I am unsure if living in my Internet dream world is as satisfying as a real dream world. But maybe the two aren't really that different anyway?
I learned a few things that weekend. One - I have to keep my game top-notch. Two - Jeff Hurn's Revel is actually awesome, and not like a B-rated Taxlo. Three - Amanda Lynn is an incredible person. I have so much respect for her; I wish her the best in everything she does.
Katherine and I are going to see GWAR at 930 Club on December 6th. I just bought tickets. Do you understand the severity of this situation?? Because, according to my list of life goal, this is pretty up there. Now I just have to see Lordi, and I'll have mainstream shockrock in my back pocket.
I update my AP Blog way more than this one, but I am going to try to keep this gem up and running as much as possible.
Act tough, think big. Believe in monstrosities.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
Practice Breathing
My body is exhausted. My mind is too. I woke up as the morning sky was still kneading its sleepy eyes and drifted off to work. There I drank about five cups of iced coffee and three cups of iced black teas. I couldn't tell if I was thirsty or tired or sipping to give me something to do other than ponder. See, I get in these ruts where I think too much. I clam up like sweaty palms and crave pills. I stay awake until I can't stay awake any longer so I won't have to sit in the dark and be along with my thoughts. THAT scares the shit out of me when I'm wallowing in these gutter moods, and all I can do it wait for the tide to change on its own accord.
Instead of a gradual orbital switch, my email hit me with a brutal wave to the face. When I got home from work, hyped like an overhype, I realized that I had to conduct a phone interview with Chris Carrabba within the next two hours. Because my stomach wasn't already knotted and tense enough. Because higher forces could probably sense that only something that would force me out of my rut would force me out of my rut. And it did. The interview kept getting pushed earlier, and I kept pacing the space between my bed and my dresser, lips pursed. Interviews don't really make me nervous anymore, not like they used to. Interviews with men like Chris Carrabba, arguably one of the most important musicians to nestle into my CD case, do make me nervous.
But he was really nice.
And he was very well-spoken, articulate and ... I don't know ... soft?
And he said some really neat things that I can't wait to get up for the Internet world to buzz about.
I think this album is going to be similar to AMAMABAS. More organic, maybe? Keep watch for the 'view. "Thick as Thieves," "Little Bombs," and "Keep Watch For Mines" are all killer teasers, and I've been replaying them like I used to with those old Places and Swiss Army tracks of my youth. The Shade of Poison Trees is going to dominate Dusk and Summer, and I have never been so relieved. Maybe Chris can help me work on this rut too.
Instead of a gradual orbital switch, my email hit me with a brutal wave to the face. When I got home from work, hyped like an overhype, I realized that I had to conduct a phone interview with Chris Carrabba within the next two hours. Because my stomach wasn't already knotted and tense enough. Because higher forces could probably sense that only something that would force me out of my rut would force me out of my rut. And it did. The interview kept getting pushed earlier, and I kept pacing the space between my bed and my dresser, lips pursed. Interviews don't really make me nervous anymore, not like they used to. Interviews with men like Chris Carrabba, arguably one of the most important musicians to nestle into my CD case, do make me nervous.
But he was really nice.
And he was very well-spoken, articulate and ... I don't know ... soft?
And he said some really neat things that I can't wait to get up for the Internet world to buzz about.
I think this album is going to be similar to AMAMABAS. More organic, maybe? Keep watch for the 'view. "Thick as Thieves," "Little Bombs," and "Keep Watch For Mines" are all killer teasers, and I've been replaying them like I used to with those old Places and Swiss Army tracks of my youth. The Shade of Poison Trees is going to dominate Dusk and Summer, and I have never been so relieved. Maybe Chris can help me work on this rut too.
