Break On Through

What would Jim think? Who cares, just keep those T-shirts and box sets rolling. If some stupid teenage girl fails to grasp the irony, that's her problem.

Boards of Canada Video

I've never been a big fan of moving images connected with music (I like my audio pure) but I couldn't deny I was quite interested in the just-released Boards of Canada video for "Dayvan Cowboy" from their latest CD, "The Campfire Headphase." It's their first video ever and much like their music, it has an elegant mystery about it, with big metaphors at work. Thankfully, it's not an attempt to duplicate the "faded memory" feel of their packagaing, but it certainly feels right for the music.

See it here.

...overcoat hanging on a barbwire fence

Great thread over at I Love Music (the ultimate music junkie site) - made up Tom Waits lyrics.

I Know That Voice

Stephen Hill, creator of the long running Hearts of Space radio program (I helped design the website) has done the voiceover for "Green" - one of seven short films being released as part of Adidas' viral campaign for their re-released Adicolor series. The shoes are all white but come with a set of markers for customization.

After hearing Stephen introduce his "slow music for fast times" for many years, it's odd to hear his voice in this context. The film is wickedly compelling, by the way. See it here.

Read about more the project here.

A New McDonalds

McDonalds is spending 1.8 billion to refresh, rebuild or relocate 7,000 outlets. New elements include enhanced seating and décor elements, contemporary artwork, modern lighting and fixtures, wood and metal seating, updated restrooms and double drive-thru lanes.

Needs. Lies. Money.

Really interesting thread at Ask Metafilter. The subject of marketing diamonds turns to several examples of industries creating needs, desires and fright around myths.

Here's my favourite comment: "People are being told that every little thing that is in the slightest way imperfect is something that should be treated with medicine. Because, of course, medicine is a highly profitable product.

So, for example, kids are no longer simply energetic, they are hyperactive or they have some damned syndrome. Adults, too, suddenly have syndromes rather than, for example, plain old crappy concentration. You take pills to sleep properly and pills to eat properly and pills to shit properly. And if there is no real medicine to cure the complaint for which they want to sell you a product, they put a label on a bottle of water and vitamins and sell it as "homeopathic" medicine."

Back in Time

Interesting set of photos from the 1970's Fort Walton Beach, Florida bar and entertainment scene. Can't help but wonder where these people are now. They must have some great stories to tell.

Broadcasting from a Basement in San Francisco

SomaFM - the great free streaming music provider, just got even better. They've added another station to the lineup - Space Station Soma (spaced-out ambient and mid-tempo electronica). If you're even vaguely interested in electronic music (of any kind) you really should give Soma a spin, if you haven't already.

Direct links to all the other streams:

Groove Salad A nicely chilled plate of ambient beats and grooves.
Secret Agent The soundtrack for your stylish, mysterious, dangerous life. For Spies and PIs too!
Drone Zone Served best chilled, safe with most medications. Atmospheric textures with minimal beats.
Indie Pop Rocks New and your favorite classic indie pop tracks.
Cliqhop IDM Blips'n'beeps backed mostly w/beats. Intelligent Dance Music.
Beat Blender A late night blend of deep-house and downtempo chill.
Tag's Trance Trip Progressive house / trance. Tip top tunes.

3 into 1

Currently obsessing over the "Discipline / Beat / Three of a Perfect Pair" trio of King Crimson recordings. Have these ever been packaged as a box set? Seems like a great idea, considering the musical aesthetic they all share.

The Ephemeral City

For a design class taught by Stefan Sagmeister, Amanda Spielman created a travel brochure for "New Ephemera" - a beautiful, culturally rich but fictitious city. Here's the brochure.

This kinda makes me think of Nick Bantock.