I’ve been highly anticipating Ra Ra Riot’s new album The Orchard (out 8/24 on Barsuk) and just got word the band released a preview of what’s to come. While my expectations are going to be sky high for this next release, I love that the guys and gals actually spent a  month at a farmhouse writing their music. It’s safe to say I’ll be picking up a ticket for this tour – both times I’ve seen them they were great.

Surprisingly, the best part about the Lakers winning it all isn’t that Adam Morrison has two rings and LeBron still has none. It’s that it allowed Kyle Mooney and Good Neighbor to create a sequel to last year’s Lakers Parade video. This is awkward comedy at its finest.

We’ve already got iCal, Google Calendar and Outlook, so why not a massive, real-life calendar? The ad aimed for the expression that, if you wear Axe, a new female can be met on a daily basis. Oh sure, and unicorns live up my ass. [via direct daily]

I’m totally honored to have been asked by the good people of Dwell Magazine to speak at Dwell on Design. It’s only the largest design event on the west coast. No pressure.  I’ll be taking the stage 11am this Saturday alongside the amazing ladies of ReForm School. It’s gonna be oh so fun and then we’re hitting the pavement, checking out hundreds of new designs spread out wall to wall amongst LA’s Convention Center. So get your weekend inspiration here.

In the US we call ‘em trailers but in Europe they’re often referred to as caravans. However, no matter what you call it, the result is typically the same: awesome. Road trips are a must on so many levels – clear your head, learn new things, experience new places, meet new people, take amazing photos…the list goes on and on. And for everything you need to know about cool, funky, retro, vintage and classic caravans, there’s now a place (and book) for that. It’s called My Cool Caravan. Get out there and have some fun. [via CH]

Sao Paulo artist Marila Dardot has a way with words. In fact, I’m scoring bonus points for being super awesome creative. Game over, you win. [via inspire me now]

If you’ve got a thing for lyrics that make you reflect like I do, folk singer/songwriter Paleo (David Strackany) is worth looking up for a night of your time. Every time I’ve seen him perform, I was privy to something special – a look into an individual’s innermost thoughts and feelings expressed through music. He once wrote and recorded a song every day for 365 days and follows a true traveler’s lifestyle – that is to say no permanent home, lots of driving, sleeping in the car, couchsurfing and conversation with strangers. I think there’s a lot of people that secretly envy that, but to him it has the same simple pleasures, tasks and routines as any life has. He’s also the first to admit that art is sometimes more about elbow grease than inspiration. Here’s two things he is excited about right now though.

1) I’m excited about the concept of the soul again. It’s something I hadn’t thought about since I was a kid, really, and I’ve just recently begun reflecting seriously on my convictions on spirituality – meaning of life types of questions. But just beliefs in general.

2) Questioning beliefs, old ingrained assumptions I’ve been carrying for too long. About happiness, love, art, why I do what I do. I think it’s all so much simpler and farther away than I’d ever thought, like Plato’s Allegory of the Cave. Sometimes it’s easy to think you’re better off not knowing… but you’re not.