Interview and Giveaway with Moto Boy

by CH Contributor

by Mike Giles

Born Oskar Humlebo in the Swedish village of Färila, Moto Boy first fell in love with music during a boys choir rehearsal in a London cathedral at the mere age of eight. After joining a choir back home, discovering the guitar and then leaving home to study music in a neighboring city, Moto Boy spent his teens exploring jazz and experimental music. The result is hair-raising music that evoke feelings parallel to that of a Jeff Buckley song or a David Lynch movie.

We sat down with Moto Boy to ask him a few questions about his new self-titled album and plans for the future.

Who is Moto Boy and where does the name come from?
He is the superhero of romance. Romance can't be boring, it has to be rough, it has to be tender. This world needs it and I didn't want to wait for anyone else to do it so I did it myself. I guess I've always felt somewhat frustrated that life in general never came close to the romantic beauty of some great music or art, like Édith Piaf or John Bauer, until I realized it's all about perception and action, and I chose to see and portray the world that way. It's very pretentious I know, but so is life and love, and I do not wish to wait for death to be a salvation, I want beauty now—I want it all and I want it now.

Your newest self-titled album is full of beauty, what was your motivation behind making it?
Really I had to, there was no alternative. I've wanted to do it since I was ten and luckily for me I met Martin of Songs I Wish I Had Written who wanted to release it. The motivation is love, kisses, longing, sex, beauty, dirt, angels—all the intense moments. It's what makes everyone so touched by music of whatever kind, whenever and however.

One of your songs on the new album starts with a music box, was that the idea behind making promotional ones?
Everything is digital today, so it was interesting to do the opposite and go back to the absolute basics. Music on a steel machine is very romantic.

Can you name a couple of albums for a typical Moto Boy lover?
I would say Serge Gainsbourge's La Decadence, Édith Piaf's Mon Dieu, Sebastien Tellier's La Ritournelle, The Doors' You're Lost Little Girl, Tom Waits' San Diego Serenade and Air's How Does It Make You Feel to name a few.

Where are you touring next?
There are some shows in Sweden and Finland this summer and probably Germany this Fall. I've just been to Moscow for a show, that was a trip I tell you, very special place—extremely beautiful and very rough.

When will you play in North America?
Hopefully very soon. I was in the U.S. when I was 12-years-old for only one month, so I'm eager to go to both Canada and the U.S. soon. I have this dream of road-tripping North America in a huge T-Bird, or even better on a motorbike—it has to be the best place for that kind of trip. All I need really is the flight ticket and some bookings, and then the rest will follow. I personally believe North America and Moto Boy would be even better together than Brangelina.

What are people missing if they haven't heard your music?
Something to love or something to hate maybe, I don't know, but have they any love for romance or uninhibited devotion of beauty, or just a general wish to skip the usual music/concert/artist crap and do something relevant together. I think they would appreciate a Moto Boy show and let it be part of something new and beautiful in their lives. At least that's what I'm trying to do myself.

The Swedish Model has one promotional musical box to give away, all you need to do is send an e-mail to ilovemotoboy [at] theswedishmodel [dot] org with an original idea on how to best raise funds for a Moto Boy tour in North America. You will automatically be added to their mailing list and be entered into the competition.

The Swedish Model

by CH Contributor

By Mike Giles

We are all fed up with the cat and mouse game when it comes to the legalities of current music distribution models and file sharing. The Swedish Model is an organization that consists of seven Swedish indie record labels working together to restore focus on the creation of music rather than the distribution of music in the digital age. A worthy cause, the Swedish Model arranges festivals, seminars and lectures to discuss the future of the music business and provides listeners with a way to explore great Swedish music.

We met with North American Operations Manager Jonas Edvinsson to ask him a few questions, learn more about The Swedish Model, his role with the company and any future plans.

How did you get involved and what is your role with The Swedish Model?
I've been working in the music scene since I was a teenager. I’m an electronic producer, DJ and have managed labels, distribution, etc., so I know many of these guys pretty well, and love them all. When I got married earlier this year and decided to move to Canada I approached them, crossed my fingers and got the deal! Now I'm operating The Swedish Model in North America.

