forYoungModerns

FYM ABIDES: OUR HERO JEFF “THE DUDE” DOWD

Way out West there is this fella I wanna tell ya about. Goes by the name of Jeff Dowd. It pains me to say how jealous this Art Director is of our Publicist Nick ‘Way to go Donnie!’ Codling currently. Flying on Virgin America today, Nick was able to meet one of FYM’s heroes (what’s a hero anyway) Jeff “THE DUDE” Dowd, (that’s right THE ACTUAL DUDE Jeff Bridges character in The Big Lebowski was based off of, and inspiring member of the Seattle Seven).

Unlike past sightings, Nick actually landed the photo this time (pictured above, with the White Russian Nick got him). The Dudes legacy still abides, giving hope and inspiration to all the young dudes across America to keep on, keeping on.

Dowd today continues to be a major player/writer/producer in Hollywood. It’s cool to see a guy famous and sooo relatable for just being, well a Dude. So this Jam of the Day goes out to the El Duderino himself, Jeff ‘THE DUDE’ Dowd. Sometimes there’s a man.. Sometimes… there’s a man. It’s a jam written by David Bowie, that Ian Hunter and Mott The Hoople rock out.

‘All The Young Dudes’



Check out The Dudes website for current info on all of this projects HERE. Dude if you’re out there, this Art Director would love to buy you a drink in Seattle tonight.

Cheers,

FYM

FYM PRESS PLAY: JAMS OF THE YEAR

FYM REWIND: HOLIDAY SPIRIT JOURNEY

In the spirit of timely internal reflection, we are pleased to drop some holiday knowledge on our non-Seattle viewers. Cult-celebrity (in Seattle) and car insurance salesman Vern Fonk has released a collection of possibly the most entertainingly creepy, and clever local auto-insurance commercials anyone has ever made.

This is Vern’s extremely politically correct Holiday commercial:



Vern Fonk’s 30-second spots put Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job! to shame. If we weren’t total hippies who sold our cars before moving to Seattle, FYM would totally buy from Vern, purely based on his series of genius spoofs on pop culture, pimpin’ his auto insurance. Other favorites include the satires of Napoleon Dynamite, Back to the Future, and the Shapoopi Cowboy.

Will, Nick, and Jesse would like to wish all of our readers, our warmest regards during this Holiday Season. Remember what The Avett Brothers say, If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected. Decide what to be and go be it. 

Cheers,

FYM

FYM HOLIDAY: THEY LIVE! IN 2011

2010 for FYM was substantially aces. This week forYoungModerns will be experimentally jetset in the Midwest. Where we will take a week long Holiday. We will return next week, January 2011.

But for now, we toast:



From Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles: Happy New Year!

FYM FIRST IMPRESSIONS: CENTAUR NOIR, LET’S START A WAR- IN REVIEW

With Let’s Start A War, Centaur Noir (Deep Cuts Records) take us on a spirit journey down dark digital pastures. It’s Jon Burns 2.0, focused on building electronic whirlpools of sonic contemplation. This is what JB had to say about the new record, “My newer material is moving into a definate electronic direction. I play guitar and sing over backing beats that I produce: electronic drums, synths, bass etc…” Let’s Start A War is meant for late night long-burn listening.


Jon ‘the one man show’ Burns is the primary composer/singer/songwriter on his latest release. Burns’ voice in the sky vocal dynamics float effortlessly through his ambient electro landscapes as heard on One By One (the fitting album closer). Other highlights include Brand New Enemy, a heady nexus traveling through orchestral cyber valleys. He even pulls off an impressive Centaur Noir take on a tune by Ten Grand (Forever Golden Midwest Rock Heroes). In fact, every track on Let’s Start A War could pair very well while watching Blade Runner on mute. For lovers of self-actualization, go to Centaur Noir’s website and buy this thing!

