My "Best of 2009" music list

The end of 2009 is almost here, so its time to sum of the music year for my part and I have created a playlist on Spotify. The order is more or less chronologically from when I discovered them. Though some tracks might be older than 2009, but they are on the list as I haven't discovered them before this year. There are some odd ones, and they are on the list simply cause they were fun (and very catchy!) like Rybak and David Guetta. Not quite sure what mood you would be in if you listen to the whole list in one go, but they all got my approval! :)

1. Thunderheist "Jerk it"
2. Miss Harmonica "Friday Night"
3. Kid Cudi "Day n Nite"
4. Alexander Rybak "Fairytale"
5. Dizzee Rascal "Bonkers"
6. Peter Fox "Alles neu"
7. Lily Allen "Smile"
8. Maskinen "Alla som inta dansar"
9. Kings of Convenience "Boat Behind"
10. La Roux "In for the kill"
11. Lars Vaular "Solbriller på"
12. Veronica Maggio "Mandågsbarn"
13. Jay-Z "D.O.A."
14. Miike Snow "Animal"
15. Prodigy "Omen"
16. David Guetta "Sexy bitch"
17. The Bloody Beetroots "Awesome"
18. Kråkesølv "Privat regn"
19. Bjørn Hellfuck "Krabbeklo"
20. The Nextmen "Round of Applause"
21. Einar Stray "Arrows"
22. My Little Pony "A song for you on your 40th birthday"
23. Therese Aune "Chamelon"
    

Enjoy my "Best of 2009" music
So what was my favourite?! I think most listened to album were by Lily Allen and Miike Snow. So now you know.

Concerts

• Girl Talk Live in Oslo
  Last years Øya was fun. This concert was even better!
  
• Prodigy were amazing! Didnt see that one coming from my old favourites.
• Donkeyboy's "Ambitions" performed by Marie Alming at Radio Nova Simply cause I didnt expect any performances at the Christmas party and her song took me be surprise. Great surprise!

Free music

• Alex Goose Blueprint 3 Outtakes I must say that the Outtakes are much better than the songs that got on Jay-Z's album
• Kutiman's Youtube tracks This is what the web is all about, free mashups that would exist without the Internet.
• Rockettothesky "Hee-ho and a Bottle of Rum" Have heard the song before on couple of her concerts, but great to get it on track

Video

• By far Peter Fox with "Schwarz zu blau"

Thanks to
YesYesYall and Radio Nova's Bra Trommis for making me discover loads of great new music! Keep up the good work!

ps. Loads of Best of 2009 lists can be found at Platekompaniet's website

Elliptic shows off the touchless web

Touchless wizzkids Elliptic Labs are on Engadget (again!) and this time they have teamed up with Opera Software. They have created a touchless photoalbum interface. Check out the video:



Ah, and if you happen to be really interrested in testing it (or just in Amsterdam), meet them at IBC 2009 and try their prototype at the Opera Software booth - 3.C11.

Nothing better than to see a client doing great.

Get (more) social on your blog easily and free

Wibiya.com have created a brilliant application/plugin to be added on your blog. Works on Blogger, Wordpress, and many more. And Ive just added it to my blog as you can see.

What is it you may ask? Its a toolbar that shows your Twitter feed, Facebook page, translates your blog, gives you search ++ Its completely customizable, free and gives you statistics too. This video explains it fairly well:



ps. Its still in Beta, but only took me one day to get invite.

Crazy sanddune project to stop desertification

Went to Pecha Kucha in Oslo and Magnus Larsson presented his Dune project. He proposes to build a "green wall" longer than the great wall of China across whole Africa to stop desertification.

It looks great, its innovative, (apparently) evironmentally friendly and not too expensive.

Now theres thinking outside the box!

