Written By: White Chicks On Rap
Label: Black Hole
Rating: 3 Guns
Buy On:
As I write this, it is about 20 minutes until sunrise. I just finished doing yoga on my Wii Fitness (which is the coolest thing ever, but this is my review of Tiesto, not the Wii). I was listening to this CD as my Wii trainer told me what a doing job I was doing balancing. Trance and yoga go together very well, don’t ask me why, it just does.
Actually, I was on disc 2. I listened to disc 1 the night before. In between the commercials on “I Love The Millennium” on VH1 - and there were a lot of commercials.
For volume 7, Tiesto takes us to Asia. What I like about the In Search Of Sunrise series is that Tiesto gears the music to sound like the area he is inspired by. If you are curious, there are six other CD’s that are good and worth a listen…if you do listen, get your music passport ready as Tiesto will take you to Latin America, Ibiza and Los Angeles.
The key to any trance album is that is flows well from track to track. Really, you shouldn’t even notice that you are listening to another track. Tiesto (who has been a DJ for years now) does a great job with the pacing and flow.
Some outstanding tracks are Wasted, Ride and Feel The Rhythm.
What is cool is that Tiesto is touring this summer and I have seen him live and it is a great experience listening to trance with a crowd of thousands. If he is coming to a town near you, I recommend going…even if he is not coming to your town, take a vacation to where he is playing, you won’t be disappointed.
Jul 1, 2008
White Chicks On Rap - In Search of Sunrise, Vol. 7 by Tiesto
New Music From Northern Ireland (Two-disc Compilation)
Planetary Group Release
Rating: 3.5 Guns
Review by: Hilary Hughes
Jun 30, 2008
Dear in the Headlights - Maiken Lorentz
CWG: Where are you from originally?
From above the arctic circle in Norway, but I'm half Indonesian. God knows how my mother got all the way from the equator up there...
CWG: What’s the most unusual project you’ve worked on?
We made a feature about a reality show that went on in space. Fifteen people that were in a space ship in orbit around the earth. The ones who got voted out got frozen down in a coffin. As we did this project, we had a scene of everyone coming out of the space ship in the end with all of the fans there.
My friend had made a mistake when she called the media. Our director had almost the same name as a very famous director. And she had accidentaly said the famous director's name. So for the last scene the newpapers and tv stations were there because of that, filming and interwiewing us.
And we never ever actually cleared that up with them, so that director might have had some strange questions coming at him..
CWG: If you could do one thing to make the world a sexier place, what would it be and why?
There is so much focus on the body in this time and everyone thinks they have to fit into a mold.
I would change the world in a way that everyone feels comfortable with their body and aren't afraid to show it.
CWG: What’s your favorite album of all time?
Even though I listen mostly to electronic now, my favorite album of all time would be Bjork's first album. She is an amazing, creative, daring force that nobody can compete with or come close to. A true artist that isn't afraid to express herself.
CWG: What artist are you currently listening to?
Currently, my Ipod's playing mostly Jackson 5 remixes (what happened to that man), MSTRKRFT remixes, lots of electronic music and Flobox.
CWG: What was the worst date you ever went on?
Well... that is probably my most embarrassing moment of my life! I went on a first date with a guy I was into. He took me out in his new ride.
Unfortunately, I had eaten some peanuts that were out of date. And at some point in the ride, we were having a normal conversation, when all of a sudden I burst like a volcano.... projectile vomiting all over the windshield, CD pocket, my purse.. everywhere.
And.. unfortunately, I tried at the last moment to block this with my purse, and it backfired right onto my eye lashes... Now I have to stop talking about this, I'm getting flashbacks...
CWG: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
I smell everything. I will spend 20 minutes in the supermarket smelling laundry softener determining which one I'll get. I love doing laundry because of the smell.
CWG: Favorite place to hang out in L.A.?
Something as simple as having lunch with the girls at Birds. Or Green Door. If not, on the terrace at the house, chilling. Or "Monkey ball" at Venice Beach every Sunday.
Like Maiken? Check her out online:
Myspace:
Website:
Jun 26, 2008
Uncommon Music - Food Songs
Written By: Nichole Wagner
Folk-singer Tom Glazer gave the world the gift of "On Top Of Spaghetti" in 1963. Meatballs everywhere mourned the loss of their mushed cousin.
But it's not the only song in which food takes the starring role. From more meatballs to chicken to tofu and rants about gelato and other culinary offerings in San Francisco we'll take a look at a handful of odes to the edible.
Cat Food Sandwiches - David Lindley
Of course, king-of-ugly-polyester-shirts David Lindley would write a song about the variety of backstage concoctions that await performers backstage. He even adds that the "woman that made them looks just like Jimmy Page!" It's on the album, "Live in Europe!"
Chicken Cordon Blues - Steve Goodman
The blues of a man who's been deprived of his favorite foods. The lobster, steak and potatoes have been replaced by granola, beans and rice. According to him even the cockroaches can't stand the new diet and have "moved next door." When he can't take it anymore he heads to the bakery for a jelly roll and a chocolate eclair.
