armslength

Excerpt from "The Reader"

2009-05-22T04:34:00.003-04:00

"I'm not frightened. I'm not frightened of anything. The more I suffer, the more I love. Danger will only increase my love. It will sharpen it, forgive it's vice. I will be the only angel you need. You will leave life even more beautiful than you entered it. Heaven will take you back and look at you and say: Only one thing can make a soul complete and that thing is love."

www.nicholaspizzolato.com

2009-05-05T16:07:00.002-04:00

My work now lives on the internet! Hire me.

Campaign Posters

2009-04-28T16:08:00.003-04:00

It's campaign season here at Purchase and I was commissioned by some friends to make their posters. I'm pretty happy with how they came out, especially Sam's. Gotta love a good floating head. Best of luck guys.

I think I've found it (or it found me)

2009-04-14T01:55:00.004-04:00

I'm very excited about this. More information coming soon.

Barilla!

2009-04-13T01:38:00.003-04:00

Here are a few rough, unedited photos of my Barilla package redesign. The main idea was to break away from the all blue box that dominates the pasta isles, while still holding on to the association of blue and red. All ink is soy based and the box itself is 100% recycled paper. Comments welcome!

WTF, America?!

2009-04-07T22:09:00.004-04:00

Energy Consumption - A look at Us, and the World.

Featured in Issue 3 of Here, The Cooper Carry Magazine.

What are you married to?

2009-04-06T00:47:00.004-04:00

Here's an excerpt by Ellen Frances from the latest Fakeorange. I'm posting it because it struck a certain chord within me. Something that has been on my mind and made me feel a certain sadness that I think a lot of people end up feeling. A sort of scenario that is very real. Anyways, here it is.

"Things have really changed since those days. Since the days too when I slept across from the marcy projects on concrete in that sea foam sleeping bag clutching a book from the person I thought I would marry. He's married to someone else now. And I am married to a job. I am married to money. I am married to a title."

Will I too one day become what Ellen has become? Married to a job, married to someone else, or even married to the band? Does it matter so long as your doing what you love. So long as you're impacting the world in someway (positive of course). I guess what I'm getting at is that I'm afraid of looking back years down the road and regretting something I should have done differently. I suppose thats no way to live though, right?

Yves Behar on designing objects that tell a story.

2009-02-20T03:37:00.002-05:00

Watching this video was beyond inspirational for me. Brilliant, intriguing, stimulating, and ingenious. I couldn't have come across this at a more perfect time. To me, this is what "good" design is all about.

suns up / we wait / all day

2009-02-09T22:29:00.007-05:00

I started working on this last night and finished it this afternoon. What started out as a pretty simple assignment about ambiguity actually turned into something I kinda like. Interpret this however you'd like. I have nothing to say about it. In the words of Judah Nagler, "vague art is the best art."

Lots of projects on the horizon... (or should I say prospects?) Hell, I guess both. I'll be spending the next two days designing the Foreword vinyl which I'm super stoked about. Mostly because its going to feature an RAC Maury Remix of Lights and Shapes which is quite possibly the greatest thing I've ever heard, but more on that at a later date : ) Our brand new Synapse designed Mov Mou site should be launching by the end of the week as well. Exciting stuff all around.

Speaking of websites, I really need to get my ass in gear with my own site. I'm in the process of teaching myself HTML + CSS but it's really sloppy. I need more time. Recent work I can't wait everyone to see is the Shack Attack Records logo and a new Mov Mou logo / badge.

Tomorrow night I'm visiting Tiffany and Louisa in Brooklyn.

Can't wait.

Recent audio sensory input:

Two Tongues - Two Tongues

Billie Holiday - The Essential Billie Holiday

Phantom Planet - Raise the Dead

Your Infamous Harp - Parh Suomafni Ruoy

Tokyo Police Club - The Interface Sessions

M83 - Kim and Jessie Live on Conan

Foals - Antidotes

Cai Guo-Qiang / Head On

2009-02-06T14:03:00.005-05:00

Very powerful installation piece by Cai Guo-Qiang.

Pretty amazing to say the least.

Nothing is original.

2009-01-23T13:39:00.003-05:00

spacecollective.org

2008-12-27T03:05:00.004-05:00

Go to this website and discover something amazing. (Thanks Rob!)

How easily unearthed what our maladies hide.

2008-12-22T17:49:00.007-05:00

Last night was a harsh reality check. I'm so overwhelmed with confusion my head hurts. Things have never been this complicated. Ever. This feeling is new to me, and it hurts. Who knows if I'll ever figure this/you/us out. I guess you've got the right idea about things though. Me, not so much.

"you could never go where I couldn't follow"

Here's what I've been filling my ears with lately:

The Velvet Teen - Elysium

Efterklang - Parades

Armor for Sleep - What to Do When You Are Dead

The Killers - Sam's Town

Sounds Like Violence - With Blood On My Hands

Mid-December Recap

2008-12-16T12:19:00.006-05:00

Thursday, December 11th marked our last show in New York City, or at least at any sort of 21+ bar that doesn't give a shit about shows or musicians. I hate to sound cynical but we've played far too many shows in the city (more so Manhattan) where there is no respect for the musicians, no planning that has gone into the show, and not enough room for one band's equipment, let alone five. Why do these tiny hole in the wall bars book a five band show with a stage about the size as two queen size beds and barely any room for equipment. Don't get me wrong, a show is a show, and if we're able to play for even one person who's never heard us before, then thats awesome, but it's gotten to the point that playing in Manhattan yields more negatives than positives for us, not to mention the gas and toll money put into the trip. Blah. Sorry to rant. I love New York City, just not when I'm in the van.

