Last week the new Sleep Good album, Bohemian Grove, was released and this week the new Quichenight album, Cooler Heads, is coming in hot and heavy. Lots more on the way!

Short listing this week because 1) it was a short week and 2) I'm pretty low on browsing time lately. Regardless, Enjoy some videos:

• Klaus Nomi - Nomi Song - I've been revisiting some Klaus Nomi works and am still stunned by this French TV performance. Follow this up with The Cold Song.
• Jay-Z - 4:44 - if you know this video, you'll enjoy this.
• Woman Tonight - just gonna sneak this Quichenight video right in here for you to enjoy. Read more about it if you feel so inclined.
• Annual Cheese Rolling Contest - in which a bunch of human beings voluntarily throw themselves down a steep hill and compete to see who can demolish their bodies the most on the way down. A fine tradition.

Enjoy this little sneezer too. Thanks.

In an effort to not flood the site with only things I'm working on, here's a rundown of recent projects and involvements of mine that I'd love for you to be aware of:

• Hott Minute: Maymorial Day - this new episode came out on Memorial Day and finds the hosts experiencing a lot of synchronicity; which leads to quite a bit of hilarious observations. Always a good listen.
• Vidalotry: Gore's Watergate Fix - a great episode of the Gore Vidal podcast that follows Gore's suspicions of Nixon and how he was ultimately provided correct. Prescient you might say.
• Quichenight Listening Party - if you're in Nashville, come by the Bowery Vault on Thursday, May 31st, to hear the new Quichenight record, Cooler Heads. No bands playing, just a good time with friends and great new music. Also, the album is out on Friday, June 1st, so just go ahead and save it to your Spotify.
• Skyway Man, Liquid Landing Test 3 - again, for Nashville residents, come by The Basement tonight (May 30th) to hear Skyway Man play a handful of new songs off a forthcoming, as yet unfinished, record.
• Forget Cassettes - "Venison" - I'm going to be continuing to post videos from this 2003 show at The End where Forget Cassettes played a bunch of songs from their first two albums, Instruments of Action and Salt. This particular song is from the later but the former is now on vinyl.
• Garth Brooks Chris Gaines Countdown - I have mentioned this before and I WILL mention it again but I'm legitimately trying to ignite a campaign wherein Garth Brooks hosts SNL in honor of the 20th anniversary of his 1999 appearance as both himself and musical guest, Chris Gaines. It's over a year away but it's never too early to start a movement, right? Tweet about it!

That's not everything I'm up to but it's a nice overview. Hopefully something in that list hits you as enjoyable.

The above GIF is a reminder that cats are magical, wonderful and strange creatures. If you have one, appreciate them. If you don't, find one and give it some quality time. Pets really are an amazing, special, presence in our lives. Keep em close.

On to the distractions!

• Sleep Good "Somewhere" - a friendly repost of this Sleep Good video from last June, now part of the full album Bohemian Grove.
• Solo - /r/youtubehaiku delivers some perfectly stupid goods from time to time.
• David Cross v Stephen Colbert - pretty funny bit on the Late Show where these two trade off stories from their time on the Dana Carvey Show.
• Wrong Car - KTLA newscopter follows the wrong car. If you've seen Baby Driver, this might feel familiar. An honest mistake I suppose but, if you wanna make it real, it's that lack of attention to detail that leads to real trouble.
• Baby John C Reilly -
• Walmart. Sugar. Plastic. - stick with it, it's hyponotizing in its own weird way.
• Thrift Haul w/ Fat Tony - generally I do not enjoy gameshows on YouTube but this is pretty entertaining and the bonus commentary from John Early really puts it over the top. A bit long for a Friday video but, hey, enjoy it over the long weekend.

Enjoy your long weekend (assuming you're in the US and get Memorial Day off - apologies to all international readers).

That Raccoon is having the time of his life catching raindrops. I admire his dedication and feel his frustration.

Before diving in this week, please enjoy this morsel, this absurdity and this nightmare. Enjoy.

