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It takes longer to compile a solid list of Friday Videos these days but let's be honest, your Instagram and TikTok apps are keeping you plenty fed on nonsense. This is just a bonus.
What's that cover image? I haven't the slightest clue.
What's that cover image? I haven't the slightest clue.
- The Ballon Dare - I recently caught this on Instagram and enjoyed every single second of it. I look forward to any number of imitators.
- Weird Simpsons VHS by Yoanna Hervo - the artist is certainly someone to learn more about and this Simpson's intro is a fantastic place to start.
- Friendship extended scene - this is one of many extended cuts between Tim Robinson and Connor O'Malley. When Robinson says "What kind of guy are you!?" I lose it. I love this so much.
- Aphex Twin - "Korg Funk 5" - artist Nadia Lee Cohen reimagined this 2017 track into what I'm calling a psychedelic Suspiria but others have called a "surrealist Hollywood hellscape." Tomato, Tomatoe.
- Don't Touch It - the Defy Film Festival is next week. I originally saw this Kirsten Johnson short there.. an excellent revisit.
- Ozzy Osbourne vs Synthesizer - RIP to a real one.
It's rare when one of my favorite bands releases a new b-side from an album that is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. So, Supergrass releasing "Don't Leave Me Alone" from the 2005 album Road to Rouen was noteworthy. Is it my favorite Supergrass song? No. BUT it's new/old Supergrass and for that I am very thankful.
sugar sk*-*lls and Coupler have been collaborating for, roughly, 25 years. Ben Marcantel and Ryan Norris met in college around 2000 and found a shared interest in electronic music; particularly within the experimental and ambient realms. They have worked together on a number of projects over the decades and just recently announced a new one!
The Great Oxidation Event is a conceptual piece that manifests in three parts. To really comprehend the idea behind it all, it's worth explaining what that title is referring to...
In 2025, a 9 minute music video may be asking too much of your time but this is one worth immersing yourself in. The visuals are beautiful and the journey is anxious. Turn off the lights and put this on your biggest screen.
Throughout the video a cellular visual will appear and I can not get them out of my head. Below is an example - I just love them so much.
“The Great Oxidation Event” was an environmental event caused by the development of early unicellular life releasing a mass amount of oxygen into the atmosphere and oceans, killing nearly everything but, eventually, resulting in life as we know it.The three movements they have created, loosely, represent the stages of early life evolving, the planetary destruction and eventual oxygenic rebirth. For Part 1, Marcantel created this video - a fascinating hybrid of oceanic videos processed through code and effects. There's a metaphor for their electronic work in there somewhere but I'll let you jumble that one around on your own.
In 2025, a 9 minute music video may be asking too much of your time but this is one worth immersing yourself in. The visuals are beautiful and the journey is anxious. Turn off the lights and put this on your biggest screen.
Throughout the video a cellular visual will appear and I can not get them out of my head. Below is an example - I just love them so much.
Google announced a new Engineering typeface - that is, a font for use in a text editor where code is being written. They paired with foundry Universal Thirst and made it free on Google Fonts.
This is vaguely noteworthy in itself but tapping through to read the replies from people is really a wonderful microcosm of why social media stinks. Google, a giant corporation that has next to zero impetus to do anything resembling good will, pairs up with a respectable type foundry to create a new typeface with 12 variations (Light -> ExtraBold) and then makes it free for anyone to use. The feedback? Curly braces hate. :facepalm:
Anyway, I think it's a nice looking font and worth giving it a spin. Also take a look at Hack or Input Mono or IBM Plex Sans. There's lots of options and all kinds of curly braces.
This is vaguely noteworthy in itself but tapping through to read the replies from people is really a wonderful microcosm of why social media stinks. Google, a giant corporation that has next to zero impetus to do anything resembling good will, pairs up with a respectable type foundry to create a new typeface with 12 variations (Light -> ExtraBold) and then makes it free for anyone to use. The feedback? Curly braces hate. :facepalm:
Anyway, I think it's a nice looking font and worth giving it a spin. Also take a look at Hack or Input Mono or IBM Plex Sans. There's lots of options and all kinds of curly braces.