Last Meal - Asleep at the Wheel
This tune finds front man Ray Benson waking up in his cell on death row. He's got one more meal and to delay his death he starts listing off the meal he'd like. Two dinosaur eggs over easy, black-eyed peas, saber tooth tiger steak, hippopotamus (well baked), crocodile tears, purple watermelon, alligator ears, two cross-eyed catfish, fried moonbeams and a barbecued brick of chocolate ice cream among other imaginative items. Since he's currently touring the country, I guess they just had to let the man out.
Chicken Ain't Nothing But A Bird - Cab Calloway
Cab makes the point that no matter what you do to it, if you boil it, fry it or barbecue it, chicken is still just a bird. All the dressing up and calling it a fowl or whatever else you want to doesn't change that simple fact.
Alfalfa's - Leftover Salmon
Back before Whole Foods took over Wild Oats and Wild Oats was still Alfalfa's, Leftover Salmon poked fun at the dairy-free cheese and bulgar eating, soy milk and wheatgrass drinking population of Boulder, Colorado and beyond.
One Meatball - Ry Cooder
With fifteen cents, the man in Ry's song has just enough cash to buy one lonely meatball. After being embarrassed in front of the restaurant he and his meatball go off down the street, presumably to grieve the meatball that once was on top of spaghetti.
Neko's Food Rant - Neko Case
In this live clip from Bimbo's 365 club (June 25, 2006) Neko shares how they will be like "unsupervised children" in San Francisco's restaurants. After brushing her teeth with gelato, taking a moment to discuss PBS and songs from such (cookies at the disco anyone?) there's the declaration that she'll break her teeth out, drink things from a straw, get dentures and by day four have broken those out as well. The four-minute bit of banter ends with dinner from a plastic fireman's hat and an apology for her "little freak out there."
Be Careful What You Eat - Animaniacs
We won't turn this into a discussion of the musical contributions (or lack thereof) of the Animaniacs or any other cartoon series. We will consider the astonishing list of additives (Glycerin, aspartate, Mono sodium glutamate, dehydrated calcinate, gelatinized triglyceride, phosphate, and deoxylite tri-silicon dipped in chocolate) that they manage to get out in very few breaths. It ends with this reminder, "We like sweets a lot / But they make your insides rot / So remember it's your body /And the only one you've got."
And about that picture of Jackson Browne eating a banana... I can't think of any songs he's got about food, but he's on a version of Catfood Sandwiches and it's a great pic so we'll call it good. It's from Rhino Records.
Coldplay - Viva La Vida Or Death And All This Friends
Label: Capitol Records
Rating: 4 Guns
Buy On:
There are very few albums I am excited for this year…the first one was Gnarls Barkley’s The Odd Couple, the second one was Portishead’s Third and the next one is Viva La Vida by Coldplay. If you are interested, another album I am waiting for is Massive Attack’s next album, which I hear might be coming out late this year.
For us Coldplay fans we have waited since 2005 for a new album and I swear that Viva La Vida was worth the wait. I have listened to this album for two weeks now and I literally love every song. Brian Eno (U2’s producer) and Markus Dravs (Bjork’s producer) do an outstanding job crafting an experimental album but remaining a Coldplay album and not U2 album.
The band takes a political tone in such songs as “Violet Hill” with the lines “I don't want to be a soldier/
With a captain of some sinking ship” and “Priests clutched onto Bibles/Hollowed out to fit their rifles" and the line in “Lovers In Japan” “Soldiers you’ve got to solder on/Sometimes even the right is wrong”.
Even the artwork is political with the “Liberty Leading The People” painting by Eugene Delacroix. The picture depicts the July Revolution of 1830.
The album opens with “Life In Technicolor” which sounds like “Where The Streets Have No Name”. What is interesting is that there are no lyrics to the song.
The album covers a range of topics such as politics, God and death. The track “Cemeteries Of London” uses hand clapping which reminds me of canasta. It adds an extra depth.
Keep your ears open for the hidden track “Chinese Sleep Chant”.
Cherry Ghost - The Afternoons @ spaceland
Written By: Cherry Ghost
Afternoons w/ Parson Redheads
6.23.08 @ Spaceland
Buy On:
It’s true. Dancing makes everything better.
I parked a long way away this time around. But I didn’t mind. The summer air had finally cooled for the evening, and my walk to the club seemed like sweet relief from my humid oven in Hollywood. I enjoy evening walks and evening sounds and the urban evening animals I often see in Silverlake. The only thing I saw this time was a black cat. And he still had his tail. Lucky.
When I walked into Spaceland, I was surprised to see that Parson Redheads had already started their set. I am usually quite early to most things I attend. This is an annoying habit that I have spent the last few years trying to amend. I have tried several tactics, including forcing myself to not leave my house until I’m sure I’m going to be late – this never seems to work. Sigh. I always end up listening to some song on repeat in my car while waiting for my friends in the (free) prime parking spot I’ve acquired with all the extra time I had at disposal to drive around looking.
