Moving

Many thanks to the small handful of readers who actually follow this blog, but this will be my final post on Dead Plane. Fret not however, as I've gone ahead and made the move to wordpress, taking with me every post I've made so far. All links made available here will continue to remain active, but I suggest you visit the new (same) blog for future content :)

SEMI-SORTED.

What are you talking about? We already have been to other worlds.

Bloodthirsty Butchers - Curve

Auditory Coffee (Drunk Edition!): Bloodthirsty Butchers - Ocean

Bloodthirsty Butchers - No Album Mudai

Everybody looks back upon their teenage years differently--for me, this was the time that I began to truly understand the importance that music would hold in my life, and the vast majority of the music I was listening to then came from across the Pacific. Among the many younger bands I followed were those I would consider to be the elder statesmen of Japanese indie rock; Bloodthirsty Butchers, eastern youth and Number Girl would soon come to define my adolescent years, later inspiring me to buy my first guitar, the iconic Fender Telecaster I'd seen each of my idols wield onstage. Ironically, after all these years I still have trouble articulating exactly what it is about this sound these artists create, but there is a certain sentimentality, a certain meaningfulness, and an immediate sense of lostness that I can relate to, that I can feel instilled deep within the breadth of each ringing chord. You don't have to understand Japanese to find a connection here; emotion comes across the same in any language. Much akin to their stateside kindred spirits Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo, the band has released a few masterpieces ("Kocorono," "Mikansei," "I'm Standing Nowhere") over the years which they are unlikely to ever top--they will, however, continue to release consistently great albums as long as they're still making music. Currently, Bloodthirsty Butchers have released 13 albums, with their newest "No Album Mudai" finding them picking up where they left off with "Guitarist o Korosanaide." Play it fucking loud.

An Impulse: Topman LTD Safari Bomber and Worker Jacket

Generally speaking, I try to steer clear of Topman. It's a shame, really--their fits are usually spot on for me but the quality is mostly dreadful. Their LTD collection, however, focuses on not only their signature fit but also on higher quality materials and construction. At full retail the price often reflects this, but once in awhile some great pieces can be found on sale at dramatically (anywhere from 50-80% off) reduced prices. Today I was able to find each of these pieces for $30 (70% off, not to mention they're doing free shipping until July 4th)!

Arc Celeste - Cassette Tape Instructions

I recently realized I've never actually posted any music I've made, so here's a couple of tracks I've been working on.

Slow Animal - Slow Animal

Sorry for the lack of posts, I've been busy studying (and not studying) for the past couple of weeks. Slow Animal is a two piece from New Jersey that you may have heard of by now--if you haven't, you may be surprised to learn that they're your new favorite band this summer.

A Lesson in Swedish History: Fjallraven Kanken

Via Blackbird: Introduced in August of 1978, Fjallraven's Kanken backpack was marketed as an alternative book bag for Sweden's school children because it centered its weight evenly along the spine and allowed both hands to be free. The new backpack was initially marked as a symbol of liberal political views and sometimes called "the Communist Hunchback" by stubborn detractors stuck on the old messenger style bags of their childhood, but Fjallraven's founder, Ake Nordin, hoped to sell 200 Kanken bags in their first year. He sold 400. The next year sales reached 30,000. Thirty years have now passed since the first Kanken was sold, and its popularity has grown far beyond the halls of Sweden's educational system.

I just ordered the Kanken from the friendly folks at Ooga Booga in a beautiful burnt red--I can't wait for it arrive :}

An Impulse: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles I & II

I was out and about for a bit after classes today, mostly unsure of what exactly I was looking for. What I found were two of the best films ever made.

Best ten dollars I've spent in a long while.

Auditory Coffee: Teen Daze - Shine On, You Crazy White Cap

This little gem comes to you courtesy of zeeeeej.

Auditory Coffee: No Age - Here Should Be My Home (Live at Fuck Yeah Fest 2009)

Awesome video, courtesy of Adam Harding.

Auditory Coffee: Friendo - Callers

Here's some nice footage of Mike Wallace (Women) and his band Friendo courtesy of Tyler Stalman.

Auditory Coffee: The Crayon Fields - Graceless

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Women - Public Strain

I'm more excited about this release than anything that's come out recently, and if you've jammed Women's stunning self-titled debut as much as I have, you know exactly why. It's been two years too long but it was well worth the wait. "Heat Distraction" -- holy fuck.

Green at North Flores

Went out to lunch at Green Vegetarian Cuisine today.

