hungry hearted

serving up a healthy portion of pop culture commentary, random infatuations, and introspective ramblings

follow me on tumblr!

(via)


The time has come & I'm moving on over to tumblr. Follow me @ hungryhearted.tumblr.com! It's going to be so much fun!

there & back: a post vacay mix






wild hearts

Suggested listening: The Gaslight Anthem - Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts


Jersey boys with obvious Springsteen influence, just keeping it real. Enjoy the soft summer sentiment.


Bob & Bruce


Bob Dylan & Bruce Springsteen Meeting For the First Time, Backstage, New Haven, CT, 1975


OH MAN.

expectations


After every foolish day we sleep off the fumes & furies of it's hours, and though we are always engaged with particulars, and often enslaved to them, we bring with us to every experiment the innate universal laws. These, while they exist in the mind as ideas, stand around us in nature forever embodied a present sanity to expose & cure the insanity of men. Our servitude to particulars betrays us into a hundred foolish expectations. -- Emerson, Nature

high tide

Suggested listening: Best Coast - Sun Was High (So Was I)

Keep hearing this song. Seems appropriate.

avenue of the giants - northern california



It's amazing how small you feel in comparison. But then again, these guys have been around for hundreds of years.

north coast country


It's my last day in Eureka, California. Tomorrow I'll catch a ride down the coast to San Jose for the next portion of my travels. It's been a refreshing and rejuvenating experience up in this small town of the western north country. Crisp cold air & breathtaking natural surroundings have me in an exaggerated state of awe. It's a complete turn around from Austin's grueling summer. As I marvel at the overcast skies and cool breezes, my host has laughed at how insane I sound.

Aspects of the environment feel similar to my childhood in the northeast, but the coast and mountains offer this amazing blend of elements. Evergreens, redwoods & eucalyptus trees tower & fill vast stretches of land that drop off into the ocean. It's no surprise that the two main industries for this area were once lumber and fishing.


We hiked through the trails at Trinidad Bay through thick, overgrown forests. The giant trees block the sun and create dark clearings in their brush. We walked into the eerie darkness feeling as though we'd entered another land, exited, and laid on the massive rocks of the Trinidad Bay poking our heads over the cliff to watch the waves crash in a beautiful, violent display. The ocean is such a massive beast.


photo essay: westward bound







Eureka!



Sixty-five degrees & overcast feels incredibly restful and refreshing. Flannel, jeans & boots. North country. I'm into it.

new horizons



(via)
(by Erin Poettcker via)

The lessons we learn from the wild become the etiquette of freedom. We can enjoy our humanity with it's flashy brains and sexual buzz, it's social cravings and stubborn tantrums, and take ourselves as no more and no less than another being in the Big Watershed. We can accept each other all as barefoot equals sleeping on the same ground. We can give up hoping to be eternal and quit fighting dirt. We can chase off mosquitoes and fence out varmints without hating them. No expectations, alert and sufficient, grateful and careful, generous and direct. A calm and clarity attend us in the moment we are wiping the grease off our hands between tasks and glancing up at the passing clouds. Another joy is finally sitting down to have coffee with a friend. The wild requires that we learn the terrain, nod to all the plants and animals and birds, ford the streams and cross the ridges, and tell a good story when we get back home.
-- Gary Snyder, The Practice of the Wild

(via)

Less than 48 hours until I arrive in Eureka, California. Getting really excited for warm reunions, cold nights & giant redwoods.

music from a tree

Diego Stocco - Music From A Tree from Diego Stocco on Vimeo (via)

organizized

One of these days, I'm gonna get organizized - Taxi Driver


Whoa Google, new task feature in Gmail? Shit, son.

Deer Tick at Waterloo Records


"Dirty Dishes"

Saw these boys bring an intimate in-store to Waterloo Records last week. I have to say, these Deer Tick gents seem like really swell guys. It didn't hurt that they opened with a Springsteen cover, though. I got a little choked up over my free Shiner. I'm not gonna lie, bros singing harmonies just gets to me.


"La La La"

The Last Pale Light in The West


Finally got around to checking out Ben Nichols' (of Lucero) solo album The Last Pale Light in The West, which he based on Cormac McCarthy's novel Blood Meridian. Really stripped down country feel & serious story telling. Love the album cover, too. Get into it.

104 degrees, again


Suggested listening: The Drums - Let's Go Surfing


This brutal Austin heat seems to cause everything to slow down, which can be really nice.

