yoyosphere

Foster The People

2011-11-19T09:34:00.001-08:00

I just discovered Foster The People, the singer has a very nice voice, I would say a mix between MGMT and Empire Of The Sun...

Acoustic version:

Discover their album, it's pretty good.

The Manchester Connection 1976-1992

2011-11-18T09:29:00.000-08:00

If you're in London and you have some spare time to see a small exhibition, I'd recommend you one at the Movie & Poster Art Gallery, 5mn walk from Goodge street tube station (1 Colville Place, W1).

It's open until early December and it features plenty of original artworks (framed posters & album covers) from the Manchester creative scene of the post-punk era.
You will see some great artworks designed by the very inspiring Peter Saville, who designed many many records sleeves for Factory Records. It includes bands like Joy Division, The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Morissey and so on...

You can also buy the prints. Here are few posters I would loooove to get (but unfortunately some of them are already sold out and a bit pricey):

Original Factory promo poster for Joy Division - Art Direction Peter Saville, Photography Trevor Key, Typography Brett Wickens.
Amazing work on the colours/typography and photography.

NEW ORDER - FINE TIME, 1988
Original Factory poster, 20"x30" - Design by PSA.
Dichromat: Trevor Key and Peter Saville.

THE STONE ROSES - FOOLS GOLD, 1989
Original Silvertone promo poster, 23"x16.5" - Artwork by John Squire (best known as the guitarist of the Stones Roses, great painter heavily influenced by the action painting technique of Jackson Pollock).

FACTD 50 NEW ORDER - MOVEMENT
Original CD cover proofs, 8"x13" each - Design by Peter Saville and Grafica Industria.

For more details, click here:
http://www.rock-explosion.com/manchester.html

Magnificent.

2011-11-17T15:05:00.001-08:00

For those who don't know, Feist will play at the Royal Albert Hall in March, still few tickets left, hurry!

2011-10-11T15:23:00.001-07:00

Feist is releasing a new album very soon: Metals. I can't wait to listen to it.
You can stream some songs on her website.

Stylist Magazine 100th issue cover competition

2011-10-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

I designed a cover for the 100th issue of Stylist Magazine under the theme "Celebration".
For me, a celebration involves fireworks, festivities, happiness and passion. We celebrate something/someone that we deeply love.
I wanted to communicate the liveliness and diversity of Stylist Magazine through my illustration.

I designed few options:

Original artwork (and my favourite so far):

∆ Alt-J

2011-10-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

I recently discovered a small indie band called Alt-J (if you type Alt and J on your computer keyboard it will come as a triangle) and I found the sound very original so I decided to design a poster for them. It could be also screen printed on T-shirts.

Colour:

Black & White:

I tried to illustrate their music: something experimental and delicate which put me in a tripping mood and which smoothes my evenings.

You should have a listen here:
http://soundcloud.com/alt-j

It definitely worth a visit!

2011-06-24T15:37:00.001-07:00

The most creative/mental/epic/intense gig I've ever been to (and I'm not exagerating)

2011-06-23T09:13:00.000-07:00

Sufjan Stevens at the Royal Albert Hall - 13th May 2011 - gig review:

Sufjan is one of the most talented musician and inspiring artist of our generation.

I discovered him 8 years ago. His work blew my mind. He still does.

It's interesting; people love his stuff or can't stand it. Some people hate him because there's a strong religious influence in his songs (especially in his pevious albums like "Seven Swans") but once you listen to his stuff - it's so beautiful that you forget about it quickly.

I love his music because no one sounds like him. I will never get bored - I could listen to his songs a million times, I'll still have the thrills that I had the first time I discovered his music. I don't know how he does it, but it has a true talent in making beautiful, intemporal, peaceful songs. The arrangements are also complexe and subtle.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1975, Sufjan is an american singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who plays delicate indie-folk songs.
His arrangement, orchestrations and compositions are beautiful and his use of different instruments (horn, trumpet, bajo, pianol, drums...) give his music a symphonic sound.

"Come On Feel the Illinoise" is certainly his most successful record, so if you don't know his stuff you should start with this one. It was released in 2005 and it was about the American state: Illinois.
His previous album, "Michigan" was also dedicated to the state and at that time he had the crazy idea to record an album for each states of America (50).

I saw him in Paris in 2005. At that time he was getting known by many people through the acclaimed album "Come On Feel the Illinoise" but he was still playing in small venues.
It was amazing. He played many songs from "Michigan" and "Sevens Swans". He was accompagnied with few musicians and they all wore a funny uniform with wings. It was accoustic and orchestral: Trumpets, backing vocals and violins were involved.

Then we had to wait 5 years until "The Adge of Adz". His new album -release in 2010 - sounds completely different from his previous ones and it's a damn good surprise.
Electronic beats, synthetisers, kitsch with a cosmic sound.

