#174 - spontaneity

Last Friday I was invited and then uninvited to a regularly occurring "movie night" (it was abruptly cancelled for that week). Since my night was all of a sudden free, I decided to cruise online to see what happenings there were downtown. Through a series of link-clicking, I came to Matt Pond PA's tour dates. Portland on the 12th! Seattle on the 13th! I sent out a "let's do this!" text to a friend, who actually took me up on my sham of a proposal. I hadn't actually comprehended the details of if we actually go... it was more like a, "hehe... yah right, but cool" text (I'm not, by nature, a spontaneous person). With two aboard the spontaneous-road-trip-train, I tried to gather a few more. Within 30 minutes of the news, the four of us were all hodgepodge-packed and on the road. Friday we left Boise around 6:00 PM and arrived in Seattle at 1:00 AM.

(Concert was in Portland on the 12th you thought? ... WRONG. I misread the website too. Apparently Saturday was the Seattle show, but by the time we figured that out, our excited concert anticipatory wheels were spinning out of control and no mix-up would stop us)

We slept at my wonderfully hospitable brother's house and then all day Saturday (up at 8:00 AM) we cruised around Seattle. This was my first attempt of driving a stick-shift in such a hilly place, but I'm proud to announce that I was successful with no stalls and only one accidental. peel-out (smelt like burnt rubber for about 5 minutes...). We walked from Pikes Place to the Space Needle. Back to Pikes Place. Back to the Space Needle. Back to Pikes Place. Mixed in with that relay was a stop at the Experience Music Project, Holy Cow Records, a good friend's house, and the Pier.

Now for the meat: After our day's excursion, we drove to the High Dive venue. We were one of the first people waiting in line so therefore, got the best seats in the house while we waited an hour and a half for the show to start. Once the concert started though, we were up front and center against the stage. Smoosh opened. They were phenomenal! Three sisters: one 18 years, one 16 years, and one 13 years old. They were all very attractive, and had more talent that than anyone expected. The drummer was easily the best drummer of the night. Wintersleep followed: loud noise with 30 seconds of understandable lyrics that ended up making me extremely dizzy, black out, almost fall over, and have to leave the floor.

MATT POND PA! While they were setting up for the set, he jumped down on the floor to adjust one of his speakers. He said excuse me, with a smile, and was so close to me I could hardly breath. It was a perfect start! They played the most incredible set: I recognized every song but one and he played all my very favorites! I was dancing the entire time and singing for most of it. His stage presence, talent, humor and charisma was heart pounding. Easily one of the top three best concerts I've been to.

The concert ended at 2:00 AM when we hit the road and took shifts driving back home to boise. We arrived back in our beds at 10:00 AM where I proceeded to sleep until 4:00 PM. Much needed...

THE SUM UP: without hesitation, the concert was definitely worth the drive. The friend bonding and fun-having was worth the sleep deprivation. The memories and bragging rights were worth the money spent.

#150 - set yourself on fire

Vanessa: an honest, uncontrollable emotion in the current...

That was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said 'yes I think we've met before'
In that instant it started to pour,
Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of the time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name...

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
Tried to reach deep but you couldn't get in
Now you're outside me
You see all the beauty
Repent all your sin

It's nothing but time and a face that you lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard
I'll send you the news
From a house down the road from real love...

Live through this, and you won't look back...

There's one thing I want to say, so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

#111 - you it is i need

Basking. Took a break from basking; went to class. Thought about how I wish I could bask instead of trying to stay awake in class. Walked to work. Missed basking. Came home; felt productive for about an hour. Sat. Basked more. Made a list of things to accomplish today. Went back to basking.

I have been blissfully basking in my current music supply. I am comfortably content - - that is not to say that there still isn't over $200 worth of music I would love to have, but I am happy with all the perfect subliminality I can submerge myself in. Not only do I have the perfect assortment of mood appeasing tunes, but they all have been adequately organized and categorized, including congruent artist names and all properly capitalized. The trick is now, updating my some-odd-almost-hundred playlists to absorb my newly added gems.

