Can't Wait.

I wanted to see it anyway, but this trailer heightened my enthusiasm to I-can't-wait status. 

This is supposed to be for kids, right?

Pennies.

I've been waiting to see the Cool Kids video for "Pennies" since I saw the behind-the-scenes footage about 2 months ago.  Nana let me know it debuted today on their site.  Check it: 

I like the use of darkness.  It adds an interesting dramatic feel to a few scenes.  Besides that... eh.  The song is dope though.  The distorted bass and the whistling made this joint a winner for me. 

Things To Come.

Jeremy and I are working on completing our Spring/Summer line designs.  Well, Jeremy is doing all the work... I just say yes/no/let's try this.  So you'll have some goods from the LEEK fam soon enough.  I'll give you a sneak peek in the weeks to come.

Aside from W!LD LEEK, I've begun writing the treatment for a music video I'm shooting for my guy, Harold (Black Orchard).  Stay tuned for updates on that.  I've shot film projects in the past, but I'm a little rusty on my treatment writing.  While looking up sample music video treatments I stumbled upon this oldie but goodie: 

Hype Williams has always been one of my favorite video directors, primarily for his use of colors, and camera angles.  You can see the Bjork influences in the performance scenes. And the combination of NaS (spelled that way on purpose) and Lauryn Hill is a fantastic one.  

Martin & Barack.

Today:

Tomorrow:

The Mind of Tom Stern.

Unbeknownst to me, I follow a bit of the work of writer/director/producer Tom Stern.  I waited forever for Freaked to come out on DVD.  I check for Andy Milonakis.  Crank Yankers was funny from time to time too.  I happened to stumble upon Tom's Vimeo page, and found this guy's brand of humor kinda funny.  Check it:

Brandon & Nem.

Brandon of Ends/Wealth and Nem Perez just completed a very cool film short.  The more I hear Nem's name, and see the work he's done, the more a fan I become.

EndsWealth Corp Presents...

A Short by Nem Perez and Brandon Breaux
Music by Santogold "Shove It"

"Created with over 2,000 photos in Chicago in the summer of 2008. We wanted to create a video that represented the party scene in Chicago and included all of the talented people we love to work with. Starring Megan Lewis as the main attraction, follow her as she scouts the many things that make Chicago's party scene so amazing. From LDRS, and St. Alfreds in Wicker Park to dozens of clubs and locations encompass the thriving chicago nightlife."

[quoted from Nem's Vimeo page]

Good work, fellas.  Very nice.

Schoohouse Rock.

Eugene Booth teaches Social Science at Academy of Scholastic Achievement on Chicago's west siiiiiiiide.  Today he showed the LEEK some love, and rocked his "Suspect" tee to work.  

Thanks for the love, Mr. Booth!  I'm feeling that hairdo, son!

Arize Up.

I did an interview for ARIZE Magazine that posted today! Thanks Steve and the ARIZE team! Special thanks to my girl Niyara for putting in the good word!

A Leeky Christmas.

Yeah, yeah... I know its 2009 now, but I forgot to post these from Christmas night:

I'll rarely get on a soapbox through the blog, but found this completely racist. "Hip Hop Santa"???  This Santa statuette does not possess anything that would be considered remotely "Hip-Hop".  No boombox, no sunglasses, no hat worn backwards - and that's all stereotypical stuff.  It seems to be merely because this figure is African-American.  WTF?!?!  I could go on, but that's basically my point.

Real men wear pink... or are we calling that salmon?  I kid, I kid.
Nice shirt, Rob!

The usual suspects.

Pitchfork's 40.

If you follow the blog you may know I'm a fan of music videos.  I follow various directors' work, I'm interested in the techniques used, and Michel Gondry is a genius.  A few weeks ago Jeremy sent me a link to Pitchfork's Top 40 Music Videos of 2008.  I would say they probably missed some, and some of the ones they included weren't all that great.  Most of them I hadn't even seen before.  Their were a lot of goodies I felt everyone should check out though.  It was a little hard whittling down the list to just 10, but some were a little too crazy to post... though crazy is usually a good thing when it comes to music videos.  So here's my top 10 (in no particular order) from Pitchfork's list of 40 of the best Music Videos of 2008: 

Bjork: "Wanderlust" done by Encyclopedia Pictura

Bjork never disappoints.  Her music as well as her videos are always daring, different and good.   

The BPA f/David Byrne and Dizzee Rascal: "Toe Jam" directed by Keith Schofield

Fantastic use of those darned "censored" bars!

Buddy System: "Return To Horse Mountain" directed by Lauren Gregg & Craig Sheldon

Cartoon music videos are usually the best.  Those kids gave that unicorn the business.  Someone tell Lemar & Dauley they stole they're color palette for this joint.

Gnarls Barkley: "Who's Gonna Save My Soul Now" directed by Chris Milk

The Milk Man strikes again.

Hot Chip: "Ready For The Floor"

Intersting tests they're running.  The composition and colors of the shots are dope.  The Joker?

Justice - "Stress" directed by Romain Gravas

This some straight Project Mayhem type stuff... what does it all mean Mr. Gravas!?

She & Him: "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" directed by Ace Norton

A cartoon and live action mixture is usually dope as well.  Word to Roger Rabbit.  And I like the little ghost dudes. 

Thunderheist: "Jerk It" done by That-Go

All about the innuendo.  

Chad VanGaalen: "Molten Light" done by Chad VanGaalen

They got what they deserved.  Jerks.

Kanye West f/Dwele: "Flashing Lights" directed by Spike Jonze

This joint thoroughly disturbed me.  Its not even the full song, yet it intrigued me, mainly because its only 3 shots.  

Happy New Year!

Feist's video for I Feel It All (directed by Patrick Daughters for those that appreciate the art of music video making) has nothing to do with the new year ahead for W!LD LEEK, or anything remotely profound.  I just wanted to wish everybody a happy new year, and I didn't want to post just a picture of fireworks.

Plus I dig Feist.  HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!! WOOHOO!!!