The show at the Royal Albert Hall was completely different, he was definitely more confident with his voice and his body.

They were about 11 musicians, all wearing hand-made glowing suits.
Sufjan advised us to take lots of drugs and have lots of sex as tonite might be our last night.
He was true I could have died peacefully after the show. The gig was spectacular: the glowing costume, the sound, the video projection at the back of the stage and the visual effects with the lights. He plays for almost 3 hours switching between quiet accoustic songs and psychedelic electronic ones with some weird choregraphy on top.

It's actually hard to describe what I've experienced during the gig but I think it was like being on good drugs.

It took me few days to come back to reality.

Here are few amazing live footage:

and the final part:

Zero 7 feat Sia Furler

2011-06-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

WOW!!! What a performance!

Kid Jones

2011-06-07T09:18:00.000-07:00

I did an artwork for Kid Jones, a cool band based in London.
Here is the cover for their EP untitled "Silhouette":

Check their stuff on myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/thekidjonesband
and some new tracks on soundcloud:
http://soundcloud.com/thekidjonesband

This Friday, I'll be in paradise

2011-05-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

Sufjan Stevens will play at Royal Albert Hall in London, I cannot wait to see him!
HEre is in accoustic version of "Decatur" from his album "Illinoise" (2005):

The "Age of Adz" and "All Delighted People" from his new album:

"I walked"

live at Abbey Road studio

2011-05-05T15:02:00.000-07:00

Holy shit, The Gossip drummer is great:

Friendly Fires are surprisingly good:

God is here:

A cute love song:

Beardy men:

groovy

2011-05-04T15:22:00.000-07:00

When indie rock-pop meet disco-electro, it's time to shake-shake and move your ass:

The Canadian band Junior Boys are playing in London in June, I'm in!

I wished The Rapture were still doing something, apparently they will release a new album soon. Nothing is better thant their album "Echoes" where you can find these songs:

NYC based Holy Ghost! are great too:

Metronomy

2011-04-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

English electro-indie band Metronomy has released a new album named "The English Riviera":

The album is lovely, and I also really like the cover. The songs put you in a good, relaxed mood, they are perfect to listen on a sunny beach. They will play at Calvi on the Rocks music festival in Corsica and for sure, I'll be part of it!!

I love these songs:

Songs of Spring

2011-04-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

I'm happy when I listen to these:

2011-03-30T15:26:00.000-07:00

Mmm.. The Kills last album reminds me of the Dead Weather.
Here is an amazing live session:

The Kills - Blood Pressures

2011-03-30T14:59:00.000-07:00

Oh Joy! Joy! Joy!
The Kills new album will be out soon (early April) and for impatient people like me, you can stream the new album on their website:click here to stream

My first impression:
It's a good album but I don't think it's as good as their 1st album ('Keep On Your Mean side') and their last one ('Midnight Boom'). It's probably the easiest to listen to. It's louder, less intimist. It's also bluesy, Alison's vocals are clearer, there are more guitars and drums.
The sound is quite different from their previous albums. The production is cleaner maybe? Less minimalist?
Usually, when I listen to one of their albums, each songs give me thrills. With this album, my impression is splitted.. 50-50.

But couple of songs are real gems like the first one: "Future Starts Slow". I'm addicted. I don't know why but when I listen to this song I imagine myself in some exciting adventures. Like a road trip. I love Alison's vocal on this one, sensual and rock'n'roll.

"Satellites" - "DNA" - "You Don't Own The Road" and the last one:"Pots and Pans" (which reminds me of what they did at the beginning of their career) are also my favourites.

dOP

2011-03-28T15:08:00.000-07:00

Their DJ set was one of the highlight of BLOC Festival 2011 in Minehead, England, with Aphex Twin, Apparat, Modeselektor and Moderat. They were absolutely brilliant on stage.

Burst Magazine - issue 3

2011-03-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'm featured in Burst - a digital magazine about illustration. You can download the magazine and view some artworks here:Burst Magazine.

The Playground presents...

2011-02-26T02:58:00.001-08:00

I designed a poster for The Playground - a PR, events company based in London.
They will organise an event which will take place at Koko, Camden. The line-up is quite good, with Sexy Sushi and The Krays.

This month greatest albums...

2011-02-23T09:10:00.000-08:00

All girls with a very diferent musical style:

The Finnish pop band Le Corps Mince De Francoise:

The Swedish indie chick Lykke Li:

The British queen of rock PJ Harvey:

2011-02-13T11:16:00.001-08:00

drawings coming soon...

James Blake album is out today and it's very very good.