• BILL BILL BALE BALE - keeping on the topic of hearing things differently, enjoy your new summer anthem.
• TNG + Full House - generally a two year old mash-up of this kind wouldn't do much for me but there's something about all the mundane, non-sci-fi, footage that just grabs me. I'm also on a Fan/Fic high from binging on on these.
• Virtual Catsanity - an undeniably great 30 seconds of your life.
• Going for a Swim - I won't spoil it but its an infectiously enjoyable clip of idiocy.
• Atlas Gets Some Air - we let this happen.
• Good Ole Fashioned Lover Boy - thanks to that new Bohemian Rhapsody trailer, I have been on a nice Queen binge.

As I mentioned on Friday, work has been unrelenting lately. As such, finding time to browse and cobble together blog posts here has been difficult. So, in lieu of posting things that other people have made, I'm going to share things that I'm helping to put out into the world. Seems like a decent tradeoff, right?

As such, here's Episode 10 of Hott Minute- the comedy podcast I help produce over on We Own This Town. Ten episodes may not sound like a lot but it's been an extremely fun learning experience and I'm happy to be a part of this thing. This particular episode is great because it features a brand new theme song from Tristen and has the show's first special guest, long time friend Brooks Alford.

Do me a favor, go Subscribe so by the time you read these news posts you already know.

Question for everyone: has work been absolutely unrelenting for you? I don't know if it's the impending summer or some other celestial event that's occuring but my job has been brutal lately. I've had so little time to just enjoy the Internet, much less work on my side projects. Am I alone here?

Regardless of that, I've got plenty coming down the pipe that I'm excited to get to work on and share with the world. I just hope I can get it prioritized sooner than later.

How's THAT for a bummer of an intro? Sorry about that. Here's some hilarious distraction.

• Horror Movies with the Beauty App Filter - I am endlessly amused by this. Would watch an entire film.
• Childish Gambino - This is America - yes, everyone on the planet is already talking about this and I won't bore you with my own adorations for it. Just watch it again. It's heavy.
• Dog Interrupts Weatherman - this is some fundamental Internet. Classic stuff here.
• Cut for Time: Cleveland Cavs Promo - the Donald Glover SNL episode was legitimately funny and this cut sketch is pretty worthwhile. I don't know basketball one bit but still enjoyed it.
• People Guess Who's a Couple From a Group of Strangers - surprisingly entertaining for such a simple concept. If you like it, there's plenty more.
• Fraggle Rock Garbage Pile - FACT, I did not grow up with Fraggle Rock. Revisiting segments that include a giant trash pile grandmother is blowing my mind.
• Top 100 Best Shredding Moments - shockingly satisfying even if it is 17 minutes long. Just skip around.
• ????? - whatever happens, never forget that the Internet is a WEIRD place.

Here's your weekend challenge - start watching 10 Seconds of Every Dinosaur Ever Discovered and see how far you make it.

New Black Moth Super Rainbow released today. I'm diving in first thing and there's really nothing like starting your day off with some warped, crunchy, spacey keyboard songs. Give it a whirl.

I've been reading The Three-Body Problem lately and rather enjoying it. There's no Bowie involved but it's easily as fascinating as that gif (if not more).

Enjoy the weekend.

• Arrested Development: Star Wars - look, it's May 4th and that means it's time for your nerdiest friends to say "May the 4th Be With You!" See, I just did it. It's also the day that Arrested Development Season 4: Remix is released. It's one big giant cross promotion and it actually works.
• Why Are You Honking? - a delightful romp through Manhattan trying to answer an unanswerable question.
• Drip Music - George Brecht (Fluxus) - we're all very lucky to be able to witness this phenomenal performance.
• Tumbleweeds Bury Neighborhood - I'm pleased to see this is an actual thing that actually happens.
• Country Boy - just a hearty, classic, Internet video of someone attempting something and failing gloriously.
• Trumpet Boy - "Africa" - I'm only a few months behind the curve on Trumpet Boy but, thankfully, that means there is a treasure trove of absurdity to explore. I absolutely love the aesthetic of these animations. The Internet is a weird place but occasionally completely brilliant.
• Long Man (Japanese Ad Compilation) - 6 minutes of Japanese weirdness. I love that there's a narrative arc. via Falfa.
• Alexa, what's 10 to the power of 308? - it's less than 2 minutes but consider this your Endurance Challenge for the month.

Also, watch this. Is it satire? Is it legit? I am 100% unsure either way.

Anyone else suffering from extreme FOMO when the weather gets slightly nicer outside and you feel chained to a laptop and can just stare listlessly out the window yearning for some non-Internet time? No? Just Me? Great.