Cheers,

FYM

Centaur Noir Let’s Start A War Visual Achievers:

FYM DESIGN: IN THE STREETS, MADONNA

We recently dusted off our stencils, and designed a new take on the Princess of POP. forYoungModerns is proud to present our first installment of the FYM ICON design series: Madonna.

(Click Image to Expand: Madonna sighting in the Midwest) 

So which Era of Madonna do you prefer? For us, it’s a tie between 80’s you can be my lucky star Madonna, and the dirty, somethings coming over me mid-90’s Madonna.

Cheers,

FYM

FYM JAM OF THE DAY: ‘TALLEST TALES’ BY MONDO DRAG, ALIVE RECORDS

While on Holiday in the Midwest,  FYM found ourselves reconnected, and ringing in the New Year with our buds Mondo Drag. We revisited New Rituals (2010 Alive Records Debut) recently, and rediscovered the epic Mississippi River roller Tallest Tales. The tune is only found on compact disc or digital download (not on the red vinyl- our  predominant music listening medium of choice).

Tallest Tales is special, starting out as a road weary grinding journey pushing West. Then the introduction of a female vocal apparition floating through ambient sonic valleys ignites the epic ending: an all-out gunfight in the desert showcase of instrumental prowess.

If you haven’t checked out the rest of Mondo Drag’s 2010 masterpiece New Rituals, buy it HERE.

Listen to forYoungModerns Jam of the Day:
 

Bonus Photos (Click to Expand), from New Years Eve with Mondo Drag:

FYM IN TUNE: TORO Y MOI, NEW 7” SPLIT & TOUR!

Toro Y Moi is set to release a new 7” split with Cloud Nothings, and conveniently enough they are going to be hitting the road together. The split is due out on March 29th via Carpark Records. Chaz Bundick who goes by the Toro Y Moi moniker and has taken the world by storm with his mellow keys that could visit comfortably in any Las Vegas lounge.

FYM DESIGN: STARBUCKS, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK- WITH CONFIDENT NEW LOOK IN 2011

So how much does coffee cost in The Matrix (seattle)? Well for FYM’s morning time staple it costs $2.70 for an “iced grande, no-room Americano” (to be said in that word order at Starbucks, otherwise the staff will correct you as they shout your order into the caffeinated abyss where your drinks are manufactured). But it seems as of late, Starbucks image has grown stale. Last year, FYM read in a local Seattle periodical, that this Empire was setting up shop in disguise (pretending to be cute indie coffee shops) in the hippest parts of their hometown.


As pictured above, Starbucks has decided to reinvent their brand again in 2011. The Starbucks creatives must think their company branding can sit with the likes of Recording Artist Prince, (taking his cue eliminating typography), and just going by a symbol (as pictured below).


Our once brave, chest baring lady (logo), has over the years grown shy. But now the quintessential coffee girl, takes center stage, becoming ‘bucks new icon catapulting company into the next decade.

As craft brew indie coffee shops flourish,  this new logo is a confident move by ‘bucks- sending publicity back to the giant. Check out CEO Howard Schultz explaining the new move:



As the globalization of the American economy continues to diversify across the planet, Starbucks is gearing up, as most brands will, evolving into  - nameless, yet recognizable corporate faces. But from a design stand point, Starbucks has officially declared themselves the boss of coffee. Words no longer need to describe how good their coffee is, right? At least it’s an intelligent move, unlike the Gap trying to reinvent themselves last year with disastrous results: (a total publicity stunt, as they are now back to their original design)



But maybe that’s the point in the never-ending consumer attention getter game… The Gap released the heinous logo above, and reinvigorated brand loyalty with their old consumers (as everyone was dumbfounded by this CS1 era Photoshop work).

Starbucks will get a ton of press off their latest move, with the press glorifying consumers coping with change, but eventually we will return to The Matrix, and loyally order our ‘Iced Grande, No-Room, Americano’ and consume again, (worry free) without a thought about the image we promote on the streets daily.

