My contribution

BeST awards 2008

I've been nominated for a BeST Award, under the GRAPHIC DESIGN ARTS catagory, for the work I did for Robert Harris cafe earlier in the year.
http://www.bestawards.co.nz/2008/_finalists/0415.html#
See? There. I did the inspiration word poems and watercolour pics. (I didn't write the poems mind.) I've been meaning to go round the cafes and take photos of my pictures for a while but ... dot dot dot. I took my Grandparents to the Takapuna cafe a few months ago, we had a splendid time. In other news- no news.

Fan Mail

New style! Billy Bones from the Skulls, The Dickies, and Patti Smith.

Boycott Gordon Ramsey, loathsome.

'If something is worth doing, it's worth doing approximately... and while trying is the first step to failing, failure is an achievement in itself. We must bear in mind that "success" in relation to this endeavour must necessarily be measured on a different scale -- perhaps, akin to hanging kindergarten finger-paintings in the Louvre.'

You should all really attend this.

Top 5

I did a list of my top 5 songs/albums/eps at the moment for cheeseontoast.co.nz, I've put it here too. I've been doing some watercolour works where I've been concentrating on shades and volume rather than outlines, they're looking pretty cool. Will post when I've done more.

Heinz & The Wild Boys- Diggin' My Potatoes
The Legendary Joe Meek

Produced & arranged by Joe Meek, whose production techniques & sexual preferences you should be familiar with thanks to the lovely Nick from COYHs a few weeks back. In fact, Heinz owned the gun with which Joe shot himself & his landlady! This song holds a special place in my heart at the moment as my bestie and I danced to it in our apartment after eating some horrendously bad pizza .Even though I had stomach pains, it was the most fun I've had in days.

Morrissey- All You Need Is Me b/w Drive-In Saturday
'All you need is me' 7'' single

Morrissey is hands down the most hilarious man in the business. This song was included on his latest best-of collection, and is part of a 7 inch/cd single set which was on sale for one week only at the start of June. This is his 'needless to say, I had the last laugh' attack one all those who criticize, and has incredible lyrics including this verse: ' I was a small, fat child in a council house, there was only one thing I ever dreamed about. And fate has just handed it to me - whoopee'. And man, wait till you hear the Dave Bowie cover. Glorious. Also, I strongly suggest you hunt down the artwork. See why he's most hilarious man in music?

The Germs- Richie Dagger's Crime
M.I.A.- The Complete Germs

I love the Germs so much. I saw a t-shirt on ebay the other day but it was a ridiculous colour. I love how interesting, intelligent and informed Darby Crash's lyrics are, yet he sings in such a way where one cannot make out a flamin' word he says. Just buy the complete germs compilation, it's totally essential I'd say (and it has the lyrics).

Santogold & Diplo- Top Ranking
Album out now on Mad Decent

This is Diplo's latest mix-tape release featuring Santogold, I first came across this when I heard their fantastic cover of the Clash's 'Guns Of Brixton' with 'Brixton' replaced with 'Brooklyn'. The mix features a number of remixed Santogold songs from her debut album as well as snippets of Desmond Dekker, Devo, The B52s, The Dixie Cups, there is even a Black Flag sample in there from the song 'Six Pack'. A whole heap of my favourite bands. It's a great eclectic mix of songs, and flows really well, but the main reason I like it is I just found out Diplo is short for Diplodocous, and I love dinosaurs.

Fluffy & The Puppets- Turn Away The Pirate

Car Radio Cassette Gimmick Album

Fluffy & The Puppets are a twee indie band from Italy, feat. one Italian on vocals (Ambrogio da Pontedra) backed by a Scottish couple, Declan & Eleanor Mackenzie. This is my favourite song on the new album, (out now on vinyl and cassette only on MDC records), although I also love 'Muso Jazzo', 'The Band That Changed My Life' and 'G.C.W.C.B' (the acronym is not translated). I usually despise twee, indie-windy cardigan beard music, but this trio are just so earnest and intense, it's hard to not take them seriously.

White Swan Black Swan

I did the illustration for Auckland band 'White Swan Black Swan' and got a copy yesterday, looks pretty good. The whole things folds out into a long picture, I did it all on one long piece of paper. Well, two long pieces of paper. Not sure when this'll be in shops, pretty soon I'd imagine, on Arch Hill Records. Apart from this, I've just recently finished a 7'' sleeve for Brand New Math and some commissions but I am kind of in an art rut where I just write down ideas but never do them and watch tv instead. Yuck.

wet