_[WE COME FROM A PLACE WHERE WE COUNT THE DAYS^(

Phew I'm done working for this week and now I'm about to go to bed or at least that's still the plan. Plan was to immediately brush my teeth and go to bed once I got home, but as usual I couldn't resist the powers of the internet so here I am again checking out music, film and pictures before I close my eyes and head off to dreamland...

Very nice track and video by a band from Iceland called FM Belfast



Thanks to Hernâni! ;)
Via Stereogum

Posting 10 images at random from my ever growing image collection

Nude picture of model Daria Werbowy coming so be warned ;)

$;FEVER/]

The Morning Benders and their wall of sound

Yours Truly Presents: The Morning Benders "Excuses" from Yours Truly on Vimeo.

It's a long time ago since I discovered these guys, back when they had not released an album yet and I was playing early demos of songs like Damnit Anna. Then came their debut release Talking Through Tin Cans but seems that one was quickly forgotten though I liked it, especially fun and easy songs like Patient Patient. New album Big Echo will be out this year I believe and comes with a stronger sense of anticipation. Excuses is already a nice preview of what's to come!

Thanks to Stereogum

It's official I got myself a fever :(((

Sing it to me Kylie



I used to really like this album, might check it out soon again. Good pop/dance music :D

Oh Lara



Gonna get myself some fruit and vegetables!

>*I NORMALLY DON'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO LADY GAGA, BUT..._+

... apparently she's the new creative director of Polaroid!!!



I love everyone who's willing to keep the polaroid alive, so... hope she does a good job!

Thanks to Models.com for the info and Nicola Formichetti for the pictures

I saw this at Stereogum today



These New Puritans have a new album called Hidden and it has a lot of weight to it. Incredibly full and heavy sound. It's one of those albums that offers you so much on repeated listens. They'll be supporting The xx on February the 16th when I'm also going to see Japandroids! Gonna be one busy night :MusD

~%BACK TO SCHOOL_+

I'm happy to go back to school tomorrow! I've missed it

Warpaint was one of my best discoveries last year joining Dead Man's Bones and Japandroids. They've made a new video for their song Elephants


After multiple listens I'm really enjoying the new Vampire Weekend album, a bit unexpected as I did not LOVE Horchata, though Cousins I instantly loved. But my interest died a little, especially knowing they're such a hyped band I too started to wonder if they could still live up to it. Don't know about that, but I certainly enjoy their new record. Stand out is the song Run, but let Diplomat's Son and I Think UR A Contra grow on you and in time you'll start liking those too. It's not often I come across an album of which the second half seems to be much nicer than the first, but that seems to be the case with this one. It's usually the other way round.

Here they play Run live



And a video for one of the most fun songs from Merriweather Post Pavilion


As always very fun and colourful

Thanks Stereogum!

The Fall Be Kind EP is so GOOD tooooooo

#^TOPMAN SALE)_

Topman is having a huge sale. Spend that money!

These would be my picks










I don't know what took him so long but the music video for 11th Dimension is finally out, enjoy!



Love the Tron-ish jacket and the cheesy scenes like the ones at the bar. Funny stuff :D

Thanks to Stereogum

>_2009 GUMMY AWARDS+}

Nowadays I no longer care about the Grammys, however it's cool to see MGMT and especially Phoenix be nominated. Instead I much prefer Stereogum's Gummy Awards, 'cause it are the readers who get to vote and it makes for a much more interesting list

Best Album Of 2009: Animal Collective - Merriweather Post Pavilion
Best Music Video Of 2009: Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
Indie Rick Crush Female: Zooey Deschanel (She & Him)
Indie Rock Crush Male: Noah Lennox (Panda Bear, Animal Collective)
Best New Act Of 2009: The xx
Best Album Of The Decade: Radiohead - Kid A

To check out the complete lists for each category + other categories go here

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks

Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks from Suspicious Sounds on Vimeo.

^%KITTENS INSPIRED BY KITTENS"{

I'm busy voting for the 2009 Stereogum Gummy Awards and found this video which is nominated for Best Web Video. This is the only one of the nominated videos that I've seen so far and I've decided not to look at the others. I don't think anyone can beat this kid



Totally random but adorable :)

>*JOB INTERVIEW + PAT PAT & DIRTY PROJECTORS}\

This afternoon I had my first ever serious job interview. I had done two before, one for a call center and one for the cinema where I worked as a volunteer, but those I consider not that important. This one, however, was a bit more serious. It's not like I really want the job and it means the world to me when I get it, wouldn't go that far, but if I get the job it would be nice at the least. I'll be hearing from them in about two weeks so that leaves me with enough time to do things that I'm no longer able to do if it happens that I have to start working 4 days a week. But it's not certain yet if I get the job so I might still be without one after two weeks. It did go pretty well though. I was very relaxed and the two women I spoke with were really nice and normal. I liked the atmosphere. It didn't feel like this big official thing. It's not that I had to appear in a complete suit or anything. I don't like it when they want to turn these things into something more than they are 'cause at the end of the day it's just a simple conversation in which you tell about yourself. So it was definitely a good thing they were very laid back and didn't put any pressure on me or something. In two weeks I'll know what will happen next, whether they choose me or not. We'll see...

