Matt Costa’s Unfamiliar Faces
Inspiration can come from strange places. Singer-songwriter (and former pro-skateboarder) Matt Costa credits staring at his green wall for his second album, Unfamiliar Faces. The method to his madness involved placing his most treasured items on the wall’s shelves — and staring at them until the memories and inspiration flowed. Goodness knows how long he stared because this album is dynamite: a wonderfully balanced combination of happy pop and laidback melancholy, which is hardly surprising really when you consider he counts G Love and Jack Johnson as friends. [read also about Sydney-based singer-songwriter Lior]
Tagged: folk music, Jack Johnson, singer-songwriter
RELATED
Late Bloomer: a brilliant folk album by Allie Moss
I have worked alongside Allie Moss for nearly a year and heard her new album, Late Bloomer, around the end of last year. The album opens with a familiar song, Corner, which was featured on the BT Infinity advert in the UK last year. Her beautiful voice, combined with her gentle acoustic songs, makes it an amazing album that any folk enthusiast can enjoy.
Love and Theft by Andreas Hykade
Traditional folk music was distributed by word of mouth, with musicians trading songs and making other people’s melodies their own. There was no such thing as copyright law. These days, all sorts of media follow the same model, and this video by Andreas Hykade illustrates how the contemporary culture maker can make beautiful new things out of old, recognizable images.
I heard the Hungarian jazz and folk saxophonist — Mihaly Dresch — in Budapest one Christmas and I fell in love completely. I put the CD on and straight away his tone, control and dexterity was enough to make me get up out of my seat and turn the volume way up. I wanted to just be immersed in this music. But aside from his playing, his compositions are breathtaking. Read more
Also by KATE SUTERS
Bespoke fashion handmade to suit your actual shape
Sydney-based designer, illustrator, and artist, Lalita Lu, has many creative feathers pinned to her cap, and now, we can officially add kick-arse seamstress, too. Under the guidance of a menagerie of creatures, shoppers can choose a me and oli print, match it with their favourite garment shape, punch in their size specs then hit send. Bespoke designs handmade to suit your actual shape. This is how shopping should be. Read more
From the dusty depths of Western Australia comes the making of another great Aussie band. Tame Impala have just released their self-titled EP and it’s already seducing ears across the airwaves. With a psychedelic sound akin to the rollicking groove of Led Zeppelin mixed up and delicately caressed with the sound of modern day hope and desire, this is an EP that absolutely deserves your attention.
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David Holmes’ The Holy Pictures
David Holmes’ fourth solo album has been a long time in the making. The man who is best known for his scoring of films such as Ocean’s 11, 12 and 13, and remixing for bands like U2 and The Manic Street Preachers, took just over ten years to make his latest album. Read more
YOU'RE SAYING (1)
HAVE YOUR SAY
Polish artist Paul Marcinkowski has turned his body into a walking infographic. All in the name of art, of course. The tattoo features a number of trivial, and not so trvial facts: including that 45 million Americans have tattoos. Read more
The problem with writing about art sometimes is that the actual image says more than words ever could. Such is the case with Craig Damrauer’s series New Math, which distills the world into simple and witty equations. Read more
Oh man! If I was twenty again, a jumble of nerves and a well of electric energy, I’d be in the front row for every damn MGMT gig. Read more
I recently passed through Detroit and saw the Heidelberg Project, an amazing street installation by Tyree Guyton. It felt like walking through a ghost town that had been ravished by art zombies, hauntingly beautiful and particularly sad on the rainy day I was there. Read more
My friend Sam moved to Portland and subsequently discovered she hates fedoras. She started this blog to document her hatred.
New Mexico group, Alaska in Winter’s The Homeless And The Hummingbirds is a stunningly beautiful, slowburning song, featuring Beirut’s Zach Condon on trumpet.
Kick Eyes, the latest novelty product from Nono Muaks, lets you express your own view on life. The trendy, bendy, laser-cut shades are made of felt, have no lenses, and will never break. Grab a pair in electric, pirate, love, sneaky, classic or jail eyes. Read more
WE'RE POSTING / SOME OF THE BEST
Baltimore Mural by Josh Van Horne
My friend Josh Van Horne, a local Baltimore artist, did this amazing mural in our neighborhood that depicts the history of this warehouse-laden area.
Communication prosthesis by Sascha Nordmeyer
This ‘communication prosthesis’ by designer Sascha Nordmeyer is hilarious and awesome. I want to wear one to a job interview.
Get lost in a daydream or a craving for something sweet while gazing at these cool sculptures by Brooklyn-based WiNK WiNK PONY. Made using clay, tree bark, wood, and mossy moss.
Michelle Blade’s psychedelic artwork
Michelle Blade’s washed out paintings are deceptively simple, her washy acrylics creating psychedelic textures and conjuring ghostly figures from the past. Read more
Pencils made from recycled newspaper
The problem with awesome things like these pencils made out of recycled newspaper is that you almost don’t want to use them.
Too sweet for words, these beautiful hoop earrings by Sydney-based designer Carmel Taylor are a real touch of origami for your ears. Read more
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Marcia Ribeiro said | 15 January, 2012
Muito bom.