Directed by James Frost ‘This Too Shall Pass’ is the incredibibly fun video for OK Go’s new single from the new album “Of the Blue Colour of the Sky”. Filmed over the course of several months the video was filmed in a two story warehouse, in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, CA. The “machine” was designed and built by the band, along with members of Syyn Labs.

Over the past few years my love for the quintessential Swedish sound has infected my airwaves with album after album of soft-focus, shoegaze inspired, balearic dream pop. With longtime backing of labels such as Sincerely Yours and Labrador, swedish Indie seems to going from strength to strength. This new found sound has lead me to hours of music from bands such as Air France, JJ, Peter Bjorn and John, The Embassey, Jens Lekman and Lykkie Li. Not to mention the pioneers of this dreamy new genre The Tough Alliance. The country seems to be inadvertently creating it’s own soft focus indie monopoly!

Being released in early April (via Labrador) ‘Clinging to a Scheme’ is third full length from long-running fuzz-pop trio the Radio Dept., who have released just two full-lengths (along with a number of EPs) over their 15-year career. After the bands well received ‘Lesser Matters‘ (2003) the band rose to fame with a number of tracks on Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette and certain shoe companies Vancouver road trip. Their first single ‘Heaven’s On Fire’ is just what you need to kick start yourself into the Spring/Summer ahead of us.

“Heaven’s On Fire” by The Radio Dept.

Aanteni is a super sonic punch to the senses of pure video radness. Rodarte certainly know how to blow the socks off a new collection. Teamed up with supermodel Guinevere van Seenu, videographer Todd Cole, Elon Musk and L.A. noise makers No Age to create this visual masterpiece that fuses Fashion, Art and Music in to one all mighty pot to form ‘2010: A Space Odyssey’.

“Guinevere van Seenus stars in Aanteni, a high-fashion techno-thriller from CFDA award-winning design sisters Rodarte, shot by their friend and frequent collaborator, the photographer and video artist Todd Cole. Set in the deserted grounds of Paypal founder Elon Musk’s Space X jet lab in Hawthorne, California, the film was inspired by the pioneering spirit of the space race, which, according to Rodarte’s Kate and Laura Mulleavy, “has defined generations of artists in their desire to use new mediums and question the established rules they were taught to follow.” This cinematic collision between rocket science and visual daring is an apt match for Rodarte’s spring 2010 collection—a symphony of flesh-colored crochet knits, fluorescent fibres, leather bandages and distressed plaid. Costumed in a series of these exquisite creations, Van Seenus blurrily emerges from a shimmering seascape before running through the starkly alluring spaces of the Space X facility—a former Boeing airline hanger that has been transformed into what the Mulleavys call “a world defined by color, texture and material.” Van Seenus’ hallucinatory journey, punctuated by glimpses of mysterious experiments and sudden rocket blasts, is chillingly soundtracked by LA noise-merchants No Age. We advise you to strap in and don a helmet for the spectacular finale—a truly stratospheric experience that takes Rodarte’s unique vision beyond the final frontier.”

Watch ‘2010: A Space Odyssey’ /

BEHOLD! The 27-second trailer for ODDSAC, a visual album by Danny Perez and Animal Collective. “After four years of furious editing, a polarizing screening at Sundance and loads of body glitter. The film, a collaboration between the celebrated avant-indie band and Philadelphia film director Danny Perez, has been shrouded in mystery since its announcement last year. Little footage has leaked, save a 27-second teaser, and initial reviews at Sundance were full of wonder and befuddlement, comparing the 53-minute piece to Stan Brakhage’s epileptic edit work and Matthew Barney’s haunting imagery, marveling over its haunting jumble of sad vampires, whirling fireballs, flaming heads and glittered faces.” Rolling Stone Magazine. For Screening dates and news Click! Here. To read the “Behind the sceens inyerview” By Rolling Stone Magazine Click! Here.

Defrgrip have just done a great ‘Autophoto’ feature with New York based photographer, Ryan Bailey. Take five minutes off to take a peek through gallery and read all the stories behind the beautiful shots. If you like at then you should also check out his portfolio and photo blog.

Amelia Elizabeth Brække-Dyer, lady of scuzzy rock, lo-fi rad muffins, Pens, has just migrated her illustrations onto a new blog site. I have always liked the bands artwork and was unaware, until recently, that it was she who created it. Naturally the visuals share the same stripped down, uncomfortable simplicity of the bands music. A youthful optimism with a juxtaposition of some serious underlying psychological issues, like suddenly discovering Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? Is actually about hairy gay voyeurs.

1. Lets begin with the chicken and egg question …what came first the drawing or the band?

Well like everyone I’ve been drawing since I was a kid. most of it is traced or redrawn cartoons like the simpsons, teenage mutant hero turtles and the lion king, but some of it recycled references to strange characters I dont even remember. ive just put a bunch up on my blog with one character in particular,  that I have no idea what is in reference to. some weird reindeer probably from the simposons or southpark. He pretty much depicts everything I was a fan of at the time, Nike, the simpsons, christmas and pens. he’s always holding a pen. Oh and I studied illustration for degree, and PENS was formed on one boring day doing nothing at uni.

2. Do you have any influences in your style, anything you look up to?

Tons. I love looking at other illustrators work. I waste a lot of time on Flickr looking around for new stuff I like, there are so many artists on there that I look up to like Chris Pell, James Unsworth, El Neoray, Clare rojas, Cat johnson. I like older artists like Chris Johansson and Luke Best too, but a lot of what im inspired by is  16th-17th century art. British renaissance painting and creepy religious art inspire many of the girls in my drawings. I love the realism to the figures and the creepy mood that’s generated through textures. Elizabethan portraits are so cool too cos they have a real 2d element but still keep the realism in proportions. It’s that and the creepiness in these paintings that I try to capture that in some of what I do. See image below.