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Say Anything, The Tornado
My 2007 could come tornado-ing into an unmatched and encompassing climatic point with the new Say Anything album. The new song I've heard hasn't struck me yet, but this doesn't bother or phase me. I am intrigued. My mind is at ease like a calm before a storm, and I am just waiting to get swept into its whirling winds. I hold the highest expectations for Bemis and crew because they have blown my mind lyrically and hook-wise more than any other band. A double-disc, hour and a half epic brain buster like the new album is a feat for the ages, but if there is one band that can do it, it would be Say Anything (and not The Early November). This might be the highlight of my year, for serious. Never has looming disappointment struck with such fear.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Poptarts and Sex
On Beat # 3: Hell hath no fury like the Copyright Royalty Board
On Beat # 2: Jammin with boredom
On Beat # 1: Pirates own streets, musicians lose beats
Hot stuff, huh? The tides are changing, my friend. They are crashing upon the millions of particles of sand opportunities that inhabit this earth and the little satchel I bring with me to the beach is filling itself up with grains and treasure trinkets. I will be watching the waves as they crash and retract with a careful but eager eye.
Friday, August 17, 2007
12,005 Feet (or 2.3 Miles) Above Sea Level
Stand on top of a mountain and gain a new perspective, or at least a more clear, defined one - not just a jumble of thoughts and misgivings.
The family and I are in Colorado for a few days, driving through the Rockies, visiting old childhood hotspots (like my preschool), and meeting my parents’ old college friends. I was born in Boulder, which lies right along the base of the mountains. It’s a beautiful beautiful place, and it’s even more significant when you wash away the sea level troubles, breathe the thin air, and take it all for what it’s worth. And it’s worth a lot. I’ll make sure to get pictures up soon. But this vacation – disregarding how bored I was last night at the dinner party – is a nice journey. I’m even getting work done. I know, I know, I’m supposed to be relaxing. But I can’t work when my head is a melting pot of mixed anxieties, and there is nothing better to detox the brain than a cross-country trip above the tree-line.
My ears are popping like popcorn. Cigarettes are harder to smoke because the air is like wispy wafers. It’s 91 degrees with no humidity, and there are small patches of snow sprinkling the peaks. Apparently, there was more snow when we used to live here (I moved when I was five), but global warming has left the frozen tundra a pathetic spotted attempt.
If you could only see what I’m seeing.
Okkervil River, The Stage Names is a scenic gem. “John Allyn Smith Sails” is a lyrical heart spasm and insightful with a cup of dark roast. It might me ”Unless It’s Kicks” and “A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene” that really does me in. Oh, The Story’s album is sounding better than I thought it would be, but I’m thinking that had a lot to do with Paul Leavitt and all those shiny knobs. But don’t they say that a band is only as good as their producer? And I’ve been listening to Matt Pond PA in gluttonous amounts, especially Emblems. His new album drops in the fall (October, I think). And if all goes well, I hope to top-ten it.
I was young and at home in bed
And I was hanging on the words some poem said
And thirty-one
I was impressionable
I was upsettable
There's some cool stuff on Pitchfork right now. I know, I know - Pitchfork gives you nasty, belittling glares as you walk up it's scruff indie coffee shop counter, but where else can you read an interview with Iggy Pop and Patton Oswalt on the same website.
And everyone should give The Appreciation Post a run-through. Their Brighter Sides EP is a fruitful goodness of synth and dark guitar pop. I’m hoping to get two b-sides up on AP as an Unsigned Showcase soon.
Oh, the wireless sucks here, by the way. Oh wait, two bars! How extravagant!
The family and I are in Colorado for a few days, driving through the Rockies, visiting old childhood hotspots (like my preschool), and meeting my parents’ old college friends. I was born in Boulder, which lies right along the base of the mountains. It’s a beautiful beautiful place, and it’s even more significant when you wash away the sea level troubles, breathe the thin air, and take it all for what it’s worth. And it’s worth a lot. I’ll make sure to get pictures up soon. But this vacation – disregarding how bored I was last night at the dinner party – is a nice journey. I’m even getting work done. I know, I know, I’m supposed to be relaxing. But I can’t work when my head is a melting pot of mixed anxieties, and there is nothing better to detox the brain than a cross-country trip above the tree-line.
