Several months ago, I wrote an embarrassingly impassioned post regarding a music blog. It was a sappy, raison d'etre-style diatribe, involving too many adjectives, too many hallelujahs, and way too many myspace references. I don't think I was drunk when I wrote it. Anyway, being blessed with a good editor, the post had hardly left my email box when it was returned with a gentle reminder that “We're not in the general habit of publishing love letters," and “Could you please cut it down to about 200 words?" [Ed note: Think slobber-soaked, pre-teen romance; that’s about half as sloppy as that love letter was. -H]

I did cut it down, and you can still read the slightly saner post here. However, in all honesty, I still have shamefully strong feelings for the music blog Catbirdseat, and equally strong feelings for Catbird Records, the related indie record label whose pure love for music represents just how closely sound is analogous to art.

We chatted with the man behind both Catbird Records and Catbirdseat about how it is that he runs such un-average enterprises, and decided we were right all along: Ryan is the cat(bird)s pajamas.

Joshspear.com: Which came first – Catbirdseat or Catbird Records?

Ryan Catbird: Catbirdseat begat Catbird Records, and I think ‘begat’ is definitely the right word there because the relationship remains a very much Parent/Child one. Catbirdseat.org came to life in 2002, essentially as a means for me to share my listening habits with my friends (who were always asking, “hey, what are you listening to these days?”). (Read More…)

Grace at D*S has gone a little contest crazy. Hot on the heels of yesterday's DIY update, it's time for the 2008 Design*Sponge Scholarship contest, where design's rising stars go to be discovered. Together with Domino, 2Modern, and The Paper Studio, d*s has collected $11,000 in prize money to divvy up amongst four lucky winners. This scholarship isn't available for just anybody though; those interested in picking up a sweet monetary prize must be presently enrolled in an undergrad program in the US or Canad, and studying art or design. So if you think you've got the portfolio to knock the socks of the some people who aren't easily impressed, we suggest you send in an application before the April 30th deadline. Who knows, by the time the winners are announced on May 5th, you could be on your way design superstardom.

Greenery is a rare thing in many urban environments. Often times the only traces of vegetation we see sprouting up are in between the cracks in the sidewalk. We're not exactly sure if that's what inspired French Designer Frederic Ruyant to create his ‘Bloody Urban Green’ vases, but you can probably see where we got that idea. These ceramic creations contain perforations to allow those for whom a vase is simply not decoration enough, to weave their own materials along the outside and apply their own personality to that of the flowers of their choosing. Whether you decide to decorate with a ribbon or a rose you'll be exhibiting that your own nature can exist in harmony with Mother Nature.

We’ll admit that there have been times when we’ve wanted to chuck our color wheel out the window. We’ve stood in Home Depot and really tried to discern the different between antique, eggshell, and albino ferret white. So, we can certainly appreciate MOMA’s new exhibit (running through May 12th) which explores the early days of processed color; when artists like Warhol and Stella accepted Pantone’s domination and used the solid, sterile, industrial colors for their own subversive gains. The site is pretty brilliant as well, incorporating the aesthetic of the exhibit and giving a lot of room to explore the forty-four artists. It also kind of makes us hungry for Skittles.

Have you ever wanted to see the Queen of England...IN YOUR FACE?!? Thanks to revolutionary light artist Chris Levine's heralded series of Royal 3D and light based portraits, entitled The Lightness of Being, now you can. Not previously recognized for his portraiture prowess, Levine seemed an odd choice when commissioned by the Jersey Heritage Trust to mark 800 years of the British Isle's allegiance to the Monarchy. However, due to his innovation in the fields of light and modern image making, he got the job. Levine had the rare honor of being granted two sittings with Queen Elizabeth II, in which he utilized the latest in holography equipment to fashion an ‘original holographic stereogram portrait’ employing a host of still photographs taken from a multitude of different angles. The resultant image garnered praise from Mario Testino as the most beautiful image of the Queen he had ever seen. Now that's an endorsement. The Queen is not the only royal who gets Levine's light-based treatment. If you want to see who else has been revolutionarily rendered, we suggest heading down to the StolenSpace Gallery at The Old Truman Brewery in London from March 14th to the 23rd. You won't be disappointed.

To mark the launch of its super-duper exclusive Be True collection of only seven sleek kicks models each saluting a different metropolis including Sao Paulo, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Paris, London, NYC and L.A., Nike’s thought of doing something really fun to mark the Brazilian release. In Operation Be True SP, they’re sending motivated sneakerheads on a treasure hunt with a pair of Be True shoes as the booty at the end of the rainbow. On March 29, registered pairs will first be briefed at Maze Skate Shop and then off they’ll go, scampering through the city to capture their finds via cell phone and sending them into Nike central as proof of the finished tasks. The hunt ends at Doc Dog Sneakers, where the five winning duos with the fastest completion times will be announced (and yeah, it’s no coincidence that they and Maze will be the only ones carrying this shoe). Losers should keep their chins up, though, because even if they don’t come in 5th place, they can still stand a chance to win in other categories, like Best Dressed Duo and Most Creative Photo. Sure beats an Easter egg hunt. Find more info — including registration — on the site. Good luck!

Recently, Madrid-based Behance Network members Paco Peregrin and Kattaca combined their talents to create “The Blood Show.” Paco Peregrin applied his master photographic skills while Kattaca served as Art Director and Stylist. The clash of beauty and blood is certainly an effective way for emphasizing fashion; throw in a few (dead) stuffed animals and you’ve got yourself one memorable photo-shoot.

Each week, JoshSpear.com explores the latest projects by top creative professionals in the Behance Network and highlights a few that are pushing the edge of creative industry. Josh Spear also serves as an Advisor and Guest Curator for the Behance Network.