clangour

Last Thursday I had the privilege of seeing Sin Fang Bous and Múm perform at the Walker Art Center. The McGuire Theater, packed with spellbound spectators, was transformed into an enchanted forest within moments of these Icelandic spirits taking the stage. I was captivated, moved, possessed.

Perhaps my admiration is partly due to the geographical context in which these artists are situated––the pristine land of Scandinavia; a land at once rooted in stark, atmospheric melancholy, while paradoxically enamored with a childish whimsy and the fairy tale traditions of old. I cannot help but be continuously inspired by this aesthetic, this Nordic cultural voice. It is these images and sounds and bits of beauty that resonate so deeply within me––a clangour of inspirations and emotions.

Images (in order of appearance): Sin Fang Bous album art (signed by Sindri!), Pattern design by Sanna Annuka for Marimekko, illustrations by Hanna Werning.

And when I'm swimming in through a tunnel, I shut my eyes...

white and black

Splurged last eve and bought the new Fever Ray album, haunting and beautiful and best listened to with eyes wide open, in the dark of the night. Plus, check out this most pristine publication, a beauty I've been eyeing recently...wish I could get my hands on a copy.

when i grow up \ i want to be a forester \ run through the moss on high heels \ that's what i'll do

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wild strawberries

The sun came out today, and so this finally seems seasonally appropriate. Mmmmm produce. Farmers market season is finally here!

i'm okay i'm just thinking

Please excuse the lack of posts, as I wrap my head around too terribly much and try my best to avoid an explosion. I am scared and exhilarated and wired and weary. And all I want is a Pepsi, just one Pepsi...

what else is there?

Royksopp presents, Karin Dreijer Andersson, such a terrifyingly beautiful creature. I can't wait for her solo work, to be released here sometime in March. It was me on that road, but you couldn't see me...My body aches. It's back to bed...

happy heart

The secret to a happy heart? Punny jokes, jelly beans, and a little Jens (apologies, this video may be a repost, but often lovely things are worth repeating). Happy Valentines Day, dear friends. And, thanks, mum, for the jelly beans for breakfast. 

a quiet fire

Today marks the birthday of Ms. Roberta Flack, a mighty strong lady and a true talent. This woman's got soul (and an amazing 'fro!). See her and Lauryn live it up, above. 

meet me tonight in...

Atlantic City? The Hold Steady covers an old favorite from Bruce Springsteen. And it makes me feel a bit weak-kneed. I have stumbled upon some lost pool of memories of my 18-year-old self. Embarassing, unnerving, but quite enjoyable, to say the least.  

Part of War Child: Heroes, an album of covers to be released in the states on February 24, wherein 15 "rock legends" got to choose one of their songs, along with the person(s) to cover it. Proceeds of the album go to War Child International, a network of organizations working around the world to help children affected by war. 

sipping on the sweet nectar

So just take a sip, and let it wet your lips: Rollerboys remix Jens, plus a lovely record design my Flip. Must I stop sipping on the sweet nectar of my memories?

i don't want to

one semester left until graduation. and then what? 

of christmas past

Christmas is a tiny tree within a globe, homemade matching pajamas, a younger self in a my-size apron, and showing off my mad MC skillz. 

Christmas past becomes the present, thanks to a new old turntable, and an ever-growing collection of classics. Though the days of life without care seem long past, the past seems closer than the present, or the future. It is the days of Christmas past that anchor the Christmas present, making me feel lucky for those who have been there through it all. Happy Merry Joyous Christmas to you, and yours. 

optical illusions

It deosn't mttar in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat lteer be at the rghit pclae. 

The rset can be a total mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. 

Thank you spell check. 

col-lab-or-ate

Tis funny when your iTunes goes all a-shuffle, and suddenly things just sound so right. 

against all odds

How the late nights have been spent, lately: Pumping fists. With my eyes closed. 

another world

Today I wish to escape to this place. I'll imagine I'm bouncing amongst blossoms, staring at the sunlight through the branches of le petit tree. From Le Petit Arbre, par Thelma Volckman Delbesse, illustré par Sylvie Selig. 

I need another world. Moi aussi, Antony. 

you can vote however you like

when i say barack, you say obama. 

barack. obama. vote. tomorrow!

needles and pins

A recent find: Lion pincushion, complete with dainty little scissors that turn into eyeglasses and a tape measure tail. Ingenious I'd say.
Some discoveries from the top secret stacks at the Minneapolis Central Public Library. A rainy day at the library last Wednesday was certainly a bright spot in a weary week...

I do enjoy a good grid. And also this bonnet and matching mittens. Quite fresh.

And just in time for the holiday season: A potpourri of wonderful and bazaar gift ideas! 

And! Before the Searchers, before Tom Petty, before Johnny, Joey, & DeeDee Ramone...there was Jackie DeShannon. And still it begins, needles & pins.

face time

This is me last night round midnight after sitting in front of my computer screen for almost four hours, surfing the internet instead of doing homework. Over the course of those four hours I watched an average of ten YouTube Videos, listened to the latest episode of This American Life, shopped for shoes, ebayed, read some blogs, and wikipedia'ed a vast array of topics. But it's okay, because apparently surfing the internet improves brain function. Will technology ultimately be detrimental or supplemental to the evolution of the human mind? I didn't get any work done, but I did re-discover Roland Orzabal and this classic 80s music video...

best friends forever

Hmmm...really? Foreva? Foreva-eva? Though it is quite refreshing to to hear of politicians getting along, now isn't it? (Taken from last week's Time magazine).

Oh! And speaking of bff's, my new bff: Loy Bowlin, aka the Original Rhinestone Cowboy. Hmmm...too bad he's dead. 

R.I.P. my dear Loy B. You were truly a diamond of a man. 

i want to

Dont you want to?Say you want to.Don't you want to?