Today, we are missing Jacqui and Sam, to be fair - it’s been every day since they left. They are my besties and they are traveling the world. Their first stop was Rio de Janeiro, which i am so jealous of, as it is the place i have wanted to go most since i was teeeeny… and they didn’t even invite me!! Everyone we know has been, Sisters, flatmates, PARENTS … it’s just not fair… we would be perfectly willing to take Ballad on tour! We have said this many a time - give us an excuse and Ballad could become published from a trailer on the plains, or a marsh-land hut. They are still in South America at the moment Teaching English in various establishments in Columbia. They have been gone a LOOONG time, and we have just had word that they may be home soon… well … ten months, but that is a lot easier to imagine than “indefinitely”.

We remember finishing uni and just needing to escape for a while! We had that really obscure holiday in a five star all inclusive in China… Jacqui and Sam finished a distance learning course and just had to get away before embarking on real life! To be fair, it’s understandable - maybe we are still living in that post-education bubble..? Does it ever actually go away..?!

Basically, all i’m saying you two is - glad you’re having fun, glad you’re using your qualifications to do something relevant, fun and helpful… but enough is enough, we want you home now please. Thanks.

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Nuria Rius‘s photography is calming, beautiful and puts us in mind of the perfect Spring morning. Wether kookie city girl or sixties vixen it’s all picture perfect. We want to frolic in the dewy woods!!

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It’s been a pretty feel good week here on Ballad! Laura Gee is the perfect continuation of our happy happy mood. Let these lovely words wash over you, and enjoy a little wander through LG’s world…

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Hell yes, there is a new Beach House album on the way called Bloom, and some how I didn’t notice (the email in the piles that have built up in my inbox - sorry PR bods). And you know what this means? It means we’re all on holiday, effectively. We can slip on our semi see-through nylon shirts with ribbon detailing, floaty skirt, floppy hat and tramp around in the sandpit sound tracked by a new pot of ethereal wavering guitars and deliberate yet husky vocals. God knows why they ever used this band on a Guinness advert.

We’re extra lucky this afternoon as we have a track from Bloom for you to listen to, hurrah! Here it is, enjoy ’Myth’.

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…..ok i tried to embed it, but it didnt work.

So go TO THIS LINK BUT PLEASE COME BACK.

It’s released on May 14th 2012 and and and, they re playing in England in May too, see:

The beauty that is Natalie Lines holds our hearts. A dose of candy colours and pastel for your eyes is always a welcome treat. We are thrilled to show you some of her new work… trillions more just as beautiful over on her website. GO THERE NOW

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The photography of 18 year old Jannah Velma is pushing our buttons today. We love a 60s inspiration shoot.

There are some beautiful diary shots and self portraits on her site so head on over!

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We love a bit of Emma Carlisle. It’s all you need for a Monday morning, so from us to you, enjoy. Head over to her website, a load more happy moments waiting for you over there!

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Happy Sunday everyone! To celebrate a lovely day we have the wonderful feature of Jasiminne Yip. Her work is not just only beautiful, but it is full of meaning and a lot of thought behind her work. Just how we like it. Enjoy everyone. x

Todays colorful feature is by the wonderful artist, edgE. Concentrating on a fine art aspect edgE uses oil paints and spray paint to create his wonderful and ever so dramatic pieces. Today we have chosen to show you his collaboration work which his spray painting genious talent features.

Avoiding any journalistic tweel involving the word ‘Danes’ and ‘great’ here are an awesome new band from, yes, Denmark, called The Rumour Said Fire. If you’re a fan of nostalgic folk, then this is for you, its light, its comforting and trust me, it’s a TOTAL GROWER. Mouths ‘taste like sunshine’ without making any of us wretch, bravo! Plus they sold 30 000 records in a week or some such nonsense in Denmark, so if you don’t listen to them because I’ve recommended them, then take the 30 000-recommendations-those-sales-represent’s word for it. ace.

Look out for the album The Arrogant which will be with us soon. In the meantime we like this, The Balcony. Ding!

They are about to play from dates in the UK, in fact - NEXT WEEK.

March TU 13 - Manchester, at Castle

March WE 14 - London, Death Disco

March THU 15 - London, Borderline + Dog Is Dead (275)

And then some gigs at the end of this month too:

29 - London, Bull & Gate (+ Allo Darlin - Club Fandango 6Music gig) - that’s with Lammo isn’t it?

Any with any luck they might surface at a few festivals - whaddaya say Mr Latitude Curator?

More info and learn some Danish HERE YES HERE yes right there, ya-huh.