Perfect Life

I wanted to share this music video (which I think is just a fan-made video and not the official music video) for Belong's 'Perfect Life.' *see update below*
Such a beautifully directed & filmed video.  Haunting/sweet/nostalgic.

*UPDATE:
Reader, Linn, let me know that the video from this was actually taken from a music video directed by Kristoffer Borgli for the band Young Dreams.  You can see the original video here.
I've said this in my blog before, but it honestly makes me really sad when someone uses other people's work and they neglect to give any credit.  I believe that if artists are generous enough to share their work with the world, they deserve to have credit for that work.  We are lucky that we are continuously supplied with such beauty to look at, listen to, and feel.  Everyone deserves credit.

On another note, here is another incredible music video that I just saw a minute ago and knew I needed to include it in this post.  This is a new music video for the band Yuck and is directed/edited by two of my friends, the talented Forrest Borie & Michael Reich.  Beautifully done, boys.

Yuck - Shook Down from Yuck on Vimeo.

I Don't Mind

I wanted to share the debut music video for my friends, Cold Showers, whose excellent LP, 'Highlands,' is out now on Mexican Summer.
Brian Davila (also their keyboardist) directed/filmed part of the video in my backyard, where myself and a few friends put on goth makeup and threw fake blood around.  After filming commenced, I needed a 5 hour bath.
Here it is:

Cold Showers "I Don't Mind" from Brian Davila on Vimeo.

Kurt Vile

I can't stop listening to "Jesus Fever" & "In My Time" off Kurt Vile's new album, Smoke Ring For My Halo. Just thought I'd share.

End Of The World

In honor of the supposed upcoming Apocalypse known as 'The Rapture,' (which I find to be hilarious/weird/entertaining) here is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Springtime Jams

So much Robyn Hitchcock on my balcony as the sun sets.

When I listen to his music, sometimes I feel like a better person.

Currently...

1. I love the dramatic gradient effect of Ombre haircolor.  It looks really effortless (maybe because it looks like your roots are growing in? hah), beachy, and perfect for summer.  I'm not sure if this coloring would suit me...I'm really on-the-fence about trying this one out.
2. I get really excited when Spring comes around, because the weather is absolutely perfect for hiking.  I've already ventured out on a few, and I realized that when I'm surrounded by nature, I am full of ideas.  Next time I go for a hike, I'll be sure to bring this journal.
3. This hand-painted moon locket is adorable, and I think I need it immediately.
4. When the sun sets, I'm finding myself listening to records & sitting out on my balcony writing, drawing, or reading (with a glass of wine, of course).  One of my favorite ways to spend my time alone.
5. It's California Poppy season, which means I get to finally make a trip to the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve to wander around and take photographs.
6. The Communal-Table series of cookbooks really embodies why I love cooking.  Gathering friends together to share a meal is one of my favorite things in the world.  These cookbooks are great & book is illustrated beautifully.
7. I drink a mug of Zhena's Red Lavender Tea every morning when I wake up.  I don't think that I could live without it.
8. Rachel Comey is a shoe genius.  I would buy this pair of clog platforms in an instant if I wasn't saving up for Europe...but the thing is, I think I need these shoes for Europe...what am I supposed to do!? (P.S. It's my birthday next month.)
9. My friend Sara and I just started a new tradition: Lazy Sundays with friends. Every Sunday we are going to have a picnic/bbq/potluck/craft night/game night/gathering around town and invite everyone we know.  Last Sunday, a group of us met at Echo Park Lake and hung out all day.  It was really lovely and we are excited to continue this tradition and let it flourish.

90 degrees

It was 90 degrees in Los Angeles today.  Yeah, I know that I just returned from Palm Springs and this may be entirely hypocritical, but honestly, I can't stand hot weather.  I don't want my life to feel like a 24/7 vacation. I feel happy when I wear scarves and thick socks.  When it's this warm outside, I don't take anything seriously and I make bad decisions.  I like feeling frigid and thinking frigid.  It's safe.  It's cozy.  It's not summer, where I feel obligated to start drinking margaritas at 10am and spend an entire day in the sun, where my skin ends up turning the color of a Julia Child's Lobster Thermidor.
It's also making me feel bi-polar because I'm supposed to be packing for a ski trip to Mammoth tomorrow.  I feel confused...and sweaty.  Very, very sweaty.
Today, I listened to this 'Surf City' song 1,000 times in a row and thought about all the amazing things I want to do to make this summer the most amazing summer possible: road trips, waterfall hikes, bbq's, outdoor movie screenings, beach trips, water balloon fights, craft nights, surfing sessions, camping trips, girl's dinner parties, dance parties, picnics, dodger's games, weekend getaways, home-made popsicles, slip-n-slides, backyard hangouts, hammocks, etc.



'See How The Sun' by Surf City (from New Zealand)

Music For A Desert Getaway

I just completed a mix for my upcoming 2 night trip to The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs to celebrate Brian's 30th birthday.  We are both in dire need of of an escape from reality (ie: work, school, bullshit).  I wanted a mix that evoked a relaxed, happy vibe but also had a romantic, bohemian, far-away feel-- like driving on an endless highway surrounded by nothing but cacti & dust with your best friend sitting next to you.  I really just wanted something nice that we could listen to while we lounge (in the private Garden Patio connected to our room) & sip desert cocktails.

Song listing:
1. Let's Go Away For Awhile - Beach Boys
2. Spanish Classical Guitar  - Andres Segovia
3. Dreams Come True Girl - Cass McCombs
4. Jesus - The Velvet Underground
5. Un Rayo Del Sol - Le Mans
6. One PM again - Yo La Tengo
7. Stay Where You Are - Ambulance LTD
8. Sara Snow - White Fence
9. Hickory Wind - Gram Parsons & The Byrds
10. Farewell To Earnest - Jyotitindra Moitra
11. Sleep Walk - Santo & Johnny
12. The Girl From Ipenema - Astrud Gilberto
13. Tous Les Garcons Et Les Filles - Francoise Hardy
14. He Gave Us The Wine To Taste - Jonathan Richman
15. Walk In The Park - Beach House
16. Die Tonight - Ty Segall
17. The City In The Sea - Crystal Stilts
18. Unknown - Kurt Vile
19. You And Me - Penny & The Quarters

And here's the link to download my mix, enjoy!
Palm Springs Mixtape

Home At Last

For those of you that have not yet heard the simplistic, lovely brilliance that is the music of Cass McCombs, let me introduce you to a song that I have been listening to almost every day as of late (and sometimes several times a day.)



You're welcome.

Cass McComb's Official Website