Oh and ren and stimpy. Ren and Stimpy is the reason I became an illustrator

3. Do you stick to a certain medium?

Yeah generally use gouache paint with pen. I prefer to paint my drawings as opposed to adding in colour with photoshop afters, because the of texture and the colours I use.

4. What environment do you like to work in, studio, outdoors, drunken stupor?

I work from home in my sad little room. I know other artists work with their peers in studios but I’m pow. Feel sorry for me. It works out better anyway cos I work better when im sad and lonely, theres more heart in what I’m doing.

5. Hahah yeah I’m playing the worlds smallest mini violin for you right now. Ok so who is Schnoops and what does he do?

Schnoops is a dog. Schnoops da dogg. He’s a character that came to me recently. I like him because he kind of represents a shadow of my past by carrying a lot of cultural reference to cartoon characters I used to love, beavis and butthead, simpsons, ren and stimpy, rude dog and the dweebs. He’s punk, he smokes weed, eats ice cream, wears sunglasses and rides a skateboard. he’s cool.

6. Ha I know that guy! I love Rude Dog & The Dweebs, I used to have this t-shirt when I was about 10  with ‘Surf Ratz’ on it, some sort of lame Rude Dog copy. It would be so hot right now, I wish I still had it. I digress …Anything else you want to add?

I’m currently animating a music video, making a website, contributing to a publication and illustrating a graphic novel. watch out.

I will do and thanks for your time. Badass. Naturally S&S will be the first to hear when these drop right??! In the mean time have a look at Oh! Schnoops! while listening to Pens.

Chris Gray is a man of many talents… We featured his stunning work back in january and through a string of email conversations, kids bikes and friends in common we came to a unanimous decision to invite him to be part of the Sticks team. Not that Chris doesn’t have enough on his plate at the moment with the management of his own Illustration / Art Agency, working as a designer for Studio AKA or on his own stuff over at We Shall See. We’re still super happy to have him on board and as a little introduction we put together a little interview.

1. So for everyone out there who doesn’t know who you are let’s start off simple with your name and what you do for a living?

My name is Christopher Gray and I’m a designer for Studio AKA (Film/TV), Freelance Designer (We Shall See)
and Director of TOY.

2. You recently started your own Illustration agency Toy. Have you had this in the works for a while?

I had the idea rattling around my head for a few years whilst working at an agency but only after I decided I would leave to pursue new things did it really materialise when my previous employer offered to help me start my own business. It was really strange how easy the next stop was. I think it was all planned out in my head somewhere, I just need the push to make it all come together.

3. What are your main goals with starting you own Illustration / Art agency?

There were a few main points that I had written down from day one. The first being was that everyone should be paid a fair amount for their work. I was really down about hearing stories from artists and the lack of money they made whilst ad agencies filled their pockets. Another was to work with as many amazing people without judging them on age, experience or location. The joys of the internet I guess. The last and the most fundamentally important was to live a good life and have as much fun as possible doing it.

4. Who’s involved and what can we expect to see?

There is ten of us at the moment who are the core team. Over the next year I am hoping to work with more artists, photographers, stylists etc. to keep bringing something new into the mix. There are many plans in the pipeline for more clothing, animation, exhibitions and parties!

5. You recent got back from what sounds like quite an exciting trip to Berlin. Can you tell us a little about the adventure?

The trip was a celebration of the company making it to one year old. We drove 16 hours to Berlin only stopping to stay in an aircraft hanger before meeting our friends, DJ’s other artists to hang the show at UNDPLUS. The evening was crazy with two rooms slammed solid with people showing their support and drinking plentiful amounts of free beer (of course!). The evening then spread across two clubs and a house party before finishing well into the next day. It was probably one of the greatest nights of my life and have since received tons of amazing feedback from people who attended which is probably why we have a new one lined up for March the 24th.

MagCulture, the editorial design blog, have put together a Google map of London’s best magazine stores. The project started last August and is an ongoing compilation of public recommendations, featuring classics such as Magma and Waterstones along side specialist shops like RD Franks and Art Words. View the full map here.

The Urban Dictionary defines ‘A Chickenhawk’ as the homosexual male equivalent of a Cougar. Wikipedia defines it as is a political epithet used in America to criticize a politician, bureaucrat, or commentator who strongly supports a war or military action, yet who actively avoided military service when of age. The former of these definitions bears no relation to the band that I went to see two Saturdays ago at the Unicorn on Camden Road, the latter is where they got their name from.

Having watched Chickenhawk several times when I moved to Leeds and since moving to London, you might think it would get a bit repetitive, but each time I watch these four sweaty boys play they seem to get better and better, sound more unified and slick, whilst resembling a giant perspiring shambles…

The show at the Unicorn was one of my favourite shows so far, for the same reason that I always end up really enjoying their shows, their enthusiasm and enjoyment of what they do is down right infectious. They endear themselves to their audiences because, while being super badass at playing their instruments, they don’t take themselves too seriously. The show was energetic, and fast paced, highlights for me were ‘I hate this, Do you like it?’ and ‘Bottle Rocket’. The band are finally starting to get the recognition they deserve so check out their Myspace, and then check out their awesome zombie video for ‘I hate this, do you like it?’.  Thus ends my glowing review of Turkeysparrow, or Chickenfox or whatever.

“Bottle Rocket” by Chickenhawk