I have to admit, I was not thrilled with the first couple of songs. With the subpar (how did “subpar” end up being a bad thing in the English language? Isn’t it supposed to be a sports metaphor? And isn’t subpar a great thing? Anyone? Please tell me, it’s been bugging me for years.) sound in Spaceland, I thought I was in for a very mediocre hour of music.
Fortunately, two more members joined after the second song and everything started to look up. One of these members was in charge of dancing. This is what he did. Or what he does. This is the instrument he plays. And it made all the difference in the world. The missing energy was found!
I especially liked the last half of the last song. I have no idea what it was. But it was beautiful and I wanted more of that one!
I don’t have to tell you about Afternoons. You already heard ALL about it a couple weeks ago. And yes, they were still amazing. Only this time I left with a soar throat, as I now know the lyrics and was singing along whenever I could.
Yours truly,
Cherry Ghost
Ps. In retrospect, I should have asked those Parsons where they got all their fancy white clothes – I’m going to a “wear-all-white-clothes-surprise-party-thing” this weekend, and I just don’t have the wardrobe. I don’t have it, I must acquire it, and I really really want to look cool. Can I borrow those sunglasses and shorts?
Labels:
Cherry Ghost,
chicks with guns,
spaceland,
the afternoons
Jun 24, 2008
Friday Night
Written By: Dan “The Man” Sklut
Friday night was supposed to be the best night ever for Trey Mendez. He was finally going to get laid. After going out with Tracy for what seemed like forever (but was really just two weeks), she decided she was ready to give it up. She had even called him at 10:30 at night to tell him, in her words, to “Come and get [his] love right now.”
So how did he end up next to an abandoned building with a gun pointed in his face? To understand this, we’re going to have to backtrack a few hours.
By 9:00, an exhausted Trey was already in bed, waiting for Saturday morning to come around so he could get an early start on finishing his list of errands. Sex was the last thing on his mind that night. Unfortunately, Trey had a one-track mind, which meant that sex was also the first thing on his mind.
The steadily building pressure in Trey’s southern hemisphere felt like it would burst him wide open if it was left untreated any longer. Sure, there may have been certain other ways to take care of that, but not for Trey Mendez. Let’s just say he was all too familiar, bored even, with practicing his free-throws. He was ready to play one-on-one now.
He had hoped mind-numbing chores like digging up weeds, doing the dishes, and washing cars would help distract him from that all-encompassing reproductive obsession of his, though all it did was give him more time to think about it. So off to sleep he drifted, with his thoughts and memories of the day swimming around in head, sometimes combining and mutating, resulting in some interesting dreams involving a half-woman, half-shovel.
But before he could imagine the painful splinters from getting to second base with a sexy spade, his cell phone rang, sending Trey springing out of bed to groggily answer it.
“Hello?”
“Hey Trey, it’s Tracy. Did I wake you?”
“Huh… oh, not that much, I was just… digging… um… this new cd I got.”
“Oh, cool. Like, um listen. I was, like, thinking, you know, like about you and me---”
Oh, no. That sounds like breakup talk to me. It’s got all the classic signs: the hesitance, the overuse of filler words like ‘like’ and ‘um’, and of course, her announcement that she was thinking about ‘us.’ Why is it that women never tell me they’re thinking about me until never thinking about me again is involved? Well, at least I detected it right away, so I can mentally prepare for it. Good thing I can read women so well. But what did I do wrong?
“--- and you know how you always say we should try new things?”
Oh, this is must be about that bad sushi. “We’d like some salmon, and we’d like it well done,” we said. “Try it raw; it’s great,” the waiter said. “The Japanese do it, and they’re all right.” Damn cocky waiter. Maybe I shouldn’t have mistaken him for a woman. Or maybe I just shouldn’t have listened to him. But it wasn’t my fault. The light was dim, and he had a pony tail, how could I have accurately told the difference?
“Trey, are you still there?”
“Yeah, babe, I’m here,” he said, snapped out of his inner monologue. “But come on,
that sushi wasn’t that bad!”
“What are you talking about? You mean that raw salmon we had last Saturday? That
wasn’t sushi. That was just some pissed-off waitress’s practical joke.”
“That ‘waitress’ was a dude,” explained Trey.
“Oh. Ooooh! That explains the poisonous recommendation, then. Well, good for the
Steak Palace. It’s good that they don’t discriminate against the girly-looking or trans-
gendered.”
“If that’s true, then Chris Crocker will always have something to fall back on.”
“You mean besides VH1? Ha! But seriously, there’s a reason I called you,” Tracy said
seriously.
“Yeah, I kinda already guessed that there was something on your mind (Oh boy, here
comes the dumping of a lifetime),” said and thought Trey, respectively.
“Oh, really? What did you think I was calling to tell you about?” Tracy sounded coy.
But that confused Trey.
Why doesn’t she just call it quits with me already? Why with all these mind games? What am I supposed to say? Maybe my female literacy isn’t quite up to snuff after all. No, that’s crazy talk. I’m awesome. After all, I got a girlfriend, didn’t I? But apparently, I’m about to lose one. So I’m about even. Wait, I’m still talking to her. I should say something.
“Something important enough to wake me up, I suppose.”
