Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Announcements and such
From now on I will no longer be contributing to The Music Pirate. I had so much fun writing for the blog over the past 8 months or so, but they've decided to give posting access only to students who also write for the campus newspaper and unfortunately I don't have the time to commit myself to both publications. I wish them the best and hope TMP continues to provide readers with awesome interviews, reviews, and content.
As for me, summer's just around the corner and I plan on seeing more shows, taking more videos, and writing more reviews (even if the only place they get published is here). I have a few other projects developing as well, so I'll be sure to keep you all updated.
x
As for me, summer's just around the corner and I plan on seeing more shows, taking more videos, and writing more reviews (even if the only place they get published is here). I have a few other projects developing as well, so I'll be sure to keep you all updated.
x
Saturday, May 1, 2010
A Fortuitous Story
About a year ago I went to a restaurant with my friend Liz for lunch. Before leaving, I saw that the front desk had a bowl of fortune cookies out for customers to take. As I reached into the bowl, a single thought crossed through my mind: I HATE opening a fortune cookie and getting a lame, generic, unwanted phrase. Something like "Don't Worry. Be Happy." that leaves you feeling like you got nothing out of the experience (and yes, opening a fortune cookie should be an experience). So, quite selfishly, I decided to take two cookies out of the bowl in case one cookie provided me with a less than satisfactory fortune.
Liz and I headed out to her car and I proceeded to take the first cookie out of its packaging and crack it open. Now, let me preface this by saying nothing like this has ever happened to me. It may be the most ironic situation I've ever experienced. I pulled out the thin piece of paper from my cookie and it read:
I could not stop laughing. I was completely in disbelief. After seeing these words emerge from my first cookie, I turned to Liz and said "my second cookie better have the greatest fortune ever in it or I will seriously hit someone."
Now, you can imagine the tension was building. I took the second cookie out of its wrapper and hoped that I would find what I was looking for. I pulled the next fortune out of its shell and smiled as I read:
YESSS. Possibly the most fulfilling fortune I have ever received from a restaurant cookie. I've kept both these fortunes with me in my wallet ever since to remind me of two things: how funny life's coincidences are, and how staying focused on my goals will take me where I want to be.
So there you have it. A hopefully entertaining short story for your Saturday afternoon.
Side note: My review of Vampire Weekend's show at The Fox Theater is up on The Music Pirate and all of Flavia's photos from the night are on TMP's flickr account.
Liz and I headed out to her car and I proceeded to take the first cookie out of its packaging and crack it open. Now, let me preface this by saying nothing like this has ever happened to me. It may be the most ironic situation I've ever experienced. I pulled out the thin piece of paper from my cookie and it read:
Now, you can imagine the tension was building. I took the second cookie out of its wrapper and hoped that I would find what I was looking for. I pulled the next fortune out of its shell and smiled as I read:
So there you have it. A hopefully entertaining short story for your Saturday afternoon.
Side note: My review of Vampire Weekend's show at The Fox Theater is up on The Music Pirate and all of Flavia's photos from the night are on TMP's flickr account.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Coachella Day 3
Sunday April 18th was one of the best days of my life. Got to the venue around 2 and headed straight to the outdoor stage, determined to get a spot at the barrier for Thom Yorke (who is my favorite artist in the universe). Owen Pallet was the first act I saw. He was great, and he has the best laugh ever.
Deerhunter was next and they really impressed me. They had some power issues so while the guys were waiting for that to be fixed, Brad Cox made up an impromptu song about Coachella 2010 and I snagged the whole thing on video.
When Deerhunter finished I bolted to the barrier and secured my spot for Thom Yorke. Sunny Day Real Estate followed. They were decent but probably not something I'd listen to again. Jonsi's performance was fantastic. I absolutely loved him. He was wearing the coolest jacket ever and his voice was incredible. Plus his bassist is one of the cutest boys alive.
By the time Phoenix took the stage the crowd had really grown. Everyone started pushing and shoving and I thought my body might break in half. Not to mention I had been standing since 2pm waiting for Thom to take the stage. Didn't eat, didn't sit down once, but it was completely worth it in the end. Phoenix was amazing and during their set Jay Z, Beyonce, Kate Hudson and Solange all came to the photo pit right next to me to watch. I took video of Phoenix performing Lisztomania and filmed a bit of the aforementioned people rocking out. I don't actually remember filming them (I feel kind of bad for doing it now) but it was pretty cool that they were so close.
During Phoenix's performance, Thomas Mars ran to the barrier and jumped right on top of me. Everyone around me freaked out.
Phoenix finished and then began the hour and half wait for Thom Yorke and Atoms For Peace. By this time I was so exhausted I didn't know how I was going to stay up front, but the crowd pushed so hard that I couldn't have left anyway. When Atoms For Peace finally took the stage I couldn't believe how close I was. I took 13 videos before my camera died. Still can't comprehend that I was there.
Thom Yorke is indescribable. Something I'll never forget. Now all I need to do is see Radiohead play live and my life will be complete!
