after just getting out of summer college classes, i haven’t spent as much time as i’d like to research good music and discover new things of what i like.  lately all i’ve been able to do is listen to is old mixtapes or pop songs on the radio. when the duet of eminem and rihanna performing “love the way you lie” came out, i couldn’t help but give it a few listens. of course, by the first i knew there was an intense hook to it but didn’t realize just how emotionally important it felt until the second listen.

videos seem to always showcase the complexity behind a song. actors megan fox and dominic monaghan sure provide a powerful display of how difficult it is to be in an abusive relationship. in my own opinion, the fire that grows throughout the video acknowledges how passion mixed with rage and anger only leaves a beautiful disaster in the end. some publications have displayed dislike for this song, for the video, and for the awareness of domestic violence. yet, it’s important for more to be seen of just how serious this matter is, and how it’s not okay for it be ignored anymore.

can we pretend that airplanes
in the night sky
are like shooting stars
i could really use a wish right now

~*~

listen: airplanes by b.o.b. ft hayley williams and eminem

art: chloe earley

After taking the last few weeks off, it has made me come to a few realizations about my life. First and foremost, I’ve never been so scared before about a health diagnosis and the worry that goes along with the anticipation, is truly the hardest part to control.  After going through 12 blood tests and a biopsy, my results thankfully came back last week benign.  Although the doctors still are unsure as to why my white blood cells are still so high and I’m on so many different medications to level out my system, I’m happy to be alive.

This scare has helped me towards accomplishing some life goals of going back to college starting Monday, moving to a new city in the Fall and most importantly, learning to take care of myself to become healthier than ever. Thank you with all my heart to those that left such kind comments, emails, wishes and support – it truly meant the world to me and gave me strength at a time when I really felt so alone.

LISTEN: MIA – Born Free (2010)

I’m going into the hospital tomorrow.
My white blood cells are very high, the doctors are unsure of what’s wrong, have told me it could be cancer :( I’m very scared… Please send your prayers and good thoughts, as I really need them right now.

LISTEN

Original: Cold War Kids – Hospital Beds
Cover: Florence & the Machine – Hospital Beds

“Hospital Beds’ is a story of a couple older men that don’t know each other, stuck in a hospital room together. They find connections. They’re maybe going to die, but that’s not totally important, what’s important is that they find something where they thought there was nothing. ‘Put out the fire, boys’ is a way of saying hose me down, all this pain and ugliness, get rid of it, it’s on us.” – Source: Daytrotter

Swedish singer Robyn is creating a three piece album project called “Body Talk”, and the first part is scheduled to be released June 7th, 2010 featuring collaborations with Diplo, Röyksopp, Kleerup and Klas Åhlund. Dubbed as the sequel to “With Every Heartbeat”, the third track off Robyn’s upcoming album is the debut single, that’s properly named Dancing On My Own.

I’m in the corner
Watching you kiss her

At the Corey Helford Gallery in Los Angeles,
artist Joshua Petker presents his solo show
“Between Butterflies” from April 17 to May 5, 2010.

Check out LA Weekly’s Feature

MP3: Crystal Castles – Celestica (Crystal Castles, 2010)

things change, what more can i say

listen

jamelia – caribou

(swim, 2010)

silver soul – beach house

(teen dream, 2009)

the high road – broken bells

(broken bells, 2010)

heavens on fire – the radio dept

(clinging to a scheme, 2010)

world sick – broken social scene

(forgiveness rock record, 2010)

table tennis (f. laura darlington) – flying lotus

(cosmogramma, 2010)

~*~

photo: awake on a train

Last night (April 15th) at the Fox Theatre in Oakland, CA, Thom Yorke and his super-group Atoms For Peace including Red Hot Chili Peppers’ bassist Flea, producer Nigel Godrich, Joey Waronker and Mauro Refosco, surprised their audience with a cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart. Enjoy!

listen

why – good friday [boards of canada remix]

black crowes – good friday

cocorosie – good friday

image: brink of something beautiful

From Italy, Crookers presents their debut album Tons of Friends on Southern Fried Records. Filled with different collaborations between the likes of Miike Snow, Roisin Murphy, Rye Rye, Yelle, Kelis, Soulwax, and Major Lazer, Crookers combine a blend of downtempo beats, hip hop swagger, and twists of electronica that mix for an eclectic experience.

LISTEN

Crookers featuring Rye Rye – Hip Hop Changed

On the Ellen DeGeneres show, The Bird and The Bee adorably covered Hall and Oates hit “I Can’t Go For That.”

“The Bird and The Bee have been known to recreate pop hits into unique and contemporary gems for the new millennium. With Interpreting the Masters Volume I, Greg Kurstin and Inara George go one step further and pay homage to one of the greatest duo’s of that time Darryl Hall and John Oates. Classic material is reinvented through Kurstin’s sleek production and George’s sweet lyrical delivery.”

A few years ago the band HEALTH created a mix-tape of songs for Music Is Art that included the band Ariel Pink’s Haunted Graffiti.  After one listen, it was easy to be hooked. The way their lo-fi sounds attribute different freak folk melodies of pain, lust and anxiety. It’s everything you want from a west coast band, the overall music feels as if certain nostalgic elements belong in a golden Polaroid from the 1970s, while their hazy choruses melt into nothing but grand memories.

Listen

Round and Round [Before Today, 2010]