“I thought you were listening to music.”
“I was… in my sleep. My subconscious needs entertainment too, you know. But
whatever, what was it that you wanted?” Trey asked in his least impatient voice.
The two of them would have ended up going off on twenty different tangents if he hadn’t put his foot down then and there, and Trey knew it. He had the phone bills to prove that he could keep a conversation going with Tracy for at least thirty minutes without saying one important thing.
“I want to have sex.”
“What? With who?
“You.”
“Me?”
Trey was astonished. He expected to hear the name of Tracy’s next boyfriend, but it would seem that fate threw him a curve ball, and not only spared him his relationship with Tracy, but also took it up to the next level.
“Yes, you. Who else would I be talking about? I’ve thought it over, and the more I
think about it, the more I want to do it. Like, right now. Come and get your love now,
Trey. I’m waiting.”
“I’ll be over at your place as soon as possible!”
And with that, he hung up the phone, took off his clothes, and sprinted to the shower. The US military could have learned a thing or two from the efficiency with which Trey cleaned himself in such short time (less than two minutes).
Ah, so fresh, so clean. Wow. I will never trust my instincts about women again. Oh my god, I have dreamed of phone calls like that. Wait, am I dreaming? I don’t see any shovels here, so probably not. Okay, shower’s done. Now I just have to dress, grab my stuff, sneak out of the house and drive away, all without being heard by my parents. Great. No problem.
Now, as mentioned before, Trey had a one-track mind. What I failed to mention, however, was that that track was about the size of the Union Pacific Railroad, so no matter what, his testosterone-addled train of thought would keep on a-chuggin’ until it reached its final destination (in this case, a tunnel of sorts).
No obstacle would stop him from making the beast with two backs, least of all his parents. Ever the resourceful lad, Trey waited until his parents were out of earshot, climbed out of his bedroom window, got into his into car, and started his journey to the Promised Land:
…Tracy’s apartment.
END OF ACT I. ACT II to be continued next week.
Labels:
chicks with guns,
dan sklut
Dub Pistols - Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
The Dub Pistols will be DJing all the parties for this year's Bullrun Rally!
Buy "Speakers and Tweeters" On:
Barry and Rodney P will be DJing along the route of this ridiculous annual cross country car rally. The race will be televised, as you no doubt have already seen from previous years, and about 100 cars (whose owners have paid about 17k to enter) will be tearing through our nations highways and byways. What better way to get motivated than crazy parties and the Dub Pistols music.
We're checking on availability of guest list spots, and where the missing parties will be. We'll let you know what we find. In the meantime, check out the dates below, and see if they're coming to your town. (And see what days you should stay off the road.)
06.22 Big Sky to Aspen (After party @ 39 Degrees Bar)
06.23 Aspen to Park City (After party @ Harry O's)
06.24 Park City to Las Vegas (After party TBD)
06.25 Las Vegas to Los Angeles (After party TBD)
06.26 Los Angeles to Tucson (LOEWS VENTANA CANYON - Hotel Pool Party)
06.27 Tucson to Scottsdale (afterparty TBD)
Dub Pistols
Bullrun Rally
Labels:
bull run,
chicks with guns,
dub pistols,
planetary group,
world tour
Jun 23, 2008
Uncommon Music - Emmylou Harris
Written by: Nichole Wagner
Buy On:
Since it’s no big secret that I’m a die-hard Emmylou fan, I’ve had to give her latest album, All I Intended to Be some time and a few good spins through the CD player to make sure that the music didn’t get lost in the “it’s her first real album in almost forever-and-a-half and she’s Emmylou so therefore it’s amazing” feelings.
That said, it’s still a pretty darned good album and only “country” in the most broad definition of the genre.
My biggest problem is that it is a touch slow. I wish that there was something a little more upbeat to balance out the sound. Something like Jupiter Rising or Little Bird or even Deeper Well would help the slow songs “pop” instead of blurring into each other, especially during those crucial first few listens..
There are some covers and some originals. While I love that the covers are mixed (Tracy Chapman, Billy Joe Shaver, Patty Griffin, and Merle Haggard) I don’t love the fact that some, especially Patty’s Moon Song, are a bit too close to the originals. It’s a little like trying to fix something that’s not broken by adding a lot of clutter in the form of mandolin and accordion. And no, I’m not just bitter that Patty’s not on the album.
Luckily Old Five and Dimers Like Me (from which the album is named from) and All That You Have Is Your Soul don’t have the copy-cat syndrome to quite the extent.
Other songs like Hold On, written by Jude Johnstone (who’s written for people like Stevie Nicks as well) and Broken Man’s Lament, by Mark Germino (not Emmy as the liner notes say) get the classic Emmylou treatment with help from friends like Karen Brooks, Glen Worf, Buddy Miller, Glen D. Hardin and producer/ex-husband Brian Ahern.
The songs that stand out most are the ones she penned either by herself or with help from the McGarrigle sisters, Kate and Anna.
Gold is one of those “I did everything I could but it still wasn’t good enough” songs and with Dolly Parton and Vince Gill on harmony it really does sound like gold spun onto the record.