2011-02-07T07:55:00.000-08:00

I love this song:

The original version of this song by Feist in her latest album "The Reminder" is beautiful too.

girl power

2011-02-06T13:44:00.000-08:00

2011-02-01T02:45:00.000-08:00

The Kills will release their 4th album the 4th of April - 1 day after my birthday...exciting!!!
You can listen to the single "Satellite" below:

The Kills - Satellite by DominoRecordCo

I can't wait... I love the dirty sound of this track, which is different from what they did in the past.

Monday...

2011-01-31T08:38:00.000-08:00

Monday is flat.
Monday is cold.
Monday is slow.
But Monday won't stop me laugh when looking at David's Shrigley's illustrations and photographs:

Band:

Orgy:

What u want:

No fucking emails:

Hungover:

Hole:

Rat:

Pumpkin:

Birth:

Hymn:

Your life:

A great sense of humour, dark with a very odd drawing style which makes me laugh even more.
You can see more work in his website: http://www.davidshrigley.com

I'll take you for a ride

2011-01-31T06:35:00.000-08:00

I went to Paris this weekend and I discovered this song through my sister. Thanks Mimi! J'aime! ;-)

Escape.

The devil will come

2011-01-28T02:48:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I went to Anna Calvi's first album release show in Hoxton Hall and I loved everything. The venue is tiny, intimist and very old. I felt like being in an old 30's black and white vampire movie. Nothing seemed to have changed since.

Anna has a very deep, clear voice. The show was uniquely powerful and its atmosphere electrifying, sensual. On stage she has a strong and intense charisma. She looks straight at you with that power you will only find in a certain type of woman. Think of Debbie Harry, Siouxsie, Ari Up, Patti Smith and many more... rock attitude.
Then when she speaks, her voice is fragile. She seems so different.

Creativity is an interesting thing. Why certain people need to be creative?

Recently she did an interview for a French music magazine. She said that something traumatising in her childhood affected the rest of her life, and dreams let her escape of the reality. She was a shy girl. Her own world relieved her against anxiety. Creativity then became essential: to survive she always draw. Music has always been part of her life but singing came at 23.
“I had to be creative. It sticked to me: without creativity I would have become insane, I would have died."
"(...)my relationship with music is a world of my own creation that I escape into. I was always a dreamer. The early things stick with you".

Discover her album:
I love the songs "Morning Light", "Desire" and "I'll Be your Man".

Here is a live show she did for a french TV channel:

I.. I.. follow you

2011-01-26T12:04:00.000-08:00

This amaaaazing remix of Lykke Li's new single "I Follow Rivers" by Stephen Fasano (aka The Magician and ex member and founder of the band Aeroplane) reminds me of summer holidays and puts me in a great mood:

The original song is dark but he transformed it to something very joyful. Magic!

View is the original song here:

I really look forward to listen to Lykke Li's new album.

Let's go techno -o -o

2011-01-25T08:04:00.000-08:00

These tunes are dope.

Black & White

2011-01-21T07:16:00.000-08:00

Charles Burns is an american cartoonist with a very strong graphic style.
I like his work, hypnotic, dark and meticulous:

Exciting news

2011-01-18T01:50:00.000-08:00

The Kills will release their new album "Blood Pressures" around the world the 4th of April and have already announced tour dates for 2011. They will play in London Heaven the 31st of March 2011 - keep your eyes open - presale tickets will be released tomorrow!

2011-01-17T07:34:00.000-08:00

Apparently today is the most depressing day of the year - I agree: I'm waisted, I want some holidays, it's raining, it's grey, it's cold and it's cloudy, and I don't have a penny...
Ok let's stop moarning now, here is something to cheer you up while waiting for Spring and Summer:

We Have Band.

2011-01-06T15:37:00.000-08:00

We Have Band is an English trio, they play pop/electro songs. They are good live, their songs are cool and their video clips are funny, funky and original:

If you like them you might also like Hot Chip, LCD Soundsystem, New Young Pony Club, Talking Heads.
Their songs remind me of Summer 2010...

Shake shake shake your booty

2010-12-14T02:19:00.000-08:00

Here are some grrreat tunes to listen to if you are falling asleep in front of the TV on a Friday night:

Imagine yourself in a warm and sunny place with "Coma Cat":

or dancing under a disco ball with Shit Robot:

other great songs:

A very inspiring illustrator

2010-12-10T07:55:00.000-08:00

If you don't know what to do on a cloudy Sunday afternoon in London, visit the Somerset House in Charing Cross, for the Rene Gruau exhibition. It's on until the 9th of January 2011.
He was a fashion illustrator and he did illustrations for magazines, parisian clubs and also collaborated with Christian Dior on many advertising projects in the 50's.
He is one of my favourite illustrator; his drawing style is minimal but striking, delicate and strong, sophisticated and timeless. For a man I think he has a very surprising and feminine drawing style:

A family affair

2010-12-10T02:29:00.000-08:00

Angus & Julia Stone is a brother-sister duo from Australia.
They play fragile, subtle folk songs which makes me nostalgic and dreamy.

