If you’ve ever wondered what your favorite literary characters might be listening to while they save the world/contemplate existence/get into trouble, or hallucinated a soundtrack to go along with your favorite novels, well, us too. But wonder no more! Here, we sneak a look at the hypothetical iPods of some of literature’s most interesting characters. What would be on the personal playlists of Holden Caulfield or Elizabeth Bennett, Huck Finn or Harry Potter, Tintin or Humbert Humbert? Something revealing, we bet. Or at least something danceable. Read on for a cozy reading soundtrack, character study, or yet another way to emulate your favorite literary hero. This week: the teen detective queen, Nancy Drew.
We’ve always had a soft spot for Shakira, and we were thus interested to see this week that she’s planning to record an album in Arabic. Of course, she already speaks (and sings in) Spanish and English, so adding a third language will be yet another string to her lingustic bow, although she has to actually learn Arabic first – apparently her command of the language is currently limited to saying, “Can I have a kiss?” Which is obviously the first phrase you learn in any language. Anyway, she’s only one of a bunch of interesting musicians whose use of language in their music extends beyond a single native tongue – here’s a selection of ten of our favorites.
It’s October again, which means that the annual conference of literary types and the people who love them that is The New Yorker Festival appears on our cultural radar. This year’s festival was held last weekend, and in addition to a heaping serving of high-falutin’ book-writin’ folks — Seamus Heaney, Michael Chabon, and Zadie Smith, to name a few — there was also a substantial does of television actors, comedians, rappers, and, of course, Justin Timberlake. We’ve rounded up the best quotes from the panels, from Alec Baldwin’s thoughts on Tracy Morgan to Cynthia Nixon’s riveting defense of gay marriage — after the jump.
We’re always up for scoring a hot concert ticket, but we regret to inform you that we are not on the list for tonight’s most exclusive VIP-only show. In honor of Jewish American Heritage month, piano phenom Regina Spektor will perform tonight at the White House for the Obamas. Though it has a long tradition of hosting musicians, the president’s pad has historically been booked with classical instrumentalists and Broadway singers. Yet over the past few decades (minus those eight years of George W. Bush, who was never terribly popular among musicians), more pop and rock acts have graced the nation’s top stage, including current tween sensations Justin Bieber and the Jonas Brothers. After the jump, check out our five favorite performances from the Clinton and Obama administrations.
It’s no surprise (pun intended) that everyone loves Radiohead. Because the Oxfordshire four-piece takes so notoriously long to produce new material under the Radiohead moniker, and with individual band members constantly fussing over side projects (Thom Yorke supergrouping, Jonny Greenwood soundtracking, Phil Selway and the drum kit solo tour), we’re grateful for any covers we can get our hands on — even if it’s just Coco in a faux-Yorke accent jamming along to our Rock Band guilty pleasure, “Creep.” After the jump, our twelve favorite love letters to the band, inspired by Regina Spektor’s March 23rd Irving Plaza performance of “No Surprises.”
Last Friday, a mix of hipsters, soccer moms, and high school students could be seen entering Carnegie Hall to attend the 20th annual Tibet House Benefit Concert. Curated by Philip Glass, Tibet House shows have a reputation of bringing diverse, uber-talented, politically-conscious musicians together to raise money and awareness for the plight of the Tibetan culture. Past musical guests have included Vampire Weekend, Sufjan Stevens, The National, Keb’ Mo’, Sigur Ros, and Lou Reed and this year’s line-up included Regina Spektor, Gogol Bordello, Patti Smith, and Iggy Pop.
Under the Marina and the Diamonds moniker, Welsh songstress Marina Diamandis brings quirk back to pop music in an epic way.
While skirting similar territory as fellow UK sensation Florence and the Machine, Marina emits a more playful persona — imbuing her own Kate Bush-isms with echoes of offbeat entertainers like Regina Spektor and Amanda Palmer.
To date, Marina and the Diamonds have released a handful of impressive singles and EPs, accompanied by equally impressive videos. The most recent single is the American pop-culture-skewering “Hollywood,” which sets the stage for Marina’s debut album, The Family Jewels, due in early 2010.
Courage Campaign, an online organizing network that empowers grassroots activists to push for progressive change in California, is circulating a letter to their state Supreme Court asking them to invalidate Prop 8, reject Ken Starr’s case, and let same-sex couples marry. Their deadline: Valentine’s Day.
Granted, there are too many matching outfits in this montage of wedding pics, but if you’re like us, you’ll find yourself tearing up midway through. OK, maybe 10 seconds in. 112,879 people have signed their petition as of this morning. Click here to add your name now.
On a related note, go see Milk. You obviously didn’t listen the first time we told you because their box office numbers are still abysmal. It is awesome!
