Photohunt

Check it out: You know that addicting game you can play for hours at bars by just pressing the screen to find differences between two pictures? Yea, i'm talking about Photohunt, brought to you online and for free by my favorites, Empire of the Sun!

p.s. happy Cinqo de Mayo everybody!! and thank you to everyone who came to see Room For A Ghost this weekend.. it was amazing being on stage in front of everyone I love, and I'll keep you updated on the future shows...

words of wisdom from a whistler..

from the blog LA BLOGOTHEQUE by Garrincha

“We may be harmless sociopaths but we sing arm in arm as a chorus marching toward a brighter future. The end may be coming but it's going to be a party and there will be snacks”. Andrew Bird

Hey Mama Wolf...

I woke up with "Hey Mama Wolf" in my head and it won't go away... i'm not too worried about it...

If anyone can pull off very short flowered shorts, a red tunic, and red pointy maryjane-ish shoes, it's Devendra Banhart. Although his antics and outfit made him resemble a giddy grandpa at times, he was once again beautiful.

Notable, however, was the same hopeful homeless hippie band playing outside of the venue... it made my hopes of having dreadlocks one day soar... and i also want to learn the musical saw. i'm sure devendra would much rather cater to the young people (probably averaging my age) dressed in scraps and playing folk music (very well) outside of Yoshi's last night and The Independent on Tuesday than the 100 girls who rushed onto the stage during Carmensita...

okay, okay, so i did run from the third level down to the stage to be one of those girls...but i didn't grab devendra's tunic and i was fine being 5 feet away from him.

anyway, after the show, my favorite hobos drew quite a crowd, and we all danced for a few minutes before moving on to various places, like a purple light lit-up plaza and the boom boom room... does anyone have a musical saw?

Ode to the Bell...

Fast Food Folk Song - Watch more Funny Videos

oh hey, he just walked by..

it goes without saying, devendra banhart was beautiful at the independent last night...

I know, he doesn't really look like the above picture anymore (sans beard), but i like the sunglasses.. and he's just so cool.

we got there early and as we toasted the night over jameson a group of roadies and equipment came through the front door, one man strangely resembling devendra... still not sure if it actually was him in the multicolored poncho or the opening band's lookalike lead singer (the poncho kind-of gives it away though..)

i'd give you the list of songs he played but there were just too many.. and too many jamesons.. carson mentioned during the first few songs that devendra looked a bit unamused, but he picked up energy as the night went on.. he finished off the night with Carmensita, the song famous for its bollywood-esque music video starring Natalie Portman.. by that time carson and i were dancing ridiculously as usual in the back... hopefully on thursday (yes, i'm seeing him twice) he'll invite us and our "creative" dance moves on stage..

Spring has sprung... showtime!

My life just got a little bit better... it seems that all the concert tickets that have been waiting so patiently on my dresser can now be put to use!! For the next few weeks, my ears will be ringing and i'll once again have a permanent stamp on my wrist... for a list of upcoming shows, check it out below:

Devendra Banhart @theIndependent, 4/14
Fleet Foxes @theFillmore, 4/14
The Ting Tings @theFillmore, 4/15
Fleet Foxes @PalaceofFineArts, 4/15
Crookers @Mezzanine, 4/15
The Presets @Mezzanine, 4/16
Glass Candy @Mezzanine, 4/20
Fleet Foxes @FoxTheater, 4/21
The Faint, Ladytron @theFillmore, 4/29
Yann Tiersen @GreatAmericanMusicHall, 5/1
M. Ward @FoxTheater, 5/16
Fleetwood Mac @OracleArena, 5/20
The Decemberists @FoxTheater, 5/20
Kings of Leon, The Walkmen @BillGraham, 5/21
Sasquatch! @theGorge, Washington, 5/23-5/25
Animal Collective @FoxTheater, 5/26
Jenny Lewis @theFillmore, 5/28

see you there! (most of them.. i'm neither rich nor superhuman)

preparty ideas:
getting fried chicken at "that one place" in oakland before fox theater
hanging out with steve and jameson on california street
taco belling it
altering my mind and playing with glowrings

Outside Lands: The Retro Weekend

I'm not quite sure what's going on here. Since when was the last time that Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band, and Beastie Boys were key headliners? 6 years ago? Band of Horses and TVOTR are barely noticeable? Unless the "More Artists to be Announced" on the Outside Lands Lineup website means "we haven't announced the headliners", this is a bust. in the words of my favorite hipster friends, EPIC FAIL.

Treasure Island BETTER be good or i'm moving to The Gorge.

April Fools Recap

So, the Dalai Lama is not speaking at FIFA 2010 World Cup opener.. Econoland is fake.. NIN and Timberland are not making sick beats on their new "album"... But this one tops it all, from one of my favorite websites:

"Today, my boyfriend brought me breakfast in bed, told me all the things he loved about me, got down on one knee and pulled out the little blue box I had been hoping for, for so long. He opened the box and there was a note inside that said, "April Fools!" FML"

Disco Baby...

Simian Mobile Disco @Mezzanine... with Erin and our new friend Trentnot much to say, they were awesome.. two guys doing a lot of things with cords and switchboards and lights...



i love this place.

I've got to finish it...

