BMW ///M135i Concept

Dear Bimmer gods, please oh please, let this twin-turbo hot-hatch awesomeness come to our shores!

Bon Iver at AIR Studios

If you've got about 25 minutes to spare, make sure you catch this beautifully shot studio session with Justin Vernon and Sean Carey.

OK Go+Chevy: An Exercise in Awesome

The post-Super Bowl ad chatter has pretty much centered on the clips of stunts featuring the all-new hot hatch the Chevy Sonic. A good looking car, agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners took it and the notion of "advertising stunts" literally to new heights under the mantra Let's Do This.



My fave stunt by far features YouTube darlings OK Go blasting through a 2.5 mile track lined with over 1,800 instruments in a highly-modified Sonic. The car and track were designed to actually play their song entitled: Needing/Getting. It's straight up awespirational. (Yeah, I just made that word up.)

What's fantastic about this form of advertising is that it's NOT advertising. It's just really good branded content, or in other words it's just really good branding. Period. I so wish more brands got this notion. I can honestly say, I dig the Sonic more because I now associate it with the high awesomeness degree of this stunt.

It also doesn't hurt one bit that this song rocks! I've always liked OK Go, but I straight up LOVE this song. What's even more awesome is the fact that they thought to embed a free download of the track into the campaign site. Seriously smart.

There's an excellent behind-the-scenes breakdown of the entire track on the Let's Do This site. Just click on the map on their site and a slideshow launches explaining the entire set up. Kudos to the creative team for capturing these sweet extras.

So for those of you taking notes: encouraging your clients to just be awesome is a totally and completely valid marketing strategy. Don't forget it.

Sundance 2012: The Rockumentaries

Mrs. Kyailty typically chooses our Sundance flicks each year and for 2012, she went 100% rockumentary awesomeness. We kicked of the festival with what was easily one of the most inspirational films I've seen in a long time.

Searching for Sugar Man is the larger than life story of the late-'60s, early-'70s singer-songwriter named Rodriguez, whose albums fell flat in the US. However, those same tunes found their way through all kinds of economic sanctions into South Africa at the height of Apartheid. Within the confines of this then police-state, Rodriguez's music fueled the anti-Apartheid movement among young Afrikaners.

Rodriguez became bigger than Elvis. But no one outside of South Africa knew it and everyone inside figured that since no new albums were being produced, he must have gone down in a literal blaze of glory. The stories of his death grew more and more elaborate over time and inspired two South African sleuths to search once and for all for Sugar Man.

Ironically, Rodriguez's album Cold Fact was released domestically just two months after Simon & Garfunkel's epic Bridge Over Troubled Water. It barely had a chance. In a strange twist of fate, a film called Under African Skies also premiered at Sundance this year. Mrs. Kyality caught this doc about Paul Simon's controversial Graceland album recorded in Apartheid-laden South Africa.

We wrapped up our Sundance fest with Shut Up and Play The Hits. Though entered in the documentary category, this was without a doubt a straight up concert flick. It beautifully covers the final LCD Soundsystem show at Madison Square Garden and captures the day after. Interlaced throughout the film is an amazing interview between pop culture expert Chuck Klosterman and LCD frontman and creative force James Murphy. I love LCD Soundsystem and I loved this flick, but there's not doubt you'll question Murphy's motives. Was he in for the art or did he actually get out of it for art?


Yeah, pretty much one of the coolest previews ever.

Dream Home, Actual Auto

I'm typically not a sucker for straight glass and steel. I like a bit of wood grain and exposed brick mixed into a mod home.

But when you get my exact same vehicle tucked up under it's carport, I must admit even a stark, minimalist joint like this starts feeling all warm and cozy. Click here for a full panorama of this shot—it's totally worth it.

Notice the checkered MINI Challenge decals and familiar murdered-out rims.

Looks like this Clubman might have a room mate, probably not a minivan with melted crayons in the back cup holders. Click here for a pano of this one too.

Who needs privacy anyways? Click here for one final panorama. Enjoy!

The Muir Project

Talk about some great content creation, well done JMT. Can't wait for spring!

Beamers Never Looked So Good

This beautifully shot vid is a must watch. BMW motorcycles in Italy? Awesome.

