Author: cocokeevan

A.V. Club: “New Romance”

in: viewing room

Ah, funny music videos. How I’ve missed you.


Miles Fisher, “New Romance” [NSFW]

Miles Fisher‘s video for “New Romance” is both hilarious and gut-clenching – and, in its case, those are two distinct descriptions. The video cleverly mashes “Saved by the Bell” with “Final Destination,” incorporating the day-glo neon nostalgia of the former with the “everyone dies grotesquely” mentality of the latter. The result is a chuckle-inducing visual gag with familiar faces and the deadpan melodrama of Jessie Spano’s pill-popping breakdown. Miles Fisher takes the reins as a Zack Morris-like heartthrob, with Nick D’Agosto (“Election,” “Rocket Science”) and David Koechner (“Anchorman,” “The Office,” ten thousand other small roles) supporting. And, yes, in case you were wondering – they are all in “Final Destination 5,” released Friday.

The video is particularly significant to me, as the track is co-written and produced by Rooney‘s Robert Schwartzman, the star of my prepubescent romantic fantasies. The song certainly rings of Schwartzman’s catchy, breezy production style, and, sounding like the perfect complement to a mix CD for a summer crush, makes me yearn for the early days of Rooney and Phantom Planet, Schwartzman’s older brother Jason‘s former band (phew!). Rooney still occupies a special place in my heart – and, maybe, if you’re nice, I’ll post a fun little photo of me with Schwartzman from when I was 13.

Check out the video for “New Romance,” as well as Fisher’s video for a cover of the Talking Heads’ “This Must Be the Place.” The video pays tribute to “American Psycho”‘s resident sociopath, Patrick Bateman. And, to bring things full circle – and demonstrate my AWESOME POP CULTURE KNOWLEDGE – check out this fun clip of Jason Schwartzman singing “Ethan’s Song” from the terrible 2002 flop, “Slackers.”

Happy watching.

A Modern Love Affair: Television Title Cards

in: fatuation

Oh herro der, readers!

Before I get started on this super-fun new feature, I want to follow-up on a song I mentioned in my last Dunce Cap post (and featured prominently in this week’s mix). I’ve been listening to Ben Kweller’s excellently catchy “Hospital Bed” pretty much on repeat, and I keep getting caught up in the chorus:

(boy) “You be Betty!”
(girl) “I’ll be Betty!”
(boy) “I’ll play Joe!”
(girl) “You play Joe!”

Okay, innocuous enough, right? A bit about pretending to be someone else, or perhaps a cute li’l reference to Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al,” right? But that’s not what really strikes me.

Maybe I’ve been watching waaaay too much “Mad Men,” but every time I hear this song, all I hear is Kweller yelping,

(boy) “You be Betty!”
(girl) “I’ll be Betty!”
(boy) “I’ll play Joan!”
(girl) “You play Joan!”

and I love it. But, y’know, I don’t know which of the two to be on any given day. It’s like this: Betty gets to be married to Don Draper, the sexiest man with a false identity, well, ever, while Joan Holloway gets to be fucking Joan Holloway…and Roger Sterling and that (formerly Jewish) doctor with some fairly questionable jealous tendencies. Joan’s sultry and sharp in all the ways that Betty behaves as an immature dolt. So, yeah, you, the other in this song I’m belting out – you be Betty. I’ll definitely be Joan.

—

Okay, so, I’m debuting a new feature tonight called “A Modern Love Affair.” It’s a bit like the “No Brainer” series I did awhile back, which currently features a breezy piece on John Hodgman and an as-yet-unposted adoration column about Suri Cruise. It differs slightly in that it’s not about an individual. “No Brainer” pays tribute to a someone, while “Open Season” is an open letter to a person. “A Modern Love Affair” is about a something. And, boy, is it going to be fun.

more after the jump

About a Girl: Shiny, Shiny Pants and Bleach-Blonde Hair

on: tap, on: the girl

Unlock my body and move myself to dance
Moving warm liquid, flowing blowing glass

I miss the innocence I’ve known
Playing KISS covers, beautiful and stoned

Sometimes, y’know, I feel like there are things I’ve got to tell y’all. I have to wax poetic to my audience of me. Or not. Sometimes I just feel like talking.

It’s been a weird year. In some ways, I’ve had a maturity growth spurt, but mostly I just feel like I’m in middle school all over again. I’m thirteen but foolishly entrusted with a driver’s license and the legal ability to purchase alcohol. Some things don’t change; I’ve spent my summer biking around, gorging myself on chocolate, trying to read Vonnegut‘s entire bibliography (again, middle school flashback), pretending I am thinking about going to the gym, when I know all too well I’ll just watch another episode of “Mad Men” on Netflix Instant. I’ve listened to more Ben Kweller than I should likely admit, though the (very talented) musician hasn’t released a new album that I’ve heard in full since 2006.