Unreleased track by Rockettothesky found: "Hee-ho and a Bottle of Rum"

Well, actually someone did release the song "Hee-ho and a Bottle of Rum", but I haven´t found it before now. I´ve heard this song live before, but getting a free mp3 is all good! Rockettothesky played 29.03.2008 at the The Rhâââ Lovely Festival in Belgium. Together with The Silent Ballet they released the compilation "2008 Rhaaa Lovely Festival Compilation". It has several other bands such as Magyar Posse, Rien and The CJ Boyd Sexxxtet... Download the whole album for free now

Logo trends 2009

Creative Review has yet again analyzed logos for 2009 and these are the logo trends for 2009. To be honest, I find that they have so many "trends", 13 in total, that it hardly can be seen as a "trend". Also, some look very similar to last years trends, such as VariDot:

But its still an interresting read.

YouTube is getting stricter with copyright: Sounds off

Wanted to listen to The Bucketheads "The Bomb" on Youtube, found a video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2THjmRLyp8

BUT, heres a new one: the sound is disabled! Under the video it says:

NOTICE
This video contains an audio track that has not been authorized by WMG. The audio has been disabled. More about copyright..

I understand that Google needs to earn money and copyright is important, and am not sure how they can do this with so much usergenerated content (and seems as they dont really know either..) But if they continue like this people will just go to other sites like Vimeo ..

Kikora logo changed (for the worse)

In 2007 I designed the logo (but not the website or application) for the Norwegian startup company Kikora. The company makes software for math teaching to pupils and students. The logo I created was using the idea that the solution for good math teaching is "equal to" Kikora, hence: =kikora. The colors chosen where supposed to show that they were a serious company. I also made a color scheme that had more vivid colors too, but it was turned down. (See the whole designmanual here.) This is my design: 1.








Two years later they got it redesigned by Miksmaster. They have done wonders with the website and the application as Kikora didnt use any designer on it before. BUT, and I know I am biased here, how did this redesign make the logo better?!
2.

New Statoil logo reminds me a bit of Organdonasjon

Not that much, but a bit. Then again, a star is a star I assume... :) (not really ready to comment on the new logo. Not decided what I think of it yet. What do you think?

Designer lamps that rock (a give light!)

Having a house in Norway (or most other places for that matter), means needing light. But you dont want just any light. You want a sexy lamp to accompany that light. I present: 4 lamps I want for Christmas. (a bit early maybe, but...)

The Sticker Lamp (Tall & Tiny) by created by Italian designer Alicero Signoli.
Buy them at PA Design












The Liquid Lamp by Caina’s Design Shop. A bit pricey at US $262, but really cool













Neon Lamp
(created by yourself) thanks to design by OpenDesignClub and Instructables.com













Or the slightly more futuristic (non existing) "PC lamp" by designer Seungchan Lee

Kvasir has new logo too

Norwegian serach engine Kvasir.no has a gotten a new logo today(and a new site that currently seems to be down..) Guess which one is the new one...?!

A BIG YES... and a small no music

Just found this Band: A BIG YES... and a small no Quirky, almost ska-ish, indie pop? Yeah, that categorisation works for me!

N-Light-Ns new album is out (or Son Of Light if you like..)

Still not used to the new artist name Son Of Light. Like the old one better. Either way, finally he has new music out which you can listen to at MySpace. Think Son and Pop is pretty cool

New user interface for the PC or Mac: BumpTop

Just got a Beta invite and installed BumpTop on my PC. Its really fun! Suprisingly not slow either. Doubt this will be the future for user interface, but great new thinking. And might be good on handhelds?

La Despensa creating great ads (as always)

The Spanish ad agency La Despensa has a great portfolio to show. And this time its for the matress company Pikolin. A long cathy song about all the noises keeping you up all night. See the video

Miss Harmonica is great!

Was at Doga yesterday in Oslo at Pecha Kucha. Last person on the stage was Miss Harmonica Great music! Escpecially love "Get dancy" Enjoy and have a great dancy weekend

Yahoo Pipes - mix your rss feeds

Havent really figured this one out. But it seems to be cool. Haha. Go Yahoo!
http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/

My very first (own) Wikipedia entry: Hyperstate!

Really bizzarre, but of some reason NO ONE has written about Norways biggest rave party Hyperstate on Wikipedia. So as the big philanthropist I am, ta ta!

http://no.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperstate

Please help the article become better, and feel good about yourself too :)

Vinterens store hit: Karatetriks!

