Me, Jay, Slim's.
xoxo
28 February 2011
22 February 2011
GIVEAWAY - MARNIE STERN, TERA MELOS, GRAY YOUNG! March 1 @ King's!
As my loyal readers (there may be like, three guys, I dunno,) know of my fanaticism and Superfandom of *certain* local bands, it comes as great pleasure to announce that my first GIVEAWAY will be to see said certain band. AKA OMG GRAY YOUNGGGGG!* ….Who just happens so happens to be opening for Marnie Stern and Tera Melos at King’s on Tuesday, March 1st
This giveaway will be probably be the first in a long line of me getting way too excited about seeing a certain show and assuming Roo or Jay will turn over their entire schedules to join me in seeing an artist they either may not know too well or have seen a bajillion times… This may be one such case. I assumed and went ahead and bought two tickets… the giveaway is for one itty bitty ticket and the show experience of a lifetime - WITH ME!!! Eh, free is free, yeah? (and can I tell you how excited I am to expose someone new to Gray Young and they happen to be a part of my first giveaway?!?)
*pronounced: young-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh
This giveaway will be probably be the first in a long line of me getting way too excited about seeing a certain show and assuming Roo or Jay will turn over their entire schedules to join me in seeing an artist they either may not know too well or have seen a bajillion times… This may be one such case. I assumed and went ahead and bought two tickets… the giveaway is for one itty bitty ticket and the show experience of a lifetime - WITH ME!!! Eh, free is free, yeah? (and can I tell you how excited I am to expose someone new to Gray Young and they happen to be a part of my first giveaway?!?)
Here is how to win a “date” with me to this show:
Reblog/Repost/Retwit …I dunno what the kids call it these days. Help generate some more blog- buzz. Point me in the direction of your re-post and I’ll pick someone at random, (most likely the person to spawns the most comments/conversation/reblogs) to join me! Just shoot me an email (karlaanne at gmail) or post a comment below to let me know you've entered! Or hey, tag me in a repost on facebook!
SURE you could just spring for that hefty $8 ticket yourself, but! Here are the benefits to seeing a show with me, in particular, this show:
- Marnie Stern. Do you know about her? I am judging you if you don’t. She plays guitar like Les Claypool plays bass – all wonky and wild. She is going to blow the roof off that place. It’s going to be a hot mess…. One would assume. If you win the ticket it is partially part of your responsibility to get right up front with me and get ballistic. I am really looking forward to seeing her. GIRL POWER! THE 90S!
- I am ridiculous over Gray Young. No, Seriously. And seeing a band with someone who loves a band as much as I love Gray Young is addictive. I will make you like them. No, seriously. You will enjoy it. They are pretty decent…. I AM KIDDING THEY ARE THE BEST.
- I will not crowd your space. A typical night out with me will consist of you sending me texts throughout the night saying “where did you go??” (hint: I am up front. I am downstairs at Neptune’s. I am outside smoking. I somehow wound up at Landmark.)
- I can promise you ONE SUPER DELUXE if not TWO delicious beverages from the Pabst Brewing Company. In lieu of PBR, pending lack of excessive funding a dip or two of THE BEARD may be in order.
- You will star in the next review – you will have a million pictures of you all over the internet.
- WE ARE NEW FRIENDS!
- Marnie Stern. Do you know about her? I am judging you if you don’t. She plays guitar like Les Claypool plays bass – all wonky and wild. She is going to blow the roof off that place. It’s going to be a hot mess…. One would assume. If you win the ticket it is partially part of your responsibility to get right up front with me and get ballistic. I am really looking forward to seeing her. GIRL POWER! THE 90S!
- I am ridiculous over Gray Young. No, Seriously. And seeing a band with someone who loves a band as much as I love Gray Young is addictive. I will make you like them. No, seriously. You will enjoy it. They are pretty decent…. I AM KIDDING THEY ARE THE BEST.
- I will not crowd your space. A typical night out with me will consist of you sending me texts throughout the night saying “where did you go??” (hint: I am up front. I am downstairs at Neptune’s. I am outside smoking. I somehow wound up at Landmark.)
- I can promise you ONE SUPER DELUXE if not TWO delicious beverages from the Pabst Brewing Company. In lieu of PBR, pending lack of excessive funding a dip or two of THE BEARD may be in order.
- You will star in the next review – you will have a million pictures of you all over the internet.
- WE ARE NEW FRIENDS!
Best of luck and if you don’t win, come to the show anyway – hope to see you there! SUPPORT YOUR SCENE! Xoxo
*pronounced: young-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh-guh
19 February 2011
Nests with Jenna and the Jintlemen - LBLB - 02/17/11
Did you ever play Sims? Like, the original setting-yourself-on-fire-because-you-can’t-cook and i-got-blocked-in-a-corner-by-a-dirty-plate Sims? The I-hired-a-maid-just-to-recycle-the-newspaper version… You know what I mean. Remember the Tired Sim Stumble? It would just be standing there trying to flirt with a neighbor and then it would just fling itself forward in a “Demons Out!” gesture before just walking away and going to bed? That was me this night. My sim-energy bar was very low green. I worked both jobs and wasn’t sure if I’d even go out but then I got 2 messages in a row asking if I would come, so of course! I cannot resist my LBLB crew!
It is a delicate operation; the reviewing of friend-bands... Nests features one of my inner-circle friends playing a very non-traditional instrument; Benny on the Singing Saw. I had missed my first opportunity to see Nests at Market a few weeks back, so I was very glad I had the chance to do so now. It made my heart all warm and fuzzy that some of my closest friends were right up front with me, in clear Ben-Ben-View... It felt very intimate and special. Nests has a very distinct sound you pretty much have to be really in the mood for... the technicality of the music is flawless, well written, perfectly performed, certainly unique; the mood of the music is ...I dunno... spooky! the songs, without the singing saw would be almost drone-y (read:shoegazer?), lonesome cowboy sings the blues-ish. With the addition of the saw, everything is haunted. In fact I at one point had to ask Roo if tir na nog was, in fact, haunted. It was hard to ignore the intensity of the mood. It's almost impossible for me to remain completely unbiased and objective here because I have so much love for Benny. It's hard not to gush about my out-of-bounds pride in his accomplishments. I have a very special place in my heart for this man. I can't tell you the number of 5 minute drunken life changing conversations we've had in the darkest corners of Jackpot. I couldn't help but get a bit choked up during this performance because I'm not sure I know of a person more deserving of all their dreams coming true. I personally, am not a huge fan of the alt-country genre, but good tunes are good, (obvious statements are obvious,) and I enjoyed this set- but i'm not going to lie, I still can't tell if it's because of the music or the pride...?
