Karen O and the (wild) Kids

Here is a beautiful song that will cheer you up on a rainy, gray day. It's from the wonderful Spike Jones movie Where the Wild Things Are. I promise you will hum right along with it.

Karen O and the Kids - "Food is Still Hot".mp3

Our Favourites of '09

2009 came and went with beautiful songs along the way. The selection wasn't as "meaty" as 2008, but there are still songs worth noting. After diligently going through our itunes playlists, we have each decided on five of our favourite songs. 

1. Clues - Let's Get Strong

2. Bowerbirds - Northern Lights

3. Gregory Pepper & His Problems - 7ths and 3rds

4. Grizzly Bear - While You Wait For the Others

5. Andrew Bird - Fitz & Dizzyspells

1. The Middle East - Blood

2. Coconut Records - I Am Young

3. Great Lake Swimmers -Pulling on a Line

4. Sam Roberts - Waking the Dead

5. Kings of Convenience - Mrs. Cold

Must Be Santa

Oh, Bob Dylan. This looks like some Christmas party!

Ditto

Hilarious. Christmas spirit with a sense of humour!

The Ugly Christmas Sweater

Over the past few years, I've noticed a growing trend, the ugly Christmas sweater, and it's not just Grandmas wearing them. When it comes to these sweaters, the tackier, sparklier, and more over-embellished, the better. There are websites designed to help you find the perfect ugly sweater, like Rusty Zipper, but hunting through second hand stores is more of an authentic ugly Christmas sweater shopping experience. Start your search today because tacky Christmas sweaters go quick, honestly. 

Joy to the World in Bells

This makes me happy. Improv Everywhere, you did it again.

Happy Holidays

 

I've had this song on my ipod for a few weeks now, I really liked it, only I didn't know the band's name... Well, the band's called Holiday Shores and song is Days Drag from their latest album, Columbus'd the Whim, which came out in August. I'd classify their sound as lo-fi psych rock. Be sure to give Holiday Shores a listen on your holidays. 

Holiday Shores - Days Drag .mp3

Holiday Shores - Edge Of Our Lives .mp3

A Bag of Hammers

Kind of lovely. Sung by Thao.

Trees Inside Out

Love these pieces by artist Judith Belzer. All of her work is inspired by the textures and colours of nature, making all of her pieces naturally beautiful. :) The pieces below are from her collection called "Trees Inside Out" which can be found here.

Looking Into the Past

Here is a really interesting collection of photos called "Looking Into the Past". The photographer is named Jason Powell, and his Flickr photo steam can be found here. What a fantastic idea! There are a number of places in my hometown that would be perfect for a photo like this. Cities can change very quickly, and most of the time we don't even notice.

A French Story

A very cute French story created by Google. Boy, do I want to go to Paris!

Winter Clothes

Love these winter looks by Filippa K. Can't wait until the snow finally arrives! That means hot chocolate, skating, snowmen and lots of layers to keep warm.

Gregory Pepper and His Talents

       In all honesty, though I like discovering new bands, I find that opening acts at concerts tend to put me to sleep; but while attending an Islands concert last night, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself not wanting the band, Gregory Pepper and His Problems, to finish up.  This band seems to have eclectic sources of inspiration, from Vaudeville and disco, to polka. They remind me a bit of the Unicorns with more theatrics. Head over to their myspace (click here), have a listen, and don't leave until you've listened to 7ths and 3rds.

On another note, Gregory Pepper is an illustrator and printmaker, the following are examples of his work... 

Beautiful Bikes

To continue with the last biking related post - here are a few beautiful bicycles that would look good no matter where you are riding them. My co-blogger and I both own CCM Galaxies and love them, but I would be just as happy with one of these to ride around town. The dashing red one is from Linus Bike and the colourful one is from Urban Outfitters Bike Shop.

Beautiful Bike Seats

If it is not apparent in our name, my co-blogger and I really love bicycles. There is nothing better than a sunny day riding along the trails by lake Ontario. Both of our bikes are very old, so there is always something that can be done to fix them up a bit. These gorgeous leather bike seats from leather artist, kara ginther are on my wishlist! 

{via D*S}

This is what University Does to You

Love the animation in this video. Procrastination is watching it.

{via BMD}

The Middle East Blood

Here is a beautiful song for your Sunday. It is by The Middle East and is called 'Blood' - you will feel like you have been transcended to another world, trust me.

The Monster Mash Mix

Since Halloween is on its way, we decided to compile a playlist of slightly spooky songs to get you in a festive mood. Please enjoy this mix, and don't forget to dress up and eat plenty of candy this year. 

