Fall Is Coming

© Andy Goldsworthy

These pieces by Andy Goldsworthy remind me that fall (or Autumn depending on your flavor) is coming.

- Joel

© Andy Goldsworthy

Glasser

This week's big album for me was Lisbon by The Walkmen. In two weeks, Glasser drops her debut album. If you're at work, or at home, and want something to spice up your day, put Glasser on in the background. You can stream the entire album below. I really like it.

- Joel

Photographer of the Day

© Johnny Lucus

Johnny Lucus.

- Joel

© Johnny Lucus

© Johnny Lucus

Silence Is Golden

© Gardar Eide Einarsson

If you google the phrase above, you'll find all sort of ridiculous and borderline trashy t-shirts and graphics. But I find the piece, created by artist Gardar Eide Einarsson of Norway, to be clever. It will be shown as part of the Dublin Contemporary 2011 exhibition.

- Joel

Song of the Day

© Scott Pommier

This one goes out to my cousin's husband Marc - not because he likes indie music but because he's a deer hunter himself. I'll never forget the time we laid down feed at his tree stand in the middle of a blizzard. Just one of the many things that makes Marc who he is and another reason to love him. I'm not a hunter myself, but I'm enjoying manly things more and more every day.

By the way, I really like the song below. Give it a shot.

- Joel

Deerhunter - "Helicopter"

Jessica Hische

Check out the design work of Jessica Hische.

- Joel

Quote of the Day

"When a man walks into a room, he brings his whole life with him."

- Don Draper, Mad Men, Episode 408

All Day Son

© Will Bryant

I don't know Will Bryant, but my friend Allison does. He like art and basketball. I think we'd be friends.

- Joel

Song of the Day

A great jangling guitar jam.

- Joel

Women - "Eyesore"

Lisbon

The Walkmen are just about my favorite thing going right now. Their new album drops tomorrow. In honor of that, here is another live performance of theirs. This time in France with the same acoustic feel as one I posted last week. The great thing about the video below is that you can skip through to different songs - kind of like a DVD. Very nice. Also, if you like performances like these and are a fan of bands like Beach House, Vampire Weekend, Bon Iver, or The Dodos, just go here for their performances.

- Joel

Global Orphan Project

© Joel Thomason

Two years ago I had the opportunity to accompany a team of dentists/hygienists, my mom being one, to the Dominican Republic on a medical mission trip. That trip still remains the only time I have traveled beyond America's borders (photos above and below). The week spent in the D.R. profoundly impacted my conceptions of wealth, contentment, kindness, and love. How could people with so little (in comparison to everyday Americans) be so cheerful? I returned from the Dominican wondering if the possessions I surround myself with actually make me less happy.

I've been given the opportunity to return to the same island, this time on the Haitian side. I will be traveling to Haiti to serve on a trip organized by the Global Orphan Project, an organization that "catalyzes care for orphaned and abandoned children living in extreme poverty". In mid-November, I will be spending five days in the city of Port au Prince working construction, and assisting in a variety of other ways, to improve existing orphanages operated by the Global Orphan Project. I can't wait!

By the way, if you'd like to help out financially, I'm not too proud to accept your charity. I'll need to raise (or personally fund) about $1100 between now and November. Drop me an email if you'd like to help out.

- Joel

© Joel Thomason

© Joel Thomason

© Joel Thomason

Banksy in Africa

Banksy appears to have made his way to Africa. If you've never heard of Banksy, he is a mysterious graffiti artist from England. I think these photos are from earlier this year. I love the creativity.

- Joel

I wandered back to the These Are Things shop today. These greeting cards are great. I also really like this calendar. I've had so many travel adventures this year. Maybe a calendar like this is what I need to make 2011 even better.

- Joel

Sometimes The Blues...

Surprise surprise, Swedish songsmith Kristian Matsson, aka The Tallest Man On Earth, dropped an EP on Tuesday. His album The Wild Hunt, which debuted in April, has been a favorite of mine this year. If you can appreciate a Dylan-esque growl, I think you'll like him. Check out the track "Like the Wheel" below. This track actually appeared as a bonus track on The Wild Hunt but has been reworked for the EP.

- Joel

The Tallest Man On Earth - "Like the Wheel"

The Walkmen

The Walkmen release their next album in nine days. The band stopped by the New York Public Library earlier this month and played a few of their new tunes.

- Joel

Photographer of the Day

© Akos Major

Akos Major. Straight outta Budapest.

- Joel

© Akos Major

© Akos Major

These Are Things

These Are Things is a Colubus, Ohio based design shop. I ran across their work on the Public School website. I love their simplicity; so much of design can be unnecessarily crowded. After browsing their shop, I'm a big fan of the U.S. map and the "Hater" print.

- Joel

Song of the Day

The steady flow of Sufjan continues. Check out another track from his forthcoming album, The Age of Adz, below.

- Joel

Sufjan Steven - "Too Much"

The War on Drugs

While much of the indie world meddles in the Mad Men era (1960's), it appears The War On Drugs has decided to take their talents to the age of disco and classic rock. I like their modern take on a classic sound.

- Joel

The War On Drugs - "Comin' Through"

Photographer of the Day

© Will Govus

Will Govus. I guess this guy just graduated from high school in '09. Pretty impressive stuff for a high schooler/young adult.

- Joel

© Will Govus

© Will Govus

© Will Govus