Not Quite Random Aesthetic + Sonic Sublimity from a Beautiful Man: Diego Stocco's Custom Built Orchestra

Diego Stocco - Custom Built Orchestra from Diego Stocco on Vimeo.

Absolutely marveling at this incredible piece of work from Diego Stocco, who also happens to be as lovely as he is brilliant! Having grown up as an industrial boy + revisiting some of my roots lately even more than usual this is especially welcome. I'm fairly certain that the fact that this reminds me of SPK, Test Dept., Einsturzende Neubauten, Laibach, + so on isn't a coincidence. Either way, I'm in love! Thank you Designboom.... x, B.

Far from Random Sonic Brilliance: Gilles P + the Havana Cultura Band Live! Full gig!

Random Aesthetic Loveliness of the Day: Okkervil River Gig Poster by DKNG Studio

Okkervil River from DKNG Studios on Vimeo.

Having a bit of illustration envy here (I make no claims otherwise—I'm a designer, not an illustrator + am still looking for the right illustrators to collaborate with) but I am still LOVING this understated but monumentally vibrant poster for a recent Okkervil River gig in Baltimore by DKNG Studio. I'll be honest, the band don't do much for me, but they clearly have stellar taste, + DKNG's standard of exquisite work has never been more evident. The process clip is just an extra bonus jewel. xo, B.

Because I Love the Beautiful Marc Forgione!

New Short Clip I've Created for One of My Favorite Saint Etienne Songs!

This is a brief new design project—a clip for one of my favorite Saint Etienne songs (from the achingly rare Misadventures of Saint Etienne) that had been missing on YouTube. The most I've ever played around in iMovie, new territory (doing a proper film title job I'd have someone else handling the tech aspects—this is just me playing around) but I am fairly happy with the graphics! With the first of Saint Etienne's US dates confirmed (@ Lincoln Hall in Chicago on October 29), it seemed a lovely time to post it.... Sadly it appears that there won't be a Seattle show (For those of you who didn't know I moved to Seattle in June—to a radiant spot on 13th Ave. in Capitol Hill that's such a beautiful change of pace from the awful Long Beach ghetto I was living in that it truly cannot be put into words. I'll be posting in more detail @ some point but for now you can see plenty by following me on Instagram @eleganthoodlum (or by viewing my feed on Followgram)). Not much likelihood I'll be able to get to SF for the show there so I'll have to content myself with the incredible Decibel Fest coming up here + recollections of the two times I saw Sarah, Pete + Bob before. In the meantime, hope you enjoy this! x, B.

Random Genius for the Day: "Barcode Band"

Via designboom.

Not Quite Random Aesthetic Loveliness of the Day: Adam Hinton's Exquisite Shibuya Book!

Thanks to the ever-brilliant It's Nice That for this!

Not Quite Random Monumentally Epic + Wondrous Aesthetic Genius for the Day: Tilt-Shift Rio Carnaval

Thanks to my dear friend Craig Hobbs for turning me on to The City of Samba, an EPICALLY EXQUISITE + VIBRANT film via This is Colossal! Filmed at Rio's 2011 Carnaval in tilt-shift photography, the color + spectacle are given a whole new, monumentally wondrous slant! Take my word for it—this is essential viewing! xo, B.

Random Aesthetic Loveliness of the Day: Floral X-Rays by Brendan Fitzpatrick

I'll be the first to admit I'm terrible about adding a large amount of the aesthetic wonders/inspiration I find on a daily basis on here (Unlike my Facebook wall, where I post EVERYTHING—if we're not yet friends, please feel free to add me!), but sometimes something comes along that's just so utterly, completely, ineffably breathtaking that I have to add it...... These awe-inspiring "floral x-rays" by Brendan Fitzpatrick are one instance where I couldn't let it go without posting it! Thanks to This is Colossal for sending it my way! xo

Not Quite Random Aesthetic BAFFLING GENIUS for the Day: The Story of Sushi—Told Entirely IN MINIATURES!!!

Random Aesthetic EPIC SUBLIMITY: Albin Holmqvist's "Live the Language (Beijing Edition)" via the Fox is Black!

EF - Live The Language - Beijing from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

Not Quite Random Sonic Loveliness for the Day: An Absolute Stunner from Gang Colours!

I've just fallen madly in love with this mix! The best yet from Gang Colours! More stellar quality from Gilles P. + the Brownswood family...... Thanks to FACT mag for sending this my way! Enjoy! xo, B.

Far from Random Sonic + Aesthetic Loveliness for the Day: GILLES P. WORLDWIDE AWARDS 2012!

LeFtO Films: Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Awards 2012 from Lefto on Vimeo.

It's well known how much I've been pining to live in London since I was about 8 years old, + with the dismal state of our backward country that's been growing exponentially for years, especially in the last 3, so it's a bit masochistic how much I keep up with everything happening not just in London, but everywhere in the UK.... That said—I won't stop because as a graphic designer, DJ, + just as a human being it's also inspiring + I can't squelch the drive to keep up! This footage from last weekend's annual Gilles Peterson Worldwide Awards fete is gorgeous, w/ plenty of my favorites, including Gang Colours, the ever-BEAUTIFUL Kutmah, Austin Peralta + Thundercat, Jamie XX + more, all presided over by GP himself looking mighty dapper in a white suit........ Another of those clips that makes the night look like pure magic (in the resplendent halls of Koko, which I've of course heard about for years but had never seen before), + making me pine to have been there! Enjoy! xo, B.

Random Aesthetic Loveliness of the Day: Colors + Xylophone by Seiichi Hishikawa

The Wanderlust Hotel Singapore, My New Ultimate Dream Destination

Hope everyone is having a lovely holiday season! I'll be posting my Best of 2011 in the next few days but in the meantime take a look at my new dream destination, the Wanderlust Hotel, Singapore, found via designboom's Ten Most-Viewed Hospitality Designs of 2011. How fitting is that name given that wanderlust is my perennial state? Also very likely a word I'll get tattooed somewhere prominent when I find the right typeface.... Of course I'd rather just find the $$$ to travel to all my dream destinations, but hopefully that'll come around! xo, B.

"The Tsunami + the Cherry Blossoms"—A Staggeringly Beautiful + Incredibly Moving Bit of Hope for a New (+ Hopefully 20,000 Times Better) Year

Happy Holidays from Liquidator Graphics! (+ the adorable Sebo Walker....)

CLASSIC INSPIRATION: A Stellar Interview on the History of the Mighty House Industries

Far from Random Beautiful Boy Loveliness: Chef Dream Husband Alex Stupak for Eater's Sound Check!!!

Lovely Boy Eye Candy: Boxer Zachary Wohlman

This is Zachary Wohlman from freshjive on Vimeo.

Thanks to Fresh Jive for sending this quite lovely boy my way, + congratulations to him on winning his first fight. xo, B.