west river follies

1880 town admission: $9 ... this is all we saw of 1880 town

jackalope wrestling

trusty steed

i told her about my day

trying to bum a stogie

real dinosaur

$0.05 coffee

crazy horse's face

jon found crazy horse

someone has to hold him up

lincoln is peeking over the trees ... sneaky lincoln

future fifth prez on mount rushmore

other possibility for future fifth prez on rushmore

hippie bus

the battle of pirate's cove

the reason for the trip ... congratulations larson's

Bonnie "Prince" Billy - "How About Thank You"

Song of the Day: The Nightgowns - "Buoy"

Plants and Animals - "Bye Bye Bye"

Song of the Day: Radiohead - "These Are My Twisted Words"

French Kicks - "Abandon"

Song of the Day: Adam Arcuragi - "She Comes To Me"

The Drowning Men - "Disorder Here We Come"

Song of the Day: The Horse's Ha - "The Piss Choir"

Mi and L'au - "Bingo"

Song of the Day: The Foghorns - "Old Bachelors In Cleveland"

August Playlist for Song of the Day!

8/3 Fruit Bats - "Primitive Man"
8/4 The Bloody Beetroots feat. The Cool Kids - "Awesome"
8/5 Slaraffenland - "Meet and Greet"
8/6 Muse - "Uprising"
8/7 The Ditty Bops - "Summer Rains"
8/10 Amanda Blank - "Make It Take It"
8/11 Throw Me The Statue - "Ancestors"
8/12 Apostle of Hustle - "Perfect Fit"
8/13 Ramona Falls - "I Say Fever"
8/14 Joe Henry - "Death to the Storm"
8/17 Bill Withers - "Ain't No Sunshine"
8/18 Sondre Lerche - "Good Luck"
8/19 The Sounds - "No One Sleeps When I'm Awake"
9/20 The Cave Singers - "Summer Windows"
8/21 Pickering Pick - "Hairshirt"
8/24 Daniel Johnston - "Freedom"
8/25 Maps - "I Dream of Crystal"
8/26 Fergus & Geronimo - "Powerful Lovin'"
8/27 Blue Roses - "I Am Leaving"
8/28 Menomena - "The Pelican"
8/31 Talons - "Cole"

Panther - "Birds That Move"

Song of the Day: Talons - "Cole"

Wild Beasts - "All The King's Men"

Song of the Day: Menomena - "The Pelican"

Holiday Shores - "Bradley Bear"

Song of the Day: Blue Roses - "I Am Leaving"

Rubio signs with Regal Barcelona with an affordable buyout in 2011"

(via Marca.com) "Ricky Rubio, the 5th pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves in this year's draft, has agreed to terms on a contract with Regal Barcelona. The Spanish team will pay a buyout of 3.7 million Euros, approximately $5.3 million, to Rubio's previous team, Joventut. Rubio will sign a six-year agreement that contains an affordable buyout in 2011."

If you would like to read this in Spanish, click here.

On the bright side for the Timberwolves, this gives Johnny Flynn a couple seasons to work on his game without worrying if he can play with Ricky. And hopefully Rubio will put on a few pounds over the next two years and have a more "NBA ready" body.

Feats In Inches - "Broken Parts"

Song of the Day: Fergus & Geronimo - "Powerful Lovin'"

Lou Barlow - "Don't Apologize"

Song of the Day: Maps - "I Dream of Crystal"

Dan Deacon - "Paddling Ghost"

Song of the Day: Daniel Johnston - "Freedom"

The Dodos - "Fables"

Song of the Day: Pickering Pick - "Hairshirt"

Walkmen - "On The Water"

Song of the Day: The Cave Singers - "Summer Windows"

The Antlers - "Two"

I posted this tune earlier this year and now that there's a video, it warrants re-posting.

Song of the Day: The Sounds - "No One Sleeps When I'm Awake"

James Yorkston & Big Eyes Family Players - "I Went To Visit The Roses"

Song of the Day: Sondre Lerche - "Good Luck"
Heartbeat Radio available September 8. If you've never listened to Sondre before, I suggest you purchase one of his albums - great stuff.

