The Shins will change your life.

Yes, I'm referring to the movie "Garden State", where the lovely and dorky Natalie Portman practically pushes her headphones on Zach Braff. 
I love that scene, where they first meet. I love how they meet. In general, I love first meetings where people talk about great music.
I love The Shins, although I had not been listening to their music for long before I found this very quote by Natalie Portman, which then led me to watch the movie. 
Such a great movie, with such a great soundtrack! 

When I first started to watch it, my first reaction was getting a wee bit sceptical, since Zach Braff is in it (I did not know he had the lead role, I didn't know anything besides that Natalie Portman was in it - and I love her). Not that he is a bad actor or anything, I have only seen him in "Scrubs", and I guess I am a bit judgmental when it comes to actors who play in comedy series.. But he fits this part, and played it well. Later on I found out that he actually is the director and writer, so there goes my judgment! Amazing work, he absolutely got my new found respect!
And Natalie.. oh Natalie. She's one of my favorite actors, but after seeing this, I totally developed a femme-crush.

I wont spoil the whole plot, but I can say that this is a movie about about being numb to life and then start living. One of my favorite subjects. 
SEE IT, and on that note, I'll leave you with a few of the great songs from the soundtrack. 

Coldplay - Don't Panic


Frou Frou - Let Go


The Shins - Caring is Creepy


The Shins - New Slang


This next song by Postal Service did not feature on the soundtrack, although it was on the trailer.  The cover version, by Iron & Wine, is to be found on the soundtrack, but I prefer the original. 

Postal Service - Such Great Heights
 

Oh, and since we're on the subject of The Shins, I'll share one of my absolute favorite songs of all time: Sleeping Lessons 

How can you sleep when La Blogotheque exist??

Several weeks ago I found myself surfing aimlessly online, as I often end up doing when I have trouble falling asleep. This particular night, I finally found something new and exiting, something that was worth the time I waste trying to fall asleep. Something that makes me shiver and become emotional because of its beauty, realness and originality. It makes me sing, dance, laugh and cry at the same time. It makes me want to be there and experience it first hand.

This incredible site is La Blogotheque Take-Away Shows:

" The Take away shows are la Blogotheque’s first video podcasts.

Every week, we invite an artist or a band to play in the streets, in a bar, a park, or even in a flat or in an elevator, and we film the whole session. Of course, what makes the beauty of it is all the little incidents, hesitations, and crazy stuff happening unexpectedly. Besides, we do not edit the videos so they look perfectly flawless, instead we keep the raw sound of the surroundings. Our goal is to try and capture instants, film the music just like it happens, without preparation, without tricks. Spontaneity is the keyword. "

Check it out http://www.blogotheque.net/spip.php?page=cae_all&lang=en

Here are my favorites so far: 

Grizzly Bear - Shift
 

Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal


Phoenix - 1901

I feel a kind of regret for not have been there (as much regret I can feel about something I did not know about at the time), I would go absolutely nuts if I was one of the people passing by! Imagine experiencing Phoenix live, on the streets! Gaah!

Lykke Li & El Perro Del Mar - Dance Dance Dance
 
Charades - Grito Tu Nombre
 
Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago
 
Noah and The Whale - Rocks and Daggers/Mary
  Is it just me or isn't it just perfect when that drunken old man turns up?

Mujeres - Wanna Boom/Walk The Line/Oh My!
This is not my type of music (and I can't make out the words), but it is one of the best videos, and these guys are just way too cool with their accent and surfing style! 

Arcade Fire - Neon Bible
Aah! A magazine-player! I absolutely love it!