MAZZY STAR "California"

Ahhh, how utterly dreamy to have Mazzy Star back.  Ever serene and sad, romantic and recondite, Seasons Of Your Day is their first album in 17 years.  There are several videos to support lead track "California"; we love this vintage road footage to complement the signature slide guitars of Dave Roback and haunting vocals of the ever-alluring Hope Sandoval, who beckons you to the coast, and beyond. Dim the lights and listen while sipping a St. George Absinthe Verde, which blends brandy with 'the unholy trinity of wormwood, fennel, and star anise', and  a secondary infusion mint, tarragon, opal basil, lemon balm, hyssop, meadowsweet, and stinging nettles.  And away you go...far far away.

BETHESDA "Go"

Voted Best Female Vocalist and Best Americana Band at this year's Cleveland Scene Music Awards, Bethesda is clearly making waves (water reference to their namesake -the mythical Pools of Bethesda- not the city in Maryland).  "Go",  from album The Reunion, showcases Shanna Delaney's crystal-clear voice delighting with a mighty hook played by a tight 5-piece band.  Irish dancers vs. hipster indie folk rockers on this fun clip, which deftly showcases the roots of their music with cool performances by all.  Can't wait to catch a show!

Best enjoyed while having an O'Hoppy IPA from the Ohio Brewing Company. 

LOVELACE

Sure it's shagadelic, but that's not the only reason to watch Lovelace.  The cast are all far out, the true story intriguing, and the 70's feel pervasive from cinematography with Charlie's Angel-style split screens to dy-no-mite threads, including red and white Y-Fronts.  Amanda Seyfried is foxy to the max and Sharon Stone, as Linda's mother, is as tough as she is unrecognizable. 

You are definitely going to need a drink with this one - make it a Casa Noble Crystal Tequila Sunrise
(yes, chosen for the Santana connection in keeping with the decade).  Tubular!!!

UK trailer for LOVELACE (far juicier than the US version)

RUBY "Last Life"

Scotland's Lesley Rankine aka RUBY is having a blast on this lead track off her first EP in over a decade, Revert To Type. The song is a raucous affair, with this hilarious clip featuring Hollywood Sock Puppets behaving badly. Once a punk, always a punk, Ruby's signature vocals are as badass as ever.  She then surprises with the two other songs on the EP, which are more subtle and electro-forward, a trait we expect from her.  And the remixes amp that alt-industrial flava all the more. 

We'll obviously need a scotch to accompany - let's make it a Tomatin 30 Year Old, with a BrewDog Libertine Black IPA chaser (via beer pong, of course).                              -

RUBY "Last Life" directed by Ginger Pullman

FRANCES HA

"What I do is complicated." say comedically tragic character Frances, played by the versatile Greta Gerwig.  "Because I don't really do it".

This film paints an awkward, hilarious and precise picture of young relationships in Manhattan.
Though very current in tone and language, the choice of black and white makes it timeless.  David Bowie's "Modern Love" is one of several wisely selected tracks for this truly fresh, fun film.

Watch it in theaters beginning May 17, 2013, then go out and enjoy a Chateuneuf Du Pape Domaine Roger Sabon Cuvee Prestige 2010 for a perfect compliment of 'gorgeous freshness and skyscraper-like texture.'      

CRAIG JACKSON BAND

"Sweeter Songs"

Play "Sweeter Songs"

"A shelf full of records / A fridge full of beer" sings Nashville's Craig Jackson on the title track of his forthcoming EP Sweeter Songs.  This record takes the listener back to the early days of Southern California rock, ala vintage Jackson Browne and The Eagles  (pre Joe Walsh); sunny, dusty and just the right amount of country twang in the guitars. Craig is a great songwriter and the kind of vocalist you feel like you know.  Ex-Wilco drummer Ken Coomer brings outstanding production and drums/percussion to this six-song collection, which also enlists other ace Nashville players.  It's smooth and would perfectly accompany a Rock Bottom American Dream IPA or two.  

ONRA

Would you rather be called “passionate” or “pathetic?” If you know your roots - like 31 year old beatmaker and record-junkie Arnaud Bernaud, better known as Onra - then you might say these words have similar meanings, sharing a basis in the concept of suffering. And it’s truly a pathetic passion to collect records the way Onra does. The hours spent sifting through dusty bins in thrift store corners; the smells of cat-pee and onions and mildew and elder armpits as you search for rare pressings; bumping elbows with record-store curmudgeons and other insufferable types; knee problems; oh, and the insane amount of dough one spends on this habit. Double K from People Under the Stairs put it best:  The only way my life makes sense/ I'm 2 weeks late payin my rent /I'm diggin up the past and the present /And all my fuckin money's being spent...