I'm not a completist, and i'm certainly not a perfectionist, and i don't have time at work today to find out exactly the name of my habit, so i'll just roll with Completionist (i know it's not the right word, humor me) since i'd love to get back on track with this stinkin blog. You see, i can't just forget the concerts i went to...i'd love to write about some cool remix i heard or an annoying voice-enhancing gadget but since i haven't posted my pictures of Simian Mobile Disco and Brian Jonestown Massacre, it's easier for me just to, you know, go on a hiatus...

However, I found an article that further complements my tendency to finish things in sequence... i'm one of those people who prides herself on buying the whole album. Even if it's not all good, I am satisfied when I scroll through ITunes and see blocks of albums.. when someone asks if i have heard the new song, I talk about the whole album. It's so easy to click 'buy' on a 99cent song, but then that's all you have, that one song...

this article focuses on albums that are better when listened to from start to finish... i'd like to add a few to the list that come to mind, including Interpol's "Turn On The Bright Lights" (especially driving down Jalama Beach Road), Fleet Foxes "Fleet Foxes" (even though i once started with Track 2 and got called out on it), Mobius Band's "The Lovely Sounds of Static" and Radiohead's "Kid A"... it's hard for me to narrow them down because i really do think any album should be listened to in its entirety... the Beatles once said that every album they put out was a gift-- why would we ever want just half of a gift?

Let the Music Play...

I'm addicted to live music. In the past few weeks I have been tattooed with stamps and can't get the ringing out of my ears from shows such as Boys Noize, Simian Mobile Disco, Brian Jonestown Massacre, Room For a Ghost, and a band I can't remember the name of... I can't wait for April, and am constantly reminded of the upcoming glory by the tickets i keep receiving in the mail... For your viewing pleasure, the next few posts will be phlog-tastic..

A spinning disco skull at Boys Noize at Vessel, SF .. March 11th

Alexander Ridha, aka Boys Noize, at Vessel on March 11th..

Yay for Streaming Music

I've been so out of commission lately, I apologize.. but until i can bring back my creative juices to talk about Boys Noize, Simian Mobile Disco, and Brian Jonestown Massacre (among other fun things i've been doing), take a minute to check out The Decemberists' new album, Hazards of Love, introduced at SXSW a few days ago..

Colin Meloy makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

"I feel like i'm stuck in 'stand by me'"

Sometimes i wish i was still 14, when i fearlessly stood by the monitors at concerts, my boyfriend had to pick me up in his cool tacoma to take me to taco bell, and nights were spent scotch-taping all my recent pictures and magazine cutouts to my walls and friend notebooks... and i didn't have facebook...

No Use For a Name's singer is playing at Hotel Utah tonight, so Erin and i were having a bout of nostalgia about the good old days of high school "pop punk" love songs... of course, many punk fans would strangle me if i said this was punk, but heey, i'm not classifying them in the same genre... i just mean cheesy, make the girls melt love songs that a 14 year old girl would have thought of as punk... i remember playing "Looking Back on Today" by the Ataris on repeat on my boombox (yes, boombox) while burning incense and talking on AIM to 9 people at once...

check out some of my favorites, and add to the list!

1. Looking Back on Today ~ The Ataris

"Remember our first apartment? Our couch was never big enough for two. Still, we'd fall asleep in each other's arms and wake up on the floor. Now looking back it was made for me and you."

2. M&M's ~ Blink 182

"You and I should get away for awhile I just want to be alone with your smile Buy some candy and cigarettes and we'll get in my car We'll blast the stereo and we'll drive to Madagascar "

3. Cigarette ~ Yellowcard

"I blushed the first time, but you blushed the last time my eyes in your mind"

4. Letters to You ~ Finch

"These letters to you, aren't much I know But I'm not sleeping, you're not here"

5. San Dimas High School Football Rules ~ The Ataris

"Last night i had a dream that we went to disneyland, Went on all the rides, didn't have to wait in line. I drove you to your house where we stared up at the stars I listened to your heartbeat as i held you in my arms."

And thanks Megan, for reminding me of lyrics that sum up quite the opposite, but just as touching:

Clean sheets mean a lot,

To a guy who sleeps on the floor.

well I wanted your love,

and a shelf by your dresser drawer.

You tucked me in,

Stopped my tossing and turning.

But I turned back the covers,

And saw those sheets are dirty.

Even though you'll never come clean,

You know it's true.

Those sheets are dirty,

And so are you.

Ages 6 and Up.

RIP Beard.

I'm a bit late in the game on this one, but a little bird prompted me to discover Devendra Banhart sans-beard. He's beautiful anyway. And he's coming to The Independent on April 14th, so if you're not going to this show, check him out. Tickets went on sale yesterday.

source

No really, he is that beautiful.

David vs. Goliath

Miley Cyrus is (fill in the blank here).

Who, after proclaiming her unfathomable love for Thom Yorke, disses him and his band on radio? She will ruin him? In case you didn't know, Miley Cyrus is a little girl with too much power who says the word LIKE too much. According to her, she tried to meet Radiohead while backstage at the Grammys and they said, "they don't do that kind of thing." Okay, so Thom could have stepped it up and maybe even stuck his head out of his room four doors down for a quick wave. But Sorry, Miley, he has the power. You don't. i'm on Goliath's side here.

