Growing up in the 1980’s I remember movies just about more than anything else. I was an active kid during the day, but at night it was movie time. My overall opinion is the best moments of our cinematic history took place in the 80s. The reason for these thoughts is that Corey Haim just passed away. I realize all the trouble he has had since the days of “License to Drive,” and “The Lost Boys.”

But to me he was a 1980’s icon. Anytime I think about all those countless nights hanging with my cousins watching all these great films, it’s hard not to picture Corey Haim. I think he will always have a place in my memory of being a kid. I think we overhype the deficiencies of the people who entertain us, although addiction is a problem, and it was for him, I can’t help but think of him only as that young kid crashing his grandfathers Cadillac, or wearing garlic to bed, b/c he was afraid his brother would bite his neck in the night. Corey Haim was my hero growing up through some pretty rough shit. We all have our personal stories, and we all hopefully had something to turn to. My escape was watching film with young actors like Corey Haim. He made me think being young was cool, or being sort of silly and screwing up was alright. He made me enjoy the moments in my life when things were tough, and I wasn’t sure what the hell was going on or who I was. I am sad to see him go, especially in the light that it appears he went. But his face will always be iconic to me; it will always be the nostalgic emotion of the 1980s. Rest in piece dude, you were great. Thank you!

The Agency makes me happy! The video I selected does a good job expressing the reason why. Out of Paris France, The Agency is not your average indie rock band, but they do fit nicely in the pocket with any other critically acclaimed indie rockers. A high energy sound mixed with all the perfect gadgetry, which hits just when you think you’ve had enough. An escapade filled with lushes pop, and the moves and shakes to get you dancing. The Agency makes me smile, and I think they will do the same for you.

The High Road is out today!

Get Broken Bells [The High Road +Video]

Watching this movie last night I couldn’t help being reminded of all the similar emotions I have experienced throughout my own life. The first encounter of these two characters sent me back to the first few times I noticed my (soon to be) wife. I remember specifically ignoring her so she would pay more attention to me. Part of this was fear of course, and I wouldn’t call my self shy, but with women I have always been a little nervous to go first toward  introductions.

Peter and Vandy capture all the wondrous moments of a blossoming relationship, even the times when the person you love seems like the person you hate. This film offers so much that I have to say I think its a perfect movie. It has a nicely set time of 80 minutes, which is a relief compared to the bloated films hitting the screen lately. The film is a fragmented journey which pulls you in, and throws you all over the place. It uses clues throughout in order to establish which moments you are experiencing and where they fit within the story. Essentially the beginning is the middle, and the end is the middle, and the middle is the beginning, or something like that. This is the most engaging, true piece of romantic cinema I have ever seen. I will leave it there so you too can experience you own moments again.

Peter and Vandy

Directed by Jay Dipietro

Starring Jason Ritter and Jess Weixler

Pavement dates:

03-04 Sydney, Australia - Enmore Theatre
03-05 Sydney, Australia - Enmore Theatre
03-06 Meredith, Australia – Supernatural Amphitheatre (Golden Plains Festival)
03-07 Adelaide, Australia - Thebarton Theatre
03-08 Perth, Australia – Metro City
03-10 Brisbane, Australia - Tivoli
03-12 Melbourne, Australia – Palace Theatre
03-14 Melbourne, Australia – Palace Theatre
04-07 Tokyo, Japan – Studio Coast
04-08 Tokyo, Japan – Studio Coast
04-10 Osaka, Japan - Zepp Osaka
04-12 Nagoya, Japan - Zepp Nagoya
04-18 Indio, CA - Coachella Festival
05-04 Dublin, Ireland – Tripod
05-05 Glasgow, Scotland - Barrowland
05-07 Paris, France – Le Zénith
05-08 Amsterdam, Netherlands - Paradiso
05-10 London, England - Brixton Academy
05-11 London, England - Brixton Academy
05-12 London, England - Brixton Academy
05-13 London, England - Brixton Academy
05-15 Minehead, England – All Tomorrow’s Parties
05-18 Brussels, Belgium - Ancienne Belgique
05-19 Berlin, Germany – Astra
05-20 Prague, Czech Republic - Palac Akropolis
05-21 Vienna, Austria – Arena
05-22 Munich, Germany - Muffathalle
05-24 Rome, Italy - Atlantico Live
05-25 Bologna, Italy - Estragon
05-27 Barcelona, Spain - Primavera Festival
05-30 Quincy, Washington – Sasquatch! Festival
06-19 Toronto, Ontario – Olympic Island
06-25 Berkeley, CA – Greek Theatre
07-02 Gdynia, Poland – Open’er Festival
07-04 Roskilde, Denmark - Roskilde Festival
07-08 Liege, Belgium – Les Ardentes Festival
07-18 Chicago, IL – Pitchfork Music Festival
08-12 Oslo, Norway – Oya Festival
08-14 Gothenburg, Sweden – Way Out West Festival
09-09 Broomfield, CO – First Bank Center
09-11 Kansas City, MO – Uptown Theater
09-12 St. Paul, MN – Roy Wilkins Auditorium
09-17 Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center for the Performing Arts
09-18 Boston, MA – Agganis Arena
09-21 New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage
09-22 New York, NY – Central Park Summerstage
09-23 New York, NY – Central Park
09-24 New York, NY – Central Park
09-26 Atlanta, GA – The Tabernacle

If you’re not familiar with Koushik its time to start paying attention. His last release Out My Window came out in 2008 on Stone Throw Records(vocal and instrumental release available). Its an album that is widely unknown that needs to be visited by you and others. Its the haze of summer gently humming through the speaks, its indeed my summer time play. When we roll to the lakes beneath the Smoky Mountains, Koushik provides the background. Constant rotation!

“Koushik Ghosh, a first-generation Canadian born to two genetic engineers and brother of Himadri Ghosh from the techno group Teste, goes by just his first name as a producer and singer on Peanut Butter Wolf’s Stones Throw label. DJing since 14, Koushik grew up outside of Hamilton, Ontario, going to Indian classical singing lessons with his mother and listening to bands like My Bloody Valentine and Funkadelic, and later on, Madlib and Jay Dee. After completing his masters degrees in biostatistics and ethnomusicology from the University of Vermont, Koushik went on to release 2005’s Be With (whose sound reflects the eclecticism in his musical tastes), which includes songs off his Be With, One in a Day, and Battle Times EPs. Previous to that he co-wrote and sang two songs on Manitoba (later re-named Caribou)’s 2003 Up in Flames record. Koushik’s long awaited full-length debut, Out My Window came out in 2008 and not very coincidentally, had much in common with Caribou’s 2007 Andorra. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide”

To put it simply Nuno Lupi is just a brilliant composer. His music is both breathtaking and skillful, blending the craft of sound with imagery seemlessly placed to expel the richness of performance. This weekly series is attempting to cross over the wide spectrum of musical brilliance our world has to offer. With this week’s choice I see that goal being fulfilled. We are excited to share and attempt to bring new listeners to Nuno Lupi from Lisboa, Portugal. His latest album Inner is available on Itunes and through Amazon.