And once again we roll around to another Music Monday! Welcome!
I was lucky enough to have the following song, Running with Insanity by Danish sextet Alchohlic Faith Mission, paired with one of my stories for Issue 47 of Storychord! Storychord is this great online publication run by Sarah Lynn Knowles, combining one story, one song and one piece of art or photography to publish together. Each issue is launched fortnightly, and this last fortnight has featured my story, Her Name Was A ! I really love this concept, and feel very lucky to have my work not only included, and placed alongside such beautiful music and artwork. Click here if you would like to check it out!
The story told by this clip is a lot different to my own, but I feel the atmosphere of this song compliments my piece very well.
I also had to share this video for another of their songs, Legacy, because it is just so quirky and clever and sweet, and I choose to believe that those are all just prop mice.
I'm going to have to head down to JB and see if I can hunt out some EPs from these guys! I hope you enjoy their tunes as much as I do!
Monday, April 2, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Street ART: Conserving, not Destroying
For as long as I can remember, there has been a lot of conjecture over whether graffiti is considered a form of artistic expression, or just plain vandalism; I say that it is impossible to cram it under either umbrella, because the difference between street art and tagging is the same as painting a grand masterpiece on canvas, and scratching your name into a wooden desk with the pointy end of your compass.
This is but a taste of the beautiful images cropping up all over Melbourne's public spaces; I am definitely putting all my eggs in the art basket for these. Most of these photographs were taken whilst walking to my various workplaces; every day I see something new, and so I am never bored with this city.
To make it even cooler (well probably less cool for you guys but infinitely more cool for me), and to prove that this form of expression is often more constructive than destructive, a group of Melbourne's street artists have teamed up with Zoos Victoria (one of the organisations I work for), to create these amazing "Fighting Extinction" wall designs, in the hope that they will raise awareness for some of our native endangered species, which are currently under threat of permanent extinction. Biodiversity is important guys!
How cool! Apparently there are heaps more on AC DC lane, I'm going to have to get down there to take my own photos (these were taken by the good people from Melbourne Zoo). You can read more about this, and the campaign in general here.
So next time you're having a leisurely wander, or even a brisk walk through the city streets, don't be afraid to peek down some of the alleyways, don't turn away from all the hidden nooks just because you think there are drug dealers lurking in them (there often aren't) ; you never know what kind of unexpected beauty and ephemeral colour explosions you're going to find.
This is but a taste of the beautiful images cropping up all over Melbourne's public spaces; I am definitely putting all my eggs in the art basket for these. Most of these photographs were taken whilst walking to my various workplaces; every day I see something new, and so I am never bored with this city.
To make it even cooler (well probably less cool for you guys but infinitely more cool for me), and to prove that this form of expression is often more constructive than destructive, a group of Melbourne's street artists have teamed up with Zoos Victoria (one of the organisations I work for), to create these amazing "Fighting Extinction" wall designs, in the hope that they will raise awareness for some of our native endangered species, which are currently under threat of permanent extinction. Biodiversity is important guys!
So next time you're having a leisurely wander, or even a brisk walk through the city streets, don't be afraid to peek down some of the alleyways, don't turn away from all the hidden nooks just because you think there are drug dealers lurking in them (there often aren't) ; you never know what kind of unexpected beauty and ephemeral colour explosions you're going to find.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Word Wednesday: Fry's Planet Word
Today's Word Wednesday is brought to you by one of my
favourite human beings in the whole world, Stephen Fry. Not only is he
hilarious, he is warm, he is proudly homosexual and incredibly intelligent! I
would definitely invite him to my ultimate fantasy dinner party, along with
Marieke Hardy, Tori Amos, Neil Gaiman and Francesca Lia Block. IMAGINE THE
CONVERSATION!!!!
Anyway, back to Stephen and his wonderful brain; they have just started showing his most recent documentary called "Fry's Planet Word" on ABC, and it's all about words and language. I caught an episode last week whilst casually flicking channels, and loved everything about it; the information, the travel aspect, and most of all Stephen Fry's genuine love of knowledge, language and learning. I'm planning on staying home every Sunday night until it's over just so I don't miss an episode
Anyway, back to Stephen and his wonderful brain; they have just started showing his most recent documentary called "Fry's Planet Word" on ABC, and it's all about words and language. I caught an episode last week whilst casually flicking channels, and loved everything about it; the information, the travel aspect, and most of all Stephen Fry's genuine love of knowledge, language and learning. I'm planning on staying home every Sunday night until it's over just so I don't miss an episode
My favourite part of this trailer is when he says that language "can make pictures where there are none".