They debut album " A Book Like This" was released in 2007:

and their second album "Down The Way" in 2010:

I found Julia's voice very strange and for some reason - when I discovered their first album I didn't really like it but now I love it! In their second album, you should try these songs: "Yellow Brick Road", "Big Jet Plane", "Draw Your Swords".
In 2009 they also released the "Hollywood" EP and the song "All The Colours" is amazingly beautiful.

Yesterday, they played at the Southbank Centre, in London. It's very big inside but cosy and we were all sitting down. The show was very emotional. The sound was perfect, they put us in an intimate and relaxed atmosphere with no superficiality. I was surprised by Julia's voice which is full of different layers.

Here is an amazing live accoustic version of "Big Jet Plane":

This is a band you must see live - it's mind blowing! It's of the best gigs I've been to this year.

Girl power

2010-12-08T05:12:00.000-08:00

Here is Anna Calvi. I discovered her few months ago and I will see her at the Hoxton Hall on the 27th of January for the release of her 1st album.
She is stunning with her beautiful deep voice and romantic style. She has that kind of beauty you can find in some old movie...

"(...)my relationship with music is a world of my own creation that I escape into. I was always a dreamer. The early things stick with you". - Anna Calvi

youth, love, cigarettes

2010-12-07T04:10:00.000-08:00

Do you know this band? The Pains of Being Pure At Heart - an indie rock band from New York City, strongly influenced by the late 80's/early 90's british noise pop music scene like the Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, The Jesus & Mary Chain. I've seen them in London in July 2010 - they were good but unfortunately the sound was crap (at Heaven, in Charing Cross). This album is great, full of saturated guitars and fresh melodic songs who wants me to be a teenager again:

Another great band I discovered recently through a friend:

Bring on the American sunshine! Best Coast will play at Koko, Camden in April.

A new album for 2011...

2010-12-06T07:11:00.000-08:00

The amazing indie-folk-country band Bright Eyes will release its 7th album in February 2011. Keep your ears open: "The People's Key" could be the band's last LP.
If you don't know them you should listen to their album "I'm Wide Awake It's Morning" - I think it's a masterpiece, one of the best album of 2005:

They will play at London's Royal Albert Hall on June 23rd and I just got my ticket!!!

The prolific and very talented frontman singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Conor Oberst has also released a beautiful solo record in 2008 - check this out too:

Here is a lovely live version of "Lua" at Coachella Festival:

"We are Nowhere And It's Now Live":

2010-11-30T16:11:00.000-08:00

Here few videos of songs from Sufjan Stevens latest album. Amazing.

I'm blown away by this video:

Yum

2010-11-30T07:46:00.000-08:00

The new Simian Mobile Disco album is out:

Around the World Around the World...

2010-11-25T03:05:00.000-08:00

Let's go back to the 90's with Daft Punk.
The clip Michel Gondry did for "Around The World" is brilliant. I remember watching this clip on TV when I was a kid, I found it so weird, hypnotic and cool at the same time. Apparently each element represents an instrument; skeletons, mummies, athletes and swimmers all dancing together on a round record and synchronizing to the song:

It's amazing how modern their stuff are still 10 years later....
The best of the best in electronic music.

Shoe Is Art

2010-11-22T01:35:00.000-08:00

The retail company Dune Shoes is doing a competition. The subject is "Shoe Is Art"...so you can do anything you want with that theme... I entered the competition, you can see it here. I'm not sure if it will fit the shop window of a retail brand but at least it's eye catchy!
I was aiming to do 3 illustrations like a triptych but the deadline is today!

Gabby Young poster

2010-10-19T05:49:00.000-07:00

For all the Gabby Young lovers, you can purchased the poster I designed for her. CLICK HERE!!

"The Age of Adz" review

2010-10-13T04:47:00.000-07:00

Sufjan Stevens new album is finally out.
For impatient people like me, I've already listen to it on NPR's website which offered a free streaming of the entire album.
You will love it or you will hate it. It's very different from what he has previously created with his album "Seven Swans" or "Illinoise".
It will definitely surprise your ears and your concentration, so leave what you was doing, sit on you sofa and turn up the volume.
The backing vocals are still there, but banjos, intimist and peaceful folk ballads are gone. This album is anger, passion and madness.
Sufjan has taken a completely different orientation with "The Age of Adz", using synth and electronic sounds for a schizophrenic, dynamic and pop effect.
It's busy, complexe, mad, possessed. You will need more than 1 listen to have a point of view of the album and adapt your ears to these suprising sounds.

"I Want To Be Well" - "Vesuvius" - "I Walked" and "Impossible Sound" are particularly awesome...

