M has already attempted to Social Network my ass.  Now she has encouraged me to “sell” myself on CL.

I posted the ad  for my ticket the “W4M” section of CL.  I was torn between there and “Strictly Platonic”.  Stay tuned on how this pans out.  When all else fails I will be moving my ticket to the “for sale” area of CL.

For those of you too lazy to search, here is the text.
Explosions in the Sky July 4th - 32 (Stubbs)
I have an extra ticket to the show at Stubbs. Technically it would be a double date. I would like to go with someone* vs. being the 3rd wheel. Doors are at 7. Not sure what the pre-show or post-show plans are just yet. Most likely biking downtown and grabbing drinks somewhere.

*Specifics on that someone
- At least 5′11″ and between the ages of 28 and 36.
- You are the type of guy who likes to know how things work
- Knows who Maurice Sendak is
- Likes vegetables
- Is computer literate but isn’t a social networking addict
- Can tolerate some shenanigans
- Non-smoker

As for myself, I am a tall black girl (but I am in no way, shape, or form going to be your ghetto princess) with hot librarian glasses. I am a scientist by day and on occasion I moonlight as a designer/seamstress.

Just looking for someone to share my ticket with and possible get to know. Email me if you are interested, we can exchange pics and go from there.

Austin, Texas July 4th 08' Fireworks by Motleypixel

I bought tickets for the show at Stubb’s ages ago.  I purchased two because you never know when a show is going to sell out  (which it did) and who knows,  I may have actually met someone that would be interested in going.

Well, I have yet to meet someone and I am torn as to  what I should do.  I could sell the ticket and be M and 10hdg’s third wheel (aka, the usual). Option 2, would be to pimp myself out and find myself a date for the show. Option 3, sell the pair of tickets and find new plans for the 4th.  The issue will not be related to offloading the ticket (the show sold out, CL will be full of people wanting those tickets in the next few weeks), the issue is whether or not I will have an enjoyable evening.

Last year’s 4th was pretty awesome.  Maybe not for M, but it was for me.  I went on a date.  We had a late lunch and saw Wall-e.  Then we went out for drinks and then watched fireworks from his window.   Maybe I should make an attempt to top that one.

Here is the hitch with option 2 (which M is in favor of).  My friends don’t usually get to meet any of the dudes I go out with.  If I invite some random stranger out to the show, they will be exposed to M and 10hdg.  This could be good or bad.   What if they like this guy more than I do or visa versa?  What if he doesn’t get along with them?

Any thoughts on this readers?

As far as option 2 goes, here is the start of my would be CL ad:

It’s summer time. So, why not check out some music outdoors with someone interesting and new ?  I am looking for a super geek/music lover who appreciates art/culture. You are over 5′11″ and between the ages of 28 and 36.  You are the type of guy who likes to know how things work, has a few computers and a single speed bicycle (and maybe the Millennium Falcon out of legos).  Downtown, you hang out on Red River more than anywhere else. You still read books made of paper and appreciate when someone writes you a long email or handwritten letter. You watch movies at the Drafthouse and you care about the size of your carbon footprint.

As for me, if you have been reading my blog, you have a pretty good idea of who I am.

It would be more of a double date (as my friends already have tickets to the show).  Explosions in the Sky with The Octopus Project and the Wooden Birds.  Stubb’s Outside.  Doors at 7.  Not sure what the pre-show or post-show plans are. With the noise ordinance in effect this show will definitely be over around midnight.   There will definitely be bikes and beers involved.

If you are interested shoot me an email at jen at projectjen dot com.

No, I am not broke.  I am doing fine right now (I keep my money in my mattress).

Just watched the video for the timely named song by Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears.  The video was directed by Daniel Gibbs.  It’s a pretty slick homage to a lot of great graphic art from the past. Not so keen on the song but I dig the video.

The one thing that irks me about the video is the not-so-authentic silouette of the chick throughout the video.  The hair and figure was all wrong.  She needed a fro or an updo or something.  The flailing combined with the flowing hair said hippy or iPod commercial.

If you were paying attention, you probably see the potential for a few people to claim copywrite infringement.  The first thing that comes to mind is the imagery from Stevie Wonder’s “Songs in the Key of Life” album cover.

