LET IT BE KNOWN

i regret to inform you that monkey!llama!fight! is dead. fear not though. there is newer, better, faster, stronger blog.

steady clappin.

CHRISTILEON

to be honest, most r&b these days is so autotuned and horrendous and factory made, that i can't stand it. luckily, there comes one gem every now and then that proves to be the exception to the rule. this track, produced by christina's fiance, the-dream, is so understated and wonderful that i want to make babies with it. it's so sparse and under produced that it almost comes out sounding electronic (with the harmonizing voices and humming), which is such a contradiction that it makes me love it even more.

christina milian ft. the-dream/chameleon

CAN I KICK IT?

yes you can. in honor of q-tip's show at the gallivan center last night, here is a song that he did that got the place stupid silly. he also played a ton of tribe songs, which was dopeboyfresh, and he got up on the speakers, (as pictured above) which made the bouncers up front visibly nervous. such a great show. every hiphop show that gallivan has put on has been amazing. coincidence? probably. but it won't stop me from jumping to conclusions. that's what i do. i'm a blogger.

q-tip/vivrant thing

DRINK DIFFERENT

the art direction in this spot is incredible. though it is very similar to stefan sagmeister's work— ok pretty much the same, just in video form—it still hits you right in the face. how do you NOT remember those images? it would be so fun to work with a client that lets you go out on a limb like this. (via kitsune noir)

WOWEEEEE

THE GREAT INDOORS

an amazing thing about design is that the core principals of the craft apply to all the different branches of it. it's all essentially the same—the relationships between objects, color theory, form vs function, practicality, usability—it concerns graphic design as much as it does web, product, packaging, etc. i've recently (the last few years) become really interested in interior design. like graphic design can do for a product or item, interior design can add so much to where you live or go. a clever use of color or space can transform a room into whatever you wish it to be. the above four pictures are examples, in my opinion, of great design.

1: the simple white backsplash makes this one. it offsets the beautiful deep green and dark wood cabinetry just enough that a person won't be overwhelmed with all that rich color. it also works wonderfully in combination with the exposed bathtub-like (edit: farmhouse) sink.

2: the colors in this picture are extraordinary. with the walls in that dark slate green color and the floor painted in a just lighter shade, the hot pink table jumps right out at you, and in the words of the dude, really ties the whole room together—even though it stands out so much. without it, the room would still look and feel nice, but it wouldn't have that factor that would make you want to stay in it.

3: i'm sure this has been thought of before, but when i came across this picture, i felt like i was hit across the face. of course that's how you can make a corner shelf look good. the curved edges and bright color add to it as well. i'd love to have this right next to my desk. i could put all my third place swim team medals and trophies on it to show off for the babes.

4: i don't know if this one necessarily classifies as interior design, but i don't really know what it would be put under either. illustration? art? anyways, as soon as i saw this picture, i told myself that i was going to do it. it'd be cool to find a large window or sheet of glass, mount it on a wall somewhere, and just go nuts on it with marker. it could be that central piece to a room, just like the aforementioned hot pink coffee table.

MOUTH FIRE

i wanted to love the flaming lips' last album so much, but just couldn't do it. it was a disappointment. sure it won a grammy. who cares? i think nickelback has won a grammy. anywhat, this song, from their upcoming album, embryonic, gives me hope of more classic flaming lips. it's music you can wear a silly hat to!

the flaming lips/silver trembling hands

HIPSTERS UNITE

in honor of the jenny lewis/bon iver show i'm going to tonight, here is an awesome video of jenny lewis'. it's like if james bond were a 100lb hipster girl that could sing. as a side note, how great is the twilight concert series in salt lake? always amazing line ups and it's free. hot. dog.

not free hot dogs, mind you. the concerts are free.

hot dog.

SAY A-A-A-A-AHHHHHH

slightly creepy at the beginning, but watch the whole thing. it's the cat's pajamas. the only thing it's missing is missy elliot in the background yelling "rrreeeeeeeeeemmiiiiiixxxxxxxxx!!!!!!"

I GOT BILLS TO PAY

amazing work done by tattoo artist scott campbell. these pieces, part of a collection titled make it rain, were laser cut on stacks of one dollar bills. so cool. i wish i could think of something this visually striking. more can be found at his site.

USA USA USA

this is still by leaps and bounds the best rendition of the national anthem ever done.

AMERICA!