"(...)I remember once when I was a kid and I was showing an interest in art and music, and my dad sat me down and said, ‘All art comes from the dark side,’" he said.
"He said the dark side isn’t evil or bad but that’s where it resides, and if you choose a creative life, then you’re choosing to reside in the darkness." He paused. "I don’t know where he’s getting that from. Maybe he was high or something. But that really has stayed with me."
- a Sufjan Stevens interview from the New York Times

2010-10-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

PJ Harvey will release a new album and tour dates for February 2011, keep an eye on this, I'll make sure I'll be in front of the stage to see her live!!!

Villagers show at Scala, London, 5th of October

2010-10-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

I went to see Villagers today, at Scala, near King's Cross. I like this venue, one of my favourite with the Bush Hall and the Union Chapel. It's kinda intimate, the sound is always good, it's not too big, and never too packed.
Who are Villagers? It's the irish frontman Conor J O'Brien and his musicians. He started with his guitar, then the band joined after few songs. The song "Pieces", "Memoires" and "Sunlit Stage" were for me, the highlight of the gig. It was intimate, delicate. Beautiful arrangements, very nice atmosphere. He also did all the artworks for the album.

Foals

2010-10-05T12:14:00.001-07:00

I did a poster for Foals (the band).

In my mind, their sound evocates the rythmic gallop of a foal, running ahead of the future in a timeless and abyssal space.

Their music is original, particular and eclectic as a deep multicoloured sea of dust, stars or bubbles, that I wanted to show in my illustration.

Gabby Young Final version!

2010-10-05T12:11:00.000-07:00

Here is the final version of the poster which will be on sale at every dates of Gabby Young's UK tour:

2010-09-29T02:18:00.000-07:00

Not 1, not 2, but now working on 4 competitions.....
I have enough work to do until the end of November!

Paris La Nuit at Supperclub London

2010-09-21T08:21:00.000-07:00

Supperclub, is a bar/nightclub in West London. They asked me to design a poster for their exclusive "Paris La Nuit" parisian/cabaret/burlesque event which will take place every Wednesday.

Detachments

2010-09-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

I've discovered an amazing band few months ago: Detachments. They played in a bar in Stoke Newington, London but I've missed them. Good news, they will release their album this month and have also put some new tunes in their myspace. The single "Holiday Romance" is out and it's on "repeat" mode in my ears with the song "Art of Viewing". You should definitely listen to it if you like Joy Division and New Order.
I found the movie clip strange when I discovered it but now I find it great.

Weezer

2010-09-05T14:05:00.000-07:00

Amelia's Magazine a very nice illustration magazine asked me to illustrate the music band Weezer for an article. I came up with this idea:

What? Who is that guy? I'm sure you can recognize him (if you watch TV). Why him? Haha, well, do a bit of research and you'll find the reason.

The lovely Gabby Young

2010-09-05T10:14:00.001-07:00

This is a poster I've done for a Gabby Young competition, a talented indie-folk singer from London.
She will tour in the UK very soon and she needs a poster for her future shows.
Check her stuff on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gabbyyoung
We're All In This Together is my favorite.
She has a very particular, recognizable atmosphere. A mix of vintage, jazz, folk and animals!
My poster will be on sale during her UK tour and will be featured in her album cover:

First drafts:

GABBY YOUNG & OTHER ANIMALS

2010-09-03T02:10:00.000-07:00

I'm working on a competition for Gabby Young, a talented indie-folk singer from London.
She will tour in the UK very soon and she needs a poster for her future shows.
Check her stuff on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/gabbyyoung
We're All In This Together is my favorite.

She has a very particular, recognizable atmosphere which reminds me of Florence & The Machine.

Amazing drawings

2010-09-01T04:48:00.000-07:00

I discovered Ernst Haeckel's illustrations by doing some research about "Art Nouveau", a movement in the history of Art characterized by organic, especially floral and other plant-inspired motifs, as well as highly stylized, flowing curvilinear forms in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I particularly like this movement and I'm amazed by Ernst illustrations, they are so detailed and subtile. He was a scientist and an inspiration for many artists from the "Art Nouveau" period.

Funny bat faces below. I would be scared if they were my friends.
All illustrations comes from the book "Kunstformen der Natur".

HURRA!

2010-08-23T02:55:00.000-07:00

All delighted people raise their hands as Sufjan Stevens has released a new 8 tracks EP! You can listen to it on streaming here or buy it online for only $5!
Listen to All Delighted People (Classic Rock version) and the delicate Enchanting Ghost.
And also; Djohariah is a 17 minutes song so take your time and enjoy. I never discovered such beautiful song about sister.
"Go on! Little sister! Go on!
For you’re beautiful, beautiful
All the fullness of the world is yours..."