I had "the Philly" (grilled seitan, green bell peppers, onions and raw cashew cheese) and broccoli salad. It was delicious. So decadent.

Thai Topaz at Huebner

Joe and I went to Thai Topaz for lunch with my brother today. Their menu is awesome; they are able to make nearly every dish vegan and the most expensive item is only $6.95! I ordered their red curry with tofu after being served some delicious (free) vegetable soup, while my brother and Joe had pad Thai.

It was excellent. You know a place is good when they ask you how spicy you want your food to be on a scale of 1-5.

Cici's Pizza at De Zavala

After class today, my good friend Joe and I decided to head over to Cici's Pizza for lunch. Turned out to be the best decision I've made in awhile!

Joe loaded up his first plate with white, spinach, barbeque and pepperoni pizza. I snacked on some veggies from the salad bar while I waited for the kind folks in the kitchen to prepare a vegan pizza for me. What's Joe got there on the left, you say? I'm glad you asked.

That's a plate of ranch dressing. Yes, a whole fucking plate of nothing but ranch fucking dressing. AMERICA~

My vegan pizza looked awesome; just look at all those pretty colors! I'll definitely be coming back soon.

Summer Comes Softly

Here's a little mix I made in honor of welcomed catharsis and the beginning of Summer.

01. Beach Fossils - Window View

02. Housefire - L.A. Ex

03. His Clancyness - Misinterpret My Words

04. Nerve City - Feelings

05. Emeralds - Candy Shoppe

06. Millionyoung - Hammock

07. Mathemagic - High

08. Male Bonding - Years Not Long

09. Maps & Atlases - Carrying the Wet Wood

10. School of Seven Bells - Windstorm

11. Wild Harem - Never Been

12. Wild Nothing - Summer Holiday

13. Golden Ages - Everything Will Be Alright

14. Caribou - Kaili

15. Avi Buffalo - Remember Last Time

Blackbird Blackbird - Happy High EP, Let's Move on Together EP

Blackbird Blackbird (formerly Bye Bye Blackbird) is the moniker of San Francisco's Mikey S, who recently signed to Arcade Sound, Ltd. alongside other wave-riders such as Memoryhouse, Teen Daze, MillionYoung and Coma Cinema. Swirly, colorful, uplifting, blah, blah, blah--just download it already!

Housefire - Demo

Housefire is a young shoegaze band from Portland, Oregon. I'm really digging this demo right now--their debut EP is in the works. Recommended for fans of the Radio Dept, Here We Go Magic, KC Accidental, Broken Social Scene circa Feel Good Lost, quiet evenings spent in solitude, etc.

Wooden Lens: Housefire - LA Ex

Yet another gorgeous video from the folks at Wooden Lens.

Smoke Signals

I decided to compile some jams that have been getting lots of play lately. Dim those lights.

01. Mind Spiders - Worlds Destroyed
02. Pearl Harbor - Luv Goon
03. Happy Family - Running in the Fields
04. Fair Ohs - Hey Lizzy
05. Big Spider's Back - Perfect Machine
06. Gauntlet Hair - I Was Thinking...
07. Harlem - Friendly Ghost
08. Lush Cola - Teaching a Bull How to Sit and Stay Sitting
09. Baths - Aminals
10. Selfish Lovers - Slave to the Heat Vent
11. Kites Sail High - Trampoline
12. Rangers - Bel Air
13. Pill Wonder - Gone to the Market
14. Spectrals - Keep Your Magic Out of My House
15. Weed Diamond - Oklahoma

Woven Bones - Janie 7", the Minus Touch EP, With You Alone EP, Your Sorcery 7", In and Out and Back Again

Woven Bones is a band from Austin that can make some serious noise. Turn it up loud, scare your neighbors.

Harlem - Free Drugs ;-), Hippies

Austin garage revivalists Harlem finally return to us with their new album, entitled "Hippies." Once again showcasing their knack for no-nonsense songwriting and frantic delivery, it's just what I need for these hot and sweaty Texas afternoons. Now that I think about it, I'd say that very same description could easily fit their previous release as well. Recommended for fans of Black Lips, Wavves, White Denim, Times New Viking, etc.

Male Bonding - Nothing Hurts

Angular, jarring, loud, distorted and fucking great! Recommended for fans of Vivian Girls, Gauntlet Hair, Lovvers, etc.

Happy Family - Sound Farm EP

Excellent solo material from Baltimore! Recommended for fans of Panda Bear, Big Spider's Back, Kites Sail High, etc.