Ben Kweller, “Thirteen”
(See also: “Sundress“)

But, some things have changed. Like, for the first time since Matt Hester*, I don’t want to be anyone’s girlfriend. Not Ducky’s. Not The Chemist’s (despite the insistence of everyone else, I really just want to keep being his best friend). Not the unnamed, straight San Francisco gentleman with no face who I occasionally fantasize will sweep me off my feet come fall. I don’t want the responsibility of caring for or about anyone else, and I don’t want the pleasure of shedding ten thousand tears over stupid arguments. And, yes. Right now, and for the foreseen future, being someone’s girlfriend would be a burden. I’m still (slowly but hopefully surely) getting me together again.

I’m not ready to buckle down to be anyone but me, as cheesy as that may sound. But seriously. Academically and professionally and socially, I’ve been a bit of a dolt, and I am desperately ready for a fresh (homeless, exciting and influential) start in San Francisco come fall. And Charlie Conway came back to me! I’m taking that as a major league sign that things are lookin’ up.

Here’s the long n’ short of it all: I’m exorcising all of the bitchiness from my life. That’s my major solution. I’m clipping my tongue and watching the sarcasm; I’m putting the stops on friendships that do little more than antagonize or patronize me; and I’m ridding myself of the habits, possessions and tendencies that propel me to behave like an egotistical, superficial, money-grubbing Queen Bee.

So, that’s that. I’m pleasingly moving forward. I’m listening to a lot of Sha Sha. I’m preparing for San Francisco. I’m refusing to be any man’s Robin. And I’m generally behavin’.

‘Cept when I wear my bikini to the Wal-Mart and they ask me to leave.

Happy August, friends.

*Matt Hester, if you’re reading this, thanks for coming to my cosmic bowling party in seventh grade. And for the brown and white stuffed dog from Kohl’s. He’s doing well.

The Dunce Cap: Week of Aug. 1, 2011

in: heavy rotation

 

Dolly Parton by Dennis Carney

The Dunce Cap, Vol. 37: I want to run like vagrants hand in hand across this field. (click on link to listen to mix via 8tracks)

1. “Turn a Square” – The Shins
2. “Pumped Up Kicks” – Owl Eyes
3. “Fixed Gears and Broken Hearts” – Butch Walker
4. “Hospital Bed” – Ben Kweller
5. “Another Reason to Go” – Vetiver
6. “Stay Young, Go Dancing” – Death Cab For Cutie
7. “Costume Party” – Two Door Cinema Club
8. “Judy and the Dream of Horses” – Belle & Sebastian
9. “I Wish I Was the Moon” – Neko Case
10. “Stay…Don’t Go” – Spoon

Ho-ley ba-jeez-huss. There’s so much music comin’ out these days. There’s so much good music – I’m swimming in it. Well, that’s not totally true. I’m sitting here listening to Cake at maximum volume, caught up in the sensation of being a fluorescent adolescent, but I’ve heard murmurings of all the good tunes out there. I’m getting casually reacquainted, so you’ll notice this particular mix pairs some familiar tracks with newer gems from some well-established bands.

There’s also a pretty (no, seriously, really pretty) cover of one of the summer’s hottest tunes, Foster the People‘s “Pumped Up Kicks,” as well as a song from Vetiver, one of my very favorite acts. And a great bonus track from Butch Walker (who has a new album coming out 8.30!) with a line about cyclists. And an incredibly clever (and great) ditty from Ben Kweller (“This machine is so mature. It’s so much your – type.”)

All in all, a playlist I’m excited to listen to myself. Tracks n’ tracks n’ snacks n’ snacks n’ stacks n’… Thrills.

Happy summer. Happy listening.

Stolen Bike Alert!

on: tap, on: the girl

Hey, you guys. Charlie Conway’s been bikenapped!

It’s been such a sad few days, friends o’ the blogosphere. Charlie Conway, who I mentioned a few posts back, my beloved Bianchi Milano Citta, has been kidnapped by some big fat jerk! I am oh-so-sad. He was taken right out from under my nose, and I couldn’t even protect him.

I’ve been on a pretty heavy duty Veronica Mars mission to locate him and punish (through some vigilante justice) his captor. Shit’s going to get real.

I’m reposting a photo below, and you can find out more specifics about the circumstances of his disappearance at the Chicago Stolen Bike Registry and the Stolen Bike Registry (national). I’m offering an ample reward for his safe return, so please let me know if you hear anything. I’m devastated!

If you’re in Evanston, please keep your eyes peeled, and protect yourself and your wheels by registering it with the local police. I hope you don’t find yourself in this position, and know that, as soon as I get ‘im back, I’ll be taking the most severe of precautions.

