Every time it ends, keep hitting play for the full picture show.
Vanity Fair just got some serious downgrade points. Also, what the hell?
On 07.30.10, In Findings, By Sarah
On 07.29.10, In Events, By Riley
The first time I saw Built to Spill was in North Carolina. I drove down with two friends, a bottle of Southern Comfort and a hankering for Burger King. It was on the Streets of Asheville North Carolina that I first met frontman Doug Martsch. The sidewalks were light by the golden glow of streetlights and abuzz with inebriated concert goers, myself not excluded. Overwhelmed by the surreality of the situation I approached Doug, who was wearing a modest unzipped hooded sweatshirt and carrying a basketball. Eager to say anything to break the ice, I asked if he had been playing basketball (a la Dumb and Dumber/ “those your skis?”).
He explained that he shoots hoops to relax before shows and that he and a few other guys from the band found a court to play at in the area. I conveyed how “totally awesome” that was and expressed my sincere jubilation in meeting him. It was at the end of this first meeting that I learned how truly down to earth and humble Doug was (as if the receding hairline and screen-printed t-shirts he often wears on stage hadn’t already revealed this). I asked if he would play the song “Liar” for me.
“Sure” he said, with no pause. So long as he remembered that I requested it, he’d play it. He shook my hand again and left for the venue – the Orange Peel, claiming that he and the band still had to write the setlist.
I retreated back to my car on the high of meeting someone I’d idolized for years. After a few gulps of SoCo and the opening acts’ set, I found myself inside the Orange Peel eager for Built to Spill to come on Stage. Not a word was even uttered when the irradiant riff of “Liar” opened the show. It was a good show.
The next time I saw Built to Spill, I only had to walk to the State Theater in downtown Ithaca from my South Hill apartment. I stood five rows from the stage, waiting to hear any song from “There Is No Enemy” which had just been released not even a week prior to the show. After I bought a t-shirt and the crowds had funneled out, I made my way back into the theater. The formidable Ithaca Police were sternly asking people to leave, to get out of the stage, “to go back home.” Naturally, I pretended that I was exempt from their commands, and shouted to Doug who was winding cords around his elbows far back on the stage. “Doug!” he finally looked up. Knowing the police wouldn’t allow me to sustain a conversation with him, I just asked, “Can I have a guitar pick?”
Doug dropped his cord, reached one hand into his tight jeans pocket, pulled out a tab and tossed it. In contrast to the noise of the show which would make my ears buzz for days afterwards, the pick bounced delicately on the worn wooden stage and slid within an arms’ reach of me. I snagged it, said thanks, and disappeared before I had to hear the police ask me to leave once more.
I’m off to see Built to Spill in Cape Cod next week. My favorite band, in one of my favorite places. All I need is some beer, a Snickers bar, and maybe a Whopper or two. I can’t imagine heaven being much better.
On 06.23.10, In Rants, By Sarah
I’ve been saying this all along. The Velvet Underground IS fucking genius. And if you haven’t yet, it’s about time.
OK. I’ve been getting much more into solo Lou Reed. I recent won 100 bucks off my dad on a bet. We were talking about Lou Reed, for reasons I’m not sure why. My father has never expressed any interest let alone knowledge about the man. Which is why I won. He proceeded to promise me that Lou Reed played on a studio record with the Eagles. I’m pretty sure, if memory serves me right, that I laughed in his face. We called our phone-a-friend, my dad’s former colleague, life long friend and known-to-be genius, also my god father (not sure why I have one, also he’s the most Jewish man I will ever meet): Danny Gold. He works for the New York Times and used to edit Frank Rich. Enough said. In a nut, I was right. I am a Coney Island Baby.
Preferably tied for first with Wilco, but that remains to be seen, the Velvet Underground is IT. The beginning of punk, housing four original geniuses, the biggest asshole in music history (we love you Lou) and the greatest (chick) drummer EVER. period.