Tidligere tjenestemann (fra Radiotjenesten.com på Radio Nova) Arild Nøst Odland har laget vinterens store slager med sitt nye band Karate. Sangen heter "Karatetriks". Selv lagde jeg omslaget. Håper dere synes at den har samme kvalitet som sangen :)

Vi gleder oss til mer! God helg!

Download / Listen here!

Subscribe to this podcast via iTunes!

Macbook Wheel

Extremely well-made video by The Onion!

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Norwegian music: Ingeborg Selnes

One of favourite musicians is Rockettothesky, alias Jenny Hval. And here comes her apprentice: Ingeborg Selnes! Weird text, strange pling plong music and very promising. I have bought her album "The Zoo" which is great! She was warm-up for Jenny (at her album release) and there she was rather shy and not very talkative. But this was some time back, so maybe she has changed now? She can learn from Jenny: create wonderfull (and introvert) music, but still be funny and talk to the audience.

Looking forward to see and hear more from her though.

Stylish looking suitcase and other sexy industrial designs

If you wonder what I want for christmas, just get any of Joyes designs..
http://www.joeyroth.com

iTunes coverflow on Macs with iSight camera

FluidTunes from Majic Jungle Software. Scroll your library in iTunes waving your hands in front of your Apple Mac. Havent tested this one yet, but seems like a pretty cool app.

Rimi supermarket has a new logo...

Not that the old logo was that beautiful, but what is the new logo!? Looks like mix of the airline Sterling (RIP) and Ulvang wool. Sorry, but am REALLY not convinced... Ah, fun is to see that the Rimi website still hasnt been updated withe the new logo.

Skandiabanken has a new design...

From blue to black site. Seems like all websites go black this days. They have cleaned up a bit and the site looks fresher. But is it really better?

Hurra! Rockettothesky's new album "Medea" is released today!

And this is the first single "Grizzly Man". Yet another great song from Jenny Hval. Just have to say it: Jenny, du er flink! :) And what a fantastic voice.

But what happened to the song "A choir of crayons" that you played december 2006? Okay, quite different from the rest of "Medea", but loads of fun! Hope to get hold of in better quality than my crapping mobilephone recording...:

New ways a promoting music: Piratebay!

Swedish group "Far och son" launch their single "panik" on Piratebay. And have a great video too:

Wii on Youtube shaking it ut!

Great usage of Youtube to show off the new Wario game on Wii. http://www.youtube.com/experiencewii

Pantone magnetic calendar designed by Stokke Austad

Heres a great protoype for a Pantone magnetic calendar, designed by Stokke Austad. It will be displayed at Home Acessories at 100% Norway 2008 in Earls Court, London.

Heres a selection of other great designs from Norway that will be at 100% Norway

Global logo trends according to logolounge.com

LogoLounge.com have categorised 27 000 logos and found a couple of trends: supernova, fine lines, FoldOver, etc, etc.!

A great overview and inspiration.

Translation help via Messenger

Translation Bot for Windows Live Messenger. Simply add msnim:add?contact=mtbot@hotmail.com to your contacts and invite Tbot to your conversations. Simply add mtbot@hotmail.com to your contacts and invite Tbot to your conversations.

Read all about it: http://blogs.msdn.com/translation/default.aspx

http://www.windowslivetranslator.com/

Syncronise your mobile phone with iTunes

Swedish Sallinger has done it again!

Salling Media Sync synchronizes playlists, music, and podcasts from iTunes onto your mobile phone. It's free to use, but when registered it intelligently updates your phone, which is much faster.
http://www.salling.com/MediaSync/mac/

Reggae from Sweden: Kapten Rod

"Stjarnorna finns har" the Swedish reggae band sing. Great stuff for lazy summer days. AND you can download two songs for free at:
http://www.kaptenrod.se/

Love the coverdesign too

Make your blog talk!

