THE SILVER THREAD

We all have a story to tell.

It’s confession time. I had to call Charlotte [Gainsbourg] this morning and tell her I met someone else. It was sad and we cried together, and she even sang me this song she wrote for me in her whispery girl-child voice, but I told her it just wasn’t working out. I need someone who knows her way around a dancefloor, and that girl is Róisín Murphy. Charlotte vowed to win me back and as we were hanging up I could hear her banging around the apartment looking for her synthesizer, so we’ll see what she comes up with.

If you don’t know Róisín, she used to be in a band called Moloko, but has since gone solo. Here’s the video that won me over. Anyone who looks this hot in black feathers, singing about primordial ooze, is instant girlfriend material in my book.

SH

And here she is turning it up a notch. And totally owning the shoulder pad look.

Charlotte Gainsbourg wins for sexiest whisper in this year’s 10 Best Albums.

“The Songs That We Sing”
From The album 5:55

#1
Graduation / Kanye West
An ego gets naked. This album is a bold lesson in blind confidence and the insecurity that drives it. I sometimes wonder if this was all just a happy accident. There’s something very pure about this album. I think that’s what makes it so endearing. That, and his incredible flow.

#2
We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank / Modest Mouse
There’s something equally anthemic and uassuming about this album. It feels so much brighter, more hopeful, than their older stuff – even in it’s darker moments, which are evident throughout. Case in point, one of my favorite tracks, “Parting of the Sensory,” about new life being born out of the carbon of the dead.

#3
Writer’s Block / Peter Bjorn & John
More proof that the Scandanavians just know what the hell they’re doing when it comes to making… well… anything. There’s something timeless about this album, and yet it feels completely innovative. Of course I love to dance to “Young Folks,” but it’s tracks like “The Chills” and “Paris 2004″ that really round out the album’s narrative. Taken all at once, the album feels like a memoir.

#4
5:55 / Charlotte Gainsbourg
I’m not sure why this girl is not my girlfriend. Or how I’ve managed to go this long without knowing who she is. Her album was produced by the guys from Air, which is not surprising when you hear her voice. Her music reminds me of the great songstresses of the 70s, like Carly Simon and Karen Carpenter and Carole King – after a heavy dose of opiates.

#5
In Rainbows / Radiohead
Beyond all the attention this album is getting for throwing distribution to the wind, it’s easily one of the band’s strongest efforts to date. It’s hard to describe what I like most about the album, except that it feels incredibly well edited. This is the kind of album that comes out when a band has played music together for a long time, and is just completely over their individual eccentricities. They know what works when they hear it. And they shelve the rest.

#6
Finding Forever / Common
I’ve never really been that impressed with Common. I always felt his albums were more about being different, and deep, and songwriter-y than actually being strong pieces of work. Maybe sometimes people just need to get all of that out of their systems, so they can reach a place like Finding Forever. Everything about this album feels innovative, but also like it’s coming naturally. It’s one of those albums where you feel like you can sit back and just let the artist take you wherever he’s going – and that at the end of the journey you’ll have more than what you started with.

#7
Our Love To Admire / Interpol
I have a strange relationship with this album. I want to love it more. I want to listen to it as an album, and yet I rarely do. Instead, I see it as an incredible collection of songs. To be honest, I just find it way too sad to listen to as complete piece. Which is strange, because when you absorb each song individually, they’re not necessarily that dark. But then you string them together and you realize they’re all just threads of the same dark noose.

#8
Alright, Still / Lily Allen
Someone finally nailed the break-up album, and she managed to do it with a sense of humor. I wouldn’t say that I pump this album day in/day out, but I always find myself going back to it whenever I want to feel better. I think everyone could use a dose of brash, bratty self-confidence (and reflection) every once in a while.

#9
Blood Moon / Apes & Androids
I haven’t heard anything else like it, which is a triumph to begin with, but the most exciting thing about this album is its songs. Imagine if a band of marauders from the future traveled back in time and made a disco their fortress. It would sound something like Apes & Androids. You know those movies that are so funny you just sit there staring at them, and not laughing? That’s the way I feel when I listen to Blood Moon. These are dance songs that you just want to witness more than anything else.

#10
Oblivion With Bells / Underworld
Yes, the days of “lager, lager, lager” are behind us, but these guys are still holding it down when it comes to sophisticated soundscapes and weird, non-sequeter songwriting. I especially like some of the more atmospheric tracks, reminiscent of their work on the Breaking and Entering Soundtrack.