Here’s Charlie:

The Dunce Cap: July 11, 2011

in: heavy rotation

The Dunce Cap, Vol. 36: I want to run like vagrants hand in hand across this field. (click on link to listen to mix via 8tracks)

1. “I Wanna Know Girls” – Portastatic
2. “Cowboy” – Anya Marina
3. “She Likes Hair Bands” – Butch Walker
4. “Soft in the Center” – The Hold Steady
5. “Your Biggest Fan” – Voxtrot
6. “Girl in Love” – Smith Westerns
7. “Closer to Mercury” – Wheat
8. “Needle and Thread” – Matt Duke
9. “The Girl Got Hot” – Weezer
10. “Secondhand Heart” – Will Hoge

Not too much to say about this one, except I feel like maybe this’ll save me from the absolutely stifling Chicago heat. I’m thinking of sleeping in an academic building tonight – sadly, not the first time – but if I do head home, maybe this’un will keep me cool.

Happy listening.

On Tap: Lady Arm Wrestlers

on: tap

Hey, you guys!

I am incredibly thrilled to announce to YOU, my un-loyal audience (and the random Internet users who found my blog through frantic and repeated searches related to the Phillie Phanatic) that I am inviting you all to come hang out with me this weekend. NO, REALLY. Granted, I’ll be dressed up in some ridiculously shiny costume and screeching like a banshee, but it’s going to be fun!

It’s CLLAW X, the Chicago League of Lady Arm Wrestlers, and yours truly will be out in all her glory, working to earn the much-coveted championship belt. Yes, I realize it sounds like a joke, but I assure you it is not. And I also assure you I have been chained to my manager, who has placed me on a strict diet and exercise regimen. Victory is not an option.

Uh, what?

So, come out Saturday, July 2, at 10 p.m. to Joe’s Bar on West Weed Street. Event info is here. Please take lots of photos and use them against me when I am attempting to start my political career. I’ll try and post some of my own after Saturday.

Cool, kids. See you all then.

xoxo, dunce cap girl

The Dunce Cap: June 6, 2011

in: heavy rotation

The Dunce Cap, Vol. 35: You could drive a car through my head in five minutes, from one side of it to the other. (click on link to listen to mix via 8tracks)

1. “#1 Summer Jam” – Butch Walker
2. “Kick Drum Heart” – The Avett Brothers
3. “Something Good Can Work” – Two Door Cinema Club
4. “Shaken” – Five-Eight
5. “Rolling in the Deep” – Adele
6. “Hurricane J” – The Hold Steady
7. “Slow Show” – The National
8. “Mass Pike” – The Get Up Kids
9. “She’s in Love” – Fourth of July
10. “Here in Your Bedroom” – Goldfinger

Oh man, I’m so ashamed, guys. I crafted this pretty excellent mix weeks ago and failed to post it here in my blog. I’m guessing that – due to a slip in content and a subsequent slip in readership – there aren’t many of you out there at all miffed by this, but I don’t want to besmirch my good name. Any further, at least.

Regardless, my computer, trusty ol’ RuPaul, went totally kaput, so I’m working solely off of university computers. I’m still in town for summer session, throwing myself into some courses and attempting to regain some of the ground I lost these last few quarters. The point of this little exposition is this: I’ve got a lot to say but am currently lacking the general means to post regularly – and am fairly busy with classwork -, so please continue to bear with me. I’m hoping to get RuPaul up and running again soon, but, until then, I’ll be blogging when I can.

Anyhow – back to the mix. There’s not much to be said about this one. You’ll see I’m back to including both The Hold Steady and The National, and, I’m sorry to say, I don’t see this trend ceasing anytime in the near future. I just keep finding yet another track to fall in love with. There’s also a great track from Athens’ Five-Eight, an old Get Up Kids sing-along, the gorgeously talented Adele and, finally, a throwback from Goldfinger (that one goes out to late-night drives with the one and only CaCa).

I’ll be back soon with a long form piece about women in journalism; I’ve been using my phone to scour through so many excellent and thought-provoking articles by female writers, and I’m thrilled to report that, in my humble opinion, quality journalism is alive and well.

In the meantime, happy listening.

The Dunce Cap: May 23, 2011

in: heavy rotation

My pup, my muse

The Dunce Cap, Vol. 34: Making time for ourselves and of ourselves isn’t love if we are selfishly prude. (click on link to listen to mix via 8tracks)

1. “The Weekenders” – The Hold Steady
2. “My Body” – Young the Body
3. “C’mon” – The Soft Pack
4. “You Oughta Know” – Das Racist
5. “Take Off Your Sunglasses” – Ezra Furman and the Harpoons
6. “Miss Teen Wordpower” – The New Pornographers
7. “I’d Have It Just the Way We Were” – White Denim
8. “If I Keep On Loving You” – Let’s Wrestle
9. “Chasing Pavements” – Adele
10. “Things Are What You Make of Them” – Bishop Allen

Oh hai, guys. I’m back two days in a row! It’s a non-Christmas miracle! And, to top it all off, I’ve got an 8tracks up on a Monday! Guys. This is a momentous evening.

