Its spring break! That means 1: I have time to write a lengthy post, and 2: you should have time to listen to it all. Also, this week I’m starting a “guest pick” portion to the blog—you’ll get to get a sample of what my friends from my small hometown of Los Angeles like listening to.
So first things first: GORILLAZ. I’ve been waiting for their new album for a while and they have not disappointed. This is by easily my favorite song from their album. You’ll find yourself whistling this tune to yourself for the next few weeks. Or maybe that’s just me…whatever.
Second on the docket is a great remix of a practically unknown Wale tune. I love the backing instrumentation that’s been added—it’s one of the few hip-hop remixes I’ve heard that’s good without having to take the song in an electronic direction.
Next up, I’ve got my favorite song from another new album: Hot Chip’s “One Life Stand.” This album isn’t as good as their others, but this song is still great.
For some reason my friend Alex, a sophomore at St. Mary’s in NorCal—loves Scandinavian bands, and thanks to him I do too. Over the years he’s introduced me to Miike Snow, Shout Out Louds, Radio Dept., and Royksopp. This song from Royksopp, a Norwegian duo, has a cool Yeah Yeah Yeahs feel to it.
One of my favorite bands has to be Foals, a British group whose “mathy” guitar work is second to none. They have a new album coming out in May and if it’s anywhere close to as good as their first, Foals just might turn into my favorite active band (Bloc Party is on hiatus right now, so they don’t count). Luckily, it looks like their next album is great to be great—just listen and WATCH “Spanish Sahara.” Probably the most beautifully filmed music video I’ve ever seen. I’m also giving you “Olympic Airways,” one of my favorite songs from their last album.
Finally, I’ve got a cool song from Cults, an unknown New York band that’s been getting some buzz recently. It’s called “Go Outside.” After finishing this behemoth of a post, I encourage you do just that — Go outside! It’s spring! Yay!!!
Here’s an old post by Calah about her summer adventures in Spain, which never got posted. I recently rediscovered it and I think it’d be a shame not to share it, so here goes. Enjoy.
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Hola from… Spain? It´s so bizarre to think that I am living abroad for the
summer, taking classes in a language that I am rapidly discovering I just
don´t speak. This is the beginning of my second week in Leon (in the north of
the peninsula) and I absolutely adore it here. Leon reminds me a lot of New
Haven, actually; minus the sirens at all hours and the Popeyes. It´s small
enough to walk around, has amazing Gothic architecture, and is a veritable
death sentence for my wallet. Spaniards don´t just have weekend sales, they
have DOS MESES of “rebajos.”
The program I’m in is a pretty intensive language program through the Uni of
Leon. We´re not allowed to speak in English at all. I’m taking two classes,
one in advanced Spanish grammar and the other in Spanish art and architecture.
Being in Spain– and seeing La Alhambra, the Mezquita of
Corboba, and the Generalife– has really pushed me towards the Arch major.
We´ll see. The fantastic thing about Spanish architecture is that it has been
influenced by so many different cultures. You can find a Gothic cathedral and a
Roman aqueduct in the same valley. Basically, Spain is an architectural
orgy, and I’m loving every part of it.
The place to go at night is called “el barrio humedo” (the wet district) and
it’s probably the best place on earth. It´s comprised of dozens of bars
surrounding this amazing Gothic cathedral. The common practice is to hit up
several bars in a night, ordering drinks at each and receiving the food
(“tapas”) that comes free with every drink. Wine is cheap, beer is cheaper, and
life is generally good.
Speaking of alcohol, I´m really missing all of the Saybrook crew. Spain is, in a lot of ways, like
Saybrook. Spaniards just don´t sleep. There is always some gathering or party
going on. They do not follow traffic laws. They will eat questionable food from sketchy places (oh, Saybrook dining hall… how we all miss you and your apple tofu crumble…)
Again, speaking of alcohol, guess where I’m going this weekend? PAMPLONA. As in, Hemingway.
As in, the running of the bulls.
As in, fountain diving. As in, three days of wearing white and red and only
showering in vino. Seriously, youtube it. It´s going to be absolutely insane,
what I like to translate as “una presentacion de mierda.” I will definitely
tell you everything about it. Maybe not everything.
As you may have heard, every Yalie will be required to fill out a Census form during the first week in April. Each completed Census form will bring $9,000 to New Haven over the next ten years in the form of grants to AIDS treatment, homeless shelters, food stamps, school lunches, vocational training, special education, hospitals, and other essential services.
Please join me in volunteering — for as little as two hours — to help bring these resources to New Haven. You can spend the time tabling, canvassing, or doing other campaign-type activities. Any time that you can spare could really help the New Haven community.
This weekend, Marty Keil ‘12 received a special birthday surprise from his idol, YouTube celebrity Sam Tsui.