As of Sept 30, 2025, AOL will discontinue its dial-up service. I think anyone reading those words in 2025 will have likely assumed that AOL had shut down the dial-up service long ago but, nope! According to the article, there's still at least 163,000 users accessing the Internet via this method and I imagine there are more in rural areas that use other services.
Obviously it's nostalgia but that modem handshake sound still tickles a positive part of my brain. RIP AOL Dial-up!
Obviously it's nostalgia but that modem handshake sound still tickles a positive part of my brain. RIP AOL Dial-up!
There's a scene in 30 Rock where GE CEO Jack Donaghy shares this flowchart of investments and ownership from the mega corporation - the joke being that GE doesn't release creative things, those kinds of endeavors are taken on by the lesser corps. Also, very funny that GE owns both a wig company and a "Party Meats" company (a subsidiary of Winnipeg Iron Works).
Of course, that joke is actually not really a joke because that is exactly how giant megacorps work. Case in point, research firm Water & Music has a similar chart they call the Music-Tech Ownership Ouroboros. In their own words, the chart's goal is:
I'm not drawing any particular conclusion from this, I'm just remarking that it's an interesting bit of data to poke around in (tho, by their own admission, incomplete. Being 100% exhaustive would be impossible). Also worth noting that it's very well visualized - kudos to their flow charter.
Of course, that joke is actually not really a joke because that is exactly how giant megacorps work. Case in point, research firm Water & Music has a similar chart they call the Music-Tech Ownership Ouroboros. In their own words, the chart's goal is:
Mapping the globalization and financialization of power in music and tech, with a focus on the rise in investments from media conglomerates, sovereign wealth funds, and private equity firms.As you cruise around you may see interesting relationships like BlackRock is a top investor in Warner Music Group which has a 3% share in French streaming media platform Deezer. Or Sony Music Entertainment - which owns music distributor The Orchard - is owned by the Sony Corporation, which is an investor in Epic Games, which is an investor in Songtradr, which owns Bandcamp.
I'm not drawing any particular conclusion from this, I'm just remarking that it's an interesting bit of data to poke around in (tho, by their own admission, incomplete. Being 100% exhaustive would be impossible). Also worth noting that it's very well visualized - kudos to their flow charter.
When I was doing design mockups at VHX for clients, I would often use Hipster Ipsum for my filler text. It's a silly little twist on Loreum Ipsum copy that gave me a good chuckle. Without fail, the client would make a remark about the goofiness of the filler text. I wouldn't call it distracting but it did defeat the purpose of using gibberish text.
This list of fonts for wireframing would have been nice to have at hand. Little squibbles or random length rectangles would prevent the client from getting too hung up on text like " Snackwave pour-over small batch, artisan single-origin coffee same ramps tbh austin." Guess I'll go snag Redacted Script right away!
This list of fonts for wireframing would have been nice to have at hand. Little squibbles or random length rectangles would prevent the client from getting too hung up on text like " Snackwave pour-over small batch, artisan single-origin coffee same ramps tbh austin." Guess I'll go snag Redacted Script right away!
Laila directed me towards this piece on Designers! Designers! Designers! - a nice writeup about the role of Designers in a world where AI is demystifying app development. As the Preston Atterbery post (above) says:
I'm not holding a strong opinion here because I think we're in a fluctuating time. Companies need to be responsible about the requirements they put on employees and folks need to be open to stretching outside their norms a little bit.
"Once everyone can make an app, we will remember that the hard part about apps isn't making the app"I'll let you go read the article (it's good) but the part that struck me the most was the bit about a Super IC, an Individual Contributor that does design, product strategy, engineering and, who knows, maybe a dash of marketing! We are living in interesting times to say the least. My gut says that burdening a designer with that many roles isn't going to result in a good end product. But the other hand says, the tooling may be nearing a point where making a proof-of-concept really isn't much effort, so why not dive in?
