SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER; Stream my Vacation mix for free!

Oh summer. I've waited so long for your arrival, for your sunny afternoons and evening thunderstorms, your beachy cocktails and Hollywood blockbusters -- and finally (FINALLY!) here you are, looking dapper as ever as you heat things up, practically FORCING us all to don shorts and flip-flops, and bask in your glorious rays.

Google image result #15 for "summer." By Sator Arepo.

Of course, what's a little sunbathing without a lithe and celebratory soundtrack to back it up? (Answer: a trip to Hollywood Tans.) This holiday weekend, I'll be getting my groove on vacation-style, with a delightful mix of new party tunes (many of which you've read about here!) and old faves, guaranteed to stir up those sunny feelings in all of us. And you can too! Check and stream my SUMMER VACATION mix here -- and prepare to experience riot time.

In the meantime, here's cute sunshiney vid to kick things off (not from my mix):

Note: I have no idea who these kids are.

Happy Memorial Day!

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Best New Music: Who Knew

That's a band name, not a question -- and like all things awesome and vaguely confusing, they hail from the impossible-to-pronounce city of Reykjavík, Iceland (for proof on the "awesome and confusing" point, click here), where apparently people don't have eyes.

Are those sunny side up eggs? (photo by Daníel Guðmundur Harðarson)

But just because it's icy (or was that Greenland?) doesn't mean it's not a party town (just look at Boulder, Colorado), and indeed, these dudes know to let loose and go a little crazy. Their wild, sweat-drenched antics have won many a fan in Northern Europe -- and that fan base is about to grow, once people discover their shiny debut, Bits and Pieces of a Major Catastrophe.

With roots in new wave and indie dance rock (if you don't pay attention, you might mistake them for Wolf Parade), plus a heavy flirtation with lush sound layers, Who Knew reel you in with fluttering synths and driving guitars -- which grow and mutate as they shift from one epic concoction to the next.

Rocking out. (photo by Hörður Sveinsson)

But don't just take my word for it. (It's not like I'm a music blogger or anything) -- check out their video on Phrequency.com. Who knew Reykjavík could produce so much awesome?

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Music Video Mondays: Cassette Kids

**Music video Mondays is a new segment, updated whenever I feel like it (but mostly on Mondays) in which I post music videos. Clever, right?

Cassette Kids are a kinda crappy Australian indie rock band whose vanilla-flavored tunes are made tastier by the fact that they're all really snappy dressers.

(Note: I am not joking.)

They also have a couple good songs, like this one, which makes me feel like Gwenyth Eyes are back in style, and that wearing a sparkly bathing suit with a mesh dress and platforms is ok:

(I'm totes wearing this to the next Making Time.)

As for the rest of their album (the recently released Nothing on TV), I can't tell if it's just sort of bland, unoriginal pop (I blame record label Sony) or if it's specifically crafted for high school students weaned on Hannah Montana (see also: the Glee soundtrack) -- but I will say this: According to their Myspace, Cassette Kids are CURRENTLY busy completing an epic tour of area high schools, which really -- when you think about it -- is pretty damn cool. (I remember when Nine Days played my high school (circa 2001) and I thought it was the shit!)

Anyway, whether or not they're a mass-market ploy to entice youths across the globe -- or just some radio-friendly popsters with fierce style -- one thing is undeniable:



Whoever let front woman Katrina Noorbergen out of the house in those leggings deserves to be shot. I'm looking at you, Sony Music.

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Best New Music: The Glitch Mob

Really, the name says it all. The Glitch Mob are a glitchy (yes, it's true!), throbbing (musically only!) dubstep/IDM/hip-hop collective who create thick, atmospheric concoctions with blistering back beats and spacey instrumentation just as likely to appeal to the dance freak in all of us as the devotees of Sigur Rós.

The Glitch Mob.

LA mix-masters who got their start in the West Coast underground electro scene, The Mob built a fan base the old-fashioned way: by being pretty much the coolest dudes around. (Just look at that photo and tell me they don't look BAD-ASS.) From sold-out club performances to kicky remixes (for the likes of TV on the Radio and Ed Banger), and much-hyped appearances on the festival circuit...The Glitch Mob possess both the creativity and raw energy to totes be the next big thing. Their debut album, Drink the Sea, drops May 25 on the band's Glass Air label. And to think -- you read about them here first. Well, here and at Phrequency.com...

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The Danish, despite having a ridiculous name that reminds me of breakfast pastries, are pretty damn sexy

I'm not usually a big radio pop fan (correction: I'm not usually a big American radio pop fan) but I've been digging this tune by Danish Grammy award winner Kira -- a sexy brunette with a sultry voice and penchant for dramatics, whose visceral, bluesy tunes caught the attention of legendary producer Tricky, who signed her to his Brown Punk label.