1. North American Halloween Prevention Initiative - Do They Know It's Halloween? .mp3

2. Clues - Remember Severed Head .mp3

3. The Unicorns - Tuff Ghost .mp3

4. Say Hi - Toil and Trouble .mp3

5. Islands - Creeper .mp3

6. Deerhunter - Basement .mp3

7. Of Montreal - Oslo In The Summertime .mp3

8. Dead Man's Bones - My Body's A Zombie For You .mp3

9. Wintersleep - Weighty Ghost .mp3

10. Metric - Monster Hospital .mp3

11. The Doors - Strange Days .mp3

12. Grizzly Bear - Marla .mp3

13. Catherine O'Hara/Danny Elfman - Sally's Song .mp3

14. Bowerbirds - In Our Talons .mp3

15. The Shins - Your Algebra .mp3

16. Vampire Weekend - Exit Music .mp3

Best News I've Heard All Week

“Polaroid will once again manufacture a range of classic instant film products like the Polaroid 600 instant film, and also bring a range of instant cameras to use them, including the easy to use Polaroid One. Polaroid cameras and Polaroid film should both go one sale by the middle of 2010, less than two years after the company collapsed for the second, and what appeared, final time.”

Read more about it here.

Piano Stairs

Public art with a twist! What a neat idea. I could spend all day jumping on the different steps trying to create different songs. I will never grow up. ;)

Netherlandish

I've just learnt of a group called Netherfriends, I liked their name, so I thought I'd do a bit of research... They're from Chicago and they're currently on tour. I suppose they'd be filed under the psych pop genre, I don't know, Netherfriends remind me a lot of The Dodos, and a little bit of Margot and The Nuclear So & So's. Here, decide for yourself...

Netherfriends - TAC TAC .mp3

Netherfriends- Nunya(Beeswax).mp3

This picture is very festive with the pumpkin and all. 

Green Tea

Some deliciously beautiful green tea I had yesterday. Another thing I love about autumn.

April Memory

This gave me goosebumps. It's like you are peering into someone elses memories.

Said The Whale

Happy October.

Kanye VMA Outburst + Health Care

Just kind of brilliant.

{via BMD}

Around the Bend

I was on the iTunes store, just browsing around, its actually a pretty good way to discover new bands, anyway, in the Just For You section, iTunes had recommended me a band called The Morning Benders. Usually, I'm not a huge fan of their recommendations, but not this time... This Californian group is quite good, it's sweet, summery and not over complicated by unnecessary sounds. I'm excited for future albums. Please enjoy one song off their most recent album Talking Through Tin Cans, and a Paul Simon cover...

The Morning Benders - Waiting for a War .mp3

The Morning Benders - Mother and Child Reunion.mp3

I am a rock, I am an Islands' fan

The Montreal-based band is back with their third album, Vapours, which comes out today (the 22nd)! I have a feeling I'm going to like it no matter what. I happen to be a big fan of anything Nicholas Thorburn (aka. Nick Diamonds) does; whether he's with The Unicorns, Human Highway, or in this case, Islands. Judging by the cover and the brief listening that I did do, Vapours seems to be more of a dance album compared to previous albums, oh well, dancing's always a good thing. 

Enjoy the title track...

  Islands - Vapours .mp3

Skype

Moving to a new city can be really difficult sometimes. Exciting, don't get me wrong - but it can be hard to communicate with people back home without being hit with a massive long-distance phone bill. This is where Skype comes in. Here is a really cute video with clever choreography using the Skype program. If you don't have Skype, download it here.

[via pret a voyager]

Polaroid Love

I really miss Polaroids. It is instantly gratifying getting your photo right away. Digital essentially does the same thing, but then you have to go out and actually print the pictures... and who has time for that anymore? We can't have real Polaroids anymore, but I have found the next best thing. It is a program called "Poladroid" that essentially creates Polaroids on your desktop. Download it free here. Enjoy, and remember: don't shake it. :)

Cardigan Power

Since fall is just around the corner, I feel that now it would be appropriate to write a post about the most wonderful clothing article on earth, the cardigan. My co-blogger and I are big fans of cardigans,  due to the fact that they are casual and relaxed, yet less sloppy than a sweatshirt, extremely versatile, and that they require less effort and fuss than a pullover, and as it also turns out, they're currently in fashion, check out Missoni's spring 2010 menswear show... click here. Urban Outfitters also has some decent cardigans, but may I suggest checking out the men's sweater section at your local thrift-store for those really special finds.

                          

Princeton, the Band

This Los Angeles-based band's debut album Cocoon of Love is to be released September 29th. I like their sound, it reminds me of an ocean; it can be playful and breezy, but still maintains depth and mystery. You can  find out what the rest of the album sounds like on Sept. 29th, but for now, do enjoy...

