Dance yourself clean.

Do you ever find yourself wanting to turn up the music, raise your head to the sky, spread your arms out wide and dance?

me too.

Claim to fame.

This was some time ago...at least 4 years ago, but still valid.
Mike Aho.
Mel Kadel.
Travis Millard.
Tony from Real Live Tigers.
Derek.
Juli. (represent.)

Will Johnson

I know what you're thinking. "Will Johnson? Isn't he that talented musician who's writing and sweet sweet melodies bring me to my knees everytime?" Why yes, you are correct. He is the one in reference, Will Johnson of Centro-matic, South San Gabriel, and Monsters of Folk. This man soars above the rest.
And just when you thought his talents, infinitely abound had reached their pinnacle, he throws us a curve ball...with a paint brush. These paintings are to create awareness of the African American Baseball players.


Matt Pence (photographer) and Will Johnson are having an art show at Good Records in Dallas on Sunday, August 16th 2009. 7-9pm. And it's FREE! So cool.


Also, if you're in Austin and you're reading this today, August 12th. It's your lucky day, because Will Johnson is playing at the Ghost Room tonight at 11pm. $8. Worth 10 times that much, not to mention the priceless feeling of everlasting peace you'll gain. =)

His genius can also be extended to the kitchen. A contributer to Kara Zuaro's I like food, Food tastes good: In the kitchen with your favorite bands cookbook.

Like I said...Infinitely abound.

also this.

theme song

These two are adorable. By name: Pamplamoose music.

jk about the title, but i am a wedding photographer....so maybe not.

The xx

Islands - The xx
New found obsession. amazingly smooth. some might say..better than a night cap.

Randomly found and fun.

My good friend, Amanda Shires made not only the charts but this video that is adorable. She's a hard working, amazingly talented (not to mention beautiful), fiddle-playin', song writin', toe stompin', snake charmin', merch makin', charmer that will leave you begging for more of those sweet melodies. Please check her and her excellent folk writin', heart soothing voice and partner in crime, Rod Picott out. The two were rated #7 in Euro Americana charts, and for good reason. Their voices joined with the acoustic sounds of the guitar, fiddle and ukulele go together like peas and carrots. (alright, I'm sorry I said that last one.) But seriously, just phenomenal. I can assure you, these two won't stop there. They've got too much going for them.

this one too.

Furr by Blitzen Trapper from Jade Harris on Vimeo.

I'm going to make a music video. I'll bring the art supplies, you bring the original music.

smile. your mind will follow.

Sin Fang Bous - Clangour and Flutes from Toolshed Media on Vimeo.

Mt Inadale 7" Release is finally here!

A year in the making! Mt Inadale Records will release it's first split 7" vinyl featuring Thrift Store Cowboys and One wolf!
Derek Pierce, a lifetime music enthusiast, is the master mind behind this release and Mt Inadale Records itself! Pierce worked for Texas Tech's college radio station, KTXT as not only a DJ with his very own specialty show, but the Promotion Director where he booked local shows and single handed turned the music scene in Lubbock, Texas right around and made it something to talk about. Don't get me wrong, the history was there...but I watched this young gentleman contact and develop relationships with several different artist from across the board, putting Lubbock's name on the map for future bands touring through Texas. Here's another testimony from Al James of Dolorean to further prove my point. Keyword, wunderkid under the Lubbock/Dan's backroom paragraph. Very cool.

All that to say, if you are in Austin, Denton or Lubbock, Texas over the next three days...and you enjoy toe tappin', heart-pounding, hell-of-a-good-time music, come on out and make history with us by celebrating Mt Inadale's very first record release!!!

6/4/09-Austin, TX Thrift Store Cowboys with Cory Branan, Lambert's 10pm
6/5/09-Denton, TX Thrift Store Cowboys with Rodney Parker, The Boiler Room, 9pm
6/6/09-Lubbock, TX Thrift Store Cowboys, Jake's Backroom, 9pm

PS. I designed and screen printed the album art!!
PPS. Feel free to contact me for more information on how to purchase one or several records. They're very affordable considering they're collector's items!

Cheers to Love.

As we all know, I'm a sucker for love. Hence my career. Which is why I adore this video by Rocky Votolato featuring his lovely wife who I have girl-crush on. I hope you enjoy this video as much as I do.