Here's a clip of the interview. Also note that BoyzIIMen are now a rap group, and Kings of Leon secretly have a preacher for a dad (old news, MC)

Trippy Video, Feel Good Sound

I've been pretty uptight at work this week, and it's refreshing to hear even MORE relaxing (but catchy) new tunes (you know how i feel about the Fleet Foxes, Bat For Lashes' new stuff... etc.). It seems like the days I perked up by listening to David Guetta and The Presets blasting into my headphones are over. (shudder)

ENTER: breezy, hippy, trippy, lyrical groups (with cool instruments). Here's a new one for you:

Human Highway, the combination of Islands leader Nick Thorburn and singer-songwriter Jim Guthrie, debuted with the album Moody Motorcycle and I have now added their happy, catchy "The Sound" to my office playlist. They're going on tour in March, but no signs of an SF show yet. Check out the video here for "The Sound," and if you're in for some REAL fun, play their interactive game with Thornburn's face (thank you Spin Mag) while you listen to the song.

A Whistle From Heaven

It's 5:06pm and I still have his whistle in my head, still on cloud nine... I can picture the spinning gramophone and Andrew Bird's cute smile between songs...

Last night at The Fillmore, I walked in around 8:15, was greeted by a friendly man who knew where Lompoc was (he said he wasn't allowed back there, though), then greeted by an even friendlier man in a feathered cowboy hat, and then grabbed a Jameson.

Loney Dear played first, using the same stage setup complete with three large gramophones that Andrew Bird would use later... The sweet Swedish man named Emil played so softly everyone was forced to be silent -- it was really beautiful. I don't really listen to Loney Dear, but from what I've heard of him, he sounds better live than recorded. After his set, he casually walked by Morgan and me in his white shirt and black suspenders with a drink, and we immediately sprung on the opportunity: "Hey, Great Show!" He stopped and the three of us talked for a while -- great guy!

When Andrew Bird hit the stage, it was pure euphoria. he opened with "Masterswarm" from his newest album Noble Beast and proceeded to play several songs from that album, along with so many good ones from his previous albums. Of course, he threw in the package deal of "Fake Palindromes" and "Imitosis" (i about cried when Imitosis came on.) This show was really unbelievably amazing. He had two huge Gramophones set up on each side with his band behind him, and one rotating gramophone right behind him. The lighting was really simple, and he was wearing black pants, a white shirt, a small black tie, and a black blazer that he kept taking off and putting back on... He used a loop machine for most of the songs, playing several different parts on the violin, guitar, glockenspeiel, and of course his whistling.. ohhhhhh his whistling.. and his voice. just the perfect package. the look on his face matched the beauty of his voice and whistle and smoothness of the instruments.. although he had a great band accompanying him (Morgan met the bassist, that band-aid) the only time i really noticed the band was when the clarinet player came out to play...



All in all it was an amazing show... until next show (Deerhunter on Tuesday) i dont think i can stop thinking about the show. seriously. Well, i guess there is a grilled cheese invitational tomorrow?

Room For A Ghost at Bottom of the Hill!

Come tonight to see my friends Room For A Ghost at Bottom of the Hill! This is their biggest show yet and they want everyone to be there.. They'll be playing some new music as well as selling CDs of their live set at Kimo's a few months ago. No excuses, be spontaneous, come see Ben, Jesse, and Mike play tonight at 10, doors open around 8:30pm!

Following Room For A Ghost, The Vox Jaguars and Scissors for Lefty (headliner) will be playing... a great way to spend a Friday night! see you there...

In Memoriam.. Happy Birthday Kurt!

Music's beloved Kurt Cobain would have been 42 today..

Imagine what the world would still be with Kurt, Jimi, Janis, John, Chet, and all of my other favorites... Legends..

So, in honor of the guy who made greasy hair, thrashed jeans and unravelling teeshirts look so cool, check out RocknRoll teeshirt company WornFree's new reproductions of some of his most well known tees such as "Grunge is Dead" and "Hi, How Are You?" by Daniel Johnston (who i now know about, thanks Carson).. $49 a tee, and you can look like Kurt, or check out the other great artists' reproductions, like Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop, Janis Joplin, John Lennon, and more...

Upcoming Show Alert..

Dear Friends: Come with me!

2.19 - Andrew Bird @The Fillmore with Lonely, Dear
2.20 - Room For A Ghost @Bottom of the Hill with Vox Jaguars, Scissors for Lefty
2.24 - DeerHunter and Noise Pop! 2009 Opener @Mezzanine
3.11 - Boys Noize @Vessel
3.12 - Cut Copy @The Fillmore
3.15 - Simian Mobile Disco @Mezzanine
4.14 - Fleet Foxes @The Fillmore
4.15 - The Ting Tings @The Fillmore
4.16 - The Presets @Mezzanine
4.18 - The Black Keys @Fox Theater
5.21 - Kings of Leon @Bill Graham with The Walkmen
5.26 - Animal Collective @Fox Theater

I'm giddy just thinking about it all...

Randy or Zen?