I was recently blessed with a random act of kindness.

Do you recall when the tree tried to eat my house. Well the other tree in the front yard has it out for my mail carrier. First I received a note from said postal worker stating that I needed to trim the tree so they could safely deliver my mail (the over hang was low enough that the branches scraped the roof of my car, point taken). I trimmed the tree and moved on with life.

Saturday I pulled out of the driveway to see UP! in 3D. The tree decided that it would take out the mailbox. Not cool.  I managed to move the mailbox into the garage and I was able to drag the giant tree limb onto the lawn.  Sunday I woke up early, to avoid the 100 degree weather, and moved the tree limb into the yard.  I had to saw it into a few pieces to make it light enough to drag around.  Eventually I would have to cut it into smaller pieces so it could be picked up on large brush pick up day.  Sunday evening I was able to restore my mailbox to its functional upright position.

Monday, the Lumberjack/Ninja visited my yard and addressed the pile o’ brush.  The pile was reduced to half it size and was neatly stacked at the curb.  Today when I came home it was all lined up on the curb ready for pick up.

Just when I had declared that the world was full of ungrateful people  and I was feeling underappreciated, this happens.  Thanks again.  You ROCK!

Monday of last week, 10HDG and I went to see little joy at the independent (of which I’m the mayor now).  It was phenomenal.  10HDG even said so.  He’s not so much into that type of music, the folky/beachy stuff, but G-D those guys are super talented; read: awesome musicians.

Fabrizio was not there,  rumors I’ve read said he’s off recording with his *cough* other *cough* band.  Not to knock them or anything, but I’m hoping that this little “side project” becomes more of his focus than his other bnd, they are soooo good.  Here’s one of their debut videos, so cute!

You know who was there though? Coldplay! 10HDG and I both read some tweets that “Coldplay is in the house.”  We both thought that it was just the music in between sets.  However, when we got back to my house, I checked the twitter, and sure enough, Coldplay was actually there.  They were saying how Little Joy is their new favorite band, well apparently Guy’s new favorite.

I tend to think that’s good.  It means that Little Joy will get more coverage, and thus more money, and then they can make more awesome beachy summer music for us to listen to.

I bet I know why Guy was there… I mean, I’m not a Coldplay fan or anything, but the guys are famous for a reason.  They are pretty decent musicians, and they have a good ear.  So, my thoughts are that Guy likes good music even though I’m not a fan of his music.

However, not only is Rodrigo an amazing guitar player, he can sing also. I think he doesn’t sing all of the songs regularly, but he did a very good Fabrizio impression.  The whole band sounded very together, I don’t think there was one sour note.  I was in awe of how good musicians they are. I can’t wait for them to come back.

Here’s the funny thing: for a while now, I had thought that this Rodrigo was the one from Rodrigo y Gabriela.  Except he’s not… I’m apparently a fool and this is the Rodrigo from Los Hermanos.

Little Joy was a side project that got started by Rodrigo Amarante, Fabrizio Moretti, and Binki Shapiro.  They decided to start this band after spending time together at a music festival in Europe.  I think there’s rumors that Fabrizio is dating Binki, not sure though.

The other guys that played with Binki and Rodrigo were also super talented.  Last time they came to Austin, I don’t believe that the other guys played with them, but I didn’t make it to that show.  They are: Todd Dahlhoff and Matt Borg from The Dead Trees (on bass and guitar, respectively), Matt Romano from Albert Hammond Jr’s band (drums) and Jack Dishel from Only Son (guitar, backing vocals) (via their myspace page).

Another thing that really struck me about how that space is well matched for that band was the audience interaction during the set.   In between songs they were talking to the audience, and checking in with us.  Binki and Rodrigo were both super gracious.  And that’s always an awesome thing, they know they’re thebusiness, but they’re still humble. They were full of thank you’s.

I was surprised that there were so many people there.  I think it was a sold out show, but I’m not sure, it was packed.  Especially compared to the C.L.U.E.S show that Jen and I saw later in the week.  That being said there were a fair amount of D-bags there.  It struck me as a quiet venue, kinda like the time we saw BSS at Bass. But there were these two groups of people near by us who would not stop talking.  I mean it’s totally one thing if the show was outside at Stubbs or something, but this was small, smaller than The Parish even.  There was a few moments when I almost turned around and asked them to stop taking, but I didn’t really feel like starting a fight.