Enjoy!
Monday, March 26, 2012
Music Monday: Kate Miller Heidke
Welcome to antoher Music Monday, where I will fill your ears with words and their accompanying melodies that tickle me so.
Tonight's Music Monday is a little more sinister than last week. I have been a fan of Kate Miller-Heidke and her music since I first started listening to triple j all those years ago. Her darling voice and the beautifully written, intimate lyrics of 'Space They Cannot Touch', got me from the start, and I downloaded it free (legally mind you) of the triple j website. To this day it is still one of my favourite love ballads, and I'm not tradtionally a love ballad-y person.
She is also hilarious, and super nice! In 2007 went to her first tour for the album 'Little Eve' and she signed a poster for me! It is still attached to my wardrobe door, alongside my signed Sarah Blasko poster, and my unsigned (sigh) Tori Amos poster. It's my female singer songwriter wardrobe, guarding my clothes with their razor sharp wit and talent.
Anyway, I should get to the song at hand, which really couldn't be more different from said love ballad. All I can say is that 'Sarah' is both beautiful and terrifying and I think that's why I love it so much; I listen to it and think of the festivals I've been to and how easily this could have happened to me, or a friend of mine, and it gives me literal shivers.
On that note, enjoy!
If the cover art for 'Nightflight' and this song is anything to go by, I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this. If you like what you hear, you can visit her website here for more free legal downloads of some of her new tunes.
Tonight's Music Monday is a little more sinister than last week. I have been a fan of Kate Miller-Heidke and her music since I first started listening to triple j all those years ago. Her darling voice and the beautifully written, intimate lyrics of 'Space They Cannot Touch', got me from the start, and I downloaded it free (legally mind you) of the triple j website. To this day it is still one of my favourite love ballads, and I'm not tradtionally a love ballad-y person.
She is also hilarious, and super nice! In 2007 went to her first tour for the album 'Little Eve' and she signed a poster for me! It is still attached to my wardrobe door, alongside my signed Sarah Blasko poster, and my unsigned (sigh) Tori Amos poster. It's my female singer songwriter wardrobe, guarding my clothes with their razor sharp wit and talent.
Anyway, I should get to the song at hand, which really couldn't be more different from said love ballad. All I can say is that 'Sarah' is both beautiful and terrifying and I think that's why I love it so much; I listen to it and think of the festivals I've been to and how easily this could have happened to me, or a friend of mine, and it gives me literal shivers.
On that note, enjoy!
If the cover art for 'Nightflight' and this song is anything to go by, I cannot WAIT to get my hands on this. If you like what you hear, you can visit her website here for more free legal downloads of some of her new tunes.
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Prom Night
So last night Lovely and I had the pleasure of attending a friends house warmning party. Now I always enjoy house parties, over, say, clubbing, even when I don't know many people there, which was the case with this one, but what made this particular house warming even better was that it was themed!
This is what I imagine real proms to be like; all warm and hazy, awash with pastel colours and awkward fumblings through ill fitting clothes.
"The Bad Taste Prom" was so much fun to shop for, I had an excuse to trawl through racks and racks of velvet satin and tulle, to wear lots of eye makeup and these coral coloured clip on earrings that I bought on a whim from Etsy and have hardly ever worn.
These earrings, of all things, got me thinkingl; why don't I wear them more often? I really do love them, even if they are a little bit weird and out-dated. And then I started thinking about my clothes, and my style in general. I have a bit of a reputation as amongst friends and family as "the daggy one" (for international friends, this is a nicer way of saying uncool or fashionably inept). But I really do like dressing up, I like odd patterns and bright colours and matching clothes that you would never think go together until you put them on. I'm not trying to be 'ironic' (that word is so poorly and frequently used these days!), I actually really like them. That doesn't mean I never dress up normal (whatever that is), I have some of what I feel is nice normal socially acceptable clothing. It's just fun sometimes to step out of the "colour blocked mini dress and platform boots" box and into the one with the bright tights or old lady cardigans or jewellery that you've made yourself. So from now one, if I want to wear my clip on earrings, I'm going to wear my goddam clip on earrings.
I think this video pretty much sums up what I'm trying to say; if you don't know Tavi Gevinson, go visit her blog or jump onto ROOKIE. She is an incredible human being.
