I'm Stray, or Jeff if you want to get familiar. I'm an artist, music maker, aspiring writer, goofball, geek, nerd, and dork. I design graphics for t-shirts for money.
This blog is mainly for my own artwork. I also make daily confessions and daily music posts. Art posted in my blog is mine unless otherwise noted.Other places you can find me on the internet:
facebookDaily Music Post #96
Keke Palmer & Max Schneider - Against the World
Yes. I’m digging this theme song for a made for tv Disney movie! I AM NOT ASHAMED!
That is all.
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #95
NZCA/LINES - Base64 Love
This is the first album of 2012 that I can’t stop listening to, especially this song. They’re being compared a lot to Metronomy and Hot Chip (who happen to be two of my favorite bands), and I can definitely hear the the similarity. This song reminds me a lot of Hot Chip, from the tongue in cheek lyrics, to the duel vocals which even sound a bit like Taylor and Goddard from Hot Chip.
I kinda love anything that blends a sort of R&B/pop sensibility with electro/alt, like again Hot Chip, or Class Actress, Niki & the Dove, or TEED, I tend to dig that sort of thing more often than not. There’s something about a nice danceable beat combined with nice slow harmony that satisfies me.
More Songs:
Okinawa Channels - http://youtu.be/VqskdABm8t4
Compass Points - http://youtu.be/0iDGEl7OO7o
Moonlit Car Chase - http://youtu.be/fvRkQP0F3Hs
Oh, and I should mention that NZCA/LINES has a tumblr, so you should probably follow that if you were into the tunes.
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
(Source: thestray)
Daily Music Post #95
NZCA/LINES - Base64 Love
This is the first album of 2012 that I can’t stop listening to, especially this song. They’re being compared a lot to Metronomy and Hot Chip (who happen to be two of my favorite bands), and I can definitely hear the the similarity. This song reminds me a lot of Hot Chip, from the tongue in cheek lyrics, to the duel vocals which even sound a bit like Taylor and Goddard from Hot Chip.
I kinda love anything that blends a sort of R&B/pop sensibility with electro/alt, like again Hot Chip, or Class Actress, Niki & the Dove, or TEED, I tend to dig that sort of thing more often than not. There’s something about a nice danceable beat combined with nice slow harmony that satisfies me on a deep level. Also, it’s kinda sexy music.
More Songs:
Okinawa Channels - http://youtu.be/VqskdABm8t4
Compass Points - http://youtu.be/0iDGEl7OO7o
Moonlit Car Chase - http://youtu.be/fvRkQP0F3Hs
Oh, and I should mention that NZCA/LINES has a tumblr, so you should probably follow that if you were into the tunes.
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #94
Kids These Days - My Days
Some talented youngsters.
More songs:
Hard Times - http://youtu.be/GEHUGmohlSA
Summerscent - http://youtu.be/MAopeQdGe8Y
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #93
Darius - Maliblue
This is something I like to listen to late at night while I’m drawing or animating. French house.
More Songs:
Constance - http://youtu.be/IWkAhH2B1EM
Velour - http://youtu.be/N02yAZ1EunA
Road Trip - http://youtu.be/8gT4DUC25PI
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #92
The Paper Kites - Bloom
Seriously, just listen to this, it’s beautiful as shit. The Paper Kites are an indie folk band from Melbourne, consisting of Sam Bentley (from Best Before), Christina Lacy, Dave Powys, Sam Rasmussen and Josh Bentley.
More songs:
Woodland - http://youtu.be/3DnC7trxBsY
Featherstone - http://youtu.be/M0IDiVQxZYg
Mortal Boy King - http://youtu.be/oPcEQwEPmVg
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #91
Thieves Like Us - The Killing Revelation
I’ve posted these guys before, but they’re back with a new album so here they are making another appearance. I haven’t had a chance to listen to the whole album yet, just a few of the songs on youtube. So far I’m liking this one the best and looking forward to listening to the entire album, which is titled Bleed, Bleed, Bleed.
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #90
Pony Pony Run Run - Hey You
To be honest, the way this song starts out I thought I wasn’t going to get into it, but it gets real nice at the 38 second mark and I started digging it. Pony Pony Run Run are a French power pop band from Angers formed in Nantes in 2003. The band line-up consists of three members named simply “G” (guitar/vocals), “A” (bass) and “T” (keyboards). Two original members of the group have left the band; “S” (guitar/backing vocals) who left the band in 2008, and “F” (drums) who departed in 2009.
MO SONGS:
Walking On A Line - http://youtu.be/3YL34SIAomw
Girl I Know - http://youtu.be/ff2LhZWlItg
Out of Control - http://youtu.be/OCHziMPIBY4
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #89
Capsule - World of Fantasy
An electronica duo from Japan! Formed in 1997 and are apparently a big deal in their native land. I always wonder what kind of cool things I’m missing out on because they don’t originate from my continent. Glad I randomly found this group while clicking around on youtube. This video is sorta mesmerizing.
More Songs!