New Journey: Back to the Alma Mater

In the current economic climate, I'm happy to say that I will be gainfully employed by my alma mater, South Dakota State University. I will represent the university as an Admissions Counselor in Western South Dakota to recruit future Jackrabbits. I had a great experience in my four years at SDSU and look forward to representing State to the best of my ability.

Who knows, my travels could produce some interesting new blog posts. I've equipped myself with a new phone, that should allow my blogging capabilities to be much more dynamic. If you have some great Blackberry apps, let me know about them.

Free Energy - "Free Energy"

Song of the Day: Bill Withers - "Ain't No Sunshine"

Joker's Daughter - "Lucid"

Song of the Day: Joe Henry - "Death to the Storm"

The Big Pink - "Dominos"

(via P4K)
I've been spending time with my family in Cottage Grove, Minnesota lately and we have been playing dominos like it's going out of style. So I felt this was a fitting video today, since they're back on a plane to Los Angeles this afternoon.

Song of the Day: Ramona Falls - "I Say Fever"

Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson - "Woodfriend"

Song of the Day: Apostle of Hustle - "Perfect Fit"
via Jonk Music

The xx - "Basic Space"

Song of the Day: Throw Me The Statue - "Ancestors"

Tortoise - "Gigantes"

Live on Pitchfork.tv's "Don't Look Down"

Song of the Day: Amanda Blank - "Make It Take It"

Bat For Lashes - "Sleep Alone"

Song of the Day: The Ditty Bops - "Summer Rains"

My post about Muse-ic on Graphic Content

Check out my post, "Behind the Muse-ic," on Graphic Content.

Pink Mountaintops - "Execution"

Song of the Day: Muse - "Uprising"

Jay Reatard - "It Ain't Gonna Save Me"

Catchy tune. Creepy clown.

Song of the Day: Slaraffenland - "Meet and Greet"

Muse-ic: The Podcast

View the event here.

Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - "Janglin"

Janglin is off the album "Up From Below," which I cannot seem to stop playing. The album was a four-year project for Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros and is worth every cent.

Song of the Day: The Bloody Beetroots feat. The Cool Kids - "Awesome"
I can't pass up a tasty lick featuring my favorite rap combo, The Cool Kids.

A Camp - "Love Has Left the Room"

Song of the Day: Fruit Bats - "Primitive Man"

July Playlist for Song of the Day!

7/1 Deluka - "Cascade"
7/2 Spoon - "Got Nuffin"
7/3 The Winter Sounds - "Windy City Nights"
7/6 La Roux - "Bulletproof"
7/7 The Rural Alberta Advantage - "Don’t Haunt This Place"
7/8 The Leisure Society - "We Were Wasted"
7/9 Wilco - "Wilco the Song"
7/10 Florence and the Machine - "Howl"
7/13 Arctic Monkeys - "Crying Lightning"
7/14 Tinted Windows - "Back With You"
7/15 The Medders - "Gunslinger"
7/16 Pictureplane - "Transparent Now (Thin Veil)"
7/17 Wheels on Fire - "I’m Turning Into You"
7/20 Monsters of Folk - "Say Please"
7/21 Atlas Sound - "Walkabout"
7/22 Noah and the Whale - "Blue Skies"
7/23 The Antlers - "Bear"
7/24 Illinois - "Nosebleed"
7/27 Stereophonics - "You Stole My Money Honey"
7/28 Au Revoir Simone - "All or Nothing"
7/29 Monsters of Folk - "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)"
7/30 Monsters of Folk - "The Sandman, The Brakeman and Me"
7/31 The Flaming Lips - "Silver Trembling Hands"

Bon Iver & The Bowerbirds - "Lovin's For Fools"

Mad Props to @abbybischoff.

Song of the Day: The Flaming Lips - "Silver Trembling Hands"

It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia: Kitten Mittens

I can't wait for season 5. Can't. Wait.

Solid Gold - "Who You Gonna Run To?" (Live)

Live, in-studio on The Current.

