Twittering Machines

This photo is from the Studio Film Club’s Facebook page a film club started by Peter Doig – artist, film buff, audiophile and all around nice guy – and artist Che Lovelace. I met Peter serendipitously at ILS where he was looking for a solution to his EMT cartridge issue (get a new one was the answer). There we learned that the film club houses a Klangfilm /EMT system (why not?) which resides in Port of Spain, Trinidad (why not?).

No, I did not dream this.

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This Gonjasufi single which originally sold for what $12? has been re-listed on eBay by the same seller in the past few weeks for a Buy It Now of $39.99 then $49.99 and now $69.99. Oh the beauty of the free market coupled with the grease of positive press is a joy to behold.

Spike Jones
Drawing

Binki Shapiro of Little Joy has organized an online auction,  Crafts for a Cause, to raise funds for Haiti. The list of contributors is long and interesting and includes Art, Memorabilia, Collectibles and more. The auction runs from March 15 through March 27th. “All proceeds will go to Artists for Peace and Justice, an amazing charitable organization founded by my dear friend Paul Haggis.”

Devendra Banhart
Painting

And it may be your only opportunity to receive this message –

Chan Marshall
“I Love You” Painting

Mazzy Star
So Tonight That I Might See

Hip very hip hurray for Plain Recordings for re-releasing not one but all three Mazzy Star LPs (which go for crazy money in their original pressing form). Now they can happily join all the others in the ‘to be played and enjoyed’ queue.

Mazzy Star
Among My Swan

Mazzy Star
She Hangs Brightly

Perfect time for moody ’90s psychedelia. Sigh.

Joanna Newsom
Have One On Me

Don’t you just love when things are better than you imagined they would be? And when you’re in the midst of all that betterness while it’s happening? I do. And Joanna Newsom’s new triple LP box set is a joy to hold, behold and relish. A feast for the eyes, ears and songful imaginarium.

From her Invisible Jukeboxin this month’s The Wire:

It’s [Have One On Me] really like a love song to California…

I got nodes on my vocal cords and I went on vocal rest for two months. I wasn’t speaking…But I learned a lot that was very useful – when I came back from my vocal rest and started preparing to sing, I had to retrain myself a little and I went to a very specialized vocal coach who specializes in preventing injuries. I learned a lot of things that will hopefully help protect me. My voice got a lot stronger.

I can hear JD saying “I told you so.” John heard this training when we listened to this record at Stephen’s and anyone listening can hear the difference. Her voice is more controlled, softer and subtler at times while retaining those wild abandoned squeals and squeaks. The same can be said of the accompaniment – subtler, softer and less adamant. All around better and I love better.

And each LP as well as the booklet is lovingly wrapped in Joanna. Enjoy.

Zola Jesus
Stridulum

Nika Roza Danilova hits the New York Times Playlist tenderly:

Her previous record, ” The Spoils,” sounded baleful, Germanic, smoky. It jumped to conclusions about its own power, as if your submission were already a done deal. But in the months since then, she’s grown: her ’80s Siouxsie Sioux yelp has taken on a slight ‘60s-girl-group tenderness, and likewise her songwriting.
BEN RATLIFF

(my emphasis! can’t wait to get the new EP which should arrive tomorrow)

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It’s hard to believe that it’s so hard to believe TM is 3 years old. But it be. 771 posts, over 1300 comments and hundreds of great LPs. Junior is growing.

In celebration and in keeping with tradition, this evening I will listen to Mal Waldron’s The Quest and raise a glass.

Cheers!

I cannot tell a lie. I have a thing for axes. But don’t be alarmed, I also have a thing for chopping wood. The smell of it, the feel of it, the physical exertion of it all adds up to good stuff. Like sitting by a warm fire afterward with your family drinking a cold beer. I also think chopping wood is deeply rooted in our DNA as real valuable work unlike sitting in front of a computer moving a mouse around which has only been work for a few decades. Figure we’ve been swinging hafted axes around since 6,000 B.C.

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Julianna Barwick
Florine

What’s with all these dreamy women alone in bedrooms making dreamy music? Louisiana-raised now-Brooklyn (and Brooklyn?) resident Julianna Barwick makes some lovely sounds from her voice amid layers of electronics-induced loopy soundscapes. I’m reminded of others (what a shocker) but this 12″ EP, yes it’s to be played at 45rpm which you have to hear for yourself, sounds fresh, mysterious and meant. Heartfelt. Dreamy.

On dreamy white vinyl in an edition limited to 200.

Julianna Barwick recently told Pitchfork that she didn’t “think” there was any guitar on her new EP

Magic Hat
Vinyl Lager

“Our brand-new spring seasonal! A amber-hued spring lager with a slightly sweet malt taste and a subdued hop bitterness. Set your season spinning with Vinyl!”

No, I haven’t had it but we must. Label designed by Phish poster art boy Jim Pollock. Radical.

Joanna gets a loving Sunday Times Magazine spread