Hello - http://youtu.be/Aas0QCufgzg
More! More! More! - http://youtu.be/fdlPLFbiTbQ
Jumper - http://youtu.be/_nUbhbEp65s
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #88
Tan Vampires - Digital Rot (live acoustic)
I don’t know anything about this band, and I’m too lazy right now to do any researching, but they have great facial hair and I’m really enjoying their tunes on on youtube. Big Ugly Yellow Couch has proven to be a great source of music for me, I suggest you check it out.
MORE SONGS!
I Found A Body - http://youtu.be/zZGBwdg1INA
Secret Carnivore - http://youtu.be/rIzViUoOiGc
Threads - http://youtu.be/vuNax8YrKnw
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #87
The Glass Beef - Hawaii
Daily Music Posts are back! Yay! Be happy! I haven’t done these in a while. I’m ready to get them back in blog circulation though, so here we go.
If you don’t recognize these two, they are both funny comedian/actor/writers, Charlyne Yi and Paul Rust. Two adorable people making adorable music together!
You can find Charlyne Yi on tumblr, and Paul Rust has a nifty site.
I Hate You: http://youtu.be/oyigXrspdKs
Snowman: http://youtu.be/sttCiNU31jU
E.T.: http://FunnyOrDie.com/m/k2f
I hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Like most people who have blogs, I like to feel like my year end lists of things I liked matters to anyone besides me. You didn’t ask me what my favorite songs of the year are, but here they are anyway! I threw these up on 8 tracks, click the links to go listen if you want:
Mix #1: Stray’s best of 2011
The songs that came out in 2011 that I could not stop listening to. There are many more of course, but these are the ones still fresh in my mind.
Mix #2: Stray’s best of not technically 2011
These songs did not come out in 2011, but they were in heavy rotation on my ipod all the same.
Top 20 albums of the year
(in no particular order, because it would take me forever to rank them)
Lykke Li - Wounded Rhymes
I have a huge crush on Lykke Li, I thought this was a great follow up album.
Battles - Gloss Drop
I can’t say I love this as much as their previous album, but it’s still Battles, and it’s still brilliant.
Tune Yards - W h o k i l l
One of 2011’s best discovery’s for me. Love love love this band.
Radiohead - King of Limbs
It’s fucking Radiohead. They’re on this list by default because they’re never not awesome.
Friendly Fires - Pala
I wanted to see this band so bad when they came to town but I missed them :( thoroughly enjoyed this album though.
Metronomy - English Riviera
If you ever get a chance to see this band live, GO! One of the best shows I’ve been to in my life. So good. Album was great, kind of a big departure from the previous one, but great in it’s own way.
Baths - Pop Music / False B-Sides
Will Wisenfeld is one of the nicest most talented guys making music. Got a chance to meet him at Amoeba and he was super humble and friendly. Can’t wait to hear more.
Class Actress - Rapprocher
I was instantly hooked on this, really catch synthpop beats and Elizabeth Harper’s voice, mmmmm, delicious. I listen to this at least once a day.
Niki & The Dove - The Drummer
Have been loving everything this lady puts out, and eagerly await a full-length.
St. Vincent - Strange Mercy
I am so ashamed that it took me so long to listen to St Vincent. I’d see her all over blog, and I kind of ignored her because I thought she’d be just another female singer songwriter that was talented by ultimately uninteresting. Boy was I wrong.
Neon Indian - Era Extrana
Neon Indian is growing on me. I still feel like I like select songs more than I like their albums as a whole, but this one I definitely liked better than the last.
Cant - Dreams Come True
Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear. I’m not ashamed to say that this was some sexy stuff right here.
Com Truise - Galactic Melt
Everybody I know was talking about Com Truise, so I had to check them out. I was not disappointed. You’ve also gotta love that name.
Bon Iver - Bon Iver
I’ve heard a lot of proclaiming smugly that they “don’t get it” or inferring that this is just something the hipsters are into. Whateverrrr. Justin Vernon has a great voice, he’s a great song writer, and his songs have some pretty lush beautiful atmosphere going on. What’s to get?
Various Artists - Drive Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Drive was an awesome movie by my standards, and a huge part of that was the score. “Nightcall” and “Under Your Spell” got so much play on my ipod.
Oh Land - Oh Land
Danish electronic pop and perty vocals. What I like most about this album is how well some of these songs translate to acoustic in performances I’ve watched on youtube. I think it’s a mark of great songwriting when songs work no matter how you play them.
The Lonely Island - Turtleneck & Chain
Okay, I totally fucked up by not putting “Turtleneck & Chain” on one of my mixes, because I could NOT stop listening to that. That song made me want to legit own this exact outfit. Hilarious album.
Childish Gambino - Camp
It took me a while to warm up to Donald Glover the rapper admittedly. A lot of his early mixtapes were just crass bragging about him fucking girls, which I can’t really relate to because I’m not a famous person (yet). But I began to appreciate the vulnerability in a lot of his songs, especially when it comes to not feeling accepted by his peers because he’s black and nerdy. I can definitely relate to that. Also, beats are nice.
