800beloved is a Michigan-based group formed from the writing & production of singer/songwriter, Sean Lynch. The group’s moniker, taken from a 1-800 telephone number, hints at the merger between two opposing themes – “800” representing the interest in popular culture’s flimsiness while “beloved” alludes to the lyrical use of sacred, often dismal and ironically naive subject matter.

Shibu PG, Kochi, India.

The cyclone had set the house down gently, very gently – for a cyclone—in the midst of a country of marvelous beauty. There were lovely patches of green sward all about, with stately trees bearing rich and luscious fruits.

Banks of gorgeous flowers were on every hand, and birds with rare and brilliant plumage sang and fluttered in the trees and bushes.
A little way off was a small brook, rushing and sparkling along between green banks, and murmuring in a voice very grateful to a little girl who had lived so long on the dry, gray prairies.

L.F.B.

Speedhunters, one of my favourite car culture sites.
Talented photojournalists traveling the world in search of a story, a handcrafted machine for a handcrafted narration.

DER NOIR, formed in Roma, July MMXI.

Manuele Frau: vocals, bass
Manuel Mazzenga: electric guitar
Luciano Lamanna: drum machines, synthesizers

Alien Observer rubric hosting Yuri Shwedoff from Moscow.

I watched his skull making acquaintance with the angles of the capital, his right hand refreshing itself among the gilt ornaments; and, in the purple shadow, his large feet. From a distant part of the theater his eyes came back to me; his mouth said: “Discipline is not bad. . . . It is at least a beginning. . .

I did not know what to answer. He said in his low quick voice: “Let them enjoy and obey!”

P.V.

Poor people make their living by killing the future on behalf of the rich.

Låpsley – Brownlow – 2015
18+ – Crow – 2014
My Morning Jacket – Like A River – 2015
Beacon – Bring You Back – 2013
Amanda Palmer & The Grand Theft Orchestra – Bottomfeeder – 2012
Cooly G – He Said I Said – 2012
Dean Blunt – 100 – 2014
El Perro del Mar – How Did We Forget – 2011
Trentemøller – Blue Hotel (feat. Steen Jørgensen & Marie Fisker) -2012
Korallreven ‎– Loved-Up – 2009
Gonjasufi – Nikels and Dimes – 2012
Timber Timbre – Hot Dreams – 2014
Snowbird – Porcelain (RX Gibbs Remix) – 2014
The Hundred In The Hands – Recognise – 2012
Yeasayer – Henrietta – 2012
Tei Shi – Go Slow – 2015
The Knife – Pass This On – 2008
Moderat – Damage Done – 2014
Memoryhouse – To The Lighthouse – 2010
Patrick Watson – Places You Will Go – 2015