All in all, the show was awesome. A little hot in the venue, but I think they’re still working out the kinks on temperature control.  The sounds was well balanced, and not crappy like Emo’s, sounded pretty full, I don’t know that I’d go with rich yet, but they’ll get there.  And One of the other best things about this venue is how close it is to Mexico (A.K.A my house).

So yeah, go to the Independent, and listen to Little Joy. I think you’ll enjoy both.

Wednesday night M and I headed down to the Independent for Clues.  The Independent had just opened with Little Joy on Monday (M should be posting about this later) so we assumed that they owners were going to blow the top off the new venue with the first few shows.

The interwebs were billing Clues as the hot new project from Alden Penner (ex-Unicorns) and Brendan Reed (ex-Arcade Fire) .   The rest of the band was full of ex- band members  as well. Multi-instrumentalists Ben Borden (Les Automates de Maxime de la Rochefoucauld), Lisa Gamble (Gambletron, Evangelista, Hrsta) and Nick Scribner (Chaotic Insurrection Ensemble).

There live shows were supposed to be a theatrical production, with multiple drummers and unique instruments on stage.   During live performances we were supposed to be dazzled as bandmates share and trade off on their collection of instruments, to create awe-inspiring versions of experimental pop songs.

After reading all of this I was expecting way more than I got on Wednesday.  I was expecting some real band nerds from this lot (or nerds in general when I saw that they had one of those OLPC laptops as part of their setup).  I was expecting Of Montreal/Margot and the Nuclear So and Sos type band nerds.   When they hit the stage with their MacGuyver duct taped instruments I assumed that maybe these band nerds could really rock out.  These bits of tape must be war wounds.  After the first few minutes the bubble burst.  The band wasn’t all that together and they weren’t rocking out at all.

Barely into their set, they broke a bass string.  Penner then asks the audience if anyone can restring the bass guitar.  REALLY?  M and I looked at each other.  Here we have a bunch of musicians that trade off instruments and not one can restring a bass guitar.  At that point in time Lisa heads off to restring it and the rest of the band just left Penner on the stage.  Could they not muddle through without the bass for a few minutes?  Maybe play that part on one of the keyboards?  Penner plays us a few solo songs while we wait.  When the bass made it back the stage we were graced with 2 or 3 more songs and then it was over.

Atleast the venue was decent.  The Independent was a pretty cool.  Small/intimate like the Parish.  The sound was decent (unlike Emo’s).  Drink prices were average.  I will be back but maybe I will put less faith in what the internet tells me.

So M and I were smart to buy tickets for the show ages ago.  Our prediction that the show would sell out came true on Sunday night.

The show was at Emo’s (the sound guy must hate us).   We went to the show primarily for Passion Pit. We had a blast during their set at the BrooklynVegan day show during SXSW and had high hopes for a fun evening. I had seen Harlem Shakes open for Tapes ‘n Tapes at Emo’s in 2007.  The new album was good.   But really, it was all about Passion Pit.  M and I have been wearing out the new cd (Manners).

M, 10HDG and I walked to Emo’s from Mexico.  The Teacher’s lot is still closed.  We got into Emo’s just as the opener ended.   Since we weren’t super interested in Harlem Shakes we used the time to get beer and scope out a good space to watch the show.

Harlem Shakes was ok.  I was bored.  They played mostly new songs off Technicolor Health with a few from their first EP.  They didn’t play my favorite song, “Red Right Hand.”

By the time Passion Pit hit the stage we had relocated to an open air space by the merch table.  Apparently it was nappy time at Emo’s.  Passion Pit was good but they were a little sedate. They plowed through the new album (summer skate jams 2009).  They did a few hits off of Chunk of Change (They didn’t play my favorite. Cuddle Fuddle.  Ok, for some reason this song got me thinking about Just a Friend by Biz Markie.  It’s that plinky, plinky piano line over a simple drum machine in the opening of the song).

When M and I saw them at SXSW they were all over the place.  There was beer spilled in a keyboard.  Michael clocked Jeff in the face with a microphone.  Ayad’s synth/keyboard stand was in danger of falling on M’s head. The band’s laptop decided that it needed a break and did exactly that.   At some point Michael had climbed on top of something, constructed a noose out of the mic cord, and proceeded to “hang” himself.