2011: A Year in Review

Top 3 Favorite Albums

3. The Black Keys - El CaminoThe Who Stripes? The What Stripes? Standout track: Gold On The Ceiling

2. Wilco - The Whole Love
The boys from Chi-town go back to their roots. Standout track: One Sunday Morning (Song For Jane Smiley's Boyfriend)

1. The Dodos - No Color
What could be better than a stellar new Dodos album? One featuring Ms. Neko Case. Standout track: Don't Try and Hide It

Top 3 Favorite Movies

3. Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol
JJ and BB easily made the best action flick/BMW commercial of the year.
Standout feature: Scene Stealer

2. Super 8
Two parts Goonies, one part E.T. and a pinch of Cloverfield. Standout feature: Coolest kid cast

1. Senna
This fantastic found-footage doc couldn't have been cast any better if you tried. Standout feature: Editing masterpiece

Top 3 Favorite TV Shows

3. Mad Men
Through Clios, crazy pitches and all-night creative sessions, we get a taste of a 60's agency start-up. Standout episode: The Suitcase

2. Parks and Recreation
Tom Hatherford and John Ralphio bring new meaning to the words "entertainment media conglomerate." Standout episode: The Fight

1. Friday Night Lights
The final season of one of TV's best series leaves you with wet eyes rather than clear ones. Standout episode: Always

Top 3 Favorite Cars

3. Hyundai Veloster
The rise of Korean auto body design is well on its way. Here's to hot, little hatches from anywhere. Standout feature: Stealth 3rd Door

2. MINI Coupe
Easily the coolest, least-functional MINI to date. Standout feature: The reverse baseball helmet

1. 1 Series M Coupe
BMW's M Division creates a super sexy semi-sleeper. Standout feature: 335 horsepower 3.0-liter, in-line 6 cylinder engine with TwinPower Turbo technology

Top 3 Favorite Designs

3. Fuzzco
Between their sweet design, inspiring workspace and humble abode, they've been on my radar all year long. Standout feature: Responsive web design

2. Poler Stuff
The world's highest standard of stuff. #campvibes Standout product: The Duffaluffagus

1. Bell & Ross vs. Panerai
A perceptual battle of the aviation timepieces rages within. Standout feature: Helvetica ampersand embossed in leather

A Very Timber! Christmas

Each year I post a selection of my Christmas gifts. This year I've mixed my favorites with some recent acquisitions. Loving my new Poler Cuffed Beanie, Timex Weekender, red boot laces scored at Journey's, Levi's 514 Rigid Denim, Old Navy Flannel and a Green Inspired New York notebook. These lumberjack-ish duds are joined by some seasonal faves, my classic, homemade Chex Mix and Fentiman's Botanically Brewed Ginger Beer.

Pursuit Mini

This just in. Pursuit Systems, Inc. has released their "incredibly quick and agile [camera rig] with compact dimensions." With a description like that, you better believe their rig is affixed to a MINI.

(via @southernj)

Scene Stealer

Helvetibike

I've always felt that a cleaned-up single speed bike is like a piece of graphic design and motion and apparently Borja Garcia Studio agrees. They've just released photos of a new bike they hope to produce: the Helvetica Bike. The whip will be created for the 55 year anniversary of the founding of Max Miedinger’s classic typeface.

Their reasoning is simple: "Because we love Helvetica. We love swiss spirit. We like precision, purity and clarity. And Helvetica, the swiss typography, represents this complete design-lifestyle."

Happy Little Trees

Growing up, when there were absolutely no cartoons left on TV, I'd resort to one last option before giving up and finally doing something else. I'd watch a serene, globe-haired hippie named Bob Ross teach folks how to paint happy, little trees. Though this landscape oil painter from The Joy of Painting passed away in 1995, his relaxing painting vibes live on.

I recently snagged a new accessory to the iPad called the Nomad Brush—a paint brush-style stylus. I was stoked on the clean design of both the product and packaging and the construction of the brush totally complements the industrial design of the iPad. Most definitely stocking stuffable.

After finding a couple of painting apps that the Nomad site pointed me toward, I started what was going to be my masterpiece. And sure enough what did I immediately start to paint? Happy. Little. Trees. It was pure, unfiltered instinct on my part. And I'll admit, the process of digitally channeling my inner Bob Ross was completely therapeutic.

I scored the dual-tipped Nomad Compose, and I found myself using the short tip on my iPhone, doing quick little sketches at the airport while waiting for a flight. Very relaxing. There's just something calming about holding a brush in hand and creating with actual brush strokes. It trumps digital finger painting, for sure.

The Kyality Kids love it too. All I needed to do was hold up the brush and the iPad. Thanks to their complimentary design, it instantly registered with them what to do. They just yelled AWESOME and then I didn't see the iPad again for well over an hour. Apparently they made a happy, little kitten.

Some quick tips. I'd recommend paying for a less expensive painting app than opting for a free one. The quality of the app has a lot to do with the overall digital painting experience (though the free ones are fun too). And you'll learn quick not to press too hard with the Nomad's longer brush tip. When spread out, the fibers read as multitouch-points and zoom into your canvas rather than paint on it.

Bottom line, if you're ever feeling a little stressed, perhaps shut down the new Twitter app, grab a brush and light up some zen-like moments by painting some happy little trees.

MINI Coupe In Motion

Satisfy all your MINI-in-motion-madness with this one folks.

