A few weeks back, indie (?) band Ok Go teamed up with Notre Dame University and released a souped up marching band rendition of their new single “This Too Shall Pass”. Now they’re back with another version of the song and another snazzy music video to go with it. This time, they channelled the spirt of Rube Goldberg (I dunno, was that even an actually guy?) and Wiley Coyote to lay down some sweet-ass chain reactions. Enjoy.

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For a little over a week in May 2009, US based artist Ripo nabbed ten consecutive newspapers and re-imagined the headline through a colorful and typographical lens. Typography nerds rejoice; while he’s not totally slinging established fonts, the bulk of his focus is placed on the letters themselves and how they relate to the subject. Check out more work from Ripo here and keep up with his latest headlines .

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“This is your life. Do what you love, and do it often.
If you don’t like something, change it. If you don’t like your job, quit. If you dont have enough time, stop watching TV.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
Stop over analyzing, life is simple. All emotions are beautiful. When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Open your mind, arms, and heart to new things and people, we are united in our differences. Ask the next person you see what their passion is, and share your inspiring dream with them.
Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself. Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
Life is about the people you meet, and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating.
Life is short. Live your dream, and wear your passion.”

This pretty much encapsulates the mission of Holstee, a fresh NY based clothing start-up with a serious agenda. Not only do you support kick-starting the businesses of impoverished entrepreneurs around the world through KIVA with 10% proceed donations, help save the planet with eco-friendly and extremely high quality materials, and look awesome in a pocket shirt or my personal favorite, a versatile FIN, but you also support the dream of two brothers who want to challenge people to wake up and start living. Nobel cause, awesome designs, I wear it, check it out.

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Fang Island‘s new album has been described by band members themselves as “everyone high-fiving everyone.” Despite the fact that bands usually aren’t good at describing their own music (Tom Delonge repeatedly claiming his next AVA album would change the world comes to mind,) this is exactly what I’d liken the music to: a room of everyone just feeling good and handing out high-fives, pardon the pun. Arguably the first sleeper hit of the year, “Fang Island” takes everything right about The Postal Service and Japandroids and smashes it together into one; is that not a recipe for an awesome sandwich with a side of hipster? Pick it up here.

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Here’s an analogy for you: Fomato cards is to Hallmark, as A&V is to <insert your least favorite large blog here>. Sure, 2 of them make cards and 2 might write blog posts about making cards, but I’d like to think that the former do their job just a little more awesomely. Unless they’re stuffed with greenery, I’ve never really been thrilled with any card I’ve ever received–they’re usually just cliched commercial cardboard. And then came fomato, and with it, a whole new perception of gift-cards. Outrageous dry-humor, solid illustrations, and themes bizarre enough to make you forget about your own birthday, these cards completely defy the stereotype.  You can be sure that any card I send will most definitely be a fomato.  (More…)

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I’m sad to discover the Chinatown Storefront Library Project after its completion, still Boston Street Lab’s latest venture is a really great example of community outreach every city can learn from. The organization aims to find ways to make city life a little more human by promoting cultural and civic programs in downtown Boston. These programs strive towards surpassing our current economic problems and creating a sustainable future for the city. Read more after the jump…

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I woke up this morning and was absolutely gobsmacked to read that the Senate was planning to bail on the Volcker Plan. I mean, I know Geithner wants to overhaul financial reform, but canning the Volcker plan leaves key financial assets subject to the discretionary whims of proprietary trading. I totally plan on calling NPR’s Planet Money and expressing my outrage.

What the hell?

Um, here’s Kirsten Dunst strutting the streets of anime Mecca singing a song that may or may not be about masturbation. Original song by The Vapors. Read more over at Flavorwire.

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Only a few days after a heart-wrenching report suggesting the sale of Abbey Road studios went out, BBC News is proud to inform us that the studios are, in fact, NOT for sale. EMI has reported that they do not have plans to sell the legendary vestige to the greatest band ever, and instead are focused on revitalizing the studios. Abbey Road has actually been losing money over the past few years, and EMI wants to fix that with a little funding. And by a little I of course mean a lot. And if EMI doesn’t have the money for a lot, guess what? Third party! Thus, EMI states that, “These plans would involve a substantial injection of new capital”… whatever that means.

Really though, we get what it means. If the guys at EMI want to keep the studios under their ownership, they have to give in and add a new member to their team (maybe someone like Mr. Moneybags or Warren Buffett?). This probably means some changes will be made, something that unyielding fans may be displeased about, but hey, it’s better than watching it disappear completely.

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If you haven’t heard of The Books, the electro-folk duo from Manhattan, here’s a primer for virgin ears: The Cello Song featuring Jose Gonzales. I love that song so much I had to look up a word just to describe it: unctuous. It can mean something that’s excessively smooth or…buttery. I’m torn as which to apply.

Everything they do sounds like it belongs at the sorta-kinda inspirational/accepting/life changing/fuck it I’m gonna do it! climax of an Indie movie. Not like, Michael Cera Indie movie, but maybe The Squid and The Whale. Or something. Either way, I’m pumped that they’re making a stop in Ithaca during their six show mini tour of the East coast. The show is going to be held at the Cornell Cinema and it’s going to look like this. I got my ticket already. Get yours here. You can bet there will be A&V coverage of the event. Look for the morning after post, March 31st.

Catch more of The Books on Myspace, Tumblr, and at their Homebase.

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