a lovely day for a music fest

i have a long rant coming up about everyone's favourite band of late, but i actually have to head down to baltimore today for virginfest with my friends, the Brothers Mims, in their small, compact saab.


the ride is going to be cramped, loud, political, and probably a little stinky. i am totally psyched.


see ya on the flipside.


/jen/

you are neither a sin nor a tragedy.

first of all, i wrote this like, a month ago. while i don't necessarily agree 100% with everything i said in a fit of passion, i think it's a good dialogue piece. yeah? if you want to kick my ass, i understand.

there are few things that get me riled up these days. the state of existence for native americans, bad hipster art, asshole pushy people in the crowd, and my job were, for the most part, the only things that would get me blustering, flustering and cursing as though i were seized by tourette's. now i have another to add to the list: panic! at the disco and what they've done to emo, or rather, what the essence of emo has done to them.

this could potentially make me lose some friends. but chill outz, i have reasons behind it.

i have nothing against panic (i refused to use the exclamation point) existing and doing their thing. their music, despite it all, doesn't totally suck. admittedly, last night, after having received my spin with them on the cover, and my blender with a huge-ass spread, i said they sucked a big one to a group of people-- but it was in relation to a few other things for comparison. they're okay, i will give them that. their sound is pop-driven and catchy, and i can see why tons of small, screaming girls lust after their music as well as their hot bods.

but something bothers me, and it's been building for quite some time. how did their synthy, carnivalesque, over-the-top baroquian thing get defined as emo? is it because they're whiny? is it because they're dark and "alterna" by wearing eye makeup? is this supposed to be my generation's cure?

i look back to rites of spring and fugazi and weep inside.

i've fallen for it too. everything i do is "emo." everything is melancholy and misty and i wear dark eyeliner and dye my hair black to show my pain from living in this shadowy, horrible world. not really (but sort of). yet, i still can't find within myself the acceptance that bands like panic et al. can be described as this, as "totally beyond emo." it all hits me as shallow and considerably unpoetic.

emo has become a box to check off. don't believe me? go to livejournal, make a profile, and then when it comes time for you to put in your interests, you can find a short-cut box entitled "emo," right along with writing, reading, and cooking. wtf. well well well, isn't this the paradox. people were emo because they didn't fit in (there was always that antisocial element). now in order to fit in they are emo.

and while i saw this coming a mile away, because when you start describing a music genre as "emotional," which as a definition can cover pretty much anything, and people start making parody websites about how to dress emo because it's that ridiculous, it's beyond my comprehension. emo is the norm, and the world is clearly going to end because of it. but i have hope. i have hope that this over-bloated style will eventually lose speed and either implode completely or it will transform into something even greater, something we've never heard, something that's musical, for god's sake.

maybe i'm just growing tired of it all. maybe i'm just bitter and jaded by the scene because that's all that really ever comes out of it these days. or maybe i need to get off my high horse, suck it up, and admit that i'm running out of excuses to be so angstily adolescent.

you say you want a revolution? so go begin one, then.


/jen/

digitality

i was finally able to charge my ipod last night, and when i put it on shuffle this morning, i had one of the greatest music runs i've ever gotten before:

1. the raconteurs -- "steady as she goes"
2. death cab for cutie -- "tiny vessels"
3. tori amos -- "time"
4. third eye blind -- "wounded" (dude, i forgot how much i <3 this song)
5. johnossi -- "man must dance"
6. glassjaw -- "pink roses and the graveyard"
7. beastie boys -- "song for the man"
8. the smiths -- "paint a vulgar picture"
9. great expectations score-- "paradiso perduto revisited"
10. the shins -- "a call to apathy"
11. portishead -- "it's a fire"
12. dorothy dandridge -- "taking a chance on love"
13. rem -- "what's the frequency kenneth"
14. third eye blind -- "semi-charmed life"
15. muse -- "hysteria"
16. sparta -- "lines in sand"
17. emery -- "fractions"


in case you're wondering, yes, it was a ridiculously long commute today thanks to something making my train stop for 10 minutes between every station. but it doesn't matter because i got to listen to some spectacularly rad tunes in the meantime. huzzah.


/jen/

bored

nothing really new to report here. i've been considerably lazy regarding music lately. however, my roommate blasted "hook" by blues traveler tonight, and i still know every word. even the crazy-ass bridge that i memorized when i was like, ten (am i dating myself?). now i can't get enough of it, even though blues traveler is sooooo 1990's.

she also played "never let you go" by 3eb. killer.


me ---> dork.