Song of the Day: Monsters of Folk - "The Sandman, The Brakeman and Me"

Monsters of Folk - "Golden" (by My Morning Jacket)

I could resist posting a couple songs from the guys of Monsters of Folk. Golden is a My Morning Jacket song and the song below is Jim James' contribution to Monsters of Folk. I'm looking forward to this record. Download a few of the new tracks on the Monsters of Folk website.

Song of the Day: Monsters of Folk - "Dear God (Sincerely M.O.F.)
The Monsters of Folk album is out September 22.

Octopus Project - "Wet Gold"

Song of the Day: Au Revoir Simone - "All or Nothing"

Magistrates - "She Don't Wanna"

Song of the Day! Stereophonics - "You Stole My Money Honey"

Miniature Tigers - "Cannibal Queen"

Mad Props to @adamkarnopp

Song of the Day: Illinois - "Nosebleed"
Mad Props to @BradyLately

Cut Off Your Hands - "Nostalgia"

Song of the Day: The Antlers - "Bear"
I posted The Antlers' song "Two" back in April, but this may be my favorite song off of Hospice, which since recently signing to French Kiss Records (also label of Cut Off Your Hands), will be re-released August 18.

Minus the Bear - "Pachuca Sunrise"

Today's video was requested by Andrew Osborn. Actually he requested a different song, but I decided on this Minus the Bear video instead.

Song of the Day: Noah and the Whale - "Blue Skies"

Dakotafish - "Landlocked"

Song of the Day: Atlas Sound - "Walkabout"

Passion Pit - "To Kingdom Come"

Song of the Day: Monsters of Folk - "Say Please"
Monsters of Folk is the brainchild of Conor Oberst, M. Ward., Jim James (or Yim Yames as he's going by now), and Mike Mogis. Head to their website for a free download.

Jonny Flynn discusses summer leauge, Ricky Rubio and Paul Harris

New T'wolves guard, Jonny Flynn, discusses his experience thus-far with the Minnesota Timberwolves. He's a stand-up guy, a great basketball player and an excellent addition to the team.



Kevin Love dishes out some Twitter advice

K Love gets more publicity for his Twitter usage than for his game right now. I can't wait to see him back on the floor so his game can loom larger than his Tweeting.

Summer Cats - "Super"

Song of the Day: Wheels on Fire - "I'm Turning Into You"

Totally awesome logo!

I created this logo yesterday to spite all of my graphic design friends. Experiencing aneurysm is completely possible after witnessing so many violated design principles. Here is one of the reviews:

<

"Lookin' good. A couple suggestions, though I had a hard time finding anything to critique. Some might say I'm just being nit picky.

1. I prefer Comic Sans, as I think it a bit more playful and readable than Papyrus. I'd save Papyrus for translating something "old world", "antique", or "sophisticated".
2. Try going more neon with the pink, or maybe alternate the lines (neon pink, blaze orange, then neon pink, etc.). It'll add pizazz.

As far as anything else goes, I can't find more to say. Your creation is pure perfection in a logo. I have to agree with Nick that I love the rocket ship. It works. Sure, it's not related to anything, but that will come across as "spontaneity".

You've got the go ahead." - Katie F.


Feel free to leave your review in the comments section.

Foreign Born - "Winter Games"

Song of the Day: Pictureplane - "Transparent Now (Thin Veil)"

Sean Bones - "Dancehall"

Song of the Day: The Medders - "Gunslinger"

Banner #4

The very fourth "Me. My World." banner.

Cymbals Eat Guitars - "Wind Phoenix"

Live on PitchforkTV's "Don't Look Down"

Song of the Day: Tinted Windows - "Back With You"
Band includes members of: Smashing Pumpkins, Hanson, Cheap Trick and Fountains of Wayne

Dead Weather - "Treat Me Like Your Mother"

The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother


Song of the Day: Arctic Monkeys - "Crying Lightning"

Cursive - "I Couldn't Love You"

Song of the Day: Florence and the Machine - "Howl"

Calvin Harris - "Ready For The Weekend"

Song of the Day: Wilco - "Wilco the Song"

Amazing Baby - "Headdress"

Song of the Day: The Leisure Society - "We Were Wasted"

Awesome New Republic - "Digital World"

Song of the Day: The Rural Alberta Advantage - "Don't Haunt This Place"
Saddle Creek's latest.