Roo was very sure I would like and should definitely check out Jenna Smith. I had apparently seen her at a LBLB months before, but must have had one of those KA-Patented-drunk-wanderings-offish nights. I do remember (after roo reminded me) it was the night I met Jeremy from Nests! Hey hey - full circle! I was right up from with Jonny and Sarah and we barely stopped talking through the whole set because we just couldn't stop talking about how adorable and amazing she is! As I remember, the original set we had seen was Jenna and an acoustic guitar only. Adding the rest of the Jintlemen (Zack, Adam, and Nick from Annuals, Johnny Hobbs, and her brother Shane from the Windsor Oaks Band,) kicked the mood into a frenzy. Well, okay frenzy might be pushing it. Well, okay the last song was a flipping frenzy... Unexpected amazingness! After the last song blow-out, Jonny and I start fist-pumping and screaming "AGAIN AGAIN!" - I turned to roo and literally said “Goddamn! If that was just playing on my ipod I would hit REPEAT!” - That is a frenzy. However the rest of the set hovered somewhere around adorable/swingy/funky/rockin'/ and all back to adorable again...
We couldn't help but play fashion police during this show. (ps - Jonny t, i swear to god i don't want to ever go to another show without you again. too much fun!) Completely shallow and hilarious observations about this crew: Jenna: OMG BOOT ENVY. can she get any more precious? Cutest thing ever. Johnny: totally one of the cutest dudes in Raleigh. want to squish his face off. then possibly make out with that face. Nick: FACE IS AT 92% BEARD CAPACITY.
After the show i ran into Mike, one of the certifiable Gray Young Army members, who missed the last show, I made sure THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
miscellaneous addendum: Schooner at King's Friday night... SHOW FAIL. I am so mad at myself. I was asleep by 11. I said no more apologizing to bands, but dammit you guys, I'm sorry. I suck. :(
It is a delicate operation; the reviewing of friend-bands... Nests features one of my inner-circle friends playing a very non-traditional instrument; Benny on the Singing Saw. I had missed my first opportunity to see Nests at Market a few weeks back, so I was very glad I had the chance to do so now. It made my heart all warm and fuzzy that some of my closest friends were right up front with me, in clear Ben-Ben-View... It felt very intimate and special. Nests has a very distinct sound you pretty much have to be really in the mood for... the technicality of the music is flawless, well written, perfectly performed, certainly unique; the mood of the music is ...I dunno... spooky! the songs, without the singing saw would be almost drone-y (read:shoegazer?), lonesome cowboy sings the blues-ish. With the addition of the saw, everything is haunted. In fact I at one point had to ask Roo if tir na nog was, in fact, haunted. It was hard to ignore the intensity of the mood. It's almost impossible for me to remain completely unbiased and objective here because I have so much love for Benny. It's hard not to gush about my out-of-bounds pride in his accomplishments. I have a very special place in my heart for this man. I can't tell you the number of 5 minute drunken life changing conversations we've had in the darkest corners of Jackpot. I couldn't help but get a bit choked up during this performance because I'm not sure I know of a person more deserving of all their dreams coming true. I personally, am not a huge fan of the alt-country genre, but good tunes are good, (obvious statements are obvious,) and I enjoyed this set- but i'm not going to lie, I still can't tell if it's because of the music or the pride...?
Roo was very sure I would like and should definitely check out Jenna Smith. I had apparently seen her at a LBLB months before, but must have had one of those KA-Patented-drunk-wanderings-offish nights. I do remember (after roo reminded me) it was the night I met Jeremy from Nests! Hey hey - full circle! I was right up from with Jonny and Sarah and we barely stopped talking through the whole set because we just couldn't stop talking about how adorable and amazing she is! As I remember, the original set we had seen was Jenna and an acoustic guitar only. Adding the rest of the Jintlemen (Zack, Adam, and Nick from Annuals, Johnny Hobbs, and her brother Shane from the Windsor Oaks Band,) kicked the mood into a frenzy. Well, okay frenzy might be pushing it. Well, okay the last song was a flipping frenzy... Unexpected amazingness! After the last song blow-out, Jonny and I start fist-pumping and screaming "AGAIN AGAIN!" - I turned to roo and literally said “Goddamn! If that was just playing on my ipod I would hit REPEAT!” - That is a frenzy. However the rest of the set hovered somewhere around adorable/swingy/funky/rockin'/ and all back to adorable again...
Yup, Nick.
We couldn't help but play fashion police during this show. (ps - Jonny t, i swear to god i don't want to ever go to another show without you again. too much fun!) Completely shallow and hilarious observations about this crew: Jenna: OMG BOOT ENVY. can she get any more precious? Cutest thing ever. Johnny: totally one of the cutest dudes in Raleigh. want to squish his face off. then possibly make out with that face. Nick: FACE IS AT 92% BEARD CAPACITY.
After the show i ran into Mike, one of the certifiable Gray Young Army members, who missed the last show, I made sure THAT WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.
ANGERRRRRRRRRR!
miscellaneous addendum: Schooner at King's Friday night... SHOW FAIL. I am so mad at myself. I was asleep by 11. I said no more apologizing to bands, but dammit you guys, I'm sorry. I suck. :(
17 February 2011
The Love Hangover - King's - 02/15/11
Valentine’s day was practically non-existent for me this year. I worked my day job, worked my night job, came home and took a bath and spoke to no one of the opposite sex besides co-workers and my brother, whom I called at one point to check up on as he is recovering from pneumonia. In a failed attempt to consider possibly maybe dating my band-mate for a minute, (who is now and will hopefully remain a bestie-in-training, [just works better that way,]) I found myself single, yet again, on V-day.