Federico Fellini discusses perception & LSD



Interview with Federico Fellini BBC circa 1965

"The man who comes back through the Door in the Wall will never be quite the same as the man who went out. He will be wiser but less sure, happier but less self-satisfied, humbler in acknowledging his ignorance yet better equipped to understand the relationship of words to things, of systematic reasoning to the unfathomable mystery which it tries, forever vainly, to comprehend." -- Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception

to the moon

“For a moment of night we have a glimpse of ourselves and of our world islanded in a stream of stars – pilgrims of mortality, voyaging between horizons across the eternal seas of space and time.” Henry Beston, The Outermost House

sunday morning


(via)

The Record Club (Beck & friends) have been releasing a series of Velvet Underground & Nico covers. I'm really digging this project. So far, this one's my favorite.

my new favorite

(via )

Pretty sure we're both into dirt & having our hair brushed. Curious on whether Elizabeth the Austrian Mangalitza Gilt bahs or oinks. Both, preferably.

half-time: best albums of 2009, so far.

(via)

I certainly haven't heard all 2009 has offered, but from what I have, these outshine the rest & hold their own as my fav albums of '09, so far. Click on links for A/V supplements.



20. Regina Spektor, Far -- been listening to "Folding Chair" lately & picturing myself on the beach.

19. Handsome Furs, Face Control -- Dan Boeckner's voice makes everything feel really urgent & edgy.

18. Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion -- tons of hipster buzz, but rightly so. Fun, inventive & psychedelic.

17. Harlem Shakes, Technicolor Health -- simple & upbeat with hand claps and layered vocals.

16. M. Ward, Hold Time -- Always a pleasure. Ward is truly master of his craft in what feels like the humblest, most genuine manner possible.

15. Sunset Rubdown, Dragonslayer -- weird and wonderful, prog-indie. Love the epic story and instrumental build up in the finished/produced version of "You Go On Ahead (Trumpet Trumpet II)."

14. Peter Bjorn & John, Living Thing -- a surprisingly sexed-up, infectious, dance-party pleaser.

13. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band, Outer South -- evokes a sort of sentimental quality, like an old classic. The new ensemble is so well balanced. When it first came out I listened to "White Shoes" on repeat for a week solid.

12. Mos Def, Ecstatic -- I'm a sucker for his mellow, fluid rhyme tempo.

11. Deer Tick, War Elephant -- gritty & rough, laced with vulnerability & charm. Kind of like your favorite dive bar.

10. Dirty Projectors, Bitte Orca -- totally unique & refreshing. Far out, but accessible.

9. Black Moth Super Rainbow, Eating Us -- hypnotic.

8. The Felice Brothers, Yonder the Clock -- these hometown boys continue to amaze me with their folk-lore, ho-down, Americana music.

7. St. Vincent, Actor -- her voice is relaxing & enchanting, like a lovely little forest nymph.

6. Beirut, March of the Zapotec/ Holland -- my love for Beirut just keeps growing. This double album/EP may seem like contrasting focuses, but dude gets into it.

5. Various Artists, Dark Was The Night -- tell me what isn't awesome about this album? Heavyweight for sure.

4. Discovery, LP -- synthed, "space pop," side-project. Maybe I'm taking crazy pills, but I find it strangely undeniable.

3. Yeah Yeah Yeahs, It's Blitz! -- dance your face off. Girl's got attitude. Love this 'soft shock' remix, too.

2. Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest -- everyone is drooling. I'm no exception. It's even better live.

1. Dan Auerbach, Keep it Hid -- bluesy, rock. I've been listening to this album pretty regularly since like February & I'm still in awe. It's rugged, raw & really incredible.


californ-i-a

(via)


(via)

Countdown 'til adventure: less than one month.

Excitement: absurd.


oatmeal raisin chocolate chip cookie recipe


Cookies are delicious. Duh. And since your mom has a real job, it's probably time you learn how to make them for yourself. It takes about 30 minutes to mix & throw in your first batch, so pause this week's episode of Intervention. Get off of your couch & into the kitchen.

I basically use the recipe from the Quaker Oats website, which makes a hardy batch, so certainly downsize to suit yourself. You can refrigerate the cookie batter for a few days, but I'd try to use it within a week.

In a large mixing bowl, mix together:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups packed brown sugar
1 1/2 cups apple sauce (recipe calls for vegetable shortening, but this works)
6 cups Quaker Oats
1 egg
3 tablespoons water
1 teaspoon vanilla
however many raisins & chocolate chips blow your skirt up*

Mix thoroughly so everything blends & turns into thick dough. Put spoon-sized clumps of dough on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 350-degrees for approximately 15-minutes. They're going to look so awesome, but remember to let them cool down for a few before eating.


*When I told Sarah about my awesome cookies, she was like, "Eww, raisins!" Then I had to be all, "Hello, obviously."

