C'mon baby, we'd better make a start

You better make it soon before you break my heart

A room with some lace and paper flowers

Late last year I embarked on a crazy journey. I left the comfort of cardigans and walked on the wild side, into the jungle. Straight into what is affectionately referred to by some as the bear pit.

I'd been agitating for an adventure right? Well, adventure I got.

Almost daily I have a Dorothy moment, when I realise I'm not in Kansas anymore. And that I don't have Toto with me. Instead I've just been listening to the Mac, pretty much on repeat, trying to make sense of it all.

Cause, as Stevie so eloquently puts it, lightening strikes, maybe once, maybe twice...

When Art Imitates Life

Today I got to chat with THE RZA during my show on FBi Radio. Dude was pretty funny, giving advice on how to treat your lady right and how much he loves Australia. Sydney is definitely in his top ten. And he loves the Rabbitohs.

In case you missed it, I'll try and post a link to the audio soon, but in the meantime, here are the highlights with some links for you to find out more info....

---> You probably know all about the RZA's activities on the silver screen - he's been popping in various cameos for a while now, but apparently he's been working on his DIRECTORIAL debut - called the Man With The Iron Fist. It's part spaghetti western, part chop socky. He's been working with Eli Roth and is considering shooting some of it here in Australia.

He's also looking to hand the music side of things over to someone else. Interesting huh?

--> He talked about the visual art remix project he was recently involved in Victory or Death in which he dressed up as George Washington. He was surprised to discover how tight George Washington wore is pants!

Can you imagine, The RZA in tights?!!

--> We also briefly talked about the Parks and Recreation skit that he did, which basically, you should watch yourself...

Real Life

Oh hello there!

I know. It's been a long time, I'm sorry. I've been stuck in an alternate reality - where there was no internets (can you imagine the horror??) - But I think I'm back for good now.

I just wanted to quickly tell you about an outfit that I've been loving lately. You're probably across them like a rash. But just incase you're looking for something new and great, I highly recommend Brookyln duo, Tanlines. They're pretty damn ace.

Below are a couple of videos, s.a.w is kinda new and Bejan is from last year, featured on a Kitsune compilation - but more than these, check out the Memory Tapes remix of REAL LIFE. It's been kicking around for a couple of weeks and it's totally one of my favourites at the moment. Feel the percussion. And tell me, what's the chorus they're singing... it could be a couple of things. What are your thoughts?

Three Important Things For Summer

* Memory Tapes, generally, Bicycle especially.

* Kindnesses

* Matias Aguayo + Rollerskates

Answer To Yourself

Apparently these guys - The Soft Pack - are from LA. They used to be called The Muslims but changed their name. They seem to be pretty well hooked up, playing shows with folks like Franz Ferdinand, Friendly Fires and Phoenix. They have a debut album ready to roll for sometime next year.

Will You Still Love Me?

I've got a huge soft spot of 60s girl groups and The Shirelles are definitely up there on my lists of favourites. Sassy, catchy songs sung by hot girls about boys, love and heartache - what's not to love?

So then, when I stumbled across Lykke Li covering The Shirelles' classic 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow' I was curious. And then I heard it and it was like a knife going into my heart. So powerful. It's piercingly honest and raw. And beautiful.

She's giving it away on her website, but before you go, check out the video...

The Intercom

There's a bunch of amazing jams floating around at the moment. Some of which I've taken time to point out here on this stop-start blog of mine. But perhaps the most exciting release of 2009 is by Sydney producer Toni Toni Lee... !

You might recognise Mr Toni as Spruce Lee, one quarter of my favourite get about town fellas, djs, who together or separately are party starters, promoters and general good-time nice guys, Ro Sham Bo. Who you of course listen to every Tuesday night, religiously, on FBi Radio.

ANYWAYS, I could sing their praises at length, but the point of this is to tell you Mr Lee has unleashed his debut EP and it's totally el scorcho. The launch a couple of weeks ago at Jimmy Sing's place GoodGod Small Club was off the chain and the jams played pointed in that direction, but now that I've had a good listen I can confirm, dude has multiple talents.

If you want to read more about Mr Lee, head here for some insights.

But take my advice, don't be snoozing, get yourself a limited edition copy of this EP, with artwork by another supremo talented Sydney sider, Hana Shimada.

Come on Over...

Something else I've been meaning to share for a while now - a remix that's been floating about for the last couple of months that I just can't get enough of.

It's a pretty dreamy song on it's own, the lyrics are sweet, whimsical and so true! I don't know about you, but I never know what's going to happen in a day... and I do hope that my dreams will come true.

But with the magic touch of LA duo Classixx on the remix, Yacht's Psychic City becomes even more perfect. If you're in AusLand then you'll be happy to hear that Yacht are coming out for a bunch o shows around the country, for Meredith and others...

Here's the original

And the remix..

Ambling Alp

So Brooklyn based Yeasayer have been working on a new album, Odd Blood. Apparently it's due to drop early next year. Signs at this stage are pointing to February.

And to get you all excited about this prospect, they've released the first single Ambling Alp through their website.

It's worth the listen.

In the meantime, here they are live in 2008.