Weed

Saturday night I headed up to Northeast with Megan for the first Easter Sunday Art Collective house show at Jonathan's new place. A bunch of bands played, but notably Weed from Vancouver, BC. These guys are really cool and I really enjoy their music. They played at another house show I went to the weekend before. The vibes were good and so were the people. I'm pretty proud of Jon for pulling it off so well. A lot of people came and I'm pretty sure everyone had as good a time as me.
Here are some photo taken by me and Megan.






Check out Weed on Band Camp HERE
Check out the Easter Sunday Art Collective HERE

Take Your Medicine

On Wednesday night I went with Hanna and Sam to the Roseland to see my favorite Portland band, STARFUCKER! I'm not exactly sure why, but Starfucker is my favorite Portland band, which is crazy because so many amazing bands come from Portland. But they win because they sing my favorite song in the world: Rawnald Gregory Erickson the Second. The song is my favorite for a few reasons. It leads in with some heavy bass beats at a mellow tempo; just right for swaying to the beat and bobbing your head. (I also like to add some arms waving around in the air, very hippie-ish). Then come the whispery vocals. I guess I just love how the song is really interesting but still just really easy to listen to and enjoy.

But anyway. The show was AMAZING fun. They dressed up in women's dresses with wigs and make-up. Everyone just danced like crazy!!! There are few things better than hearing some of your favorite music being played live, at high volume, and feeling it with an entire crowd of people.

Photos by Sam Hackerson

Music: Starfucker

Vampire Weekday

Monday night i had the pleasure of seeing Vampire Weekend at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. I'd previously never been to the Fox, and i must say the place is a lot nicer than i expected, although a little bigger than i usually like. Vampire Weekend was so fun! The last time i saw them was at Treasure Island Music Festival 2008. At the time they were just beginning to get really popular so they were a bit awkward, like "o hey...you guys are like reeeally excited to see us..?? cool!". By now they've obviously embraced their popularity, but quite humbly, and have a bit more success under their belt with the relatively recent release of their sophomore album, Contra (which i HIGHLY recommend). It was also nice to see them all gain a huge amount of stage presence, notably front man Ezra Koenig who i personally find delightfully cute. They played all the favorites (which pretty much includes their entire discography), supplemented by some audience participatory vocals, back stories, and smooth dance moves. My award for best dancing of the night goes to bass player Chris Baoi. The set decorations were modest, but thoughtful. A giant banner of their album cover's infamous unidentified blond woman hung behind them with holes in her eyes for lights to shine through and dangling chandeliers also featured in the album's artwork hung from above. As predicted, the show was great dancing fun!




Music: Diplomat's Son - Vampire Weekend

any-night LIVE

Last night i went to UC Davis' Freeborn Hall with Eden to enjoy the music stylings of Passion Pit. In addition to hearing one of my current favorite bands play live, i also had the pleasure of discovering Mayer Hawthorne, dancing the night away, and realizing all the things i love about live shows. Now, i've gone to my fair share of live musical performances. From arena concerts to seedy bars/clubs and hardcore to top 40 pop, i've experienced quite the variety. Each show is special (although i've been to way too many to remember them all), but some stand out for certain reasons. I thought i'd go through a list of things that make a show memorable and noteworthy to me.

1) Danceability: one of my top favorite things to do at a show is dance. now i recognize that not all the music i like really allows that but there are some other factors at a show that might stop one from shaking their groove thing. for example, if no one else is dancing. I love a show where i leave drenched in sweat, euphoric from endorphins, and with cramps in my legs. The soreness and exhaustion the next day should be a rewarding reminder of the fun i had the night before.

2) Crowd Connection: you know when you're in math class and the teacher has been talking for hours, but when you look down on your paper there is a huge page of doodles and you have no idea what is gong on? yea, well a concert should never be like that. I like concerts where the artists are great entertainers and engage the crowd. That doesn't always mean cheesy shout outs like "everybody screeeeam!", but rather that the crowd feels emotion and care from the performer and is interested in watching, singing, dancing along. I've definitely been to shows where i find myself more interested in watching the girl two rows back pick her nose than watching the band. That would be a concerts' equivalent of a full page of doodles.

3) Good Sound/Mixing: obviously this is important. I mean, you paid money to here the band play their music and not some unrecognizable static. I hate when you're at a show and you feel like you're in your own never-ending version of the Tell Tale Heart because all you can hear is the kick drum and nothing else. Now, this is usually not the performer/artists' fault, but it definitely a contributor to the enjoyability of the concert. (for sacramentans: know that the boardwalk is notorious for shitty sound)

4) All Ages Shows: Yea, i'll admit i complain about the 13 and 14 years olds running around screeching and wearing to much glitter and hair spray, but i will also admit that i was once one of them. Honestly a concert is about the music and i don't feel that anyone who is a genuine fan and wants to enjoy their fave band live should be limited by age. After all, it is just a number, right?