Take a moment this weekend to listen to the first teaser for the new We Own This Town show, fan/fiction w/ andrew/zach. If you're into nerdy talk about all kinds of sci-fi / fantasy / whatever crossover, you're gonna love it.

• True Facts: Frog Fish - Ze Frank has returned with 3 minutes of Frog Fish comedy.
• Bad Lip Reading: Interrogating Zuckerberg - maybe not their best work but some undeniable moments make it worth a watch. Lindsey Graham has literally never been more delightful.
• New Yorker Caption Contest: A 9-Year-Old Girl - if you haven't seen the feel good article about this girl, check it out. Her delight at her own work is infectious.
• New Gmail - Natt Garun from Vox walks through the new Gmail. I know this is absurd but I'm legitmately excited for this as I could never get into Inbox but have been tired of the old Gmail. Best of both worlds here.
• John Early in Beatriz at Dinner - five minutes is a big ask of you but John Early does a great bit about his role in this Salma Hayek film.
• Cody the Screaming Dog - I often equate Friday Videos to America's Funniest Home Videos so here's a video literally culled from AFTV and, yes, it fits perfectly.
• Baby Blue Maru - never forget.

That kitty getting bonked on the head is continuously enjoyable because of that intense frown he makes. What a great metaphor for life, amiright? No? Maybe just me? Cool.

Record Store Day is tomorrow. If you have a local record store (or two), swing by and buy some local music from them. Everyone will appreciate it.

• Notorious N.E.R.D. - this is absolutely perfect right up until the very end. The end ruins it so just click ahead directly at 20seconds.
• Instruments of Action Vinyl Reissue - I made this little promo video and want you to know about this great record that is now available for pre-order and you should totally get it.
• Feels Like Friday - weird weird weird. But also, just right.
• How to cut a pizza into 10 slices - this is real instructional video. Not a joke. Mesmerizing.
• Demonzone Family - this is dumb but I loved it.
• The World on Piano - this is dumb but I loved it.
• Music Genre: Video Game 2 - intentionally bad music for an imaginary video game but, honestly, it's a hoot. The first one is good too.
• KMC KRU - Devil went down to Michigan - thank you Paul for this incredible cover.

Hey, it's Friday the 13th! Did you know that there's a Nashville country artist named D. Striker that only plays on Friday the 13th and he's been doing so for 20 years? Pretty fascinating. Read more about that here.

• Take Time with the Road - speaking of D. Striker, here's his latest music video that features some pretty great dance moves.
• Guillotine vs Spray Paint Can (Unexpected Results) - it's good and then it's great. via Jamie.
• Zuckerberg Voight-Kampff Test - if you get it, you get it.
• Risky Business with Realistic Audio - way more creepy than it is funny. via Falfa.
• Wonderbug Intro - one of those bizarre creations from The Krofft Supershow of the late 70's. The intro is absurd and I dare you to watch an entire episode.
• Opryland 1981 - 10 minutes of a family trip to the now closed Nashville theme park. This is nostaliga at its finest for some folks and complete nonsense for everyone else.
• Just a picture of Yoshi - the kind of quality Internet content I desire.

Need more? Read about Puzzums, the Hollywood Celebrity Cat from the 1920s. Also, listen to this Joshua Hedley album, it's phenomenal.

The cover this week is a Cat with Hiccups. Become mesmerized by the dilation. Let it wash over you. via Chad.

Here's some additional distractions.

• Future World Orchestra - Desire (1982) - absolutely delightful in every respect; visually and aurally. via MAVS.
• Kanye West as a Tame Impala song - if this wasn't done by Super Deluxe it wouldn't be half as great as it is. The absurdity levels are perfect.
• Hermeto Pascoal - Musica da Lagoa - two parter here. Hermeto Pascoal is a folk musician seen here making music with flutes and bottles in a lake. It's got a real Cult vibe to it but it's delightful in its oddness.
• Hermeto Pascoal - Misterios do Corpo - here Pascoal is making mysterious sounds with his body. I'd say it's also delightfully odd but I think it may cross the line into complete "WTF" territory. It's also, definitely, an endurance challenge. That being said, I doubt you can look away.
• Rosie's Twin Kegs Commercial - this is maybe only funny to Nashville residents but a local dive bar has been releasing a series of very strange, soap opera, commercials. I know half of the people in this one and it doesn't make it any less weird.
• The Best Wiper Blades in the World and Why - absolutely nothing here other than honest insight into wiper blades and I watched every second of it. His enthusiasm is infectious.
• Falure - Dark Speed - I've been very pessimistic on Failure releasing new music after Fantastic Planet but they recently started releasing music from their forthcoming fifth album and I don't hate it. It's different but I think I am open to it this time around. Pretty nice video, too.

