Make wuv, not war.

Listening to Moby's new album at the moment, which I am, somewhat surprisingly, digging.
When I first started working at Wieden + Kennedy in January 2000, Moby's album, Play, was massively over-referenced in meetings and creative ideas at the time, and accordingly, I had a very intense & adverse reaction to it.
That said, and what's kind of funny to me, is that he seems to keep putting out some fairly lovely, weird, washy music, which if I can put bad advertising ideas aside for the moment, I actually kind of like what I'm hearing.
And this new album is no exception.
Have a listen to this jam:

Plus, you can stream the whole album here: http://www.moby.com/

Andrew knows exactly what I'm talking about.

There was a time in my life when I couldn't stand the Chemical Brothers.
It was in my early years at W+K, particularly when the band was "hot" and their songs (or Moby or Fatboy Slim) were included on every rip we did.
This made me instantly despise them.
Therefore, it's been with some surprise that over the years, I have actually found myself digging some of their music.
Recently, their new album, Further, came across my desk and it's been sneaking into my shuffle mode (when I go that route) and I'm liking what I'm hearing.
Either I'm getting softer in my old age, or losing my edge, or finally putting away some of my elitism, or they're actually writing good material, or a combo of all of this.
Have a listen:

P.S. I'm not losing my edge.

http://www.thechemicalbrothers.com/

I never knew a dime could bring such sorrow.

Seeing the Pixies play Doolittle tonight at the Hammerstein Ballroom.

For the 20th anniversary of their album.
Never seen them live as I missed them back in the day.
Very excited for this.

Was also going through the album Ciao My Shining Star: The Songs Of Mark Mulcahy Vol. 2 and came across this track:

 

It was originally on their album "Me And Mr. Ray".
I was never a huge Miracle Legion fan, as they were somehow always on my periphery but never in the center.
If I would've heard this song back then, I'm sure that would've changed my mind immediately.
Even when I used to work at W+K, Jessica Vacek always talked about the band too and said I'd probably dig them.
I should've listened to her.
A.C. Newman's version on this compilation is quite amazing as well.

Here's to new nostalgia.

 

My heart, slow down. Won't you beat a little slower? But don't stop. Never end your hunting. You'll see I'm lost without your rhythm.

As far as I know, "The Snake" from Wildbirds & Peacedrums has actually been out for sometime now,
but it seems to have gotten some kind of reissue/re-release lately,
which I'm all for, as it was a really tough one to find there for a while.
They're playing a number of times in NYC over the next few weeks,
including a show tomorrow night at Le Poisson Rouge with Deerhoof and next week with Fanfarlo.
"My Heart" is a song of theirs that I completely obsessed on when I working in London last summer.
I used to play it really loudly late at night at my desk
in the Wieden + Kennedy offices when everyone was already gone for the evening.
Oftentimes, it was after I had been out already with all my work mates for a few rounds of pints.
I'd be a little tipsy, turn it up and sing to myself and wonder where my life was headed.

Apocalypse Now (or quite soon)

http://www.wildbirdsandpeacedrums.com/
http://www.myspace.com/wildbirdsandpeacedrums
http://www.theleaflabel.com/en/artists/view/44/Wildbirds%20%26amp%3B%20Peaced...

I Dreamt That I Dreamt That You Loved Me In Your Dreams.

Last summer I was out in London for six weeks working on a Nokia project with Wieden + Kennedy.

It was honestly some of the best times I've had in my life.
I was in an especially raw place in my life, where I was choosing to live blown wide open.
I was full of wonder and really rooted in the experience of the nowness.
The friends I made at work were/are such an amazing bunch and I saw more art and live music 
in a six week period than I usually see in six months (and I go to a ton of concerts!).
Plus I managed to be drunk nearly every night, because that's apparently how they do it in London.
And being a competitive, patriotic American, I couldn't let them beat me.
They did anyway.
Wankers.
Them Brits are like fishes, they.

So one of my favorite shows I went to was a double bill of Favours For Sailors and Dananananakroyd 
that my friend Martin Jackson took me too, as they are mates of his.
It kicked my ass all over the place and I jumped around like a teenager.
Here's these young kids from London and Glasgow clearly influenced by American rock, 
especially mid-90's indie stuff (Pavement, Sebadoh, etc.) making a fun, fucking ruckus.
Had such a joyful time.
And now I hear they're getting more recognition over in the UK, particularly with this track leading the charge:

Good on them.
It's only matter of time before they come crashing our shores.
In the meantime, have a listen and support them (like I did) by buying their new EP:

Love me some Brits.
Especially music Brits.

Invest in a nice flask or some type of polished canteen.

Many years ago I met Andrew W.K. when his manager hooked him up to meet with me.

He wanted to come visit me at my office (I was still working at Wieden + Kennedy
in Portland at the time) 
and didn't have a way to get over to see me, so I drove over to Dante's,
the venue he was performing at later that night, in my little Honda Civic hatchback to pick him up.
After soundcheck was finished, we went back my office and I gave him a tour of the building.
In many ways, he's exactly what you'd expect, even hope.
Congenial, charming, massively positive about everything, goofy.
I believe he learned classical piano as a younger person
and when we stumbled upon the grand piano sitting in our office's atrium, 
he sat down and played for awhile.
While he played, we chatted about politics, music in advertising
and protein shakes to bulk up one's muscles.
Given all this, how could I not love a man like this?

What's Andrew W.K. up to these days?
Probably many things.
In the meantime, check out his advice column, "Andrew W.K.: How To Live",
on Anthem Magzine's website: http://anthemmagazine.com/story/1221
And, ask away.
Andrew W.K. would never steer you wrong.

Also, check out Dan & Mark's cover version of "Party Hard".
Best cover version ever? You be the judge.