Added a new funny feature to my blog:
Its free, and makes your blog talk. Now one can download my blog posts as podcasts too!

phoneticom.com

http://www.audiofeedcreator.com

http://feeds.readspeaker.com/podcaster/flash/xspf_player.swf?playlist_url=http://feeds.readspeaker.com/audiofeed/4131.xspf

The Disciplines sing Oslo!

Great album from my favourite bands right now:
http://www.myspace.com/disciplines

"Oslo" is a great track!

Charles music video premiere "Hjertesten"

Randi sier:
du kan jo si "søstera mi blabla.." Da gjoer jeg det!
Ny norsk artist med videopremiere Living Room i morgen kl 21. I mellomtiden sjekk ut hans web charlesmusic og randis blogg Preview av musikkinnspillingen

Yes! Free fresh music

Discovered this great site by chance. Its got a (daily) dose of high quality free music. Great way of discovering new bands. Ah, and I really love the music player made in Flash! www.yesyesyall.org

Brandjunkie survey

Brandchannel:

The Brandjunkie survey results: http://www.brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=415

A concentrated dose of the Brandjunkies results http://brandchannel.com/features_effect.asp?pf_id=416

La Despensa ad agency in Madrid are rockin it!

Check out the interview by the two founders, Javier Carrasco and Miguel Olivares. Not only are they really creative, they are really nice guys too!

New search engine: searchme.com

Just signed up for beta. Lets see how it works...

Great song by Familjen: "Det snurrar i min skalle"

The proof that: 1. English is not the default for good songs. 2. Swedish dialect is funky. Very.

Favorite Website Awards

Wanna see many cool website, that win awards, all at one time? Here you go:

http://www.thefwa.com/

A whole new time! (Neolog´s design watch)

The German company Neolog have made this really cool wristwatch, called NEOLOG A-24 II. Rather than showing the time with numbers or a dial, the digital watch shows time as line.

NEOLOG is based on dividing time into intelligible units: Hours, units of ten minutes, and units of one minutes which are arranged in vertical blocks.

It takes a bit getting used to (at least for the first hour of having the watch..:) BUT it is so sexy... Christmas tip of the year I say! (too late for most countries, but if the gifts are given on the Holy 3 Kings Day there is still a chance!)

Check out the site (and order it) http://www.neolog.cc/english/ Ahh... and the site has some widget downloads too :)

Microsofts iPod

Ok, so there is quite alot truth in the this video:


However, I really find the Zune Art site excellent! Its really a creative ad campaign that uses animation and indie tunes to promote the Zune. It ought to generate a buzz online. Loads of freebies: wallpaper, videos, even faltpack toys!Check it out:

http://www.zune-arts.net/

Futurama Is Back!

At last, Futurama is getting a fifth season. :) Read all about it at

http://www.wired.com

Potential Architecture in Norway

Theres a new website called Potential Architecture. It shows a wide selection of projects that of some reason nevere were realised. Quite interesting site I find.

Heres one project that unfortunately wasnt done: www.potentialarchitecture.com

The project in Røros, was done by Huus og Heim (who happens to be a friend of mine! :)
http://www.huusogheim.no/

Martin Slaatto is weird...

...and really loads of fun!

Went to see Martin Slaatto´s new show/installation/act at Maridalen Skytebane in Oslo. It was one 1h of strange experience. A man dressed in a red track suite, jumping around, climbing trees, flying a remote controlled helicoptre and suddenly reciting Hamlet. Everything without irony, but not without humour! 1hour fun with free coffee and rolls for 100kr. Well recommended!