Last night there was Patrick Wolf and as I expected a little and was a bit afraid of the audience was pretty lackluster. I had felt this a bit before at Lowlands and it happened again. It's like some people are a bit afraid to show their massive love for Mr. Wolf because he wears these outrageous costumes and at times bump and grinds the stage with last night him even grabbing his crotch and rubbing his butt showing it off to the audience. :p I can understand if you happen to take a friend of yours with you, one that knows his music a bit but isn't that familiar with Mr. Wolf the performer, and he starts dancing Beyoncé style, you might feel like you have to defend Mr. Wolf as well as yourself a bit, telling your friend he's not always like this and even though he might show up half naked showing off his nipples he's still an awesome performer. So I can understand that completely. I have found myself doing the same, defending him by making clear that whether you might like his nipple touching or not, underneath all of that he's still a very talented musician. But Patrick is Patrick and his craziness and silliness comes with the package. So that response of the audience is okay if, that is, he's performing at some kind of festival where people aren't especially coming to see Pat Pat. But when I'm going to see Mr. Wolf in a sold out Paradiso I expect it to be filled with fans and enthusiasts, or at least some crazy fans at the front row. But this was not at all the case. The entire show I saw those front row people (I was standing something like row 5 or 6) just standing as if they were waiting for the bus to arrive. Okay they applaud and yes, you're allowed to experience a gig entirely the way you want. But don't tell me that as a Patrick Wolf fan the way you connect to his music is by standing still especially to his upbeat songs like Vulture or Bloodbeat. That's how you show your appreciation? That's what his music does to you, makes you feel? When he performs a song like The Sun Is Often Out, a very sad song that asks for the audience to be completely silent, it's perfectly alright. I loved that and I was touched by it the same way as when being at a Beirut concert where it's just all about the music and I don't feel like having to jump and go completely wild. I still loose myself in the music completely, but in a different way. But when songs like Tristan come up or Hard Times you just feel like dancing to that infectious and catchy beat. Those songs ask for that. But these people were still standing fairly still even during those songs. Fortunately I was surrounded by some people who were dancing and enjoyed themselves a lot and I guess those people saved the gig for me. To me the audience adds so much to the atmosphere and is able to hype up the artist performing so when that's not the case it starts to become rather dull. I've read that some people felt at the beginning Patrick didn't seem that much into it but what do you expect when you make your first appearance, you even get real close to the audience at a distance from where they are able to touch you, but nothing happens. I expected girls and boys screaming holding up their arms trying to grab a piece of Pat Pat. But no. It's like they weren't interested. And it's not like you have to be like that, wanting to touch the performer that you came to see, but at almost all concerts I've been to that's what happens when the artist gets that close to his audience. Arms reaching up for Alice Glass of Crystal Castles, Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand, I've seen it happen. But not when Patrick does the same. At least not at Lowlands or in Paradiso. It should make for an exciting moment, but here nothing happened. I remember my first Patrick Wolf show at Shepherds Bush Empire in London where this crowd of mostly teenagers went completely wild. Most of them dressed up, some having their hair dyed Patrick Wolf style and during the show even starting a mosh pit! Where are those Dutch crazy Patrick fans?! I would love to see them at his shows. Perhaps they just don't exist? Still Patrick was in great form and he even played Pigeon Song as well as The Libertine. Didn't expect that to happen. It made me crave for more of his old stuff. But when he played Tristan and I even held my arms up I felt a bit stupid considering around me the enthusiasm was completely lacking and it made me seem a bit weird like I'm being this outrageous fan when all I was doing was holding my arms up just a bit. Those people need to know they almost completely drain the performance from all its energy nomatter how hard Wolf and his band are trying. Luckily Patrick started to get really into it especially after such songs as The Sun Is Often Out and Pigeon Song which did get really enthusiastic responses. Maybe the Dutch fans like his slower stuff more, the darker sound, those songs in which he shows his great musicianship. That has to be it else I just can't explain. But like I said, Pat Pat found his groove and started to make some jokes and even took some shots of some kind of liquor :) Someome I guess ordered it for him 'cause all of a sudden I saw this guy walking towards the stage with these small glasses on his tray. First I thought he was the empty beer glass collector, but turned out he was on his way to bring Mr. Wolf some alcholic beverage. Mr. Wolf changed outfits two times, each time wearing cool black boots, just like me :p Unfortunately his song The Magic Position couldn't really interest me that much anymore, maybe because I've seen him play it before and it's the obvious favourite amongst a lot of his fans, but personally I don't think it's one of his best or most fun songs. I much rather prefer Tristan or A Boy Like Me when I want a Patrick song that can really make me dance and jump around. Apart from the lackluster audience I had a good time and thought the show was great. Patrick has a really strong voice, knows how to play instruments well and is able to entertain his audience in a fun tongue in cheek way. I would love to see him again although I would really like it if he did a show playing only old songs. I recall reading once that Bloc Party did a surprise gig somewhere in Australia where they performed the entire first album live. That must have been a great experience. I would love for Patrick to do the same though I doubt that will happen, unless he once again decides to retire. But I don't see that happening anytime soon and don't want to see that happening either. Unless of course he then decides to unretire like he did before. Then it would be great. :D