Friday, December 12th couldn't have been more of a polar opposite. Opening up for Thursday was unreal to say the least. To be asked to open up for one of my / our favorite, most influential bands was literally a dream come true. There was magic in the air and I think everyone could feel it. It was easily our biggest show yet a everything went off with out a hitch. Greg and I stayed up till 3 in the morning two nights prior fixing up the lights, samples went off without a hitch, and no one fucked up. We're so used to stuff going wrong, so when things actually go right for once, not to mention at a huge show like this, it just feels plain good. Life has been so chaotic the past few months but it's nights like these where for a brief moment in time, everything seems to fit into place. (All thanks to Rob Dobi)

Saturday, December 13th we played at this small vegan library / cafe / kitchen thing in Willimantic, CT called Wrench In The Works. Very different vibe than the night before but it was a blast. There was a vegan potluck when we got there and lots of nice locals. We were a bit loud I think due to the room being so small but it made for an awesome light show.

I'm finishing up my last week of the semester and things are going... okay? Busy as all hell, sleeping only a couple hours a night, but also being super productive, so thats cool.

Foreword is out now on Amazon, albeit much sooner than we expected. It is nice to have it out there finally, especially since our live show consists mostly of songs off Foreword. I apologize to everyone who pre-ordered it and is still waiting. As soon as we get them (which should be in the next two or three weeks) we will be shipping them out ASAP with plenty of goodies as well.

One of the great things about being an adult is making adult decisions, like skipping class to do weekend tours. It's been a while since we've had a good trek on the open road and damn it felt good. Especially this one.

12.6.08

2008-12-06T16:13:00.003-05:00

Foreword is off to the presses and sleeves are being screen printed as I write this. Next comes shipping. Oh, what a fun day that will be.

Greg built version 1.0 of our new lighting system. I call it 1.0 because we will inevitably be building them over again, but its a start. They're essentially two 16"x44"x16" rectangular cubes made of plywood on three sides, and a layer of plexiglass on the front. Each has two lights inside and are hooked up to a laptop and programmed entirely by midi. It's pretty dope. No more foot switches for us :)

Two more weeks of school and lots of projects to wrap up. So much to do, so little time. I'll find a way to get things done, I always do somehow.

56 Leonard Street

2008-11-20T14:28:00.002-05:00

This is easily one of my most anticipated new buildings in New York. This video is amazing too.

56 Leonard Street from david basulto on Vimeo.

why, how, and what

2008-11-17T20:21:00.004-05:00

Today I've been working on an illustration which reminded me of this video that I saw a few months ago. Lots of clean motion graphics and insightful / funny narration. Worth checking out.

clemenskogler.net/grandcontent

Digg Dialog: Al Gore

2008-11-10T10:51:00.007-05:00

Digg's Kevin Rose sits down with Al Gore and asks him the top questions voted on by Digg users.

Edit: The embedded video I put up wasn't working right, so here's the link:

http://digg.com/dialogg/Al_Gore_1

Yup!

2008-11-06T15:00:00.004-05:00

A blue voter in a red state explains his position to Evangelical friends and family.

http://www.designartculture.com/2008/11/05/voting-blue-in-a-red-state-a-note-on-the-election-for-my-evangelical-friends-and-family/

no matter how hard it gets, i'm in this for life

2008-11-04T00:28:00.002-05:00

"so come on, child, you’ve slept enough / and i know you’re tired but i’m waking you up / there is much to be done, and we’re right on the cusp / of this shit getting real, i’m mean really, really fucked / every sheep for the shearing waiting around non-plussed / trading branding irons for brand-name cuts / we were born in labor, baptized in dust / given life anew as a living trust / with every hair numbered and cross-referenced / for each soul they claim to save, they have added interest / with a price on your head, what you think matters not / every credit card statement, every lie you’ve bought / rates our exchanged faith for the next fiat / on the blotter paper, the blood don’t clot / it just bleeds you dry and then leaves you to rot / in a dead end job till at last you drop / into this old noose, with the rope drawn taut / left with your hands bound so they’ll never be caught / you may sabotage our education / to a calculated chaos born of confusion / a controlled market through the inflation / truly euthanasia to waste on the young / but, we’ve caught you now, and we’re cutting your funds / we outnumber you over a million to one / it’s a sharp weapon, but the point’s left blunt / there’s no skill to the game, no challenge to the hunt / with each target deaf, blind, and reticent / got your ducks in line for the same false front / cos when free will costs even ten percent / false tongues speak lies over catholic hunts / from the cathepsin to the cathexis / i’ll bear the stigmatic focus of the anti-catechist / with each catalytic pill slowly slitting my wrists / so when i raise my hand, see my bloody fist / may have killed brain cells, but i’ve kept my wits / and i'd rather go sooner to have known and said this / i’ve peaked at the end, where the answer sits / all the rest is just problems and more questions / hear the classes getting loud and the teacher getting pissed / in the end this pattern goes 666 / soon my name’s showing up on every government list / free speech shouldn’t cost, let alone be a risk / so when i die young, it’ll prove me right / cos it won’t be pills, swear it won’t be the knife / no matter how hard it gets, i’m in this for life / and i’m never giving up till we make things right / god gave me this voice, so i can’t stay quiet / they can’t kill this love, i’ll come back to fight / to return each star and remove each stripe / from each prism cell, we’ll refract the light / to reveal each move, catch the thieves in the night / make them share what’s left and return our rights / though it may still shine from a hormone diet / this knowledgeable fruit’s grown overripe / and robbed his breath, birth absorbed he / when the planets line up, every eye shall see / that this invite-only disparity party / has brought enough despair to the already broken-hearted / in the wake of greed, in the name of flow-charting / leaving broken-homes where once were gardens / see it’s our pale horse that we’re riding in on / bringing pestilence as a plague of love / with hell at our heels and heaven catching on / it’s the hanged man, it’s the crux fiction / it’s the pentagram, it’s the pentagon / it’s david’s star, it’s the pyramid song / what was once upright / now is upside down / and isaiah, it’s a revelation / 2368, 2701 / means a way out / and if i can, you know i’m bringing everyone"

- judah nagler

latest poster design

2008-11-02T01:14:00.003-04:00

recap

2008-10-26T21:13:00.005-04:00

3 hours of sleep. 7 am awakening. hour drive to pomona. video shoot with ben morsberger. super 8 film. in the woods. lots of dirt. lots of leaves. beautiful weather. models? the ring. lots of wonderful people. 110% fall. pizza. salad. amazing homemade chocolate chip cookies. talk of bears. photos. lying in leaves. climbing on trees. driving. conversation. connection? delusion. exhaustion. delusion. exhaustion.