I was trying to combine Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore to create a Bennifer/Brangelina type name, but all i could come up with was Randy Madams. Same goes for Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel: Zen Dib? So, until i get my naming skills in order, let's discuss. Who is going to make it as a rockstar couple?

1. Randy Madams: Let me see here. an on-and-off relationship between a recently proclaimed ex-musician, ex-smoker, and ex-blogger (oh my!) and a pop singer who has starred in multiple christian-based pop movies. "Adams cited hearing loss due to Ménière's disease as well as disillusionment with audience behavior as reasons for his decision to quit The Cardinals"... what about choosing to marry MM? I'm definitely a fan of Ryan Adams, but i just can't see them together. (Oh, and i can't stand Mandy Moore.) I give this one a patchy engagement and a few patchy years.

2. Zen Dib: Aw, how cute, they both recorded songs featured on Starbucks' Sweetheart album this month, a compilation of musicians covering their favorite love songs (in this case, Death Cab for Cutie covered "Love Song" by The Cure and She & Him covered "I Put a Spell on You" by Screamin' Jay Hawkins)... The cute-faced couple with tons of talent, distinct voices, and many years ahead of them will make adorable babies and hopefully make beautiful music together. Problem: when have you ever seen them together? I couldn't find hardly and pics of them together online, and not very many people knew they were even dating.. Maybe that's a good thing?

So, what's your vote? Will it be the on-and-off Randy Madams? Or will it be the quietly molded but seemingly perfect alternative duo Zen Dib (i bet they have a pair of smittens)? Or maybe Paris and Benji will get back together.. who knows..

At least we know that Mickey Rourke and Courtney Love aren't together.

Fever Ray

Karin Dreijer of The Knife is coming out with a solo album under her new title, Fever Ray, on March 24th. Check out this RAD video of her first released single "When I Grow Up" and mark your calendars to pick up this album!


When I Grow Up from Fever Ray on Vimeo.

note: if you get creeped out easily, don't watch this alone in your cold house with tall ceilings while it's raining at night. actually, i reverse that- definitely do that.

A Treat..

In case you've never heard of the Red House Painters, I just want to share with you such a beautiful song. Mark Koselek is the vocalist in this band from the early 90s... it's called "Have You Forgotten" and it got me through many a cloudy day in high school...

What's Your Favorite Love Song?

I'm not usually a sappy person, but I did just buy Starbucks' "Sweetheart" album, a compilation of musicians singing their favorite love songs after hearing Department of Eagles' take on Elvis' "Love Me"... I always have a spot in my heart for Starbucks music after working as a Barista, and I've gotta say this one is great! Especially She & Him doing "I put a Spell on You" and Rogue Wave's rendition of "Maps"... so cool.. Hmm, what a coincidence? Death Cab For Cutie and She & Him on a love album together. cute. cute little rockstar couples getting married.

So, in the spirit of this small moment of my sappiness.. what's your favorite love song?

Here's mine.

Road Trip!

As many people found extreme disappointment when the Coachella lineup came out, now we know the secret: Bonnaroo will blow it away. Check out the lineup:

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
Phish (2 shows)
Beastie Boys
Nine Inch Nails
David Byrne
Wilco
Al Green
Snoop Dogg
Elvis Costello Solo
Erykah Badu
Paul Oakenfold
Ben Harper and Relentless7
The Mars Volta
TV on the Radio
Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Gov't Mule
Andrew Bird
Band of Horses
Merle Haggard
MGMT
moe.
The Decemberists
Girl Talk
Bon Iver
Béla Fleck & Toumani Diabate
Rodrigo y Gabriela
Galactic
The Del McCoury band
of Montreal
Allen Toussaint
Coheed & Cambria
Booker T & the DBTs
David Grisman Quintet
Lucinda Williams
Animal Collective
Gomez
Neko Case
Down
Jenny Lewis
Santigold
Robert Earl Keen
Citizen Cope
Femi Kuti and the Positive Force
The Ting Tings
Robyn Hitchcock & The Venus 3
Grace Potter and the Nocturnals
Kaki King
Grizzly Bear
King Sunny Adé
Okkervil River
St. Vincent
Zac Brown Band
Raphael Saadiq
Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
Crystal Castles
Tift Merritt
Brett Dennen
Mike Farris and the Roseland Rhythm Revue
Toubab Krewe
People Under The Stairs
Alejandro Escovedo
Vieux Farka Touré
Elvis Perkins in Dearland
Cherryholmes
Yeasayer
Todd Snider
Chairlift
Portugal. The Man.
The SteelDrivers
Midnite
The Knux
The Low Anthem
Delta Spirit
A.A. Bondy
The Lovell Sisters
Alberta Cross

ARE YOU SERIOUS?? it's everyone great from Coachella, plus even more... and i'm stoked that MGMT is showing up.. god, all i'm missing is Cut Copy and Justice. They're going to be adding more later, most likely, but for now i'm officially saving my milk money and more so i can go to this. No, really.

June 11-14, 2009 in Manchester, TN

Note: Santogold's name has already been changed to Santigold, her new name.

"It Aint Me Babe"

Check out the third posted track by White Antelope, the sweet sounding voice of Fleet Foxes' Robn Pecknold, a cover of Bob Dylan's "It Aint Me Babe"...

