Photo by Maggie Pelude.

In this light and on this evening, urbanites are invited to unite and escape the brisk, winter chill by helping those affected by poverty, thanks to the newest contribution to the YBP catalogue. British indie rock band, Editors, have created this unique urban oasis teaming with towering skyscrapers and rolling hills especially for YBP in an effort to support Oxfam. Profits from the shirt will go directly to this organization that provides communities with the skills and resources they need to make sustainable changes to dire issues like sanitation, water crisies, education, hunger and health. See your city a little brighter and make a purchase of this specially edited metropolis.

Watch below, a video of the Editors performing ‘No Sound But The Wind’; a song originally inspired by Cormac Mccarthy’s best-selling novel, The Road.

That’s Sam Fogarino from Interpol, wearing the new Jay Reatard Memorial Tee.

Photo taken by Reuben Cox.

To celebrate the memory of Jay and his contributions to music, we’ve commissioned this t-shirt, which depicts a Gibson Flying V; one of his trademark guitars. Jonathan Lindley drew this using a black pen on A2 paper, basing his design on a photograph of one of Jay’s guitars. He replaced the branding on the headstock with the initials ‘JR’.

All of the profits from the sale of this t-shirt will benefit the St. Judes Research Hospital, a charity chosen by Jay’s father, Jimmy Lee Lindsay Sr. This facility is known – amongst other things – for its policy of accepting people for treatment, regardless of the family’s ability to pay.

Photographs below are of musician Luther Russell and Catherine Herrick (of Matador Records). Catherine did publicity for Jay’s last album, Watch Me Fall. 

Photos were taken by Reuben Cox and Miwa Okumura, respectively.

If you don’t happen to be familiar with Jay’s music, we’ve put together this Spotify playlist for you to enjoy.

This month’s post is going to be simple, and sweet – much like a well-kempt moustache. With the introduction of a new year, we give tidings to blessed, bearded men that are going to astound us (not only with their whiskers, but their musical talents, as well).

1)     Other Lives’ Jesse Tabish

Jesse Tabish, singer in Other Lives has not only extolled us with his both haunting and hypnotizing vocals, but his al-naturale head of hair and beard compliment. The perfect portrayal of the Americana ensemble (equally rugged and approachable in his facial hair composition) has easily made him my breakout beard of 2012.

On the Beardlesque Brittany scale, Tabish is a 9, a near perfect score.

Formally known as Kunek, Other Lives is not “new” in the slightest – however, their newest album, Tamer Animals (2011) and Tabish’s beard have been reprised on multiple occasions for their recent successes. This year Other Lives is expected at Coachella, a music festival in Indio, California, and is opening for Radiohead in their upcoming tour.

Beardlesque Brittany tip: Listen to their song Old Statues first.

2)     Dry the River

Each member of Dry the River, at one point or another, has boasted a beard, or the semblance of facial hair – and they haven’t yet even come out with their first LP. This folks, is talent in its most raw and rare form. We’re not only looking forward to their album “Shallow Bed,” but my hopes extend to the potential of their fuzz(es). My expectation is boundless considering the bass guitarist and back-up vocalist Scott’s bewitching (and untamed) bear of a beard. His torrent of hair is indescribable, and can only admired, much like their music.

Dry the River has received recognition from the Avett Brothers and also participated in the Yellow Bird Project’s Wilderness Sessions.

Beardlesque Brittany tip: Listen to their song “History Book” first – this was the inspiration behind the design of the Yellow Bird tee.

 Happy January,

Baby, it’s cold outside… So we’ve gathered together a playlist to keep you warm on the inside

You can listen to this playlist on Spotify and also add your own tracks!

Laura Marling – Goodbye England (Covered In Snow)

Iron & Wine – Faded From The Winter

Elliott Smith – Angel In The Snow

Belle & Sebastian – Fox In The Snow

Stars – What The Snowman Learned About Love

Kate Bush – 50 Words For Snow

The White Stripes – In The Cold, Cold Night

Ra Ra Riot – Winter ’05

Smith & Burrows – When The Thames Froze

Fleet Foxes – White Winter Hymnal

Au Revoir Simone – Fallen Snow

The Leisure Society – The Last Of The Melting Snow

First Aid Kit – Winter Is All Over You

She & Him – Baby, It’s Cold Outside

Sam Roberts – The Canadian Dream

Malcolm Middleton – Cold Winter

Which song reminds you most of winter?

Animated by Adam Fraser
Produced by Jonathan Lindley

9. Ryan Adams - Lucky Now

8. Alex Turner - Piledriver Waltz

7. Daughter – Landfill

6. Beirut – The Rip Tide

5. Dry the River – Lion’s Den

4. TV on the Radio - Will Do

3. The National – Think You Can Wait

2. Bon Iver – Calgary

1. Lana Del Rey – Video Games

Listen to this playlist on Spotify! YBP’s Top 10 Songs of 2011

Honourable mentions:

Laura Marling – Night After Night
Seeker Lover Keeper – Even Though I’m A Women
Bright Eyes – Shell Games
Lykke Li – Sadness Is A Blessing

9. The Dears – Degeneration Street

8. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah- Hysterical

7. Yann Tiersen – Skyline

6. Emmy the Great – Virtue

5. Bon Iver – Bon Iver

4. The Decemberists – The King Is Dead

3. Lykke Li – Wounded Rhymes

 2. King Creosote & Jon Hopkins – Diamond Mine

1. Feist – Metals

Listen to our top 10 albums of 2011 on Spotify! YBP Top 10 Albums of 2011

“Looks Like Rain“, by Joe McLaren

“The Big Jump“, by Phil Ramet