This is why I love Dirty Projectors soooo much. Watch them perform on Jimmy Fallon's show. Thanks to Stereogum!



Also they did a very intimate performance of the song for The Roots before they recorded the show. It's even more amazing than the performance on Fallon.
One person even had to say this about it:

'This video makes me feel like I've wasted my life. It's that beautiful.'



That's quite a big thing to say, but I feel there's some truth in that. It does kind of make me feel that way. I either want to be in Dirty Projectors or start my own band a la the Projectors. They have one of the best jobs

)*FORCED TO SAVE IT FOR ANOTHER DAY%^

With The September Issue being completely sold out (should have known lots of thirtysomething women with their girlfriends would all take a sprint to the cinema to see it as if the latest collection of a famous fashion designer had made its debut at the H&M) I was forced to watch a different movie. So me and my mum (dad decided to stay at home) went to see Män Som Hatar Kvinnor (Millennium: Men Who Hate Women). There's a great chance you've heard about the film because there's been a lot of hype surrounding it. It's based on the first part of the Millennium series written by Stieg Larsson who at this time last year was a complete stranger to me as to, I assume, many others. But ever since this trilogy became the new The Da Vinci Code everyone seems to be at it. Everyone, expect for me and my mum. No idea what we got ourselves into we entered the cinema and came out extremely pleased. What a thrill. It's like the usual detective mystery TV series, I guess, those you happen to see a lot on TV, but I'd never really seen any of those on the big screen. The story is solid although the ending is a bit predicatable, although I liked the motives behind it. Well acted, fast paced and extremely brutal which had me very surprised. I don't think I'll read the book anytime soon, perhaps in some years when the hype has cooled down, but who knows I might be at the cinema again once the movie adaptation of part 2 of the trilogy is released! :)

This afternoon I saw (500) Days Of Summer, one of my most anticipated films this year. As what usually happens I guess my anticipation killed it a bit for me 'cause I felt I never really managed to get completely into it. Don't know why. Perhaps I wasn't in the right mood or the fact that the film is filled with for me recognizable songs from artists such as The Black Lips, The Smiths, The Temper Trap and Regina Spektor kind of put me off. Everytime a scene started I could clearly hear the song in the background playing and all my attention was drawn to it. Couldn't help it. There's even a scene with a Carla Bruni song! I expect to be completely into it when I see it the second time. It happened to me when seeing Gus Van Sant's Paranoid Park. At the cinema I liked it, but when I saw it for the second time at home I really came to love it making it probably my favourite Van Sant film. That one I was waiting to see for a very long time so when the lights were switched off and the movie started playing I could hardly breathe. The film Once is another one of those examples. I still have to see that one for the second time though. So I'm expecting the same will happen with (500) Days. Joseph Gordon-Levitt as always is great. He's very charming and I can see him having a massive appeal. He seems this sentimental kind of guy with good looks but without that Brad Pitt or model type perfection. And although he's far from afraid to show emotions he's still the very guy-ish type too. So that makes for a wide appeal and for him being a great leading man in my eyes. Same for Zooey Deschanel who doesn't have that perfect model look either but who's still extremely pretty and dreamy. Her eyes being her strongest asset. I loved how she portrayed her character. She really made it hard for us spectators to read her and at times could be so cruel. Still you couldn't help to like her character 'cause, apart from her sweet Bambi eyes, she managed to convince you she did mean no harm and was just a girl who struggled with relationships. So I did really love the film 'cause it's all very cute but without it becoming to sugery sweet and girly, it even has some very nice animations in it as well as a funny dance scene! :DDD Me not getting completely into it yet might also have been because I held back a bit, not getting me too involved with the characters because being in a crowded cinema. Especially Gordon-Levitt's character had a chance to get me real good but I didn't let him get under my skin. I guess I didn't dare to with all those people around. :) So it'll be much better seeing it all by myself I when I will be able to get all romantic and cozy with me myself and I without anyone watching and just swoon away with every scene :D

