings at three inches high in my kitchen, I am getting super pumped about spring planting. I will be attending my last Master Urban Gardener class this week so, in theory, I am now better equipped to grow the garden of my dreams, and help others do the same. The plan this year is to both increase yield and integrate flowers into the bed at 34 Robeson. More on that here. I have already started holly hocks, cosmos and zinnias, though I recently read you're not supposed to start zinnias indoors. Oops. We'll see what happens.
I recently made my best loaf of bread to date. I didn't try to use whole wheat flour this time and I think it made a big difference. All together this loaf was made with bread flour, oatmeal, wheat germ, flax seed, salt and some multi-grain mix. I also coated the loaf in olive oil before baking. The crust was incredible.
Happy Weekend!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
A Love Letter To Jeff Mangum
Dear Jeff Mangum,
Congratulations on the All Tomorrow's Parties gig. I was very happy to see that you're touring again. Selfishly, I'm excited by the chance to see you and I hope to score tickets tomorrow to your September show at Harvard. Less selfishly, I hope this means you are well and life has been better to you lately.
As I know is true for many others, your music means a lot to me. It got me through a particularly hard summer in New York, helped me bond with someone who is now a great friend, and has helped me run faster. If/when I go to the gym on Fridays, I like to start my workout with In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. Just the first few chords of "King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1" make me feel free, like it is finally the weekend and I can forget about all the bullshit of the work week.
I'm not sure why songs about semen, Jesus, and fetuses have added so much value to my life but they truly have. Thank you for making my life more fun and more meaningful.
Best of luck in your upcoming shows.
Cheers,
Noelle Janka
Jamaica Plain, MA
Congratulations on the All Tomorrow's Parties gig. I was very happy to see that you're touring again. Selfishly, I'm excited by the chance to see you and I hope to score tickets tomorrow to your September show at Harvard. Less selfishly, I hope this means you are well and life has been better to you lately.
As I know is true for many others, your music means a lot to me. It got me through a particularly hard summer in New York, helped me bond with someone who is now a great friend, and has helped me run faster. If/when I go to the gym on Fridays, I like to start my workout with In The Aeroplane Over The Sea. Just the first few chords of "King of Carrot Flowers, Part 1" make me feel free, like it is finally the weekend and I can forget about all the bullshit of the work week.
I'm not sure why songs about semen, Jesus, and fetuses have added so much value to my life but they truly have. Thank you for making my life more fun and more meaningful.
Best of luck in your upcoming shows.
Cheers,
Noelle Janka
Jamaica Plain, MA
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