My ears are popping like popcorn. Cigarettes are harder to smoke because the air is like wispy wafers. It’s 91 degrees with no humidity, and there are small patches of snow sprinkling the peaks. Apparently, there was more snow when we used to live here (I moved when I was five), but global warming has left the frozen tundra a pathetic spotted attempt.
If you could only see what I’m seeing.
Okkervil River, The Stage Names is a scenic gem. “John Allyn Smith Sails” is a lyrical heart spasm and insightful with a cup of dark roast. It might me ”Unless It’s Kicks” and “A Hand To Take Hold Of The Scene” that really does me in. Oh, The Story’s album is sounding better than I thought it would be, but I’m thinking that had a lot to do with Paul Leavitt and all those shiny knobs. But don’t they say that a band is only as good as their producer? And I’ve been listening to Matt Pond PA in gluttonous amounts, especially Emblems. His new album drops in the fall (October, I think). And if all goes well, I hope to top-ten it.
I was young and at home in bed
And I was hanging on the words some poem said
And thirty-one
I was impressionable
I was upsettable
There's some cool stuff on Pitchfork right now. I know, I know - Pitchfork gives you nasty, belittling glares as you walk up it's scruff indie coffee shop counter, but where else can you read an interview with Iggy Pop and Patton Oswalt on the same website.
And everyone should give The Appreciation Post a run-through. Their Brighter Sides EP is a fruitful goodness of synth and dark guitar pop. I’m hoping to get two b-sides up on AP as an Unsigned Showcase soon.
Oh, the wireless sucks here, by the way. Oh wait, two bars! How extravagant!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Warning! This Blog May Contain Namedrops!
This album cover is my new tattoo. Not sure how the fuck it'll look, but getting Bob Nanna Is Nearly God!! etched into my lower back crossed a major lurker line. For realz. So this will do and swimmingly.
Self City Monster - better known as Self Against City - shacked it up in the apartment for a couple nights this week. In the here's-my-couch-you-can-sleep-on-it way, of course, because I don't do those things (well, try not to do those things) to people in bands. My reputation won't ever have room for that sort of talk after my review-bashing. ANYWAY, it was awesome. After Sunday's night show at Fletcher's, those sunny CA dudes came back to the apartment, sat on our couch, and fully proved that - as offbeat as this sounds to me - there are other bands almost as fun to hang out with as The Graduate. And I suppose the apartment was thrilling enough to warrant a callback because last night, en route to Atlantic City's HOB's, the dudes stopped by for night cap number two. Booze and weed and N64 ensued, and I can only hope that Jacqueline won't be off vacationing next time. She could totally whip their asses in 007.
But the reason why I tell you all this is for a couple reasons. One reason - Providing couch/floor space and extraneous pillows for touring bands is a startup hobby of mine. It gives our apartment character and flavor and random insights into what it's really like to be on the road and in a rock band. From what I've gathered, it awesomely sucks. Meaning that it sucks in the awesome way. Meaning that even the things that suck are sort of awesome. Meaning that only a minute part of touring that actually sucks and everything else is just a roundabout awesome. Hence my excitement for Warped Tour this year. Another reason - I spent most of the time in my apartment pondering my friendships and values to other people over the past. This is no fun. What better way to pass the mullings by with a band and some sushi with London. I am thrilled that Jac is back in the apartment. Now two people live here - not just one with huge ideas.
Someone typed something somewhere that is going to change the course of my life from this point on.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
It Means Flower, Right?
Watching Spanglish. I don't really want to watch Spanglish, but there isn't much else on and boredom is absolutely seeping through my skull. I'd prefer to watch Harry Potter over and over again, but I need to hold out until the seventh book. I am being unrealistic, dreaming and such. He's a wizard and I'm not even a Muggle, but apparently, The Chosen One has no problem taking advantage of groupies. Yeah, I'm OK with that. And apparently, I'm OK with a lot of other things, but those kinds of things stay wrapped up in my mind like one of the multi-steps Russian dolls.
