Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the sizzling it-boy of the moment, and apparently has a penchant for projects beginning with numerals instead of letters. He has been on my radar since his days as Tommy Solomon on 3rd Rock from the Sun. Man, remember that show? Besides the fact it was gut-bustingly funny, it rocked because JGL played the unconventionally-hot teen boy that was irresistible to my young lust.

Then, to confirm his pop-star status, he starred in one of the most iconic coming-of-age flicks of the 90s, 10 Things I Hate About You.

But a lot has happened since then.  Shortly after 10 Things, JGL took an acting hiatus to study French at Columbia, and developed an appreciation for the smaller things in life. He left college just shy of graduation to begin acting again, this time in plays and on the indie movie circuit. Now, he’s a fully matured adult with his first headlining role in the indie “it” movie (500) Days of Summer, opening today.

And while JGL has always been a cutie, these days there’s no denying he’s 100% smokin’ hot.  Trailers and clever ads for (500) Days of Summer reveal his intelligent, understated, and refined attractiveness that’s effing driving me crazy. Add a French accent to the mix and he can 3rd rock my world any day–summer, winter, whenever!

You want nothing more than to slap your boss. And then to quit your job. You want to spit in your professor’s face. You want to tell your parents you’re joining the circus to make money for crack…JUST TO PISS THEM OFF. Today is the day you tell your best friend that those jeans DO make her ass look big because HER ASS IS BIG. You want to list off all of your exes to your guy who have been better in bed. That’s right. This is what I refer to as a “SCREW EVERYONE” day.

And they should never be spent without a soundtrack. So me and my Ipod went and made a playlist for these days.

“Spent on Rainy Days” BRIGHT EYES (Indie)

“Blueprint” FUGAZI (Punk)

“Gravity” DRESDEN DOLLS (Rock)

“Today is the day” MOROS EROS (Indie/Experimental)

“The Egg” SHINER (Indie/Alternative)

“The Other” ISIS (Experimental/Metal)

“The Never Aftermath” THE END (Metal/Ambient)

“In The Belly Of A Shark” GALLOWS (Punk/Rock)

“Complete and utter confusion” FEAR BEFORE THE MARCH OF FLAMES (Experimental/Rock)

“Set fire to the face on fire” THE BLOOD BROTHERS (Other/Punk)

So instead of taking your Screw Everyone day out on the people around you…why not just put on these songs and let out your angst the old fashioned way? You know…like a 14-year-old who just slammed her bedroom door in her mom’s face. And then locked the door. And then wrote “Screw EVERYONE” in her blog.

Does this mean anything to you?:“Post punk/indie/English geek/Rock”

Maybe?

Well, let it mean this to you now: the Young Knives.

Young Knives are an English band stirring up a bit of a buzz these days. With a name erroneously taken from a book and a bassist who goes by The House of Lords, they’re quirky and simultaneously artistic. The members of Young Knives all have a long history of dancing in front of mirrors and competing for the spotlight, but singer Henry Dartnall maintains that they all show off in their own ways.

“Well, I’m the loudest, ‘look at me!’, one…” Henry says, going on to explain that his bassist and brother, Thomas (The House Of Lords guy), can put on a quiet and shy act all while he’s well aware of the fact that all eyes are on him.

They may have just been too busy being showman to notice the phrase “Young KNAVES” in an old Scottish book one day when they were looking to compile a list of new band names. Their old name had already been taken and they all saw “Young Knives” instead of the actual phrase and eventually ended up choosing it to be their permanent band name. But what does a band name really matter anyway when you look at amazing, strangely-named bands like Radiohead? This was the argument Henry made to me and, ultimately, I agree with him. What matters with a band is their sound–not their name.

I asked the talkative singer to tell me more about his own influences. Dodging the topic as most musicians like to do, he explained to me that he is more interested in a band’s courage than their scene, genre, or even their reputation. He makes the very valid point that it’s better to like a band who’s willing to try something new and different and perhaps even risky than a band who just sounds like everything else that’s out and doesn’t brave any musical territory on their own.

And yet again, I agree.

But so many people DO start listening to bands because of their ‘scene’ or their ‘buzz’. Take, for example, most UK bands. We all know it…there are flocks of people everywhere who WILL go check out a band simply cause they’re an English Indie Rock band. Henry agreed with me that this happens, but his rebuttal was,

“People are stupid.”

Well, thank god Young Knives aren’t. Not only are they not stupid, but they may be encroaching upon SURREAL with their next video and current live show.

Check them out HERE.

Whenever people would try to corner me with the “what’s your favorite band?” question, I would always shrug and tell them the truthfull answer, which was “my tastes change too often to have a favorite.”

Then, I discovered The Weepies.

I had always been a fan of Deb Talan, her beautifully different voice and soft, simple lyrics carrying me through many a break-up or summer drive in the country. So when Deb joined up with fellow folk musician Steve Tannen a few years ago, I was suspicious. Who was this guy and what was he going to do with my Deb’s lovely music?

Turns out, the only thing he did was make it better.

