Stats
# of CD's purchased: 2
# of albums on heavy rotation: 12
# of concerts attended (this week): 2
# of concerts attended (this year): 18
It's been a busy few weeks but I caught one night of the CMJ music festival at Bowery Ballroom. The lineup included: Cory Chisel & The Wandering Souls, Shugo Tokumaru, Audrye Sessions, Love as Laughter, Wild Sweet Orange, Margot and the Nuclear So-and-Sos. Audrye Sessions were my favorite of the night. I walked around a lot, chatting with a lot of the bands. Ended up spending a good amount of time with Eric, merch guy of Wild Sweet Orange. Merch life seems strangely hectic and boring at the same time.
Friday, went to the sold out Killers show (72 seconds, really?!). Thanks again to jrm from wmmf for hooking me up with insane VIP access.
NOTE: I'm not one to brag but when the hell will this happen again? Exactly.
7:00pm- doors open. I cut 1,000 people who have been waiting on line for 4+ hours. Yep, I'm that asshole.
7:05pm- pick up my ticket from the box office. also score an after party badge.
7:10pm- get to my balcony seat. front row center. sitting above an emormous amount of drunk "bros", moshing and getting out their sexual frustration.
9:30- Killers go on. The general energy is flourishing. The downsides are: they only perform the popular radio singles and all of my favorite songs are not such. They also play 3 new songs...I only like one.
Evolution is supposed to be a positive thing...better, faster, stronger, right? Sadly they're indie/new wave sound is turning into trendy cotton candy. They need a good sharpening. If they weren't such good showmen, I'd be very dissapointed.
11:00pm- extreme shmoozing. To my left, an unnaturally rail thin Kate Bosworth holding a solo cup of beer two sizes too big for her little hands. She's very attractive...her boyfriend even more so. To my right, a shy Chris Martin of Coldplay quietly talking to models trying to break up his marriage...it's not working. Walking down the empty hallway toward the after party behind a humming Brandon Flowers (I take it he really loves music). Juliette Lewis, someone I very much admire, being as sweet as pie and looking damn hot. Ed "Chuck Bass" Westwick violently brushing past me towards the nearest exit. Totally full of himself. Very short in person. HUGE CRANIUM. British accent sounds fake.
By this time, my head is spinning. Lots of egos in one room.
Looking back, I am glad I didn't take any photos. I was trying to respectfully adapt to my celebrity-filled atmosphere.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
the ex list
It's the season for remenicing. An album or particular song can bring you back to a thin hair moment in time. I believe a great majority of my music collection, or taste for that matter, has come from exes (flings and friends). This is not a revelation. Most people are influenced by whom they spend time with.
9. Gil Mantera's Party Dream, Bloodsongs, 2006
Christian #1, affectionately known as "Grinner", turned me onto this 21st century new wave/electronica duo of spandex-clad brothers. When I first heard Bloodsongs two years ago, I thought the album was straight from 1986. It's fun, fresh, and familiar in a nostalgic way.
songs to download: "Buffalo Tears", "Elmo's Wish"
8. Pixies, Surfer Rosa, 1988
My old friend Charlotte was one of the first people to introduce me to alternative music in high school. We used to exchange mix tapes that included Modest Mouse, Le Tigre, The Smiths, and Built to Spill. One of my fondest memories was dancing around to "Bone Machine" of all songs.
songs to download: "Where is my mind?", "Bone Machine"
7. Elliott Smith, XO, 1998
Another Charlotte influence. I was a late Elliott Smith bloomer. I first heard "Waltz #2" in summer 2003. Tomorrow actually happens to be the 5th anniversary of his demise. He had such a beautiful sadness in his voice. This album especially makes me miss old friends.
songs to download: "Sweet Adeline", "Bled White", "Waltz #1"
6. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief, 2003
I always considered myself a big fan, that is, until I met self proclaimed "greatest fan" Jordan C. This kid lived and breathed Radiohead. I swear that's all he listened to the entire time we spent together. He also got incredibly defensive when I suggested Radiohead and Muse sometimes sounded similar (because they do). It was difficult to pick one specific album, I pretty much closed my eyes and chose randomly.
