stay meow pow

annie!

when you gonna get a real job?

new york

ethiopia skate

The title track from The Very Best’s latest album Makes A King.

Featuring Ethiopia Skate, started two years ago by a peer group of young skaters, led by then 16 year old Abenezer Temesgen, who shared only 7 boards between 25 youth in Ethiopia’s capitol, Addis Ababa. With time they connected with older skateboarders Addisu Hailemichael, Buzeyo Julien, and Yared Aya who each brought their neighborhood crews to the mix- creating a citywide network of youth interested in skating. With no place to buy skateboards, the crew created the beginnings of a skateboard scene and start a community organization to support it.

American photographer Sean Stromsoe documented this process by taking photos and making videos to inspire the movement. Since then, Ethiopia Skate has been able to get over 100 kids skateboarding with boards donated from Austria and America. They use Instagram to connect with various skaters and travelers, even getting the attention of CNN- who did a story on the movement in 2014.

In a place where there are no proper skate spots, this generation shows how to make do with what you have- power sliding down steep hills in the Piassa district or dropping in on their homemade mini ramp. They aim to buildEthiopia’s first public skatepark and spark a movement that lasts long into the future.

Shot & edited by Sean Stromsoe
Produced by Ethiopia Skate

jessie ware x tiny desk

ms. ware kills it for npr's tiny desk concerts.

belated galentines champagne kisses

sorry gals i was distracted by some nba all star weekend, but here's a belated galentines video from jessie ware, who is going haute art for "champagne kisses." maw!

road dawgs

you & me (forever)

first kiss

my roommate sent this to me, and it was too delightfully precious that i couldn't help share. check out damian kulash of ok go. he playfully sets the mood at ease earlier when he says, "this here is the awkward moment." the piece is perfectly paired with soko's "we might be dead tomorrow."  she's the sky ferreira look-a-like at 0:25.

she's baaaaaack

got the following email from the lady herself:  

Subject: I CAN'T EXPLAIN IT BUT 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN, 

I NEVER LEARN. 

recover

loving this slightly stripped down version of chvrches' "recover"

the xx + jessie ware

best video birthday presie: the xx covering modjo's "lady" which was the jam when i lived in copenhagen over 10 years ago. then the extra special cameo with jessie ware mashing in stardust's "music sounds better with you" = amazeballs! here's the xx take on the collab.

lilies

loving this quiet rendition of "lilies" of bat for lashes's latest, the haunted man.

ocean roar

npr has really created a gem with this field recording with mount eerie. reminds me a little of the wes anderson aesthetic.

tdc: taken by trees

micachu, i choose u!

anything could happen

love this vid for ellie goulding's latest single, 'anything could happen," off her forthcoming fall release halcyon (october 9).  fans submitted instagram lyrics to create a fun, creative piece.

tiny desk concert: first aid kit

j versus s

okay am i the only one who was kinda underwhelmed by bon iver's self-titled follow-up to for emma, forever ago.  i have to say that stripped down dueling piano between justin and sean is my cup of tea.  making me take a second look at the album.  no auto-tune needed, just lovely tickling keys and two great voices.  sean, i heart you!  no need to sing "i can't make you love me if you don't".  loved it all the same.  ;)