2008-10-23T16:56:00.003-04:00

"life's an accident others slow down / and vainly strain their necks to see / while i push my pedal to the ground / and fly past them all in ecstasy"

It's Thursday already and this week I've taken a nap at least once every day so far. For me, sleeping during the day usually results in the strangest dreams. Today for instance I dreamt that two people were talking beside me where I was sleeping. I actually woke up and turned over, only to realize that no one was there. I then had a lucid dream, but only for a very short amount of time. It felt like maybe 15 or 20 seconds. I also dreamt of trying to take tortellini out of a bowl but there was a drain at the bottom, like a sink, which made it impossible to get anything out. As I'd try and scoop them out, they'd get sucked down the drain. That was just today.

Here's some projects I've been juggling over the past couple weeks:

- Finishing up the layout for Foreword

- Designing a new door for WPSR (Purchase Student Radio)

- Redesigning Verizon's corporate identity (much needed)

- Typographic experiments book

- Type As Metaphor posters

- Airplane narrative series broadsides

- Posters!

Hopefully at somepoint this stuff will make it's way to the internet.

Friday is our show with As Tall As Lions : )

Saturday we're shooting a video upstate with Ben Morrsberger for a new song called "Lights and Shapes".

Sunday I'm making sleeves for the first 50 Foreword pre-orders with the help of Dena, silkscreen extraordinaire.

Playlist:

Stereogum Presents RAC Vol. 1

Copeland - Your Are My Sunshine

Silversun Pickups - Carnavas

Modeselektor - Happy Birthday!

Currently reading:

Seventy-nine Short Essays on Design - Michael Bierut

Modern Architecture - Kenneth Frampton

Ishmael - Daniel Quinn

2008-10-20T11:17:00.001-04:00

This is too funny. One of my favorite Get a Mac ads yet.

Mercury Retrograde

2008-10-12T15:08:00.009-04:00

Fall is here again and everything is beautiful this time of year. The past few weeks have been amazing due to the people I've met and the progress that the band has made with the EP. I guess somethings actually do fall into place, others not so much. Thats okay though.

Here's some stuff I wanna show you.

Thrice live at Metro Theater 02.09.2008 - I haven't seen these guys in years, but based off recent live footage, they are one of the tightest live bands. Watch a song or two. You might feel something.

The Perry Bible Fellowship - Ubsurdist comics drawn by Nicholas Gurewitch. Interesting but very strange.

Recent Playlist: Hot Chip - Made In the Dark + The Warning / Burial - Untrue / Minus the Bear - Acoustics / Pinback - Autumn of Seraphs + Summer In Abaddon / Pompeii - Nothing Happens for a Reason / Thursday - Split w/ Envy

Up top are two posters I did for upcoming shows with As Tall As Lions and Thursday. I'm still in disbelief.

Is Mercury retrograde really a bad thing?

Edit: When it comes to technology, yes, it is. My brand new phone went from having 2 bars of battery, to dying completely. Now my computer won't connect to the internet and the tech guys aren't sure why. Hmm.

Good Magazine

2008-09-14T18:49:00.006-04:00

I just ordered my first subscription to Good Magazine. Being a student of design I naturally wanted something along the lines of either I.D. or Print but after doing some research into both magazines, I suddenly remembered Good Magazine. I first picked up an issue about a year ago on my way to the airport and read it front to back, something I've never done with any other magazine.

In their own words, it's essentially a magazine for people who give a damn. Covering everything from politics to environment to education to health to culture to art & design. It's really a well rounded, beautifully designed periodical with truly positive and informative content (a rare thing these days).

They offer a pay-what-you-want system for subscribing and 100% of your purchase goes to a non-profit organization of your choice (there are 12 to choose from). It's that good.

Check it out! www.good.is

Amazing Anagrams

2008-09-07T23:03:00.003-04:00

Tauba Auerbach does amazing things with letters.

Introducing the Black Book

2008-09-06T14:32:00.011-04:00

"Pentagram is pleased to announce the publication of the Black Book, a new 800-page overview of our recent work. The book is a compilation of over 400 projects from the last several years, arranged in alphabetical order, like a dictionary, and printed on Bible paper, like a Bible, complete with tabbed sections and ribbons for bookmarking. It covers pretty much everything we do, from architecture to graphics, buildings to websites, branding to signage, interiors, packaging, exhibitions, interfaces, furniture, products, brochures, magazines, and houses, all in simple picture-and-caption form."

Too bad it's not for sale.

2008-09-04T09:21:00.004-04:00

I think I'm in love...

The Studiolise W08

"Materials have hidden messages. These create a powerful link to our emotional psyches and shape our connection to daily life.

Our light is a sturdy friend, unpretentious and always there for us. We have chosen honest materials that carry clear messages: iron for its feelings of stability, reliability, trust; wood with its warmth and life, and porcelain for its intimate glow, as well as its tactility.