songs to download: "Wolf at the Door", "Scatterbrain", "2 + 2 = 5"
5. Supergrass, I Should Coco, 1995
This is an album I would have never stumbled onto in my own time. I was far too young in the 90's to remember Supergrass other than the popularity of "Alright" (Clueless soundtrack).
songs to download: "Mansize Rooster", "Lenny"
4. The Killers, Hot Fuss (UK version), 2005
Most of my favorite bands were introduced to me by Jared (numbers 1-4 on this list). He had the most impeccable and interesting music taste. He was always ahead of the hippest of hipsters, discovering new bands light years before popularity. I chose the UK version over the American release because of "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll". It was just pretentious enough to make me fall head over heels.
songs to download: "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine", "On Top", "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll"
3. Matt Pond PA, Several Arrows Later, 2005
This might be one out of the two albums on this list where every song is perfect and download worthy. It reminds me of the transition from the last days of summer to a swift autumn breeze in the city...rooftop bbqs in October.
songs to download: "So Much Trouble", "Several Arrows Later", "Emblems", "Brooklyn Stars"
2. Athlete, Tourist, 2005
(Apparently 2005 was a good year in my life for music)
Tourist is so fucking delicate. I completely associate it as the we're-broken-up-so-i'll-listening-to-this-on repeat-and-cry-but-hey-at-least-it's-not-Barry-Manilow album. It still evokes a ton of emotion. "Chances", with its slow build up to its incredible orchestral style, just rips my heart out.
songs to download: "Chances", "Wires", "Trading Air", "Yesterday Threw Everything at Me"
1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl, 2005
It's interesting because I didn't automatically love BRMC at first listen. I really like "Weight of the World" and "Gospel Song", but I put Howl on the back burner. I still don't know the exact reason why. However it's one of my most listened to records of 2008, which is why it's claimed the number one spot. Seriously, every single songs is haunting.
songs to download: all of them but to start..."Sympathetic Noose", "Ain't No Easy Way", "The Line", "Weight of the World", "Howl"
9. Gil Mantera's Party Dream, Bloodsongs, 2006Christian #1, affectionately known as "Grinner", turned me onto this 21st century new wave/electronica duo of spandex-clad brothers. When I first heard Bloodsongs two years ago, I thought the album was straight from 1986. It's fun, fresh, and familiar in a nostalgic way.
songs to download: "Buffalo Tears", "Elmo's Wish"
8. Pixies, Surfer Rosa, 1988My old friend Charlotte was one of the first people to introduce me to alternative music in high school. We used to exchange mix tapes that included Modest Mouse, Le Tigre, The Smiths, and Built to Spill. One of my fondest memories was dancing around to "Bone Machine" of all songs.
songs to download: "Where is my mind?", "Bone Machine"
7. Elliott Smith, XO, 1998Another Charlotte influence. I was a late Elliott Smith bloomer. I first heard "Waltz #2" in summer 2003. Tomorrow actually happens to be the 5th anniversary of his demise. He had such a beautiful sadness in his voice. This album especially makes me miss old friends.
songs to download: "Sweet Adeline", "Bled White", "Waltz #1"
6. Radiohead, Hail to the Thief, 2003I always considered myself a big fan, that is, until I met self proclaimed "greatest fan" Jordan C. This kid lived and breathed Radiohead. I swear that's all he listened to the entire time we spent together. He also got incredibly defensive when I suggested Radiohead and Muse sometimes sounded similar (because they do). It was difficult to pick one specific album, I pretty much closed my eyes and chose randomly.
songs to download: "Wolf at the Door", "Scatterbrain", "2 + 2 = 5"
5. Supergrass, I Should Coco, 1995This is an album I would have never stumbled onto in my own time. I was far too young in the 90's to remember Supergrass other than the popularity of "Alright" (Clueless soundtrack).
songs to download: "Mansize Rooster", "Lenny"
4. The Killers, Hot Fuss (UK version), 2005Most of my favorite bands were introduced to me by Jared (numbers 1-4 on this list). He had the most impeccable and interesting music taste. He was always ahead of the hippest of hipsters, discovering new bands light years before popularity. I chose the UK version over the American release because of "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll". It was just pretentious enough to make me fall head over heels.