I'm not holding a strong opinion here because I think we're in a fluctuating time. Companies need to be responsible about the requirements they put on employees and folks need to be open to stretching outside their norms a little bit.
This 28-minute video essay on Undeclared: Why The Spin-off Failed is quite satisfying. There's a long list of shows that, for whatever reason, I've found myself a fan of but they've never lasted very long - Undeclared is one of them. If you've never seen it, I'm not surprised! After Freaks & Geeks, Judd Apatow went on to make a half hour sitcom about a group of college kids and their adjustments to the new found freedom. It may not have aged well but it hit the spot back in 2001.
Moreso tho, the video does a great job of cataloging the history of Judd Apatow's early works, his stumbles and how he shoehorned in a "backdoor pilot" for a spinoff of a show that was cancelled before it ever took off. The list of shows is impressive but the list of talent involved is even wilder - an absurd number of very funny people involved here that would find success much later. Apatow was just too early!
Vaguely related: if you have the means to poke around and find episodes of Other Space, Hyperdrive, Nathan Barley or No Heroics - you'll likely enjoy what you find.
Moreso tho, the video does a great job of cataloging the history of Judd Apatow's early works, his stumbles and how he shoehorned in a "backdoor pilot" for a spinoff of a show that was cancelled before it ever took off. The list of shows is impressive but the list of talent involved is even wilder - an absurd number of very funny people involved here that would find success much later. Apatow was just too early!
Vaguely related: if you have the means to poke around and find episodes of Other Space, Hyperdrive, Nathan Barley or No Heroics - you'll likely enjoy what you find.
Some years back, my friend Elizabeth Williams co-founded a design business entitled New Hat. She (along with her biz partner Kelly Diehl) took on a myriad of great projects - most notably a series of custom wallpapers all over town. Over the years, the design agency grew and morphed into focusing more on art projects; the latest of which is a giant art installation at the Nashville airport - Twine With My Mingles.
This Scene article walks through the process, the materials and the inspiration of it all. If it's not clear from a glance, the entire tapestry is woven wristbands - the same kind of Tyvek bands you'd get at a concert or festival. I've yet to see the whole thing in person but every single photo I've seen of it has been absolutely stunning.
This Scene article walks through the process, the materials and the inspiration of it all. If it's not clear from a glance, the entire tapestry is woven wristbands - the same kind of Tyvek bands you'd get at a concert or festival. I've yet to see the whole thing in person but every single photo I've seen of it has been absolutely stunning.
Remember when the Friend pendant reveal trailer was released a year ago and the general reaction was "Is this a Black Mirror parody?" People could not comprehend wearing a small device that hears and sees everything you do all day and you can talk to it. Myself included among those raising an eyebrow.
Well, the device is now available to order. $129 one time fee, no subscription. That's the headline.
This Fortune article has more insight about Friend founder Avi Schiffman but most of the press coverage I've* seen is actually with Adam Lisagor of Sandwich video. For example, this episode of the Primary Technology podcast interviews Lisagor and trailer director Kailee McGee about the tech itself, the trailer, the vitriolic backlash and this genre of device in general. This was posted a year ago but I'm just now enjoying it.
Only recently have I come to think of this kind of device less as "a device" and more about "AI companions." I don't even know how I feel about any AI companion! It's a slippery zone for sure. But this is all brand new, so there will be pitfalls and there will be leaps in advancements. It's fascinating to say the least. I'm very much looking forward to a proper review of the device and living with it for a little bit.
* I'm biased in where I look. I know there's plenty of other coverage
Well, the device is now available to order. $129 one time fee, no subscription. That's the headline.
This Fortune article has more insight about Friend founder Avi Schiffman but most of the press coverage I've* seen is actually with Adam Lisagor of Sandwich video. For example, this episode of the Primary Technology podcast interviews Lisagor and trailer director Kailee McGee about the tech itself, the trailer, the vitriolic backlash and this genre of device in general. This was posted a year ago but I'm just now enjoying it.
