SYP Says

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 8/23: Stillness Is the Move by Dirty Projectors

"Stillness Is the Move" by Dirty Projectors 

Who knew sometimes atonal, polyrhythmic, experimental, operatic, African pop-inspired indie dance music could be so good? If you're looking for unusual music to perk up your summer, check out the Brooklyn-based Dirty Projectors. You will not be bored. In fact, you may end up like me, listening to it all the time. Lest you think with all the hype they've been getting lately, that Dirty Projectors is a new band, let me correct you. Bitte Orca is their ninth--albeit most accessible--album release (including EPs).

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 8/9 and 8/16: How Long by Howling Bells

"How Long" by Howling Bells 

Aussie band, Howling Bells, reminds me of a mash-up between Metric and Rilo Kiley.

No video of "How Long," so this is Howling Bells performing "Digital Hearts," another tune from their new album, Radio Wars. This isn't deep music, but it's retro-catchy and a little dangerous.

Marvy Le Pen and Twin Ring Notebooks: Good pens and paper

Twin Ring Notebooks and Marvy Le Pen are my most favorite notebooks and pens ever.

They are both from Japan.

Twin Rings have perfect perforation, are slim and lightweight, come in cute colors, the paper is smooth, and the rings are tightly coiled and don't snag or get all bent out of shape. 

Marvy Le Pens have a micro fine 0.3mm tip and pocket clip. They come in countless lovely and unique colors from brown and burgundy to oriental blue and periwinkle to teal and olive and I just adore the way they look and write.

They are a perfect combination. The pen clip just fits in the ring and the pair are light enough to carry in my purse.

You'd think that with most of my work being online, I wouldn't have much use for writing longhand, but I do.

I take notes in meetings, and doodle or diagram to get my brain working on an idea. Honestly, sometimes I just think better when I write on a real piece of paper with real ink.

I care enough about writing that I'm picky and Twin Rings and Marvy Le Pens are my weapons of choice.

I first got hooked on these thanks to the adorable store, Prize, in Ashland, Oregon.

Now I've found the notebooks online at the also adorable Tokyo Pen Shop which has free shipping on orders over $25 or more. A month or so ago, I realized that I was on my last Twin Ring (horrors!!) and Kimberly and Frank Broz, the co-founders of Tokyo Pen Shop, shipped me several post-haste. They don't sell Marvy Le Pens yet, but are considering it. I hope they do, so I can just buy both from the same place. Fingers crossed! Until then, I'll buy mine from ArtStuff.net.

All that said, one of the main reasons I love Twin Rings so much is the inspirational message that's embossed on the front of every notebook. It says,

Most Advanced Quality
Gives Best Writing Features
& Gives Satisfaction to You

I couldn't have written it better myself! :)

 

Best Songs of 2009: Week of 8/2: You and I by Wilco (with Feist)

"You and I" by Wilco with Feist

I'm getting bad about posting, so I'm going to post a bunch this week--honest! And since I seem to be in self-flagellation mode, I could really kick myself for missing Wilco perform in concert recently. I'm making do with their new album, Wilco (The Album), which I was lukewarm about initially, but it has really grown on me. I especially love this little love duet.