It will change your world.

#90 - she fell in love with the bass player

This band is seriously climbing the charts on my list. They were phenomenal live! My cousin Annie and I headed to the Nerolux tonight to see Cut Off Your Hands. Having been only introduced to them recently and loving them; I was pretty stoked. We got there when the "doors opened" at 7:30... nothing nothing... 7:45... there were maybe 5 other people at the bar but no sign of a show. We walked around and got some ice cream while we waited for something to happen. Around 8:00 we headed back and from the street I recognized Cut Off. "Oh no! They've already started!" We rushed inside to still see no more than five people in the venue and to find out they were only doing sound check. 8:30... 9:00. A little after 9, they finally got up and were WELL worth the wait. All their songs were so fun and sounded so good live! The lead singer was extremely entertaining to watch; bouncing all around. The drummer was energetic as well and had some great solos. The guitarist was always on and had good vocals as well. I COULD NOT TAKE MY EYES OFF THE BASS PLAYER. Despite being the cutest thing I have ever seen, he played well (moving all around too), and was a great back-up vocal.

Because there were only a few other people at the concert, we were able to stand alone up close. I was directly below the bass player and we kept locking eyes. You think I'm exaggerating, but he was staring at me! Then he would smile big and adorable-like and I melted every time. I felt twelve years old... a big swoony grin on my face and unable to look away. I've never had anyone in a band look at me so much. It was magical, to say the least. After they played, we went up to him and told them how great they were. He was SO nice! Very appreciative and said how they don't have 'fans' just 'friends' and introduced himself (Philip) and started to get to know us. Most of the time I was just thinking "you look pretty..." "you sound pretty" (they are from New Zeland)... "I like you".... "look at me more". Usually I'm pretty good at talking to boys; I don't get nervous, but I guess when the hot bass player from a sweet band wants to get to know me, I fumble over myself like a swoony little girl. He asked if we were going to stay after the show and said he wanted to buy us a drink. We left just after the show, but not after saying my goodbyes and my, i'll miss you's and his it was wonderful to meet you's. Parting is such sweet sorrow, beautiful-new-zeland-bass-player-phil.

If they are coming to you - go to them!

Upcoming Shows

May 25 2009 8:00P NEUROLUX W/VIVA VOCE Boise, Idaho May 26 2009 8:00P THE BADLANDER W/VIVA VOCE Missoula, Montana May 28 2009 8:00P TURF CLUB W/VIVA VOCE St Paul, Minnesota May 29 2009 8:00P EMPTY BOTTLE W/VIVA VOCE Chicago, Illinois May 30 2009 8:00P THE BURLINGTON - DR SNIKKERS + MR PUPPY DJ SET Chicago, Illinois May 31 2009 8:00P THE SUMMIT W/VIVA VOCE Columbus, Ohio Jun 1 2009 8:00P BUG JAR W/VIVA VOCE Rochester, New York Jun 2 2009 8:00P GREAT SCOTT W/VIVA VOCE Allston, Massachusetts Jun 3 2009 8:00P JOHNNY BRENDA’S W/VIVA VOCE Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Jun 4 2009 8:00P MUSIC HALL OF WILLIAMSBURG W/VIVA VOCE Brooklyn, New York Jun 5 2009 8:00P IOTA CLUB AND CAFE W/VIVA VOCE Arlington, Virginia Jun 6 2009 8:00P MUSICA W/VIVA VOCE Akron, Ohio Jun 7 2009 8:00P SOUTHGATE HOUSE W/VIVA VOCE Newport, Kentucky Jun 9 2009 8:00P FIREBIRD W/VIVA VOCE St Louis, Missouri Jun 10 2009 8:00P RECORD BAR W/VIVA VOCE Kansas City, Ohio Jun 11 2009 8:00P THE OPOLIS W/VIVA VOCE Norman, Oklahoma Jun 12 2009 8:00P HAILEYS W/VIVA VOCE Denton, Texas Jun 13 2009 8:00P THE MOHAWK Austin, Texas Jun 15 2009 8:00P PLUSH W/VIVA VOCE Tucson, Arizona Jun 16 2009 8:00P RHYTHM ROOM W/VIVA VOCE Phoenix, Arizona Jun 17 2009 8:00P THE ECHO W/VIVA VOCE LA, California Jun 18 2009 8:00P BOTTOM OF THE HILL W/VIVA VOCE San Fran, California Jun 20 2009 8:00P WONDER BALLROOM W/VIVA VOCE Portland, Oregon Jun 21 2009 8:00P THE VERA PROJECT Seattle, Washington Jun 22 2009 8:00P MEDIA CLUB Vancouver, British Columbia Jun 24 2009 8:00P PAWN SHOP Edmonton, Alberta Jun 25 2009 8:00P VERNS Calgary, Alberta Jun 26 2009 8:00P THE EXCHANGE Regina, Saskatchewan Jun 27 2009 8:00P ROYAL ALBERT ARMS HOTEL Winnipeg, Manitoba