Activities to avoid for singles on Valentine’s Day:
-While driving 4 hour delivery shift, do not listen to Mumford & Sons on rotation. You will get pissy and most likely cry pissy tears.
-Do not post seemingly ambiguous, yet painfully obvious “I miss you” posts as your facebook status and immediately delete them; someone will probably see.
-Do not hold potential dating options to impossibly high standards; ((some of my more shameful requirements include dismissing any man without facial hair immediately [superficial!], refusing to date anyone who has dated (read:fucked) anyone else I’ve ever known/rigorous adherence to the “anti-sloppy-seconds” rule [choices are so limited!], men who are any shorter than my height (5’11”) are practically invisible,)) and then bitch about “why am I single?”
-Do not hold a candle for or get weepy about an ex who made no attempt to contact you in any way in the past eleventy billion months. Most importantly, do not type out emails or texts you seemingly think might be brilliant in which you have no intention to hit send on. You might accidentally hit send (I didn’t but I can see this sort of thing happening to me.)
Suggested activities for singles on Valentine’s day:
-Find a distraction such as blogging, song writing, bubble baths, alcohol or painkillers. Consider a delightful mixture of all these things.
-Denial, denial, denial
-Support and feel happy for friends and family that are in happy and mutually respectful relationships (…just kidding. Fuck those people.)
-Realize that your life is pretty much exactly where you want it to be and you didn’t need a consistently accessible penis to make that a reality... You did it on your own! Hoorah!
-Go see a show! Or at least as soon as possible, for example… The next day!
The Love Hangover!
We meant to be there earlier, but in a hivemindish-groove, Jay and I managed to get a song that we had been piddling with for weeks down and quasi-recorded. We didn’t get out of the house until after 10. I’m not sure who we missed, but upon walking into King’s it was apparent that love was in the air; Or every attempt to feign this feeling was in effect. The little sweetheart tables in front of the stage, massive candelabras and miscellaneous candles all over the stage – roses and mood lighting. It was adorable.
Billie Karel & Scott Phillips
Magic! And instant digression: This was my confusion throughout the night… Were the “couples” actual couples? I know in the past certain actual couples have done the Love Hangover, but I wasn’t good enough friends with most of these kids to get the real story. I know this isn’t all Perez Hilton, but I kinda want this scoop… Are Billie and Scott a couple? I have decided they need to be. They had an incredible chemistry together… If anything, they seriously need to keep working together musically. Also, I think as musicians alone, they are incredibly talented. Billie (from The Shucks) has a voice like no one’s business; a friend and I stood outside smoking later and gushed for several minutes about how hard she nailed Sinéad ‘s “The Last Day of Our Acquaintance” (ps - a song I have ALWAYS wanted to sing. Also Troy. Note to self: somehow convince Jay to work on a cover of Troy.) So not only did these two have the popping electric connection and mad skills, but they were so much fun! It’s hard to screw up when Scott (Goner, The Monologue Bombs) gets involved. As they are playing Jay confessed his secret mancrush on Scott. (Secret no more, beeteedubs) It’s easy to see why, dude has charm…. and later with a giddy grin, Jay finds me and says “I met Billie!” as if she is a superstar. I have decided right now; yes. She is. I love this gal’s voice. I want to see them play together again! I am now mentally superfanning The Shucks, Goner and Mono-Bombs. My face was *hurting* from smiling so much while they played… I Got You Babe? …too much!
Christy Smith & Patrick Phelan
Cute. Cute. Cute! Christy Smith has one of the most tender (Haw! Get it? Because she is in The Tender Fruit!) and heartbreakingly precious voices in town. She has one of those voices that remind me of my mom singing Hank Williams songs to me when I was a little girl. There is no pressure of power behind it, it is clean and soft like a dryer sheet… You could take her voice on a picnic and it would push you in the tire swing; it would most likely be sometime in April. What I am trying to say here is I like her voice. Patrick is adorable. I got to finally talk to him for a sec in the later sets and he’s a really nice guy. What is up with me meeting all these folks who could, by rights, be total a-holes because they are local-famous-ish and pretty good-looking, but turn out to be really cool? I feel kinda douchey because the only Luego review I have attempted turned into the worst thing ever. It wasn’t personal; I had a death in the family, dammit! But so what I’m getting at here is, hey I *do* appreciate and support and will check out more Luego shows (I am listening to them now!) and I think Christy & Patrick was a smart combo. I remember as they were playing that I should start carrying a tiny notebook to keep up with setlists and such when I some to multiple act shows like this and my main point of that was to be all like “I really liked ‘THIS’ song in their set”. I forgot. (This is why I will never be a professional) - but I do know I liked it. This set was very chilled out and made me long for springtime!
