Bunny Hops Down the Aisle.

BMX culture was a huge part of my androgynous childhood. In competition with my younger brother, I insisted that I was to also take part in BMX racing in which he had already begun months prior. I loved every second of it. I wasn't the best, and when the track we went to closed down, me and my brother hung the helmets for good.

It is no wonder that when we weren't racing, we were watching movies about it. In comes RAD, the 1986 film starring Bill Allen as Cru Jones (swoon), and Aunt Becky from full house as his love interest.

Now, what on Earth does an 80's film about biking have to do with music? Simple my friends. Not only is the film riddled with 80's pop music, but they manage to have a BMX/dance/love scene. Not only that, but it is set to the tune of Real Life's "Send Me An Angel". To be honest, this was probably the most romantic thing I had ever seen at the age of 9. But even now, I can't help but dream of having such a spectacle be the "first dance" at my wedding. And you thought I was weird for liking ABBA

Feast your eyes.

Rick Rolled for the Holidays.

So, let's face it. We've all been Rick Rolled from one point or another. Whether it was on youtube, when you thought you found an obscure wonder, or at a club when they turn the lights on and fake you out with that one last song, "Never Gonna Give You Up".

Apparently, MACY's caught onto this, because the Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends float was, yes REALLY, Rick Rolled.

PROOF:

Ah, Misery.

One of the most cliche things a person goes through is a break-up. Let's face it, unless you have never dated or have only been with one person in which you are successfully clinging tightly to this day (jerk), everyone has been through it. Despite this commonality, it is always so specific to you.

We do crazy things for love, and go even crazier when it is taken away. Maybe the misery lies within the want to keep those strong feelings once shared alive. If we can feel strong emotions in either direction it has to be real, right?

And so, with this in mind, it is no wonder that a billion songs are written about heartbreak. Thus, carrying out the task of creating a mix of break-up songs was a cinch to say the least. And no worries, these could possibly be the happiest sounding songs on the topic.

Songs for the Dumped:
Adem- Launch Yourself
Radiohead- Unravel (Pocket Remix)
Antony and the Johnsons- Fistful of Love
Nick Lowe- Rome Wasn't Built in a Day
Caribou- She's the One
Au Revoir Simone- Lark
Bat for Lashes- What's a Girl to Do?
The Radio Dept.- Worst Taste in Music
Devendra Banhart- At the Hop
Jimmy Cliff- Many Rivers to Cross
Belle & Sebastian- I Don't Love Anyone

BONUS TRACK:
Kanye West- Bittersweet Poetry

I Find Myself, Once Again

Missing out on yet another music festival. This time, it is CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival.
One thing I need to say about this festival is that it is INTENSE. I mean, you look at the line-up, and theres literally shit going on every minute, start to finish. From music to film, the list is nearly limitless.

So, instead of taking on the impossible feat of proclaiming all the bands I wish I were seeing, I'm going to talk about a band I have seen, and am very proud that they are at CMJ this year.

Awesome New Republic, has deservingly landed a spot on the line-up (and have probably just finished their set as I type this). The Miami group has been officially ANR since 2004. While they were disbanded for a period, the group resurrected recently to perform and work on a new album, "Rational Geographic." I have seen the band play a few times, one of which being in the Planetary of the Miami Museum of Science, and they just know how to make a Miami night one to remember (which is quite the feat, considering inebriation).

Their latest album is a fusion of multiple genres, but ultimately it's hard to draw comparisons with other bands to this one; the sound is so unique and genuine, you just have to listen.

Two classics from their 2005 EP "ANR So Far":
2K3012
Wheels No Engines

It's pretty amazing, considering how they recorded most of that album in a bedroom and it was given a 7.9 on pitchfork. Not to say that pitchfork is ever a reliable source, but I'm not surprised that their infectious sound has struck yet another listener. They have a big future ahead of them, what with music festivals, reviews, and tons of praise flowing from every music blogging orfus (ahem), the possibilities just seem endless.

Pocket, at 5 AM

<3Richard Jankovich<3
Ladies and Gents, I have stumbled upon a very, very beautiful and talented man that also goes by P O C K E T. (Thanks Benji)
The first full length album by pocket was mixed in portland, oregon in july of 2008. each of these 12 tracks feature a unique vocalist from a variety of genres and styles.

But hey, Let's be self-indulgent (and honest); I just want to talk about his mixes.
His mix template includes Beck, and Radiohead (I suggest downloading "Unravel (Pocket mix)" as soon as you finish reading this) among others, which you can view and listen to here

To make it simple, I've even included his take on the track "Bridges and Balloons" by Joanna Newsom:



MMmmmmmm....

I'm practically drooling on myself. This could be because it is 5 in the am, but I'm just going to make his facial hair the scapegoat.