How Could She Sing The Wildwood Flower is to A.P. and Sara Carter what Strong Hand on Stumble into Grace is to Johnny and June Cash. A song of love and music and loss. If the only Carter you can think of is Maybelle or you’re a little rusty on your Carter Family history a quick refresher helps the song make sense.
The Carter Family was A.P. Carter, Sara (who was married to A.P. until they were divorced and she married his first cousin), and Maybelle (Sara’s cousin that married A.P.’s cousin, Ezra, and would go on to be known as ‘Mother Maybelle’ and be mother of June, Helen and Anita.) They’re among the pioneers of commercial country and folk music and have inspired just about every musician that’s set a foot within 100 yards of the Opry. At any rate, one of their better known tunes is the parlor song Wildwood Flower which, not surprisingly, is featured in the melody of Emmy’s song.
Sailing Round the Room is what Emmy correctly identifies as an “agnostic spiritual.” There’s no mentions of Heaven, a God, Judgment Days or anything else remotely biblical but the idea of death and being free from Earth’s chains is intact.
Listen to:
Beyond the Great Divide
Gold
All That You Have Is Your Soul
Sailing Round the Room
Labels:
chicks with guns,
emmylou harris,
uncommon music
Cherry Ghost - Karaoke, Anyone??
The Brass Monkey
6/13/08
I know, I know. You’ve been there a MILLION times. It’s fun ol’ news to you. But listen, I hadn’t.
I once had a dream about The Brass Monkey. In my dream it was the biggest karaoke bar in Los Angeles. With shiny white walls, diffused soft light and ultra modern furniture. People were dressed like pop stars and they all could sing like Aretha. Everyone had glowing straight white teeth and 100 watt smiles. Cute little waitresses in low-cut tops served fancy cocktails and delicious snacks.
The only thing left over from this dream after my recent foray in Korea Town was that the waitresses were in fact, pretty cute. The rest of the dream was almost the complete opposite of the actual Brass Monkey. Keep in mind, that was an anxiety dream – as I am horrified and terrified of karaoke. (My performance, not the performance of others.) The last time I tried to go to The Brass Monkey was YEARS ago. My friends and I got lost never found it. I acted irritated, but I was secretly VERY relieved.
The Brass Monkey turned out to be quite unassuming. Like a little log cabin tucked away in the underbelly an office building. From the moment we stepped in and were greeted by a nice old gentleman, I had the feeling that all my fears were unsubstantiated. I felt lucky to get a table. A table? At a popular bar? On Friday night?
Then I realized that everyone stands, and the only view my table got me was ass. I wish I liked stranger ass more. So we moved to the bar. And a great vantage point for crowd watching and singer watching – yet out of the way of singer heckling. And by “singer heckling”, I don’t mean that people heckle the singer, I mean that the singer tends to heckle the crowd. Or “flirt”. I guess you could call some of it “flirting.”
Here is my determination: I like watching Karaoke. I would like it even more if the following standards were in place…
1. All songs must be four minutes or under. Do not have longer options on the menu.
It was kind of fun to be anonymous. But I’m sure it’s even more fun with a big group of drunk friends. Monopolizing the mic and singing like Aretha.
If it weren’t so far away, I would suggest the Tattletale Room over the Brass Monkey. Listen, that place is GREAT if you’re a scaredy-cat like me. Otherwise, put on your sequined skirt, brush your teeth (be sure to use white strips) and head on down The Brass Monkey.
Labels:
brass monkey,
Cherry Ghost,
chicks with guns,
karaoke,
los angeles
Dear in the Headlights - Jodie Westerman
CWG: Where are you from originally?
I'm a Michigan girl... snowy winters, summers at the lake, and the very best friends in the world... these are the things I miss most about the mid west.
CWG: What's the most unusual project you've worked on?
Probably modeling for the 2008 IMATS international fantasy beauty makeup competition at the Pasadena Convention Center. The theme was "Greek goddesses" - and I was the fiery Phoenix! My makeup artist, Lymari Millot, and I won first prize... so look for us in the next edition of IMATS magazine!
CWG: If you could do one thing to make the world a sexier place, what would it be and why?
The sexiest thing a person can be is real. We all need to stop idolizing celebrities and start realizing our OWN potential. A poser free world? Now THAT'S sexy.
CWG: What's your favorite album of all time?
The Postal Service for their debut album ~ "Give Up". As a dancer, I appreciate music with a message, a great beat, and a fresh sound. This album has it all!
CWG: What artist are you currently listening to?
Akon... "Always talkin bout what you got... girl you know that you need to stop"... haha... oh Akon, didn't you know I've only just begun!
CWG: What was the worst date you ever went on?
Definitely Disney Land. Leave it to "The Happiest Place on Earth" to shore up a date so nervous he actually had to get out of line to go puke. Then leave it to the romantic fireworks to inspire him to go in for the kiss anyway. Can you say ew?!
CWG: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Starbucks coffee. As a former barista and lifelong lover of caffeinated bliss, I'll take a latte over a fancy dinner ANY day.
CWG: Favorite place to hang out in L.A.?