Check out his website: http://www.slaattosloyfa.no

Here is a review of the show: Slaattos lek på alvor (its in Norwegian)

New Holmenkollen ski jump – Extending Tradition

Congrats to the Danish architects of JDS / Julien de Smedt for winning the competition for the new Oslo Holmenkollen ski jump. Hope it will be built and ready to use in 2010. See all finalist here:
http://www.kultur-og-idrettsetaten.oslo.kommune.no

StatCounter wins BusinessWeek's young entrepreneur contest

Congrats to Aodhan Cullen, the founder of StatCounter, for winning this years BusinessWeek's young entrepreneur contest. Ive been using http://www.statcounter.com
for some time now, and am really pleased with the free service! Like it more than Google Analytics. Especially the ability to see indiviual "Visitor Paths".
Read the full story at http://www.businessweek.com

902 days later and finally a new a.beining.com website

This is a screenshot of a.beining.com version 2. It lasted me 902 days. And around 2000 visits, of which 50% came from Norway, 13% Spain, 7% China (Beining is a city in China apparently), USA, UK ++

Most use XP (53%) and IE 6 (34%). BUT being a portfolio site, loads of Macers have come around too! 37% use osX and 34% Safari. Not bad.. :)

Well, after so long time without any updates (last one was the 1. of June 2006..), I was getting embaressed, SO without any further ado: TATAA! http://a.beining.com all new!

Justice DANCE - the cool t-shirt video

You might have seen this one on MTV. French band Justice, the new Daft Punk if you like, have a great song called D.A.N.C.E. If the song is great, the video is even better! I would like to buy just about any one of thos cool t-shirts!

Radioresepsjonen tilbake!

Leste akkurat i dagens VG at Radioresepsjonen kommer tilbake 2. juli! YEHAA!!!

Pengestøtte til «Ragnar Rock - Veien mot Vallhall»

Min fetter får penger for å lage dataspill. Gratulerer til ham! Firmaet heter http://www.inludo.com/

Les hele artikkelen på: http://www.dagbladet.no/

Designer box wine cooler

Heres a quite beautiful wine cooler for box wine. Its made out of metal and wood. And exist in black, white and red. They are sold for 1.000 NOK at Henie Onstad museum near Oslo. For more info: http://www.erdmanndesign.com/

Moderno vs Modena, logo similarities

Over a year ago I designed the logo for the architect firm, Moderno. Handdrawn font in black, white and red.

Then, the other day, I discovered a company called http://www.modena.no/ Really similar name to Moderno. BUT even the logo looks VERY similar to the one I designed.

Judge for yourself (I guess, just great minds think alike! :)

DnB Nor reklamefilm: Vi vet ikke hva som skjer

Flott reklamefilm fra Republica. Stilig produksjon, men skjønner liksom ikke helt poenget her. Slagordet er "Vi vet ikke hva som skjer." (se bildet for hele teksten)

Vet liksom ikke helt om jeg har lyst til å velge en bank som sier dette. Ok, å være åpen og ærlig. Men jeg for min del foretrekker nå en bank som vet hva som skjer. Spesielt feks. når du skal investere penger!

"Jeg skulle gjerne investert endel penger i noe fond jeg. Hvordan er fremtidsutsiktene for fond x?" DnB Nor: "Nei, vet ikke. Vi aner ikke hva som skjer vi..." HALLO!?

Anyhow, kikk på http://www.firetretoen.no/ og bedøm selv. Forøvrig kunne jeg nok tenkt meg å se den filmen.. (Strengt tatt burde den vel hete "Dos", som oppfølger til "Uno")

Live maps by Microsoft

For those of you who thought Google Earth was good: Check out: http://maps.live.com/

Here's an example of the townhall in Oslo, Norway.

The Robotic Chair

“The Robotic Chair”, collaborations with Canadian artists Max Dean and Matt Donovan. The Robotic Chair, their latest piece, is a work in progress. It was completed in mid-summer 2006, at which time it will make its first public appearance.

How cool was that?! I want one now!

Wieden & Kennedy: new website

The brilliant advertising agency Wieden & Kennedy has got a new website. Its pretty crazy user interface. Still not quite sure whether I like it, but it is certainly something new! And thats gotta be worth something.. http://www.wk.com/

Norwegian design agency

This agency is quite good, amongst other project they've done Quart.

http://www.norwegianink.com/

The Vineyards til Norwegian Wood

The Vineyards trenger din hjelp!
The Vineyards er med i konkurransen om å få spille på Norwegian Wood festivalen til sommeren. Dette er en sjanse de ikke har tenkt å la gå fra oss, så ydmykt ber de om vår hjelp!