Coachella was such a great experience, despite the disaster that was Friday. I'm definitely going to try to go again next year. Totally worth the money and the physical pain haha.
Deerhunter was next and they really impressed me. They had some power issues so while the guys were waiting for that to be fixed, Brad Cox made up an impromptu song about Coachella 2010 and I snagged the whole thing on video.
When Deerhunter finished I bolted to the barrier and secured my spot for Thom Yorke. Sunny Day Real Estate followed. They were decent but probably not something I'd listen to again. Jonsi's performance was fantastic. I absolutely loved him. He was wearing the coolest jacket ever and his voice was incredible. Plus his bassist is one of the cutest boys alive.
By the time Phoenix took the stage the crowd had really grown. Everyone started pushing and shoving and I thought my body might break in half. Not to mention I had been standing since 2pm waiting for Thom to take the stage. Didn't eat, didn't sit down once, but it was completely worth it in the end. Phoenix was amazing and during their set Jay Z, Beyonce, Kate Hudson and Solange all came to the photo pit right next to me to watch. I took video of Phoenix performing Lisztomania and filmed a bit of the aforementioned people rocking out. I don't actually remember filming them (I feel kind of bad for doing it now) but it was pretty cool that they were so close.
During Phoenix's performance, Thomas Mars ran to the barrier and jumped right on top of me. Everyone around me freaked out.
Phoenix finished and then began the hour and half wait for Thom Yorke and Atoms For Peace. By this time I was so exhausted I didn't know how I was going to stay up front, but the crowd pushed so hard that I couldn't have left anyway. When Atoms For Peace finally took the stage I couldn't believe how close I was. I took 13 videos before my camera died. Still can't comprehend that I was there.
Thom Yorke is indescribable. Something I'll never forget. Now all I need to do is see Radiohead play live and my life will be complete!
Coachella was such a great experience, despite the disaster that was Friday. I'm definitely going to try to go again next year. Totally worth the money and the physical pain haha.
Coachella Day 2
Saturday morning, Chloe and Flavia called a taxi and headed back to the venue to search for Flavia's car. They found it about an hour after they left parked on a dirt mound somewhere. Once I heard the car had been located I knew the rest of Coachella would be amazing.
I got in to the venue around 2:30 and headed over to see Portugal. The Man. They sounded great. After they finished I made my way to the barrier for Girls.
Loved their set. Christopher Owens waltzed on stage wearing bright red lipstick and blue eyeshadow and looked like a total babe doing it. After Girls was over, I immediately headed to the outdoor stage with the goal of making it to the barrier for MGMT later that night. First up was The Temper Trap who had a good sized crowd
Next up was one of my favorite bands of all time: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. I managed to weave my way to the middle of the pack during Temper Trap, but couldn't get any closer during ESMZ.
Before they started, Alex Ebert accidentally knocked a microphone stand off the stage and hit a photographer in the head. The photog started bleeding and Alex said something along the lines of "Oh, I'm so sorry. You're a real hero man" before taking his shirt off and wrapping it around the guy's head like a bandage.
Edward Sharpe finished up and I continued pushing my way towards the front. The xx played next and they sounded great but were kind of boring. I think their music would probably translate better in a more intimate venue. During The xx's set, the Coachella stage caught fire and after finishing a song, Oliver Sim looked out towards the stage and said "the roof is on fire." I laughed.
Following The xx was Hot Chip. The crowd literally went insane. I thought I was going to suffocate.
Tried to take some video but it's mostly just some guy's head in front of me. When it was finally time for MGMT there was no way I could make it any closer to the front. I ended up around 5 to 7 people back, which was impressive considering the crowd they drew. Took six videos:
Time To Pretend, Electric Feel, and It's Working are on my youtube channel. I was being pummeled by the crowd and it was disastrous trying to keep the camera focused, but I think the sound came out okay. Also got some mediocre photos:
MGMT was great. By the time they were finished I was so exhausted I thought my body was going to disintegrate. I found my friends and we all headed over to the giant origami crane structure, sat down, and listened to the end of Muse and the beginning of Tiesto
Someone commented on this video and said it looked like a spaceship landing hahaha.
That about sums up Day 2.
I got in to the venue around 2:30 and headed over to see Portugal. The Man. They sounded great. After they finished I made my way to the barrier for Girls.
Loved their set. Christopher Owens waltzed on stage wearing bright red lipstick and blue eyeshadow and looked like a total babe doing it. After Girls was over, I immediately headed to the outdoor stage with the goal of making it to the barrier for MGMT later that night. First up was The Temper Trap who had a good sized crowd
Next up was one of my favorite bands of all time: Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros. I managed to weave my way to the middle of the pack during Temper Trap, but couldn't get any closer during ESMZ.
Edward Sharpe finished up and I continued pushing my way towards the front. The xx played next and they sounded great but were kind of boring. I think their music would probably translate better in a more intimate venue. During The xx's set, the Coachella stage caught fire and after finishing a song, Oliver Sim looked out towards the stage and said "the roof is on fire." I laughed.