Then we have put these three together for a certain oddness. This is because there is an innate awkwardness in the directional light that we wanted to amplify - rather as with people this is a sympathetic quality not a sin."

Ilse Crawford

2008-09-03T22:56:00.004-04:00

stair porn, beautiful stuff.

Classes tomorrow:
8:30 AM / Modern Architecture
6:30 PM / The Cubist Epoch

I feel good about the days ahead. Hopeful, if you will. I hope this isn't a seasonal thing.

Recent listening:

Aloha - Light Works, Some Echoes, Here Comes Everyone

Bloc Party - Intimacy

Fleet Foxes - Fleet Foxes

French Kicks - Swimming

Ra Ra Riot - The Rhumb Line

Wilco - Sky Blue Sky

August Thirty First

2008-08-31T13:48:00.005-04:00

Summer has come to an end and hopefully it's the last. I've come to learn that sitting around not doing much is actually more stressful than keeping busy. The past 3 months or so have seen their fair share of ups and downs. Working, touring, drinking, relaxing, stressing, and loving. The times are constantly changing and tomorrow is just another turning point. Change is a beautiful thing.

I move in tomorrow and it marks the beginning of my Junior year. This is going to be a good year. I'm going to be the busiest I've ever been with school and a part time job, but thats cool. I'm craving knowledge. Bring it on!

Once I get setup at school, I plan on updating more often. I'm also going to start working on an online portfolio. Works in progress will probably be posted on here.

Oh yeah, here's why America is fucked. This guy is my hero.

take this in.

2008-08-09T19:17:00.002-04:00

beautiful motion graphics combined with brilliant words.

knowledge is power and sleep clogs the brain

2008-08-06T13:32:00.004-04:00

I arrived in Phoenix last night around 11:30 and it was raining. I'm pretty sure it never rains in Phoenix. Maybe a few times a year. I've been here less than 12 hours and I've learned many new things already. I also started keeping a journal of day to day observations, thoughts, questions, etc. Basically all the stuff I need to get off my chest but have trouble actually sharing with people. It feels good to write. My mind feels less cluttered once I get it down on paper.

In other news, we finished up our almost two week tour and it was amazing. I met lots of nice people and made some great friends. The Gifts from Enola guys are hilarious and very kind. They're from Virginia and make awesome music. Overall shows went well, especially the last couple dates. It was a great learning experience and can't wait to get out and do it all again, but this time further and longer. Greg is finishing up vocals / strings this week and then mixing. Live response to the new songs has been great so hopefully it translates well on the EP. I think it will ; )

I've been reading Slaugterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut and it's quite good. I'm picky when it comes to novels but I love his style. I never knew sci-fi could be so relatable. Anyways, I'm about half way through it. More thoughts to come when I finish.

Stress is overwhelming at times but I will overcome. There are things to be learned every day, both good and bad.

"God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom always to tell the difference"

let's be born again

2008-07-13T11:53:00.004-04:00

life comes at your fast and only moves faster as you get older. kinda weird how that works, but its true. take in every moment you can. life is too short to be getting caught up with the drama and woes in our lives. its human nature to worry and become preoccupied with the past and future but we must live in the moment. do your best and everything else will fall into place.

next weekend marks the beginning of tour and i cannot wait. we'll be in vermont, new york, massachusetts, pennsylvania, new jersey, and connecticut. vermont especially i have a really good feeling about. the past week has been spent re-tracking almost everything on the EP minus drums. this is our third time recording and it was completely worth it. better, tighter, bigger. lots of auxiliary drums too.

i miss certain things, certain people, my family, my old house. life feels so new right now. i'm like a new born baby discovering the world all over again. it's hard at times, but also really exciting. i am incredibly grateful for my friends. without them, i couldn't do this. i love you all.

here are a few albums that i can't get enough of:

gregor samsa - rest

sigur ros - með suð í eyrum bið spilum endalaust

someone still loves you boris yeltsin - pershing

thao with the get down stay down - we brave bee stings and all

the helio sequence - keep your eyes ahead

tokyo police club - elephant shell

June Thirteenth, Two Thousand and Eight

2008-06-13T00:17:00.005-04:00

Is it possible that sometimes things do work out? Being optimistic doesn't hurt, although I should probably try my best to not get ahead of myself. One Day at a time.

Too many thoughts are going through my mind, I should sort some things out before I put anything to paper.

Saturday? yeah.

2008-05-24T18:39:00.013-04:00

Things I have learned in the past three days...

Maine is beautiful.

The Helio Sequence is one of the best live bands I've seen.

Alcohol works.

Long drives can be relaxing.

Good music can make me feel high.

Fantastic tossing turning without rest

2008-05-20T01:40:00.005-04:00

I'm certainly relieved that school is over but summer doesn't come with out a price. Things will fall into place, or maybe just fall apart. Either way, change is good. I'm anxious to get out on the road and see new places and meet new people.

Wednesday Frank and I are driving to Maine to visit Blythe and spend the night at her apartment. Thursday we're driving into Boston to see The Helio Sequence and meet up with Brit. Friday or Saturday there is talk of going to Brooklyn. Exciting, but after all is said and done, I know I'm going to be broke as shit.

I'll talk to you soon.

Interesting and very beautiful explanation of Sunday

2008-05-11T12:15:00.003-04:00

This song has always been one of my favorites off A Weekend In the City, but hearing this in depth explanation of the what the song captures is really inspiring and certainly rings true for me.

What have you learned?

2008-05-06T01:08:00.001-04:00

www.thingsihavelearnedinmylife.com

I've written about this site before and I feel compelled to again. Reading just one sentence about what people have learned in their life is strangely uplifting and very real, especially knowing that they're submitted by everyday people like you and I. If you haven't seen this site yet, I highly recommend it. Here are a few of my favorites...

