My friend Jake shot this music video for his friends, the band JohnnySwim.  Check it out below.  If you like the sound, you can go here to download their debut EP for free.

- Joel

 

Beck - "I Only Have Eyes For You (Cover)"

It's finals season at the law school, which means most of my time is taken reviewing pages and pages of notes. But I did come across this cover from Beck, his rendition of The Flamingos' 1960's hit "I Only Have Eyes For You." It was good enough that I was willing to make time to post it. I'm a sucker for the oldies.

- Joel

Beck - "I Only Have Eyes For You (Flamingos Cover)"

Caine's Arcade

I ran across this short film yesterday about a kid, Caine, who created a cardboard arcade. A filmmaker happened upon Caine when buying a new door handle for his car. Through the power of social media, the filmmaker organized an event to honor Caine and his ingenuity. You can watch it below.

- Joel

Photographer of the Day

© Trey Kazee

I just noticed my Dallas friend, Trey Kazee, has a new website. Photography isn't Trey's day-job, but you wouldn't know it from his skills. His daughters are lucky to have a dad who so creatively documents their childhood.

- Joel

© Trey Kazee

Happy Easter

© Matt Nager

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Hi shall not perish but have eternal life.
- John 3:16

Happy Easter.

© Joel Thomason

I'm enjoying a few days of down time in Kansas City before the final push towards law school finals begins on Monday. Watching the Masters gives me a rare opportunity to check out new music. Listen to a few new tunes below. Thanks to my friend Jonathan for the heads up on the jj track.

- Joel

John Maus - "No Title (Molly)"

jj - "beautiful life"

Dive - "How Long Have You Known?"

Photographer of the Day

© Billy Knox

I made a new friend last weekend: Billy Knox. Billy is a world-traveler extraordinaire and excellent photographer. He has been running a handmade tie business but is closing up shop to join the Navy. I'm hoping to grab a few of his ties before they are all gone.

- Joel

© Billy Knox

© Billy Knox

Alabama Shakes

I heard a new band on the radio today. I'm digging their sound. Check out a track and a music video from Alabama Shakes below. Their debut album Boys & Girls drops tomorrow.

- Joel

Alabama Shakes - "Hold On"

Undefeated

I saw an incredible documentary this weekend. "Undefeated" is an inspiring story about an inner-city high school football team from Memphis and their extraordinary coach. It's had a limited theatrical release, but I'd recommend it to anyone and everyone.

- Joel

Spring

© Joel Thomason

Spring has sprung here in Austin.

- Joel

The Walkmen

I've always been big fan of The Walkmen. It appears they have a new album coming out in June. They've released a trailer for the album, which is trendy these days (but still unusual if you ask me). They sound as good as ever, and the trailer is visually compelling. Take a look/listen below.

- Joel

Best Coast - "The Only Place"

In advance of their sophomore album, Best Coast is offering the single "The Only Place" as a free download. It's a sunny ode to their native California. The album, set to release in May, sounds like it will set the musical tone for a great summer.

- Joel

Best Coast - "The Only Place"

West Texas

© Joel Thomason

I went camping on a friend's land near Brownwood, Texas over the weekend. The day was spent rope swinging into the creek. The night was spent around a campfire. And in the morning, the sunrise over a foggy creek was incredible.

- Joel

Ben Howard - "Old Pine"

I feel like I've posted this song before, but maybe not. So I'm posting it again. Here's a pretty little number from Ben Howard.

- Joel

Ben Howard - "Old Pine"

(notes on) biology

I'm back in Austin after spending part of my spring break in Kansas City. SXSW is in full swing here. This clever little film, (notes on) biology, just won Best Animated Short Film at SXSW.

Check it out.

- Joel

Beach House - "Myth"

I'm a big fan of Beach House. Check out a track from their new album Bloom, which drops May 15.

- Joel

s / s / s

Sufjan is back and is still in love with auto-tune. This time he's collaborating with Son Lux and a rapper named Serengeti in the form of s / s / s. Check out a track from their forthcoming EP below.

- Joel

Zilker Park Kite Festival

Another reason to love Austin, Texas. The Zilker Park Kite Festival. The picture just doesn't do justice to how many kites were flying this afternoon.

- Joel

Malice at The Palace

Jonathan Abrams of Grantland.com put together a compelling oral history the 2004 brawl between the Indiana Paces, the Detroit Pistons, and Pistons fans. I can still vividly remember this fight; it was horrifying. It will go down as the most disappointing event in NBA history. The article is long but a fascinating read. If you don't remember the fight, you can watch the video below.

- Joel

Jonathan Abrams - "The Malice at The Palace"

Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"

Here's a track from Brooklyn pop-rockers Hospitality. It's a catchy tune. From what I can tell, Hospitality released an EP a few years back, but their debut, self-titled album just dropped Tuesday.

- Joel

Hospitality - "Friends of Friends"