I've recently spent 99% of my mornings waking up to Fleet Foxes, and White Antelope does not disappoint. Robin does all vocals all instruments in this solo project, and just sounds like light shining through the trees surrounding a dewy meadow. Oh god did i really?

I will be using all my power and might to track down tickets to one of the two sold-out shows on April 14th and 15th in SF.. My bitterness from missing out on the tickets because of a certain leisurely St. Helena wine tasting trip will not be for long. (anyone know they'll be too sick to go to the show that week?)

My New Best Friend

Erin just filled me in on her friend's site, Epicsauce.com, where you can create your own list of upcoming shows. PRETTY EPIC.

http://epicsauce.com/sf/

You can also look at other's lists, and choose from all shows in your area to create your list. This is way better than sliced bread. Now i have yet another thing to play with while at work Gchatting.

Such a Goddess

Sometimes i wonder how i can become friends with Natasha Kahn. For now, i'll just keep watching "Whats a Girl To Do" and dream.

Natasha Kahn, aka Bat For Lashes, is releasing a new album on May 6th called Two Sons... If you haven't heard the likes of her, she really does have a heavenly voice.. i especially like her use of the harpsichord.. It looks like right now she doesnt have a show scheduled in the Bay Area but she is on I just checked her Myspace page, where she describes her sound perfectly:

halloween when you're small, dreaming by the sea, pine trees, UFO's, children's choirs, broken heart, harpsichords, big marching band drum, electric guitars, strings, autoharp, dark nightime lovemaking...

Click here to hear the new Bat For Lashes streaming track, "Glass." It further represents how awesome this girl is.

Cathleen: i just fell off my chair

No really. This is great news.

So, great news #1 came out a few days ago: Kings of Leon are coming to the Bill Graham Civic Center on May 21st

Icing on the cake: The Walkmen are opening for them!?!

This news comes to me at the same time as: 2009/2/10 - Kings of Leon album becomes biggest selling digital album ever! However, i hear it's based on the UK records...

This means this time i actually will meet the band. yes. instead of just begging for the set list and then making friends with the manager of the Warfield, i will, indeed meet these men. hmmm.. who'd i rather be a bandaid for? KOL or the Walkmen? there is NOT an obvious answer.

Montana, 1948 at Hotel Utah!

Tomorrow night, my friends Montana, 1948 will be playing at Hotel Utah! Come check them out, they will be opening for Blind Pilot! I've never been to Hotel Utah but it was built in 1908 so it's super historic and cool, I'm sure!

Ages 21+ and the show starts at 9! $8.00!

Oh Baby.

Can you believe this?? MIA is performing at the Grammys on her baby's due date because "They say that you're often late the first time, so I'm planning to go. We'll see. People are trying to get me to relax and focus on the baby. It's like being in parallel universes."

This is coming from the woman who retired from music last year. Maybe the baby will make a guest appearance later in the night?

Wannabe Hipster.

BUSTED. In an attempt to appear more hipster, I put this album cover face down in plain view on my desk, hoping someone would notice.

it worked.

Save Lily.

It sucks to be famous sometimes. On Monday, while Lily Allen was trying to have a playful day in the sun and snow with Paparrazzi (weird), six "youngsters" started pelting her with snowballs. It got violent, Lily ran away, and the boys got arrested.

Why does this interest me?

Welcome 2009 Social Media World.

Click here for The Vitrue 100 - Top Social Brands of 2008!

Yes, I have been to Cotati.

It's fun to be a fan and do weird fan things. I was lucky enough to have a cool cousin growing up who shared with me her passion for Tom Waits, the sexy, dark, raspy voice behind songs such as Red Shoes by the Drugstore and Romeo is Bleeding.

In Filipino Box Spring Hog, he sings:

Kathleen was sittin' down in Little Red's Recovery Room

in her criminal underwear bra

I was naked to the waist with my fierce black hound

And I'm cookin' up a Filipino Box Spring Hog

Where's Red's Recovery Room? Cotati, California... a small town between Petaluma and Santa Rosa... I highly recommend pilgrimages. This little shanty of a bar was filled with jager-bombing middle-aged women at 6pm and a few mediocre pool-playing, beard-wearing men.. although i felt a bit out of place (right when we walked in a lady embarassed me in her crackly voice, "Don't be scared of us"), i quickly realized that me and my lompoc roots fit in nicely. no tom waits sighting, but we did play a round or two of pool and talked it up with Simon, the bartender from Mendocino. I was super bummed that Dee, the infamous bartender, didn't show her face, and that the cd-playing jukebox had been replaced by a high-tech digital box. but all the same, the beers were cheap, people were nice, and i want to go back soon. Best idea ever, Carson.. Anyone up for a road trip?

The New York Times described my new favorite bar as:

Immortalized in a Cropduster song, mentioned in Tom Waits' "Filipino Box Spring Hog" and hailed by a little newspaper called the New York Times as "the second best bar in the world," Red's Recovery Room is a divey little shack. But those who frequent it know that the Times is right, and they know Dee the bartender. She's worked at Red's for over 25 years and tells true stories that the best fiction writers would envy. Swearing like a sailor, she drinks right along with you, screwing up your drink (in your favor) by making it too strong, and she plays ferocious pool. On a recent night, Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here provided the soundtrack as Dee poured free shots of hot sauce. An axe rested lodged in a pile of firewood, which struck me as a dangerous thing to have in a place where people drink. But that's Red's. Leave your pretensions at the door, and let Dee take it from there. Red's Recovery Room, 8175 Gravenstein Hwy., Cotati. Opens at 10am daily and closes at . . . well, you know when closing time is. --M.P.

