Happy Birthday AVS

Silly Pond. Rockport, Maine © Allison V. Smith

Happy birthday to my friend Allison, the greatest photographer around.

- Joel

David Guetta

I'm a year late on this track, and even later on this DJ. I heard the track today so thought I'd share it. David Guetta is French. Check out his track featuring Kid Cudi below. It's hip hop, so cursing is to be expected.

- Joel

David Guetta - "Memories feat. Kid Cudi"


Memories

David Guetta | MySpace Music Videos

Levi's Ad

Another spectacular advertisement from Levi's. Thanks to Jon Franko and Gorilla 76 for the heads up on this.

- Joel

Mad Men

Get ready. Mad Men Season 4 premiers next Sunday, July 25th, at 9pm (Central time that is).

- Joel

Brent Couchman

Some graphic design inspiration. Brent Couchman, a graduate of Abilene Christian University (in Texas), is the Senior Graphic Designer for Fossil Watches.

- Joel

James Stewart

Jimmy Stewart is my favorite actor of all time. The man had one of the greatest careers Hollywood has ever seen, starring in legendary films such as It's A Wonderful Life, Rear Window, and Vertigo. Yet, some of my favorites find Stewart roaming the wild West. A quick did-you-know; did you know Jimmy Stewart served in WWII eventually earning the rank of Colonel in the Army Air Corps? He even continued on in the Air Force Reserve after the war ultimately becoming a Brigadier General. In light of the scandal-prone nature of Hollywood today, Stewart stands as a beacon of class and sophistication.

- Joel

Foul Ball

When I was a little boy, I always brought my glove when I went to watch the Kansas City Royals in hopes of catching a foul ball. Sometime in college, having never realized the foul ball dream, I stopped bringing my glove as often. But last night, with great seats on the front row of the mezzanine level at Kauffman Stadium, I decided to dust off the glove once again. And lo and behold, in the 5th inning David DeJesus hit a foul ball into the stands behind 3rd base. It was one of those times where the ball is hit and you immediately get tunnel vision not realizing that you are climbing over two men and a little boy as you stretch out your glove hand to snatch the ball out of the air...or at least that's how it went down for me. But I got the ball, and with it a dream came true.

- Joel

The Walkmen

Of all the albums to be released in 2010, I'm most excited about that coming from The Walkmen. Lisbon is set to drop on September 14. The band also hits the road this fall. I grabbed my ticket to the October 19 show at The Bottleneck in Lawrence, Kansas. It's going to be a great time. If you'd like a sneak peak of the album, use the widget below to download the song "Stranded".

- Joel

Cut Copy

Cut Copy made one of my favorite albums back in 2008. I'm excited for new stuff from these Australians. Check out a new track below. And the tidal wave artwork above isn't too shabby either.

- Joel

Cut Copy - "Where I'm Going"

Christopher Smith

I actually heard about Christopher Smith after stumbling upon the video for "Gently Gently" on the Salazar Film website. The best way I could describe his debut album "The Beckon Call" is lonesome folk. Smith makes warm, yet distant, melodies which are complemented by his delicate voice. Maybe that's to be expected from someone who hails from Vancouver. All in all it makes for a wonderful sound. Download "Gently, Gently" below and watch the video below. It's not exactly season appropriate, but quite interesting nonetheless. You can also stream his entire album at his Bandcamp site.

- Joel


Christopher Smith - "Gently, Gently"

You probably didn't notice, but I added a new script in the blog header. Brian Jaramillo improved his already kickin' font. Check out the fish and hook woven into the script. Nice work. If you're looking for custom letters and/or design, check him out. Thanks again to Cory for laying the script on top of the vintage Abe Lincoln flag.

- Joel

Summer Kicks

JB

It's definitely not cool to like Justin Bieber. But I don't care.

- Joel

Justin Bieber feat. Usher - "Somebody to Love"

Song of the Day

Thad Cockrell. Some sunny Nashville pop/county for this Friday. Download the song or watch a performance below.

- Joel

Thad Cockrell - "Rosalyn"

KD

No better superstar in the NBA right now than Kevin Durant. Authentic. Humble. Loyal. He gets it.

- Joel

Let's Colour

Watch the ad for the Let's Colour Project. The campaign seeks to "spread colour all over the world".

- Joel

Best Coast+Kid Cudi+Rostam

What's with company's recruiting from the world of music to drive online traffic and sell things? The latest corporate culprit is Converse with the track "All Summer", a collaboration from Best Coast, Kid Cudi, and Rostam Batmanglij (Vampire Weekend). Check out the Converse site to listen/download the song and watch behind the scenes videos. Or just click on the link below.

- Joel

Best Coast/Kid Cudi/Rostam Batmanglij - "All Summer"

Summer Mix

It's summer and The Morning Benders have been kind enough to put together a mix of their favorite summer tunes. Soak up the rays and enjoy some tunes. Tracklist and download link below.

- Joel

1. Steve Martin & Bernadette Peters “Tonight You Belong To Me“
2. Xavier Cugat “Perfidia (Instrumental)“
3. The Avalanches “Since I Left You“
4. The Radio Dept “Where Damage Isn’t Already Done“
5. The Walkmen “There Goes My Baby (The Drifters Cover)“
6. Bibio “Lovers’ Carvings“
7. The Morning Benders “Have One On Me (Joanna Newsom / J Dilla Cover)“
8. Twin Sister “Lady Daydream (Cassette Version)“
9. Arthur Russell “Lucky Cloud“
10. Blur “Caravan“
11. Smokey Robinson and The Miracles “Ooo Baby Baby”

The Morning Benders - Echomix1

Brooklyn Summer

We got the remix. Download below.

- Joel

Jay-Z feat. Lil' Wayne - "Summer in Brooklyn"

Photographer of the Day

train tracks leading to Newell, CA © Kevin Miyazaki

Kevin Miyazaki. Wow.

- Joel