Dead Man's Bones

If the name Dead Man's Bones isn't ringing any bells for you, then it is time you hopped on the musical bandwagon.  You will not only be glad you did, but you will also be thoroughly surprised, as this musical act and incredible talent belongs to Canadian actor Ryan Gosling.  Yes, of The Notebook fame, but I prefer to remember him from such films as Lars & the Real Girl, Half Nelson, and a smaller role in Remember the Titans.

Gosling, who is classically trained on the piano,  combines powerful piano sounds with his enchanting, melodic voice to create the phenomena that is Dead Man's Bones.  Throw in a drummer, some occasional bass, other whimsical sounds, and frequent help from a choir of children, and you'll find something that is completely ethereal; so ethereal it's haunting.  Let's take to their myspace page for what they have listed as their influences:

"disney haunted mansion, doo wop and 60s girl groups"

Have a listen by visiting their myspace page or website.  See them on tour,  as I've heard it's magical.  And I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that when my time comes, it will be.

Pave the way, David Slade...

Why is it so surprising what a quality eye for visual aesthetics director David Slade has?  Especially with his two gorgeously executed films, Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night, I should be shrugging it off as just another obvious talent.  But the thing is, he is so good at still photography that it excites me for all and any future work of his.  He surely is, to me, a fresh new face in film directing today.  Something I feel we always need in the watered-down crap that is passed off as films in modern Hollywood.  And in case you missed my disappointed rant on the new Twilight film, let me just demonstrate with an excerpt that helps to explain exactly what I think of Slade:

"And the only thing that keeps me hoping for a better Twilight Saga future is the up and coming director David Slade.  His only two films, Hard Candy and 30 Days of Night scream amazing auteur ability, and his dedication and absolute artistic ability in everything that is visual (see his twitter page for amazing candid still photos) secure a place for him in film history…and hopefully Twilight fans around the globe."

Yeah, my appreciation for Slade is THAT serious.  So here is a preview of his ability.

A flowery refuge...

I may sound contrived, but I really despise living in Los Angeles.  Sure, I was born and raised here, but in all honesty, it's no place I want to stay.  I've been itching to Kerouac it outta here for some time, but the low-to-no funds thing kinda makes it difficult, if not impossible.  So I stick around, but I dream of laying in fields of swaying tall grass and picking daisies from an entire field of flowers in Idaho or somewhere just as rural.  Regardless, I always find myself picking random street-side flowers and making my own small bouquets to let dry and leave around the house in random objects.  This is the epitome of what I've always imagined...

Run free, my child.

I just stumbled across a lovely photographer named Annabel Mehran that truly captures the softness I so enjoy in still photography.  I feel a little 70s influence surfacing, and I LOVE it.

That bitch Courtney Love used to have style, and here's proof.

Say what you will about Courtney Love, but there is something appealing about her nonchalant, fuck-all style. Remember the '95 VMAs incident when she crashed Kurt Loder's interview with Madonna, or her role as practically herself in The People Versus Larry Flint, and of course, her marriage to Nirvana's frontman and legendary rock n roller Kurt Cobain?  Of course you do.  How could anyone forget?  And I also haven't forgotten her popular Kinderwhore style of the 90s either.    

And here's a cute interview with Courtney at the '93 VMAs:

Ultimate 90's Guide

I have been in 90's nostalgia lately, and I can't seem to shake it.  It was a good time, combined of middle school dances, first kisses, the Smashing Pumpkins and Tupac Shakur, Daria, My So-Called Life, Empire Records, and what I now consider awesome fashion.

But seriously, let's not forget.  I didn't.  And decided to make a list of the things I let hang in my closet during those awesome days of youth, so we may put these memories to good use by wearing them all again:

Cute/Short Sundresses

Combat boots

Chuck Taylors

Suspenders

Ray Bans

Flannels

Daisy Dukes

Hi Waisted "mom" jeans

Midriff Tops

Overalls

Bodysuits w/vests

Tie Dyed T Shirts

Tight & ripped jeans

Plaid anything

Flower print anything

Dr. Marten's 

And of course the ultimate accessory: Scrunchies!!!

another photographer that captures the true human essence, Ryan McGinley...

I can't quite explain why I love these nude photos.  They're not erotic nor perverted.  They truly, for me, capture the childlike freeness that lays in the human spirit.  Seriously, I should just move to a nudist colony.  But not really.  Best scenario ever?  1966 hippie commune in San Francisco.  

the amazing soft-core photographer, David Hamilton...

David Hamilton is, hands down, my favorite photographer.  I first came across his art at a thrift store in Portland, OR, while on tour with my band.  I found an exquisite photograph (first one listed below) sitting in a crappy frame.  I loved the photo so much that I took it out of the picture frame and shoved it in my purse.  I later returned home and immediately pinned it on my wall.  For months I had no idea the goldmine I had stumbled upon, until I took the photo off my wall to show a friend.  After telling the story, my friend and I slowly deciphered the signature in the picture to read out DAVID HAMILTON.  In total excitement of this accomplishment, I googled the name, and my jaw dropped.  More and more photos of the exact same hazy, lovable pictures were right at my fingertips, and I've never been the same since.

"a distinction must be

made between eroticism

and pornography; the media

have blurred the disparity to

an unforgivable degree..."

david hamilton