Only recently have I come to think of this kind of device less as "a device" and more about "AI companions." I don't even know how I feel about any AI companion! It's a slippery zone for sure. But this is all brand new, so there will be pitfalls and there will be leaps in advancements. It's fascinating to say the least. I'm very much looking forward to a proper review of the device and living with it for a little bit.
* I'm biased in where I look. I know there's plenty of other coverage
Social media has watered down the "Internet" to a handful of sites hellbent on keeping you from going anywhere outside of that experience. But don't let that trick you into thinking there isn't some wild and enjoyable and wildly enjoyable websites still awaiting you perusal!
Emergence is one such destination. Aesthetically, it's absolutely stunning - an other worldly vibe akin to Fantastic Planet or Skyway Man. Sci-fi meets folk with deep, rich, traditions. The Shop has a slightly different vibe - a real world version of the prior aesthetic. It all works together very nicely.
The content could be boiled down to "art gallery" but that's kind of missing the point. There's a history being told here through the various tapestries - each enjoyed on a new level if you take time to read the supporting info that goes with each.
The story behind it all is enjoyable to unwind and contemplate for awhile. I urge you to read the Story page and heavily consider the artworks intro - which serves as a great reminder that tapestry threads make up a larger whole of which they are unaware. Even better said:
Emergence is one such destination. Aesthetically, it's absolutely stunning - an other worldly vibe akin to Fantastic Planet or Skyway Man. Sci-fi meets folk with deep, rich, traditions. The Shop has a slightly different vibe - a real world version of the prior aesthetic. It all works together very nicely.
The content could be boiled down to "art gallery" but that's kind of missing the point. There's a history being told here through the various tapestries - each enjoyed on a new level if you take time to read the supporting info that goes with each.
The story behind it all is enjoyable to unwind and contemplate for awhile. I urge you to read the Story page and heavily consider the artworks intro - which serves as a great reminder that tapestry threads make up a larger whole of which they are unaware. Even better said:
No matter how great you become, you will never know the pattern you are forming.
Back in 2023, Minneapolis band 12RODS reformed after a long hiatus. Possibly controversial as none of the original members aside from singer/ songwriter Ryan Olcott were part of the reformation but a new EP that same year was well received.
Along with that EP, the band has continuously been releasing their old demos over ensuing years. As a longtime fan, being able to hear the bones of the songs that I've loved for decades is a real treat.
These Block Rockin' Demos are from 1998; when the band began work on their 2000 album Separation Anxieties. If you've not heard the proper record, go treat yourself - it's a delight. Then come back to these demos and appreciate how fully realized many of them were and how far many of them became.
It seems the new incarnation of 12RODS has already Come to an end - with Olcott citing difficulties within the band and commenting: "ive poured out enough. Dont really see any reason or incentives that I should do more." Heavy!
It's a shame that the new incarnation may be over but I'm appreciative that they have shared so much of themselves and their process along the way.
Along with that EP, the band has continuously been releasing their old demos over ensuing years. As a longtime fan, being able to hear the bones of the songs that I've loved for decades is a real treat.
It seems the new incarnation of 12RODS has already Come to an end - with Olcott citing difficulties within the band and commenting: "ive poured out enough. Dont really see any reason or incentives that I should do more." Heavy!
It's a shame that the new incarnation may be over but I'm appreciative that they have shared so much of themselves and their process along the way.
Back in 2023, I mentioned some Bandcamp alternatives I was researching after BC was acquired by Songtradr (and laid off loads of the staff, least we forget). Two of the three platforms in that post have gone from early beta to open access and continue to grow - namely Ampwall and nina. The third, Sone, was always a bit of a mystery to me.
Recently, they relaunched their Sone website and have provided a little clarity. I think. According to the site, Sone is both a physical space - a venue, a print studio, and meetup spot - and a community publishing website. I take this to mean they make the software for tone (more on that in a moment), as well as host a place online discussion and highlight people using their software.
