Don't Blink.

Perhaps due in large part to my lovely, video-making, video-obsessed boyfriend, I have been watching (in a somewhat obsessive fashion) tons and tons of videos lately. Not just of the music sort, but everything from commercials to comedy and fashion videos, short films, everything. It seems to me to be a very interesting time for video direction and production (as I suppose it is for many of the creative fields) because of the immense amount and variety of content available on the internet. On the one hand, it seems that directors are exploring each and every realm, (although there may be certain "fads" in video which sort of string them together, like there are in anything else,) to create the best and most memorable experience for the viewer. On the other hand, (in my humble opinion at least) the widespread accessibility and use if HD cameras can make almost any footage at all, and in turn, any video at all, seem amazing. I admit at first, I would find myself watching an only mildly interesting video with this intense awe because I couldn't seem to take my eyes off the images on my screen. It turns out...it was just the HD! I quickly learned and have become perhaps a little too skeptical at beautifully filmed works, realizing that anyone can buy and operate a fancy camera. But it takes an artist to tell a story, and leave a lasting impression on a viewer... especially in this era of internet-information-overload.



Which brings me to my latest video obsession: Blink Productions. Ellis had sent me this great music video (above) which quickly led me to the Blink page on Vimeo where I was totally blown away with the variety, quality, and creativity of work shown. I'll let the videos I picked speak for themselves, but I highly, highly suggest checking out their Vimeo page, as well as their website for a look at all of their work. You'll notice some familiar favorites included in the impressive league of directors... such as Patrick Daughters, and Andreas Nilson who did two Peter, Bjorn and John videos ("Nothing to Worry About" and "It Don't Move Me"), as well as the directors of the awesome Hot Chip video "I Feel Better", and one of the We Have Band videos I wrote my first post about, "You Came Out".

Not your grandmother's needlepoint.

As per usual, I came across this lovely work a while back, wrote a note to myself to post about it right away, but here we are, a month later and I am just telling you about her now. Oh well! I learned about Ms. Joetta Maue while working at a great, great, little boutique in Park Slope called Urban Alchemist, where some of her beautiful needle points (I believe) are currently being sold. Although my personal taste for home decoration tends to be a little more streamlined and modern, I fell instantly in love with the giant "Be Strong" banner, and found myself dreaming about where I would hang the beautiful thing in my own apartment. The pieces at the store were only ones with text, but on her website I found that she also embroiders portraits and scenes of people, which I found very impressive and equally awesome. I'm not normally into feminine things, but the second-hand, vintage-y feel of the one-of-a-kind lace and linen on which she does her work, make Joetta's pieces too heartwarming and interesting to resist.

Eric and Eric.

Most of you may know Eric Wareheim from his work on Tim and Eric: Awesome Show Great Job!, (which is in it's 5th season) a super-strange, super-uncomfortable, but super-hilarious sketch comedy show on AdultSwim. It's public-access style fake commercials and "educational" TV shows and low-budget filming make the show appear campy, but somehow has attracted the attention of numerous musicians and actors (i.e. Paul Rudd, Will Ferrell, The Shins, Flight of the Conchords, Ben Stiller, Josh Groban, Jeff Goldblum and a bunch more)who often make cameo appearances on the show.

If you haven't had the slightly-terrifying pleasure of seeing this show, than you may be familiar with the three-part Absolut vodka commercials created by and staring Tim, Eric and (once underground, now wildly popular) comedian Zach Galifianakis. And if you haven't seen those either, I highly suggest you do so. Immediately.

Let's get to the point though, which is that Eric Wareheim is also a director in his own right. And his work... is sick (some of it, literally, a little sick). I was confused at first as to whether or not the music videos on his Vimeo account were commissioned by the bands, or if they were just very popular fan videos. Then I noticed some of the artists actually appeared in the videos, so I assume that they are looking to Eric to create amazingly weird music videos that suit the tastes of musicians like Major Lazer, Bird and the Bee, and Ben Folds. I realize that many of these videos have been out for almost two years, but I thought it was post-worthy. The following are my favorites, but I suggest you check out his whole Vimeo account when you get the chance. Enjoy, and prepare yourself to be weirded out. Big time.


: Many of you my know the following video because I think it has made the rounds plenty given Major Lazer's recent "major" success. Or just because it is a unbelievably un-forgettable video that I find hard to resist showing everyone I know or meet. :

Major Lazer "Pon De Floor" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Ben Folds - You Don't Know Me from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Warning: This one is really gruesome/terrifying. But really cool.

HEALTH "We are Water" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Aaaand another Major Lazer for good measure.

Major Lazer "Keep it Going Louder" from Eric Wareheim on Vimeo.

Billy Boy.

I'm always on the lookout for new fashion blogs to inspire my design work as well as my own personal style. My latest favorite is BackyardBill, a blog which in some ways reminds me of TheSelby in the quality of the photos as well as the way the people are photographed in their own clothes in what seems like their own homes or what is their everyday environment. I like that each person gets their almost mini-editorial, and you can really get a sense of that person's style. I often think when looking at other "streetstyle" (or whatever you'd like to call it) blogs, that you can't really get a good look at what that person really dresses like, or perhaps where they draw inspiration from when shopping for clothes or getting ready in the morning... you're just seeing one picture of one outfit, which may be a great outfit, but I think it's more interesting to get a look into the life and style of an individual, which is what Backyard Bill seems to be doing quite perfectly. Unfortunately, since I first discovered the website, I haven't seen any new posts, so I'm not quite sure if the project is still in the works. I also would be interested in knowing if he knows some of these people personally, or if they are strangers who agree to be photographed or what... either way, I really like the site and it should provide some interesting/inspiring material for at least a little while. Anyways here are some of my favorite shots...

(and one of my favorites... model/beautiful person Ingrid Schram!)

(Insert catchy whistling here.)

I know some of you may be surprised to hear that until a few days ago, I couldn't seem to make up my mind about suddenly famous folk family Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. I knew that I loved (l-o-v-e-d) the song "Home" (honestly, how could you not?) but wasn't sure how I felt about the rest of the music, particularly Edward's voice. Not to say that it was too strange for me or anything like that, many of my favorite singer's being those with a sort of unconventional style or voice (i.e. Jens Lekman, Ramona Cordova, El Perro del Mar), there was just something about it that was keeping me from listening to more.

HOWEVER, I then experienced the (incredible) first two installments (the second of which stars some impressive, yet very random famous faces) of the 12-part video series "SALVO!" created by the band using the songs from their album "Up From Below" as the score to the film. And needless to say to those of you who have seen it, my mind was blown. These guys are good. Real good. And I think it's cool to see a band which are (from what I hear) amazing and charismatic live performers, talented musicians, and most importantly artists in the sense that they are creating a distinct image and (through these videos) an entire little world for their music to exist in.

I'll leave you with this awesome live number they did for La Blogotheque (one of my favorite websites) which I stumbled upon the other night while looking for something to sing me to sleep. You'll love it. I promise.

Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero's - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.

Got it.

A "how-to" chart on how to get featured on The Sartorialist and The Selby. I'm working on it.
(via stylesightings.com and refinery29.com several months ago)