As I was getting into the Christmas spirit this morning, this song popped into my head…

“Do They Know It’s Christmas Time?”
Band Aid

There are many things I love about this video. I get the distinct feeling that no one got the memo about the session being filmed. I think this is most evident in the late arrival of Bananarama, who look like they were wrangled out of bed and shoved into the back of a cab. I also love that the only people who thought to wear make-up were Boy George and the guy from Kajagoogoo.

If you’re wondering who most of these people are, I won’t go through the laundry list, but I will bet money that you heard at least one track from each of them while riding the escalator at the mall.

Pay specific attention to the hair in this video. Especially hair tag-teams like Simon le Bon and Sting. And Bono giving new meaning to “business in the front, party in the back.”

From my studio to yours – happy holidays.

SH

Jeremy Shaw, the Canadian electro artist known as Circlesquare is another one of the artists we’re planning to work with on an upcoming project. Jeremy had shown interest in producing a track for Two Blue Wolves, but our schedules didn’t line up. I received an email from him a couple days ago, and he sent along a link to his latest recording – a meditation on the holidays entitled “Untitled (for Christmas).” Enjoy.

If you’re interested in checking out some of his other work, the album Fight Sounds is a good place to start. Here’s a video he produced for the title track. It’s a favorite of mine.

I was out at one of my favorite cafes this past Sunday, Irving Farm, and thought it was about time I did a top ten best coffee/writing spots in New York (State). A big shout out to Irving Farm for making the list, not once but twice, for their two locations in the city and upstate.

The city location, at 71 Irving, just east of Union Square, is what I like to call my scone-away-from-home. I should seriously be paying rent for as much time as I spend at this place. Across the street from Pete’s Tavern, and tucked in beneath a row of charming old apartment buildings, you descend the steps into a cozy, brick-walled cave. The tables (about a dozen or so) are usually all taken, but there’s a counter where you can hang out until something frees up. Right beside the counter is a display of Irving Farm postcards and take-out menus that list the mysterious second location in Millerton, NY.

For New Yorkers who have little to do with upstate NY, Millerton is just another word for Canada. But in actuality, it’s only about 2 hours from the city, and a half an hour from my house. Which makes it an easy drive on a Sunday afternoon when I feel like getting some writing done.

I’m happy to report that this was a particularly productive Sunday – complete with apple spiced muffins, turkey reubens, and a second draft of my newest short story, What Comes After. More on that later… For now, the list!

Okay, so the rating system is based on the following factors:

• Lighting
• Coziness
• Ability to get a table
• Concentration of smarty-pants girls
• Quality of all things percolated

Best Coffee/Writing Spots in NY

1. Irving Farm, Milerton, NY
I love this place because it’s full of ex-New Yorkers, and yet down-to-earth enough so that you feel like you’re still upstate. The space is larger than the one in the city, and comes complete with a full kitchen and a roaring fireplace. I recommend the muffins and the reuben sandwiches.

2. Irving Farm, New York, NY
When I’m here, I like to make believe I own one of those townhouses on Grammercy Park, and this is just one of my neighborhood hang outs. Get your chocolate fix with either a mochaccino or one of their double chocolate brownies.

3. Think Coffee, New York, NY
This place is crammed full of NYU students getting their smart on. Check out their selection of teas, and grab a table if you can find one. I like the little busy body section towards the front.

4. The Hungarian Pastry Shop, New York, NY
This one is a trek, all the way up to Columbia, but their eastern block assortment of coffees and pastries will make it well worth the trip. But make sure you bring an extra battery for your laptop. There isn’t a single wall socket in the place. I think they run the lights on whale oil.

5. Spin Caffé, Rochester NY
Spin Caffé, spelled (annoyingly) with two F’s, makes up for its spelling skills with its coffee and upbeat atmosphere – not to mention its friendly, knowledgable staff. Whenever I’m in Rochester you can usually find me here, eating a biscotti and soaking up some free wifi.

6. Columbus Bakery, New York, NY
This has always been one of my favorites on the west side. It’s right near the Natural History Museum and it serves up some amazing chocolate chip (w/ caramel?) cookies. Things get a little hairy with baby strollers in the afternoon, but they tend to clear out by dinner time. I went by the other day and noticed they were closed for renovation. I have no idea why. Lets just hope it’s not a change for the worst.