#82A - Matt & Kim

Speaking of happy peppy upbeat snappy dance-to music....

They are from Brooklyn NY and started in 2004. Their music is almost impossible not to move to. They are very energetic and just fun listening. Again, another indie band from Vanessa - but they are hard not to like. Matt and Kim's "Daylight" is my favorite so far. They have three albums, Grand being released January of this year.

#70A - romantic and satisfying

...There is something very romantic and satisfying about wandering through a record store

Last saturday I joined the "in the know" members of our nation in celebrating Record Store Day. This is the third annual Record Store Day, celebrated the third saturday in April. Hundreds of record stores around the country participate: live concerts, music discounts, festivals, food, body and clothing painting, and dances (recognizing the music and the individuality of the record stores). I went to a few in Seattle (about 15 were participating) and got The Old Ceremony, Mason Proper, and Cut Off Your Hands for about a buck each. In Sonic Boom I saw Say Hi perform but left before Vetiver went on.

I made up for that by going to a Vetiver concert at the Crocodile. One of the opening bands was Black Whales and they were amazing. The drummer was very "Ringo-esque" and one of the guitarists had insane fingering skills. It was phenomenal - fun to sing (if I knew the words) and move to. They were fun to watch (especially the drummer) and gave a great show. Now.... the second band... there are.... no.... words. No wait, there's two: Richard Swift. This guy's voice was almost painful to hear and the "songs" seemed to never end - - it almost made me want to leave before Vetiver. I'll just let you listen for yourself, but that's one band I recommend sticking on the no thank you list. Vetiver was great; as expected, but after Richard Swift the mood was a bit dampened.

#68 - "I'm So Universally Liked" - by The Next Great Champ

If you know me at all, you will laugh at how ridiculously ironic this album is that was randomly assembled. Every piece is perfectly sardonic.. I couldn't resist posting it.

"Make a Mess of It" - by Scientology In German

(by mom)

#67 - "Comfort, Use and Protection" - by Yours to Keep

I've felt a little stuck lately: stuck on the same music, stuck on the same movies, same pictures, same websites, same same same. It's been driving me crazy! Despite my search for new bands, I've come across a lot of the same. Thankfully, I was thrown a life preserver by my friend who supplied me with five new bands: four of which, I love. That, in itself, spun me away from the wall I had hit. Now I can branch off of those bands and be set for another forever-while. I also found a few more blogs I can subscribe to to keep me entertained and plenty of other mixer-uppers. So never fear! I have my sanity back!

I also created my own album; it's pretty cool actually. The CD cover meme:

1. Click Here - The first random article you get is the name of your band

2. Click Here - The last four or five words of the last quote is the title of your first album

3. Click Here - Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover

4. Then use photoshop (or equivalent) to put it all together!

Have fun and email it to me, so I can see!! (vapark@gmail.com)