Watch the first (and only) season of Undeclared. There is no faith in the world if a show as glorious and accurately depicting (in relative terms, that is) as Undeclared goes off the air. Ridiculous, really, and I'm almost shocked with the current state of our country (well, I am shocked, but that's for other reasons) for this reason. Same goes with Veronica Mars. And it's even more ridiculous that trying to stream them online is about as testy as my mother. The world is a very upsetting place and riddled with disappointment.
So now that I'm bored and everything, I figured now would be a opportune time to update this damn thing. I really love here, you comfy blog you, but I suck at it. Almost as much as I suck answering my phone. Tips to get in contact with Julia: Tell me I'm being an asshole, because I always ignore phone calls. I'm lazy. I don't want to be lazy, but I am. But now, as I spiff up the blog before I scrape some resin together, I'll be throwing lots of random stuff your way. See, I have two ways of writing. One - deliberate, like a review. This kind takes me forever because I always think too hard. Or I'm too stoned to formulate reasonable (and wholly comprehensible) opinions. And Two - random streams of thought that never actually make sense to me but feel great during. The best comparison would be a one night stand except that you don't try to convince yourself in the morning.
But! While we are on the topic of writing, I heard the new Motion City Soundtrack album (Even If It Kills Me) @ the Stunt Company offices last weekend. It wasn't as killer and I'd hope, but if any current rock and pop band knows how to makes good rock and pop, it's certainly Justin Pierre and crew. I rehashed Commit This To Memory before and after my sampling, and that made me realize how much I liked that album - CTTM, that is. Especially the production from Mark Hoppus. He must have more to do than prance around naked with pornstars, but I digress... Whatever. It'll sell fine. Probably not as good as if they were trapped inside a bubble but hey, at least they're not getting rained on. ANYWAY, "Hello Helicopter," Where I Belong," and "Point of Extinction" were my favorites, and as the album progressed, I warmed up to Pierre's smart, sassy and (sort of) sexy self. Alliteration is awesome.
But if you are going to be read a review today, read my review for Down To Earth Approach's Come Back To You. But don't actually read the review. Go straight to the score and cast your judgment. Or you can read the first couple sentences, see the word "emolism" and spit out some rhetorical nonsense dripping with your own personal dictionary definition of the word. Because, you know, it's not MY review or anything. Please, tracks your dirty soles all over my careless writing. I just use words at random, and I have no clue what they mean! Or I use words that have no journalistic value - like boring. Oh! You disagree with me!? Oh! Shall I try to start a discussion with your pompous flight or should I stand my ground because I know that my opinion is my opinion and that's how it works. Motherfucker. Sometimes it makes me so mad. And then sometimes I know that being the only reviewer that's also a chick makes it easy to write me off as another mindless babbler. I babble...yes. But I babble because I care!
No, really, I've paid my fucking dues. I know how to write a review, and I like being honest in them. Steve was right. If I sell out my opinion, it's not worth anything anymore. And then I might as well take up that promotion at the Bux.
I'm sorry, I'm ranting. I'm not stoned, for the record. And this movie is better than I thought it would be.
Watch the first (and only) season of Undeclared. There is no faith in the world if a show as glorious and accurately depicting (in relative terms, that is) as Undeclared goes off the air. Ridiculous, really, and I'm almost shocked with the current state of our country (well, I am shocked, but that's for other reasons) for this reason. Same goes with Veronica Mars. And it's even more ridiculous that trying to stream them online is about as testy as my mother. The world is a very upsetting place and riddled with disappointment.
So now that I'm bored and everything, I figured now would be a opportune time to update this damn thing. I really love here, you comfy blog you, but I suck at it. Almost as much as I suck answering my phone. Tips to get in contact with Julia: Tell me I'm being an asshole, because I always ignore phone calls. I'm lazy. I don't want to be lazy, but I am. But now, as I spiff up the blog before I scrape some resin together, I'll be throwing lots of random stuff your way. See, I have two ways of writing. One - deliberate, like a review. This kind takes me forever because I always think too hard. Or I'm too stoned to formulate reasonable (and wholly comprehensible) opinions. And Two - random streams of thought that never actually make sense to me but feel great during. The best comparison would be a one night stand except that you don't try to convince yourself in the morning.
