Hey all- it is that magical time of week again where I will post a series of (mostly) music related links. This week we delve into my Sleater Kinney obsession, Blenders, the Bush family and more! (Oh boy!) Our website is tragically still down, but have no fear- you can check out our MP3 stream through iTunes radio (click on radio, then alternative) and the blog will still be up with a whole link page of distractions. Links after the jump….

Broadcasting some radio love your way!

• So first things first, some NJ-related love. Sufjan Stevens may have for all intensive purposes ditched the 50 state projects (otherwise he will be making music until he is in his grave). But he is still interested in the idea of place, and has decided to make a tribute to the NJ Turnpike. ["It is so perfect and efficient."-SS]
• Erich Weiss, one of Philly’s best up-and-coming filmmakers is debuting a film that is getting a ton of buzz at SXSW. He has made films for the likes of Philly hip hoppers Spank Rock and the iconic rockers, the Buzzcocks. But this time Weiss turns his camera-eye on the life of Norman ‘Sailor Jerry’ Collins, one of the most prominent early tattoo artists. The documentary follows the political and social roots of American tattoo culture through his life into a contemporary look as his legacy lives on through his iconic designs. The trailor is really worth a peak. [Hori Smoku Sailor Jerry]
• Ever wondered what it would mean to paint in 3D? This is totally un-music related, but given that graffiti is a huge part of historical hip hop culture I think that this link is perfectly appropriate. Crazy Germans are working on ways to make 3d graffiti. [The future is upon us]
• LEGAL DOWNLOADS: Man it was a good week over at RCRD LBL. I realize some of you probably don’t compulsively consume new music like I do. So here are four unbelievable highlights. ONE- African jazz folk, from an artist named Birigwa, whose album he made while studying at the New England Conservatory for jazz decades ago. It is receiving a warranted reissue this month on Porter Records. TWO- I don’t know if I would call it “erotic art-rap” but this femme hip hop artist, Bunny Rabbit recently signed to VOODOO EROS (Coco Rosie and co. record label/scene project) and is rocking my world. THREE- Bix! I saw him in Iceland this summer, he is a producer and teams up with friend Jonsi (and his iconic voice) from famed ambient pop group Sigur Ros to bring you this glitchy trippy track. FOUR- I can’t tell if this song by the Death Set is too hip or what, it has a sampled intro, Matt and Kim-like dancable pop beats and fuzzy vocals. But I keep listening to it, so you decide!
  
• PAVEMENT IS TALKING ABOUT GETTING BACK TOGETHER. BY 2009. [!!!!!!!!!]
• No Age rules, and has a new album in the works with Sub Pop. Pitchfork interviewed them and they dish about veganism, Fear Factor, and the press…. ["That's only because I don't have cable and my antenna gets channel 13 really well and that's what "Fear Factor'"s on. I've grown to like it."]
• Guess what music Jenna Bush listens to? I can’t tell if this is pure evil contaminating good music tastes, or maybe evil does not spawn evil and there is some good to the Bush name. Or perhaps the Arcade Fire are the biggest thing to ever happen to Canada besides bacon. [The National are so patriotic. Hah.. hah.. hah...]
• Rilo Kiley watching the Paris Hilton sex tape. This is old to the web, but new to me and amazing. [Paris who?]
• I love Kimya Dawson. I love the Moldy Peaches maybe even more. And I am so glad she has found her niche in pop culture through the movie Juno. I am, really. Even if she was the best kept secret of the Pacific Northwest for so long. However, I never ever ever expected to hear Babara Walters sing along to a Kimya Dawson song. The beginning of this Ellen Page interview is totally forgettable, fast forward to the sing along at the end and laugh away at Barbara Walters misty eyes as Ellen croons Kimya to her. [Walters makes even Ellen Page seem like an estrogen-sob-story-outburst waiting to happen.]
• LEGAL DOWNLOAD: We could all use some feel good music on these rainy days. So here is one of the happiest poppy twee bands I know, The Boy Least Likely To. Releasing their first single off their upcoming album for free online. YES [I Box Up All the Butterflies]
• BEST NEW VIDEO: Ed Banger records couldn’t be more rad, and while everything they touch turns to gold, I think the real artist behind the madness is their art director, So Me. The music video for D.A.N.C.E. was iconic and topped the year round-ups for best music video be it Pitchfork lists or Stereogum’s Gummy Awards. The new video for DVNO dropped this week, and it is honestly unbelievable. The whole this is animated by So Me and is retro-video animation-tastic. Plus I see tons of references to some great video games and early film credits. The song isn’t my favorite, but So Me has my ultimate praise. The French just do it right these days. [DVNO FOUR CAPITAL LETTERS]
• Speaking of French, those pseudo-native speaking neighbors to the north in Montreal just announced the Montreal International Music Initiative Winners. The prizes are substantial but not huge, but some of these guys I hadn’t heard of and are pretty damn good. [Thanks Montreal!]
• I’ve always dug on the Black Dice, and up until now was unaware that co-founder Bjorn Copeland was a visual artist as well as accomplished musician. Finding out this information, and being a painter myself I am more obsessed than ever. Thanks Matthew and check out his rad art [here].
• “Now a few of my 27 grandchildren suggested that I buy this thing called Guitar Hero Three. But it doesn’t play the Beach Boys, so I’m going to BLEND IT. Unfortunately it doesn’t fit in a blender, so first I am going to do a Pete Townsend on it.” Thanks Russell. [WILL IT BLEND? ...I'm sorry everyone I just passed along the ultimate distraction.]
• RETRO-THROWBACK: Maybe the best music video ever. [What's the scenario?]
• SLEATER KINNEY: (doesn’t exist anymore, but that won’t kill my obsession.) Carrie Brownstein, possibly one of the most accomplished female guitar players of all time, in my humble opinion, writes a great blog for NPR. With quotes like
  this: “You know, my hesitation to fully embrace Vampire Weekend might stem from the fact that if you take preppy yacht rock too far, you end up back at Jimmy Buffet” who can go wrong?? This week she responded to the Maxim review scandal (in my post last week) with her own “educated guesses.” [Rating: $800]
• SLEATER KINNEY: Okay her blog is really the best thing ever and because many of you are probably unfamiliar with it, here is a really great video she also made for NPR for the eventual launch of their video blog. She is just too cute. [Ipod upgrade: Carrie Shuffle!]
• OH WAIT, MORE SLEATER KINNEY: … Alright alright one more I promise…. In case you didn’t understand that I actually may be Sleater Kinney’s biggest fan…. Carrie has been a busy lady and made the cutest video with Fred Armisen of SNL fame for Corin (also ex-SK) and her new baby. Thunderants is a new brief video/comedy side project of the two of them which is amazing… Though somehow you have to have a really good attitude to make a comedy clip congratulating your ex-girlfriend and ex-bandmate in the “perfect song”to her new baby with her husband. [But in the end, it was the perfect song.]

Stay tuned next week for more links (and if there is anything of serious note/serious distraction material that I missed, do post it in the comments!!)

-Kelsey Flapjacks Johnson