The Improv Comedy Club! I LOVE stand up comedy... and the Improv features some of the best comics in the country. I would definitely recommend it for a great night full of fun and laughs!
Like Jodi? Check her out online:
Model Mayhem
Myspace
Jun 11, 2008
Cherry Ghost - Los Angeles Natural History Museum?
Written By: Cherry Ghost
I know, I know. I’m supposed to write concert reviews. And this was SUPPOSED to be a concert to review. But the concert was the least exciting part of the evening.
6/6/08 The Mountain Goats @ The Natural History Museum w/ Annuals
I had never made it out to a First Friday event at the Los Angeles Natural History Museum. I always had excuses… mainly that it always seemed SO early. But last week (luckily, as it was the final one of the year) I made it out!
I decided that I wanted to get the full First Friday experience, so I got there as early as I possibly could. Which was around 5:45pm. This had an unintended bonus of free street parking. (By the way: I love free parking. It always makes me happier to be where I am.)
While we missed the tour (which was ok, as I like self-guided-going-where-I-want-when-I-want-learning-about-what-I-want-to-learn-about tours better anyway) we did sit in on the lecture by Dr. Craig Stanford.
It was about the similarities between apes and dolphins – more specifically “Beautiful Minds: The Parallel Evolution of Apes and Dolphins, and What it Means for Human Origins”. The lecture (when it finally started after all the introductions and self-promotions) was only about a half hour long. THE PERFECT length for an educational lecture! If it goes much longer, I get bored and stop learning all the important things there are to learn. After that we continued on our self guided tour around the museum.
This is the best way to see a museum: Drinks! Dim lights! Lots of young 20 somethings! Food! Dinosaur Costumes! Music! DJs! Bands! Friends! No need to talk in Hushed Museum Voices!
We waited in a line that went around several corners to get into the Mammal Hall in order to watch the bands play. By the way, what a great venue to have a show! They were set up right in front of the Bison exhibit. I liked what Annuals had going on, but I really couldn’t hear very well. And I was constantly distracted by the baby boar in the exhibit next to me.
*Why haven’t we found a way to keep animals as cute little babies FOREVER? Huh, Science? Why?*
A great local with terrible acoustics. Too bad. And when the Mountain Goats started, it was even harder for me to focus on the music. Sooooooo… we left Mammal Hall and raced around the museum at a furious pace looking for some lost friends. We found them. Deep in the Marine Life hall, were we had a wine induced conversation about sand crabs and The Running of the Grunions – happening now, at a beach near you.
*While trying to remember the word “Grunion”, I came across this little tid-bit: “It is legal to catch grunions while they are on the beach, but only with bare hands. The preferred method of grunion catching is at night with a flashlight and a gunny sack.” A gunny sack? Who knew!*
This was a perfect Friday evening. I will seek out and discover more events like this. I will. And I’m going to. And then I will consider telling you about them. Sure beats going to a bar. In fact, I wish someone would open a bar exactly like the Natural History Museum. Someone? Anyone? I also wish I was wildly rich or fantastically famous so that I could throw a costume party/scavenger hunt/hide & seek party there. Maybe they will read this and let me, as a nice little present for saying nice things about them.
Next time: Gems & Minerals, Dinosaurs and the Bug display – couldn’t bring my drink in. Didn’t want to set my drink down. Didn’t want to down my drink… Didn’t see these exhibits.
Cherry Ghost.
Uncommon Music - Numbers and Letters Tells All
Written By: Nichole Wagner
Buy On:
New York-based Americana group Numbers and Letters released their first album earlier this year.
These do-it-yourselfers offer up melody and lyrics in a special edition release that is available exclusively through their website.
Between sending out CDs, playing live and writing for Billboard, band leader Katie Hasty took some time to answer a few questions.
__________________________See what she had to say about Red Lobster, Bryan Adams and the reason she was cut from the third grade talent show.
I didn't make the cut, probably because I didn't wear a costume slutty
enough. - Katie Hasty -
__________________________
NW: Are you a full time musician or do you have a side gig? Where do you hope your music takes you?
KH: Four out of five of us aren't full-time musicians. I'm a web monkey and columnist for Billboard. Joe and Tom work in publishing and Phil wears goggles and puts colored water in beakers and things.
Clifton's the only pro amongst us wanderers.
I hope our music lands us an endorsement deal with Red Lobster and a guest "appearance" on "The Simpsons."
NW: What was the first instrument you learned to play and how old were you? Any stories about your first or favorite instrument?
KH: I played piano starting when I was five until I was 18, at which point I was summarily dismissed as a student.
I have an early memory of auditioning for the third grade talent show by singing and playing "Part of This World" from "The Little Mermaid."
I didn't make the cut, probably because I didn't wear a costume slutty enough.
NW: Of your songs, which is your favorite to perform and why? Of the cover songs?
KH: I enjoy playing "It's Dead" a lot because the strumming pattern is fun.
Also, sometimes at the part in the beginning where I sing "You're like a child, with your paws on my skirt," I sing "You're like a child, with your balls on my skirt" in order to reduce Joe into a fit of giggles.