Abby Nardo & Seamus Kenney
MY FRONDS! These guys, honestly, were my big draw to the LH… I was really excited to see Abby perform for the first time (first time for me seeing, at least!) and of course, Seamus (of every band ever fame, and no this joke will never get old with me. and yes he is in SNMNMNMMNMNFfggg; whom I saw for the first time about 8 years ago in Wilmington opening for MC Chris and that hurts my brain to think about.) I really am going to get all Perez here for a second; I cannot stop talking about Abby’s damn dress! Yes, yes I understand it is from Target but come on, that thing is freakin adorable! I am just a baby doll pink addict… Love it! Seamus was all blazered-out, too! Of the couples so far (that I saw), Abby and Seamus definitely stepped up the classy-meter! I honestly didn’t know what to expect here, but I certainly didn’t anticipate Sloan! RANDOM! Who remembers Sloan? Me, Seamus and the members of the band Sloan, apparently. That is one more cool point for Seamus! Then - A Joni Mitchell song, which was impeccably perfect for Abby’s voice. They eventually had Dieter from Sprockets join them on stage to play the xylophone. I’m kidding. It wasn’t Dieter, but he was a very Norse-looking pretty man. I don’t remember his name. Abby also had this little tiny laptop xylophone that was too adorable. Again, I don’t think/know if Abby & Seamus are a couple, but in my mind they are. They have a very George and Gracie rapport and I could have listened to the silly banter all night… okay, I have decided: Dear Abby and Seamus, you are now dating. YAY! <3 <3 <3
Ashley Carter & Jeff Crawford
WOW. So much to say about this duo…! Once again – please be married; Make this happen often. Maybe love was just in the air, that’s why I am trying to force my loving will on those around me. Ashley Carter (Stella Lively): the voice, the dress! I was already smitten after a couple songs, this is a voice that makes you sit up and take notice. This is a voice that has told some pretty gritty stories and had survived some big hurts. Ashley has a voice that sends you blindly groping in the direction of the bar hoping someone puts a jack in your hand before it's too late. Her voice has this distinctively sexy but totally approachable quality… Like the hottest girl in the room came up to *you* and you’re like, “what the hell? Am I gay now? Okay, I’d be really dumb to not take advantage of this opportunity.” (Opportunity in this case is the use of your ears.) I asked Patrick Phelan about Jeff Crawford, (he looked familiar) and he confirmed my suspicions; Jeff Crawford and Seamus are now in competition for “In Every Band Ever” Ironman. Mr Crawford’s work (in addition to his already full time producing work & solo releases) includes: SpencerAcuff, Roman Candle, Max Indian, Thad Cockrell, Ryan Gustafson, The Sundowners, Mount Moriah, Luego, The Young Sons, Bright Young Things, and Tad Dreis. …Dude! Enough! So this is why He looked familiar: Every Band Ever. Oh and I just checked his reverbnation and apparently he is playing with The Tomahawks this Friday (with Schooner) … Seamus is getting some serious competition here. Jeff Crawford is really going to fuddle my “local music family tree” all up. Rambling aside: He’s pretty damn good. Obvs. I don’t think this many bands would want to be associated with someone sub-par… (also note: epic beard. See dating standards listed above; this means this guy is cute.) I two-stepped with Tony Woodard while we lip synched “Islands in the Stream” to each other during this set. That, by the way, was amazing. But what I mostly wanted to say was …PJ HARVEY. That was my loudest and proudest “WOO!!!”ing of the night. All bands need to play PJ Harvey, especially PJ Harvey. (note to self: convince Jay into letting me cover a polly jean song.) I’ve never seen PJH live, but I accept this version of Rid of Me as the real thing, it was that spot on. you guys = hero status to me for that one.
And hey, that was the end! Well, as far as I know… We took off! It was Jay’s first day off after like 15 days in a row or something ridiculous, so I know he was knackered (and yet I somehow convinced him to stay up another hour or so watching Morrissey videos with me. I’m such a good friend!) So overall I would say the evening was a resounding success and love was most def in the air! Hell of a show for only $8…! Imagine the suckers who spent that kinda loot on movie tickets or chipotle tonight instead.
Thanks everyone, it was much enjoyed and appreciated! <3 <3 <3
Activities to avoid for singles on Valentine’s Day:
-While driving 4 hour delivery shift, do not listen to Mumford & Sons on rotation. You will get pissy and most likely cry pissy tears.
-Do not post seemingly ambiguous, yet painfully obvious “I miss you” posts as your facebook status and immediately delete them; someone will probably see.
-Do not hold potential dating options to impossibly high standards; ((some of my more shameful requirements include dismissing any man without facial hair immediately [superficial!], refusing to date anyone who has dated (read:fucked) anyone else I’ve ever known/rigorous adherence to the “anti-sloppy-seconds” rule [choices are so limited!], men who are any shorter than my height (5’11”) are practically invisible,)) and then bitch about “why am I single?”
-Do not hold a candle for or get weepy about an ex who made no attempt to contact you in any way in the past eleventy billion months. Most importantly, do not type out emails or texts you seemingly think might be brilliant in which you have no intention to hit send on. You might accidentally hit send (I didn’t but I can see this sort of thing happening to me.)
Suggested activities for singles on Valentine’s day:
-Find a distraction such as blogging, song writing, bubble baths, alcohol or painkillers. Consider a delightful mixture of all these things.
-Denial, denial, denial
-Support and feel happy for friends and family that are in happy and mutually respectful relationships (…just kidding. Fuck those people.)
-Realize that your life is pretty much exactly where you want it to be and you didn’t need a consistently accessible penis to make that a reality... You did it on your own! Hoorah!
-Go see a show! Or at least as soon as possible, for example… The next day!
The Love Hangover!
We meant to be there earlier, but in a hivemindish-groove, Jay and I managed to get a song that we had been piddling with for weeks down and quasi-recorded. We didn’t get out of the house until after 10. I’m not sure who we missed, but upon walking into King’s it was apparent that love was in the air; Or every attempt to feign this feeling was in effect. The little sweetheart tables in front of the stage, massive candelabras and miscellaneous candles all over the stage – roses and mood lighting. It was adorable.
Are you tired widdle jay? TOO BAD... YOU GO TO SHOW!
Billie Karel & Scott Phillips
Magic! And instant digression: This was my confusion throughout the night… Were the “couples” actual couples? I know in the past certain actual couples have done the Love Hangover, but I wasn’t good enough friends with most of these kids to get the real story. I know this isn’t all Perez Hilton, but I kinda want this scoop… Are Billie and Scott a couple? I have decided they need to be. They had an incredible chemistry together… If anything, they seriously need to keep working together musically. Also, I think as musicians alone, they are incredibly talented. Billie (from The Shucks) has a voice like no one’s business; a friend and I stood outside smoking later and gushed for several minutes about how hard she nailed Sinéad ‘s “The Last Day of Our Acquaintance” (ps - a song I have ALWAYS wanted to sing. Also Troy. Note to self: somehow convince Jay to work on a cover of Troy.) So not only did these two have the popping electric connection and mad skills, but they were so much fun! It’s hard to screw up when Scott (Goner, The Monologue Bombs) gets involved. As they are playing Jay confessed his secret mancrush on Scott. (Secret no more, beeteedubs) It’s easy to see why, dude has charm…. and later with a giddy grin, Jay finds me and says “I met Billie!” as if she is a superstar. I have decided right now; yes. She is. I love this gal’s voice. I want to see them play together again! I am now mentally superfanning The Shucks, Goner and Mono-Bombs. My face was *hurting* from smiling so much while they played… I Got You Babe? …too much!
