For Dad, Forever Ago

18 October 2008.
That day, on a direct flight from New York to San Francisco, I listened to Bon Iver's For Emma, Forever Ago album on repeat, staring out the window at the endless skies just beyond the reach of the metallic wing, unable to distract myself with the copy of the NY Times I had brought along for my journey home.  Early that morning, I was awoken to the news of my father's heart attack.  He was gone.

To this day, that album remains timeless and perfect for that incredible moment when everything changed.

30 November 2010.
Over two years have passed since that day in October.  I have since boarded a one-way flight from San Francisco to London to obtain a Masters degree in the field I love.  I am moving forward in Dad's example and with Dad's open heart.

This Das Kapital re-work of Bon Iver's 'Skinny Love', a track off For Emma, Forever Ago, is emblematic of this process.  The same song from 18 October 2008, given new life today.  Moving forward, while looking back.  I love you Dad.

Bon Iver - Skinny Love (Das Kapital Remix)
Bon Iver - Skinny Love (Album Version)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the box.net web page that appears.

Urban Grays

Black & Whites of my favorite cities...

Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion

Photographs by Lyndon Douglas

This afternoon, I had the real pleasure of visiting the exhibition Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion at the Barbican - the same art space where I took in the Ron Arad: Restless exhibition in February, also wonderful.  Future Beauty, an exhibition highlighting Japanese high fashion since 1980, simply blew me away.  Garmets from the 80s, 90s and today by Rei Kawakubo (founder of Commes de Garcons), Junya Watanabe (current lead designer for Commes de Garcons), Issey Miyake & Yohji Yamamoto were on view alongside garments by a younger and just-as-talented group of Japanese designers including Taro Horiuchi, Minä Perhone & Né-Net, among others.

As the visit was a part of my current MA program, I also had the pleasure of having a fashion expert/theorist there to guide our small group around.  The Japanese, I learned, have a very progressive approach to fashion.  For one, their concept of "sexy" traditionally includes loose fitting, heavily draped garments, clothing which keeps secret the beauty/mystery beneath.  Contrast this with Lycra, Spandex, Skinny Jeans and the rest.  The clothes designed for women, in particular, are in fact intended to attract men, but to her mind first before her body - at least this is the stated intention of a number of the designers themselves.  And finally, the separation between woman's and menswear is much more fluid than we see in the West, less concerned with maintaining the boundaries we adhere to here in the West.

Here are a few more photos from the exhibition.  It really was special being there, inspirational really.  And while this song was not playing at the show, nor is it Japanese, it somehow reminds me of how it felt to be there today, while the snow painted the London streets outside.  Have a listen...

Foals - Spanish Sahara (Matthew Adams Remix)

Dynamite

 Cuz we gonna light it up like it's dynamite.  Although, this time a bit softer than the original.

Sarah Winters - Dynamite (Taio Cruz Cover)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

Porcelain Raft - Tip of Your Tongue

Future King of Dream Pop, Porcelain Raft.

Porcelain Raft - Tip of Your Tongue

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

Twin Shadow v. Com Truise

Twin Shadow's just released album 'Forget' is rad.  And that means we are sure to discover some rad remixes.  Well, here's the first of many, I am sure.

Twin Shadow - Castles In the Snow (Com Truise Remix)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

Miike Snow (Threeways)

Javier Dunn's cover of Miike Snow's Animal just landed in my inbox and it inspired me to post it along with two other reinterpretations of the song. Rock on...


Javier Dunn - Animal (Miike Snow Cover)
Miike Snow - Animal (Mark Ronson Remix)
Miike Snow - Animal (Treasure Fingers Remix)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

Houses v. Toro y Moi

If you have peeked around the Neighborhood once or twice before, you may already know about our affection for Toro y Moi.   And if you like him, you'll probably dig the blissed out sound of Chicago's very own Houses. What better way to introduce Houses than with a cover of our good ol' friend.

Here is a Houses cover of Toro y Moi's track Talamak.  As well as a few originals to welcome the beginnings of Winter.  It's getting cold outside!


Houses - Talamak (Toro y Moi cover)
Toro y Moi - Talamak (album version)

Houses - Soak It Up
Houses - Bikes (ft. teen Daze)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

Goodbooks v. Crystal Castles

Perhaps by now we all have had a Crystal Castles phase.  I know I did.  Since then, I've moved in different directions, and onto different sounds, often less glitchy and video gamey.  That said I was pleased to stumble across this Crystal Castles remix of Goodbooks.  Just the right amount of Crystal Castles blips and beeps, without going overboard.  Brought me back, while moving forward.