Tavi Gevinson Closet Interview for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.
And now you that you have been dazzeled by her obscurity, here is a proper photograph of my dress!
It's hard to tell in this photo, but Lovely's dinner jacket has this weird denim look, which he wore with jeans, and a denim tie that he made himself! So attractive.
The party itself was also really fun, there was a ballon arch for couples to walk through, punch (spiked of course), and even the crowning of Prom King and Queen! Thanks Erin for a really cool party (and I also actually really loved your dress. It was hideously beautiful).
This is what I imagine real proms to be like; all warm and hazy, awash with pastel colours and awkward fumblings through ill fitting clothes.
"The Bad Taste Prom" was so much fun to shop for, I had an excuse to trawl through racks and racks of velvet satin and tulle, to wear lots of eye makeup and these coral coloured clip on earrings that I bought on a whim from Etsy and have hardly ever worn.
These earrings, of all things, got me thinkingl; why don't I wear them more often? I really do love them, even if they are a little bit weird and out-dated. And then I started thinking about my clothes, and my style in general. I have a bit of a reputation as amongst friends and family as "the daggy one" (for international friends, this is a nicer way of saying uncool or fashionably inept). But I really do like dressing up, I like odd patterns and bright colours and matching clothes that you would never think go together until you put them on. I'm not trying to be 'ironic' (that word is so poorly and frequently used these days!), I actually really like them. That doesn't mean I never dress up normal (whatever that is), I have some of what I feel is nice normal socially acceptable clothing. It's just fun sometimes to step out of the "colour blocked mini dress and platform boots" box and into the one with the bright tights or old lady cardigans or jewellery that you've made yourself. So from now one, if I want to wear my clip on earrings, I'm going to wear my goddam clip on earrings.
I think this video pretty much sums up what I'm trying to say; if you don't know Tavi Gevinson, go visit her blog or jump onto ROOKIE. She is an incredible human being.
Tavi Gevinson Closet Interview for Stylelikeu.com from StyleLikeU on Vimeo.
And now you that you have been dazzeled by her obscurity, here is a proper photograph of my dress!
It's hard to tell in this photo, but Lovely's dinner jacket has this weird denim look, which he wore with jeans, and a denim tie that he made himself! So attractive.
The party itself was also really fun, there was a ballon arch for couples to walk through, punch (spiked of course), and even the crowning of Prom King and Queen! Thanks Erin for a really cool party (and I also actually really loved your dress. It was hideously beautiful).
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Word Wednesday: The Suburbs
This Word Wednesday brings you a little piece I wrote after returning home
from holiday! I have a love hate relationship with the suburbs; I love those
moments dreamy light filtered childhood nostalgia, and a lot of people I love
still live here with me, but at the moment I feel like I'm outgrowing the
place. I'm getting restless, probably because of all the travel plans I'm
making. And not the mention that where I live is so damn far from where I
work! Commuting is only good for listening to podcasts, catching up on my ever
growing reading list (and checking Facebook way too often). Otherwise, it
sucks.
Anyway, Happy Word Wednesday! Enjoy :)
Sometimes I just can't stand the suburbs. I sit on my porch, sucking on an icy pole or painting my tonails, and look out over the rolling cement paths, the triangles of rooves sprawled out across the hills, bricks laid over the earth that once held trees, that once held birds, that once made the oxygen for us to breath, using up all of that dangerous excess carbon. People think it's ok to cut down the trees because some of them can afford to put solar panels on their rooves. I don't think so.
At least in the country you can see the stars, and even the dirt feels cleaner, and you can breathe in the air without coughing (unless someone is smoking a cigarette nearby, which is dangerous anyway because smoking is a fire hazard, amongst other things). You can absorb the moisture in the air through your tongue and the moisture from the soil through the skin between your toes, and your bones feel soft, soaked in sun shine fresh water, and everything seems to move more slowly but it all has an underlying purpose.
At least in the city there is always someone doing something; you can learn so much and feel so much all in one go. You walk down the street, and it feels beautiful even though it smells like piss and fried onions. There is always music, buskers playing acoustic guitars or casio keyboards, drums made from wooden crates or old paint buckets, harmonicas or boom boxes. Some of them just sing, releasing the notes and words from their lungs like doves into the night. Something is happening in the jazz bar on the corner, in the bookshop that stays open until 11pm, in the restaurant, behind the red velvet curtain, in the McDonalds rest room. People are fighting, people are crying, people are shooting up and people are falling in love. Everything speeds and pulses like veins with light and laughter and sobs and music and energy.