Christy Smith & Patrick Phelan
Cute. Cute. Cute! Christy Smith has one of the most tender (Haw! Get it? Because she is in The Tender Fruit!) and heartbreakingly precious voices in town. She has one of those voices that remind me of my mom singing Hank Williams songs to me when I was a little girl. There is no pressure of power behind it, it is clean and soft like a dryer sheet… You could take her voice on a picnic and it would push you in the tire swing; it would most likely be sometime in April. What I am trying to say here is I like her voice. Patrick is adorable. I got to finally talk to him for a sec in the later sets and he’s a really nice guy. What is up with me meeting all these folks who could, by rights, be total a-holes because they are local-famous-ish and pretty good-looking, but turn out to be really cool? I feel kinda douchey because the only Luego review I have attempted turned into the worst thing ever. It wasn’t personal; I had a death in the family, dammit! But so what I’m getting at here is, hey I *do* appreciate and support and will check out more Luego shows (I am listening to them now!) and I think Christy & Patrick was a smart combo. I remember as they were playing that I should start carrying a tiny notebook to keep up with setlists and such when I some to multiple act shows like this and my main point of that was to be all like “I really liked ‘THIS’ song in their set”. I forgot. (This is why I will never be a professional) - but I do know I liked it. This set was very chilled out and made me long for springtime!
Abby Nardo & Seamus Kenney
MY FRONDS! These guys, honestly, were my big draw to the LH… I was really excited to see Abby perform for the first time (first time for me seeing, at least!) and of course, Seamus (of every band ever fame, and no this joke will never get old with me. and yes he is in SNMNMNMMNMNFfggg; whom I saw for the first time about 8 years ago in Wilmington opening for MC Chris and that hurts my brain to think about.) I really am going to get all Perez here for a second; I cannot stop talking about Abby’s damn dress! Yes, yes I understand it is from Target but come on, that thing is freakin adorable! I am just a baby doll pink addict… Love it! Seamus was all blazered-out, too! Of the couples so far (that I saw), Abby and Seamus definitely stepped up the classy-meter! I honestly didn’t know what to expect here, but I certainly didn’t anticipate Sloan! RANDOM! Who remembers Sloan? Me, Seamus and the members of the band Sloan, apparently. That is one more cool point for Seamus! Then - A Joni Mitchell song, which was impeccably perfect for Abby’s voice. They eventually had Dieter from Sprockets join them on stage to play the xylophone. I’m kidding. It wasn’t Dieter, but he was a very Norse-looking pretty man. I don’t remember his name. Abby also had this little tiny laptop xylophone that was too adorable. Again, I don’t think/know if Abby & Seamus are a couple, but in my mind they are. They have a very George and Gracie rapport and I could have listened to the silly banter all night… okay, I have decided: Dear Abby and Seamus, you are now dating. YAY! <3 <3 <3
LOLEDIT:
Ashley Carter & Jeff Crawford
WOW. So much to say about this duo…! Once again – please be married; Make this happen often. Maybe love was just in the air, that’s why I am trying to force my loving will on those around me. Ashley Carter (Stella Lively): the voice, the dress! I was already smitten after a couple songs, this is a voice that makes you sit up and take notice. This is a voice that has told some pretty gritty stories and had survived some big hurts. Ashley has a voice that sends you blindly groping in the direction of the bar hoping someone puts a jack in your hand before it's too late. Her voice has this distinctively sexy but totally approachable quality… Like the hottest girl in the room came up to *you* and you’re like, “what the hell? Am I gay now? Okay, I’d be really dumb to not take advantage of this opportunity.” (Opportunity in this case is the use of your ears.) I asked Patrick Phelan about Jeff Crawford, (he looked familiar) and he confirmed my suspicions; Jeff Crawford and Seamus are now in competition for “In Every Band Ever” Ironman. Mr Crawford’s work (in addition to his already full time producing work & solo releases) includes: SpencerAcuff, Roman Candle, Max Indian, Thad Cockrell, Ryan Gustafson, The Sundowners, Mount Moriah, Luego, The Young Sons, Bright Young Things, and Tad Dreis. …Dude! Enough! So this is why He looked familiar: Every Band Ever. Oh and I just checked his reverbnation and apparently he is playing with The Tomahawks this Friday (with Schooner) … Seamus is getting some serious competition here. Jeff Crawford is really going to fuddle my “local music family tree” all up. Rambling aside: He’s pretty damn good. Obvs. I don’t think this many bands would want to be associated with someone sub-par… (also note: epic beard. See dating standards listed above; this means this guy is cute.) I two-stepped with Tony Woodard while we lip synched “Islands in the Stream” to each other during this set. That, by the way, was amazing. But what I mostly wanted to say was …PJ HARVEY. That was my loudest and proudest “WOO!!!”ing of the night. All bands need to play PJ Harvey, especially PJ Harvey. (note to self: convince Jay into letting me cover a polly jean song.) I’ve never seen PJH live, but I accept this version of Rid of Me as the real thing, it was that spot on. you guys = hero status to me for that one.
And hey, that was the end! Well, as far as I know… We took off! It was Jay’s first day off after like 15 days in a row or something ridiculous, so I know he was knackered (and yet I somehow convinced him to stay up another hour or so watching Morrissey videos with me. I’m such a good friend!) So overall I would say the evening was a resounding success and love was most def in the air! Hell of a show for only $8…! Imagine the suckers who spent that kinda loot on movie tickets or chipotle tonight instead.
Thanks everyone, it was much enjoyed and appreciated! <3 <3 <3
And we'll rely on each other... ah ahhhhh!