(support your local coffee house, but what if the Empire lives in your backyard and is your local coffee house?)

Cheers,

FYM

FYM PREVIEW: NOISE POP FESTIVAL 2011- SAN FRANCISCO USA (MUSIC EDITION)

What is FYM Publicist/Bay Area music aficionado Nick Codling’s favorite part of the new year in San Francisco? The week of sonic madness that is the SF Noise Pop Festival (taking over next month). He will be featuring the film and art portion of this post, in an in-depth article coming later this week. What’s the magic trick to getting into these incredible shows? Buy a badge for the festival right here. Keep an eye on the official Noise Pop schedule for more additions, along with all of the Happy Hour options. But for now see below the shows Nick is getting stoked on- Cheers, FYM:

February 22nd (Tuesday)
Yo La Tengo @ Fox Theater Oakland, CA (All Ages)

Dan Deacon(Solo) w/ Ed Shrader’s Music Beat @ Independent SF, CA (21+)

February 23rd (Wednesday)
Versus w/ Telekinesis, The Love Language, The Burnt Ones @ Cafe du Nord SF, CA (21+)

Geographer w/ Butterfly Bones, Altars @ Independent SF, CA (21+)

Admiral Radley, Typhoon, Social Studies, Fake Your Own Death @ Bottom of the Hill SF, CA (21+)

Dan Deacon(Solo) w/ Sister Crayon @ Rickshaw Stop SF, CA (All Ages)

February 24th (Thursday)
The Stone Foxes w/ Voxhaul Broadcast, The Ferocious Few, The Soft White Sixties @ Independent SF, CA (21+)

Film School w/ Apex Manor, Gregory and the Hawk, Melted Toys @ Cafe du Nord SF, CA (21+)

Ted Leo(Solo) w/ AB & the Sea, Kevin Seconds, Angel Island @ Bottom of the Hill SF, CA (All Ages)

February 25th (Friday)
Alexi Murdoch w/ Bart Davenport, Silje Nes @ Swedish American Music Hall SF, CA (21+) SOLD OUT!

A night with Aesop Rock and Kimya Dawson also featuring Rob Sonic, DJ Big Wiz, and guest DJ TBA @ Great American Music Hall SF, CA (All Ages)

Tamaryn w/ The Black Ryder, The Soft Moon, Wax Idols @ Cafe du Nord SF, CA (21+)
The Concretes w/ Birds & Batteries, Magic Bullets, Psychic Friend featuring Will 

Schwartz(Imperial Teen) and Patty Schemel (drummer for Hole) @ Rickshaw Stop SF, CA (All Ages)

Kid Koala @ Mighty SF, CA (21+)

Battlehooch w/ Nobunny, Exray’s, The Downer Party @ Bottom of the Hill SF, CA (All Ages)

February 26th (Saturday)
How To Dress Well w/ Dominant Legs, Schlohmo (Rare Live Set plus DJ Set), Chelsea Wolfe @ Cafe du Nord SF, CA (All Ages)

Best Coast w/ Wavves, Hunx and His Punx, Royal Baths @ The Regency Ballroom SF, CA (21+)

Max Bemis(of Say Anything) w/ The Trophy Fire, Westwood & Willow, Dave Smallen @ Bottom of the Hill SF, CA (All Ages)

No Age w/ Grass Window, Rank/Zerox, Crazy Band @ Rickshaw Stop SF, CA (All Ages)

Peanut Butter Wolf w/ Dam-Funk, Guillermo (Sweater Funk), Hakobo (Fresco) @ Public Works SF, CA (21+)

February 27th (Sunday)
The Growlers w/ The Pleasure Kills, Wrong Words @ Bottom of the Hill SF, CA (All Ages)

Ben Gibbard w/ Zach Rogue(of Rogue Wave) @ Great American Music Hall SF, CA (All Ages) SOLD OUT!