TTAAA

john malkovich, you snarky man, you. i want these chairs. i want my child to be dressed like this. i want this dance number to happen everyday.

LOW FIVE

i've been doing a lot lately. and by a lot i mean a little. i've taken it pretty easy since graduating, and unfortunately, can't keep up my no pace...um...pace. i needs me a jobby job so that i can fund my material girl disposition on life. preferably a design studio stint that keeps me happy, busy, and inspired. then when people ask me what i do, i can tell them i work as a graphic designer instead of telling them that i spend my time rearranging my stafford tall tees by degree of whiteness.

somebody please give me a job and save me from myself.

disclaimer: besides being hot like fire, the above photo of clipse with rick rubin has nothing to do with this post.

I WON THIS SHAPE

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

AFRIKAANS

this movie looks amazing. partly because i hadn't heard anything about it until i saw this trailer. but mainly because i love the way it's filmed (reminds me of black hawk down or friday night lights style cinematography and music) and the idea of alien "intruders" being a political thing. so cool.

i did some research and the film is based on this short film by the same director, neill blomkamp. it's only six minutes long, but it is fascinating and gets me excited.

also, i wish i had a south african accent. i'd be elbows deep in babes. for really real.

also, also, here are some other really intriguing movies coming out in the relative short future.

moon

inglorious basterds

and last, but certainly not least:
megashark vs. giant octopus

GAMEFACE BRO

i apologize, dear internet. i have neglected you, much like i would neglect a redheaded stepchild. many things have happened since i last wrote. i finished my portfolio, adopted a child from malawi, and graduated. now i am left with oodles of spare time—time that i can't think what better to fill with than blogging.

for my first trick, i leave you with an amazing song that just fills my face with summer. j'aime it. it is off of their album, person to person, which comes out june 24. jot that down in your day planner.

foreign born/early warnings

JAH LOVES IT

reggae is simply wonderful. this young lady goes by the name of lady passion and is from st. croix in the virgin islands. she is really talented and unfortunately, her discography consists of only a self titled ep released in 2007. here is a single from that ep. beautiful.

lady passion/never change my mind

YAY SPACE

n.a.s.a. ft. kanye west, santigold & lykke li/gifted

amazing music video. love the animation.

YAY BALLET

department of eagles/no one does it like you

absolutely love this video by department of eagles. the muted colors and the ballet make it so bizarre, yet so fitting for this song.

YAY FURRIES

thank you spike jonze. thank you. the visuals alone will be the worth the price of admission.

TTAAA

so i've decided to start a new little section for you dear readers. please, please. settle down. thank you. as you can see, the section has been imaginatively titled "things that are above average." in it, i will post things that i find reflect above-average qualities. most of these things, i'm sure, will be design related. as a sidenote, you are all encouraged to buy me what is posted. it's the least you could do.

i absolutely adore the retro packaging that general mills has rolled out for some of their cereals. it is infinitely better than the rest of the cereals that adorn grocery aisles. actually, i don't know. maybe only designers and those older than 40 will enjoy these throwbacks. either way, they're beautifully simple and childish—in a good way.

the shoes were done by hayon for camper. great colors were used without adding bells and whistles and things that aren't needed. spruce up those wingtips a bit, shouldn't we? i want them all.

killspencer makes a legit bag. all the fabrics are military grade and the attention to detail is stunning. i'm a fan, to say the least.

SILLY BUT GREAT

coldplay/life in technicolor II

great video.

pretty good song.

pretty good album.

WEIRD BUT GREAT

fever ray/when i grow up

great video.

great song.

great album.

EMOSICAL

despite the emo connotations that forgive durden bring up for me, their latest album was one of my favorites of 2008. razia's shadow is just an unapologetic musical that has great melodies and is really well put-together. it's not going to win any awards, i don't think, but it's fun and really surprised me. it could have been incredibly corny, but was thought out enough to strike that balance of artistic license, musical theory, and light-heartedness. plus, i like the album artwork. it's like a black and white cookie melted and couldn't decide if it was happy or sad about it.

and let it be known that i probably have a place in my heart for musicals (soundtracks only, please) because of being raised by a mother with an unquenchable thirst for broadway and disney soundtracks.

forgive durden/life is looking up

forgive durden/a hundred-year, minute-long intermission (ft. donny stevens)