Back to last night.  There was more than just one off thing last night.  There was an odd mixture of hipsters and sorority girls.  I didn’t expect there to be sorority girls at this show.  WTF?  Why were they there?  More importantly, WHY WERE THEY TALKING THROUGH THE ENTIRE SHOW?  That really pissed me off.  Had we not attended the show for FREE, the sorority bitches would have been kicked.

Here is some footage from last night from the peeps at ultra8201.

So I stumbled on this website today after a friend became a fan of theirs on FB.

We have all done it.  We have sent a slightly incoherant/illogical text message to someone late at night.  This is one of my favorites, “Dammit, I can’t see to text…”

Anyways, a few people with some spare time on there hands have decided to give those messages a home.
Here’s what the creators had to say…

Texts From Last Night (TFLN) was founded in February 2009 by two friends for reasons that may or may not include: the tendency to press send more easily as the night turns to morning, friends social habits, Kwame Kilpatrick, exes, law school, closing down bars and leaving tabs open, general debauchery and/or a common disgust for all the negativity surrounding the “sexting” phenomenon.

There are a couple of options for sharing:

http://textsfromlastnight.com/submit/

Send texts with the area code of the sender as the subject  to text@textsfromlastnight.com

You can also tweet them @TFLN

This week I was visited by the sinus headache from hell.  It descended upon me on Tuesday.  If only my desire to hang out on the floor in my dark bathroom was caused by a hangover.   I know how to fix that.

The sinus thing could be caused by a number of things.  Grass, pollen, mold, M’s dog,…  Then there was the weather.  A front was coming through. Actually, multiple fronts were coming though.  Sadly, I am a barometer.  It started around my eyes and by Wednesday morning it had progressed to my ears.

When it gets that far there isn’t much I can do except stay put.  I get vertigo when my ears are clogged.  It’s been awhile since I have fallen and blacked out.  I  know the warning signs.  It’s best to just stay on the floor to begin with.   That and pray for rain (or the barometric pressure to change).  The majority of Wednesday was spent in bed and on the floor.

By Thursday I was feeling mildly better.  The rain helped a little bit.  I braved the office for a few hours until the nausea hit.  I decided to go home at that point. The couch, lots of fluids,  and the Dark Crystal made me feel better.  I felt good enough to take the Real Jew’s advise and stalk someone on the internet.

Today was about the same.  Still feeling mildly icky. I can tollerate sunlight so that’s a plus.  I managed to watch 14 episodes of Arrested Development without falling asleep.  That was not the case on Wednesday.

Hopefully I can return to life off of the couch.  I do love my couch but really, this was a bit much.

Sadly, I am not finding many reviews of Monday’s show at the Parish.

Here is the recap of my Soundcheck Magazine sponsored solo trip to the Parish (M was studying and could not partake in my plus one)

The beginning of the show sent chills up my spine.  The stage was empty but you could hear Murray, the lead singer;s, voice.  He was singing a the most soulful version of Savior.  It made me melt. I felt completely vulnerable amongst the crowd of strangers.  I was looking for Murray like a lost child looks aimlessly for their mom.  Murray  was in the crowd.  He was walking from the back of the Parish towards the stage.  I was near the front, and when he got there he just stood in the middle and serenaded us.  It made me want someone to hold me right then and there (M and I are not hug people, but seriously, if ever there was a moment, I wanted to be held).

After doing some research on the song they opened with I found that that magical moment we had at the Parish had been experienced by others (in Ohio over the weekend.) I feel slightly used.

Go ahead, turn the lights down low, click the button, and melt

You will probably have to go to lala to listen to the full track

Now that you have melted, back to the show.

The show was laid back and chill.  The band played a great set of mostly new tunes. It was a fairly long set. There was a keytar.  There was a comedy routine tossed in before the encore of not one, but 2 songs.

How can it be that no one has said anything about the KEYTAR!

Since I don’t roll with a camera (M’s responsible for that).  I am borrowing this pic from the peeps at Austin Town Hall

Murray Lightburn with a KEYTAR! by Austin Town Hall

Thanks again Soundcheck.