Ra Ra Riot - "St. Peter's Day Festival"

Song of the Day: La Roux - "Bulletproof"

Franz Ferdinand - "Can't Stop Feeling"

Song of the Day: The Winter Sounds - "Windy City Nights"

June Playlist for Song of the Day!

6/1 Good Old War - Coney Island
6/2 Circulatory System - Overjoyed
6/3 Pony Pony Run Run - Hey You
6/4 Tobias Froberg - What A Day
6/5 Reed KD - Winding Roads
6/8 Yacht - Psychic City
6/9 Jay Tillman - Earthly Bodies
6/10 Dirty Projectors - Stillness Is The Move
6/11 Terry Lynn - Jamaican Girls
6/12 Portugal. The Man - People Say
6/15 Soulcrate - Reflections (Hooks For Hands Remix)
6/16 Modest Mouse - Autumn Beds
6/17 T. Nile - Cabin Song
6/18 The Gossip - Dimestore Diamond
6/19 Polvo - Beggar’s Bowl
6/22 Dinosaur Jr. - I Want You To Know
6/23 I and I - The Bottom
6/24 Sunset Rubdown - Stadiums and Shrines II
6/25 The Very Best - Warm Heart of Africa
6/26 A. A. Bondy - When the Devil’s Loose
6/29 Bibio - Lover’s Carvings
6/30 Fleet Foxes - Blue Spotted Tail

Death Cab for Cutie - "Little Bribes"

Song of the Day: Spoon - "Got Nuffin"

My stimulus package: Rebranding The United States of America

The following is merely a snapshot of my vision for how I will turn around the USA economy.

With corporate rebranding efforts sprouting up like Starbucks locations in the early 2000s, there is an enormous opportunity to turn the United States of America around, not only economically, but in national morale and global relations. The idea of rebranding the USA isn't a far stretch, considering the last presidential election. Barack Obama's campaign netted his camp two top awards at the Cannes Lions International Advertising Awards. With some new blood in the Oval Office and a nation yearning for change, it's now or never for the USA to pull together a new image and credo.

Let's start with our name: The United States of America. First of all, it's too long. Considering the fact that we usually shorten our moniker to America or USA, let's just go with the more hip alternative of "The States." I eliminated "united," because we're neither united by land mass or ideals, considering the separation of Republicans and Democrats, radical and apathetic, Kobe or LeBron. I also eliminated "America," because it's already present on more than one continent - enough said. With The States, I want to put more emphasis back on the unique aspect of each state - united, instead, by the fact that we all come from a special piece of the pie (apple pie remains the national dessert, because it's just plain delicious), each with its own identity and splendid tourist attractions. The States also serves as its own slogan: The States. You can't argue that. The States. Nice.

With a new name, comes the new States' colors. Red, white and blue are so 1776. Our forefathers didn't have the color palette in the 18th Century, that we have today. Many countries already use the RW&B color scheme and, with rebranding, we're trying to stand out from the rest. The States is anything but a traditional country, so I recommend that we go with more untraditional and vibrant colors, such as: neon green, electric pink and white. I'll explain my choices in very few words. Neon green: the world is already "going green," let's continue to profit from that. Electric pink: women hold more purchasing power than men when it comes to accessories, clothing and household decor. White: it's pure, but mostly because it provides a good merchandising alternative - everyone wears white.

Okay, we have some new colors, let's discuss a new logo and flag. I'm getting rid of the stars for a couple of reasons: one, because we don't need each state represented on the flag (we're all one now) and two, how much did it suck trying to draw a flag when you were in elementary school? Stars aren't easy to draw and there were so many. Kids don't have time for that and neither do The States, we've got more important things to worry about. Our new flag will still be a rectangle (easy shape), with two overlapping circles (easy shape), one green, one pink, on a white background. The imagery will portray the new unity of The States and will be much easier on doodling toddlers.