Remember, this guy never gets old.

You hear that new Quichenight song? Go give it a whirl. Oh, and I got name dropped in a Billboard article about shaking things up in Nashville! Did not see that coming!

Have a great weekend. Remember to give yourself some healthy distractions and relaxation time... start with these:

• Droop Snoot - educational and Internet relevant.
• A Million Times A Day - I don't know how I ended up in this playlist but it has not stopped delivering the goods.
• Andy Samberg as Eddie Vedder - from the Independent Film Awards 2017, here's a delightfully funny concept that turns into a bit of an endurance challenge.
• Bill Hader breaks down his Best 9 Roles - 13 minutes is a long runtime for a Friday video but this is a good watch. Interesting start to finish.
• How Dark Patterns Trick You Online - if you're a designer, none of this is surprising. If you're a user of the Internet and not a designer, you should certainly be aware of this. It's a reminder that Technology is not neutral.
• Clogging on Techno - how I've never seen this before, I do not know. How this is so utterly delightful for 8 long minutes, I dare not question.

Looking forward to some yk records announcements coming up and have been busy prepping that. In the meantime, I've been diving deep on that Heaven's Gate podcast, you should do the same.

Anyway, you're here for the distractions!

• Chiitan Watermelon Attack - I nabbed this off Twitter, so hopefully it doesn't get yanked for copyright violation. Here's what you need to know, Chittan is a Japanese Otter mascot that has given the world of a smattering of hilarious videos featuring nothing but absurd tasks. There's plenty more on the official feed and around YouTube, enjoy the deep dive.
• What Made Me Want to be a Greaser? - a vlog about how "Frosty the Greaser" came to be. I find this endearing and honest but also a nice reminder that I am very happy that I was not a teen when tools like YouTube existed.
• Neil Young - "Wonderin" - 1983 music video from Mr. Young in which he teamed up with The Shocking Pinks and did a little doo-wop. The fashion here is speaking to me.
• That's Alotta Ducks! - a massive swarm of ducks crossing the road. 40 seconds of "say whaaa?" Just enjoy it and don't think about any potential tragic backstory that may be involved.
• Big Game Liquid Slam commercial - I barely remember this 90's commercial but, in hindsight, it really goes too far. ;)
• TALKBOY Extended Commercial - it's amazing how long these commercials used to be and what they got away with.
• Aleatory Music with Farm Implements - here's what I love about this, it's not aleatory music OR farm implements, it's an animation of composed music. It's entertaining but that completely inaccurate title makes it even better.
• Gordon Ramsay's Pizza has Too Much Oil - an untapped resource.
• Grandma Rages - just downright delightful.

Need more? Enjoy this Reddit forum of horrible haircuts.

That GIF is me trying to enter Springtime. Just. Can't. Get. There.

Enjoy some distraction, you earned it:

• Only Slightly Exaggerated - tour tourism board of Oregon commissioned a Miyazaki style animation to promote the wonders of their state. Pretty stellar results.
• Bystanders try to stop Hit N Run driver - after a man passed out at the wheel from opioid usage and slammed into another car, bystanders tried to stop him from getting away. They fail but it escalates quickly.
• Dying Mrs. Gomez - I don't care what you think about SNL as a whole, this is a perfectly absurd sketch worth watching at least twice.
• Tiroler Zungenpritschler - aka Blululululululul - A New Internet Classic.
• Jujimufu Flamingo Kick - you could learn more about this guy but I promise, this is as good as it gets.
• Strawberry Slurpee - yes, it's a parody. Or is it? Comedian Wynn Reichert really riding the line. All these years later, I still don't know.

Also this guy is easily my favorite thing as of late. Maybe even all of 2018.

