mutual benefit.

A beautiful song from one of my favorite albums of the year.  So good.  Check out Love's Crushing Diamond by Mutual Benefit if you haven't already. 

jason molina.

this weekend was a sad one.  on saturday we lost jason molina of songs: ohia, a prolific folk musician with a bit of a beaten soul, to a long struggle with alcohol.  i can still remember the first time i saw him play in 2000, in a tiny room in bloomington, indiana after he had released his album the lioness.  there were no more than 70 people there, so it was pretty intimate, and his emotional presence was so palpable while playing that people were frozen in place.  his voice made you hold your breath and your heart drop into your stomach, it was so pure and sad and sincere.  since he was the backdrop for much of my formative adult life (and still is), this is a tough one to let go.  RIP jason, you will be missed.

letting go of ghosts.

i've been hooked on the latest album from bat for lashes, the haunted man.  this video, which includes plenty of cuts from the new album, is a lovely insight into the person and the process behind the band, natasha khan.  love this girl, and love that voice.

best frends.

headphones - what's the first word that comes to your mind?  i'm going to go ahead and guess that the word you chose is probably not "sexy."  i've been thinking about headphones more lately since my wire-loving kitties have now gnawed through several pairs of the things, and while some styles can be cool, they're often lacking a feminine touch (nor do they fit a feminine head).  the brand frends, however, have created some seriously chic, classy, and downright good-looking headphones that any girl would be proud to wear.  i love the white/metal combo which goes with anything, and the clean lines and delicate shape make them modern and fuss-free.  now the real question is, do cats like the way the cords taste?  see more from frends here.

france gall.

this sunny saturday has me wanting to bust out a few moves to an old favorite - laisse tomber les filles by 60s french sweetheart france gall.  groovy.

new theory.

i'm enjoying this version of new theory by washed out from a recent black cab sessions. the acapella / acoustic style of these sessions is what makes them so great, but i like the addition of the ipad in this one.  ah technology! 

celentano woodworks.

just because i don't have a shred of musical talent doesn't mean i can't daydream about jamming out like everyone else, and these custom hand-made pieces by celentano woodworks are right up my alley.  i especially love the color and sweet shape of the heart one.  and need i point out there's a ukelele with a cat for the sound hole? (i believe that's the technical term.)  dare i call it - a mew-kelele?  i do.  see more of celentano's fine handiwork here.

crazy for you.

and especially crazy for this video.  a song i already loved by best coast, plus cats in shirts.  i need nothing more. 

etta james.

one of the most talented vocalists of our time, miss etta james, has died today at the age of 73.  i can still remember the first time i heard her voice and it sent chills up my spine, and years and endless listenings later her voice is still as timeless and powerful as ever.  we were lucky to have had her.  RIP etta, you were a real class act. 

true loves.

it's always satisfying when a music video really seems at one with the song it was made for, which explains why i'm so into "true loves" by hooray for earth.  it's a perfect combo.  enjoy!

in love ... with oh land.

i'm in love with oh land, aka Nanna Øland Fabricius, a danish ballerina turned singer and songwriter.  in march she released her self-titled sophomore album, a strong follow-up to her debut fauna, lush poppy trip-hop layered with vintage-style crooning.  not only is she breathtakingly beautiful, but she has mad style and a voice that will stop you in your tracks.  it's official.  i'm in.  learn more about her (and her surprisingly similar youtube playlist to mine) here.

the magic

i recently got tipped off to the song "the magic" by joan as police woman by my friend oliver - and while the video is delightfully bizarre, i'm more likely to jam to this song while cruising the highway on a warm summer day.  that is, after i get my hair brushed by a fish-wielding bodybuilder.