/jen/

anyone can play guitar-- and most of my friends do.

remember how a few posts down i told everyone about this guy mikey mcclenathan and his new record that he just recently finished? and how he was giving it away for free and everything? and i told you that you really needed to go to his website and download they're more afraid of you than you are of them toute suite because the songs are hott and you need to support indie music because most of the shit on mtv/the radio sucks?

well, if you haven't, here's a handy-dandy link that does it all for you soooo easily it hurts:

http://watchedpots.com/audio/tmaoytyaot.zip

also:

my friend bill and his band, actiondale, have just compiled an album and it is busy in production, but will be out shortly. however, you can listen via purevolume here.


so do it. for the love of god and future rockstars, just do it.

/jen/

exodus 23

tonight i sat down to watch magnolia on ifc. i haven't seen that movie since high school, even though i liked it a lot and would have wanted to see it again, even own it. something always kept me from doing so sooner.

but tonight, there it was, on my family's television in connecticut, and i couldn't say no. many parts were clear in my mind, although i had forgotten an entire subplot. i was even able to pick up on some symbolism i missed the first time thanks to five more years of schooling and an intense class on analyzing film and literature. it was more enjoyable this time around.

so why am i writing about this on here? i am not a one-blog kinda gal, this could have had a space reserved elsewhere.

well, there's that scene, where everything stops, and every main character sits and sings to aimee mann's "wise up." and i remember how the first time i saw it, i stopped breathing. i couldn't even place the name of the song, and the lyrics were in a foggy haze as well, but throughout most of the movie tonight, i was in anticipation for that one moment. not only is it an absolutely beautiful song, but it fits that aspect of the movie so well. somehow i knew i'd be moved again.

and i was. maybe it hits too close to home now, maybe everything in that song describes something about where i am personally at this time in my life, maybe it just fits so well with a group of characters that i'm relating to so strongly at that exact moment that it just breaks me apart. even if i don't know the reason, it keeps me at my father's computer listening to "wise up" on repeat in the dark with my sister's headphones over my ears.

i don't know.

it's not

what you thought

when you first began it

you got

what you want

now you can hardly stand it though,

by now you know

it's not going to stop

it's not going to stop

it's not going to stop

'til you wise up

you're sure

there's a cure

and you have finally found it

you think

one drink

will shrink you 'til you're underground

and living down

but it's not going to stop

it's not going to stop

it's not going to stop

'til you wise up

prepare a list of what you need

before you sign away the deed

'cause it's not going to stop

it's not going to stop

it's not going to stop

'til you wise up

no, it's not going to stop

'til you wise up

no, it's not going to stop

so just...give up

/jen/

bad.ass

so i just bought tickets to see lily allen @ hiro ballroom on october 10th. i'm absolutely psyched about this.

radical.


they're on sale now via ticketmaster. get 'em while you can!

ps: hiro ballroom is a totally hott venue. so excited!!!!

/jen/

cute, but with the 'e'

that title was a bad taking back sunday reference (lame)
ohhhh man.... matt and kim are playing this weekend and i'm not going to be in the city for it. bummer.

they are, undeniably, the cutest band out there. there has never been more chuckle-factor in reference to a pair of people , one on keyboard, one on drums, before. it's the kind of energy that makes you smile and bop around at the same time. i saw this duo down at sxsw when i was invited into the i heart comix party. they had played a short set, and i was hoping i would get to see some more this time around. i guess not.

but you can! you can go see them! they're playing this saturday, september 9th at 339 scholes street (that would be williamsburg) with: growing, comets on fire, ex models, dirty projectors, excepter, high places, BIG A little a, stars like fleas, vaz, and some more. so if you have a few hours to kill, head on over and see them. and then tell me about how ridiculously adorable they are when i get back.

/jen/

johnossi, 09.06.06, pianos

it's nice not having your boss in. it gives you time to use the computer for other means. sweet.
last night my mate jamie invited me to join his crew at pianos to hear a performance by johnossi. hailing from sweden, this two-man band's name is a conglomeration of their own: john and ossi-- it flows together nicely, i must admit. but this ain't no scandinavian techno pop-- this is great indie acoustic rock, and i'm really glad i was able to experience their artistic endeavors firsthand.

jamie had mentioned them to me at an earlier date with a positive spin, so my ears piqued when i found out they would be in the LES. needless to say, after a long day of work, a free concert (yeah guest list!) was just what i needed. after watching a less-than-groovy band upstairs (it was comparable to bad creedence joined with worse fleetwood mac) and leaving to scarf down falafel at bereket for about 20 minutes, we were finally let in to the listening room to prepare ourselves for the sensational swedes.

i was impressed. when they began, my foot immediately started tapping, and i was into it from the get-go. considering one plays the acoustic electric and the other plays the drums, they had a really full sound. john's guitar was both ambient but with rhythm and rock, and ossi's drums were full of hardcore energy (even though john teased him on stage for being "wimpy.") they stopped between songs to tell a few anecdotes, one about santa monica bay, and the other about new york. word. let's not mention that their english is probably better than mine (but considering my writing skillz, it shouldn't be that much of a surprise). some of my favourite songs were "the lottery" and "man must dance." quite a few from the set can be found on their website and myspace.

they're playing again tomorrow (9.8.06) at mercury lounge. i really suggest you go and try them out. they're great guys who make great music and have a great sense of humour. apparently many other people agree, because, and i quote, "after only 3 shows in demo clubs and a gay boat in stockholm, we [johnossi] signed our first deal." bang-a-rang.

up next... no clue. it's a surprise! for all of us!