14 February 2011
Veelee 2nd Anniversary Party with Juan Huevos & Motor Skills - King's - 02/13/11
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13 February 2011
The Big Picture, Gray Young, Fan Modine LBLB - 02/10/11
Sometimes in life we have to make decisions we don't want to make. Should you pull the plug on Aunt Eunice? Pay rent or the car payment? Date the guy with money or date the guy that can tie two cherry stems together with his tongue? Or even worse: When two bands you are dying to see play the same night... WHICH DO YOU CHOOSE?
I had such a decision to make, and in retrospect I think I made the right one. Thursday night there was a show I have been very excited for and longing to see. BATHS was playing with Star Slinger at the Duke Coffee house. I love Baths. Star Slinger is probably one of my favorite DJs of the now. There were a few drawbacks: 1) School night 2) Durham 3) Duke coffeehouse, to my memory is very small 4) no presale of tickets, they were only being sold at the door. As I had absolutely no gauge as to how many people may have interest in this show or how full it could get, I didn't know when I should get there; If the show as at 10, do I get there at 7 to line up and make sure I get a ticket? could I walk in and get one at 10? I didn't know and I didn't want to waste a whole evening standing around in the cold in Durham, making sure I could get into this show. there were just too many "ifs"... Then the clincher; dammit. Gray Young announced they were playing Local Beer Local Band the same night... aw hell; no need to ponder the decision... I was going to Tir na Nog; .........GRAY YOUNG YAAAAY!
First up was a "band" called Fan Modine; I'll admit I did not spend the time to research this band, other than reading a quick write-up on WKNC's blog. Seemed legit. I watched a few minutes of what I can only assume was Donal Logue singing Karaoke. my reaction:
Other people seemed kinda into it. Is this the whole band? Did the whole rest of the band bail? The review I read said something about horns and strings and nothing about just one dude. What happened here? Roo seemed to like this a lot, he asked for the camera and snapped a pic or two. I did my whole, I HAVE FRIENDS HERE I AM DRINKING LETS GO HAVE A CIGARETTE thing through this set. (PS - I've decided I'm going to stop apologizing to bands I ignored. but this is where I would do such a thing, I if I still did such a thing.)
The lineup was not as advertised, (no big deal this time, phew!) and so Gray Young was up next. Just in time Jay and Luc the Unicorn (Of Halloween Caribou Misadventures fame,) arrived. So many friends! Much needed. Love you guys!
As the boys began, I did what I do; I got right down front and left my friends somewhere lost in the crowd behind me. As per usual, here is a GY digression: As I told you in my last post, my Grandfather passed away this past weekend. My brother and I drove up together (to Mt. Airy) and about 5 minutes into the trip, I had the brilliant idea to share GY with him, as he is probably one of my select few overzealous U2 fan comrades; we listened for the entire 2.5 hour trip. In between talking about engine sizes and quoting The Highlander back and forth to each other, we interjected with comments and compliments to the band. I can't say 100%, but i think we have another convert! yay!
One of the greatest things I am learning about seeing Gray Young is the handful of us at the front who LOVE GRAY YOUNG. I love us. we are the Superfans. It's nice to know you aren't alone in your obsessive adoration. So before the GY set, I was informed by both Dan and Dana (Dopko's GF) that Chas had, in fact, read my last review and was particularly amused by my soulmate comment. My only (drunken) response: "YOU TELL HIM - NO TALKING! DON'T SPOIL THIS FOR ME!" Apparently soulmate had other resources at his disposal... During the performance of Vermilion, the song of which I went on my gushy tirade in my last GY post, he positioned himself right in front of me. This might have been a challenge, an invitation, a mockery, a complete coincidence magnified by my overactive imagination and alcohol consumption, but mostly all i could think was:
We got all the ones in on this set, maybe an encore, as my set list that i burgled ends with Tilling the Wind, which is not, to my recollection, the song we ended on. I had tempted fate and myself by actually filming a video of this set (one song - Meridian) but it is literally unwatchable. It is shaky like I have Parkinson's, I am standing directly in front of a monitor, and I am hollering "WOOOO!" literally every 28 seconds (approximately). I won't torture you with its poor quality, however I may upload it later for poos and hahas.
This set's emotional response for me was magnified by the fact that I now know I have a GY army. I have seen Dana and James at other shows, and we have a couple that weren't present this night, but they do exist!
For Realsies: The magnitude of this performance was also magnified by the presence of so many close friends who i adore. But mostly the depth of gratitude I felt in being present for this show was intensified by my recent loss and how raw I felt/feel. I am a person who honestly likes to dwell on pain, it influences me, it propels me, sometimes i like being sad. sometimes I like to poke bruises to see if they still hurt as bad as they did last time. I don't know if this quality in me can be easily lumped into the "she just emo" category... I think it has more to do with the "I accept and understand the necessity of pain and mortality too well not to tempt, acknowledge, romanticize and roll it around on my tongue every so often." I do know this... after the week I just had, Gray Young poked my bruise. and it was a good hurt. I needed it. Thank you, boys.
Next; Roo's newly and sternly proclaimed "New Favorite Local Band!"... The Big Picture! These guys are mesmerizing! The first time we saw them was at Moving Island and we were kinda smitten, and If puppy love was blooming at that show, I think we both may be having a deeply intense love affair with this band at the moment. I had asked Roo to write his review of this part of the show for two reasons: I am dying to see what passionate response this band has brought out in him & I really enjoy his writing. And I had hit my "I forgot what my true mission in being here point" and was perhaps a little too tipsy to focus. SO HEY I FOUND SEAMUS!
I can tell you this: Jonny Tunnell may have one of the BEST voices I've ever heard live. This band's sound is so eclectic I have to wonder how in the world they even figured out what to do? Like ..."okay one... two... three... EVERYBODY PLAY SOMETHING AMAZING!" and it just happened. Of all the instruments on stage and all the noises coming from all over the place, I can't even name the sounds. Am I hearing a washboard and someone blowing over the top of a pop bottle? Is someone playing the monkey sticks and a slide whistle at the same time? What in god's name is up with the almost unbearably hot shirtless black guy playing the drums back there? How did this band happen? I know Roo can and will write a better Roo-view about what we saw here. I am still in the deciphering process. Big Picture is playing again Friday April 15 at Motorco. Assume we will be there. I'll assume you will, too.