Now that we have new colors, a new flag and a new name, it's time I start discussing how this will turn The States around. There are an infinite number of ways rebranding America would turn a profit, but I don't have time to write a thesis, so this is all you get. Think about this rebranding effort in terms of a professional sports team. We have new colors and a new logo. This means that before the 4th of July, Staters will need to run out and pick up a new flag, new patriotic clothes, heck, new patriotic everything. Retailers rejoice! Globally, the new trend will be to "Go Stateside," by buying all the new States' apparel and visiting rebranded States' attractions, such as The Mall of the States. The States will be the buzz of the UN, the Olympics and the global marketplace.

By now, many of you are already thinking, "Kyle, there is so much history and pride already reflected in the stars and the stripes; the red, white and blue." I've considered this, but the whole point in rebranding is to stimulate the economy and stimulate a new pride in The States. Deep down we all love this country and are proud to live here. Rebranding gives us a new reason to boast, new colors to wear proudly and a new song to sing (I forgot to mention, I've commissioned Danny Elfman to score the new anthem and Bob Dylan to write the lyrics).

I don't want people to think I'm unpatriotic for changing so many things about the USA, because I'm only creating these changes to lift us out of this economic downturn and improve our global image. We will never lose The United States of America and anything associated with it, because rebranding The United States of America is only phase one of my stimulus package. Once we've reached the pinnacle of profits from The States' rebrand, we'll turn to phase two: going retro.

The Low Lows - "Dear Flies, Love Spider"

#36.4 - The Low Lows - Dear Flies...
by lablogotheque

I'm a very big fan of La Blogotheque's Take-Away Shows and this is an old favorite from 2007. I hope, some day, that I'm surprised with live music on the bus.

Song of the Day: Deluka - "Cascade"

YouTube Playground

I made this interactive YouTube video for my internship program.

The Mars Volta - "Since We've Been Wrong"

Song of the Day: Fleet Foxes - "Blue Spotted Tail"

White Denim - "I Start to Run"

Song of the Day: Bibio - "Lover's Carvings"

Anni Rossi - "The West Coast"

Song of the Day: A.A. Bondy - "When the Devil's Loose"
(via Jonk Music)

Carleton Singing Knights - "Cannibal Resource" (Dirty Projectors cover)

I had to repost this video from Stereogum party because I enjoy the new Dirty Projectors album, mostly because these strapping lads go to college 10 minutes away from my home town, Faribault, MN.

Song of the Day: The Very Best - "Warm Heart of Africa"
featuring Mwamwaya and Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig

Graham Coxon - "In The Morning"

Song of the Day: Sunset Rubdown - "Stadiums and Shrines II"

Banner #3

The very third "Me. My World." banner.

Banner #2

The very second "Me. My World." banner.

Banner #1

The very first "Me. My World." banner.

Micachu and the Shapes - "Golden Phone"

This song is entertaining, but the video makes me wonder about the conversation leading up to the shoot.

"Hey, Micachu and the Shapes! You need to make a music video." "What? Awe, really? Maaaaan. Fiiinnne. But we're gonna act really apathetic and there needs to be a lot of geometry."

Song of the Day: I and I - "The Bottom"

Me ... on TV!

I had the opportunity to share my post-collegiate experience, thus far, on KELO. Please ignore the part where I stumble over my words.

Sigur Ros - "Inní Mér Syngur Vitleysingur"

I may not speak Icelandic, but Sigur Ros always produces beautiful music that I enjoy listening to.


Song of the Day: Dinosaur Jr. - "I Want You To Know"

Little Boots - "New In Town"

I thought I would throw out some Little Boots to kick off the weekend. Feel free to stand up and frolic about the office.

Song of the Day: Polvo - "Beggar's Bowl"

Jokes on me ... and every major news network.