Check out All Songs Considered. As from the first link above, they have interns review classic records said interns have never heard before. (Can you even imagine never hearing your personal favorite and getting to hear it for the first time over again? It must be like magic.) As you’ll guess, it was the first, The Velvet Underground & Nico, the most OVERRATED of all VU records but still you cannot ignore it. Either way, keep up with All Songs Considered. They are no underground like Pitchfork (they’re hiring!) and they aren’t the new rave of national breaking news (ahem rollingstone.com, that shit is real, at least for now.) I’d call it a middle ground. After their ‘Best Opening Tracks’ show, they asked for listeners’ favorite closing tracks. I was too late to join to mention that my favorite is Oh! Sweet Nuthin on Loaded, but at least I’m getting it out here.
All I’m saying here is– it’s never too late to get into the Velvets. And, if you’re ready for some real emotional discourse and disturbance, Lou Reed himself. Warning, it gets strange.
Here is another reason to hate, or just contemplate, Lady Gaga. I know she’s well educated- Tisch school at NYU and all- but that doesn’t make me like her more. My sister loves her as does my brother-in-law. That makes me hate her even more because they are two of the smartest people I know. I don’t get the fad. But when I saw this article this AM on one of the greatest blogs, I figured I’d share it. I’ve never seen the telephone video. I’ve had it described to me and almost reenacted by said sister, but I have no desire to watch it.
Many artists of the past have changes their appearances just for shock value, and for stranger reasons (ahhem Michael Jackson- its almost the one year anny. of his death-weird!) but that doesn’t make her more like great artists of the past. Or does it? I mean Madonna did it. (Maybe in future decades Gaga will bring us religion crazes too?) I know Lady Gaga can make a great pop song that ya’ll enjoy while dancing in whatever club you go dancing in- but her crazy behavior should make you think a little more than usual, right? I don’t get the face hiding and the Kermit the Frog dress and I don’t get that crazy look in her eye. Maybe someone can explain it one day.
Until then, whose in??
On 06.11.10, In Findings, By Sarah
On 06.09.10, In Findings, By Sarah
I had to eat a Twinkie once. Actually, I was forced to eat one. I said I had never had one. I ate it and I haven’t had one since. It was gross. Ninth grade: Human Biology. Mrs. Russell was using a Twinkie as a metaphor to the structure of a bone in the human body. Yes, we all know that the bone isn’t quite as soft as the dessert, but it was a nice analogy between the two structures. Every time Twinkies come up I always think of that. I guess it worked.
So why this? Well, GOOD magazine as always is providing us with incite. If you are trying to eat healthy, which you should be, maybe you can still be eating Twinkies for there are only seven, yes SEVEN, ingredients in them. And there’s quite a picture show to go along with it. Mary just informed me that during World War II there were food rations and there was a shortage of bananas, so the filling became vanilla creme instead of banana cream and has stuck inside ever since. Now there’s your fun fact of the day.
When people tell me that they use Pandora I usually scoff and then question their motives. Let this be a small reminder as to why you shouldn’t be selling your CDs, vinyl or cassettes (yes, people still use and need those tapes.) Not only does this story scare me as a radio jock, but it makes me want to smack people into being able to find their own music instead of having it just handed to them. Does anyone remember music magazines and radio?
Last but not least (at all) READ THIS. It will blow your mind and maybe scare you a bit.
On 04.05.10, In Events, By Sarah
This past Wednesday a few of us traveled to the beautiful city of Scranton, PA to see WILCO. You’re probably thinking that nothing as magical as WILCO could ever exist in a city such as Scranton….but it did! It was a place much smaller than the State Theater! Their first time playing IN Scranton, it was a sold out show in a ballroom, specifically a Masonic Temple. Never before have I gone to see live music and stood still and just watched musicians play. They are completely mesmerizing. With no opener, they played extra long and Tweedy was extra chatty. At one point he even asked us to shut up and pointed out some kid’s “douchey-ness” because he was on the phone. It truly was phenomenal.