Bright Eyes

2010-08-12T15:01:00.001-07:00

Villagers

2010-08-10T15:36:00.001-07:00

I've just discovered Villagers. Cool stuff, I love these songs: Home - Becoming a Jackal - Twenty Seven Strangers - The Meaning of a Ritual. He sounds a bit like Conor Oberst, the Bright Eyes singer. That's probably the reason why I like his stuff!
Here is a live session he did in Paris for Hiboo d'Live, which is the same concept than La Blogotheque (they copied them!!! uh!)

WOW. This live is unbelievable, what a beautiful song. I'm so happy to have found this video. It's not very often you get goose bump and wet eyes from a song. Personally, it only happened when I discovered Sufjan Stevens. It's so nice when you rediscover that feeling! Don't watch it if you don't want to get depressed!

MY BIG SPRING/SUMMER 2010 PLAYLIST

2010-07-12T06:39:00.000-07:00

Here is a bunch of songs I like very very much and I listen to a lot, from March until now (you listen listen to each songs by clicking on them):

D.I.R.T.Y
You Gonna Want Me (Tocadisco remix) by Tiga
Hot Lips by Pacific! - Check their video clip, it's an animation illustrated by the talented Stephane Manel.
Dragon Queen by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's
2 Be Nasty by Boy Crisis
L'homme by Boy Crisis - Funny lyrics, not the best band live but they were hilarious.
The Inch by Peaches
Bag It by Peaches - I love the rythm in this song.
Kilometer - Aeroplane Remix by Sebastien Tellier (A-Track remix tout aussi bien)
Roche by Sebastien Tellier

P.U.N.C.H.Y
Parachute Ending by Birdy Nam Nam (Vitalic Remix)
Girlsrock and Femuscle by Siriusmo
Want U by Lo-Fi-Fnk
We Are The People (Crazy P remix) by Empire Of the Sun
We Want To by New Young Pony Club - My favourite song from their new album "The Optimist".
We Love Animals by Crookers, Mishell, Soulwax
Anyway You Choose to Give It (The Whip remix) by the Black Ghosts
What You Need (A-Track remix) by Tiga
So Down (feat Chromeo)by Yuksek - If you are sleepy, listen to this song!
Heavy Cross (Yuksek remix) by The Gossip
Something Good Can Work (The Twelves remix) by Two Door Cinema Club - If you are a girl and a bit down listen to this great remix.
Pursuit of Happiness by Kid Cudi - Perfect song early in the morning when you haven't sleep at all and you are leaving a party.
Day'N'Nite (Crookers remix) by Kid Cudi
On Board by Holy Ghost
Heads Will Roll (A-Track Remix) by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's
Momma's Place by Roisin Murphy
Dance Yrself Clean by LCD Soundsystem
You Wanted a Hit by LCD Soundsystem
How To Make Friends by We Have Band
Ray Ban Glasses by Le Corps Mince de Francoise
Leave House by Caribou
Vox Populi by Jupiter
Quitte la piste (feat TTC) by A-Trak
Travailler - Orgasmic remix by TTC
Yr Mangled Heart by The Gossip - I love the drum bit on this tune.

M.E.L.L.O.W
Break It Up by Lykke Li
This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads - This is the live version from the video Stop Making Sense.
Ten Cent Pistol by The Black Keys
Zebra by Beach House
All the Colours by Angus and Julia Stone - Joy, sensuality and happiness.
Yellow Brick Road by Angus and Julia Stone
Hang On Little Tomato by Pink Martini
26 Miles (Santa Catalina) by Dent May
Samba Saravah by Stacey Kent

M.E.L.A.N.C.H.O.L.I.C
The Park by Feist - This song is so sad and so beautiful at the same time.
Take Care by Beach House
Crazy (Patsy Cline cover) by The Kills - a lovely cover, a beautiful voice
Factory by Band of Horses
Jardin d'Hiver by Stacey Kent
England by the National.
Draw Your Swords by Angus and Julia Stone
Ninna Nanna by Pink Martini
Skinny Love by Bon Iver

2010-06-20T13:55:00.001-07:00

Bloody hell... how can you not dance on this!
I saw them in July at Heaven in Charing Cross, London and it was one of the best 2010 show I've been to. The drummer is really good. The venue was on fire. Everybody were dancing.

DRAIN THE BLOOD

2010-06-11T05:02:00.001-07:00

Patterns

2010-05-25T07:23:00.000-07:00

THE LONELY MAGGOT

2010-05-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

London Transport Museum competition

2010-05-17T03:41:00.001-07:00

I entered a competition for the London Transport Museum. The competition is ending today.
The theme is: "cycling as an emerging mode of transport in London". It's an illustration competition. The subject suits perfectly to me: public transports in London are useless that's the reason why few years ago I started to ride my bike everywhere in London. It's much easier, faster, healthy, you are never late and you are free!