But anyway. Enough gushing about punctuality and keeping promises. I’ve made this truly delicious mix, starting with one of my top three favorite Hold Steady songs (“The Weekenders” has pretty incredible lyrics – “She said the theme of this party’s the Industrial Age/And you came in dressed like a train wreck” seems to describe me in fairly great detail) and ending with a delightful Bishop Allen tune (“Things Are What You Make of Them” is allegedly about a really sour relationship). The year is winding down here, so I’ve got to be listening to some jams to get me through Reading Week and finals, and I think this mix is chocked full of ’em.

Not a whole lot more to say. There will be more on the way soon, I think and I hope and I wish.

Happy listening.

P.S. This photo is of my dearest pup, Chaucer, provided by my mother. She’s been living sans television and Internet access since the fire, and she’s just had dear ol’ Buster Baxter for company. So, this photo’s accompanying text message?

“…and for this evening’s live entertainment, we have a golden retriever incessantly humping his bed.”

Classy as always.

About a Girl: New Shoes

on: the girl

“hello new shoes, bye bye blues.”
– paolo nutini, “new shoes”

So many exciting things to write about this week! There’s been a lot going on in my life – though the weather in Evanston is still pretty treacherous (if warm) – and a lot of joy and thrills, but I’m making an actual effort to regularly blog this time around.

Some tidbits on me/life in general:

  • Red Sox sweep their series against the Yankees earlier this week! And the Bravesare holding strong at just above .500, especially after a win tonight against the Phillies. Gotta love that sort of success, even if the Phillies are whooping us in the NL East.

    San Francisco, CA

  • I found out Wednesday I will be placed in beautiful San Francisco, California, for my JR this fall! I’ll be working at San Francisco magazine for three months beginning in mid-September, and I’m truly thrilled to begin. There’s so much to do in SF, and I’m hoping to hit up AT&T Park, the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market (y’know, the one at the Embarcadero), Haight, the sea lions, etc. It’s surely going to be a whirlwind experience, and I’ll be damned if I waste a single second of it.
  • I’ve become a serious fashionista in the last few weeks or so, cleaning my closet a bit (throwing out some still-gross pukey flats and donating some beloved and still fashionable Gap T-shirts) and repopulating it with some pretty exceptional (if secondhand) designer threads. I’ve picked up a little Vera Neumann, some Kate Spade and, of course, Marc Jacobs and Betsey Johnson. I’ve been doing a good bit of clearance rack diving at Anthropologie, Gap, J. Crew and even Macy’s, where I picked up a gorgeous pair of navy Marc Fisher pumps. I’ve given my wallet a brand new policy – I only purchase clothes which I will want to wear to the office in the future. That means no more Threadless tees, no matter how hilarious, and a depleted Converse collection, though I like to believe that I can still wear Chuck Taylors in the real world. All in all, I think I’m really becoming a clothes horse – and I love it.
  • I chopped off all of my hair. Reinvention. It hasn’t been this short since…well, ever.
  • It’s formal season here at Northwestern, and, though I’ve all but removed myself from my chapter to claim allegiance to a particular fraternity, I attended both my sorority formal and my favorite fraternity’s formal this weekend. The latter was at the Willis (formerly Sears) Tower, the 66th floor, and it was a truly gorgeous venue. I had a blast, and the view was absolutely exceptional. I do love college, Asher.
  • Northwestern’s Dillo Day is next weekend. B.O.B. was announced as the night headliner months ago, while both the New Pornographers  and Chiddy Bang were announced last week as the early and late afternoon performers.

    The Mighty Ducks' Charlie Conway

  • And, finally, my brand new (birthday) bicycle is here and built and totally perfect. It’s a smokin’ hot Bianchi hybrid, and I just want to keep it in my bed and cherish it always. It’s got a built-in bike light in the seat and a sweet streamlined style. I’m calling in Charlie Conway after my reignited passion for the Mighty Ducks trilogy. I’m rewatching D2 as I type this, and I’d forgotten how great (slash terrible slash slightly racist slash totally jingoistic) this film is. But I seriously do love this movie. All of ’em. Even 3.

    The Bianchi Milano Citta, my brand new baby

  • I took my bike for a nice ride along the lake tonight. There was a storm a-brewin’, and it was a bit eerie. The waves were lapping, and there were birds flying really low at the shore. It was indescribably beautiful.

Okay, that was a heck of a lot. I’ll be back tomorrow with a new mix (I promise!), and some other fun stuff, so check back then. Happy living!

xoxococo