HEAR THIS: POLLY (NIRVANA COVER) AMANDA PALMER

I was just a couple years too young to discover Nirvana on my own, but luckily there was a constant stream of Nevermind from my brothers bedroom. He had long hair and an undercut and I thought he was pretty darn cool. Of course he's married now and wears golf-shirts but he's still rad.

This song was one of my favorites growing up, the whole tone of the album was a little haunting for me but this version even more so. Amanda Palmer is an American singer/songwriter and this is her intimate take on it. Take a listen. 

HEAR THIS: COLLEGE FEAT. ELECTRIC YOUTH - A REAL HERO (DRIVE SOUNDTRACK)

Currently on repeat is the soundtrack to Drive, a movie that features Ryan Gosling in one of his best roles to date. The music could not have been paired better. It's makes for fantastic background music (I'm exercising this right now) because it's offers a mix of lonely Euro-pop with an 80s feel and lots of synthesizers. Awesome. Check out my favorite song on the album "A real hero" by College, feat. Electric Youth. 

HEAR THIS: MATT CORBY - BROTHER

My December was a slow and thoughtful one. I am glad to have been able to log off for as long as I did. With a new year beginning I thought it appropriate to show you someone new that I love to listen to. He was a finalist on Australian Idol but has grown immensely as an artist and his vocals are pretty damn amazing. He has become quite the hipster but it suits him. Take a listen to Brother performed live or the recorded version below it. Enjoy... and happy new year. 

HEAR THIS: DIRTY GOLD - CALIFORNIA SUNRISE

In lieu of actual sunshine I have opted for this song which I love and wanted to share. Cape Town in December is incredible and if you have never experienced it you ought to. Not long now... 

HEAR THIS: THE ROSEBUDS

The Rosebuds hail from Raleigh, North Carolina. "Loud Planes Fly Low" is their fifth contribution to the music world and it's only a matter of time before they reach audiences on a global scale. Their music has them up there with Justin Vernon touring this Summer. It almost sounds like Bon iver and The Black Keys had a baby and this is it. Perhaps I need to arrange a little flight back to Texas to check them out live. Take a listen to their song entitled "Woods" below. Instant fan.

HEAR THIS: WILLIAM FITZSIMMONS

Okay, so you already know I throw in the occasional music link so don't look too surprised. I love music and I love a good beard and this man has both. I stumbled on his music today and haven't taken a break since. His style is easy on the ears and deserves a good listen if you're a fan of the mellow and melancholic.  You can view his Myspace page and listen to all the tracks there or on Youtube. I added a small clip of an acoustic little session he did recently. Take a listen.

HEAR THIS: CALGARY BY BON IVER

I try to break away from fashion from time to time. I find it keeps me sane to be someone else for a few hours. Bon Iver has been the perfect escape for me and although I hate the idea of a mass hype for this music, I do want to share it. This is Calgary off of his new self-titled album which comes out at the end of June '11. 'For Emma, Forever Ago' was a masterpiece and completely untouchable but with the new release of this single I have hope for it being as good. Take a moment to listen.

Hear this: Band of Horses

Seattle seems to be producing quite a spread of special musicians. You may recall a rather famous off-spring from Seattle, Kurt Cobain. Depending on your age, I suppose. Recently I was introduced to a new group and they go by the name BAND OF HORSES. I'm a big Bon Iver fan and although this sound is slightly more commercial it still has the same ethos. Go have a listen to 'Older' and 'Factory'! The latter of which reminds me of the movie 'Almost Famous'.

Below is one of their more recognizable songs entitled 'THE FUNERAL' which appeared on the 'One Tree Hill' soundtrack.

HEAR THIS: WE ARE THE WORLD 2.0

Featuring the fantastic vocal stylings of P!NK, Jennifer Hudson, Wyclef Jean and even a little Miley Cyrus.
The track is similar to it's former version except that 2010 has added a wall of rappers including Lil' Wayne and Kanye West. It sounds better than I expected!

The track is available on iTunes and proceeds will go to Haiti relief!