My favorite cover to play is M. Ward's "Sad, Sad Song." I like the idea of killer whales suffering from their lovers.
NW: What does your creative process look like? How do you come up with ideas and new songs?
KH: I keep a notebook on me and write down phrases, concepts or stories that I like. Separately, I'll wake up with a tune in my head, or start whistling and come upon at melody I like. Then I'll try and pair concepts with the melody and flesh out the lyrics from there.
As for writing from personal experience, a good story sometimes can use great embellishments; lying makes telling hard stories easier.
NW: What was the first song you wrote and do you still play it?
KH: The first song I ever wrote was called "Saving You," from my freshman year of high school.
I performed it at an overnight summer camp at Duke on the last night, when all those teeming juvenile hormones force their way to irritable teenaged skin and tear glands. I brought down the house.
That performance can never be replicated and for that reason, I have retired it. Also, it was such a crappy song.
NW: How has your music and style evolved over the years you've been performing?
KH: I started (really) writing songs when I started learning guitar, which was four years ago.
I've gotten a little better at guitar, and that confidence shows up in bolder lyrics, I think.
NW: What were your last five music purchases?
KH: "St. Louis Blues" Etta James (single) "Non Stop" Whitey (single)
"Bill Bailey" Sam Cooke (single)
"If This Thing Should Spill" Born In The Flood (album) "The Phoenix" Renminbi (album).
NW: If you could sit down for an hour and play with any musician, alive or dead, who would it be and what would you ask them?
KH: Tom Waits. After a few songs, if possible, we'd go thrift store shopping and leaf through People. We wouldn't even have to talk.
NW: What is your favorite meal on the road?
KH: Fish tacos and iced tea
NW: What was the first concert you attended?
A: Bryan Adams, Waking Up the Neighbors tour. It was 1993, I was 11.
I distinctly remember screaming "I love you Bryan" and having a profound moment realizing that I, in fact, did not love Bryan.
I was living a lie.
Check out Numbers and Letters
Myspace
Last.fm
Jun 10, 2008
White Chicks On Rap - Duffy - Rockferry
Label: Universal/Polydor
Rating: 3 Guns
Buy On:
Amy Winehouse has been out for about five years and the British media is already looking for new Amy. Well, a new Amy has been found…Aimee Duffy or Duffy as she is known professionally.
Duffy is a part of a new music trend of combining sixties soul, jazz and Motown.
Duffy’s debut album Rockferry is so refreshing in the strength is shows in singing about love and relationships.
My favorite track is “Warwick Avenue”. Duffy sings about talking the train to Warwick Avenue to see her boyfriend to break up with him because he has broken her heart. I love how she sings how she wants better and staying where she is will only trap her because she knows her boyfriend really doesn’t love her.
“Hanging In Too Long” also discusses this when someone you love cheats on you and you are torn to stay and give it another chance or just to walk away.
“Mercy” is the current single on the radio and in TV commercials. It is very catchy and was the number single in the UK. Duffy is begging for the person she loves to give her mercy and treat her right.
“Distant Dreamer” is has a very lush orchestra arrangement. Duffy sings about all the things she dreams of being and the hope she holds onto. I love the lyrics “Even when you see me frown, my heart won't let me down, because I know there's better things to come”.
At 23, Duffy is another promising singer and I look forward to hearing more from her.
Labels:
chicks with guns,
duffy,
rockferry,
White chicks On Rap
Jun 9, 2008
Dear in the Headlights # 18 - Shannon Dwyer
CWG: Where are you from originally?
Yorba Linda, CA
CWG: What's the most unusual project you've worked on?
Life
CWG: If you could do one thing to make the world a sexier place, what would it be and why?
I do it as much as I can, there is nothing sexier than a smile. Smile at people you know, smile at people you don't know but it makes everyone feel better so see a happy smile.
CWG: What's your favorite album of all time?
Pink Floyd - A Momentary Lapse of Reason
CWG: What artist are you currently listening to?
The Decemberists - The Crane Wife
CWG: What was the worst date you ever went on?
A blind date with a guy that kept telling me he couldn't believe how cute I was and that I reminded him so much of his 13 year old niece.
CWG: Do you have any guilty pleasures?
Yes
CWG: Favorite place to hang out in L.A.?
In La? Anywhere with Rockin' Bokamper
Like Shannon? Check her out on Myspace
Jun 6, 2008
White chicks On Rap - Verve Remixed Vol. 4
Label: Verve Music Group/UMG
Rating: 3 Guns
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Electronica has always taken cues from jazz by sampling some of the greatest songs and standards to add another dimension of feeling and depth. Back in 2002, the Verve label, one of the greatest jazz labels took an idea of having DJ’s and remixers take jazz songs and make it accessible to a new generation. The format was such a success that other record labels (such a Motown) and artists (Shirley Bassey) have taken note and released remix albums of their own.
