David Byrne, Thurston Moore, Patton Oswalt and Sexy Trees!

Photo: James Day

Talking Head: What exactly do record companies do for their artists? Does it make sense to release a digital album only? What are the six possible music distribution models, ranging from one in which the artist is pretty much hands-off to one where the artist does nearly everything? David Byrne’s Survival Strategies for Emerging Artists — and Megastars is a must read for any fan of music. This is a very candid assessment of where the music industry is and where it might be headed, written in a clear, non-bashing, no-nonsense manner. I can’t wait to drop all these nuggets into conversation at the next cocktail party.

Also take a listen to “Ex Guru” the cover Byrne did of the Fiery Furnaces tune. It’s very good (and I am not a big fan of his music).

Geekadelphia: According to many lad mags, Philly is a wretched city philled with crude, fat people who throw snowballs at the baby Jesus and boo cancer kids. This might be true, but they forgot to mention we also have a large population of geeks. For this, I am proud. Check out: geekadelphia.com, thehacktory.org and makephilly.com.

Top 5 Lists for 2008: {via largeheartedboy.com} Everyone’s favorite rat chef, Patton Oswalt, has posted his best of 2008 way before everyone else. Lots of good stuff to look forward to like:

Bottom’s Up! - Sony Animation left Pixar and Dreamworks in the dust this summer, with their stunning tale of a broccoli fart trying to out-loud an evil burrito fart. Great use of the song “Classical Gas.”

Kung-Fu Hooker Car-Crash Vampire Hit-Bitches in WWII - Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez served up the slickest, most subversive and flat-out entertaining 4 1/2 hour fun-fest of 2008 with this collaboration. With an amazing drag performance by Robert Quarry, and a timely environmental message.

Want to hear a beautiful song? “Fri/end” by Thurston Moore.

Why People Want to Punch You: You find it cute to say “sammich” or “sammy” instead of sandwich.

Got Wood? Edith Zimmerman has collected a bunch of saucy photos that should get you lovers of flora and fruit all hot and bothered: Plants or Privates? “In 2007 there was a phenomenon in which plants looked very sexy. It became an email-forwarding sensation that eventually landed inside my inbox. I was able to figure out the first one—it’s a plant—but the rest were really tricky. So what do you think? Plants or privates?

Relax Dave: We still love you.

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