Later yesterday evening, I learned that Al Jefferson isn't going anywhere. Apparently the Suns called about the deal and the Wolves swiftly turned them down (because it was completely awful, let's be honest). David Kahn even had to call Al Jefferson to assure him he wasn't be traded.

I understand why McHale is leaving, but I don't understand this.

Yesterday, the Timberwolves' new GM, Dave Kahn, put the media at ease by finally announcing the departure of Kevin McHale. I spent much of my evening watching the press conference and reading reactions to the news and I was happy that Kahn's ready to move in a new direction. However, I woke up this morning to the news that Kahn is looking to deal the one Wolves player (Al Jefferson) that you could build around, for Amar'e Stoudemire.

Al Jefferson is the best low-post scorer in the league. If you gave him as many touches as Shaq got in his prime, he would put up similar numbers, not to mention he's a better free throw shooter. I've listened to execs, broadcasters and players discuss how amazing his footwork is. He will be a perennial All Star soon and he's younger than Stoudemire. Plus, Amar'e could opt-out in 2010, meaning we could lose Stoudemire, Jefferson and this year's 6th pick by 2010. No deal Howie.

The Blood Brothers - "Laser Life"

This isn't, by any means, a new video. I just genuinely enjoy it.

Song of the Day: The Gossip - "Dimestore Diamond"
This is for the ladies.

Beirut - "The Concubine"

Toy piano! I'm going to try and use the word "concubine" in my vocabulary this week, as I know many.

Song of the Day: T. Nile - "Cabin Song"

Woods - "To Clean"

I'm pretty sure this is what I dream about each night, except there are usually more bananas involved.

Song of the Day: Modest Mouse - "Autumn Beds"

Animal Collective - "Summertime Clothes"

I've been reading a lot of criticism about this video and of course, there's the "original" AC fans saying the band is too poppy now. Let's all just remember, it's just a band and this is just a video. Enjoy it for what it is and don't hate. This is still one of the greatest albums of 2009.

Song of the Day: Soulcrate - "Reflections (We All Have Hooks for Hands Remix)"

Coconut Records - "Microphone"

I wish Mr. Schwartzman would have incorporated the dog more. Other than that, this is a very lovely tune.


Song of the Day: Portugal. The Man - "People Say"
Adding punctuation in the middle of the band's name is a copywriter's nightmare.

Mof Def - "Quiet Dog (Bite Hard)" (live on Letterman)

Once you're done watching Mos on Letterman, please, be kind, rewind.


Song of the Day: Terry Lynn - "Jamaican Girls"
Here's a little ditty to get you spinning in your swivel chair on Thursday morning.

Phenomenal Handclap Band - "You'll Disappear"

There are some pretty phenomenal handclaps in the background, if you listen closely.


Song of the Day: Dirty Projectors - "Stillness Is The Move"

Amadou and Mariam - "Masiteladi"

Amadou and Mariam are from Mali and interestingly enough the pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an affinity for music.


Song of the Day: J. Tillman - "Earthly Bodies"

Chairlift - "Bruises"

Chairlift finds life after the iPod commercial. I think Caroline Polachek could have settled for just one television screen, because there are screenless children in Africa.


Song of the Day: Yacht - "Psychic City"

May Playlist for Song of the Day!

MGMT - "Kids"

I'm glad I didn't go through what this kid did while I was a child. It's hard to believe I've had Oracular Spectacular for a year-and-a-half and this is still one of my favorite tunes from the album.


Song of the Day: Reed KD - "Winding Roads"

Dan Wilson - "Against Time"

Semisonic's "Feeling Strangely Fine" is still one of my favorite albums.


Song of the Day: Tobias Froberg - "What A Day"

Sondre Lerche - "Tragic Mirror"

Song of the Day: Pony Pony Run Run - "Hey You"

Ponytail - "Celebrate the Body Electric"

Song of the Day: Circulatory System - "Overjoyed"

Frightened Rabbit - "Swim Until You Can't See Land"

The concept sounds a little dangerous, but I'm always up for a new FR song.


Song of the Day: Good Old War - "Coney Island"