Krause Springs








Krause Springs - Spicewood, TX

Rolling Stones 'Hot Stuff'




It's so hot in Austin right now.

Zach attack: my continued obsession with Beirut


Zach Condon is a total dreamboat. Period. This opinion became fact to me when I had the pleasure of seeing Beirut perform at SXSW back in 2007 and felt my entire body go limp as a direct reaction to his nonchalant, brilliant performance.

I'm pretty sure Zach fits a variation of my 'perfect guy.' To me that guy embodies a child-like curiosity, zest for life, and an amazing talent. The best thing about Beirut's front man is that he comes off so disheveled in appearance and casual in essence, which allows him to seamlessly pull off the ultimate balance. I imagine that everyday with Zach would involve a whimsical exploration or a ruckus adventure. We'd spend afternoons bicycling around Brooklyn, talk about random cultural, quirky charms & nights sharing flasks on the subway, riding the carousel at Coney Island, and making up ridiculous songs on a drunken stumble home.

Zach Condon & Ed Droste (of Grizzly Bear)

Maybe it's the beautiful production of Beirut that takes me off on these daydreams. Seriously, do yourself a favor and listen to Beirut: Live at the Music Hall of Williamsburg. It's magical and offers some wonderful escapism. His cover of Serge Gainsbourg's 'La Javanaise' is absolutely delightful.

spring roll recipe

yum


Spring rolls are one of my favorite summer specialties. They're delicious, filling & super easy to make. Plus they make for a great dinner party meal. You can definitely get tipsy & still pull off a messy, but totally tasty roll.

What you need: rice paper wrappers

Fill with chopped up pieces of (all ingredients optional): avocado, red pepper, scallion, shredded carrots, tofu, shrimp, crab, cellophane noodles, romaine, mango, peanut sauce, cucumbers, snap peas, cabbage, cilantro, etc.

Personally, I've always used romaine lettuce instead of the cellophane noodles, but that's just me. You can really do whatever you want with these. I usually mix up all the fillers with some peanut sauce to keep things together.

To prepare:
1. Dip rice paper in bowl of water. Fully emerge & let soak for 10-15 seconds.
2. Take paper out of water. It should be really slippery & pliable.
3. Put small handful-size portion of fillers in middle of rice paper.
4. Fold in three sides & roll away from you towards the fourth keeping fillers pocketed in paper.
5. Serve with peanut sauce.

Enjoy!




monday mix: summer solstice

Patrick Winfield: Flower Study



Joanna Newsom 'The Sprout and The Bean'



back to basics

"In nature every moment is new; the past is always swallowed and forgotten; the coming only is sacred. Nothing is secure but life, transition, the energizing spirit." -- Emerson











TOP ALBUMS WEEK or HOW SARAH TRICKED ME INTO BLOGGING

For the record, compiling and narrowing my selections for this list was impossible. It's forever incomplete. I started and stopped for the sake of the showcase, and with consideration of the test of time (thus no really new albums). I left off The Beatles because, well, isn't that where we all start? For me they were certainly the jump off, but the following albums provide the definitive soundtrack to my life as I remember it best. Here we go, in chronological order pertaining to the life and times of yours truly.


janet., janet. - 1993

I'm a child of the 90's and, like most pre-teen girls I knew, I wanted to be a fly girl when I grew up (or at least have the option). This album was released around the same time I was learning the butterfly dance and going to pivotal sixth grade co-recs. Fast, sexy, dance tracks like "If" were perfect for all those group dance/trying to flirt situations. I really don't think anyone can deny how hot this album was and still is.


Weezer, (Blue Album) - 1994

With the exception of "Buddy Holly," I still appreciate this album IN FULL today as much as on the day I bought it. To me, "In the Garage" is one of the most uplifting, geek-pride songs of all time. Maybe it just reminds me of simple times, like when we'd go to the 24-hr diner in high school and play "The Sweater Song" on the individual, table-top jukebox. Having said that, can you really blame me?

Beck, Odelay - 1996

I saw Beck tour for this album at Roseland Arena in NYC with my Dad. It was the night after he'd performed on SNL with Kevin Spacey, who was there along with other cast members for the show. It was the first album I ever introduced to my father that he appreciated as much as I did. That felt kind of awkward at the time, but is really special in retrospect.Plus, it's one of the best albums EVER. I'm pretty sure I throw at least one song from this album on just about every iTunes playlist I make.

Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique - 1989

I became a pretty die-hard Beastie Boys fan in high school. I was introduced to their albums out of order starting with License to Ill and Ill Communications, so when I heard this album for the first time, it completely blew my mind. For real, "B-Boy Bouillabaise" is still one of the most awe-inspiring medleys of all time. Who else could pull it off? Seriously.


Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville - 1993

By now I've really said it all. Liz Phair is/was a bad ass. It's really too bad she sold out, but it doesn't matter, I was hooked-in after my late discovery of Exile. "Strange Loop" is the story of my life. It's every girls life. It's the epitome of a good ol' "fuck you" to that guy who totally screwed you over, only the album sticks with you.


A Tribe Called Quest, Beats Rhymes & Life -1996

During summers in high school I worked part-time at TCBY and every week after I picked up my check I would go directly to Rhino Records to peruse their used CDs and adopt a few for my collection. I popped it into my rigged-up disc-man, turned up the bass, and hit the streets. Sun shining, windows down. To this day, this album always brings connotations of that initial taste and all those carefree high school summers.

Le Tigre, Le Tigre - 1999

I went to Brooklyn for Le Tigre's first show ever with my friend Evan. I think it was a school night and I was totally excited that my parent's trusted me and let me go. They played at a venue that felt more like a houseparty. I was shy and wide-eyed in awe of the whole scene. As everyone filtered out after the show, Evan was like, "Let's go meet Kathleen Hanna." I couldn't believe how simple it was to run an intro with someone I idolized. She is so super tiny and amazing. Riot Grrl 4 life! (Even though I'm kind of jealous she's married to Adam Horowitz.)


The Roots, Things Fall Apart - 1999

I'm pretty sure this was the soundtrack to the spring semester of my senior year of high school. I think no matter who's car I jumped into during that time, this album was playing. As graduation neared our blurry, late night hang outs often turned into sing-alongs of, "You Got Me" in anticipation of college and that whole end of an era feeling. Word up, Questlove.


Erykah Badu, Mama's Gun - 2000

I bought this album for the first boy I fell in love with. True story. When I traveled without him for a semester in Australia, I missed him like crazy and listened to it frequently with thoughts of him. So much so, that my bitchy roommate would be all, "Can we listen to something else?" and then she'd put on some awful, billboard top one-hundred crap. It's a real gushy, sentimental attachment I have to this album, but everyone has THAT album, right?


Belle & Sebastian, The Boy With the Arab Strap - 1998

I am no longer friends with the girl who introduced me to this album, but if I had to appreciate her for something, it would be this. (Thanks, bitch.) With the introduction through "Ease Your Feet into the Sea" (which is perfect for when you don't want to get up in the morning, but totally have to, so you turn on that song), Belle & Sebastian quickly became one of my favorite bands to cherish forever and ever. It was hard to choose an album for this list, but the title track to this album ALWAYS cheers me up, without fail. "We all know you're soft 'cause we've all seen you dancing. We all know you're hard 'cause we've all seen you drinking from noon until noon again." Fucking perfect!

Bob Dylan, Nashville Skyline - 1969

Two years ago I went home for Christmas without my iPod adapter and grabbed this album for tooling around in my parent's car. I have a fairly extensive collection of Bobby D. on my computer, and because of that I hadn't ever formed a relationship with ONE album of his in particular. It was my first Christmas pilgrimage home since relocating to Austin and "Girl from the North Country," had me all sorts of reflective. The whole album is so perfect I listened to it for a week straight and still love it. Always and forever.

Camera Obscura, Let's Get Out of This Country - 2006

So sweet. So smooth. So melodic. I listened to this continuously during my initial move south, so it was only natural. The title track felt like a narrative of my life at that exact moment. I got to Austin and was doing some day drinking, looking for a job, and spending a lot of time pool side contemplating. This album is just really nice and sort of retro, like your favorite episode of The Wonder Years. It feels good.


Bruce Springsteen, The Wild, The Innocent & The E Street Shuffle - 1973

A lot of people find Bruce pretty cheesy and that's cool because he does play that game. More importantly, he WINS that game, and he's got other tricks. Bruce is an epic lyricist with loads of passion and he always delivers. "Incident on 57th Street" is a freaking novelette. Listen to it. He's a beautiful man with beautiful stories. Do yourself a favor and watch Hammersmith Odeon London 1975. Out of control.


Two Gallants, Two Gallants - 2007

Last winter I drove from Texas to Connecticut and back with my best friend. The trip was one of those epic adventures full of delirium and topped with an assortment of ridiculous nights of fun and mayhem. With lengthy days of endless driving, this album became our go-to as we belted along off-key over and over to their well-depicted, bitter tales of discontent and wandering, feeling at times as if their stories were our own. It's heavy stuff and makes for a really comforting road companion, for sure.


Click for list official participants & info on joining in!