Monae (That’s What I Want)

I played “Tightrope” on the show today. I didn’t realize there was a video. This is the best thing ever. (Please remember those four arrows at the bottom right make a video fullscreen.)

I adore how she moves. I first heard Janelle Monae on Studio 360; she performed on their live episode dedicated to time travel. She is crazy cool.

The ArchAndroid is out May 18th.

Happy Valentine’s Day

This week every sitcom, column and podcast dutifully released a Valentine’s Day episode. Studio 360’s solicited ideas on resdesigning the holiday and produced this bacon bouquet. Which is awesome.

Romantic and delicious.

If you’re alone this weekend, in lieu of bacon you get a free pass to wallow in self-pity. 30 Rock had a lonely Liz Lemon celebrate with the Lifetime Original, “My Stepson is My Cyberhusband.” All Songs Considered took the opportunity to play breakup songs for a full hour. They missed my favorites, so I’m putting them here (with cheapo YouTube links!). The first is perfect if you’ve been broken up with, and the second is essential if you’re doing the breaking.

Sometimes I Still Feel The Bruise (Trembling Blue Stars)

It Ain’t Me, Babe (Bob Dylan)

Whether you celebrate it or not, don’t miss the only great pop song specific to this odd holiday. “Valentine’s Day” by Andre 3000, the best thing behind “Hey Ya” to come out of OutKast’s overflowing double album, is guaranteed to put a smile on your face whether you’re mooning or moping.

Talkin’ Web 2.0 Blues

Anyone who’s spent more than a few minutes worrying over their various online profiles or talking about nothing with strangers has experienced the weariness that Scott Blaszak captures in this hilarious song. His perfect imitation of the “talkin’ blues,” a folk staple, collides deliciously with his subject and its absurd invented vocabulary. Really, who came up with “Orkut”?

Download the song here, or check out the whole Studio 360 segment here.

For some context, listen to Bob Dylan singing “I Shall Be Free No. 10” here.

“We Are Searching For Haiti”

This week Studio 360, an arts and culture podcast, went to Brooklyn to profile Djarara. All fifteen members of the rara band lost someone in the earthquake. The musicians do a beautiful job explaining how and why they look to music and tradition in the aftermath of the disaster. “Haiti will get better,” one says. “We are searching for Haiti. For a better Haiti… But don’t worry. Haiti will be Haiti again.” Listen:

Courage in Creole

Explore Haitian aid donations here (J.P.Morgan Chase, 1 million; Czech Republic, 1.25 million; Gisele Bundchen, 1.5 million). The Red Cross was reporting on January 18th that around half of its donations, or seven million dollars, had come in by text.

Djarara in Prospect Park

Learn more about rara and Studio 360.