But the suburbs. The suburbs are the Elephant in the travelling circus; all dressed up but confined to a cage only slightly larger than her enormous skeleton. The streets are littered with clusters of trees, but there aren't enough leaves to remove all of that exhaust, you can still hear the roar of the cars on the bitumen and it's louder than a bird's cry. Not far from the park the main strip has a few shops, a Millers and a Target and a Salvos. It has a library and a movie theatre and three different restaurants that all serve variations of Asian Cuisine.
As I stare out over my own unfolding suburb, I realise that I live in a hybrid-land, a place that wants the best of both city and country, but instead has ended up some decrepit old lady on speed; so much energy, but nowhere to channel it into because she cannot even leave the house. Or maybe that's just how I feel about me.
Anyway, Happy Word Wednesday! Enjoy :)
Sometimes I just can't stand the suburbs. I sit on my porch, sucking on an icy pole or painting my tonails, and look out over the rolling cement paths, the triangles of rooves sprawled out across the hills, bricks laid over the earth that once held trees, that once held birds, that once made the oxygen for us to breath, using up all of that dangerous excess carbon. People think it's ok to cut down the trees because some of them can afford to put solar panels on their rooves. I don't think so.
At least in the country you can see the stars, and even the dirt feels cleaner, and you can breathe in the air without coughing (unless someone is smoking a cigarette nearby, which is dangerous anyway because smoking is a fire hazard, amongst other things). You can absorb the moisture in the air through your tongue and the moisture from the soil through the skin between your toes, and your bones feel soft, soaked in sun shine fresh water, and everything seems to move more slowly but it all has an underlying purpose.
At least in the city there is always someone doing something; you can learn so much and feel so much all in one go. You walk down the street, and it feels beautiful even though it smells like piss and fried onions. There is always music, buskers playing acoustic guitars or casio keyboards, drums made from wooden crates or old paint buckets, harmonicas or boom boxes. Some of them just sing, releasing the notes and words from their lungs like doves into the night. Something is happening in the jazz bar on the corner, in the bookshop that stays open until 11pm, in the restaurant, behind the red velvet curtain, in the McDonalds rest room. People are fighting, people are crying, people are shooting up and people are falling in love. Everything speeds and pulses like veins with light and laughter and sobs and music and energy.
But the suburbs. The suburbs are the Elephant in the travelling circus; all dressed up but confined to a cage only slightly larger than her enormous skeleton. The streets are littered with clusters of trees, but there aren't enough leaves to remove all of that exhaust, you can still hear the roar of the cars on the bitumen and it's louder than a bird's cry. Not far from the park the main strip has a few shops, a Millers and a Target and a Salvos. It has a library and a movie theatre and three different restaurants that all serve variations of Asian Cuisine.
As I stare out over my own unfolding suburb, I realise that I live in a hybrid-land, a place that wants the best of both city and country, but instead has ended up some decrepit old lady on speed; so much energy, but nowhere to channel it into because she cannot even leave the house. Or maybe that's just how I feel about me.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Music Mondays: Kishi Bashi
Welcome to Music Monday! Time to inject a little melody into the hardest day of the week! Today was a particularly difficult Monday for me, because I had such a wonderful weekend away with family and friends, enjoying fresh air, good weather, fun and food! I miss it already.
However, if any song could pull me out of a post holiday slump, it would be Manchester by Kishi Bashi! I found this on We Are Hunted, a fantastic music site that curates and streams charts based on what's featuring on music blogs, which is great if you're like me and don't have time to browse the plethora of music blogs out there.
Anyway, take a listen to this is song. It's got a Jonsi like swell, and Bon Iver like delicacy, and it will lift you up above all of the working week monotony and carry you away on pockets of warm air to places you would rather be.
However, if any song could pull me out of a post holiday slump, it would be Manchester by Kishi Bashi! I found this on We Are Hunted, a fantastic music site that curates and streams charts based on what's featuring on music blogs, which is great if you're like me and don't have time to browse the plethora of music blogs out there.
Anyway, take a listen to this is song. It's got a Jonsi like swell, and Bon Iver like delicacy, and it will lift you up above all of the working week monotony and carry you away on pockets of warm air to places you would rather be.
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