Being able to love is more important than being loved.
Laziness is too easy.
I want you to understand me.
Beauty can be found anywhere.
What I find intolerable about someone mirrors what I can't stand about myself.
If you're not crashing, you're not trying.
Yes.
Feeling foreign humbles me.
Be honest.
Mistakes are an important part of life.
Worrying solves nothing.
Someday I will definitely die.
Being comfortable means I am not trying new things.
Love can make me unreasonable.
Live curious.

Excelsior

2008-05-04T22:58:00.006-04:00

Why is it that no matter how many times I'm approached with a particular situation, I react the same way each time. When I think about it, its really quite immature, yet when it comes down to actually changing my ways, I don't. It seems as though the more I want something, the harder it becomes for me to obtain. Maybe if I didn't want it as much, it wouldn't be as hard to get. Or maybe I have a problem with over analyzing things in my head and blowing small, meaningless things out of proportion. Either way, it's confusing and frustrating at the same time. Progress much?

The show last night was a lot of fun. We were all a bit rusty from not playing much lately due to recording, but it was amazing none the less. Possibly the most people we've played for yet. Playing live gives me a feeling like no other and I love it. Geoff Rickly of Thursday explained it the best. When you get on stage to perform, everything bad in your life fades away. All the petty bickering that us as human beings take part in disappears. All your fears and anxieties in life are removed, and for that brief period of time, you are truly living in the moment.

We've all been working hard as fuck, and despite how it feels now, I know it will all be worth it in the end. Actually, screw how it will be in the end. It's already been worth every ounce of sweat and blood (yes, blood) that we've put into this band. I can't be grateful enough for everyone who appreciates the music that we create. Sometimes it seems too good to be true, but other times (namely when I'm at school), it seems like its not real, or out of reach.

I've been keeping busy with work lately due to it being finals week, but the end is in sight. Eric will be here on Saturday, and three days after that this semester will be over. Moving out is going to be so much fun, I can't wait.

Triple Chrome Dipped / 4.28.2008

2008-04-28T16:24:00.005-04:00

Why is it that I can sleep a solid 9 hours and wake up feeling refreshed, yet after being awake for only 5 hours, I'm ready for a nap. Maybe it's the overwhelming thought of how much work I have to do this week. The semester is almost over and I'm still not really sure where the past year went. If life has taught me nothing else, its that the older you get, the faster time seems to go. Greater amounts of time seem shorter than ever, especially compared to when you're younger. Our perception of time changes so much in our lifetime. This is interesting to note mainly because life is all about perception. Really, life = perception = life ... yeah.

This week I have to:

+ Finish a title sequence for a movie in After Effects.

+ Make a screen print and an edition of 4 intaglio prints.

+ Print my final 22" x 30" Shakespeare poster, as well as design a 8 page program for a 24 hour Shakespeare event.

+ Put a serious dent in my Mucha / iPod painting, which I've yet to even start. I'll post pictures in the coming weeks.

+ Buy more paper.

+ Buy more paint.

+ Avoid sleep at all costs.

Seeing Thursday and talking to those guys the other night was really inspiring. Hearing Tom tell us about when they started off as a band, and how they all got through certain shit in order to make it happen really gave me (us) hope. Not to mention seeing Thursday live in itself is a magical experience. Really up there for best live bands I've seen. Never let me down.

The EP is coming along beautifully. All thats left to track are cello, vocals, and plenty of auxiliary noises. The plan is to get that up on iTunes ASAP, followed shortly after by an actual pressed version. I absolutely can not wait for everyone, both friends and fans, to hear this.

I'm kind of at this point where there are a lot of unknowns in my life. I'm trying to embrace it although its not always easy. Hmm... speaking of embracing things, change is one thing you must embrace in life. If you don't, you'll be miserable.

I think thats all for now.

Recent Tunes:

Jamie T - Panic Prevention

Jeremy Enigk - World Waits

Ghostly Swim - Compilation (download here)

Milosh - Meme / You Make Me Feel

armslength.muxtape.com

2008-04-05T13:56:00.002-04:00

Is this the next step in the evolution of mixes? First cassette, then CD, now this?

All my fault (thank you glaring sun)

2008-03-30T17:23:00.005-04:00

This is almost how bright it was when I was blinded by the sun and unable to see the car in front of me at a stop sign. I'm not one to make excuses, but the sun was fucking bright as all hell and shining directly in my eyes. After looking right, then left, then right again, I proceeded to accelerate, only getting about 12 inches before I bumped into the car in front of me. Shitty. I definitely gave this old couple one hell of scare.

Me: I'm so sorry sir, are you alright?

Understandably Pissed Off Old Man: You better be sorry! What the hell were you thinking?!

Me: The sun was in my eyes (which it was). That was totally my fault. I'm so sorry.

Understandably Pissed Off Old Man: Goddamn right it was your fault! Call the police!

It was a pretty straight forward fender bender, with absolutely zero damage done to the other car, leaving my car with a dented hood, cracked headlight, and scratched paint.

After refusing to exchange insurance, he insisted on having me call the police. Once the officer arrived, we settled on not even filing a report, because all the damage was on my end. The cop was extremely nice, even agreeing with me that the old man was overly pissed off for having zero damage to his car. Anyways, sorry guy.

We finished up editing drums yesterday at Mike's place. Well, I wouldn't say we finished completely, but we got enough done so we can begin tracking everything else. Once we finish recording everything else, we're going to go back and make adjustments to the drums accordingly. Then output everything through Mike's various compressors and what not. They sound pretty good so far, and we're not even done.

So it turns out I most likely will be coming back to school next year (unless something really big comes up, which it probably won't). Either way, this summer is sure to be one to remember. Next fall I've got a triple in Fort Awesome with Greg and Frank. Upgrades all around.

