Thom Yorke

Miwa Yanagi

The compelling photographs of Miwa Yanagi explore themes depicting the role of women in the context of Japanese society, yet reflect the archetypal concerns of many women across cultures. Mixing both the imaginary and the real, Yanagi conjures compelling visions using theatrical set-ups and mesmerizing color. Elevator Girls, started in 1993, first gained international attention for the artist, and My Grandmothers, begun in 1999, is based directly on conversations with the women who apply to be her models. The most recent Fairy Tale series, mainly shot in black and white, further examine female roles as they are mythologized in fairy tales specifically by the ancient Greeks, Hans Christian Andersen and the Brothers Grimm. She is currently on exhibition at the Chelsea Art Museum.

Nauka Chodzenia

The Stars

Stars is a Canadian indie pop band. Originally formed in Toronto by vocalist Torquil Campbell and keyboardist Chris Seligman, the band relocated to New York City and then subsequently to Montreal.

Their music has been described as “beautiful, eloquent indie pop”, characterized by lush instrumentation, nimble production and mixing, narrative lyrics, and soft but nuanced vocals. The band’s style has evolved from an electronic-pop sound as heard on Nightsongs (released on the Le Grand Magistery record label) to more rock-based instrumentation on their last two full-length albums, reflecting the permanent additions of singer-guitarist Amy Millan and bassist Evan Cranley on Heart (released on Paper Bag Records), and eventually drummer Pat McGee on Set Yourself on Fire.

The band’s breakthrough single was “Ageless Beauty”, from their 2004 album Set Yourself on Fire. While released to minimal fanfare in Canada in October 2004, Set Yourself on Fire slowly gained a strong following and critical praise soon after its March 8, 2005 U.S. release. Millan, Cranley and Campbell are also members of the indie band Broken Social Scene, with whom they currently share a record label, Arts & Crafts.

The song that will start it all, Your Ex-Lover Is Dead from the album Set Yourself on Fire:

Also from Set Yourself on Fire, Ageless Beauty:

Elevator Love Letter from the album Heart:

There new album coming out in August (available online now however at iTunes after being leaked on the internet) is titled In Our Bedrooms After the War. The first song is an ambient track with a timely poem at the end:

Oh the blood and the treasure
And then losing it all
The time that we wasted
And the place where we fall
Will we wake in the morning
And know what it was for
Up in our bedroom
After the war

Some tracks like The Night Stars Here are available to stream online.

Phoenix

The artist of the day is Phoenix. [wikipedia] Phoenix is another French group, though they swing in the pop/rock genre instead of the electronic dance style. One interesting thing about the group apart from their catchy tunes is that the lead singer is shacking up with Sofia Coppola, who you may remember as the director of Lost in Translation.

Long Distance Call (off of It’s Never Been Like That):

Consolation Prizes (off of It’s Never Been Like That):

Too Young (off of United):

Radio France Internationale has an article about them.