Tone is an "open source, artist & listener owned music listening service." It is very much still in development but seems to be like an Ampwall or Bandcamp but with a focus on supporting artists through streaming. An idea that many independent thinkers (myself included) believe is the obvious way forward. I often cite this as the User Centric Payment System aka Fan Powered Royalties. Two ideas that Deezer and Soundcloud have floated in the past but I've no idea how successful they were (I am guessing, not very).
Very long story short - Sone updated their site. It's a glimpse into what they've got planned. Tone seems a little further off but I am still in the Discord for both of these and they are still very much active. A labor of love to this scale takes a long time. I think they're closer than ever now.
Recently, they relaunched their Sone website and have provided a little clarity. I think. According to the site, Sone is both a physical space - a venue, a print studio, and meetup spot - and a community publishing website. I take this to mean they make the software for tone (more on that in a moment), as well as host a place online discussion and highlight people using their software.
Tone is an "open source, artist & listener owned music listening service." It is very much still in development but seems to be like an Ampwall or Bandcamp but with a focus on supporting artists through streaming. An idea that many independent thinkers (myself included) believe is the obvious way forward. I often cite this as the User Centric Payment System aka Fan Powered Royalties. Two ideas that Deezer and Soundcloud have floated in the past but I've no idea how successful they were (I am guessing, not very).
Very long story short - Sone updated their site. It's a glimpse into what they've got planned. Tone seems a little further off but I am still in the Discord for both of these and they are still very much active. A labor of love to this scale takes a long time. I think they're closer than ever now.
I mentioned Shrunken Elvis just the other day - a psychedelic instrumental trio by way of Spencer Cullum, Rich Ruth and Sean Thompson. They recently posted this Hologram Session performance and it is a wonderful listen. I know personally that these three artists are incredibly talented making music on their own, seeing them making it together is entrancing.
Interface Love is a repository of graphics and fascinating interactions from a range of movies, games and TV shows; broken down into discrete elements. For instance, there's a ton of examples from Alien but you can peruse the Navigation UI, the Countdown UI or Analysis UI. All fantastic.
The movie subjects are many of the expected topics - Blade Runner, Total Recall, Prometheus, Fifth Element, 2001, et al but the degree in which each is documented and presented is quite pleasing, not to mention inspiring.
I think much of this content was posted 2015-2018 but I think it's safe to say it's all pretty timeless futurism.
The movie subjects are many of the expected topics - Blade Runner, Total Recall, Prometheus, Fifth Element, 2001, et al but the degree in which each is documented and presented is quite pleasing, not to mention inspiring.
I think much of this content was posted 2015-2018 but I think it's safe to say it's all pretty timeless futurism.
Some reading for you, in the tech zone.
- Fascism For First Time Founders - an excellent run down on why tech founders believe they need to support Trump's views and why that is flat out wrong. The myth that democracy and regulation are net negatives is clearly dispelled here. I assume articles like this are preaching to the choir of my readership but it's such a great feeling to have difficult issues articulated so clearly and sensibly. Send this to everyone you know. via Davis.
- Could HTTP 402 be the Future of the Web? - nice video about the 402 Status Code and how it may end up being a massively useful filter for AI scraping / AI browsers as we hurdle into the future. This is further explained by Cloudflare's Pay Per Crawl - which I also suggest you read.
- Gabe Newell on AI programming effectiveness - apparently Valve's founder Gabe Newell is a bit of an elusive interview. Seems he broke his silence to talk to a YouTube channel with 30 subscribers (now 1.2k). You love to see it! He had many great insights about AI, programming and the intersection of the two. This quote is particularly enjoyable for a discussion among friends:
"I think the more you understand what underlies these current tools, the more effective you are at taking advantage of them," Newell says of AI. "But I think we'll be in this funny situation where people who don't know how to program who use AI to scaffold their programming abilities will become more effective developers of value than people who've been programming for a decade."
- World’s most advanced bionic arm can crawl around on its own - this one little quote sums it up nicely: The device uses wireless EMG electrodes called MyoPods that sit on top of an amputee’s arm and read their muscle signals. These signals are then used to command the bionic fingers to move. The video that goes along with it is wildly fascinating but just the idea that we've come this far is astounding.
