Peanut & Purls & Watercolors...& Beyonce

I first saw this phrase on a friend's instagram post. It was printed on a coffee mug. I decided right then and there that this was a mantra I needed in my life. I recently downloaded Beyonce's latest album, and like everyone else, I'm utterly bewitched by everything she does. So what did I do? I made myself this watercolor. Also, I needed a break from knitting. I just finished knitting all my (late) Christmas/birthday presents, so I need to think about what my next knitting project.

Brief Musical Interlude: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (on a bus)

Thank you, Grammys, for making this happen. 

Halloween Mixtape: Musical Misama

Musical Miasma by Christine from onmyhonor on 8tracks Radio.

Maybe miasma is going a bit far, but I've boarded the alliteration train and I really don't want to get off. EVER. The Halloween music exchange went into effect again this year, and I received some real gems from my friend Dan. Since we've been making Halloween mixtapes for several years, I mentioned that it's getting tougher to find offbeat or unexpected spooky, murderous, ghoulish music. Not to spoil anything for anyone, but Dan mentioned the theme to Gremlins 2 being on deck for next year. I don't know about you, but I can't wait!

1. Going to Your Funeral Part I, Eels
2. Ghost Town, The Specials
3. Trouble, Hope Sandoval
4. And When He Falleth, Theatre of Tragedy
5. Shake that Devil, Antony and the Johnsons
6. Heads Will Roll, Yeah Yeah Yeahs
7. Way Down Hadestown, Anais Mitchell
8. Be Prepared, Jeremy Irons
9. Creep, Stone Temple Pilots
10. Zombie Dance, The Cramps
11. Voodoo Lady, Ween
12. Blackest Crow, Black Prairie 
13. There is a Light, Nick Cave
14. No One Believes Me, Kid Cudi
15. Catch the Breeze, Slowdive
16. Bad Blood, Beck

If you need a soundtrack to your party, you can find other Halloween music suggestions on our Halloween page.

Brief Musical Interlude: TJ Smith & The Foundations

I saw this via Thought Catalog this weekend and like everyone else in the world was utterly charmed by the idea and the guy in the minivan who is SO INTO IT (Oh, you'll see). TJ Smith has three other Highway Sing-a-long videos, but I think this one is probably tops for cheeriness and commuter participation. As I've mentioned before, we sisters are very into singing and dancing in the car, and there have been times when we've been spotted by other drivers. You can either slink into your seat or go on with the show, and I think going on with the show is the best course of action. Obviously. 

One time in Spokane, Catherine and I were jamming out to some Lion King soundtrack in her 4Runner. "Hakuna Matata" came on, and you know she had some dance moves for that dance. A guy caught her singing and arm dancing while we were stopped at a light, and he was getting a major kick out of it. When the light turned green, Catherine gave him a sharp military salute with a smile and we drove off. Fun for us. Fun for him. 

I think the idea of serenading other drivers, especially in L.A. traffic is awesome. If Monika runs into TJ, you better believe she'll bring it Nicolai style. 

Top 5: Summer Jams I Already Miss

I know I've made a couple whiney remarks about the end of summer, but really, I'm an autumn girl. I like crisp, cool weather; tights and scarves and lightweight jackets; chimney smoke; and darkness. Still, summer has some key components to my happiness: lots of light (for me, part of being an "adult" has been recognizing that while I don't necessarily like light, I require it), hot and dry weather (on a good 90s day in Spokane, when the skin feels all hot and tight on your face: love it.), and the opportunity to drive around with the windows down and listen to happy, jammy, sing-a-along, good times music...

Brief Musical Interlude: Jessie Ware

A little mellow chillness for your morning. Check her.

Brief Musical Interlude: Jordan Schlansky

Since my "Book Report" post this week was pretty heavy on the music, I decided I'd revisit my one true YouTube love: Jordan Schlansky from Conan. Jordan made his Conan debut during the 2008 writer's strike, and his dead seriousness, unflappable demeanor, and primo semi-robotic diction captured my heart instantly.

At the end of August, Catherine wrote a post dedicated to her Top 5 Conan Clips. Believe me, all of them are winners, but for me, there's no greater YouTube delight than watching Conan and Jordan interact.

Jordan's dedication to such causes as wine, artisanal desk food, the band Rush, and his red Vespa, coupled with the fact that he corrected Conan on his usage of biscotti when referring to a single biscotto, all make me a huge Schlansky fan. Or, as I like to call myself, Schlan fan.

While I would love to come to your house and spread the good word of Schlansky (that's what I did to Catherine and she, in turn, spread it to Monika), I'm going to ask that you watch, listen, and believe on your own. Just go to YouTube and type in Jordan Schlansky: watch everything that comes up.