Send en liten sms med kodeord "wood" til 1987 og gi deres stemme til det eneste riktige bandet - The Vineyards!

Les mer om konkurransen her:
http://www.nrk.no/musikk/1.2157808
Hør, se og kommuniser med The Vineyards her:http://www.myspace.com/thevineyards eller http://the-vineyards.net

New Rave again: Klaxons

Ah, and while we are at it. I have to show you two of my favourite tracks for the time being. Two songs by the Klaxons. And as you can see: neon colors all over the place.. :)

Klaxons - "Gravity's Rainbow"


Klaxons - "Atlantis to Interzone"


Turn up the volume for this track!!

Style of the season: New Rave

Ok, no question about what colours and style we ought to follow the next months: Its New Rave with neon colours and a happy mix of the 80s and 90s rave. Klaxons sing the soundtrack well, BUT I think that somehow things become so similar. Just have a look at the screenshots of the Norwegian musicfestivals websites:

Øya:

Quart:
Hove (not really the same colorscheme, but quite similar freaky illustration style to Øya):
Oh, and if I have to choose festival: Hove has by far the best line-up. At least for my liking. Anyone want to join me!?

Handy startpage: Netvibes

Have just discovered http://www.netvibes.com/ It's a site similar to Google's "Home" site, however being a Mac addicct, I prefer Netvibes layout and easy userinterface. Also I love the idea that one acctually doesn't have to log on to be able to use it. Registering is however useful, as Netvibes saves the settings and they won't get lost in case you delete your cookies. Also if you use multiple computers like me, you can easily get your personlised page on the other computer by logging in.

The RSS feeds are quite good too, being able to see Aftenposten, NYT, Spiegel and El Pais at the same time.

Only, I think they should get a smaller clock. The so called "mini-clock" is really not "mini". More like "major". Oh, well. Can't get'em all at once I suppose.. :)

Happy easter! (and if you happen to see Valentin today: congratulate him from me. It's his birthday! Hurra!)

MadTV - Apple I-rack

Fantastic funny Apple presentation

Kong Kaffe site

Found this REALLY ugly site http://www.kongkaffe.no/ promoting coffee. It looks really like the Borat site. If figured out that someone w money was behind the site. Who else would put 2 full newspaperspreads in Natt&Dag..? Surely not some guy called Roar...?

I think its quite cool made though and it works well. Made me look at least.. :)

Grindhouse - Make your own trailer

This Tarantino movie looks really cool! The art department have done a really good job with the trailer and especially the website. Have never seen a site with so much info and extras. Closest I come is "V for Vendetta", which also have great design.

The "Make your own trailer" of Grindhouse is excelent (seen on the left):
http://www.grindhousemovie.net/

Penguin plans 'wiki-novel'

A really interesting book concept by Penguin:
http://books.guardian.co.uk/news/articles/0,,2003520,00.html?gusrc=rss&feed=10

amillionpenguins blog/

http://www.amillionpenguins.com/wiki/index.php

Spelemannsprisen 2006

Congrats to Ila Auto for winning a Spelemannspris (Norwegian music awad) in the category COUNTRY with their new album "IF YOU KEEP PICKIN', IT MIGHT NEVER HEAL" (AUTO RECORDS)

My new favourite Hanne Hukkelberg won in "Åpen Klasse" (open category).

Shame Rockettothesky didnt win though as Newcomer of the year. 120 DAYS took that one. Oh well, cant win them all.

http://www.ifpi.no/spellemann/main.html

Great artist: Hanne Hukkelberg

Just discovered the artist Hanne Hukkelberg through Andreas Palegolas who plays with Rockettothesky. He made this fantastic video for the song "Cheater's Armoury", see more of his stuff at: http://www.palegolas.se





Three of Hanne´s songs can be heard here:
myspace
"The Northwind" and "Cheater's Armoury" are so far my favourites. So get her albums "Little things" and "Rykestrasse 68"!

Some live stuff, mainly from music festival in Barcelona
youtube.com