Happy Rainy Wednesday

Shugo Tokumaru: “Green Rain” from Videotapas on Vimeo.

It’s a cozy rainy down here in Austin, Texas. I’m trying to find the best music to match my mood. I think this one does it. By Shugo Tokumaru

Do SXSW Right. Do it for Free.

I love SXSW. I LOVE SXSW. Here’s an article Arun Sood wrote and I photographed for The Guardian. It’s all about how to do SXSW 4 frizzle yo. Also, a playlist of showcased bands. Stay hydrated and have FUN!

Kurt Vile Baby’s Arm

Amazing song and video by Kurt Vile. This video is proof that you don’t need fancy equipment to make a beautiful film. It was shot on a phone by photographer Todd Cole. So beautiful. The making of the film is below.

The Many Colours of Kate Moross

My friend Verity got me hooked on listening to music by Jessie Ware (below). She has a Kate Bush gone R&B feel to her. I watched her “Wildest Moments” video over and over and I couldn’t figure out why I was so drawn to it. The video is literally the singer sitting in front of the camera, nothing special but so enticing at the same time. So I decided to check out the director’s bio and discovered the lovely Kate Moross. Unlike this music video, this London based designer/illustrator/creative seems drawn towards complex patterns and bright neon colors. Her style is very distinct and I really love it when a creative can just as easily design a pair of adidas one minute and direct a beautiful music video the next.

Postcard From 1952

Have you seen Explosions in the Sky’s latest video? It’s a beautiful interepetation of the song ‘Postcard from 1952′. It’s directed by Annie Gunn and Peter Simonite and features my friend Shayla and her daughter Ruby. I love it when great work comes out of Austin. Take a look below.

SXSW Recap

My SXSW 2012 experience…one month later.

Usually my SXSW experience is very selfish. I’m on my bike with a strategic schedule mapped out to see every band I want to see for the week. I don’t deal with slow pokes or debbie downers. It’s the time of year when literally every band you ever wanted to see comes to town. I always figure I’ll see my friends after SXSW if I don’t run into them at a showcase. My mindset this year completely changed since I no longer live in Austin. This time around, I sort of made a list of things I wanted to see but mostly, I only cared about hanging out with old friends. Arun also had to cover a story for the Guardian on How to do SXSW for Free. This “restriction” actually made it more of a laid back experience since you can find free everything, everywhere. You want us to walk around and listen to free music and drink free beer? I think we can handle this kinda journalism. So, though I missed Bruce Springsteen (!!!), and Lil Wayne, and Jay – Z and a million other artists, I still probably saw 100 bands and had a great time catching up with my best friends.

Pop up venues all over town.

Brooklyn Vegan party.

Yay to reunions!

Free Beer.

Free disgusting Taco Bell that didn’t seem so disgusting after a few free cocktails.

Stubb’s Spin party.

Adventures on 6th street!

Who Are You Marques Toliver

I don’t know anything about Marques Toliver other than these videos but he’s coming to Amsterdam next month and I’m going to see him. Why? The beginning of the song below reminds me of Lou Reed’s Street Hassle which I love and he does Beyonce covers. He’s also a great singer. He’ll be performing at the Indiestad festival at the Amstelkerk on May 16.

Girl Walk/All Day: The Most Epic Dance Film

Reason number 45493983 on why the internet is amazing: freestyle dance movies. Girl Walk All Day is essentially one epic feature length dance music video to Girl Talk’s latest album All Day. The basic plot goes something like a girl escapes her rigid ballet class and runs off to New York for the best adventure ever. She’s stalked by a creeper, and has kind of a romantic interest. Just like most dance movies, the plot is pretty irrelevant. But unlike most dance movies, this film is really good! Actually I’m not trying to hate on dance movies, I probably watched Center Stage about eight times. But seriously, the freestyle moves by the lead girl Anne Marsen is so random and amazing. The whole film just seems like it was fun to make. The last video is a behind-the-scenes doc and I was shocked to find that the whole movie was made on a little SLR camera. Upcoming screenings can be found here or you can watch/dance-to the entire film from the comfort of your home too.

SXSW 2012 MIXTAPE

I want to throw up I’m so excited! Not only do I get to go back home in a week and see all my friends and family after another year long hiatus in Europe, I’m going during SXSW, aka Austin’s most charming week of the year. Free booze, sunshine, and insane parties, all while enjoying the 1,000 plus music acts from around the world. In preparation for this trip, I’ve been listening to this SXSW Mixtape by Arun almost everyday. I can’t wait!

P.S. I had a dream that I was at SXSW and I saw a guy performing who looked/sounded exactly like Bruce Springsteen. I started freaking out and slowly I realized that it was some random dude called Wolf Eyes. This will probably happen in real life.

Lower Dens – Brains
Caveman- Thankful
Childish Gambino – Freaks & Geeks (Star Slinger remix)
Django Django – Default
Tashaki Miyaki – If Not For You
Alabama Shakes – Hold On
Wild Child- Pillow Talk
Beach Fossils – Youth
You can’t win, Charlie Brown – Over the sun/Under the water
Circuit Des Yeux – 3311

I Fell into the Internet Hole

and found these. I can’t come out. I’m obsessed with these mashups by Australian musician/dj/insane editor of sound Pogo. I must have watched the Alice in Wonderland re-mix about ten times.

A little about the artist below.