Mixed Feelings.

Don't See This Band.

Went to Popscene for the first time last night...

Although i scored free tickets, free PBR, and a compliment from a guy in flannel, i wasn't too impressed. Okay okay, it was basically just because of the band. Iglu & Hartly is really not good. too bad, they have good stage presence and got the little kids going, but i was dancing with a thumbs-down for a lot of the songs.. They've been playing "This City" on Live 105 and it sounds good on the radio, they just need to clean things up a little bit, aka fire the rapper?

Quote of the Day

"If you can't dance, do the Robot!"

-the MC at Madrone last night

Free Show!

ANTICS is teaming up with ASCAP and FILTER Magazine to present a Noise Pop party! To celebrate the opening of Noisepop '09, they're gonna have Deerhunter and Lilofee playing live and Aaron Axelson and Omar (Popscene) DJing at Mezzanine on Tuesday February 24th. Entry is free, all you need to do is RSVP right here.

Bourbon and Cornflakes

i scream for ice cream. although my friends make fun of me for that one recent night where i kept announcing "i don't have a sweet tooth", i will always be down for humphry slocombe, a new place on Harrison in the outer Mission. Jake, the chef with an ice cream cone tattoo, let us try all the flavors, including my favorite "Secret Breakfast" (bourbon and cornflakes), Red Hot Banana (Yum!), and Guiness Gingerbread. They just opened this week and still are in the middle of introducing all the flavors, but check out their website for all the info.

Thanks, Lucia, for introducing me to a piece of heaven... also great for me when i get over my tiny sweet fix: tacquerias surrounding the neighborhood for some quality mexican food.

Death Cab NOT coming to SF?

Death Cab for Cutie just announced their tour! How exciting! they will also be joined by Ra Ra Riot, as well as Cold War Kids and Matt Costa for a few shows! Woot! Can't wait!

NOT.

They're not coming to SF.

But congrats to Ben Gibbard on the cutest engagement ever and posessing my heart anyway.

Department of Eagles

Last night i had the luck of scoring a ticket to the sold-out show (Thanks Trevor!) featuring Department of Eagles and opener The Cave Singers.. I'd never been to Cafe du Nord before-such a step back in time! located on Market street near Sanchez and 15th, the dark wood and red walls create a perfect, intimate atmosphere for well-known bands as well as local bands... oh, and did i mention how many good looking (but not polished) people there were there? not that i care anything about eye candy....where o where are you tall boy with the beard and the black leather jacket?

Seattle-based The Cave Singers' lead vocal Pete Quirk had this loveable tie dye shirt, flannel hat, and scruffy beard, that matched his scratchy voice... i enjoyed their out-of-the-woods kinda sound, and especially liked Quirk's use of the harmonica and melodica for certain sounds...Oh, and i didn't know that the guitarist Derek Fudesco was originally in Pretty Girls Make Graves, which disbanded in 2007. (I think this is a better band.)

God, San Francisco is really on fire for music right now! While in December i was moaning because none of the great shows had been announced yet, it seems like i could fill every night of the week with a show for the next four months..

So.. Department of Eagles... when i was waiting outside Cafe du Nord to get in, i ran into a friend of mine who had seen the earlier show (there were 6:30 and 10:00 shows) and he looked like he had had a psychedelic experience-- he gave me a word of advice: "close your eyes, and let the images that the music plays in your head just come." ok, so a few jameson and gingers wont result in any real psychedelic experience. but DoE was soothing, a great way to end a great weekend of wining and dining in Napa.

Milli Milli rock it

Lil Wayne's rock album Rebirth is due out on April 7 -

the first single "Prom Queen" is gonna be out next TUESDAY!

loveeeee

In the spirit of Joaquin Phoenix..whos your favorite Slashie?

i still can't get over his decision to be a rapper, especially since there have been so MANY great actors slash singers.. i mean, really:




Lindsay Lohan- what was NeYo on when he decided to let LiLo have the microphone in "Bossy?" its such a boring song with a boring beat, with lyrics like "i like it how i like it when i like it and that's how it is"... i wonder if sam has ever played it during a dj set.











Hilary Duff- in this picture she actually looks cute. if she had stuck with her lizzie mcguire, not too skinny, teen idol appearance, i might even like her. but no, she and lindsay just had to grow up too fast and have eating problems and date each other's boyfriends and sing gross music that is handed to them on silver platters.


Jared Leto-cry me a river and drown in it. this guy was cute once. it gives me great joy whenever the djs on Live 105 call him the douche bag of the year. he, for some reason, woke up one day and decided he was a badass musician, even though he landed his band "30 seconds to mars" a $30M lawsuit with Virgin Records for not delivering. question: would they have "delivered" even if they had made an album?





David Hasselhoff - ooga ooga ooga chaka...




