Hear: Leverage Models - "Sweep (feat. Sharon Van Etten)"

My friends and clients Leverage Models shared a new track today, featuring their pal Sharon Van Etten. Leverage Models is the new project from Shannon Fields (Stars Like Fleas producer/founder, Helado Negro collaborator) and a host of friends from other exciting projects like Sinkane, Yeasayer, LCD Soundsystem, and more. Their debut album of brainy art-pop, largely written and recorded in Shannon's rural New York home, is due October 1 via Hometapes.

Check out the track below, and watch the video for the first single, "Cooperative Extensions." Fans of Cut Copy, David Byrne & Brian Eno, OMD, or Lansing-Dreiden should be pleased. 

SXSW Recap // 2013

I went to SXSW, saw some stuff, hugged some folks, and after playing email catch-up, I was too burned out to want to post anything. Now that I'm playing Lately post catch-up, why not throw these on the 'ol blog? This year was easily the best year yet. Great friends, good catch-ups, and a really productive week while less stressful than years past.

The Suzan stayed with me in Athens before SXSW, so I was so happy to run into them again in Austin. 

 Matthew E. White & buds.

 

I got to meet one of my blogger crushes, Jessie from Mini Penny, in real life at the Urban Outfitters back lot.

 Majical Cloudz at Spin House. So glad these guys are taking a break in between tour dates to visit us in Athens next week. Fun fact: Devon's dad was Windom Earle on Twin Peaks. Now that I know this, I can't unsee it.

 

Who needs a frontier photo made when you have an iPhone? Certainly not Maria and I. 

 

Matthew E. White - "One Of These Days"

Has there ever been a Hometapes artist that has just looked so much like a Hometapes artist? Matthew E. White's debut record Big Inner will be out on Hometapes and Spacebomb on August 21.

 Matthew E. White is like buttah. This record is like soaking in a hot tub while the sun sets over the Grand Canyon (a minimal brass band is playing in the canyon) with a drink in your hand surrounded by a few people you love (just a few. Keep it mellow.) A chorus of echoes from Stax Records ghosts chimes in. Please, envelope me in your smooth, soulful, deep voice before I melt into a puddle of bliss. This record is one chill soul hug.

This record has been my afternoon happy-place when the work day bears its toll on my sanity.  Side B features another joyful being, Phil Cook (Megafaun) on piano.

His Tumblr/Twitter bio sums it up best: Sock it unto others as you would have them sock it to you.
Preach.

House Tour: Hometapes Homespace

Sara and Adam Heathcott founded and run the record label Hometapes, home to Bear in Heaven, Megafaun, Breathe Owl Breathe, Pattern is Movement, Collections of Colonies of Bees, All Tiny Creatures, and more. They're some of my favorite people, and visiting them in Portland, OR was one of my favorite trips of recent years. Their home is full of bright colors and meaningful knick-knacks, and after long days outdoors that weekend at Pickathon with Megafaun (pictured on the porch below, minus Joe) and Roadside Graves, I slept so soundly on the Pendleton nest they made me. These people are close to my heart, and their home is dreamy. 

[similarly colored patio chairs]

Brothers Brad and Phil Cook (Megafaun)

Similar tea pot, red KitchenAid mixer

Similar French press, 

Red KitchenAid mixer

Similar terrarium jar

Pray for ATL wooden cut out

Pendleton blanket

vinyl swatches

All You Need To Know About The Music Business; Heart of Darkness

Design*Sponge shared a DIY for a similar wall organizer

 

Album/Outfit: Bear in Heaven "I Love You, It's Cool"

The publicity firm I work at is celebrating it's 15th anniversary this summer with two nights of bands and a prom themed dance on the last night. I sent a link to this potential prom dress from the new Lost In The Haze shop to my coworker, who ran into my office with his vinyl copy of Bear In Heaven's I Love You, It's Cool (Hometapes.) Too good. The resemblance cracked me up. Immediately knew it needed to become a regular thing, so here goes! The first installment of Album/Outfit. Not entirely in love with this column name, so I'm open to suggestions (and album/outfit submissions!)