Not Fade Away// Bo Diddley

John Magarro and Jack Houston jamming

I saw Not Fade Away this week; a movie that tells the story of a group of boys from New Jersey in the 60s trying to make it as a band. The movie was great if you count out certain scenes that felt really out of nowhere and uncomortable, i.e. the ending. Art direction on the other hand, was spot on; the wardrobe chosen for all the characters was sooo cool...I know the original reference is 60s rock and roll, but I couldn't help but think 90s Strokes with the band's outfit choices. The lead John Magaro, who plays Doug, reminded me so much of Albert Hammond Jr. what with his 'fro and smart little jackets. Not Fade Away is filled with 60s rock and roll footage, particularly, Bo Diddley playing live with a female guitarist. The live performance video is cut into a scene where the band is jamming; to show the origins of the "Bo Diddley Beat" that Doug's playing. I got so psyched about the backup dancer who's also singing AND playing the guitar. I did some research and found her name is Norma Jean Woffard or "The Duchess." It was refreshing to see a female in Not Fade Away who was actually playing an instrument and not gazing glassy eyed at a television at Mick Jagger.

Conclusion: aside from the freaking weeeird ending (won't reveal specifics!), I really did enjoy this movie. With an awesome soundtrack and a pretty convincing look into 60s youth culture, it's comparable to that John Lennon biopic Nowhere Boy. Except I enjoyed this one more.

winter feelings// elliott smith + maurice cullen

Listening to Elliott Smith in the winter can be tricky. If it's a rainy afternoon and you've just put on the 2-disc posthumous album "New Moon" you're bound to be feeling not so happy come song 24. By the end, you could be dissolved in a puddle on the floor singing along to "see you later/ if I see you at all," trying to hold back sobs. BUT as I noticed the other day when the snow kept falling all day, listening to Elliott Smith during snowy weather feels folky and warm. It reminds me of listening to him while cross country skiing up to a wood cabin in the forest. Or driving back from New York State after Christmas. Like the feeling I get when I look at this painting by Maurice Cullen. The late night winter light is so beautiful! I'm pretty sure the painting shows the view of Ottawa from the other side of the river in Quebec.

_{Maurice Cullen "Winter Evening, Quebec" 1934}

top christmas movies that aren't

 Movies that have a longer timeline usually have a cluster of holiday season scenes in them (see Mean Girls) which make me then categorize them as being forever Christmas movies. Kids movies also fall into the vast 'holiday movie' category, just because they feel cozy and nostalgic...when you watch movies you watched as a kid, you feel like a kid. Precious holiday vacation time well spent!

Mean Girls (2004): the scenes from Mean Girls that always come to mind first are the Christmas scenes, like the Glenn Coco candy gram scene and the Jingle Bell Rock scene.

Anastasia (1998): The sparkly animation quality of this movie makes me feel festive. The art design of the Romanov palace is awesome. Rasputin, the evil zombie villain, definitely puts a damper on holiday cheer in Anastasia, but don't worry! It is a kids' movie, so it has a happy ending.

Little Women (1994) has this rustic New England Christmas-y feeling that transcends to the whole movie, not just the Christmas scenes. Anyhow, watch this movie and see Christian Bale look super young and fresh-faced...and not even crazy at all! 

Indian Church// Emily Carr

_{Indian Church 1929, Emily Carr}

DECEMBER MIX

christmastime fun!!! + "Can't Hurry Love"- the Supremes

_{list follows clockwise order starting at bottom left.}

√ Go to museums with friends and/or family! I'm personally excited to go to the Nature museum that has dinosaur exhibitions and thousands of minerals and rocks on display. Going to museums reminds me of being a kid.

√ Put on new or old Hannah Barbara cartoons, like the Jetsons or the Powerpuff Girls. Then commence knitting and/or crocheting and tea consumption.

√ Listen to: Diana Ross and the Supremes, Scott Walker, Jens Lekman, Sigur Ros, and Curtis Mayfield- music that sounds cheery and has a holiday mood, but doesn't mention "mommy kissing santa clause" at all, thank god. Here's my Christmas mix from last year if you're in the mood for actual Xmas songs.

√ Christmas garlands

√ Make your own perfume or mixed teas using loose leaf blends and muslin.

√ Have a horchata party! Horchata is a South American libation that is made of rice, vanilla, and cinnamon that is a great alternative for eggnogg h8ers. When I hear the line in the Vampire Weekend song "In December drinking horchata..." it really makes me want to make and drink horchata in December. Here's a recipe!

√ While you're having your Horchata party, why not make flower crowns as well?!

√ Holiday baking! I want to make these quasi Rice Krispie squares that are made up of Fruit Loops and COCONUT RUM! So festive! 

Get Found// Bass Drum of Death

_{Weekend jam courtesy of Bass Drum of Death}