Her U.S. debut, Nowhere to Run, drops June 11 -- in the meantime, here's a vid to satiate your curiosity. It's smoky, brooding, volatile, and at the same time, strangely comforting. Is Kira the next PJ Harvey? Only time will tell.

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Best New Music: Casiokids

When I was 9 years old, my parents bought me my first very Casio keyboard. (I wanted to take piano lessons; they couldn't afford a piano, so a keyboard was the next best thing.) Years later, the skills didn't stick (plus I'm pretty sure my brother Dan ended up disassembling all the keys to use in some live action home video with Lego men [no joke]) -- but luckily the memories did. That keyboard and i had some good times -- I loved changing the tone and making it sound like a clarinet, or (even better!) a harp -- and I LOVED all the different beats you could program it to play, as you rocked out hardcore to "Heart and Soul." (God, remember when playing "Heart and Soul" on the piano was super cool?)

Not me (although it could have been!)

Anyway, I suppose this makes me -- in the most elementary sense of the phrase -- a "Casiokid" -- and perhaps Ketil Endresen had a similar experience in mind when he named his band -- the playful, Norwegian indietronica act -- Casiokids. A quartet and sometimes 9-piece (see photo below) who craft glitchy, celebratory party anthems, Casiokids have been turning knobs and setting up beats for 5 years now -- and have won the hearts of everyone from Of Montreal (who they toured with in 2009) to unsuspecting small children (perhaps some casiokids themselves!), intrigued by the joyous melodies and live puppetry. That's right -- these zany Norwegians are known to supplement their live performances with colorful shadow puppets -- as well as light shows, bear costumes, and more -- in an attempt to make music more visual. What will they think of next, dancing soft pretzels?

C-kids. (aerial shot!)

Anyway, I'm pretty much obsessed with these guys nowadays, and have been listening to their American debut, Topp Stemning På Lokal Bar (Norwegian for “Good times at the local bar") -- pretty much nonstop. Why does this album rule so much? Well, lots of reasons. And I'd detail them here...but then you'd have no reason to read my review on Phrequency.com. So do me a favor and check it out -- I promise, there's weird video footage it in for everyone.

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Neighborhood Watch: This last week felt like summer...

...and with summer feelings come those early summer outfits: wacky and wonderful trendy pieces you bought earlier this month, most likely at Urban Outfitters*--and have had many rainy weeks to try on and on again, as you contemplate your perfect summer outfit.

A "look" from the Urban Outfitters summer catalog. I kinda like the sweater
and the shoes, but are those glasses really necessary? And why such a pout? You're a model!

What's big this year? A couple cursory glances around the neighborhood reveal: cute, flowered dresses (hooray!), bizarro sandals, and what I like to call the "deliberate schizophrenic" look, which generally comprises: several items that not only don't match but clash in hideous, off-putting ways.

Thanks, LATFH.

I swear, at the Church Friday night (for Beach House), I witnessed at least a half-dozen girls wearing ridiculously clash-y outfits (we're talking like, patterned culottes [why????] with differently patterned tights, and striped tees) -- flitting about like they were hot stuff. Which can only mean one thing and that is: this is the "in" look this summer, and we should all probably try it, so the youth don't look ridiculous in comparison. Oh god, did I just say "the youth?" What I meant was: my contemporaries (my age still rounds down to 20, you know.) They can do whatever the hell they want!

Is it just me or do these things...not go together? (From lookbook.nu)

Note: I have a love/hate relationship with Urban Outfitters. I love them because they're cheap, stock 1000 different things, and ship direct to my office in 2 days. I hate them because they have a monopoly on "hipster fashion" (I love them because they know it and roll with it. Also, I hate them because I love them. And mostly, I hate their sandals.)

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Like mother, like a daughter: A special Mother's Day reflective post

Ah, mothers. I've never understood people my age who "don't get along" with their mothers--to me, this is as foreign as not liking the Beatles. (Oh those crazy people who claim to prefer the Stones!) My mother was such an important part of my life growing up that even though I only see her a few times a year nowadays, her impact will be felt forever.

Me and Mom, summer 2004. Hard to believe this was 6 years ago!

My mom -- like me -- is one of those people who is constantly busy, who obsesses over tiny details, and probably tries way too hard to please everyone. She's a fantastic writer -- although she never had any training (back in the '70s, if you were an intelligent woman, you didn't major in English -- you majored in science or math), was the first person in her family to attend college (she grew up poor, and rose to the middle class through old-fashioned hard work and wanting it really, really badly) -- and put her law career on hold for 20 years to raise 3 children, at least 2 of which turned out reasonably well. (The jury is still out on my youngest brother.) But most of all, my mom is pretty much the best person in the world to talk to about ANYTHING -- she's a fabulous listener, a steadfast supporter, and always offers me the best advice.

Mom, always working. Summer 2006.