Playlist:

The Velvet Teen - Secrets Safe, a Buried Box

Paper Rival - Paper Rival EP

The Notwist - The Devil, You + Me

Justice - Cross

03.27.2008

2008-03-27T19:12:00.002-04:00

I decided not to go to my painting class tonight. I figure Nathan will cut me a break considering I'm the only guy in the entire class. Too much on my mind to be mixing paint and getting messy, especially after my gesso incident last time.

Greg and I leave for Monroe at 10 am to begin tracking drums. I'm a bit anxious and very excited. I'm looking forward to spending time just getting sounds. We're going for something huge. We'll see what happens : ) There have been a few setbacks regarding this summer, but nothing huge. Things are actually coming together quite nicely.

I got my portfolio back yesterday and I actually didn't do too bad considering I put it together two days before it was due. There were a couple of pieces I regret not putting in, but its okay. I'm just glad thats out of the way. One stressor down, 1,248,398 to go.

I'm not gonna lie, I think we're all a bit overwhelmed right now, but what else can you do? Get jobs in offices and wake up for the morning commute? Can't wait for the summer. The warm weather. A break from school. Complete concentration on the band. Good things are on their way (including a friend from out west).

I came across this website, Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far. It's kind of like a call for submissions about what people have learned in their lives so far, but you submit your life lesson in a design, drawing, photograph, painting, sculpture, video, etc. It kind of ties in with Stefan Sagmeisters book, also titled "Things I Have Learned In My Life So Far". Anyways, take a look at some of the submissions. Very inspirational stuff.

www.thingsihavelearnedinmylife.com

I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.

2008-03-23T23:28:00.006-04:00

Here's a picture of a frozen bobcat in my cousin's freezer. Really.

What doesn't kill you makes you ________

2008-03-22T16:24:00.003-04:00

You will make it through this.

Here is your lifetime, suspended between your arms.

2008-03-10T14:55:00.006-04:00

Everything is changing in my life right now. In fact, I think the only "constant" is music, and even that is always changing changing. (If something is constantly changing, does that mean it's a constant?)

I'm going to be taking next semester off to pursue the band full time. We're going to be on the road as much as possible this summer and into the fall. We have a beautiful trailer named Maggie and sweet green Dodge van. Granted just about all of us are in debt now, something tells me it will be worth it. Fuck money anyway. We begin tracking drums for the EP March 28th - 29th with Kalajian and I couldn't be more excited. The new material is far above anything on Pneuma. Its heavier and softer than anything we've done up to this point. These are also the first songs to be written by all four of us collectively. To me, the progression we've made is one for the better and I can't wait for everyone to hear it.

School = blah. I'm so disconnected for campus life. I just need to make it through the rest of this semester. This isn't where I'm supposed to be right now. I've got other things on my plate. I'm eternally grateful for the support of my friends and most importantly my parents. I love you all.

I'm letting go this time time and the road ahead will be an adventurous one to say the least. I turn 20 this year. I feel like turning 20 is a bigger milestone than 21. 20 is like, a good even number, no longer a teenager, etc. Everyone just associates 21 with drinking. Lame.

Short term goals:

1. Make enough money before May 15th to support myself on tour.

2. Finish this semester.

Playlist:

As Cities Burn - Come Now Sleep

Tokyo Police Club - Elephant Shell

Able Baker Fox - Voices

This Beautiful Mess - Away With the Swine

I can feel the extraordinary lightness of being.

2008-02-27T01:22:00.003-05:00

It's actually quite heavy, but not really, all at the same time. I have a lot to look forward to right now. We're growing and I will always love you.

I printed this image today. It's edition 3 of 3. I'm both surprised and happy with how well it came out (in my eyes).

I can't wait for this weekend + recording the EP + tour.

Recently Played / Recommended / Notable / Brilliant In It's Own Right:

Able Baker Fox - Voices

Elliot - Song In the Air

Looking Glass Wars - The Musician

Deftones - Around the Fur

The Appleseed Cast - Two Conversations

Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend

Fairweather - Lusitania

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Japayork - The Atlanta EP + Home Demos

living, not dead.

2008-02-17T23:18:00.005-05:00

After coming back to school today, I couldn't help but feel removed from everything thats going on here. I don't feel like a student anymore. I don't have the motivation to work and it's not even that I'm being lazy. I'm just ready to pursue other things. Things that truly make me feel alive. I want to travel, I want to meet new people, and most of all I want to play music.

There is something so amazing and surreal about being able to connect with people through the music you play. It's like nothing else. It really makes me feel alive, far from how I feel here at school. These coming months are not going to be easy but so far every moment spent on the road has been more than worth it. I don't want to work a 9-5, I don't want to do what is expected of me, and I don't want to live the life that the majority of people my age currently live in America. I know that what I'm doing is good, and I can't help but follow my heart on this one.

Lately I feel like I'm destined to never feel at home, kind of like that Polar Bear Club song. It's kind of sad to think about, but I feel like its a part of growing up? Maybe? I guess what I'm getting at is that home is where the heart is, and in the people you choose to surround yourself with and share your life with.

I've got my interview at the container store at 7:30am, then class at 12:30. I hope I get this job, God knows I need the money. Time to sleep I guess. Now that I have a case of Red Bull sitting on my floor, I'll probably have one of those for breakfast. Gross, I know, but lets be honest. I won't have time for anything else.

02.14.08

2008-02-14T14:13:00.003-05:00

The past two weeks have just been getting harder and harder to concentrate on school work when all I want to do is play music. Not to mention several other things floating around inside this head of mine. I hope that I'm making the right decisions, and that in the end everything I've done will have worked out for the best. Actually, I take that back. All I hope for is that I'm able to learn from the past and move forward with a clear head.