I had few other ideas, but as I started to work on it yesterday...I didn't have enough time to propose more illustrations. Shame on me!

my "post-punk" playlist

2010-05-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

The Human League "Don't you want me"
Joy Division "Disorder"
Talking Heads "This must be the place"
Gang of Four "Damaged goods"
Devo "Whip it"
Public Image Limited "Rise"
Echo & The Bunnymen "Do it clean"
The Fall "Mountain energy"
The Durutti Column "Sketch for summer"

This heaven gives me migraine

2010-04-20T14:02:00.000-07:00

The National

2010-04-08T03:44:00.001-07:00

Do you know a band called "The National"? It's an indie rock band from New York and they've collaborated with Sufjan Stevens on their album "Boxer" (2007) below. Matt Berninger, the singer has a deep voice - perfectly accompagned with beautiful instrumental arrangements. It's melancholic, dark and beautiful. You should listen to their songs "Fake Empire" - "Mistaken For Strangers" and "Start A War" from the album below.

They've also released an EP in 2008 "The Virginia EP" which comes with a documentary called "A Skin, A Night" and filmed by Vincent Moon, the creator of the amazing music platform "La Blogosphere". This EP is a little gem. Check the beautiful "Whithout Permission" song on your Spotify. This song is puuuure beauty!

I find their album cover absolutely beautiful - in line with the dark and pure atmosphere of their songs.
I saw them at Elysee Montmartre, maybe 4 years ago. Really good.

The Kills live

2010-04-05T13:50:00.001-07:00

I saw them live ages ago, in Paris. It's definitely a band to see live, the singer is so charismatic on stage. It's raw, dirty, bluesy, electric.

An amazing version of "Good Night Bad Morning" from their last album "Midnight Boom".

Sale

2010-03-26T10:15:00.001-07:00

PJ Harvey - Angelene (live)

2010-03-24T06:46:00.000-07:00

As you know I love PJ Harvey but I never had the chance to see her on stage. This version of "Angelene" is amazing. She makes it so good, just with her voice, an electric guitar and a drum machine. Nothing else.

"Souvenirs de vacances"

2010-03-09T11:05:00.000-08:00

This is an illustration I did for a competition I entered few months ago. The subject was "Holiday Memories". I didn't win the first prize (a weekend in the South of France) but instead I won 10 DVDs about paintings and history of art.
Haha! It's better than nothing, someday when I'll become old I'll probably watch them to refresh my mind.

2010-03-05T15:03:00.000-08:00

If do you like Elliott Smith - Bright Eyes - Laura Veirs - Woodpigeon and other stuff like that then you might like Sufjan Stevens:

My name is ...

2010-02-28T13:05:00.001-08:00

Bloody Mary

2010-02-28T13:04:00.000-08:00

2010-02-28T12:32:00.001-08:00

Snow will melt, wall will crumble

2010-02-28T03:13:00.000-08:00

My first time in Berlin (February 2010).
Strange idea to visit Berlin in February. But this city worth being visited all year round.
I think I'll try to go back in Summer next time to see how green is that city.
As you can see at that time it was very grey. Extremely cold and icy but you are quickly comforted with a curry wurst and some bread, a nice beer in a german "kneipe" (the pub) and the extreme dynamism of art.

I went to the Bauhaus museum. I really like the Bauhaus art movement. I'll explain it to you soon.

2010-02-23T14:16:00.000-08:00

London

2010-02-23T13:50:00.000-08:00

Am I exagerating?

2010-02-14T05:25:00.000-08:00

The Grumpy One

2010-02-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

Vinyls

2010-02-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

I always wanted my dad's vinyl player. I remembered my childhood in the dining room while my dad was putting some records of cheesy Abba, Vivaldi or Richard Clayderman...

I wasn't really font of what he used to put on...but I was pretty amazed by the sound of the vinyl player.

Few years ago, I've asked him to give me his amazing vinyl deck - but he told me the electric cable was broken.
I was so dissapointed. I couldn't listen to Sufjan Stevens - Come On Feel The Illinoise album I specially bought in both CD and vinyl format to enjoy the sounds of each format differently.

That's why I decided to bought some vinyl frames - to hang them on my walls.

It's pretty good actually.Here are few of some albums I like and I started to collect:

Sufjan Stevens - Come On Feel The Illinoise

Joy Division - Unknown Pleasures
A very modern cover credited to Peter Saville, famous for the design of record sleeves for Factory Records

Talking Heads - Remain In Light

Echo & The Bunnymen - Songs To Learn And Sing
Great cover by Anton Corbijn - a famous dutch photographer known for his collaboration with lots of great bands like Joy Division - Nick Cave - REM...

