dac biet

Currently only found in the mornings on Phạm Ngọc Thạch street (near Điện Biên Phủ) in District 3, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam ---

Tiem Banh Mi Phuong

This is enough reason to go back to Vietnam. Tiệm Bánh Mì Phương is located on Hoang Dieu street (the shoe street where you can design your own customized Adidaboks), just at the eastern end of the central market in Hoi An. The proprietors consist of a very lovely man and woman making the best bánh mì I've ever had in my life. It is always busy and understandably so...



You know it's good when it's Bourdain approved...


What is unbelievable to me is how Anthony and Philippe can just split one bánh mì. I attacked two whole ones back to back...

The sandwich -- three special sauces: mayo, pâté and blood sausage spread with pickles, salt, pepper, herb + salad mix, tomatoes, cucumbers, chili peppers, ground beef, headcheese, pork, pork and more pork... and you top it off with a fried egg on top! And I'm probably missing at least 5 other ingredients. This is really special.

This is my history.

Keep on Music

So sad I won't be in town for this reunion... Read the most amazing interview I found on the Amoeba blog about the Vietnamese New Wave Revival.

Vertical Ray of the Sun (2000)

Cyclo (1995)

The Scent of the Green Papaya (1993)

The Lover (1992)

13 years ago...

I found these photos tonight from when I was last living in Vietnam thirteen years ago... Going back home next week and I can't wait to see what it's going to be like now...

The healing waters of Vịnh Hạ Long.

 

 The standard mode of transportation in Saigon.

 

 As found in the original 36 streets of Hà Nội. Words to live by: Green, Clean, Beautiful.

Đà Lạt Market.

 

Mekong Delta.

 Close to the Chinese border, the verdant tea plantations of Cao Bằng where my dad was born.

Just grilling some shrimp on the beach at Mỹ Sơn.

Heading into awe inspiring caves of Ninh Binh.

 

 The art deco designed Phy Tho racecourse in District 11.

The Cao Đài Temple.

 

 My favorite billboard in Saigon.

  

The silkworm factory near Huế.

 

  The view from my window during the tropical monsoon season.

Pre-Spring Vacation Mix

You know it's that time of the year... Say goodbye to those winter blues and hello to the rest of the year...

Warm sand between my toes -- swimming with the dolphins -- dancing in the moonlight -- the best food in the world -- catching up with long distance friends (and they are the bestest friends) -- turning off the 'puter AND the phone (no data whatsoever) -- I'm going back to where I was born...

Here's what I hope to see at night all next week.  This is the soundtrack to my holiday... Click on the shooting star to download (I usually prefer *shuffle* but why don't you try sorting it by genre this time around, a-z...)

If you haven't planned yours yet, now is the time to take a break and relax... x

Save BBC 6 Music

Repost from J+J's blog:

We listen to BBC 6 Music every day in our studio/flat. We believe it is one of the most important sources for new and experimental music in the UK, and thus contributes to the culture of the nation at large. Today, BBC director general Mark Thompson publicly recommended, amongst other cuts, the closure of BBC 6 Music. But there is hope: The Guardian reports that "BBC Trust chairman Sir Michael Lyons said that if there was a big enough public response about the cuts, he would ask management to rethink its strategy." Please get in touch with the BBC Trust and ask them to save BBC 6 Music. Send an email to srconsultation@bbc.co.uk and join the Facebook group Save BBC 6 Music (There are links to various petitions on this page.) In a humble effort of our own, we have designed this little logo.If you have a blog, flickr, tumblr et cetera, please post this logo to help spread the word. So far, the BBC has received thousands of complaints about this decision. It's not too late: The trust has opened up the discussion, and our numbers can help save this important music institution.

***

This is true. I've been in their very cozy flat sipping on rooibos tea (with milk of course) and making dinner only to discover a whole new world of music I would never ever get to hear anywhere else... Have you heard Jarvis' Sunday Service yet? My old band even did a session there many moons ago... It would be an absolute travesty if BBC6 Music was no longer... You have a voice, make it known...

No surprises here...

I know I can be repetitive but I can't help talking about these bands again and again. This week, four of my all-time favorite favorite are playing in LA and I can't wait to see them.

