Freak Folks, Unite!

"BE YOURSELF" GRAHAM NASH 2010 TRIBUTE ADVANCE EPK #2 promo from (((folkYEAH!))) on Vimeo.

A Tribute To Graham Nash's Songs For Beginners

Nile Nash & Britt Govea of (((folkYEAH!))) Presents have assembled an all-star line-up of contemporary music leaders such as Bonnie ‘Prince’ Billy, Robin Pecknold (of Fleet Foxes), Brendan Benson (of The Raconteurs), Vetiver, Alela Diane, Sleepy Sun, Mariee Sioux & Greg Weeks (from Espers), Port O Brien with The Papercuts, The Moore Brothers, and Graham’s own daughter, Nile Nash. All of these wonderful recording artists have come together to honor and celebrate Graham’s first solo LP, Songs For Beginners. The artists put a unique spin on each song, making it his or her own, while also honoring the timeless vibe of the original recordings. Some stay true to the arrangements that Graham and his Bay Area musician pals laid down in 1970, while others go for a completely fresh reinterpretation. Each track is sure to delight and introduce these already epic and timeless songs to a new generation of music lovers. This tribute LP, titled “Be Yourself: A Tribute To Graham Nash’s Songs For Beginners”, will be released via Grass Roots Records in Spring 2010.

All of the songs on this new inspired collection were recorded between May and October of 2009. A few selections from Graham’s classic second solo release Wild Tales have also been recorded; Johnathan Rice (of Jenny Lewis’ Band, Elvis Costello) handles “On The Line”, Tyson Vogel (of Two Gallants) takes “Hey You (Looking At The Moon)” to another place, and Jonathan Wilson (of Chris Robinson’s Wooden Family, Jenny Lewis, Elvis Costello) featuring an all-star Laurel Canyon line-up recreates the now-classic Wild Tales jam “And So It Goes (Music Gets You High)”.

From The Book of Liz:

"There was a time when I thought I could just pack up and run away from my problems, but it's tough out here in the real world. Back at Cluster Haven things stay the same: the beards, the work, the furniture. Aside from our cheese balls I guess that's what we're known for. But out here things change. One day someone's a peanut and the next thing you know they've been deported for parking tickets. Beautiful floor-length dresses are replaced by toast-colored miniskirts, and the people you care about move off to the Quad Cities before you get a decent chance to say how much you love them."

Super Fine.

I never thought I'd see the day when a Texan Tuxedo would make its way onto the catwalk, but maybe these fools are catching on. Finally, something mildly-appealing in the fashion world!

(via NYT)

The "My Way" Killings

“ ‘I did it my way’ — it’s so arrogant,” Mr. Albarracin said. “The lyrics evoke feelings of pride and arrogance in the singer, as if you’re somebody when you’re really nobody. It covers up your failures. That’s why it leads to fights.”

Read this amazing article.

It's No Shuggie Otis, but...

Why Twitter Sucks (in better words than that)

"The truth is, I feel like yelling Stop quite a bit these days. Every time I hear about Twitter I want to yell Stop. The notion of sending and getting brief updates to and from dozens or thousands of people every few minutes is an image from information hell. I’m told that Twitter is a river into which I can dip my cup whenever I want. But that supposes we’re all kneeling on the banks. In fact, if you’re at all like me, you’re trying to keep your footing out in midstream, with the water level always dangerously close to your nostrils. Twitter sounds less like sipping than drowning." -George Packer

Read more here.

Who's In Charge Here

Here's a lil' peak at the short documentary I am making about the kids who skate(d) in McCarren Park Pool.

Trailer: Who's In Charge Here from Hanly Banks on Vimeo.

Letters From My Neighbor, Joe.

I lived on 4th Street in the East Village for two years during my last year of college and my first year out of college. This was a place of many firsts. I had my first real apartment, my first couch, my first pet, my first boyfriend for more than two days, and so many other definitive twenty-something experiences. But it wouldn't have been New York City livin' without a handful of quirky neighbors.

Joe lived on the fourth floor. A little Italian meatball of a man, he was known around the block for his punctuated insults and blunt racism. And he took a shining to my Jewish roommate and my Texan self if only for the fact that we were fertile ground for material. And we loved him for it.

Here are some of his notes.

And if you're ever at the deli on the corner of 4th Street & 2nd Avenue, look out for the 75-year-old man spitting out insults by the ATM machine.

If it were only that easy...

JUST SHIT OUT A FREAKING GENIUS SCREENPLAY THAT YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TOILING OVER FOR THE PAST YEAR, COOL!

Dave Vendette's Golden Globe Recap

Dave's Golden Globe Commentary from Hanly Banks on Vimeo.

Video shot by Amanda Rosa.