The video below embodies the excitement I've felt recently for exploring a life outside of the Arts, a life that values the application of the Arts in day-to-day life more than Art for Arts sake.

A few nights back I stayed up late, reading this interview with "journalist" Janet Malcolm.

Jai Paul's debut single has been floating around the internet for well over a year now, and the internet claims that it was originally a demo he cut in 2007 -- but I wonder how long it will take for this to not sound like the future? Let's try it out one more time.

So you've heard Kanye West talking shit like he's the next Michael Jackson, no? If not try this one on for size: "As far as rapping goes, how can I say this? Jordan, Michael Jackson - it's what I do."

It used to be easy to understand the difference between Pop Music and Art Music. Pop Music was awesome (but kind of slight) and Art Music was awesome (but kind of tedious).

In the overmediated age we find ourselves in, I have a kind of kneejerk negative reaction to the entire notion of the recluse.

The short answer to that question is: "Yes, yes it is."

Last week there was something of a rights controversy over the cover photo used on Vampire Weekend's recent album "Contra." The model came forward saying they did not have proper permissions to use a Polaroid picture of her snapped by family members in the '80s.

As a brief preamble to this piece of writing about The National's new album "High Violet," I should offer this full disclosure: I've worked in close association with the band since 2001 when I put out their first album on my label Brassland.

From butts to technology, never let it be said my interests are narrow. So, let's talk about the iPad for a second.