I figured out the WILCO formula. We all love their records in full, but live they play them usually out of order. One of my personal favorites, Forget the Flowers, was included along with other lesser-knowns like She’s A Jar. They did play stuff from their latest- which isn’t the best (actually it’s probably the worst of their records.) But by the end of the evening, everyone was incredibly happy and satisfied. I would never change my first WILCO experience for anything in the world: perfect venue, perfect people, perfect band, perfect night.
Never before have I loved a band like I love WILCO. And I always said I don’t love anything enough to have it permanently tattooed on my body, but I’m reconsidering….just kidding mom.
My brain is still in WILCO LAND and probably will be forever now that I’ve breathed the same air as Jeff Tweedy. Now I have unfortunate duties of finishing and starting projects so I can graduate. So we all can graduate. Holy crap, it’s April 5th.
On 03.30.10, In Findings, By Sarah
I really do hate Jann Wenner. On this very blog I have said the same thing before. For reasons that have no answer I’ve found myself perusing Rolling Stone’s website lately. Their news stories are boring and they seem to cover information and reviews for their target audience (which pisses me off, but what can I do?) Despite all of this I found myself lurking on their website to find the new Dr. Dog single. Which you can hear here, although its not even the best song on the record. If you are a Dr. Dog fan, feel free to contact me and I can definitely get you this record. It takes a few listens, as always, but they are totally worth it.
As tomorrow gets closer, so does Jeff Tweedy. For news and updates on how bad ass Wilco is, stay tuned for there will be mention of it here VERY SOON.
So, yes. Still hate Wenner, but i found myself reading this. It caught my eye because of this photo.
Take a read. Rolling Stone usually has decent coverage of drug culture, politics and events in America. I’ve only read the very beginning (its long) but informative and what you expect: a Rolling Stone writer telling us a story.
On 03.27.10, In Events, By Riley
The Nines in Collegetown claims to have the best pizza in Ithaca. I disagree. I think Collegetown Pizza has the best pizza in Ithaca – plus you can draw on the walls there. But this isn’t about pizza. It’s not about graffiti either. This is about music.
You know this guy?
Rock Star
This is Scott Walker, and he’s a Rock Star.
Scott’s band, Robbin’ Pain is playing at the Nines on Friday April 3rd at 10p.m. Robbin’ Pain, despite conventional knowledge, was not formed after the ugly breakup of The Razor’s Edge. True, the breakup of TRE was horrific, but Robbin’ Pain has existed for years prior, Walker subversively practicing in the Jersey garage of RP guitarist Ricky Dal Cortivo. Joined by Scott “FatBorch” Borchert, Robbin’ Pain promises a night full of rock, roll, re-verb, and only one Ramone’s cover.
So come Friday, get a pizza and a pitcher. Then another pitcher for Scott’s show.
On 03.16.10, In Findings, By Sarah
So Spring Break, right? It’s Eels, James Brown and On The Beach (thanks, michael) while riding my bike through a neighborhood that I cannot manage to get lost in, despite the fact that I do not know my way around. It’s all a big circle. After many rainy days, OK-two rainy days, and a completed/mailed internship application to Chicago Public Radio and a house to myself I am enjoying time however I want. In the last day I’ve eaten about an entire pound of green grapes. Also, I am on the look out for an inexpensive road bike to purchase. Please keep me informed. Until then, here are things I want to share with you that I’ve stumbled upon.
VICE magazine. I want to work there, maybe. Here we have this. The picture below compliments it well I think.
Also, VICE brings us the latest in butt health.
click the pic for the story
Basically everything YOU are interested in comes from VICE’s latest publication……check her out.
Also, there’s GOOD magazine. Here is an interactive on the two earthquakes that recently quaked Chile and Haiti. And if you are a ‘young adult’ (yes, erica, we are growing up SOMETIME soon…) you might want to move away to explore something new. Four of these cities are in Texas. The only two people I’ve ever met FROM Texas (Austin, that is) are really great, smart people. Don’t write it off. Until then, peruse some internet, ride some bikes and listen to poly-sonic-pleasantness, however you may define it.
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