The Weepies newest album, Hideaway, just came out a few days ago on iTunes, and remains the only album I have ever bought in its enteirely without a second thought. At 10:30pm I saw that it was available, and at 10:31pm it was downloading onto my computer.

Hideaway continues the Weepies tradition of velvety harmonies, simple orchestrations, and heartfelt lyrics that look at everyday situations with a special kind of reverence. The perfect soundtrack to a quiet Sunday alone, a walk down a budding spring path, or a candlelight picnic with that special someone, Hideaway is full of songs you’ll find yourself humming for days afterward.

Talan and Tannen seem to think life is beautiful — even when it’s sad or hard — and that’s a viewpoint this listener can always get behind.

Not sure if you want the entire album? Start your Weepies collection with “All This Beauty” and the title track “Hideaway” on iTunes.

Being a Literature student and an all around geek when it comes to anything book related, I’ve listened to my fair share of poetry readings; ranging from the well known classics to the new and upcoming talents of today.

The Internet has become my own little bookshop/library, and I often browse pages like fictionpress for creative finds and sometimes even upload my own writing. I love discovering new artists because they give me inspiration to progress with my own creative work.

When it comes to poetry reading and artistic inspiration, Myspace is slowly becoming my new haven. It was only a matter of time before poets joined the ranks of bands everywhere and began recording and uploading their own profiles. I first came across these new artists while browsing Kate Nash’s Myspace music profile (a woman who’s pretty damn cool on her own), and instantly fell in love.

The first one I listened to was Poeticat. I fell in love with her work, her words so accessible and entertaining that I instantly added her as a friend. Listening to an artist recite their own writing brings much more depth into the work itself. Listening to the rhythm, the rhyme and the words reverberating simultaneously out of the speakers is an indescribable experience. The emotions and feelings the poet attempts to deliver through their words becomes easier to understand. Life is breathed into the sentences and they became more than just ink stained writings on paper.

Dockers MC, who I also found on Kate Nash’s profile, has an outstanding grasp of words and rhythm. The way she delivers her poems mimics the fast paced style of MC/rapping, plus, it’s high in drama and humor. Both Poeticat and Dockers MC’s London accent brings a demotic and down-to-earth approach to their art, emphasising a sense of identity between the poet and their work.

Another artist I am obsessing over is George Pringle. I was first introduced to her whilst reading the Independent. She is an Oxford based poet, which shocked me at first because Oxford is my hometown and I had not heard of her before. Her poems are recited over electro-beats, which compliments the whole new-rave indie movement. Unlike Poeticat and Dockers MC, George has a much posher accent, (she is after all an SW10/Oxford lady), but it doesn’t make her any less accessible and instead emphasises a sense of variety.

These are just three artists worth taking a look at — there are loads of others out there just waiting to be found. Just keep your ears open, you’ll never know what you could hear!

Listen to recited poetry? Have any recommendations?

As indie music increases in it’s popularity and more of us start “going green” and becoming more eco-conscious, it’s hard to not recognize that Portland is alllll things earthy. Not to mention the bustling arts scene, the cozy coffee shops, and the blend between charming city and crunchy, nature chic.

In my opinion, nothing goes better with Portland than a nice glass of wine.

Best Wine Bar: Carafe, with the coziness of a French bistro Carafe has an incredible wine list and a cheese plate that’s to die for, with local Oregon hazelnuts and fruit. Oo La La.

Also try: Caffe Mingo, Grolla Restaurant and Wine Bar and Three Doors Down Cafe.

Best Coffee: It’s not secret, but Starbucks isn’t where its at when it comes to Portland. World Cup Coffee & Tea is. Organic coffees, good vibes, check it out.

Also Try: Anna Bannanas and Tiny’s.

Best Food: Olea, whether you are craving a brick oven pizza or a small plate of prosciutto wrapped dates…this is the place to satisfy the craving.

Also try: Higgins and Oba!

The Scene: Portland Saturday Market represents all things artsy. Local art, scents of different foods and spices, local music….all of this equals good times.

Portland Farmers Market is the best place to get fresh, local, organic food. Music, tastings, activities, always a good time. If you’re thinking of seeing some live shows, see Do Jump! aerial work, acrobats, people flying through the air…that’s always interesting right? Or catch the dance company BodyVox.

Live Music: The Green Room, Dante’s, and Roseland Theater.

And before you go….you have to experience some of Portland’s gorgeous parks. Full of caffeine, wine and culture, the beauty of the city will be the cherry on top

What are your favorite spots?

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In case the holidays are bring you down, check out this video from Taking Back Sunday, “Christmas Is For the Birds”!

OKKERVIL RIVER “Our Life Is Not A Movie Or Maybe”

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I’m willing to bet this band from Austin, Texas will be a new favorite of yours! Be sure to get their album here!

This amazing band from the UK will definitely be one of your favorites! Check out their video for “Lassoo” and if you like it, get it here!

Kiss Me

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Admittedly, I’ve been on this strange pop-punk kick and I’ve been listening to bands I got into in like…2001. Nonetheless, this is a brand new song (well, it’s a Sixpence None the Richer cover…) from New Found Glory called “Kiss Me”.

Get it here!