Magnetic Fields

Magnetic Fields - Long Vermont Roads from chris parker on Vimeo.


I'm just dying for Wednesday: a co-headlining show with Taken by Trees and El Perro del Mar. Just add Camera Obscura and I'm done.


TAKEN BY TREES in series Live At Other Music from Dig For Fire on Vimeo.


El Perro Del Mar "Shelter" (by The XX) from The Control Group on Vimeo.


The Clientele

The Valley of Death

Here's what Death Valley looked and sounded like this past weekend:

The last bit of civilization at Zzyzx Road.

 

The saltbeds of Tecopa.

 

Badwater, the lowest elevation in North America at 282 feet below sea level.

 

Furry salt crystals

 

The Artist Drive

 

Zabriskie Point

 

Dante's View

 

20 Mule Drive

 

  Sand dunes

 

Mosaic Canyon

The desert

"Why are you going to the desert again?"
Someone asked me this today.
I replied, "because I want to and because I can."
Next question, "What are you going to do in the desert?"
"I'm going with my dream guy who's visiting me... Unfortunately he's gay... But we're still going to have a good time."

Wonder Valley two weeks ago:

Death Valley in two days:

A GIRLS' Valentine

Photo: MF


San Francisco this past weekend:
Family, friends, food, and GIRLS = TOO. MUCH. FUN.

 

A welcome home.
It was the last night of the tour. 
It's fun seeing a band in their hometown.
The fans... the friends... the hugs... and the love.

Was quite pleased that a keyboardist was finally added into the mix... The Wurly sounded beautiful.

GIRLS attract girls... and they were the loveliest!

During Lust for Life.


Lust for life.
I certainly do.
Happy New Year.
x

Jeremy and Jamie, A Love Story

A true reason to believe in love...

In between Z's "Music for Sensuous Lovers" and Hollywod Brats' "And Then He Kissed Me," have a listen to J + J's love story as read by Jarvis Cocker in his weekly BBC6 Sunday Service* show. Today was a special Valentine's affair...

Happy Valentine's Day.


*If you can't spare the time to listen to this entirely exquisite show, their story begins a little after 1:20...

Krautrock

Really feeling Germany these days:



Here is part one. Part six is just so frustrating without audio! Highly recommend though...

Winter 1:2 Mix

A day early.
Click on Steve to download.
Many thanks to the Neighbor Upstairs for introducing me to some great stuff, perfect for this promising Winter.
Why don't you start with Bill or Pete and end with Nico or Dino?

Elton or Bertrand?

Trying to decide which version to put on my mix for next month:

ATP

The crowd during the Pastels at the MBV curated ATP 'Nightmare Before Xmas,' Dec 2009

I told myself that last year's Coachella was going to be the last music festival I would ever go to (but I had said that the year before as well...) Well, at last year's Coachella, I left early (again) because it just became too painful. As much as I love going to see bands play live, I like quality, not quantity. My spirit was slowing breaking after the 99th band and I was feeling a bit claustrophobic...

Lately, going to see a band is more about the intimate experience and less about being with the general public. Yes this doesn't sound right but all I care about is seeing what the band sounds like live, how well they play their instruments, and whether or not they are dripping with charisma. The best place for this is not in the front or amongst the folk, it's leaning against the back wall or the preferable corner.

But when my band was invited by MBV to play this past December's ATP at Butlins, how was I suppose to refuse this ultimate honor? What's one more show right? Especially as something as special as this... MBV did an excellent job curating the festival. Best music festival experience ever...

I've never been to ATP but it's the kind of festival made for someone like me: it was relatively clean and not muddy whatsoever, all three stages were within one minute of each other, the on-site accommodation was not too shabby, and most importantly, I only saw one drunkard being taken away from the venue the whole weekend... Absolutely civilized. ATP is really about the music, well the kind of music I like and grew up liking. It felt intimate enough and being amongst the folk, who were just as into it as I was, there was no other feeling like it. Kindred spirits.

Do you know how fulfilling it was to have gotten the chance to finally see Television Personalities and The Pastels at last, two of my all-time favorite bands?

TVP's Painted Word is pure genius.



Pastels' Comin' Through is pure pop.