DiG!

DiG! Captures 7 years, via intimate footage, of the bands The Dandy Warhols and The Brian Jonestown Massacre. It details their trials and triumphs and struggles and successes. More importantly, it provides for a real, first hand look of how difficult being in a band can actually be.

SPELLBOUND

Following eight teens who are on a mission to win a spelling bee, this movie introduces the viewers to the kids’ parents, their practice routines, and the generally weird world of competition spelling.

SHOT IN THE DARK

You may be a fan of Adrian Grenier, or you may not. Regardless, his documentary is amazing. It is about his quest to find his father, who he grew up without. It’s emotional and simultaneously intelligent.

JESUS CAMP

Even if you ARE religious and a firm believer in Christianity, particularly Pentecostal beliefs, you should still see this movie. It documents children who are away at ‘Jesus’ Camp. It’s intense, informative, and a total must see.

MAD HOT BALLROOM

Didn’t you want to be a ballroom dancer when you were in grade school? No? Well, some New York City public school kids did and this film follows them around and shows their determination to make something of themselves…by dancing.

WHAT THE #$*! DO WE KNOW?

You may or may not agree with everything this film presents to you, but I still think you need to see it. It helps you to question basically everything you have ever known and if nothing more, it will give you some perspective.

CONFESSIONS OF A SUPERHERO

Some people in L.A. dress up as superheroes every single day of their lives. They make their money through tips. It’s pretty ridiculously amazing and this film allows you to get into the head of L.A.’s best known superheroes.

CRAZY LOVE

Two crazy lovers are so passionate about each other (and emotionally destructive) that a woman actually returns to her lover 16 years after he blinds her by throwing acid in her face. If you think your relationship is insane, check out this movie.

NO DIRECTION HOME

Don’t like Bob Dylan? Doesn’t matter. This film is a classic. It is shot beautifully and trails Dylan’s career.

MY FLESH AND BLOOD

What if you adopted 11 kids? And what if they were all special needs children? This film follows a woman around who has admirably done just that.

[Got any other Doc recommendations? Let us know!]

I “spring clean” at least once every season. Nothing thrills me more these days than getting rid of crap I don’t use. It’s refreshing, it’s helpful, and it’s totally impossible without a good playlist to get you up and motivated enough to start, continue, and FINISH the job.

I’ve got a pretty sweet playlist on my Itunes for these special cleaning days and I would highly recommend that you investigate getting some of these songs for your busy bee days, too.

“Blanket” by: Autolux –it’s: Indie/Rock

“Grow up & blow away” by: Metric –it’s: Rock

“Non Photo-Blue” by: Pinback –it’s: Indie/Alternative

“A perfect day Elise” by: PJ Harvey –it’s: Indie/Alternative

“3′s & 7′s” by: QOTSA –it’s: Rock/Alternative

“Straight Lines” by: Silverchair –it’s: Rock/Alternative

“Jumpers” by: Sleater-Kinney –it’s: Pop Punk/Garage

“Bohemian Like You” by: The Dandy Warhols –it’s: Indie/Rock

“Love is Paranoid” by: The Distillers –it’s: Punk/Grunge

“Sideways in Reverse” by: Mark Lanegan –it’s: Rock

Throw on some of these songs and then try to tell me you weren’t motivated to clean!

So without further a do, these are the songs that pretty much define summer for me…

Where the Streets Have No Name, U2

This song screams driving with the windows down on a sunny day. No matter how much Bono has changed and grown up, he will always be that young Dublin lad singing his heart out on a rooftop.

What I Got, Sublime

This song has been played at every single party, barbeque, outdoor event I’ve ever been to. It pretty much defines summer for me. And I still love when Bradley Nowell plays the gui-tar like a motherfucking riot.

Have a Nice Day, Stereophonics

I think the title makes this addition pretty self-explanatory.

Everyday Should Be a Holiday, The Dandy Warhols

I can never figure out why the Dandy Warhols never made it bigger—they’re a great band with a unique, cosmic kind of sound. And they’re right. When the sun is shining and we can all be playing outside—everyday should be a holiday.

American Girl, Tom Petty

If you can keep yourself from bopping along to Tom Petty’s tune about a girl ready to take on the world then… I don’t know what’s wrong with you. Unless it reminds you of Silence of the Lambs—that I can kinda understand.

Alala, CSS

These chicks out of Brazil rock my world. They’re spunky, and weird, and sometimes they sing in Portuguese that I can’t understand, but this song makes me want to shake my booty all over the place.

Deadwood, Dirty Pretty Things

One good thing has come from Pete Doherty’s drug addiction—the breakup of the Libertines and his ex-bandmates forming Dirty Pretty Things. Same kind of vibe, but lead singer Carl Barat’s voice is much easier on the ears.

Upon This Tidal Wave of Young Blood, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah

Ok, so the song is about politics and the poor state of America, but the melody is so happy (and the fact that it takes a bit to be able to decipher singer Alec Ounsworth’s weird singing style and lyrics) it’s impossible not feel slightly optimistic by the song’s end.

Here Comes the Sun Again, M. Ward

M. Ward is one of my new favorites and this song is so light, and sweet it makes my heart swell a little bit. Kinda makes me feel like I’m falling in love for the first time every time I hear it.

Told You So, The Guggenheim Grotto

This new group out of Ireland are like an updated, rockier version of Simon and Garfunkel. Their debut album “…Waltzing Alone” is a beautiful, drowsy record, but this tune is a bit more upbeat for the lads, and it’s a simple, uplifting little love song.