Liam Finn @ Schubas

So Mr. Finn opened for Pela tonight and let me tell ya...I now understand why he was described as an "indie wunderkind." It's called looping, and he's damn good at it. Between fierce electric guitar to his "backup singer" yelling into the mike while banging the cowbell he sang. And recorded. And then played it back while he ran to his drumset to beat the hell out of that and make it sound phenomenal. Granted the routine became tired by sound 5, but you forgot that for the most part - because the songs were good, his backup singer was drunk, and they thought they were teaching us kiwi slang, like "low-down."
Err, at least I think that's what they were saying.

makes me sick.

i've recently come to label myself as a "creative" type. not only because i literally work in the creative department at work, but also because the things I tend to lust over most are born of creativity - whether it be music, movies, books, fashion, design, etc.
on the street, if you divide people into types, I will most likely gravitate towards those with weird (but aesthetically pleasing) hair, tattoos, patterned shirts, etc.
still, sounds cliché to me, but it's the best I can come to in terms of identifying with a group of individuals.

regardless, you must also know that while I try to be creative and want to be creative, I don't radiate it as much as others do.

that's why people like Vincent Moon make me sick. he's my age, and doing something magical - at least in my opinion. he's created this thing called "take away shows" where amazing indie acts perform on the streets, in a bar, without announcing it to anyone. it's just one or two improvised songs. sometimes people know who they are, and sometimes they don't.
and that's only half of it.

really, it's his style that is so compelling. without going so far as saying that they seem like home movies, he blends lo-fi recordings with french influences that make each video a magical treat. take this performance of "death could be at the door" by Eagle*Seagull. (if you don't know Eagle*Seagull, you should. they're a kick ass lil' band from my hometown of Lincoln, NE and are in the vein of Arcade Fire, to be so crude.)



there's nothing to it, but it's magical. it actually had the ability to make me fall love with the band for a second time.

you can watch the take aways shows on la blogoteque and learn more on the amazing Vincent Moon here.

and you can find it on iTunes as a podcast to subscribe to.

apparently he hates MTV. thank god.

i'm proud of yah, Eli.

so I'm not a fan of football fan...and the fact that I know who the Manning Brothers are is practically a miracle straight from God.
but I do work in advertising, so like the rest of America I watch the Superbowl.
And while it's only moments after the Giants won the big game, can we just relive one of the only moments in sports that's ever had an effect on me...ever!?!

The moment when Eli Manning threw that winning touchdown...so calmly...calculated...was amazing. Even I leaped out of my chair, cheering for the Giants. I didn't even know I liked the Giants. Apparently I am converted.

But the best part (and i will post it as soon as it's up and I can find it) was when they immediately cut to Eli's big brother Payton leaping up...fist in the air...jubilant in his brother's success. Amazing. You knew at that moment he wasn't cheering for a football team...or a game...or a point. He was cheering for his little brother...who's victory probably brought him more happiness than his own Superbowl win last year. he was so proud of his brother...

I think I leaped out of my seat because i was simply following my heart at that sight.

so to answer your question Eli, no, the DSRL was not a big mistake.

indeed

freinds, it's been a while...and life's been kind of hectic so my apologies for not putting something up more recently, but there's something I want to share with you now.
my friend Sarah sent it to me moments ago. no matter where you stand, watch it.

"This is a video for Barack Obama inspired by his speech on change and aspiration. It was produced independently without knowledge or support from the Obama campaign. It was made by will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas and stars Scarlett Johansson, Tatyana Ali, John Legend, Herbie Hancock, Kate Walsh, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Adam Rodriquez, Kelly Hu, Adam Rodriquez, Amber Valetta and Nick Cannon. I found it really inspirational and a great anthem for the campaign and the country.

'Yes We Can' Video for Barack Obama and Change





If you liked this video, please forward it on! There are a lot of undecided people out there and a lot of close races.

Behind the scenes of the video
They didn't talk to anyone at the campaign or are part of the campaign, they were just inspired by the speech he made in New Hampshire. 'People came together because it's an inspirational song about change'
Here's Obama's original speech (notice in the CNN split screen how slim his loss was in NH, he actually took more delegates)
If you don't know anything about Obama here is where he stands on the issues and how he stands up to Clinton.

I obviously hope you vote for Barack Obama, but most importantly I just hope you VOTE on February 5th and November 4th! As we learned in 2000, every vote counts.

--Sarah P."

Hopefully you'll be as inspired...to at least vote...as I am.

if the song doesn't have meaningful lyrics...

then why not give the video some meaning? that's exactly what Simian Mobile Disco has done.
"what exactly do you mean Spain?" he asks. "why do you say they're not getting enough food."
this video would disagree.
awesome. disgusting. trashy. beautiful.
and the song's pretty damn good too.
yet another example of the nerds of the world being 1. awesome 2. insightful and 3. really funny.
enjoy...just try not to indulge.

one if by land...two if by 80s influence and NME.

remember when you got that feeling...down there...and how you knew that something was...up.
it's happened a few times before (i.e. the Strokes...then Franz Ferdinand...then Arcade Fire,) and as I manically go about searching for new music, new bands, etc. i've noticed that the horizon is changing...musically that is. and thank god emo is no where in site.

seriously, i'm not a religious man, but thank you Jesus!

is this an upheaval in which our friends up north (O! Canada) are to be dethrowned because the Peasantry have added a dance beat and horizontal stripes? are the britts invading via neons and sirens? New Order ala Echo and the Bunnymen aka 24 Party People who are born slippy listening to Moby's Go? And is their big sister Debbie Harry who we never got over on prom night?

I'm apprehensive to jump on the band wagon so quickly and call it "Nu-Rave" (though I like this term very much) but I have to admit, the whole nu-new wave movement (which i've been enjoying from the get-go) is shifting directions. it's hard to explain, but i can sense it. the music i'm finding (and loving) suddenly has a different feel to it.

latel i hear something, and am constantly taken aback. my eyes widen and my head says "hello...you hearin' this?" there's something different.

it's like going to a different city and drinking their tap water...and liking it.

regardless, it's still indie. it's not on the radio, the kids in public school aren't listening to it, and the critics have yet to catch on. which is all fine by me. it means show tickets will remain inexpensive and within my grasp (fuck you ticketmaster.)

it's what the 80s had in mind, but the 90s achieved...without this decade calling Gen-X'ers sell outs. which they are.

it's all that, rolled into an organic-eco-friendly-whole-wheat tortilla. my friends...this causes a stirring in my loins.
and i can't help myself but to take my hands and stick 'em down my pants...that's how happy this makes me.

for example...check this:

remember - I give head before I give favors. do you know what this is?

identify what movie that's from and you'll win a prize. not really.
just wanted to pass along some other videos i'm quite enjoying right now...err...have been for a while.

it's funny...just putting these up make me realize that i do miss MTV - you know, the one that played music videos (I have Cable, thank you very much.)

why didn't I want to become a film maker? i mean i do, but damn did my aspirations take me to a strange place...

until the next time i chose to not focus on the task at hand and find some cool videos...that was a favor.