P.S. Don't forget to prepare your body in various ways! (That will only make sense if you watch the video.)

Book Report Inspiration: Soundtrack to Tuck Everlasting

Image via The Taste of Sunshine

I've run across a couple songs this week that have a Tuck Everlasting-ish feel, so I decided it might be interesting to create a soundtrack to the book for this week's edition of "Book Report." Creating soundtracks to books is something I did quite a lot as a teenager. It usually happened around the time I realized that I was getting into a book waaaaay too much and looking for a way to extend the experience. Granted, the soundtracks I compiled then were probably not good to the tune of: Oh, this Stabbing Westward song would be perfect for this Chuck Palahniuk book. (Not that there's anything wrong with that. I like Chuck Palahniuk, and I'm listening to Stabbing Westward right now and enjoying it in a guys-with-dirty-hair-wearing-chokers sort of way.) Wow, I just regressed so deep into 1996 that I lost my train of thought completely. Regrouping...

Brief Musical Interlude: R. Kelly & Phoenix

I don't think that anyone is probably reading this, but I am going to mention that after I read recent articles about R. Kelly and his alleged rapes, I'm dropping him from my life. I've said a lot of gushy things about his music and Trapped in the Closet series, but I can't listen to his music or watch his series or think of him without thinking of Jim DeRogatis' statement that "The saddest fact I've learned is nobody matters less to our society than young black women. Nobody."

I don't want to get too preachy, but if you have no idea what I'm talking about, read some of the articles associated with Jim DeRogatis and others who investigated Kelly. I'm saying this because I previously chose to remain unaware of the circumstances surrounding his trial and lawsuits, which I dismissively called "Kells' legal troubles (immortalized by Mr. David Chappelle)." Even though it probably impacts no one but me, my blind acceptance of and ardent admiration for a man who has ruined the lives of young women is deeply regrettable. 

So, no more talk about R. Kelly being an amazing musician who is delightfully wack-a-doo--what I originally said here about his work and his collaboration with Phoenix. I'm done.

The Village Voice article

The Kelly Conversations via WBEZ 91.5

R. Kelly's Twitter Convo via The Village Voice blog

"What R. Kelly Teaches Us About How Sexual Predators Choose Their Victims" on  Think Progress

Brief Musical Interlude: Tame Impala

Love "Elephant" by Tame Impala. Not crazy about the video though. Doesn't it feel sort of like a missed opportunity to you? I mean, I get that it's cool and trippy and retro, but I'm not sure the video is adding anything to the song. I feel like it should. 

I've heard a lot of people comparing Tame Impala (and this song in particular) to the early Beatles, and Tame Impala cites The Beatles as an influence on their work. Being that my Beatles frame of reference is basically my mom's 45 of "I Wanna Hold Your Hand," I'm not sure I hear The Beatles in "Elephant." But some of their other songs seem a bit more Beatle-y. Then again, what do I know about anything beyond the fact that they're quirky (in a non-annoying way) and funny and I like their music?

Dang. This all seems so grumpy. Forget the above. Enjoy this psychedelic little vid and have a lovely morning!

Brief Musical Interlude: Lightning Dust

Has there ever been a better, more dreamy synchronized swimming music video? I think not. 

The Vancouver, BC duo called Lightning Dust (Amber Webber and Josh Wells) are a couple of cool customers in my book. Their newest album, Fantasy, reminds me a bit of other artists with a slick, often hypnotic synth sound, like Bat for Lashes, Kavinsky's "Nightcall," and John Maus' "Believer." But Lightning Dust has roots in folk, so they're also masters of lush, sleepy ballads like "Moon" and "Agatha."

Lightning Dust was one of the bands I found through Amazon Discover Artists on the Rise. Every once in a while, I cruise by Amazon's MP3 store to poke through their new discoveries, and I've had pretty good luck finding decent new music. The Artists on the Rise page has a free download for each of the featured artists. Hello? That's a sweet deal. And smart on Amazon's part because, inevitably, I will purchase an album because of that free song. I'm thinking covetously of Lightning Dust's Fantasy right now.

In addition to "Diamond" by Lightning Dust, I also liked "Bad Apple" off Gauntlet Hair's album Stills, 

and "No Stranger" off Limits of Desire by Small Black. 

Brief Musical Interlude: Daughter

Well darn it. I forgot to post this on Wednesday. That was our Port Townsend day, and there was some hustling to get out of the house at a reasonable hour. A countdown may have been involved. So, Saturday it is!