Paris - okay, so she's not an actress but she did make a sex tape and has had a few cameos. but the song she came out with last year sounded so much like UB40 Barbie and no one even cared. "Stars are Blind" i think? agh.







choose your favorite! vote!

The Walkmen and Friends Liquor

Last night, after erin, cathleen and i cracked open a few tall boys, designed a blunt from a swisher sweet, and discussed upcoming shows (NOFX on february 11th anyone?) we walked to The Fillmore to see The Walkmen...

Beach House: I want to be in a beach house with these two playing. however, it took me a minute to convince Erin and Cathleen that the singer in front of us was a woman (her voice is low and sultry, her brunette mane half covering her face)..

The Walkmen:

ever since i heard their new album "You and Me" (i'm a new fan) i can't stop listening to it... "Donde esta la Playa" and "On the Water" are just mesmerizing. Frontman Hamilton Leithauser easily woos all the ladies (and men, i'm sure), but i gotta say that upright piano and the brass section melted me. although i wished more people had been swaying to the songs (most were immobile with their hands stuck in their pockets until the booming cheers at the end of each song), when a band plays music with such sweet emotion, all that matters is your little spot in the theater and YOUR experience.

to top it off, we got the usual cool posters (Thanks, Fillmore, for being so totally awesomeeeee) and i ran into my friends from high school, Harrison and Trevor. Oh yea, and we went to Friends Liquor, danced to the blaring techno music, and i bought stouffers mac and cheese.

Phoenix Blames Late Crew for Bad Show

I'm sure you heard about Joaquin Phoenix's recent debut as a rap star. Agh.

So, he and Casey Affleck are supposedly filming a documentary tracking Phoenix's new career in music, and he had his first show on Friday night at Lavo (Las Vegas). Check THIS out:

"Actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix has blamed a tardy film crew for his lackluster music debut after shocking Las Vegas partygoers with a bizarre hip-hop show.
...
The gig was reportedly recorded by Phoenix's brother-in-law, Casey Affleck, for an upcoming documentary tracking the star's new career in music.
But the star's show fell flat, ending with a red-faced Phoenix tripping and falling into the crowd.
A source tells the New York Post, "He was waiting for Casey Affleck and when the film crew arrived late, Joaquin flipped out."
According to the insider, Phoenix yelled at the crew: 'Thanks for being late and [bleep] everything up.'
The source adds, 'He came back five minutes later and did the sound check. Nobody can tell if he is for real or if this is all a big joke.'"

Gross. he reminds me a lot of this guy i used to see at Kips all the time.

i spent my money on concert tickets and coffee.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
1/21 - The Walkmen @The Fillmore
1/31 - Devotchka @The Fillmore
2/11 - NOFX @The Fillmore
2/19 - Andrew Bird @The Fillmore
2/20 - Room for a Ghost @Bottom of the Hill
2/21 - Dropkick Murphys @The Warfield
2/24 - Antony & the Johnsons @Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium
3/5 - M. Ward @Palace of Fine Arts
3/11 - Boys Noize @Vessel
3/12 - Cut Copy @The Fillmore
3/14 - Lady Gaga @The Mezzanine
3/15 - Simian Mobile Disco @The Mezzanine
4/16 - The Presets @The Mezzanine
4/17-19 - Coachella

see you there!

Montana, 1948

Ater a 2 hour drive down the peninsula and a quick-change in a Chevron bathroom, I found the tiny venue buried behind Los Gatos High School called, what else, The Venue. Speckled with skinny jeans, red lipstick, and underage smokers, i decided right away i liked this place. I could already hear my friend Ryan's sometimes raspy and always passionate voice (Brandon Boyd-esque) as i got my wristband and headed in..

January 16th marked Montana, 1948's first show.. Originally Vega, they filled the vocal spot with Ryan and created a brand new sound, a lot like Incubus (Morning View mixed with S.C.I.E.N.C.E. era), yet i'm searching for another resemblance too -- can't quite pin it down. They are finishing up recording their EP right now, and hope to have that available any day now. As they are still in the works with recording and writing songs, they played a short set of about 5 songs and sounded really solid. I especially liked the emotion of "Lie Through Your Teeth" and the energy of "The Other Side of Me." Plus, I was impressed with the drummer, Charlie, who never stopped smiling.. Oh yea, and Ryan created a new cure-all drink after he woke up not feeling 100%: jack and coke with a hint of coffee.

Montana, 1948 is: Ryan Lafferty (Vocals/rhythm guitar), Dan Prull (Lead Guitar), Raza Malik (Bass) and Charlie Maynard (drums).

These guys really have talent. Stay tuned for a few recordings this week or next.. It's nice to hear a band with such great talent across all levels. They seem like they've been playing together for a long time.

Oh! and if you want to hear them now and you live in the Santa Clara area (their stomping grounds), tune in to SCU's radio station 103.3 around 2:00pm on Wednesday for a listen..

Next show: February 20th at The Venue with Audrye Sessions and The Pilot's Wife

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

I am so proud to be an American today.

Lady Gaga at the Mezzanine

Lady Gaga is so hot right now. And she's coming to the Mezzanine on March 14th! The tickets go on sale today at 10AM so don't miss out!

