finally had some time to catch up w/ padma & tom & all the giant egos in the kitchen!  
(and val, i admit youve inspired me to be more diligent about this bloggerooing)
still cant believe natalie made penis jokes at the dinner table.  here i thought she didnt eat meat…

she totally looks like Dragonette here. Dig it.

Yeasayer – Ambling Alp

awesome mural just went up on Market Street, and i hope it’s not just advertising for some new natural foods store. fantastic morning views on what would be an otherwise seedy ride to work past the strip clubs and donut shops:

I know ive been neglecting the blog, but ive been absolutely slammed at work. We’re right in the thick of earnings season, and with the education conference in two weeks, im anticipating far too many early mornings and long nights ahead.  the goal: charge through the next 15 days until im exactly where i want to be.

Tonstartssbandt – Black Country <– woozy, dark, and it sounds like it was recorded in someone’s basement – from the next room.

Janelle Monae – Violet Stars Happy Hunting!!! <– from the fantastic Metropolis The Chase Suite, her really cool concept EP. love her voice, and love the r&b / rock thing she does so well. reminds me a bit of the Noisettes, actually. (oh, and this is totally for Kia Motors’ new Kia Soul campaign, but check out this track: Come Alive (The War of the Roses))

Kesha – Tik Tok <– sent this out a while back when it was still titled, “P Diddy”. This version is much slicker, and still catchy as heck. it’s like rihanna x uffie x a little bit of gaga. loooove it.

Boy Crisis – Dressed to Digress <– this song always makes me smile. a little electronic, a little dark, and absolutely adorably nonesensical yet romantic lyrics. and a very catchy hook.  my favorite part – you can do me like Bruce Springsteen / ask the swim team / pass the string beans /let me love you like you’re the shit girl, youre the shit girl. –

Smith Westerns – Imagine pt 3 <– pure pop sweetness. there’s nothing especially new here, but it’s well executed and more than enjoyable. little bit of belle & sebastian sound to it too, which doesnt hurt.

Enjoy.

new lady gaga yesterday + new tegan & sara today: not a bad way to start the week. 

these tracks leaked yesterday from GaGa and ive been freaking obsessed: 

Alejandro - this chorus is catchy as hell. gonna be huge.

Bad Romance - my fave of the three. fan-freaking-tastic. obsessed with the intro.

No Way - sounds a lot like Britney’s Quicksand, which she worked on, but way better.

Tegan and Sara are streaming Sainthood over on their myspace until Friday. And it’s fantastic.
http://www.myspace.com/teganandsara

two great tracks so far:
Sentimental Tune
Someday

im pretty sure i wont be doing any Gossip Girl posts until November. lo ciento. lets hope Chuck and Blair dont spontaneously combust before then.

here’s the new Tegan and Sara track from the upcoming Sainthood, though: Hell

Ladyhawke at the Fillmore last night. It was the Perez Hilton tour or something or other, and there were a bunch of random bands first (including glam rockers Semi Precious Weapons, who to be honest, i thought sucked).  Pip took the stage around 10 30 –  all skinny jeans, shaggy bangs and adorably awkward. just read she has aspergers and it makes so much sense.  sort of avoided eye contact, and scampered off stage immediately after the set finished – totally endearing, though. Played till about midnight and went through most of her debut (though Stef was super bummed she didnt do Morning Dreams).  She sounded amazing and closed the show with My Delerium, during which all of the trannytastic boys from Semi Precious Weapons ran out to dance on stage and went nuts - their lead singer was going ape shit and picked Pip up as she rocked  out.  It was pretty awesome. Asses? Thoroughly danced off.

Highlights: Another Runaway, Back of the Van & My Delerium

Recent tracks: some that have made it on to my weekly mp3 blasts, others that were just a little too eclectic. enjoy.

Post Post – The Auction (pt 2) <– psuedo-punk from a group of young (pre-pubescent?) girls? sounds a little like Smoosh x Tilly & the Wall vox. i know this will make ppl like Suz skeptical, but i promise, it’s a lot less whiny and a lot more subdued than you’d think.  a track ive really enjoyed lately.

Free Energy - Something in Common <– man, ive liked everything ive heard from these guys lately.  Dream City was an instant fave, and this latest track is super enjoyable.  they sort of remind me of Local Natives for some reason, though im almost positive the two sound nothing alike.  in fact, these guys are prob more in the vein of the strokes…

Irma Thomas – Breakaway <– courtesy of Jazzy, who’s been digging up some serious gems down in New Orleans. this is from ‘64, and damn if it shouldnt be a classic.

The Golden Filter – Thunderbird <– more lush goodness. i dont know why, but i really dig stuff like this. it’s weird and ambient and only mildly dancey, but it’s just so… chill, and not in that awful dave matthews sort of way that i hate.

Ceci G – Help Myself <– does this remind anyone else of Bette Davis Eyes? Also, i just realized that ‘Ceci G’ sounds like ’syzygy’. love it. actually, here’s another im really digging: Weather Tether

Eric Hutchinson – Oh <– great stuff: Rock & Roll. And this little live goodie (forgive the stage banter; it’s worth it): I wanna dance with somebody / How will i know?

Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I love you) <– seriously, try not to smile when you hear this.

hmm, that’s all for now.

judi dench & penelope cruz? did i mention how much i adore musicals?

i want to see this. now.

is it weird that i get tingles when i watch this? i dont even care that the critics already hate it; hello, Kherington Payne!

from her recent Vogue interview:

 ”There is a great Gloria Steinem quote—and I’m paraphrasing—’Become the man you want to marry.’ I’ve taken that on. What qualities do I find attractive, and can I find them in myself? What am I missing? Can I be that for myself?”

I’m betting she can.

Agreed. On both counts.
MW is awesome, and the Steinem quote?  Something we should all live by (and by man, i think you know i mean person).

Amy Milan – I Will Follow You into the Dark