Morrissey bike gang

ErghTHAT"s WHAT TRADITION MEANS!

I want to be in this Morrissey army.

Happy Thanksgiving.

prenez soin de vous

...is one of my favorite combinations of the French language. It means 'take care of yourself' and is the title of a book/exhibition by Sophie Calle, a French artist.

"In this remarkable artist's book, French conceptual artist/provocateur Sophie Calle presents 107 outside interpretations of a "breakup" e-mail she received from her lover the day he ended their affair. It is a deeply poignant investigation of love and loss, published to coincide with the 2007 Venice Biennale--where Calle served as that fair's French representative.

All of the interpreters of Calle's breakup letter were women, and each was asked to analyze the document according to her profession--so that a writer comments on its style, a justice issues judgment, and a lawyer defends Calle's ex-lover. Other interpretations are offered by a psychoanalyst studying the ex's psychology, a mediator tries to find a path towards reconciliation, and a proofreader provides a literal edit of the text, etc.

In addition, Calle asked a variety of performers, including Nathalie Dessay, Laurie Anderson and Carla Bruni, among others, to act the letter out. She filmed the singers and actresses and photographed the other contributors, so that each printed interpretation stands alongside at least one riveting image of its author.

The result is a fascinating study and a deeply moving experience--as well as an artwork in its own right. Already a collector's item, this is a universal document of how it feels to grieve for love." -- Amazon.com



I'm enamored with Charlotte Gainsbourg's voice and mostly her songs in French. I feel that this beautiful song fits the mood of this artwork and its ambitions to expose and provoke. And Nina, oh, Nina. This song is a must! Prenez soin de vous. Take care of yourself.

Charlotte Gainsbourg - L'un Part L'autre Reste
Nina Simone - Ne me Quitte Pas

regina di bastoni

I've got to ask myself today: Can I really do this all over again? I don't know what the answer is because I'm posing the question so early. I'm just getting it all out of the way in the beginning. I just want something to be easy for once.

I don't know if that will ever happen.

Okay. Black Bear. A really big deal in my life and my car's life and now in your life. I have no idea which song to pick because I like them all.

Black Bear - I Know What I Was
Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For the Others

it's snowing

Yo la Tengo - Take Care

video crossover

I racked my brain for fifteen minutes trying to solve a mystery... Where had I heard this type of steel pans noise featured in Final Fantasy's video for 'Blue Imelda' before?



And then I realized! Ahhh, yes. Lykke Li's 'Little Bit' has a similar use of this sound. I was so scared I would never figure it out. Phew. I think the videos are oddly comparable, as well.



It also reminds me of maybe a High Places or Panda Bear kind of noise, but as for a direct likeness I was reminded of Lykke Li.

short songs in women's voices

I don't know much about Julie Doiron. But I have a lot of her songs and I like to listen to them. Some of them are in French and some of them are barely even two minutes in length. I would like to share one of hers with all of you today.

She made a record with that Mount Eerie/Microphones' Phil Elvrum dude and it is super cute. So scoop that up, too. She's probably played with tons of other people. Hanging out. Man.

Julie Doiron - His Girlfriend



I have also included a song from Dear Nora. Frontwoman Katy Davidson has an ever changing line up of band mates. Dear Nora pals around with some of my all time fave acts like Casiotone, YACHT and Mirah. She totally has the twee harmonies thing down for sure. I like these songs a lot and they are really short.

Dear Nora - The Lonesome Border



Now Ms. Davidson is reunited with a former Dear Nora member to create the L.A.-based band called Lloyd & Michael. I love love love this song. My brother's middle name is Lloyd.

Lloyd & Michael - A Real Time Here


If you like these songs you would probably like Husbands Love Your Wives a lot, too. We'll just stick one of their songs on here... Why not? They are on the same label as Throw Me the Statue and Black Bear, Baskerville Hill Records.

Husbands Love Your Wives - Everything and Everything



Remember to right click and select 'Save Link as' to download MP3's.

genetically inclined

If you have not taken it upon yourself to obtain Ms. Mirah's collaboration with Spectratone International, Share This Place, I encourage you to do so.

These songs are meditations of the entomological nature. Super exoskeletal.

Mirah & Spectratone Intl - Gestation of the Sacred Beetle
Mirah & Spectratone Intl - Following the Sun