The Beatles.

Paul McCartney's show-stealing closing performance at the Grammys has put me in a Beatles groove this week. Which consequently has reminded me (again) how absolutely incredible those four kids from Liverpool were. And, finally, how much I love the Beatles and their music.

I love that Paul performed selections from the medley that closes out Abbey Road – I thought it was a perfect ending to the night. Check it out here (and keep in mind that Paul is almost 70!) The guitar jam session with Paul, the Boss, Dave Grohl & others was also pretty special.



My Beatlemania this week also led me to these gems that I want to post so as to not forget:

High Highs Live

I saw the High Highs live last week at Pianos, a small venue on the Lower East Side here in New York City. I've been following these guys for the past few months and have really loved their self-titled four song EP. I liked it enough that it made my list of top ten albums of 2011 (which I'll have to post about soon).

Overall I was extremely impressed with their live set and really love their overall sound and style – simple guitar, keyboard & percussion with a focus on vocals and beautifully simplistic two part harmonies weaved throughout. Think Simon & Garfunkel meet 2012, with a drummer. Or something similar...

I had a chance to speak with Jack, the lead singer/guitarist in between opening sets and he couldn't have been cooler. He's originally from Australia and came to NYC a couple of years back to pursue music, currently living in Brooklyn and working at a studio during the day. He was very humble and appreciative that I'm a fan. Made me like them even more.

Their album drops later this month, or so Jack told me. I don't know any details beyond that...

Here's a video I took on my phone of "Open Season." Enjoy!

Moth & The Flame

Kudos to little bro Cole for putting these guys on my radar. Shout out to Provo, UT and the beautiful music of Moth and the Flame!

Very cool video as well (or should I say cold?).

Real Estate

Not that kind of Real Estate – the music kind. Indie band Real Estate's second album, Days, is phenomenal – I've thoroughly been enjoying it since its release earlier this month. Here's a live studio rendition of "It's Real" – super easy to listen to, carefree music. If you like this, the whole album is worth a listen.

Real Estate - It's Real from 4eyes on Vimeo.

Transition, Kickstarter & Creation

Fall is in full-swing. It's crazy how fast that happened – I just hope it lasts for a bit before cold man winter creeps in. I've often said that my favorite time of year isn't necessarily one of the four seasons per se, but rather the transition from season to season. Winter to spring and summer to fall, in particular.

A fellow by the name of Frank Chimero is a New York-based graphic designer whose work I admire. He's also a talented writer as I've found from following his blog over the last several months. Recently Frank had this to say about the changing seasons, which I found quite poignant:

September rolled away, almost like it wasn't even there. We now have these spectacular October days in New York that make you wish every single one could be like them, from now into forever. Heaven must be a permanent October. The cusps of new seasons always makes me reflective for some reason. Transformations are visible so infrequently; most of the changes we live through are almost like the slowest crossfade ever heard between two songs, one well-known and the other new, trading one old piece for one new piece, bit-by-bit, second-by-second, until there is no more of the old stuff left.

Summer into autumn is the most magical transition, because it is usually abrupt; a storm comes and drags the cold air behind it. Once the front moves through, there are a million little testaments and artifacts of the change all around you: those bright yellow-red leaves hang above and draw your eye up. They're under your feet as you walk and every step produces that crinkly, shuffling sound that we all love because it is so temporal. Leaves are in piles beside your usual route, begging to be disturbed, saying, "Jump." You see those changes, and maybe, if you're like me, you start to think about your own changes. And oh my, so much, so many changes. I took to calling my old college roommates, phoned my parents to check in, spoke with everyone or left them messages to say "Sitting still. Thinking of you."

I've always felt this same way but have never been able to explain this phenomenon quite as eloquently as Mr. Chimero – it's less of a visible change and more of a feeling – a transition in the air and your anatomical clock knows it's time to move from summer into fall. There's also a sense of nostalgia and a yearning for those comfortable feelings remembered from childhood. Such an interesting phenomenon – and I'm glad to know it's not just me being super reflective about my life and the changing seasons this time of year.

I first came across Frank Chimero through a book project he's heading up called "The Shape of Design." Better said, he is the book's author. I had the unique opportunity to help fund his book-writing project through Kickstarter and have been following him ever since. Here's a creatively-executed video he created about his book:

From what I know, Frank is still working on the book. I can't wait to get the finished product – very excited for it!