Like many a music nerd, I am a big fan of Haruomi Hosono - a phenomenal solo musician and founding member of Yellow Magic Orchestra (a band that is credited with helping pioneer multiple genres and, personally, highly influentially visually as well). Hosono has created so much that it feels like a body of work that will forever be providing new treats as you explore. And he's still alive!
This Discogs interview is a great bit of reflection from Hosono on his work, being a musician with band members half your age and what it feels like to return to playing live music after the pandemic. If nothing else, read through it and sample the tracks they mention.
This Discogs interview is a great bit of reflection from Hosono on his work, being a musician with band members half your age and what it feels like to return to playing live music after the pandemic. If nothing else, read through it and sample the tracks they mention.
Brand new EP and video dropped from Talking with Hands today. The release, entitled The Coin, is a four song collection inspired by political despair. It's on all the things. There's a great quote in the band bio:
Of the four songs, two are traditional rock songs and two are ethereal transitions - an intentional cycle between them all best listened to in some gapless manner.
The third song - "Die, Die, Die" comes paired with the above video directed by Asher Rogers. It's a combination of tension, discomfort and a strange beauty – the color correction and the egg spewing is gross but entirely compelling, too. Honestly, it's a perfect pairing for the song itself.
There's another quote from Smith about that song in particular which really sits with me - “I’m not calling for violence, but I do find myself praying that certain profoundly unqualified persons would die. That’s the emotional truth this record wrestles with.”
I didn't write the song but that sentiment strikes me. It's an uncomfortable thought and I think that's part of the point.
Hopefully these songs are a good balance of cathartic and inspiring - that's certainly my understanding of the intent.
”I see a lot of comedy and satire in the creative space addressing this, but I don’t see enough anger, especially in music. Everyone is understandably exhausted, but I’m personally not finding laughter to be a satisfying response right now.”
The third song - "Die, Die, Die" comes paired with the above video directed by Asher Rogers. It's a combination of tension, discomfort and a strange beauty – the color correction and the egg spewing is gross but entirely compelling, too. Honestly, it's a perfect pairing for the song itself.
There's another quote from Smith about that song in particular which really sits with me - “I’m not calling for violence, but I do find myself praying that certain profoundly unqualified persons would die. That’s the emotional truth this record wrestles with.”
I didn't write the song but that sentiment strikes me. It's an uncomfortable thought and I think that's part of the point.
Hopefully these songs are a good balance of cathartic and inspiring - that's certainly my understanding of the intent.
Sometimes I'm a little at a loss for words with some of the work I get to help release via yk Records. I try not to overhype or push the hyperbole too much but sometimes it's hard not to gush.
Today we released a video for "Side Effects" - the second single from Chris Crofton's upcoming album, I'm Your Man. It's a song about prescription drugs and Crofton's 20-year journey battling the right dosage. A problem that I think many people can empathize with in 2025.
The video, directed by Michael Carter, is a gorgeous piece of art. That's the hyperbole I'm afraid to go near but I love the casual cinematography, the narrative without explanation and the connection between the vehicle and the song subject. If you showed this at a film festival, everyone would love it.
Other notable facts: the lead guitar on the song from the bridge onwards is by Jim James of My Morning Jacket. That's a treat in itself! More on the song here but I do hope you'll just sit and watch the entire thing.
Today we released a video for "Side Effects" - the second single from Chris Crofton's upcoming album, I'm Your Man. It's a song about prescription drugs and Crofton's 20-year journey battling the right dosage. A problem that I think many people can empathize with in 2025.
The video, directed by Michael Carter, is a gorgeous piece of art. That's the hyperbole I'm afraid to go near but I love the casual cinematography, the narrative without explanation and the connection between the vehicle and the song subject. If you showed this at a film festival, everyone would love it.
Other notable facts: the lead guitar on the song from the bridge onwards is by Jim James of My Morning Jacket. That's a treat in itself! More on the song here but I do hope you'll just sit and watch the entire thing.