Kanye & Jay Z - Watch the Throne/My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye, love or hate the guy I think you have to be a little crazy to deny his talent. Teaming up with Jay-Z was produced some pretty interesting results too.
Unknown Mortal Orchestra - Unknown Mortal Orchestra
I literally only started listening to this like last week, but I’m really enjoying them so far.
Honoroable mentions: These are albums I like so far but haven’t really given a thorough listen to enough to give a strong opinion:
Tapes n’ Tapes - Outside
Bjork - Biophilia
Cloud Nothings - Self-Titled
The Black Keys - El Camino
Joakim - Nothing Gold
Beth Ditto - EP
Destroyer - Kaputt
The Drums - Portamento
Ducktails - Ducktails III: Arcade Dynamics
Girls - Father, Son, Holy Ghost
Explosions in the Sky - Take Care, Take Care, Take Care
James Blake - James Blake
Mogwai - Earth Division
Say Hi - Um, Uh Oh
Cake - Showroom of Compassion
Twin Sister - In Heaven
Young Prisms - Friends for Now
Seefeel - Seefeel
Sorry I did not include Adele, Lady Gaga, Tyler the Creator, Foster the People, Florence & The Machine, or any other big releases this year, I honestly just never got around to listening to them.
Welp, that’s it. The end. BYEEE!
Daily Music Post #86
Royal Canoe - Nightcrawlin’
I’m in love with the way this songs starts so simply and builds to this really beautiful lush climax. It’s completely satisfying.
an excerpt from their site: “Royal Canoe is a deadly band armed with falsettos, guitars, effects pedals, drums, basses, tambourines, shakers and a five-keyboard super-weapon. Royal Canoe play lyrically sharp pop songs that move people and make people move.”
I’ve been enjoying their album Co-Op Mode, and also their new single “Today We’re Believers” and I can already tell from this songs and “Nightcrawlin’” that their sound is evolving and the next lp is bound to be even better. Really looking forward to that.
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #85
Body Language - You Can
There are few things more exciting for me then hearing a song from a band I’ve never heard of and absolutely loving it from the first listen. It’s like OOH WHAT HAVE I DISCOVERED? ANOTHER BAND TO ADD TO MY MUSICAL OBSESSIONS MAYHAPS? It’s like catching a rare Pokemon or something. I really dug this song, and listened to it on repeat a few times the first time I heard it, and then immediately searched out other tunes, then went ahead and acquired their EP “Social Studies”, which I’ve been quite enjoying. Then I got ahold of their previous effort “Speaks” and have been enjoying that as well.
Here’s a short bio:
Retro-minded Brooklyn club act Body Language take ‘80s soul and electro and deliver it with a futuristic slant, much like Deee-Lite, Chromeo, or Jamiroquai. Backed by party promoters CassetteNYC and Percussionlab, the band (Grant Wheeler, Matt Young, Ian Chang, and Ms. Angelica Bess) built up a solid fan base playing shows in N.Y.C., before Moodgadget Records released the group’s Speaks EP in 2009. The band’s first album, Social Studies, came out in late 2011 on Om records.
~ Jason Lymangrover, Rovi
I look forward to their first full length very much. Here are more songs:
At A Glance - http://youtu.be/PbXqEOJWKLE
Falling Out - http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_profilepage&v=zCC6E23X1Pw
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
Daily Music Post #84
Blackbird Blackbird - Pure
Ah yes, for me this is music I put on to mellow out and maybe work on some art, or write. Or just lay in bed in the middle of the afternoon thinking.
from lastfm:
Blackbird Blackbird (formerly Bye Bye Blackbird) is the moniker/musical outlet of San Francisco, California wunderkind Mikey Maramag. His reverb-laden musical collages tend to lean towards anthemic, inspirational, and dream-driven themes. Maramag’s influences range from various ends of the musical spectrum. Blackbird Blackbird often tweaks nature-samples and mixes electronic textures with organic instrumentation (guitar, drums, synths, vocal-harmonies). Ghostly female vocals are chopped and screwed, spun around a paint-splattered collage of sound.
Maramag’s deep, textured, and hypnotic pop songs pay homage to the psychedelic pop that the Beatles could have imagined but cannot make today. Blackbird Blackbird’s music is made with the warmth of analogue instrumentation spliced with digital bells and twinkles.
Blackbird Blackbird’s debut album “Summer Heart” was self-released by Maramag in July 2010, and is really just a collection of his past EPs: “Happy High” and “Let’s Move on Together”. His standout singles “Pure” and “Hawaii” received the most attention, and his single “Ups and Downs” helped Mikey capture the ears of Pitchfork, Transparent, Prefix Magazine, The Fader, Brooklyn Vegan, and other musical tastemakers.
more songs:
Left to Hurt - http://youtu.be/AJ9v_Qwv79c
Letting Go - http://youtu.be/npYtt9p4kUM
Blind - http://youtu.be/_2AORrT-tt0
Hope you enjoyed today’s daily music post, if not that’s okay, perhaps you’ll dig the next one.