While watching it I couldn't help but notice a tartan shirt that I immediately loved. Kanye West and his Rayban Wayfarers (it must have been bright inside)graced the re-recording of We are the world. It's a gold embellished Studded Givenchy shirt from the 2010 spring collection.





Jak and Jil blog snapped a picure of Panos Yiapanis wearing the shorts version.



Amd for the rest of us... we always have the Bedazzler.

Hear this: Joy Williams

Featured on the ever popular and addictive Grey's Anatomy, Joy Williams sings of changes and lack of communication. The haunting ballad entitled 'Speaking a dead language' was appropriate for the gripping season six premiere and can be heard below.

DIY FASHION:
"That Rihanna rain just won't let up!"
Proving once more the power of the modern day Blogger, Pelayo Diaz has ventured into another side of the fashion world. Photographed below in his un-usual but fashion forward attire, sans Mickey Mouse ears unfortunately.



Earlier this year, in fact only a few months back Diaz debuted a T-shirt he made on a lazy Saturday at home. A cross bearing and bordering safety pin (which he no doubt borrowed from his Fashion School) design which has since been remarkably popular in the fashion world. They have even stocked in-store, although you can buy it directly from Diaz' hit blog Kate Loves me, which has nothing to do with him being a handsome often scantily-clad model  Spaniard.






But even more remarkable was his Debut into the Music Video Fashion world where Rihanna has been making her name as a cutting edge and fierce Fashionista. Unlike the often contrived attempts from Beyonce and Shakira, Rihanna in my opinion makes it look more natural. And Lucky design student and model Pelayo Diaz can add her to his growing list of celeb interest. Featured below in the 'Hard' music video was the outfit of safety pins he was asked to make.






Go out and listen to her new CD 'Rated R' because it's exquisite and a must-have for your collection. At first I wasn't a fan of the above mentioned track but it's grown on me! So now that you've seen how far a simple DIY venture can take someone, why not pull out your bedazzler, safety pins or paper transfers and see what you can do?

Hear this: Noisettes

IN-CREDIBLE! The NOISETTES, who I am currently obsessing over is a UK based trio who are taking the music industry by surprise. They have no specific sound although lead singer Shingai Shoniwa, whose versatile vocals have seen her compared to everyone from Deborah Harry and Kate Bush to Billie Holiday and Diana Ross. Shingai also has incredible style and can be seen wearing a futuristic number on David Letterman. Below is a video for the hit song 'Never forget you' which really seems like it comes from another time altogether!



"For us, making music means keeping our ears open. We’re not trying to be trendy – we want to make music for everyone – but we put effort in to every aspect of being in a band. Our aim is to prove that pop music can still be alternative and exciting. With this album, I know we can do that.”

More from the bands Official Website.

Hear this: Jesse Clegg

Some homegrown talent I'd like to share with you. I just got this album and I find it really refreshing. He also writes all his own music like Miss Morrissette did for Jagged Little Pill. Give it a listen and support South African music! No surprise where he got his talent from-- you might have heard of his father 'Johnny Clegg'?

HEAR THIS

I love finding new music and when I heard Zooey Deschanel was releasing an album I had to hear it for myself. I'm a big fan of her dry-humor acting and I expected her music to be pretty out there too. This song is fantastic, and really sounds like it was released some 60 years ago.I believe the twosome call themselves "She and Him". No official video yet but please have a listen.

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BRITNEY SPEARS' TOXIC - COVERED BY YAEL NAIM

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BEN TAYLOR - I TRY

I love me some melodic man-singing so when I discovered this jewel I thought to share it with you all. Ben Taylor does a rendition on the once famous Macy Gray track I try. (Yes, it's the Cheerio's guy)

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BON IVER delivers a very haunting and personal album 'For Emma, forever ago'. I've been listening to it non-stop all weekend and when you read the lyrics to 'Re: Stacks' it brings it new meaning. As a writer I tend to listen to a certain type of music while I'm stabbing away at the keyboard- and this is a perfect example. So do yourself a favor and check it out on Youtube or iTunes. Very soothing in an Iron and Wine sort of fashion, hopefully you will enjoy it as much as I do!