Also, watch this cool video from Myspace: The Fit with Lady Gaga. She's been promoting her Myspace page www.myspace.com/ladygaga and as she says in the video, a lot of her rise to fame came from her videos and blogging on Myspace. I love this girl! I can't decide which item she buys that i like the most: probably the black and white vintage hat.

MySpace Presents: The Fit with Lady Gaga

Hottie of the Week

I've been listening to last.fm House Radio a lot lately (Thanks Morgan) and got inspiration. You know "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit"? yea, that guy. Dutch House DJ and Producer Fedde le Grand is HOT. a bit like beckham in the above shot, don't you think? "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit" topped the charts in 2006 and was named the #1 summer anthem in my dream place, Ibiza, and still continues to be my favorite dance beat.

Favorite Song of the Week

I can't stop listening to "I Will Possess Your Heart" by Death Cab For Cutie.

Seriously. Ben Gibbard just knows how to do it. When so many songs these days are upbeat and psychedelic and crazy cool, "I Will Possess Your Heart" catches your attention because it's exactly the opposite. The album version has a 4 1/2 minute intro before Gibbard starts singing, and then when he starts, it just sounds: important. a little different, but kinda reminded me of when kings of leon released "Knocked Up". Rock ballads really do rock. Even without the intro, the radio edit still captures your attention.



It was a perfectly set song while soaring down the 101 right before reaching the Golden Gate Bridge on Wednesday after a long day at work, listening to MGMT radio all day long. ahh.

Lil Wayne does it again...

Impressed: Lil Wayne is coming out with a rock album.

Not impressed: He's inspired by Kanye's new album.

According to Canadian hip-hop artist Drake, Lil Wayne's working hard on his new album, and it's completely rocknroll. He's taking over the music industry! After Spin named him Rock Star of the Year, Lil Wayne needs to live up to his street cred.

Eh, it looks like he needs some work. If you can ignore the shouting girls and hear him play, watch below. Listen for "You King, Wayne!" from one of the girls. I agree. he is a sexy beast.



Not sure when the album will be out...

Liven up a bit for 2009

1/17 - Tsunami Bomb playing a charity show in Petaluma at the Phoenix Theatre
1/28 - Go kiss a girl at the Fillmore with Katy Perry.
2/13 - Room For a Ghost at Caffeine! love them
2/15 - Arguably one of the better albums of the year, Lykke Li, also at the Fillmore
2/18 - Boyz2Men at the mezzanine. more like men2reallyoldguys.
2/19&20 - yay! andrew bird at the Fillmore! a boy i know introduced me to the song Imitosis one time and god i could listen to that man's voice for hours now.
2/21 - Dropkick Murphys at the Warfield, guaranteed a good knockaround beerdrinking time.

more to come..

iDeals for 2009

I'm a little late on posting this.. but if you were too busy playing Where's Steve at yesterday's MacWorld then you might have missed a few new rules that affect all music lovers starting April 1.



1. no more days of authorizing and deauthorizing computers... remember the agonizing time when you receive a burned mix-cd of music from that boy with the bose headphones and the incubus koi tattoo you thought was super cute, but couldn't tell him what you thought about track 5 because you weren't authorized to play his music? how come he forgot? well, no worries.. all music bought from itunes will be officially DRM (digital rights management) free, meaning anyone and anything is authorized to play it once you've BOUGHT it from iTunes... (please buy your music, thanks!)



2. can't decide which song to get? choose by price! itunes will be offering three different price points: $.69, $.99, and $1.29... most albums will still be the same price, but this will affect those who like the not-so-in-demand music, i'm guessing.. its a good way to find new favorites!



3. although this doesn't affect me, i'll tell all my iPhone touchscreen loving friends: you can download music directly onto your iPhone from iTunes. but hey, once it's on you can put it on your computer, right? neat!



get well soon, mr. jobs! we love you!

Gangstaz 4 Lyfe.

Hm...

what are the kids listening to these days?

Love this. and i don't even have the music turned on.

Hmm.. i wonder what would work better.. learning all the dance moves in M.I.A.'s Galang or doing my new Slim in Six workouts?

thom + jay = Jaydiohead

Check it: DJ Minty Fresh Beats has been hiding something from us... a mashup between Radiohead and Jay Z, songs collaborated from all over the artists' discographies, has been available on his myspace page since Dec 30. NOW it's available for free at jaydiohead.com. If you liked The Grey Album, you'll like this.

I'm friends with a GOMP and jealous.

Treated my ears to an indie metal show the other saturday...










So, Erin's boyfriend Joe likes to yell and scream and push people and it sounds pretty great..






and then there's jake on guitar and vocals.. or should i say Lazerwolf..










alvan on the bass..











keith on guitar.. he did not once stop banging his head. not once.








murder practice could not be complete without a drummer named viper, who happily told us he went to his first strip club ever the other day. (girls, watch out for this one)






They played at this art space in the Mission called Sub-Mission, with an installation of clothes artistically placed on the walls and ceiling... They were touring a bit last year but now get to grace the bay area with their presence... next show is in Martinez on Saturday and i might just be there, only if i get to play with Erin's cats afterwards.

p.s. these pictures are not from the show. but this is! groupies at our finest.