Yours Truly: Toro y Moi - You Hid

Chaz Bundick has truly stolen my heart with his debut album "Causers of This." Here's another beautiful moment captured by the folks at Yours Truly.

Weed Diamond - Demo, Sweater Kids, Snowmelt 7"

My latest love is a band from Denver, Colorado called Weed Diamond. Recommended for fans of Ducktails, Real Estate, Best Coast, hazy afternoons, etc.

Note: Couldn't easily find a version of Sweater Kids containing individual tracks, so this version is divided into Side A and Side B of the cassette.

Update: Big thanks to Matt from Happy Hookers for the version with split tracks!

Fair Ohs - Our Days on the Pacific Rim, Fair Ohs/Spectrals Split 7" / Mind Spiders - Mind Spiders 7"

Fair Ohs (formerly known as Thee Fair Ohs) are an excellent fuzzed-out three piece from London. Highly reccommended for fans of Abe Vigoda. Seriously.

Mind Spiders is the incredible new solo effort of Mark Ryan (formerly of Marked Men) from Fort Worth, Texas. His debut self-titled 7" is available now on Dirtnap Records.

Vivian Girls - Everything Goes Wrong

I was one of the few who wasn't initially wowed by this group's self-titled debut, but I finally decided to give this album a listen and DAMN. Recommended for fans of No Age, Abe Vigoda, Pearl Harbor, Best Coast and life.

Edit: Yeah, mediafire keeps removing my link. So, go buy it! OR do a little searching; it's out there.

This Ship Will Sink

I made a mix. Guess the theme!

01. Gauntlet Hair - I Was Thinking...

02. Infinite Body - Drive Dreams Away

03. Washed Out - Good Luck

04. Atlas Sound - Another Bedroom

05. No Age - Cappo

06. The Morning Benders - Pleasure Sighs

07. Big Spider's Back - Don't Make Me Laugh

08. Abe Vigoda - Don't Lie

09. White Denim - I'd Have It Just the Way We Were

10. Toro y Moi - You Hid

Gauntlet Hair / Infinite Body - Carve Out the Face of My God

My girlfriend broke up with me. This is currently my break up soundtrack.

Gauntlet Hair is a duo from Colorado. Beyond that, I know little about them--they're a very young band and have no "official" output to speak of so here's the three songs featured on their myspace (big thanks to Stratosphering.)

Infinite Body is the solo effort of Kyle Parker from Los Angeles. He's currently releasing his output on Dean Spunt's label, Post Present Medium. Recommended for fans of Growing, Belong, Tim Hecker, lovesliescrushing, etc.

Big Spider's Back - Big Spider's Back, Warped

Fucking excellent material here--I can't wait for people to hear about this guy. Definitely recommended for fans of Universal Studios Florida, Panda Bear, Here We Go Magic, His Clancyness, Atlas Sound, etc.

Local Natives - Gorilla Manor

Intricate layers of instrumentation, beautiful vocal harmonies (I think just about everyone in this band sings and sings well) and brilliantly infectious hooks make this debut an instant favorite of 2010--can't wait to see these guys blow up.

KeepAway - Baby Style EP

These guys are definitely going to see some hype this year and for good reason. Awesome melodies, great percussion; danceable as fuck. Don't even think about drawing comparisons to Animal Collective--the similarities end at the vocals. Can't stop spinning this EP!

Black Dice - Creature Comforts

I've been listening to a lot of different stuff lately, but this particular album by Black Dice has quickly become a favorite of mine. I love that it contains some of the drone elements featured on past releases such as Beaches & Canyons as well as the quirky sounds that we would see develop on Load Blown and more recently, Repo. What an interesting band.

In unrelated news, I was able to procure a pair of A.P.C. Petit Standards for very cheap from a kind seller on supermarket about a week ago and I'm pretty excited to soon have my first pair of quality raw denim. Here's a terrific example of some perfectly worn in A.P.C. denim courtesy of jebeebus from superfuture:

Kohei Mihara - Cocolotica

After a long while of indecision and tweaking and more indecision and more tweaking, I'm finally able to make my first post! I thought it would be appropriate to feature the very album I listened to while getting this blog up and running, so without further ado...

Kohei Mihara is a Japanese DJ who signed to Grand Central Records in 2005. His music style combines elements of jazz, downtempo and ambient while blending both western and eastern influences. Highly recommended for fans of Akira Kosemura, Flying Lotus, Force of Nature or Nujabes.