7. Café Pick Me Up, New York, NY
I base myself here whenever I’m in the East Village or heading down to the LES. I like the side room. It feels like an old gaslight saloon. And it’s right next door to San Loco’s, so I can hook up some borrito loco action if need be.

8. French Roast, New York, NY (West Village)
I am definitely a sucker for all things French. Babar? I’m all over it. I prefer this location to the one on the upper west side, mainly for its layout. It just makes for better people watching. Consistently great coffee and amazing molten chocolate cake. A perfect escape from the city’s wintery streets.

9. Peekskill Coffee House, Peekskill, NY
Victoria from Vik Can’t Cook pointed this one out to me. I love the old time vaulted ceiling. A great place to get some reading or writing done, or to just break up a day of antiquing. Yes, I did just say that. Speaking of which, if you’re in the area and feeling rather Victorian, I’d recommend checking out Cold Spring NY, which is full of great places to buy beautiful things you probably don’t need. My favorite: Downtown Arts & Antiques.

10. Café Angelique, New York, NY (Grove Street)
On the rare occassion that I find myself in the West Village, I almost always end up spending a couple hours here. Usually in the back room, at one of the tables by the window. The West Village is ideal for people watching, and Café Angelique serves as the perfect perch. And their cappuccinos aren’t bad either.

Here’s an extra dose of hotness from the set last week.

“Knots” is one of the tracks we’re considering for the next project, You Looked Good on the Dancefloor & Other Stories.

Sam Tyndall from The Kiss-Off teamed up with hip hop MC Wythe Marschall to create the song “Stranger in the Strangest Land” for the Two Blue Wolves Soundtrack, and now we’re talking to Sam and the band about featuring a track for our next project, You Looked Good on the Dancefloor & Other Stories.

This is a video I shot of the band this past week at Snitch.

It’s also the reason you want to go to a Kiss-Off show.

Here’s a song I wrote that David’s working with. I must have been in an especially good mood that day.

Extraordinary
Lyrics by Sparrow Hall

You’re so very
Extraordinary
What’s a boy supposed to do?
You’re so very
Extraordinary
Nothing in the world like you

There are things that you give
And things that you take
Things that you promise
And promises you break
Living your life
with nothing at stake
Then along comes that thing
That thing you can’t shake

And you think it’s so
Extraordinary
Nothing like you’ve felt before
It’s oh so very
Extraordinary
Never really known the score

There are things that you have
And things that you hold
Things that you cherish
And things that are sold
Then you discover the one thing
More precious than gold
That one like no other
A cast with no mold

And you say that’s so
Extraordinary
Nothing like I’ve ever seen
Oh so very
Extraordinary
Tell me now what does it mean?

Cuz nothing’s made me feel like this
Won’t someone tell me what it is?

It’s just simply so
Extraordinary
What’s a boy supposed to do?
You’re so very
Extraordinary
Nothing in the world like you

Copyright 2007
Sparrow Hall

Here’s an excerpt from one of the stories that’ll be featured in the upcoming collection You Looked Good on the Dancefloor & Other Stories.

This is the kind of apartment you’re supposed to want. The kind that once served as a paper mill, or a football factory, or an assembly line for any number of products back in a time when the city was known for making things you could touch. People were never meant to live in places like these, yet they inhabit them now like caves after a holocaust. Walls have been erected to form rooms and hallways. A kitchen has been installed. And tonight these rooms are full of people, proving that this is the type of place that one is meant to be. Disco lights are rigged with clamps to a cobweb of pipes running overhead. They spin like beacons, flashing over the windows along the far wall, tall black windows that look out onto more tall black windows of the caves across the street.

From There are Too Many People at this Party
by Sparrow Hall
Copyright 2007

Color has always played an important role in my writing. Whether it’s the color of a character’s coat, or the resounding hue of an atmosphere or mood, color has the unique power to provoke our emotions in an instant. So it was interesting to come across the new site by Pantone – the people who know color best.

According to the site, my color is Coral Blush, signifying a soothing, receptive and nurturing state of being. In other words, I should quit writing depressing fiction and become a masseur on South Beach.

Check out the site and see what color you are. And if you were born in November, please comment back with photos attached – portrait and full body. Thanks.

http://www.colorstrology.com/