But it’s all good. Just watch this trailer for Onra’s 2011 release Chinoiseries Pt. II: 

All that passionate crate-digging pays off, and Onra’s oeuvre is proof. His influences and colleagues are far and wide—obviously Dilla, Madlib, and Low End Theory crew—but it’s the unearthed, yen-bin, offbeat Chinese and Vietnamese samples that create his signature. If you can’t afford a trip to Hanoi because you’ve spent half of your paycheck at Amoeba buying records, that’s fine because Onra has you covered. Chonoiseries Pts. I and II for the Asian-influenced beat-tape thing, Long Distance for your RnB fix. Follow up on this guy at his here to experience the fruit of his labors…

And to complete the experience, Nong Lá Cafe on Sawtelle serves up the best Tra Đặc Biệt

(homemade passion fruit iced tea) outside of Saigon. 

Mayer Hawthorne - Henry And Gingerale

The liner notes to “Let’s Get it On” guarantee you’ll get laid if played for that special someone.  I’m fairly certain that Mayer Hawthorne believes in this concept whole-heartedly. His intoxicating track/advertisement/celebration of party life prognostically called “Henny and Gingerale” channels Marvin’s “Got to Give It Up” to create the ultimate cognac commercial, replete with sex appeal. How much does this video inspire you to splurge on a bottle?

  

That party, with those women and that beat, appears almost as fun as this one...  Best “I wish I could dance like that” album cover ever.

And in case you prefer the original Gaye beat and vibe in general, DJ Mane One pours you an excellent blend of soul for 30 minutes.

And because Hennessey doesn’t need a link, check out the nearly perfect, probably expensive (but hey, you’re drinking Henny with it) ginger ale from Fever Tree.

Start saving for the weekend.

LYKKE LI "Sadness Is A Blessing"

"Sadness is a Blessing" from Sweden's Lykke Li is off the Wounded Rhymes album.  The video was directed by Tarik Saleh, and features Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård (Good Will Hunting, Melancholia, Mamma Mia).

Lykke Li gets silently hammered in front of a quiet, uncomfortable restaurant crowd. When the music begins we are drawn immediately into the feelings of a long forgotten place.  The deep, swirling lyrics are enveloping: chiming guitar, echoing drum beats...such sweet sadness!

Enjoy while sipping a 'Bleeding Heart'  (Läckö Slotts Aquavit with Bols Cherry Brandy).

PROTON SAINTS "Rely"

Get ready for this debut track from PROTON SAINTS to get very stuck in your head.  "Rely" is reminiscent of classic 80s pop-metal that sounds righteous again - party on!  The band has reunited after being faves on VH1's Rock & Roll Fantasy Camp - it's for real this time. Anu Gunn's guitar says it all.

PROTON SAINTS "Rely" 

Crank while shooting a Charbay kamikaze.

>>mw blaster

NELSON'S GREEN BRIER WHISKEY

“Well, she sure got legs,” says Charlie Nelson, whiskey cognoscenti, lothario, and former Los Angeles resident. “I dunno, the best you’ve never tasted,” continues Nelson when asked to describe his Belle Meade Bourbon.  It’s smoky but not overbearing; there’s some vanilla in there—but this ain’t your sorority sister’s drink du jour. Check out the website for a sophisticated take on the mint julep formula—'The Bonnie Brown'.  You might also read about Green Brier’s history—two parts family tradition, one part student loan pay-off plan (Nelson is wee 28 years old).

 NIGHT MOVES “Country Queen”

In the spirit of revivalism, dust off a turntable, make yourself a Bonnie Brown and let NIGHT MOVES transport you to a rural backseat sometime in the 70’s. Hook-laden bridges; Pet Sounds-esque vocal harmony; organs; harmonicas; just the right amount of reverb. And like the whiskey, the album is sophisticated but not overbearing. Colored Emotions is worth a complete listen—enough time to finish off a bottle of Belle Meade. 

Elisa Stecca Brazilian Jewelry Inspired By The Jungle

Elisa Stecca is a Brazilian jewelry artist-designer-creator, known for her innovative creations of metalwork and natural Brazilian stones.

Elisa's latest collection pays homage to the diversity of the forest people of her native land - Anga Teriva - which is roughly translated as "happy spirit". 
The pieces are inspired by feather work and body decoration of the native indigenous people of the rainforest.

Elisa Stecca Design

Stunning while worn and drinking Absolut Acai caipiroska!

JESSIE WARE 110%

Ware effortlessly showcases her delicious vocals in this pop-esoteric tune that just makes us want to come back for more and more....

Produced by Julio Bashmore, the simple sound of 110% is both ethereal and outstanding.The layering of her rich vocals over a simple backbeat highlights her timeless melange...playing hard and sweet.. and fun.

Most fully experienced inbibing Absolut Raspberry Caipiroska...

MICHAEL WORTHINGTON Lucky Penny Paintings

These super groovy works of art will make you think twice about just leaving a penny laying on the street.  Brooklyn Pop-Folk artist Michael Worthington has a series of Penny Paintings from coins he has found all over the world. Painted on 4"x 4" wood blocks, each is inspired by where the penny was found.  "....All day long you'll have good luck"!

More on Lucky Penny Paintings here.

Lucky Penny Painting #229, Coney Island, NY

Artwork especially savored while enjoying a Brooklyn Pilsner.