I'M POPPIN' LIKE TRUNKS

here are some joints that are so fresh that they should be wrapped in plastic. man, i'm hood. they're all completely different, from insanely minimal dancehall to baltic electro to hip hop, but yet somehow related. i'm not sure how. it's just a gut feeling, like knowing when you're being stared at or invading iraq. maybe i'm just hungry. or have to poop.

busy signal/nah ansa

beirut/the concubine

the cool kids/pennies

speaking of the cool kids—and not that it's particularly life-altering or important or anything—here is a sneak peek of something i'm working on for school right now that i'm really excited about. it's just coming along really nicely and will hopefully be a legit portfolio piece. if it works out that way, i'll be able to go cruise for babes on state street with new confidence because i'll be big pimpin' at some fresh new job that my portfolio done got me. chicks dig a guy that makes 25 large a year. trust me.

I HAVE TWO FINGERS

maybe the best thing i've ever seen in my 24 and 11/12ths years of life.

MMM FRESH AIR

this is a picture from today, thanks to some obscure government webcam. i MIGHT have added the smog monster. long story short: today isn't even that bad, and i woke up with gross boogers... again. this air is really putting a squeeze on my tissue budget. what kind of zion is it when you're warned against going for a run because it would be the equivalent of smoking a pack of cigarettes? how does this inversion nonsense work? why hasn't anybody figured out a way to get rid of it? where on earth are the planeteers? if you ask me, obama should cut their funding. they are really dropping the ball.

HIGH & TIGHT

esser/work it out

his hair cut is silly but his music is fun.

edit: unfortunately, the video is hosted by myspace, so if you're looking at this at work or somewhere where that site is blocked, you won't be able to see it. myspace sucks.

EAR PLEASURE

here are four tracks i love more than a human baby. kid cudi and esau put out some sick mixtapes this past year. respectively acquire them here and here. they are free. the temper trap are gonna blow up, as stated earlier on here. and animal collective just put out a perfect album with merriweather post pavilion. basically, if you don't like this music, i don't trust you as a decent person.

animal collective/my girls

kid cudi/t.g.i.f. feat. chip the ripper

the very best (esau mwamwaya and radioclit/kamphopo

the temper trap/sweet disposition

YAY SPORTS

here are two posters i did at work for SLCC.

I LOVE SUMMER

(500) days of summer looks great. i'm really entranced by the cinematography and colors shown in the trailer. also, zooey. the voiceover is great too. now, i just need to brave the douchebaggery that is currently occupying park city and try to find a showing of it somewhere, since it's playing up there at sundance.



the music is provided by aussie band the temper trap. look out for them hitting it big when they drop their debut album. perfect music for this trailer.

edit: by the way, i am completely obsessed with this song now.

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER*

I JUST WANNA DANCE!....in german.



*NEVER NEVER NEVER EVER EVER NEVER HIDE YOUR HEART. kevin bacon, i'm talking to you. you go dance the hell out of that warehouse.

WHERE THE WILD THINGS IS

october 16, 2009 is going to be a wonderful day. spike jonze is bringing the beloved classic where the wild things are to the big screen and he's doing it the right way. big costumes and on-location shooting. the stills released so far look incredible. to say that i'm excited for this movie would be the understatement of the year. i can honestly say that i will love this movie more than i can love a human baby. i want to take this movie around the back of the middle school and get it pregnant.

GINGERDUNK

i'd like to think that i could dot this daywalker because i have the wettest jumpshot on the planet. however, this kid can straight THROW DOWN. when the ginger drives the lane, you get out the way. respect.

ROLL UTES ROLL

the utes capped off an amazing season by drop kicking alabama right in their fat fried-chickens-stuffed SEC faces last night to my great delight. although it probably won't happen, i hope the AP voters do the right thing and vote utah number one in the end poll, giving utah a slice of the national championship. it would be a wonderful screw you to the BCS and would be a huge step forward to an actual playoff system. unfortunately, as i said, it probably won't happen.

the BCS creates a lot of confusion. i, like many others, turn to a greater power when confused: kevin bacon.

using his brilliant six degrees formula, we can have a solution to this debacle. observe:

Utah beat Alabama, who beat Ole Miss, who beat Texas Tech, who beat Texas, who beat Oklahoma.

OR

Utah beat Alabama, who beat Ole Miss, who beat Florida.

OR

Utah beat Oregon State, who beat USC.

i believe that covers all the bases. it's flawless logic!

GO UTES! NATIONAL CHAMPS!