how indie rock saved my life

I cannot wait to read 'Perfect From Now On: How Indie Rock Changed My Life.' Before the book even starts, on the inner flap where a plot description usually is has instead, the author, John Sellers' "top 5 musical things he hopes will happen now that the original lineups of the pixies and dinosaur jr. have reunited." I knew right away this is a guy I would enjoy ipod-ing with at a party. Heeeere it is:

1. Ian Curtis is resurrected
2. The Smiths reunite for a private party at my favorite bar
3. There is a new My Bloody Valentine album
4. A new Nirvana comes along to blow away all of these Duran Duran emulators
5. Radiohead stops listening to Pink Floyd and starts listening to Black Sabbath
   

 

This reminds me of last weekend when I went to see Tokyo Police Club at this volleyball festival on the beach where the average event-goer was in a bikini with a full face of makeup or a "tanjuicedguido." When asked if I was there for the "vball" I proclaimed I hated volleyball and was there for Tokyo Police Club. "What's that?" "A band." "What genre are they?" "Well, I would describe them as indie rock I suppose." "What's indie rock?" and this conversation went on like this until I realized that I do know what indie rock is (in my heart), I just couldn't verbalize it. Maybe after I finish this book I'l be able to tell the world the exact definition of indie rock, we'll see. BTW here are some cute pictures of some indie rockers I've been into lately :)

[Deerhunter, The Spinanes,  Nathan Williams/Wavves, Born Ruffians, Yuck, Jamie T.]

Tom Vek vs. Ben Lee

Audition specs for Tom Vek's Aroused video: must be beautiful with good lips, a proficient modern dancer, and an artful smoker. This video is the most glamourized depiction of cigarettes I've ever seen. The opponent, Ben Lee, portrays an extremely blatant message in Cigarettes Will Kill You (read the title why don't you?). I like the 90s lighting and Rose McGowan-esque leading lady, and how Ben Lee amps up the severity of his tone by showing that cigarettes will LITERALLY kill you. I felt compelled to post both sides of this figurative double edged sword (or single edged sword for most) to provoke a healthy discussion of this current issue.

Lucian Freud

In memory of Lucian Freud (8 December 1922 – 20 July 2011)

Captured a uniqueness of subjects with a lush brush stroke and eye for detail. One of the greatest artists of our time and a major inspiration for any painter.

Girl In Bed

Queen Elizabeth II

Black Eye

Remembering

35°C

Pool fantasy time. Am weighing the pros and cons of getting in an icy cold bath with my clothes on. Just did the unthinkable and bought a venti starbucks drink yet don't feel like I'm going to explode. Using ice packs to cool off my black cat. Not complaining tho..

[Leila Peterson | Dwell | Universe of My Own | Eric Fischl Barbeque | Our Bright Eyes | TPC- "Wait Up"]

food

Make yourself useful and cook somethin nice for ya family. Turning on the oven may be a pain, but these recipes are worth it. Especially the pancakes- make them for every meal, why not?

Black bean spinach burgers | Vegan blueberry pancakes | Buckwheat soba noodles w/ steamed veggies

almost good

[Natalie Kucken, Deerhunter Microcastle, Obsessee, UO lookbook ft Charlotte Free, Ghost World, wildromantic]

he paints, he surfs, he does yoga...just a great bloke

Your new crush Chris Del Moro. Check the killer beard. Not to mention he has a blind vegetarian dog. Oh, he also makes a mean veggie juice. I wonder what kind of music he listens to...

morning sun

This couple has built a wood platform with a small kitchen hut in the woods instead of a vacation home. This would make camping pretty un-miserable. $5000 tent by North Face in case you were wondering. [via Dwell]