Goodbooks - Leni (Crystal Castles Remix)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

La Roux v. Chromeo

I have to admit, it's the hook of this track that got me.

New Chromeo ft. La Roux, can't go wrong really. Just in time for the weekend.

Chrome - Hot Mess (Ft. La Roux) 

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the webpage that appears.

Pikachunes

My only recommendation is this - find a way to listen to this song for the first time loud.   Grab your best pair of headphones or plug into some speakers with umph, because those puny lap top speakers just won't do.  Trust me, I made that mistake.  As soon as I popped on my headphones, I knew this song was destined for Your New Neighborhood.

Pikachunes is the solo effort of Miles McDougall from Auckland, New Zealand.  This track is pretty much perfect, start to finish.  I can't wait to either play (or hear this played) out on the scene, preferably after hours.  Lock the doors, dim the lights, grab another drink & if you smoke, there's no need to go outside.  This track is made for the after party.  Get there...

Pikachunes - Nervous

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the page that appears.

TWISTED WIRES (and Twista)

Not a new one, but so damn good I had to post it again.  Here's the back story...

While listening to Twin Shadow's new album in my iTunes, guess what popped on next...
First, Twista's 'Creep Fast ft. T-Pain'.  I'll take it.  Followed next by Twisted Wires, a song I have not played in far too long.  Until now.  The beauty of an alphabetical playlist starting with the letters T-W-I...

Here's the Twisted Wires track, and to re-create my special moment, here's the Twista track as well.  Ha, alright alright...

Twisted Wires - One Night At the Raw Deal
Twista - Creep Fast (ft. T-Pain)

PS - I hope you all like the new layout!  I'm happy with it.

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the box.net web page that appears.

Casa del Mirto

Some say Italian's Do It Better.  Although Casa del Mitro is not on Mike Simonetti's fabulous disco label, the Italian producer/DJ's sound is catchy, cool and perfect for tonight's darkest urban haunts.  Or the pool.  All good music works poolside, right?  But it's November, so that'll have to wait, unless your Down Under or in LA.  Anyway, have a peek...

Casa del Mirto - The Haste
Casa del Mirto - The Sun
Casa del Mirto - Jacket & Shoes

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the box.net web page that appears.

jj

Swedish label Sincerely Yours just released these two jj tracks.  jj remains a mystery to many, myself included.  I believe the boy/girl duo are Swedish.  Either way, I dig their white washed sound and fancy samples (i.e. Akon and The XX).  Great for early mornings or late nights. 

jj - let them (listen closely, the first two lines are direct from Biggie's Juicy, amazing)
jj - i'm the one / money on my mind

I tried to post the Akon track jj samples in the first track above, but the watchful eyes of the record label mafia are upon me.  Like Froto and that tower of fire.  If I hadn't forked over $18 dollars a pop for those damn alternative rock CD's in the 90's, they might not be such beefy bullies today.  Well, at least I can post the XX track jj samples in the second.

The XX - Intro

Finally, here is the link to a few more jj songs I posted earlier this year (so good, especially the Lil Wayne mix!)

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the box.net web page that appears.

The 80s Are Back

"Were the 80s just one big party or was there more going on?  This new exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum in Sydney takes you back to the music, fashion, parties, politics and the people to find out."
        - from the Powerhouse Website.

I am excited to hear about a museum exhibition exploring the zeitgeist of the spandex decade through a variety of media - including design, fashion, music, video games and subcultures.  Another reason I should book a flight to Sydney.

As I have become increasingly interested in curating exhibitions of contemporary art & design, I feel it is important to initiate an encompassing cultural event that reflects the attitude of the exhibited works themselves.  Events where both contemporary objects AND the contemporary culture in which the objects were produced are on view.  We'll see how well I can keep to my own ideals or if I result to the trophy podiums and white walls in the need to make a sale...

On a lighter note, here's an 80's track we all love.  Hey now hey now....

Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over

TO DOWNLOAD: Click the link(s) above & then click the 'Download' link in the top right corner of the box.net web page that appears.

Hazy Pictures (by Neil Krug, Derek Wood, Dylan Forsberg, & Tamara Lichtenstein)