songs to download: "Jenny Was a Friend of Mine", "On Top", "Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll"
3. Matt Pond PA, Several Arrows Later, 2005This might be one out of the two albums on this list where every song is perfect and download worthy. It reminds me of the transition from the last days of summer to a swift autumn breeze in the city...rooftop bbqs in October.
songs to download: "So Much Trouble", "Several Arrows Later", "Emblems", "Brooklyn Stars"
2. Athlete, Tourist, 2005(Apparently 2005 was a good year in my life for music)
Tourist is so fucking delicate. I completely associate it as the we're-broken-up-so-i'll-listening-to-this-on repeat-and-cry-but-hey-at-least-it's-not-Barry-Manilow album. It still evokes a ton of emotion. "Chances", with its slow build up to its incredible orchestral style, just rips my heart out.
songs to download: "Chances", "Wires", "Trading Air", "Yesterday Threw Everything at Me"
1. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Howl, 2005It's interesting because I didn't automatically love BRMC at first listen. I really like "Weight of the World" and "Gospel Song", but I put Howl on the back burner. I still don't know the exact reason why. However it's one of my most listened to records of 2008, which is why it's claimed the number one spot. Seriously, every single songs is haunting.
songs to download: all of them but to start..."Sympathetic Noose", "Ain't No Easy Way", "The Line", "Weight of the World", "Howl"
Saturday, October 18, 2008
week in music (october 12-18)
Stats
# of CD's purchased: 4
# of albums on heavy rotation: 20+
# of concerts attended (this week): 0
# of concerts attended (this year): 16
Nada Surf held a music video contest for their next single "Weightless". Submission time has been over for a while, but a winner has yet to be named. I watched about 20 videos (mostly amateurish). I picked my two favorites. Links below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvQJnnLrzUs
(adorable animation including the band)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA8__Y4VNqw
(very creative/great shots/special effects, "eternal sunshine" like)
**Also, What Made Milwaukee Famous' "DisaTour '08" chapters 1-3 edited and shot (mostly) by jrm (drummer, chef, madman). All of their vlogs are hilarious but this new series is the best.**
chapter 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xllQNUHtXk
chapter 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUihWl-eWI
chapter 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ljyqd6U9S8
# of CD's purchased: 4
# of albums on heavy rotation: 20+
# of concerts attended (this week): 0
# of concerts attended (this year): 16
Nada Surf held a music video contest for their next single "Weightless". Submission time has been over for a while, but a winner has yet to be named. I watched about 20 videos (mostly amateurish). I picked my two favorites. Links below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvQJnnLrzUs
(adorable animation including the band)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA8__Y4VNqw
(very creative/great shots/special effects, "eternal sunshine" like)
**Also, What Made Milwaukee Famous' "DisaTour '08" chapters 1-3 edited and shot (mostly) by jrm (drummer, chef, madman). All of their vlogs are hilarious but this new series is the best.**
chapter 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xllQNUHtXk
chapter 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhUihWl-eWI
chapter 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ljyqd6U9S8
Sunday, October 12, 2008
week in music (october 5-11)
Stats
# of CD's purchased: 2
# of albums on heavy rotation: 16
# of concerts attended (this week): 2
# of concerts attended (this year): 16
# of CD's purchased: 2
# of albums on heavy rotation: 16
# of concerts attended (this week): 2
# of concerts attended (this year): 16
A lot happened at the Hot Chip & Mickey Avalon concerts, actually too much to recount. Photos from the Mickey Avalon show, below.
Friday, October 10, 2008
"it's a motherfucking walk off"
Next week is the season finale of Project Runway. This season (No. 5) has been somewhat boring. It lacks what the previous season had, a perfect balance of good designers and big personalities. The show replaced the old formula with so-so designers, poser-like personalities, and so much product placement to make one's brain open at the seams. 
I have always been a fan of the villian: Santino Rice, Jeffrey Sebelia (he's very endearing in person), and now rockabilly girl Kenley Collins. I'm fond of their outspokeness and ability to defend their work to no end. Intersting people keep me interested in what they are creating.
I'm perpetually sighing. I miss old runway...seasons 2&3 mostly. I wish Bravo or Lifetime (whomever decides to reboot the show) puts it to sleep soon. It's time to graduate.
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