Tried to take some video but it's mostly just some guy's head in front of me. When it was finally time for MGMT there was no way I could make it any closer to the front. I ended up around 5 to 7 people back, which was impressive considering the crowd they drew. Took six videos:
Time To Pretend, Electric Feel, and It's Working are on my youtube channel. I was being pummeled by the crowd and it was disastrous trying to keep the camera focused, but I think the sound came out okay. Also got some mediocre photos:
Someone commented on this video and said it looked like a spaceship landing hahaha.
That about sums up Day 2.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Coachella Day 1
Day one of Coachella was more like CoacHELLa for me. I left for Indio on Friday with 3 of my friends around 1 pm for what was supposed to be a roughly 2 and a half hour drive, but at 8pm we were still stuck in bumper to bumper traffic and had not reached the venue. My friend Chloe and I decided to get out of the car and walk 2 miles to the concert, and by the time we got in it was already 9 o'clock. I managed to see the end of Imogen Heap and all of Fever Ray's set, which was what I was most excited for on Friday anyway.
I got a decent spot near the stage and took 5 videos, the last of which was what seems to be a new song. *EDIT: It's a cover of Peter Gabriel's Mercy Street. Thank you to cstreeterut for figuring that out for me* Also spotted Will Berman and Matt Asti from MGMT watching in the photo pit for a few seconds before being ushered away by security.
After Fever Ray's performance things only got worse for me and my friends. Chloe and I never found the other two girls we came with, who had parked the car and then lost it. I ended up having to pay $90 (Chloe paid an additional $30) to have a random woman drive us back to our hotel which was about 25 minutes away.
So, Day 1 was kind of a bust. I am happy to report however that Days 2 and 3 were pretty much the best days of my life. More on that later.
I got a decent spot near the stage and took 5 videos, the last of which was what seems to be a new song. *EDIT: It's a cover of Peter Gabriel's Mercy Street. Thank you to cstreeterut for figuring that out for me* Also spotted Will Berman and Matt Asti from MGMT watching in the photo pit for a few seconds before being ushered away by security.
After Fever Ray's performance things only got worse for me and my friends. Chloe and I never found the other two girls we came with, who had parked the car and then lost it. I ended up having to pay $90 (Chloe paid an additional $30) to have a random woman drive us back to our hotel which was about 25 minutes away.
So, Day 1 was kind of a bust. I am happy to report however that Days 2 and 3 were pretty much the best days of my life. More on that later.
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Last night in (Vampire Weekend) videos...
Last night I finally left my house and saw a live show. Vampire Weekend played at The Fox Theater in Pomona, CA along with Abe Vigoda and not only did I manage to snag a spot by the barrier, but I also got my best friend Flavia hooked up with a photo pass, so expect some cool shots to be posted soon!
Flavia and I got to the venue around 7:30 and the line was insane. I've never seen a line so long. I swear it wrapped around two buildings...
Once in the venue, Flavia and I headed to the front of the stage and she tested out her camera during the opener.
Abe Vigoda was alright, although they had some sound issues and the mics were definitely too low. I didn't take any video of them, but I did take one of Flavia dancing to their music.
Vampire Weekend came on to a thunderous applause. I've never listened to much of their music, but I have to say they really impresed me. Ezra Koenig's voice was pretty much impeccable during the night and the band had great chemistry together.
"It's gotta be funky. Not Baja Fresh, more Del Taco, know what I mean?"
I love the end of this next video. The crowd had so much energy which made the show infinitely better. The whole place was shaking.
They 'closed' with Oxford Comma...
But then came out for 3 encore songs, the last of which was Walcott.
I took 19 videos of Vampire Weekend total which proves two things: 1) I am insane and 2) Vampire Weekend played the longest set ever.
You can read my official review of Vampire Weekend's show at the Fox Theater on The Music Pirate HERE
Tomorrow I'm heading to Coachella and I'm planning on taking lots more video. Excited beyond words.
Flavia and I got to the venue around 7:30 and the line was insane. I've never seen a line so long. I swear it wrapped around two buildings...
Once in the venue, Flavia and I headed to the front of the stage and she tested out her camera during the opener.
Abe Vigoda was alright, although they had some sound issues and the mics were definitely too low. I didn't take any video of them, but I did take one of Flavia dancing to their music.
Vampire Weekend came on to a thunderous applause. I've never listened to much of their music, but I have to say they really impresed me. Ezra Koenig's voice was pretty much impeccable during the night and the band had great chemistry together.
"It's gotta be funky. Not Baja Fresh, more Del Taco, know what I mean?"
I love the end of this next video. The crowd had so much energy which made the show infinitely better. The whole place was shaking.
They 'closed' with Oxford Comma...
But then came out for 3 encore songs, the last of which was Walcott.
I took 19 videos of Vampire Weekend total which proves two things: 1) I am insane and 2) Vampire Weekend played the longest set ever.
You can read my official review of Vampire Weekend's show at the Fox Theater on The Music Pirate HERE
Tomorrow I'm heading to Coachella and I'm planning on taking lots more video. Excited beyond words.
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