The fourth addition of the Verve remixed still delivers great chillout and trip-hop sounds. Some key pairings are The Cinematic Orchestra with Ella Fitzgerald on “I Get A Kick Out Of You” and Diplo with Marlena Shaw on “California Soul”. I love how Ella sings “I Get A Kick Out Of You” because normally, when this song is sung, it is at a faster, upbeat pace, but Ella creates a very intimate setting with her slow pace.
The album flows perfectly and adds a relaxing vibe for an ordinary day. Listening to Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone, Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughan turns an ordinary day into something memorable. If you dig this album, I recommend you look into getting the first three remix albums as they are outstanding. If you are interested in hearing the original songs, the Verve releases unremixed albums along with the remixed. Whichever version you get, you won’t be disappointed.
Labels:
chicks with guns,
verve remixed,
White chicks On Rap
Cherry Ghost - The Afternoons/War Paint
Editor's Note: After a small hiatus, our star writer, Cherry Ghost returns.....yaay!
_______________________________________
The Afternoons @ Spaceland w/ War Paint
6/2/08 (June residency)
Written By: Cherry Ghost 
War Paint.
I’m gonna make this quick as I want to get to the GOOD GREAT FANTASTIC MAGICAL part. I like your name. I especially like your name cause you’re all girls (Oops, sorry boy on the drums… I forgot about you for a second).
The main question I’m left with after your set is: What is with the weird adult onesie/diaper outfit? You’re way too sexy to be wearing that. Are you trying to set a trend or did you lose a bet?
All I know is that I will not be rushing out to buy one. I really liked the music although the vocals weren’t for me. I wasn’t into the echo-y vocal effect splashed across almost every song. It seemed like a gimmick. Sometimes the sound in Spaceland isn’t the best and I would like to give you the benefit of doubt, especially as your last song sounded pretty good. Bat For Lashes, you are not.
I enjoyed the show – but wouldn’t buy the album. Or an adult onesie.
The Afternoons!
Buy On:
Right from the start, an ambiance was set on stage – the low warm tone of the lights combined with the blinks and blips coming from machines that I’d never seen before gave Spaceland an inviting and cozy feeling. And with the start of a steady beat on the bass drum I could feel a smile that formed in my gut plaster itself on my lips.
It never left my face for the next hour (and more… I think I fell to sweet dreams with it still lingering on my lips and crinkling the corners of my eyes). I can’t explain where they transported me. There were moments that I felt like I was in a 1920’s revival tent. Or at a 1940’s fair.
And moments where my feet were firmly planted in the 21st century. Claire Mceown. Oh how her voice rang out. I’ve never heard a voice quite like hers. And it lured me in and held my attention so that I could barely breathe. I’ve never wished so hard: “Please Please Please may I be in your band? I’ll do anything. I learn the harmonica in a heart beat.”
I didn’t know any of the songs, yet I felt included in what seemed to be a joyous sing along.
“Joyous.”
This is a word I would use to describe the evening. They all sang with harmonies that made me squirm they were so spot on! Sam Johnson. He was all over the stage. First as the second drummer (yes, they had 2 drummers on 2 full kits) and then as trumpeter. Going from the most mournful notes until they shifted and lifted to become suddenly …again… joyous! Then to vocals, bass, guitar, and on and on.
I could hardly keep track of all the moves he was making. Brian and Steven (maybe more but I’m not sure) came out on the other side of Irving with a shot that has been echoing in my heart since the first note and probably won’t leave for a long, long time.
If you have it in you to make it out late on a Monday night, you should. It’s magic. I’m going to try to go at least one more time this month. It’s free (except for the $3 EP you’re bound to buy). And it’s incredible. And you shouldn’t miss it. To the moon!
Cherry Ghost.
Labels:
Cherry Ghost,
chicks with guns,
the afternoons,
war paint
Uncommon Music - Hidden Tracks
Written By: Nichole Wagner
Of all the hundreds of "hidden tracks" the Beatles are considered the pioneers of the concept. Some dispute which of their tracks is actually a hidden track but since the Inner Groove on Sgt. Pepper's is really just noise and that in all my years of obsessive Beatle fan-dom I never actually heard the one on The Beatles (also known as the White Album), I considered Her Majesty on Abbey Road to be the very first true hidden track, tacked on 14 odd seconds after the final cut on Abbey Road as it had been taken out of the Mr. Mustard and Polythene Pam medley.
With the advent of iTunes and iPods and iWhatevers, hidden tracks are getting easier to find so some of my favorites are not quite a secret but they're still a good listen and worth finding.
On their self-released, available only through them on the internet album, Live!, the New Pornographers stuck a cover of Fleetwood Mac's Dreams nearly a half hour after the "last song." This is just really fun, since none of them particularly know the words. It's hidden far enough back that I missed it until I put the CD in the computer.
Neko Case has her own semi-hidden track on The Tigers Have Spoken entitled Tigers Are Noble in which she introduces the title track explaining that tigers can't be released into the wild because their habitat is being taken away and that perhaps because children are noisy and generally irritating they ought to be fed to the tigers. She adds that she was one of those irritating children who would have been tiger food.
Tom Petty doesn't have actual musical hidden tracks, but he does add tidbits to make his albums hilarious.
For example, on Full Moon Fever where the