But! While we are on the topic of writing, I heard the new Motion City Soundtrack album (Even If It Kills Me) @ the Stunt Company offices last weekend. It wasn't as killer and I'd hope, but if any current rock and pop band knows how to makes good rock and pop, it's certainly Justin Pierre and crew. I rehashed Commit This To Memory before and after my sampling, and that made me realize how much I liked that album - CTTM, that is. Especially the production from Mark Hoppus. He must have more to do than prance around naked with pornstars, but I digress... Whatever. It'll sell fine. Probably not as good as if they were trapped inside a bubble but hey, at least they're not getting rained on. ANYWAY, "Hello Helicopter," Where I Belong," and "Point of Extinction" were my favorites, and as the album progressed, I warmed up to Pierre's smart, sassy and (sort of) sexy self. Alliteration is awesome.
But if you are going to be read a review today, read my review for Down To Earth Approach's Come Back To You. But don't actually read the review. Go straight to the score and cast your judgment. Or you can read the first couple sentences, see the word "emolism" and spit out some rhetorical nonsense dripping with your own personal dictionary definition of the word. Because, you know, it's not MY review or anything. Please, tracks your dirty soles all over my careless writing. I just use words at random, and I have no clue what they mean! Or I use words that have no journalistic value - like boring. Oh! You disagree with me!? Oh! Shall I try to start a discussion with your pompous flight or should I stand my ground because I know that my opinion is my opinion and that's how it works. Motherfucker. Sometimes it makes me so mad. And then sometimes I know that being the only reviewer that's also a chick makes it easy to write me off as another mindless babbler. I babble...yes. But I babble because I care!
No, really, I've paid my fucking dues. I know how to write a review, and I like being honest in them. Steve was right. If I sell out my opinion, it's not worth anything anymore. And then I might as well take up that promotion at the Bux.
I'm sorry, I'm ranting. I'm not stoned, for the record. And this movie is better than I thought it would be.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Can I Be Spunky Too?
12:45:00 AM liveandletdie415: well ill start calling you...
12:45:43 AM bestshotdespite: now this should be good :)
12:45:58 AM liveandletdie415: so i go to urban dictionary
12:46:47 AM liveandletdie415: and a connie is a gentle way of saying vagina. a condom in the UK. a term to talk about cocaine like mary jane for pot. and a large breasted fat guy with awesome glasses and a hot mom.
12:47:00 AM liveandletdie415: and im not gonna call you any of those.
12:47:11 AM bestshotdespite: ahhahahahahahhahahahahhahaha
12:47:18 AM bestshotdespite: oh thats going in the blog, my friend
12:47:36 AM liveandletdie415: Julia - a name for girls. Most julia's are artistic, smart, romantic, beautiful and also very charming. Julia's can get whatever they want if they try. They can be very sexy so watch out! They are romantics and love old movies, art and books. they love old stuff! They usually aren't very athletic but if a julia is athletic she's kick butt! they have great fashion sense and usually look smokin'. A julia will most likely become a mother because they love kids. They are very successful in life and there is just something about them that draws people in. Also they are ah-mazing dancers!
12:45:43 AM bestshotdespite: now this should be good :)
12:45:58 AM liveandletdie415: so i go to urban dictionary
12:46:47 AM liveandletdie415: and a connie is a gentle way of saying vagina. a condom in the UK. a term to talk about cocaine like mary jane for pot. and a large breasted fat guy with awesome glasses and a hot mom.
12:47:00 AM liveandletdie415: and im not gonna call you any of those.