Fun fact, I'm posting this from the past for your enjoyment in the future, as you read it now, in the present. So, if something bonkers happened between Wednesday evening and Friday morning that really feels like it should be noted here, I apologize.

Assuming that's not the case, enjoy!

• Never Give Up - from the game Mad Skills BMX 2.. just wait through it. The perfect metaphor for perseverance.
• Yea, I'm a big Queen fan - everything wrong about this makes it incredibly right.
• Homepod by Spike Jonze - 1) definitely the best thing about the Homepod so far and 2) best use of Pixel Stretch since... 2002?
• Howling III Transformation - jump to 1:12 and watch a rather bizarre and amusing transformation from ballet dancer to full-on werewolf. Unique! There's more where that came from in this movie if you need it; i.e. this insanity.
• Guy Puts GoPro on Sushi Train - it's a "slice of Japanese life" and I'm not sure if it's fake or not, at all. But, regardless, I found it soothing and enjoying to watch. Except for the solid 30 seconds where the camera is in the trash, that could have been edited out.
• Gleaming Spires - Are You Ready for the Sex Girls - you possibly remember this song from Revenge Of The Nerds but please enjoy the fact that this is an early 80's music video in which the band members simply bake a lemon merengue pie. Brlliant.
• Drunks Man argues with his own reflection - have you ever reached this level of inebriation? If so, seek help.
• The Majestic Plastic Bag - it's a mockumentary from 2010 and it's more than a little sad but it's also funny and worth a watch.

Find yourself needing an additional treat, listen to this John Linnell song... I'd managed to forget existed and, upon rediscovery, remembered how much I still love it. OR listen to this Michael Jackson cover of YMO, bizarre.

Had a busy week and am looking ahead to many more busy weeks. Being busy is good, never forget that. Let me know what you're busy with - I'd love to see it.

Here's some videos to help give you a break.

• My Future Life - a delightful video sent via Paige that captures a man being bombarded by 10 puppies. This is the future life we should all yearn for.
• Man's First Escalator Ride - not much happens here but his befuddlement that turns to a group of people helping him out is heartwarming. And that mall music doesn't hurt to drive the drama.
• Alex Jones has the chills - I can only imagine there are an infinite number of bizarre Alex Jones edits out in the world but gotta love an idiot being forced to sound even more idiotic through the power of the Internet Edit.
• One Hour, One Life - trailer for the latest game by Jason Rohrer. If you don't know Rohrer, listen to this. The new game looks clever, fun and especially poignant. A Rohrer trademark.
• Look at This Car - I've either never seen this or it's been long enough that I've completely forgotten it. 30 million views that I agree with.
• Milwaukee Lights - 23 seconds of early morning newscaster confusion over some lights. Nothing to it but I love these sorts of things. The explanations are dubious, which makes it even better.

Endurance challenge for the weekend: I dare you to try and make it all the way through this parody video. It is brutal and I only made it 33 seconds.

I mentioned this on Friday but I've recently been digging into episodes of Sessions at West 54th, a late 90's show with a plethora of phenomenal performances. It's structured similarly to Austin City Limits, in that it's really just a concert in a smaller venue with an intimate feel but the vibe is much different. Here's a smattering of worthwhile items to watch:

• David Byrne - Nov 15th, 1997 - he plays some solo songs but also a lot of Talking Heads songs, reworked into compelling new styles. Byrne would go on to host the show in the second season.
• Beck - Sept 5th, 1997 - recorded right at the tail end of the O'Delay tour, this is probably Beck at his finest.
• Sonic Youth - 1997 - lots of noise and longform improve from SY but still a compelling thing to see broadcast on TV.

And that's just three sessions. There are so many to dig around for.

Which really begs the question, in our digital age of Everything Streaming why aren't these more available than just YouTube rips? At that seems to exist are some Best Of compilation DVDs and a handful of sessions. If they're digitizing all fine art, surely they can rip a DVD to a streamable video?

That last part is facetious, I'm sure it's all wrapped up in rights issues combined with Potential Income vs Work Required laziness to get it out into the world but it's a shame that these aren't more widely available.

Thanks for bearing with me as I flood this site with promotional items about projects I'm involved in. I'm not sorry about it as I'm extremely proud of all the undertakings I'm currently involved in but I know you're coming here for some distractions, random art and other Internet musings - I'll do my best to deliver on that.

