Okay so I just discovered this guy. His name is like Choppin' or something. He might be dead. Anyway, his music is like, good and stuff.
Alright, I know, I know. It would seem sort of ridiculous of me to do a music Friday on Chopin because I mean, come on. Even if you were born under a rock and have made it your year-round home you have at least heard of the man. But this time I just have to.
I hadn't taken much of an interest in his work until recently when I discovered (via Pandora Radio: I am your humble servant) that while listening to classical music my art productivity levels shot through the roof. As opposed to my productivity while listening to say, all soft rock of the 90's.
By now we all know about my fear of dentists which you can read about here and here. Well about 4 weeks ago, my teeth and jaw started hurting in some spots and after letting the sense of dread and panic completely overtake me, I finally decided to make an appointment. By the time I walked into that office this afternoon I had convinced myself I needed immediate dental reconstruction complete with laughing gas and pliers.
Good news: there is nothing wrong with my teeth.
Bad news: the muscles in my jaw are stressed which means I can't chew gum anymore and I have to do some sort of face exercises. If that doesn't work, it looks like a diet of ibuprofen and liquids are in my immediate future. All acceptable alternatives to teeth drilling and extraction.
I immediately went to the store and got some mints because heaven help me if I'm going to let my jaw stand in the way of my social aptitude.
Also, since Fridays seem to be musically inclined, here's some more:
Horsefeathers, "Curs in the Weeds". Also check out "This is what". They're a sort of a modernized bluegrass which, granted, isn't for everyone. I'll forgive you if you don't like it, but DON'T SHOW YOUR FACE AROUND HERE AGAIN.
Let's try this music thing again. I could call it Music Monday, but that would be conforming to the man.
I woke up this morning and suddenly craved City and Colour. So good, so folksy. I don't know why I hadn't heard of these guys until about a year ago. It's the solo project of Dallas Green also of the Canadian metal band Alexisonfire. It happens that while City and Colour makes me want to curl up with a good book and a steaming cup of coffee, Alexisonfire makes me want to smash that cup of coffee over the head of a stranger. Completely opposite styles of music.
His new(ish) album "Bring Me Your Love" seems to be one part self-loathing, one part introspective and one part adorable. The album evokes so many emotions while you're listening to it that it's hard to settle on just one. Green shares his thoughts on love and forgiveness, death, the nature of humanity in a way that seems so raw and intimate. I love it.
Listen a little, watch this fantastic video, decide for yourself.
Alright. I've posted about Noah and the Whale before but in celebration of their new album, "The First Days of Spring," I feel the need to post again because they are just. that. good. With their second release, they created a film to accompany with the new album as the soundtrack. Here's the trailer:
It's not released in the US until October 6th (I'm crying bitter tears) but it's out in the UK and they have it posted on their MySpace which you can find here.
This album is stylistically a bit different than their first, "Peaceful, the World Lays Me Down" but it doesn't make the newbie any less fantastic.
Check it out and if you like it, don't you dare torrent it. They are too good for that. The chupacabra will come and cut off your thumbs. Wait. I may be mixing up my folklore.
I don't really have anything arty to post today. I wish I did. I should. But I don't.
I am going to go start on a portrait for my mom for someone else. Man. That's the thing about family members. They want everything for free. Dramatic sigh.
Hello, All. I'm not sure if I should apologize for all the video posts or not. It's just that I've had a lot of time on my hands lately which inevitably leads to gorging myself on all things Internet. I. Must. Share.
This is "Best Laid Plans" by We the Living. Not usually the kind of music I listen to but I can't explain why I like some songs over others. It just happens. Like hiccups*. My amazing and creative friend, Elise, shared it with me today. I've watched the video no less than 24 times.
* I feel the need to share a cure for the hiccups because, well, I have one. Plug your ears and drink water at the same time. Use a straw or a friend. It's an old family cure and it works every time. If it doesn't, you're clearly broken. Or, ur doin it wrong.
Also: do you remember me telling you about a top secret project a few posts back? Well, it's not secret anymore. I got a commission of sorts from a friend of a friend to illustrate a book that he then used to propose to his girlfriend this weekend. I didn't want to post about it before on the chance that someone would see and I would be the one who spoiled one of the most momentous days in a couple's life.
I have to admit, the project was a roller coaster ride of self-loathing but here are some of the pages I really like:
Basically, Aaron gave me the story, what he wanted on each page (thought bubbles, images, etc), and reference photos. Then, I illustrated (ink and watercolor). I was an excellent way to get experience in illustration without actually...illustrating.
Congratulations to Aaron and Kari on your engagement and life together!
Okay. This post is stuffed. Like me. On these incredibly expensive (yet delicious) cookies I just ate.
I may have pushed the limits of what even caffeine is capable of curing. I pulled an almost all nighter (5 am) and then got sick the next day. It's really nothing new. I always seem to get sick the day after school gets out. Despite the fact an elephant is sitting on my chest, I'm feeling pretty good. It has something to do with no school, knitting and comfort TV.
Speaking of TV. Let me preface this by telling you, I don't actually find SNL all that funny. I know I seem to post a lot of their videos lately but it's a fluke. That said, I aggravated an already very sore throat by laughing so hard at this video yesterday. It was worth it. Enjoy:
At the moment I have been binging on Britishy things. British movies, TV shows, folksy rocksy music. I've taken to sitting in the car, listening to classical music played by the London Philharmonic on Public Radio, imagining myself riding sidesaddle with Mr. Darcy across the moors. Granted my daydream would be much more vivid if I actually knew what a moor was. I'll Google it later.
I have so much schoolwork to do so instead I'm making a cake and watching obscene amounts of "Doogie Howser, M.D." It's my classic seize and lock syndrome. I seize from the shock of all the work and I lock up until, under threat of a bad grade, I have to finish my projects. Also, I just really like Doogie Howser. And this video (wait until the end):
Note: you may only appreciate this if 1) you love Neil Patrick Harris or 2) have actually seen Doogie Howser. It's hard to tell.