I can't wait to play Croton on Friday and drive out to PA on Saturday. I can confidently say the set sounds the best it ever has. It's a solid mix of both new and old material. Very excited for everyone to hear what we've been working on these past months. The EP is about half written at this point and it's the best stuff we've ever done. All I need now are some funds to get a new cymbal, bass drum spurs, and soft cases.

I just got a call from the Container Store and I have an interview on Monday. I need to think of an organizational problem I have at home and find a product on their website to help me solve that problem. Easy enough, right? Anyway, its a group interview. This should be interesting.

Grab a pair of headphones and listen to this!

2008-02-12T20:42:00.000-05:00

Inredible Auditory Illusions ... CLICK HERE

"These super clear audio files are called holophony (holophonic sound recordings) and are designed to be listened to with headphones for the best effect. They have been recorded with a dummy head that has two microphones, one in each ear. The shape of the head and ears are designed to be similar to a human head to most closely replicate real human hearing. It’s pretty incredible."

Honestly, close your eyes while you listen. It doesn't just sound like you're there, it feels like you're there.

good type.

2008-02-09T15:20:00.000-05:00

19

2008-02-08T03:20:00.000-05:00

funny feeling this right now. there is so much going on thats hard to even speak about, but that may be a good thing for now or at least in the long run. (by "so much" i mean many different things across a wide range of emotions, events, people, actions, understandings, revelations, mistakes, etc).

i think i may have found a song that sums up exactly how i'm feeling right now. isn't music amazing sometimes?

First things first.

2008-02-06T00:28:00.000-05:00

I hope that wasn't too obvious...

I'm not going to say much more about that right now.

Recently played:

The Helio Sequence - Keep Your Eyes Ahead

Blu & Exile - Below the Heavens - I can't get enough of this CD. Everything from the lyrics to the production is amazing. Thank you Blu & Exile for renewing my faith in hip-hop. Truly a breath of fresh air.

Not much else to say for now, too much work. Heres to keeping busy.

Thorunn Arnadottir, how to slow down time.

2008-02-04T01:21:00.000-05:00

I came across this really interesting clock by Icelandic product designer Thorunn Arnadottir. Each bead equals 5 minutes while the orange and red beads represent whole hours. As the wheel turns, one bead drops down the string every 5 minutes. You can even take it off the wheel and wear it as a necklace. So cool!

She goes on to talk about time in our everyday lives and how we're either racing against time or waiting impatiently for it to pass. She also explains how many tribes in Africa are totally unaware of the "western" system of time. Really interesting stuff. Definitely check it out.

thorunndesign.com/clock.html

future of grafitti?

2008-01-30T13:02:00.000-05:00

incredible. simply incredible.

Interesting.

2008-01-14T04:01:00.000-05:00

(From the video Salty Eyes by The Matches)

01.09.08

2008-01-09T04:02:00.000-05:00

One thing I noticed after hiking the other day is that time seems to slow down when you're surrounded by nature. By removing myself from the hustle and bustle of everyday things, like computers, and commerce, and everything else we surround ourselves with on a daily basis, I guess it allowed me to truly take in the natural beauty of the world. What seemed like a 4 hour hike actually turned out to be a little less than 2 hours. How could this be?! Looking back I remembered so much detail from the hike. Different points we reached on the mountain, the view from the top, etc. Its like being out there I was able to cram in much more in a shorter amount of time than I ever could in the real world. hah, kind of funny how I make it sound like being in nature isn't "the real world". I guess thats why some people choose to live out here.

I miss everyone back home more and more each day. Thank god Frank came out to hang, otherwise I would have gone crazy for sure. I feel like I'm at huge turning point in my life. Things are speeding up. The future is both incredibly frightening and exciting at the same time. You know how it is.

Speaking of the future, I'm looking into getting an apartment this summer, hopefully with the band. Make it our studio and our home. It's all becoming the same thing for us.

Recently Watched:

Half Nelson

3:10 to Yuma

Obamarama

2008-01-03T23:58:00.000-05:00

I must be honest. Up until this point, I've never really cared much for politics. Maybe it was because I never really understood the meaning of government, or what it was all about. Perhaps it was because growing up my parents didn't follow politics, so neither did I. I don't know what it is but lately I just give a shit. I streamed Obama's speech tonight in Iowa via cnn.com (thank you technology) and I was rather impressed. Not that I haven't been for the past few months, but seeing him win tonight and hearing him talk really got me thinking that this could actually happen. Of all the candidates running, his views on the environment and on society are very inline with what I believe. For the first time I sense a candidate who isn't a political robot. These coming months shall be interesting to say the least.

Playlist:

Pinback - Summer In Abaddon + Autumn of the Seraphs

Polar Bear Club - Sometimes Things Just Dissapear

Engine Down - Demure

Explosions in the Sky - The Rescue

Radiohead - In Rainbows

bloods on fire.

2008-01-01T04:29:00.000-05:00

years new happy.

I've wanted this for a while.

2007-12-04T00:49:00.002-05:00

So there's been this really nice Apple poster hanging up in the visual arts building that I've had my eye on for a while. It grew on me to the point where I was considering taking it, knowing very well that it could some serious justice on the wall of my room. The day I go in to take it, its gone. Someone beat me to it. This was almost a month ago.

Today while walking into the Hub, I saw the same poster, but a bit smaller, stapled to a cork board. I wasn't about to let this poster slip through my hands again, so I snatched it up on the spot : )

We're all just dying to live, aren't we?

2007-11-26T15:20:00.001-05:00

"Man is engaged in a constant process of dying, yet does nothing but dream of reaching a point where he will really begin to live."