Afterward, Marty described the event with just three words: “Best. Birthday. Ever.” Fortunately for us, Chloe Zale JE ‘12 was there to capture his priceless reaction on film. Enjoy.
The key to IM success: red and black shoes tied with bows.
Congratulations to last week’s IM Athlete of the Week, Casey Blue “Kiki Vandeweghe” James (2012). Like Vandeweghe before her, James has come to the rescue of a struggling, winless team. After taking up the reins of the wild stallion that is Saybrook IM Coed Innertube Waterpolo, Casey Blue has guided her team from the depths of winlessness to the slightly-shallower waters of near-winlessness. Indeed, the victory-by-forfeit over winless TD can be chalked up to James’ incredible skills in participation. Also like Vandeweghe, Casey has a hippie name. Is “Blue” a middle name, a first name or simply a twisted joke by her parents? Unfortunately, like Vandeweghe’s Nets, the answer to this conundrum is lost to time.
Does this comparison make maligned polo captain Carl Johnson an analogue for Lawrence Frank? Perhaps. More importantly, however, it highlights the awesome power of participation. A wise man once said that 12.5% of life is just showing up, and Casey’s 1-7 polo squad is no exception. So here’s to you, Casey, for showing up when someone else didn’t. Casey will earn 30 Hudak points and the respect of her peers.
Honorable mention goes out to Leslie Roberson (2011) for, once again, finishing a close second in the AoW voting. Leslie is actually good at sports.
Another honorable mention goes out to Drew “Stack ‘em Sky High” Ruben (2011), whose lineup machinations brought Saybrook IM Squash within grasping distance of the title for the second consecutive year.
Finally, an honorable mention goes out to Ian Halpern (2010). Ian scored all 5 of Saybrook’s goals in a tough 7-5 loss to Stiles. Unfortunately for Ian, whose 4th place finish in AoW voting leaves him off the podium, it takes more than stats to succeed in sports.
Keep playing lots of IMs. We’re within chomping distance of TD for second place in the Tyng Cup standings. For a more concrete image of what we are about to do to their college, please view this short educational film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAPABJd4xos&feature=related
Happy Pitchers & Catchers,
Your IM Secretaries
Michael Dunn, Leslie Golden, John Ettinger
I haven’t written in almost two months, so I’ve decided to make this my best post ever. No big deal or anything, but below I’ve given you songs from the best unknown rap group, a great Gorillaz mashup, an addictive indie tune, a killer Britney Spears remix, and the best trance song I HAVE EVER HEARD.
So buckle up for some new songs and be sure to give all of them a chance. You won’t be disappointed.
You know how you hear people say “I heard about them before anyone else”? Well now is your chance. Ladies and gents, I present to you the rap group Kinetics & One Love. Although their name might need some work, their music definitely does not. And did I mention that they’re both Ivy League students? (Cornell, more specifically). This unsigned duo released Fading Back to Normal in 2009, an album that shows just how good Kinetics’ rhymes are.
Without a doubt, their most stunning song has to be “The New Colossus” a song that takes smart lyrics to a new level. Spelling “kinetics” in Greek letters? Check. Quoting Emma Lazarus’ Statue of Liberty poem? Check. Talking about the Coriolis Effect? Check.
My roommate (and hip-hop enthusiast) Jeff has nothing but praises for this song: “I’ve listened to this song every day for the last month and each day I discover something new that changes my life.” So without further ado, I give you three of their best songs. You can download the album for free on kineticsmusic.com Let’s hope they keep it up.
Gorillaz. They’re finally back. In March they’re releasing their third album and will be headlining Coachella the following month. Right now I’m praying that they’ll do a nationwide tour, as they’re definitely on my top-5 “still haven’t seen live” bands. Here’s a mashup of Gorillaz and Daft Punk. (shout-out to friend and Gorillaz fan Dalia).
This song may be from a few years ago, but it by no means has gotten old. I was just listening to it this morning and just had this realization that more people had to hear this tune. Their guitar work is on another level. Oh, and they’re about to embark on their first ever US tour, complete with a stop at NYC’s Bowery Ballroom on Apr. 20.
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Today, Master Hudak’s daughter Jen Hudak won the gold medal in the Women’s Superpipe at the 2010 X-Games in Aspen for her amazing performance last night.
With this win, Jen ended defending three-time gold medalist Sarah Burke’s dynasty in the Women’s Superpipe to earn her first gold medal at the X-Games and add to her already impressive collection of bronzes and silvers.
This video shows her gold-medal-winning run in which, according to Free Skier Magazine, “Ms. Hudak took her 900, alley oop 540, 540 and 720 to the judge’s domes tonight.”
Also coming from the lovely ladies of K-21, here’s a hilarious stand-up routine by Yael Zinkow ‘12 performed at the open mic night in the Calhoun Cabaret. This was her stand-up debut.
She’ll be performing again tonight at 11 o’clock in the Calhoun Cabaret. Don’t miss it!
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