Oh, and here's a real cool MGMT video for ya ;)



Via Stereogum

(*SICK SOON>"

I'm about to get a cold I'm feeling it :( It's summer for {%$#$&*(&*&*(!'s sake!

I just watched the new Beyoncé video. Stereogum was posting about it so I thought let's check it out. It's hilarious. It's so awful and super cheesy. But I like her for it 'cause I know she doesn't take things too seriously and this is just her entertaining her fans. She does deliver. She does exactly what people expect from her. I bet her fans love it and this will make for a hundred more of those videos of fans doing their own version. The part at the end is the best. She's pretending to be a golden robot or something and her chest... can't explain. Just watch it! :) But be prepared for a big glittery mess :D You might want to put on some sunglasses. Or perhaps these things:



You have to click this link to watch it though, cant embed it:

B's new vid

By the way do you know her remix album or whatever it is is called 'Above And Beyoncé'!! Normally someone would go and say, naaaaah, that's way too easy. But she just goes with it. Doesn't care. Brilliant

I keep thinking it's Friday but it's not...
I keep wondering if things are omens and whether I've come across some of them in the past. Maybe it's better not to ever come near a Paulo Coelho novel again. he messes up my mind!!!

%#JENS HAS SWINE FLU :( >}

Jens Lekman has swine flu?! Poor guy. Guess I won't bee seeing him in concert anytime soon.

This is what he said on his official website:

"I picked home one last souvenir from South America, it's called the H1N1 virus. Wrongfully known as the Swineflue.

I was crossing the Atlantic when things started getting really bad, the fever was hallucinogenic and shaking me like a leaf and I grabbed the sleeve of the Air France steward. "I'm not feeling well, I should see a doctor" I said and the reply came as a brilliant mix of death anxiety and french rudeness: "Uh, yes... Terminal D... go there maybe... when we land". After that the stewards and stewardesses took long detours. A ring of empty seats formed around me. Peoples eyes were kind but determined, they read "Poor you, I really wish you all the best but if you come near me or my kid I will have to stab you with this plastic fork". I got up and went to the bathroom where I fainted.

Now I'm in quarantine for ten days. I can see the summer through my window and it's just perfect. Summer is always best through a window."

LOL Great guy that Jens. 'Summer is always best through a window' Excellent. Hopefully this inspires him for new songs and some great new lyrics!

Thanks to Stereogum for mentioning this!

So apart from going to the supermarket downstairs to grab a bite I had not really left the house and walked the streets since Sunday. Have been too busy working on my thesis. So I was surprised how nice the weather is. I mean, I knew it was warm and I can see the sun shining from my room, but I had no idea it was so nice. Inside it's really hot, but when you go outside it's just perfect. Not too warm. It's not like you're covered in sweat after just 15 minutes out. So I was pleasantly surprised.
I ended up buying five DVDs after meeting up with my supervisor. I'll try to send him a new and final version by Monday. Afterwards it will be the start of my summer vacation! :D
First Ratatat tomorrow evening. Can't wait. Finally a gig again. I've been missing going to concerts. Wish it was May again :(

!&STILLNESS IS THE MOVE~_

Awesome video. They even do some choreography. Love the llama! :)

_}KEEPS GETTING BETTER#!

Friendly Fires started out as just another one of those bands, but lately I feel like obsessing over them. Their album has been growing on me and now I LOVE it. It keeps getting better and better. It's so fun, funky and danceable. I know I know, I still love Foals as well and all thsoe other bands. But right now I'm all for Friendly Fires. Recently I discovered the greatness of two tracks Lovesick and Photobooth after already realizing Skeleton Boy, Jump In The Pool, and of course Paris are great. Also, On Board is starting become a real favourite, thanks to this incredible stripped down version they did for Stereogum which just launched these video sessions thingy called Decomposed. It truly proofs that Ed MacFarlane who does lead vocals in the band has a great voice and is an awesome singer. Some singers in bands don't seem that great but Ed is a real exception as the video from the Decomposed sessions shows. Enjoy it below!