/jen/


ps: i know this post was full of links, but i like being uber informative.

f and a half

so my computer has officially died. there's about 30 minutes worth of battery life even while it's plugged in. i'm not really surprised, as it's been everywhere with me and it's kind of old and i have been known to not update it often enough because i'm a stingy bastard. but you did well, nym. rip.

this means that i might not update this for awhile, because now i only have my work computer, and i rarely have time to eat lunch, nevermind write about stuff i did a few days (/weeks/months) earlier.

however, there will be a day, a glorious day, when i will finally have enough money to purchase a macbook pro. this will mean many things, but mostly awesome photos, interactive exchange with last.fm, and most importantly, podcasts-- wonderful, intriguing, foot-tapping podcasts. it will be a good day.

so until the next time i have more than 3 minutes to myself and computer access-- godspeed.


/jen/

ballin' with the rock'n'rollers

so, i seriously doubt i'm going to end up giving you guys those previous reviews. it's well past the point of anyone caring, and i'm just too crazy these days to finish them up. maybe someday i'll post them and be like "here ya go" but until then, you'll have to settle for a simple breakdown:

*muse was great. i was up in the second mezzanine, thanks to not having real computer access for a few weeks. that sucked because usually people who sit there are lame. they were no exception this time around, and i was majorly jealous not to be part of the swirling crowd beneath. matthew bellamy kept to his reputation of being wicked shy by barely saying anything to the crowd, but boy, can that tiny man shred the fuck out of a guitar and piano. some people got pissed off by them using a computer to do some of the work, but if you're playing in hammerstein ballroom with a sold-out crowd on a huge stage, why not make your life a little easier and bring it up a notch? besides, i saw muse at curiosa when they didn't have crazy screens and gadgets and it was just them and bellamy literally switching in a second from guitar to keyboard to guitar and it was still perfect. they've earned their right to use a freaking computer. i rarely leave a concert as buzzed as i did that night, even by being up in the nosebleeds. in essence, i love muse and will continue to do so.

*the format/rainer maria/anathallo/street to nowhere was a really great concert too. i'm really mad at myself for not getting this one out in a timely manner because it was an interesting night, to say the least. if any, this one will probably be posted in full. but just to abridge, street to nowhere started off the night with some great energy. usually openers don't get a crowd as revved as these guys did. look them up, they're from oakland and really cool guys. anathallo was whacked out. i liked rainer maria, even though their stage presence is blah. get a little more into it, girl. the format was ridiculous. seriously. considering they sold out the show without having a label, and with the help of nettwerk (who i mentioned a few posts down), i'd have to say that they're pretty kick ass. and they were. i was up there bouncing along and watching everyone else have a good time too. i even converted a few people over to like them. afterwords, thanks to sonia inviting me along, i got to hang out with all of the bands and nettwerk people at shades of green, my formerly preferred underage watering hole, and now just my preferred watering hole. the manager of brand new bought me a round. i crushed slightly on members of the format, and best of all, had someone take a ridiculously awkward picture of me with a digital camera (i might be in teh intarspacez somewhere now). it was a good time, and sonia and her brother, who were the people i hung out most with, were nice. hopefully i'll be bumping into them again soon.


*spill canvas: good. not totally pants-wetting, but decent. didn't stick around for mae. i don't like them, really. sorry. i was also really emo that night, so a good review is probably never going to happen.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

as for recent news, i got to attend the blender vma after party with m'boy jamie and all of his friends, etc. i got all jazzed up and then waited in line for like 2 hours, but we made it in! and there was free booze! i drank waaaaay too much free grey goose with tonic and then proceeded to run up and down stairs following the various vip dudes because we had badges. i almost fell down a landing, but thanks to my cat-like reflexes, made it through without losing myself. while i can't say i really hung with anyone of fame-magnitude (just because you have the badge, doesn't mean they'll talk to you), i can say that the people i was with were awesome, and i also had the best cabdriver after the event, so all-in-all, i'd say it was worth it.

this picture describes it well:









yes, there were a few douchey people hanging around, but that's the industry for you! i'm willing to take the good with the bad as long as i have a good time.


and that's it for now. keep it real, boos.

/jen/