Anyway: Daughter. Out of London, this threesome has delivered a dreamy and earnest grouping of songs, full of longing and sweet laments. This album has a teenage winter feel to me. And by that I mean that if I were seventeen and it was winter, I'd sit outside while listening to this and watch my breath fog and just yearn and yearn and yearn for things I couldn't quite define. (Hey, the leading song is called "Winter." Just noticed that.)

If you need more than YouTube has to offer, you can check out the Daughter SoundCloud.

P.S. Daughter also does a phenomenal cover of Daft Punk's "Get Lucky."

Brief Musical Interlude: Robin Thicke

I dig "Blurred Lines," but the video is kind of average. Prancy girls? Boring snore. What would make it awesome? Singing into spoons and playing the kazoo! This version is sick. And I'm pretty sure Catherine can learn the recorder part.

P.S. I always want to post one of The Lonely Island's songs, but I get nervous about dropping that language here. So, since we're talking about Robin Thicke today, I thought I'd mention that The Lonely Island's "Go Kindergarten" dance rehearsal video pokes fun at Thicke's "Blurred Lines" video. Check it out maybe. And the final version of "Go Kindergarten" featuring Robyn, Sean Combs, and  Paul Rudd is pretty darn funny too.

Brief Musical Interlude: Mumford & Sons

Okay, love this video for the following reasons:

1. Jason Sudeikis' sweet double earrings. 

2. Will Forte's tears.

3. Jason Bateman's pure joy at 3:50.

4. Ed Helms' everything. 

I'm actually not crazy about the song, but I think Mumford & Sons was smart to go this route for the video. And forcing me to listen to the song several times (because I want to watch the video)...well, let's just say the song is starting to grow on me. You have to admit, Sudeikis sells the hell out of those overdramatic lyrics...and my eyes seem to be buying what my ears would not. 

Good humor, fellas, and smart move. 

Brief Musical Interlude: Lorde

Oh, Lorde (AKA Ella Yelich-O’Connor), how I dig your sweet, yearning anthem "Royals." And sixteen years old?! What in the world is going on in New Zealand? Well, whatever it is, it works for me. I'd most like to listen to her music while riding in a convertible through alternating patches of sun and shade dapples. I'd be in a dreamy, slightly sad mood, I think.

One other thing: everyone on YouTube seems to be commenting on her hair. They all covet those curls. As a curly haired lady who feels super self-conscious about letting my curls out, I'm all for Ella representing. I wonder what product she uses...

For more tracks from her EP The Love Club or to take a gander at her gnarly portrait cover art (featuring a laurel wreath, and a badass snake), check out Lorde's website. And if you need more Lorde, there's also a brief interview with her on New York Magazine's The Cut.

Pssssssttttt, we're coming back!

Hello everyone! The sisters are excited to announce that beginning in mid-July, we'll be blogging again. Thanks for your patience everyone. The sisters have weathered their life transitions and have exciting new things to share with everyone.

In the meantime check out a short and sincere little video by Daniel Johnston, and check back with us again in July!

Also, if you're not familiar with Daniel Johnston, you should watch the documentary, The Devil and Daniel Johnston.

Brief Musical Interlude: Eurythmics & Aretha

This one's going out to Catherine. Sisters are doing it for themselves. True that. 

Plus, that white blazer is bangin'. Double plus for Dave Stewart jumping around and kicking like a maniac. 

Brief Musical Interlude: Langhorne Slim & The Lumineers

Violent Femmes cover ya'll. 

Brief Musical Interlude: DAVID BOWIE!!!!!

The universe has aligned, and David Bowie has a new album, and I'm freaking out a tiny bit. I love it! Bowie has always played with androgyny in a really interesting way, and there's pretty much no better representation of androgyny than Tilda Swinton. I dig her, but I'm also a little terrified/thrilled by her porcelain skin, ethereal eyes, and those cheekbones. Dear God, those cheekbones. 

So, that terror/thrill was magnified when all the young rock'n rollers started shaking things up (as rock'n rollers so often do). They're all Bowies! And Bowie playing the disapproving older man is quite excellent too. I'm just so excited. I can't even articulate my feelings. 

Brief Musical Interlude: Matt Luck & The Boss

Is this more about the song or the dance? I'm not sure, but after the lovely dancing in the Marissa Nadler video last week, I thought this was a nice complement. The choreography, by Matt Luck (the gent in this video), reminds me of marionettes!

The song is, of course, "Dancing in The Dark" by Mr. Bruce Springsteen, adapted here by Ben Howard and Yael Naim.

You can check out more choreography & film projects on Matt Luck's Vimeo.