Second on a related note,
I'm twiddling my thumbs, anxiously awaiting this Saturday. Two of my beautiful and good friend's are uniting in holy matrimony. I know this is something that happens, on a regular basis...but I'm especially excited because I may have had a hand in introducing them. In fact, I bare witness to the first time Blake sent over his first of many quarky love notes to Leilani, which read from a napkin, "You and me are mint to be." (Fully equipt with a mint on top, adorable.)
Hope you enjoy the music and congrats to Leilani and Blake!

Paper Heart

this looks so cute. especially, when she asks that kid what the perfect date is. Comes out, August 14, 2009.
paper heart is not to be confused with the paper hearts. please check them out as well. like love, they will also make you weak in the knees.

Jens Lekman

Also, please listen to this if you have the chance, 'Postcard to Nina' is in there and I love that story version, although the above clip is pretty good too. ps. I may or may not have a school girl crush on this man. Seriously, he's adorable.

image found here.

deVotchKa

yesssssssssss! It was everything I hoped and dreamed it would be, thank you for asking.
Please read this interview with the violin virtuoso, Tom Hagerman, my favorite.
Please listen to their music. It will knock your socks off. Old world classic meets new age feel=indie-tastic.
Please know that we may or may not have gotten to go on DeVotchKa's super fancy bus.
"Fan girl" is right.
And one last side note:

Their promotional photographs are excellent, by Gary Isaacs. I wrote an earlier blog about this talented photoghapher...here.

Poster by Dirk Fowler of F2 Design.

Thrift Store Cowboys...

rule.

I hold these guys dear to my heart. 

Derek's putting out his very first 7" freaturing Thrift Store Cowboys and One Wolf. This collectors item will be a limited run so if you want to get your paws on one, stay tuned folks!

Uptown Modern

Another remedy for creative block, is to feed your senses with what the world has hidden away in unexpected places. Now you're probably expecting me to insert something here about nature, but on the contrary, I want to divert your attention to another one of life's hidden (behind-a-storefront-woman-made) treasures. Uptown Modern. This 1940-70's home furnishings guru will make your heart flutter at first sight of it's lovely display of antique gems and is sure to send waves of design inspiration crashing your way.

Uptown modern is owned and operated by Jean Heath, who has been in the antique business for over 20 years. From what I was told by one of her lovely and incredibly helpful employees named Rebecca Cannon, Jean puts forth the effort to make the store radiate with a renewing energy by frequently updating their displays to make each shopping experience truly unique and exciting each and every time you stop by.

So the next time you're strolling down Austin's very own vintage alley (Burnet Road) you should veer off into this divine three part shop of everything you're mid-century, modern heart could desire. 

I mean, who doesn't need a fist-pumping gold torso?

On a side note:

This is my informant Rebecca Cannon, she gave insight about the owner and how the store is run. One of my favorites tid bits, was how Jean Heath (owner) supports her employees pursuing their music careers. One of the many reasons I love Austin, Texas! Speaking of, Cannon sings in the Texas Sapphires, check them out here!

The lovely fall display Rebecca put together for October. Does anyone else see that fantastic painting in the top left corner?

The wood blocks used for letterpress printing are my favorite, these in particular were probably used for fabric. I think I've already decided to dedicate another post solely to their letterpress wood blocks. So get ready.

So clear your schedule and make a pit stop. You won't be disappointed!

Images ©2008 Julie Cope Photography.

Amanda Shires & Rod Picott's Album Design

Here is the latest album design I completed for two incredibly talented musicians, Amanda Shires (aka "Pearl Reams") and Rod Picott. Their album is titled, "Sew your heart with wires" and I really enjoyed working on this, thanks to Rod and Amanda's patience and non-stop jokes. 

I can't say enough good things about these two. Their music is literally delivered to your ears from the soft and gentle breeze of a passerby that turned out to be an angel . Both have solo albums that are equally delightful on the ears. These two are a pair of fun loving, honky tonk, musical geniuses. Additionally, if you're from the great flatland that is West Texas, you might know Amanda as the fiddle player from the Thrift Store Cowboys, another wildly talented group worth checking into. 

I love you a whole lot Rod and Amanda!

Images © 2008 Julie Cope Photography