ROO-VIEW:
The Big Picture, I think, is aptly named. That's a huge compliment. It's a very large picture, after all.
The first time a saw this band was at Moving Island's Buoyancy Benefit in January and I was not prepared. Stepping into the performance space on West St. was half like walking into some abandoned building and half like someone had taken all of the furniture out of someone's home. It was forceful, but intimate. The Big Picture brought that same feeling that night. They were band, but they were also a group of people genuinely having a good time together. They didn't seem to mind that their band was large and their stage was small. They didn't seem to mind that they were obviously swapping sweat with the same frequency as making sounds. Not only did they not seem to mind this intense closeness, but they seemed to revel in it. They were familiar with one another, and I felt they were being familiar with me because of it. I loved them. I said so. I told them that "my face melted off" that night because they were so good.
I was really excited to see them play again at Local Band Local Beer. For those who do not attend this weekly function, shame on you.
The night came and I was right on time. After missing Cassis Orange a week earlier at Double Barrel 8 (I still harbor resentment for that) and missing an acoustic set by Kid Future the week before at Buoyancy Benefit (because they went on 45 min early or so)...I was determined NOT to miss The Big Picture. So, yes, 10 pm came and I was there, waiting.
I waited.
The marketing eluded to Gray Young being the main act, but they went on in the middle of a three band set. I won't talk about the other bands much as Karla has asked for my thoughts on TBP specifically, but I will say two things. 1) Fan Modine seemed strange at first and I thought it was a bomb, but after two songs I started getting interested the performance and was basically sold by the end of the set. 2) Gray Young gets better every time I hear them.
Finally it was time for TBP to take the stage, which they did...then they evacuated it...then they took the stage again. I'll be honest, I don't know who is who in this band with the exception of Jonny Tunnell (see: the highlight of my Double Barrel experience in an earlier guest blog appearance). One of the two drummers came up and did some silly little ditty at first. It was cute, but didn't really serve as an introduction to what was about to happen. What happened was amazing. There is a genius in this band. They jump around, trade places and instruments. They share voices and moods. Just when you think you have this band pegged down and definable someone else will come up and offer lead vocals or someone will put down an instrument and pick up a band mate's guitar. With two drummers the music is definitely up beat. Jonny serves as a lead man at points, but at other times you can't help but notice how talented the others are as well. Over all it's a well orchestrated mess of a good time. What I mean is they seem to have a good time with each other, to make the audience have a good time with them and then play the two off of one another to create a really intense synergy. I have seen a lot of bands get a crowd going, but I have seen few that did it with this level of intensity.
They have no discernible style or theme. They each have their own thing going on. They seem like people who would have as much fun at a seedy dive bar as at a wine tasting or on a backpacking trip. Hmm. Now I kind of want to go backpacking with them. That's a huge compliment, too.
OH! also there was finally some new beer on the "local beer" side of things. thanks, Fullsteam! I liked the beer that tasted like Cheerios!
I had such a decision to make, and in retrospect I think I made the right one. Thursday night there was a show I have been very excited for and longing to see. BATHS was playing with Star Slinger at the Duke Coffee house. I love Baths. Star Slinger is probably one of my favorite DJs of the now. There were a few drawbacks: 1) School night 2) Durham 3) Duke coffeehouse, to my memory is very small 4) no presale of tickets, they were only being sold at the door. As I had absolutely no gauge as to how many people may have interest in this show or how full it could get, I didn't know when I should get there; If the show as at 10, do I get there at 7 to line up and make sure I get a ticket? could I walk in and get one at 10? I didn't know and I didn't want to waste a whole evening standing around in the cold in Durham, making sure I could get into this show. there were just too many "ifs"... Then the clincher; dammit. Gray Young announced they were playing Local Beer Local Band the same night... aw hell; no need to ponder the decision... I was going to Tir na Nog; .........GRAY YOUNG YAAAAY!
Other people seemed kinda into it. Is this the whole band? Did the whole rest of the band bail? The review I read said something about horns and strings and nothing about just one dude. What happened here? Roo seemed to like this a lot, he asked for the camera and snapped a pic or two. I did my whole, I HAVE FRIENDS HERE I AM DRINKING LETS GO HAVE A CIGARETTE thing through this set. (PS - I've decided I'm going to stop apologizing to bands I ignored. but this is where I would do such a thing, I if I still did such a thing.)
HOWM? WHAT YOU MEAN?
The lineup was not as advertised, (no big deal this time, phew!) and so Gray Young was up next. Just in time Jay and Luc the Unicorn (Of Halloween Caribou Misadventures fame,) arrived. So many friends! Much needed. Love you guys!
Luc the Lionheart. One of the best people I know! <3 <3
As the boys began, I did what I do; I got right down front and left my friends somewhere lost in the crowd behind me. As per usual, here is a GY digression: As I told you in my last post, my Grandfather passed away this past weekend. My brother and I drove up together (to Mt. Airy) and about 5 minutes into the trip, I had the brilliant idea to share GY with him, as he is probably one of my select few overzealous U2 fan comrades; we listened for the entire 2.5 hour trip. In between talking about engine sizes and quoting The Highlander back and forth to each other, we interjected with comments and compliments to the band. I can't say 100%, but i think we have another convert! yay!
One of the greatest things I am learning about seeing Gray Young is the handful of us at the front who LOVE GRAY YOUNG. I love us. we are the Superfans. It's nice to know you aren't alone in your obsessive adoration. So before the GY set, I was informed by both Dan and Dana (Dopko's GF) that Chas had, in fact, read my last review and was particularly amused by my soulmate comment. My only (drunken) response: "YOU TELL HIM - NO TALKING! DON'T SPOIL THIS FOR ME!" Apparently soulmate had other resources at his disposal... During the performance of Vermilion, the song of which I went on my gushy tirade in my last GY post, he positioned himself right in front of me. This might have been a challenge, an invitation, a mockery, a complete coincidence magnified by my overactive imagination and alcohol consumption, but mostly all i could think was:
HE KNOWS.