What bands or acts are represented by The Swedish Model?
We're currently involved with over 40 different artists, all Swedish. The first wave we are concentrating on is Division of Laura Lee—a cult Fugazi-style rock band with an upcoming fourth album, Andreas Tilliander—best techno/dub/electro-producer in Sweden since the 90s, also known as Mokira, Lowfour or Familjen, The Fine Arts Showcase—Malmö-rock with Gustaf Kjellvander, Moto Boy—a magical atmospheric act, The Bethlehem Beard Corporation, Marions and Boeos Kaelstigen—a young, sweaty, techno/trance-duo.

What barriers are there when it comes to promoting Swedish music abroad?
Luckily there aren’t any! People love Sweden and our music. I was hanging out with Peter, Bjorn & John after their latest gig in Montréal and we were talking about how Canada and North America always treats Swedish bands so well. We usually focus on tours just south of the Canadian border, we haven’t ventured too far south as yet but look out Texas, we will be there one day!

What's you favorite band or label that you represent?
Division of Laura Lee and Andreas Tilliander have a great reputation and well established audiences so they are very satisfying to work with. I’ve been surprised lately about the new-found attention for Moto Boy, who has such a cool song writing style and amazing voice. Also the guy behind Bethlehem Beard Corporation, at only 15-years-old, has started to raise many eyebrows.

How can a reader gain access to the music?
If you are in Canada you can support your local record dealer by paying them a visit, otherwise you buy tracks on iTunes or other favorite online retailers. If you decide to follow us on Twitter, Facebook or through our newsletter we are very generous with free downloads of singles and remixes.

For more information on the organization, labels involved and bands represented by The Swedish Model, visit their website.

Josh Owen: 8125 Calculator

by Brian Fichtner

Josh Owen's 8125 Calculator for Monroe, the leading producer of commercial calculators, is a robust instrument in an age of throwaway gadgets. An embodiment of the "less but better" design philosophy espoused by the godfather of industrial design, Dieter Rams, Owen designed the elegant 8125 with improved sight lines, added functionality and a 30% footprint reduction. This is an adding machine that will make even the most taciturn accountant break a smile.

More images after the jump.

via designboom

Alexandra Cassaniti Bicycle Bag

by Karen Day

Hawaiian-born fashion designer Alexandra Cassaniti takes her surf style to the street with a silk-screen printed bicycle bag.

Adding a touch of style, the unisex adjustable bag is fastened to your handlebars by two leather straps while a sturdy zipper keeps your contents secure inside the pouch. Available in Cassaniti's original "Striped" or "Hairy" patterns, the 100% cotton, limited-edition bags are handmade in Minnesota.

The bag's details include a small leather pocket in the front for holding coins and small objects, and small brass rings on each end of the 14-inch long canvas bag, perfect for hanging your keys while en route. Durable yet fashionable, it's a great companion both on your bike and off.

The bicycle bag is available for purchase for $120 from Ooga Booga or Alexandra Cassaniti's websites.

Also on Cool Hunting: Alexandra Cassaniti's Summer Bummer Collection

Blue Gear Works Jewelry

by Bailee Wolfson

While walking in Soho the other day, I came across a fabulous antique-chic jewelry stand helmed by New York based artist Blue Bayer. Blue uses found objects such as gears, clocks, lockets, spoons and evil eyes to create Victorian, steam punk-style jewelry in his Lower East Side studio/gallery/shop called Blue Gear Works. With each unique piece, he prides himself on exquisite craftsmanship using classic American vintage ornaments in a time when mass production is so undeniably uninspiring.

Some of his recent work features a single blue eye, a symbol of protection used to ward off evil in many cultures. Blue's take on the locket features a carved out key-hole creating an unusual frame for the beloved picture inside. Blue ships daily from his Etsy and Ebay stores if going to his store is not an option.

Blue Gear Works
225 East 2nd Street, 1W
New York, NY 10009 map
+1 615 496 6513
bluebayer [at] gmail [dot] com
Open by Appointment

View more images after the jump.

Ron English Guest Contributor to Lost At E Minor

by Lost At E Minor

We’re pleased to welcome the legendary pop culture artist and father of the Agit Pop Movement Ron English as a contributor to Lost At E Minor, writing about his favorite creative and cultural discoveries of recent times. English has just completed a successful showing of new works called Lazarus Rising at the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, in which he paid homage to Picasso’s 1937 masterpiece, Guernica, transcribing it to reflect our troubled times alongside an extraordinary body of new works.

Keep an eye out for English’s posts on Lost At E Minor over the coming weeks as he joins contemporaries such as Shepard Fairey and Tristan Eaton as recent guest writers.