5) Cost/Venue ratio: what i mean by this is how much the ticket costs compared to the size and quality of the venue. Shitty, tiny bars and clubs should range around $10-$25, depending on the artist, and arenas can range from $30-$100, depending the artists and arena. (Arco Arena should not charge $100 for a ticket, but sadly can.) People might feel i'm asking too much, but really it is important. Live music is one of the 3 things i'm really willing to spend my small amount of money on (clothing and food with friends being the other 2), so you can imagine that i've weighed the pros and cons. Trust me. It's not worth it to pay $45 to go to the Boardwalk to see Paramore. And by see i mean watch with your eyes as Haley Williams is confined to a 15 ft stage and listen to her drummer's kick drum as her lips move. Yea, not worth it.


Music: Passion Pit!!!!

food coma

thanksgiving break is officially over, but it has been grand if i don't say so myself. minus a small episode on saturday night/the trip back to oakland via train, everything was very fun. i got to see a lot of people i haven't seen in awhile (but i didn't get to see everyone i wanted to. thank god for christmas break being so soon.) thanksgiving break is pretty much about good food, good people, and good times, all of which were had. (i can't upload any pictures because i just realized i packed up my camera cord and it is at home!)

i ended the break with a grand finale finish of getting to see Rooney live on sunday night. my friend from CCA, Christine, went with me. i have literally been waiting since the 7th grade to see this band! i don't have any photos because cameras were not allowed in the venue but they were very good. the sound was amazing, their guitarist is super talented, and they are all extremely rockstar sexy! i also got to meet-and-greet because i bought their new EP, Wild One (which is great). so now i have a check on my bucket list and a signed EP and poster.

only 2 weeks left here in Oakland at CCA. it is a little bittersweet because i've found a few really awesome friends but i will just come to the bay to visit them and have fun!

Music: Wild One - Rooney

TIMF 2009

Treasure Island Music Festival 2009 was SOOOO MUCH FUN! i'm not sure how to describe it in a way that will do it justice. it was a beautiful weekend. sarah wong came down from portland. we enjoyed the sunny, but not too hot weather and amazing music all on the little treasure island surrounded by the bay, full of sailboats. i personally preferred last years line-up, packed with bands like Vampire Weekend, Tokyo Police Club, Tegan and Sara, Chester French, Justice, CSS, The Raconteurs, and more, but this year we actually were up close and personal for a ton of great bands.

DAY 1





Photos #1 and 2: Passion Pit was the first band we saw. they kicked off the day of dancing with their fun, unique sounds. if you haven't checked them out yet i pretty much guarantee you will love their electro keyboards mixed with an offbeat, high pitched voice.
Photo #3 and 4: next were British rappers, The Streets. i found out that pretty much all their songs are as fun as their hit, "Fit But You Know It" and am really excited to explore their music more. frontman Michael Skinner is quite the looker, even if he is an asshole.
Photo #5 and 6:a new discovery, Brazilian Girls. obviously points for the costume. their music was new and interesting. although i'm not sure what their obsession with "sexy assholes" or "pussy, pussy, Marijuana" was. ha.
Photo #7 and 8: another new discovery, MSTRKRFT. ironic that they spell their name with no vowels. these two DJ's did it big on stage with their bottle of Crown Royal and boxes of cigarettes right next to the tables. literally danced our asses off to their tasty remixes of songs like D.A.N.C.E. and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Photo#9 and 10: of course one of the moments i had been waiting for the entire day, MGMT. accompanied by pyramidal props and fantastic lights, they sang their album in it's entirety announcing that this would be their last show for awhile. sad, but ok because after they finished that album they enlightened us with some new material. my prediction is that they are taking a break from touring to record a new album!

DAY 2



Photos #1 and 2: day 2 was a little cloudier and windier, but when the sun peaked out and shined on Grizzly Bear it was "like something out of the Bible" (my exact words). their sleepy sounds mixed with the weather and our exhaustion from Day 1 was perfection.
Photos #3 and 4: another new band, Beirut, from New Mexico, kept the day going with a mash up of horns, stringy guitars, and an accordion. i definitely asked my roommate to burn me that CD as soon as i got home.
Photos #5 and 6: one of the most powerful, beautiful performances, the Decemberists played their entire album, The Hazard of Love, which tells a story. their mix of heavy instrumentals and folksy female and male vocals, all done in a theatrical nature was phenomenal.

Music: i recommend any band from this post. all are superb (and in italic purple) !

I'm Just a Girl

being one of the guys is something that i thoroughly enjoy, but no matter what i'm just a girl and i have to say Gwen Stefani and Hayley Williams (Paramore) will make any girl, even me, damn proud to say so. last night i had the pleasure of seeing the ultimate performers of No Doubt for the small price of 10$ and i can't say i've ever gotten more bang for my buck. Paramore, one of my all time favorites (as well as the Sounds who we missed) opened for the classic rockstars. i've always had a huge girl crush of Hayley and it will never go away as i found out last night. their sound was good and she was as fiery as ever. however amazing, no one could've compared to Gwen. her and the guys know how to rock the amphitheatre. i had so much fun dancing to old hits including Spiderweb, Hey Baby, It's My Life, Don't Speak, and of course so many more. all three bands had amazing frontwomen who hang with the guys and i love that. strong, leading women that make the female race proud.





Music: I'm Just a Girl - No Doubt