Freak

2010-02-08T12:58:00.001-08:00

Intuitive drawings - portrait

2010-02-07T03:34:00.000-08:00

Intuitive drawings in black and white

2010-02-06T09:09:00.001-08:00

Organic Dreams

2010-01-31T13:54:00.001-08:00

Dreams are amazing. I never had these kind of dreams in my life, but it will maybe happen someday. It looks smooth not like nightmares.
Have you ever had abstract nightmares? When I was a child and I was ill, I was delirious because of the fever. I remember how scary and dark were my dreams, when you are semi-conscious and you are sure that you will die and the funny thing is that they were totally abstract. It was all bout being pushed or bend by a big massive metal square coming along with other ones. It was very loud, dark, heavy and rythmic. Ok, I suppose you don't understand what I mean...You probably think I'm completely crazy. Don't worry, I'll draw them for you soon.
That will be a difficult exercise: illustrate dreams you can't figure out but that you can only feel.
Like music.

The Elastic Ones

2010-01-24T13:56:00.000-08:00

"Coucou"

2010-01-24T13:27:00.000-08:00

The Trendy Ones

2010-01-24T12:32:00.000-08:00

The Hairy Ones

2010-01-19T13:36:00.000-08:00

Notes By Naive - Tommy's blog

2009-09-24T04:17:00.000-07:00

http://thisisnaive.com

A very nice blog, with beautiful pictures. Each ones tells you a little story, gives you a particular feeling, put you in an imaginative mood, just contemplate them.

Folk bird

2009-08-21T06:53:00.000-07:00

Laura Veirs- July Flame 2010

Laura Veirs-Carbon Glacier-2004

Check her myspace: myspace.com/lauraveirs there are few other songs from her new album, I've seen her at the Union Chapel in February 2010- her stuff are very good - as her album covers and the Union Chapel.. what a venue! You should go there for a gig (location: Compton Terrace - London, N1 2UN).

Jason Munn & the indie rock bands

2009-08-18T07:14:00.001-07:00

Castanets album cover designed by Jason Munn and released on the Asthmatic Kitty label. A band you must listen to and an independant label you must discover. This album cover reflects perfectly the atmosphere of this album, cold and dark like a morning in Winter.

Sufjan Steven's gig poster designed by Jason Munn. I'd say these posters (on the top) reflect very well the music of Sufjan Stevens. His music is a bundle of instruments and orchestration. On stage he plays with 5 to 10 musicians and he's also part of the Asthmatic Kitty label.
But you can maybe listen to his songs: "Sister Winter" by looking at that poster or "Chicago" by looking at the next one (the clouds) which demonstrates something celestial. 2 completely different songs, one dark, one dynamic and positive like these two posters.

Conor Oberst is another very talented kid known to be part of the band named "Bright Eyes". We can imagine the musician with the hat on the poster playing some nice folk songs and telling us stories coming from his life and imagination...

I find Jason Munn's work so well composed, minimalist but with strong images. He nicely plays with the colors, the typography, the icons. The results is poetic and modern.

He started a design studio in 2003 "The Small Stakes" and his work is mostly focused in independant music. His posters became a fixture in the local independant music scene.

Reza Abedini

2009-08-18T05:10:00.000-07:00

Persian Type and Typography-2003-100*70cm offset

Dream of Dust-2003-Film poster-100*70cm silkscreen

Victim-2005-Installation group exhibition-100*70cm offset

Reza Abedini is an iranian graphic designer famous for his modern persian typography.

He often use a limited but strong range of colours, with photography for an austere and bright effect and combines modern and traditional themes in his work, commisionned by multiple cultural institutes.

Oded Ezer, between art and typography

2009-08-18T03:01:00.000-07:00

Oded Ezer, type and logo designer from Israel creates brilliant latin and hebreu 3D typography. It reminds me at some point Gaetano Pesce, with these organic and fascinating shapes that he creates. He also has some very nice logos in his website.

Maxime Buechi

2009-07-26T05:27:00.000-07:00

Maxime Buechi is a designer, editor and tattoo artist from Lausanne. He published an unique magazine named "Sang Bleu" which is a bundle of art, fashion, writing, photography and tattoos. The mock up is minimalist and avant-garde.

Gaspar David Friedrich

2009-07-26T05:11:00.001-07:00

WOMEN

2009-07-26T04:54:00.001-07:00

Angela Houtkamp is a dutch artist and tattooist. Her paintings are amazing. The composition, the colors, the lines...hypnotizing.

POST-PUNK

2009-07-26T02:51:00.000-07:00

I've just discovered a great band from Manchester signed on the famous Factory record label: The Durutti Column, formed in 1978. Listen to "Sketch For Summer" on Spotify. Beautiful. A great holiday song.