On a related note, I think it's worth mentioning the power of creation and the innate human desire to create. Whether it's exercising 'creativity' to 'create' a simple painting, building your own house, maintaining a garden, taking photographs, designing holiday cards, assembling an Ikea bookshelf, or even the power of creating human life, there is real human satisfaction in creation. At least I feel that way – which is why I think I feel some satisfaction from working within the 'creative' industry (although advertising is considered by many to be the bastard stepchild). I'll take what I can get and run with it.

Open Season

Shout out to Kylie for showing me this song. Somehow it's seems totally fitting for the transition of seasons occurring right now, which I love. Like a nostalgic look back on summer days that have come and gone. Not crazy about the impending frigidness around the corner, but I'll take fall while I can get it. And so far October has been amazing.

I also love how this showcases so many New York City neighborhoods... what a town! Great song.

Joe Cool

There are so many fabulous old clips of the Dave Brubeck Quartet floating around the Internet – these guys were just killing it! I love the cool, west coast jazz contrast with today's current music scene; these guys are just so confident, calm & relaxed, but every bit as talented (if not more) than the top talent today. There's no hyped-up, cocky rockstars here – just confident dudes who were masters of their craft.

Pay special attention to the man behind the drums – Joe Morello. This guy is something else. I've dabbled in the art of percussion and this cat just blows me away. I love how Dave (piano) turns around and watches the drum solo as if he didn't want to miss out...!

And of course an amazing performance by the song's writer, Paul Desmond on the silky-smooth sax. Check out Dave just looking on in awe of Paul doing his thing. Solid jazz.

The only thing lacking here is a bass solo from Mr. Eugene Wright. I'll have to highlight that another day.

Think Different. Like Steve.

Here's the famous Apple 'Think Different' ad – this time narrated by Mr. Jobs himself, not the version that aired on TV with Richard Dreyfuss doing the voiceover. I think I prefer this one – it's that much more impactful.

Thanks again for everything Steve. Looking forward to my new iPhone 4S that should be here Friday...

FNL: The Movie (Pt. II)

I'll take Kyle Chandler over Billy Bob Thornton any day. Huffington Post (my least favorite source) is reporting a *new* Friday Night Lights movie is in the works, featuring the cast of the TV series. I thought this Emmy trailer summed up five seasons of small-town football drama nicely (Kelsey may or may not have shed a couple tears by the end of this trailer).

And for posterity's sake, let it be known that Coach Eric Taylor is my hero. Clear eyes. Full hearts. Can't lose.

Shout out to lil' sis Kylie for the heads up.

Manhattan In Motion

This is where I live and work. What a magical place.

Where you at Brooklyn?

Mindrelic - Manhattan in motion from Mindrelic on Vimeo.

Mr. Brubeck & Co.

West coast jazz. The way my father raised me.

I'm A Mormon

The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive

In the hilarious yet brutal-at-times world of satirical comedy, Mormons historically have gotten the raw end of the deal. We'll take what we can get this time around – hats off, Mr. Colbert. Thanks for going easy on us!

Visit mormon.org for more information.

Summertime

Miss this summertime ritual. Seriously contemplating getting a longboard... just for leisure, not to shred like these blokes!

Vans + DQM

Excited for this collaboration coming to SoHo in September. The Vans DQM General will be located at 93 Grand Street. Hope it's not an over-hyped, overpriced bust!

Source: Hypebeast

My New Favorite Video...

12 Million+ views and I'm just now seeing this? How did I miss this? Amazing. Enjoy!

Warby Parker

I love what Warby Parker is doing in the world of fashionable eyewear. If you need (or like) glasses and don't want to break the bank, you should check these guys out. Their business model is also super innovative – they'll send you up to five pair of frames to check out before you make your purchase decision.

As an added bonus one of their male eyewear models happens to be my co-worker Richard, aka DJ Treats (Lookin' good, Treats!).

The Village: Tilt Shift

I will never get sick of watching tilt shift videos. This technique is so wild – I love it.

My question is this: with full HD video on pretty much every Digital SLR these days, does the tilt shift technique only work with still photos? Is stop motion the best (or only) way to capture the look?

I have no idea... Still don't understand how messing with your lens like that can magically miniaturize the world and everything in it. Incredible.

The Village from Pedro Sousa | visuals on Vimeo.

Splitscreen: A Love Story

Great concept and even better execution. Love the attention to detail. Especially knowing this whole thing was shot on the Nokia N8 mobile phone. Impressive!