My Cars So Far

I was raised in a family that was quite fond of small, European cars and yeah, that kind of thing rubs off. About 10 years ago I snagged a cherry red 1975 BMW 2002. "The Whispering Bomb" just does something to you. It's able to produce all of those amazing driving sensations at relatively low speeds. It's just fun.

In 2004 I lucked into a lightly-used 1999 ///M Coupe as my daily driver. It's a car that elicits one of only two responses. People either absolutely love it or totally hate it. No matter what anyone thinks, you can't go anywhere in that car without every STI-wielding sweet bro trying to take you off the line.

I owned both the 2002 and the ///M Coupe at the same time. It was actually way validating. When someone asked me about the Coupe, they always initially came off a bit skeptical, like I was just some young punk. But when they found out I also had a 2002, their demeanor would totally change, like... oooh, you're not just some punk kid—you're an enthusiast. (Eh, I was kind of a punk kid actually.)

As much as I dig the ///M Coupe, it was clear that wasn't the ideal fit for my personal style. I traded her in for a brand new 2006 MINI Cooper S and fell in love. Driving a MINI, you find out quick that it's an amazing balance of sport, economy, luxury, style and most importantly personality.

When I switched from the ///M to the MINI—of course there was a power difference. However, and I've discussed this with others who have made a similar switch, the MINI is just such an even and all-around balanced driver. You can have fun in every gear. And on the one set of twists on my way into work, I swear the MINIs go just as quick around them (with a little more control even).

Once I got the MINI another surprising thing happened. I didn't drive the '02 as much any more. It's like the MINI fulfilled both my sporting and retro needs at the same time. We decided to sell the '02 to a kid with some decent mechanic skills. He's taken good care of it. We sold it for exactly $2,002.00.

I thought I'd graduated to the ideal vehicle up until I saw the very first images of the Clubman. With the right accouterments, I feel like my 2009 MINI Cooper S Clubman sports an amazing combo of both approachability and aggressiveness. Mrs. Kyality thinks it's cute, yet I still get approving nods from guys in GTIs.

Jerry on Porsches

For those of you who don't already follow the amazing Motoring Con Brio blog, check out this fantastic clip of Jerry Seinfeld pontificating about his favorite cars. No clue how I didn't stumble upon this sooner! Great find.

What's in your bag?

So I recently ordered a Large Cafe Bag in Cocoa/Wasabi from the Seattle-based company Tom Bihn and I absolutely love it! I've searched far and wide for a simple, clean-lined messenger bag (in brown) that fits my on-the-go job requirements. I'm constantly doing day trips from SLC to places like LA, SF and PDX.

The streamlined nature of your Cafe Bag is perfect. It fits everything I need to cruise through airport security, do a couple of client presentations and carry the little extras that make flying more enjoyable. I snapped this pic and it was recently featured on the Tom Bihn blog.

Here's what I pack on a regular basis:

• Large Cafe Bag (in Cocoa/Wasabi)
• MacBook
• Incase Neoprene Sleeve
• MacBook Power Adapter
• Apple Remote
• Zebra Stainless Steel Pen and Mechanical Pencil
• Moleskine Classic Pocket Squared Notebook
• VGA Adapter
• DVI Adapter
• Skullcandy Full Metal Jacket Ear Buds + case
• Stack of Business Cards
• Keys to MINI Cooper S Clubman
• iPhone 3GS + iPod Sock
• iPhone Earphones + iPod Sock
• Dock Connector to USB Cable
• USB Power Adapter

Mind the Gap

I'll admit it. Growing up, I was a true blue Gap guy. This was prior to the Old Navy years, when the Gap was all about simple, stylish, affordable clothes. Then came along the Gap that ironically was trying so hard to not be Old Navy, while doing everything it could to be Banana Republic. It wasn't long until the Gap became a bland, soulless brand. I even let a couple of years slip by without ever stepping into a Gap store.

Then their logo debacle went down. I decided to see what the Gap had been up to. Stuffed in the middle of a rack, I discovered a denim shirt (technically it's a chambray shirt) that was reminiscent of the clothes the Gap was creating back in its heyday, circa '92.

It was new, but old. It was dressy, yet casual. It was perfect and flawed. I had to have it. I can honestly say it's become my favorite article of clothing. I've worn it to business meetings on Madison Ave. and I've crashed in it for a Sunday afternoon nap. It literally goes with everything—shorts, suits, slacks and selvedge.

If the Gap simply took a look at this particular product and began patterning other articles of clothing after this concept—they'd be able to both simplify and grow simultaneously. Think about it, the perfect khakis, the go-to sweater, the wear-anywhere jacket. The Gap simply needs to focus on clothes with character. And let's face it, if they had just redesigned their logo to match this tag, they'd probably have been good to go.