My senior year of high school, I won a $2500 scholarship by placing 3rd in a public speaking contest describing your heroes. I talked about my mom. (The guy who won talked about Malcolm X -- is it bad I consider it a cop-out when Black kids talk about Malcolm X?) 7 years later (7 years! oh god i am getting so OLD!) I can't remember a word of it -- but I'm sure it went something along the lines of: Mom told me to believe in myself, and not worry about what others thought. In high school in particular, I was pretty WEIRD (strangely dyed hair, giant pants, a dual affinity for musical theater and the hip-hop stylings of Kid Rock) -- but Mom let me run with it, and when I decided I wanted a lead in the school play, she coached me through auditions and call backs, even though she didn't know a thing about singing herself. (Ditto with my brother Dan starting an indie skate zine.) We were never the cool kids, and she was never the cool mom (I remember nearly melting with embarrassment when she showed up at school one day wearing pink pants with little dinosaurs on them) -- but we were who we were, and thanks to Mom, we were never ashamed of it.

I'm sure I've posted this photo before, but it's so amusing I figured it couldn't
hurt to share it again. This is the yearbook photo that ran my senior year
of high school of the "Top scholars." Note how everyone looks serious,
except for me. How can you be serious while wearing a ripped recreation
basketball jersey?

Nowadays, Mom is back at work, and I'm on my own, 80 miles away. But whenever I'm experiencing strife (too many work assignments leaving me overwhelmed, no money to pay rent, runny nose that just won't stop!), she's always the first person on my speed dial. I won't be home for Mother's Day this year (too much work, not enough time!), but I'll certainly be thinking of the woman who made me who I am today. Happy Mother's Day, Mom. I love you.

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Best New Music: Kate Nash

She's saucy, witty, and has an undeniable talent for capturing the thoughts and spirits of 20-somethings everywhere. Oh -- and she likes getting drunk on the beach, hates toothaches, and sometimes burns her fingers on the toaster, just like me. But if those aren't reasons enough to adore British pop sensation Kate Nash -- then perhaps her sophomore album, My Best Friend is You, is.

If being a rock star means access to tons of cupcakes...sign me up!
(Now to just learn to play an instrument, and maybe write some songs...)

An ingenue who burst onto the scene in 2007, with the very catchy, very cute "Foundations" (sadly: about a relationship falling apart), Nash won over the music universe with her intimate lyrics, poppy melodies, and charming cockney accent. Now, 3 years later, she's back -- with a new album that showcases her growing maturity. From freewheeling, '6os-inspired ditties (always a KB fave!) to snarling, angst-y rants (that's right: rants! from Kate Nash!), My Best Friend is as satisfying and thrilling as a sleepover with a real life best friend -- which is to say: comfortable, invigorating, and good for the soul. Read more -- and catch her new vid -- at Phrequency.com.

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Demographic Study: 16 Minute Stanley

In today's high-tech world of fast-changing culture, staying abreast of what's new and cool can be difficult for anyone -- but especially for 16 Minute Stanley. A child who was probably always the last to touch his finger to his nose when choosing gophers for unpopular tasks (not it!), Stanley -- named after the resistant, slow-moving character on NBC's The Office -- is characterized by his crippling inability to keep up with his savvy, hip-to-know friends.

Stanley the Manley. Working hard or hardly working?

However, unlike his cantankerous counterpart, who is more than happy with the way things are, thankyouverymuch, 16 Minute Stanley strives to keep in the know -- but fails, tragically, each and every time. You know that YouTube video everyone was forwarding 2 months ago? Stanley just discovered it. That hairstyle the elite was rocking for 2 weeks, 3 weeks ago? Stanley's testing the waters as we speak. (As if headbands are ever ok on guys.) That super cool Casiokids single you're listening to right now? You can bet Stanley's gonna come in singing it, exuberantly, sometime in June -- waiting until the 15 minutes of fame on whatever have expired...making him 1 sad little minute behind the times.

Man bands. Best worn shirtless, with snake necklace. (Thanks, LATFH).

Does that mean that 16 Minute Stanley is un-cool? Well, yes. And also no. Compared to his pals, who are hyper-obsessed with trends, and probably waste all day reading blogs on the internet anyway -- Stanley might be a little lacking in the hipness department. But compared with the average American -- who eats at McDonalds and thinks Vampire Weekend is the next book in the Twilight series -- he's doing just fine. After all, Minute 16 is better than Minute 20 -- or Minute 30, or 100, or 5,000 (god forbid.) And should Stanley ever shift social circles -- to a slightly less pretentious group of super best friends -- you can bet he'd be the Belle of the ball. Which brings me to the important lesson here; something we ALL can learn from Stanley -- when in doubt, find less cool people to hang with -- and you too can make yourself look better in comparison.

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Like this post? Read about other demographic types here.