Thanks to little sister Kylie for the heads up!

Splitscreen: A Love Story from JW Griffiths on Vimeo.

The Twins

Props to these young gentlemen! Only 12-years-old. Oh to be young again...

via Hypebeast

The Twins from skatefairy on Vimeo.

San Francisco

This is the beautiful work of Kevin Dart. I haven't found an artist whose style I admire this much since Matte Stephens. The mid-century retro-modern style is too much! I have no real reason to buy a San Francisco piece of art, but I just might for only $30! How about a New York City piece, Kevin?

Grown Ocean Cover

I promise I'll get off my Fleet Foxes kick after this post – I ran across this cover on YouTube several weeks back and meant to post it. Impressive interpretation of the song! Not bad at all. Seems like a lot of musical talent floating around on this.

Blue Ridge Mountains

June came & went. Summer is here and it's been awhile since I blogged.

I've been on (another) Blue Ridge Mountains kick ever since the Fleet Foxes show back in May – found this live version from the show I attended at the United Palace Theater. I must have re-fallen in love with this song at the show. Quality is a bit suspect and the harmonies aren't quite as sharp as they were in-person, but you get the idea. It's a thing of beauty.

Fleet Foxes at the United Palace

The first show of the 2011 New York City Egan Family Summer Concert Series kicked off last night with Fleet Foxes at the United Palace Theater up on 175th and Broadway. Simply put, my expectations were absolutely exceeded.

It's refreshing how a band can make such intricate, complicated music and vocals sound so pure and simple. They have found the secret. And I can tell you they kill it live.

I've been eagerly awaiting a live show from these guys for almost three years now. Ironically enough my two favorites from the "Fleet Foxes" album were not the best songs of the night in my opinion. Mid-way through the set they played the anthemic "White Winter Hymnal" which lead directly into "Ragged Wood" for an amazing back-to-back combo. However, "Blue Ridge Mountains," Robin's solo rendition of "Oliver James" and "Your Protector" stole the show in my opinion. "Mykonos" off of Sun Giant was incredible as well. I'm still letting the new album grow on me but early favorites are "Grown Ocean," "Helplessness Blues," "Montezuma," "Battery Kinzie" and "The Shrine / An Argument."

**Bonus** As I was reading the review of last night's show on Brooklyn Vegan I found the back of my head in one of the photos!




All images from Brooklyn Vegan

Dear 16-Year-Old Me

I thought this was an especially poignant & powerful PSA (or whatever they're called in Canada). Count me in for the SPF 30 this summer!

Human Flight

I have always wanted to go skydiving. Perhaps more so now than ever, thanks to this gem:

Experience Human Flight from Betty Wants In on Vimeo.

Perfect Symmetry

The idea of symmetry is very compelling, especially after watching this well-executed video done for NPR by RadioLab & Everynone. Inspiring. The Sufjan Stevens track doesn't hurt the overall aesthetic of the video either...

Less Is More

In the wee small hours of the morning when I'm supposed to be asleep, I'm usually catching up on the 40+ tabs I seem to always have open on my browser consisting of articles, videos & wikipedia entries I didn't get around to reading that day. In the case of last night, I got around to watching some Local Native covers on YouTube. Probably because Kelsey's little brother Cole mentioned his band (TRIBES) covers the song "Wide Eyes" by Local Natives. Anyway, there is a wide array of talent out there on YouTube and I applaud aspiring artists for at least attempting to express themselves (which is half the battle), though many YouTube covers definitely leave something to be desired, to put it mildly.

In my zoned out 1am viewing last night I stumbled upon the following cover. I really appreciate this guy's simple, honest approach to doing his version of this song. It isn't much, but that's what I really liked about it. I would like to think that if I were to sit down and cover this song, I would take a similar approach. The octave jump at the end was a welcome surprise, too. Whomever you are, Lee Francis, I applaud you. Keep it up.

Grown Ocean

These guys are doing it right. They know their brand and they're killing it. Makes me want to deck out in flannel and go back to 1977.

Fleet Foxes - Grown Ocean from Fleet Foxes on Vimeo.

WESC Denim

WESC may not be know for its denim per se, but they at least put together a cool video on how they make their jeans.

The Making of WeSC Denim from WeSC on Vimeo.

Sweet Sixteen

God Bless Jimmerica. Go Cougars.