We got all the ones in on this set, maybe an encore, as my set list that i burgled ends with Tilling the Wind, which is not, to my recollection, the song we ended on. I had tempted fate and myself by actually filming a video of this set (one song - Meridian) but it is literally unwatchable. It is shaky like I have Parkinson's, I am standing directly in front of a monitor, and I am hollering "WOOOO!" literally every 28 seconds (approximately). I won't torture you with its poor quality, however I may upload it later for poos and hahas.
to be sold on eBay in approximately 2021 for $4,000+.
This set's emotional response for me was magnified by the fact that I now know I have a GY army. I have seen Dana and James at other shows, and we have a couple that weren't present this night, but they do exist!
For Realsies: The magnitude of this performance was also magnified by the presence of so many close friends who i adore. But mostly the depth of gratitude I felt in being present for this show was intensified by my recent loss and how raw I felt/feel. I am a person who honestly likes to dwell on pain, it influences me, it propels me, sometimes i like being sad. sometimes I like to poke bruises to see if they still hurt as bad as they did last time. I don't know if this quality in me can be easily lumped into the "she just emo" category... I think it has more to do with the "I accept and understand the necessity of pain and mortality too well not to tempt, acknowledge, romanticize and roll it around on my tongue every so often." I do know this... after the week I just had, Gray Young poked my bruise. and it was a good hurt. I needed it. Thank you, boys.
NO TOUCHING OF THE GRAY YOUNG, BLONDIE
PS -FIX YO BARRETTE
I can't be sure, but I think I am being seduced.
Next; Roo's newly and sternly proclaimed "New Favorite Local Band!"... The Big Picture! These guys are mesmerizing! The first time we saw them was at Moving Island and we were kinda smitten, and If puppy love was blooming at that show, I think we both may be having a deeply intense love affair with this band at the moment. I had asked Roo to write his review of this part of the show for two reasons: I am dying to see what passionate response this band has brought out in him & I really enjoy his writing. And I had hit my "I forgot what my true mission in being here point" and was perhaps a little too tipsy to focus. SO HEY I FOUND SEAMUS!
Seamus Kenney of EVERY BAND EVER fame.
I like his quote about this picture: "I look like an Irish Rasputin"
I can tell you this: Jonny Tunnell may have one of the BEST voices I've ever heard live. This band's sound is so eclectic I have to wonder how in the world they even figured out what to do? Like ..."okay one... two... three... EVERYBODY PLAY SOMETHING AMAZING!" and it just happened. Of all the instruments on stage and all the noises coming from all over the place, I can't even name the sounds. Am I hearing a washboard and someone blowing over the top of a pop bottle? Is someone playing the monkey sticks and a slide whistle at the same time? What in god's name is up with the almost unbearably hot shirtless black guy playing the drums back there? How did this band happen? I know Roo can and will write a better Roo-view about what we saw here. I am still in the deciphering process. Big Picture is playing again Friday April 15 at Motorco. Assume we will be there. I'll assume you will, too.
ROO-VIEW:
The Big Picture, I think, is aptly named. That's a huge compliment. It's a very large picture, after all.
The first time a saw this band was at Moving Island's Buoyancy Benefit in January and I was not prepared. Stepping into the performance space on West St. was half like walking into some abandoned building and half like someone had taken all of the furniture out of someone's home. It was forceful, but intimate. The Big Picture brought that same feeling that night. They were band, but they were also a group of people genuinely having a good time together. They didn't seem to mind that their band was large and their stage was small. They didn't seem to mind that they were obviously swapping sweat with the same frequency as making sounds. Not only did they not seem to mind this intense closeness, but they seemed to revel in it. They were familiar with one another, and I felt they were being familiar with me because of it. I loved them. I said so. I told them that "my face melted off" that night because they were so good.
I was really excited to see them play again at Local Band Local Beer. For those who do not attend this weekly function, shame on you.
The night came and I was right on time. After missing Cassis Orange a week earlier at Double Barrel 8 (I still harbor resentment for that) and missing an acoustic set by Kid Future the week before at Buoyancy Benefit (because they went on 45 min early or so)...I was determined NOT to miss The Big Picture. So, yes, 10 pm came and I was there, waiting.
I waited.
The marketing eluded to Gray Young being the main act, but they went on in the middle of a three band set. I won't talk about the other bands much as Karla has asked for my thoughts on TBP specifically, but I will say two things. 1) Fan Modine seemed strange at first and I thought it was a bomb, but after two songs I started getting interested the performance and was basically sold by the end of the set. 2) Gray Young gets better every time I hear them.
Finally it was time for TBP to take the stage, which they did...then they evacuated it...then they took the stage again. I'll be honest, I don't know who is who in this band with the exception of Jonny Tunnell (see: the highlight of my Double Barrel experience in an earlier guest blog appearance). One of the two drummers came up and did some silly little ditty at first. It was cute, but didn't really serve as an introduction to what was about to happen. What happened was amazing. There is a genius in this band. They jump around, trade places and instruments. They share voices and moods. Just when you think you have this band pegged down and definable someone else will come up and offer lead vocals or someone will put down an instrument and pick up a band mate's guitar. With two drummers the music is definitely up beat. Jonny serves as a lead man at points, but at other times you can't help but notice how talented the others are as well. Over all it's a well orchestrated mess of a good time. What I mean is they seem to have a good time with each other, to make the audience have a good time with them and then play the two off of one another to create a really intense synergy. I have seen a lot of bands get a crowd going, but I have seen few that did it with this level of intensity.
They have no discernible style or theme. They each have their own thing going on. They seem like people who would have as much fun at a seedy dive bar as at a wine tasting or on a backpacking trip. Hmm. Now I kind of want to go backpacking with them. That's a huge compliment, too.
OH! also there was finally some new beer on the "local beer" side of things. thanks, Fullsteam! I liked the beer that tasted like Cheerios!
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