• Once in a Lifetime - Kermit Style - I don't know how this has eluded me for so many years but I'm glad to have found it now. Perfect.
• Psycho Killer, West 54th - this deserves a larger post but I've been on a Talking Heads kick lately and I'm not sure I've seen anything as entrancing as David Bryne performing "Psycho Killer" in a terrifying Slim Goodbody bodysuit. Skip to 1:40 for the goods.
• Nosferatu Vogueing - along the same lines as the Arran Shurvinton video I posted. Just a good time.
• Janelle Monáe – Make Me Feel - new song / video is clearly channeling some serious Prince vibes but she's pulling it off, perfectly.
• Tristen - Partyin' Is Such Sweet Sorrow - probably my favorite song from her latest album, Sneaker Waves, and now a solid official video to go with it.
• This is Not a Conspiracy Theory, Episode Five - a little preview of the forthcoming episode. Not exactly uplifting given our era of "Fake News" blaming but always good to see more thoughtful pieces from Kirby Ferguson.
• Panda and Basket - what the Internet was made for; watching baby animals tumble about and pester their handlers with adorably inquisitive behavior.
• You Just Don't Get It, Do You? - an excruciatingly long montage of that magic phrase utter over and over. Endurance challenge if ever there was one.

There was a day this week where it was 72 outside. I think Punxsutawney Phil is a dirty liar because spring must be on the way if it's that warm in February.

Next week begins the final countdown to my showcase here in Nashville. I am nervous about attendance so expect to hear plenty more about every artist as I scramble to ensure ticket sales.

Have a great weekend. You deserve it.

• Frozen Trampoline Slo-Mo Jump - 100% satisfying in every way.
• Jane Channel Skeleton Run - really been enjoying watching Skeleton Run's (new or old) but there's a surprising amount of THINGS that get in the way. This athlete is hit by a broom on her way down. How?! This guy runs over some paper that a fan dropped. Ridiculous. Still, very entertaining.
• Cat Mario 64 - sound up please.
• Take Time with the Road - a new music video from D. Striker, a country western artist that only performs on Friday the 13th, whenever that may be. I can't explain it but I find this extremely entertaining.
• BitConnect Pictures - this is a great example of weird Internet. I've no context and it's entirely weird throughout, then completely ruined by the tag at the very end. Really a perfect encapsulation of the Internet.
• Downhill Ballet Ski - as recently as 1992, there was an Olympic competition that combined downhill ski and ballet moves. Here's 10 minutes of it.
• Whistle Stop (1974) - the video is mesmerizing and the song continues to deliver in the weirdness department.

I'm heads down for the next few days getting ready for some new announcements around A Night of yk Records and a new We Own This Town podcast. I may have bitten off more than I can chew but I'm confident that a little diligence will get me through it. Looking forward to sharing the news with everyone.

Here's some enjoyable distractions!

• Roll that Beautiful Bean Footage - not only did I completely block out this series of commercials, I also had no idea that there would be YouTube remixes of it. Of course there are YouTube remixes of it.
• King Cake Baby - I know very little about sports but I know that the Pelicans have the best alt-mascot with their nightmare-inducing King Cake Baby. This video is fairly boring but you can't look away from his sculpted face.
• Shooting Stars but it's played on an old Samsung - you know that perfect meme song, now hear it in all its touchtone glory.
• The Blue Marble - I can only assume showing a teen a Rube Goldberg esque journey of this nature would bore them to tears but I find myself captivated.
• SNL: My Little Step Children - the "Cut For Time" sketches are almost always the best. This one isn't flat out hysterical but it's got some hearty laughs.
• Low Poly Mario - want to take a ~20 minute journey through every polygon style Mario model that's existed and inspect their differences? I can not begin to explain why this is fascinating to me but it sure is.
• Last Wave - What happens when you let They Might Giants create a stream of consciousness song paired with Run DMC's cover of "Walk This Way"? You get this bizarre creation, that's what.

Oh, if you want to watch Elon Musk's trash float towards another planet, you can watch it live. Amazingly, yet unsurprisingly, Flat Earther's think it was a hoax. Great.

All that being said, I think this is maybe the best thing I saw all week. You decide.

Stay safe. Be warm!