Princeton - Calypso Gold .mp3

Folky Monsters

The members of Monsters of Folk are an eclectic mix of musicians belonging to some relatively well-known bands; there's Conor Oberst and Mike Mogis of Bright Eyes, Jim James of My Morning Jacket, and M. Ward of She & Him. This project originally formed in 2004, but their first album The Monsters of Folk is to be released September the twenty-second. Each of the following three songs have their unique sound, Say Please is distinctively Oberst's style. 

Download 3 songs: 

1. The Sandman, The Brakeman, And Me

2. Say Please

3. Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)

Bonjour Mon Coussin

I am a real sucker for beautiful pillows. What is a better way to read a book, than to be surrounded in lots of fluffy pillows that you love? Bonjour Mon Coussin makes gorgeous pillows that are bound to make any bed or sofa comfortable and stylish. Here are some of my favourites:

[via thoughtful day]

Feisty Feist

Feist probably doesn't need an introduction as she became a superstar off of the incredibly whimsical song, 1234. However, for those who have been living under a rock, Feist is a Canadian singer-songwriter who has a gorgeous, haunting voice that will leave you with goose-bumps. Seriously. We were both fortunate enough to see her perform back in 2007, and once again in 2009 with her surprise appearance at a Grizzly Bear concert. Both performances were amazing, and the picture above is one we took with our very own camera. Here is one of her other toe-tapping songs with a wonderfully choreographed, artful video, and also a song in collaboration with Grizzly Bear off the album Dark Was the Night. Enjoy...

Feist and Grizzly Bear - Service Bell .mp3

My Take On Woodstock

With the upcoming release of Ang Lee's Taking Woodstock, marking the 40th anniversary of the legendary music and arts festival, I decided to compile a  brief selection of songs that I feel represent the late sixties. 

Do enjoy... 

The Grass Roots - Let's Live For Today .mp3

Jefferson Airplane - Plastic Fantastic Lover .mp3

Canned Heat - Going up to the Country .mp3

The Doors - Peace Frog .mp3

The Band - The Weight .mp3

The Beatles - A Day In The Life .mp3

The Coolest Laptops In Town

That artist we mentioned earlier, Deanne Cheuk, designs amazing laptops for Dell, along with many other fabulous artists including Mike Ming, Tristan Eaton, etc. Seriously, these are some of  the most beautiful functional art pieces I've ever seen. Unfortunately, some of the best designs aren't available in Canada yet (hopefully), but they are still worth a look...  Click Here

I wish I had a mango tree in my backyard

There's something special about sibling duos, especially extremely attractive ones who make beautiful music, like Angus & Julia Stone. Mango Tree is off their debut album A Book Like This, released in 2007. Please enjoy this gentle, calming, lovable little song... 

Angus & Julia Stone - Mango Tree .mp3

Fresh Fruit

On Tuesday August 4th the Fruit Bats released "The Ruminant Band," their latest album.  I've always thought of the Fruit Bats as sort of like the Shins' younger siblings, however their new album, which feels like a total seventies throw-back, sets them apart, think Dr. Dog.

Have a listen...

Download their title track: 'The Ruminant Band' (MP3)

An Elephant Painting, Painted by an Elephant

This will blow your mind. Just watch - the elephant has some serious skills.

Rain = Rainbows

It's been raining a lot where we live - however the benefits of the constant downpours are beautiful rainbows. I snapped this photo last evening.

Cheuk's Stuff

We have not yet decided on the exact theme of our blog, but we feel we must incorporate art... so here are some lovely illustrations, patterns, artwork etc. by a New York-based artist, Deanne Cheuk. We hope you find them inspirational.

Sliiiiiiiiiimy

Sliimy is a twenty-year-old singer from France. This song is a bit too sugary sweet pop for our taste, but the video is awesome! Sliimy's outfits are so outstandingly preppy - but in a good way. 

Jefferson Airplane's rooftop concert

A few months prior to the infamous Beatles' rooftop concert that took place in London in 1969, Jefferson Airplane performed on a rooftop in Manhattan. This video was captured by french director Jean-Luc Godard, it is pretty amazing, just like the hat Jack Casady wears in it. 

Welcome Young Ones.

Welcome.

You have stumbled across our blog: the gray cardigan and pink bicycle. It is run by two lovely humans who would like to share with you their findings and discoveries. They don't know for sure what will be posted throughout their blogging experience but they know you will love every moment that you are on this website. Please enjoy and feel free to leave thought provoking comments - or just any comments.

Enjoy.