12:47:11 AM bestshotdespite: ahhahahahahahhahahahahhahaha
12:47:18 AM bestshotdespite: oh thats going in the blog, my friend
12:47:36 AM liveandletdie415: Julia - a name for girls. Most julia's are artistic, smart, romantic, beautiful and also very charming. Julia's can get whatever they want if they try. They can be very sexy so watch out! They are romantics and love old movies, art and books. they love old stuff! They usually aren't very athletic but if a julia is athletic she's kick butt! they have great fashion sense and usually look smokin'. A julia will most likely become a mother because they love kids. They are very successful in life and there is just something about them that draws people in. Also they are ah-mazing dancers!
Brand New (sigh)
Last night, Nathan Lint and I had an AIM conversation that could only be described as epic (in e-terms). It at least lasted for an hour and I learned that 1) he likes Deja Entendu probably just as much as me and 2) Deja Entendu means just as much to him as it does to me. The only person that can equate to this sort of passion and obsession would be Roommate (of course), and even then I don't think she would ever get a lyric tattooed on her body. But Lint wants a Brand New tattoo like me, and for that reason, I'm thinking it might not be such a bad idea. I've spent hours and hours thinking about what new sketch will be forever inked into my skin and Brand New had always been the frontrunner. I've just never had the balls, or the tough skin, to endure the possibility of looking lame. Pulling off a song lyric is almost as difficult as pulling off any band formed after the early 90's.
Right now, I'm watching Seinfeld, wishing I could talk to Coran, and getting all excited about Warped Tour. Roommate and I will chase speeding cars (like kings) for three dates this year (in this order) - Virginia Beach, Baltimore, and Scranton. I guess you could call this our first real touring experience. Which it is. Which is why I am so excited. Which is another reason why I will sweat until I have a solid and satisfying career in the music industry. If I've learned anything about myself, it's that I don't so well with things that I don't want to do. Perhaps this is why Roommate and I met with Chris and Emily tonight. New projects are very much on the horizon; now if we could only come up with a name.
I'm not saying I could ever leave anything behind. I am a girl who believe in memories and rehashing them fondly, but I do know that time expires along with other things. Maybe I sound like a middle-aged working women, but what I'm doing now is only a small fraction of what I will be doing later in life. I'm OK with moving on. It's something I've been working on as of late, and I think I'm getting a lot better at it.
Listen to Mobile.
Right now, I'm watching Seinfeld, wishing I could talk to Coran, and getting all excited about Warped Tour. Roommate and I will chase speeding cars (like kings) for three dates this year (in this order) - Virginia Beach, Baltimore, and Scranton. I guess you could call this our first real touring experience. Which it is. Which is why I am so excited. Which is another reason why I will sweat until I have a solid and satisfying career in the music industry. If I've learned anything about myself, it's that I don't so well with things that I don't want to do. Perhaps this is why Roommate and I met with Chris and Emily tonight. New projects are very much on the horizon; now if we could only come up with a name.
I'm not saying I could ever leave anything behind. I am a girl who believe in memories and rehashing them fondly, but I do know that time expires along with other things. Maybe I sound like a middle-aged working women, but what I'm doing now is only a small fraction of what I will be doing later in life. I'm OK with moving on. It's something I've been working on as of late, and I think I'm getting a lot better at it.
Listen to Mobile.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
Weatherboxes, Mountains and Rivers
I'm typing up this Weatherbox interview, and I think Brian may have been stoned when he wrote it. I'd really love to see this band. And I just finished a review for Blue Skies For Black Hearts (Love Is Not Enough). It's comfortably one of the best albums I've heard this year. Anhedonia is still there, but that's also because roommate and I caught the Grads as they were passing through Baltimore. And I still haven't tried Resurrection.
I feel changes coming around the next corner, and I'm excited to see where this will all lead. And it's pretty scary thinking that I'm a grown-up with grown-up ideas - like a random-ish road trip to Cincinnati.
Look the mix below and collect it. I'm listening to it right now and it's a winner.
I feel changes coming around the next corner, and I'm excited to see where this will all lead. And it's pretty scary thinking that I'm a grown-up with grown-up ideas - like a random-ish road trip to Cincinnati.
Look the mix below and collect it. I'm listening to it right now and it's a winner.
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