- Abram Tertz

I came across this quote today while browsing Hammock's website. They have an amazing collection of quotes and writings that are beyond inspirational. I found this quote and it just struck a certain chord with me, maybe because thats how I've felt most of my life. It's weird to actually think about. Will I ever be at a point in my life where I'm really living my life to the fullest, and at the same time, consciously be aware of it?

I feel like I'm constantly falling short of how I should really be living my life... like there will always be a tomorrow to fix things how they should be. I guess its best to just look at things and realize that everything is in a constant state of change. There is no future and there is no past. All that matters is right now.

If you haven't heard Hammock, do yourself a favor and listen to them. If possible, set aside an hour or two and really take in a full album. I recommend Raising Your Voice... Trying to Stop an Echo.

Last.fm back up and running.

2007-11-24T19:02:00.001-05:00

Since I installed Leopard I've been a bit stubborn about installing the Last.fm Beta, but I can't wait any longer for the final build. The beta is installed and seems to be running fine so far. Give me a week or so to get my plays back up.

www.last.fm/user/nickpizzolato

I thought this was nice.

2007-11-23T19:28:00.001-05:00

It's getting cold, and the winter depression is almost upon us.

2007-11-19T13:05:00.000-05:00

Anyone living in the Northeast can attest to that... right? I love the fall so much, and winter is nice, but I'm beginning to dread it a bit. I kind of look at it like a deep hole in the ground that we slowly crawl in, and by early February, we're miles underground. It's something that you know you're inside of, but you can only look out. Hmm...

Lately I've felt like the better some things get in life, the worse other things become. I like to think I'm an optimist, but its hard when it comes to certain things. Its like I feel I should know better or something. On a positive note, I'm finally getting my car inspected which means no more parking tickets for having an expired inspection sticker (lame).

Like I mentioned before, the things that are good in life are getting really good. Things are happening with the band that make me question if this is a dream or reality? The response we've gotten from people this past year has been amazing and totally surreal. On top of that we're writing new material that we're all really happy with for once. See, our usual writing process entails mapping out a song, playing it for a while, forgetting it, then either trashing it completely, or placing it on the back burner. The past two songs we've written have been different though. I think we're onto something and I can't wait for everyone to hear it.

Exhaustion and free fonts.

2007-11-14T22:00:00.000-05:00

After sleeping only 4 hours, I woke up this morning at 8:20 (10 minutes before my Word & Image class). This is my usual Tuesday night / Wednesday morning routine. Wednesday is the only day of the week I have to get up before 12, so its hard to get myself to fall asleep at a decent hour the night before. Funny thing is, this class happens to be six hours, so you can imagine how I feel once its over. Now add to that feeling having to walk back and forth from W2, driving in White Plains traffic, driving 30 minutes to Yorktown, breaking a sweat (understatement) at band practice, then driving 30 minutes back. I don't mean for this to come off as a complaint, because it isn't, I had a great day. Just tired to say the least.

Practice went well. We've been working on some new material, as well as some older stuff. We also got some awesome lights, so its pretty moody when we play.

Lastly, I'd just like to post a link to 40+ free, high quality fonts for download. I came across this site today and there are some really nice fonts up for grabs. All you have to do is click right here.

Cheers.

This moment is the only thing that matters.

2007-11-13T16:46:00.000-05:00

After browsing a rather lackluster selection of movies at blockbuster last night, me and Can came across Peaceful Warrior. I remember seeing a trailer for it a while back and wanted to see it, but never did. We settled on this and I'm glad we did. If you haven't seen this movie, I highly recommend it. You can watch the trailer on apple.com. It really made me think of what's truly important in life, and how so many people are searching for the wrong things, or at least searching for what they think they need, but really don't. I don't know much about philosophy but I'm sure it touches on various classic philosophical ideas, such as loving those who are unlovable, realizing that life is about the journey and not the destination, and that people must learn to live in the moment, rather than for the future or the past. In summation, its deep, and my poor verbal skills can't even begin to communicate what its truly about.

Preface

2007-11-11T18:10:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try my very best to get this thing up and running again. It will function mostly as a means to share cool design links, anything music related, thoughts inside my head, recent work, etc.

armslength

Excerpt from "The Reader"

www.nicholaspizzolato.com

Campaign Posters

I think I've found it (or it found me)

Barilla!

WTF, America?!

What are you married to?

Yves Behar on designing objects that tell a story.

suns up / we wait / all day

Cai Guo-Qiang / Head On

Nothing is original.

spacecollective.org

How easily unearthed what our maladies hide.

Mid-December Recap

12.6.08

More posters!

56 Leonard Street

why, how, and what

Digg Dialog: Al Gore

Yup!

no matter how hard it gets, i'm in this for life

latest poster design

recap

Mercury Retrograde

Good Magazine

Amazing Anagrams

Introducing the Black Book

August Thirty First

take this in.

knowledge is power and sleep clogs the brain

let's be born again

June Thirteenth, Two Thousand and Eight

Fantastic tossing turning without rest

Interesting and very beautiful explanation of Sunday

What have you learned?

Excelsior

Triple Chrome Dipped / 4.28.2008

armslength.muxtape.com

All my fault (thank you glaring sun)

03.27.2008

I'm feeling rough, I'm feeling raw, I'm in the prime of my life.

What doesn't kill you makes you ________

Here is your lifetime, suspended between your arms.

I can feel the extraordinary lightness of being.

living, not dead.

02.14.08

Grab a pair of headphones and listen to this!

good type.

19

First things first.

Thorunn Arnadottir, how to slow down time.

future of grafitti?

Interesting.

01.09.08

Obamarama

bloods on fire.

I've wanted this for a while.

We're all just dying to live, aren't we?

Last.fm back up and running.

I thought this was nice.

It's getting cold, and the winter depression is almost upon us.

Exhaustion and free fonts.

This moment is the only thing that matters.

Preface