Your So Vain

There are times when I miss my days of insane fanaticism, at least for Kaiser Chiefs. Lord knows I'm still insanely fanatical about DW. But yeah, there are days when I miss being insane, not just because things were simpler then, but also because I could laugh when members of the band said ridiculous things. Like, "Oasis have disappeared up their own arse." I could enjoy that sentiment so much more if I wasn't a semi-rational human being. Granted I can still enjoy the quote because I think the Gallagher brothers have long since taken up residence in their own arses, but that's a different thing all together. Because, you have to understand, the reason I dislike the Gallagher brothers so much is the same reason why, when I read the rest of the article, I wished so desperately that I could be a bubble headed fangirl. Back then, I could swallow the inherit shallowness of the rest of what Rick says, because...I wouldn't have seen it that way. I would have agreed wholeheartedly. Now though, it's just rubbish. Vain, pompous, rubbish. Nevertheless, I trust their manager more than I trust Rick, so I'm very excited about getting the album next year ;D

A Quick Note to Potential Parents

Here's just a little piece of advice from me to you: For the love of God do not let your child play a string instrument, such as a violin, unless you are completely and utterly certain that they will be good. Qualities such a child might possess is a good sense of tonality and well developed motor skills. If your child doesn't possess one of these qualities (preferably a good sense of tonality) do not let them near a violin, viola, or cello. Please. My ears don't like bleeding. 0_0

Alright, back to work. I've finally gotten to last week in the archives. Tis exciting.

Suit

So today was a rather big gig for le Kaiser Chiefs and NME, in their typically hypocritical way, covered it like it was the biggest fucking gig of the year. I think it's because the band is working with Mark Ronson, but I'm paranoid about NME giving any band too much exposure. Anywho, in their exuberant coverage, they decided to include a couple of pics in their weekly round-up of music news. Per usual, I immediately freaked out when I sited said picture, because I'm not right in the head. However, once I got over myself, I noticed what Monsieur Ricky was wearing. A suit. Sadly, the two pictures posted at the NME site are basically shite for facial expressions, but still. A suit avec tie. My fevered fangirl brain went positively berserk. So yeah, I just wanted to point that out. Have fun dissecting my insane psyche.

Work

Imagine getting lost on your way to an interview. In a skirt. Now imagine developing blisters because you've been walking for twenty or so minutes in the wrong direction in poorly chosen shoes. Add all of this with a heaping dose of nerves and you've got my Wednesday morning. Okay, now we're going to fast forward to the offices of WPFW. I'm sweaty, nervous, and a minute late for my interview. My feet are also killing me I can't wait to get home. I've basically got the job bagged because the station is that desperate for help. Everything is going nice and smoothly. I figure, a half hour and I'll be on a train back to my bed and my last of "Law and Order" binging.
Around 3:45 that same afternoon I leave the offices of WPFW, after all the shows from about mid-January of this year to the end of February. I'm exhausted, both physically and mentally, and my feet are still killing, only a lot worse because I had to walk around some more to find some place to eat for lunch. However, I did find out that I like falafel. I'll be going back to the station tomorrow, and this time I will be wearing sneakers instead of unbroken-in mary jane's. Despite everything, life is good.
So that's basically been the major events of this last week. I started my first "real" job archiving Gloria Minott's shows from this year and starting this week I'll also be shadowing her producer during the show, which should be fun. Life is indeed good.
Other interesting things:

• The House season finale made me cry. It was both heart-wrenching and very embarrassing.
• Fox was incredibly stupid in cancelling Firefly. It's the best damn show I've seen in ages, at least on this side of the pond.

Well that's it pretties. I'll write sometime in the future.

Official Set Lists From the Past Month (Literally)

Kate Nash, 9:30, 4/17/2008

1. Pumpkin Soup
2. Shit Song
3. Stitching Leggings
4. We Get On
5. Birds
6. Nicest Thing
7. I Hate Seagulls
8. Dickhead
9. Pickpocket
10. Paris
11. Skeleton Song
12. Mariella
13. Mouthwash
14. Foundations

Encore:

• Dont You Want to Share the Guilt
• Model Behaviour
• Merry Happy

General Summary: Started strong and then began introducing her more acoustic side and a shitload of new songs, thus loosing all momentum. Not brilliant, but not horrible.


Flight of the Conchords, Lisner Auditorium, 5/9/08

1. Robots
2. ? [My Name's Tim?]
3. The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room)
4. Thing About It
5. Bowie
6. ? (new)
7. Bus Driver's Song [From BBC radio series]
8. Bret, You Got It Going On
9. Mutha'uckas
10. Bret, You Got It Going On
11. If You're Into It
12. Business Time
13. Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenoceros
14. Albie the Racist Dragon

Encore:

• Inner City Pressure
• There Are Angels [new]

General Summary: You know how funny the TV show is? You know how great the songs are? Well, add improv and you've got the gig. Very funny, horrible seats.


The Swell Season, Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, 5/17/08

1. Say It To Me Now
2. Lies
3. This Low
4. Moon
5. When Your Mind's Made Up
6. Love Makes Me Cheerful [new]{Your Love Makes Me Cheerful}
7. I Have Joy [new]{I Have Loved You Wrong}
8. Falling Slowly
9. Leave
10. What Happens When the Heart Just Stops?
11. ? {Astral Weeks - Van Morrison cover}
12. ? {Your Face}
13. If You Have to Go, Go With Happiness {Go With Happiness}
14. Broken Hearted Hoover Fixer Sucker Guy
15. Once

Encore:

• If You Want Me
• Blue Shoes [Colm Mac Con Iomaire]
• Fitzcarraldo
• Star Star**

General Summary: See previous entry. {Edits with thanks to PlayedLastNight.com, which allowed me to download this magnificent performance}


What's Next: May 28th will see the fifth (or fourth, I can't remember) time I've seen Ben Folds live, June 5th will see a welcome return of the White Rabbits at the Black Cat and in August I'll be seeing We Are Scientists, despite the fact that their new album pretty much sucks. It's going to be a busy summer for me :D

Thank You So Much

When Glen Hansard was twelve he somehow wondered across the National Concert Hall in Dublin. Young Glenny (as I affectionately called him all last night) wondered in and seeing no one but a cleaning lady, after asking said cleaning lady, went up on the stage with his guitar and played a song. At this point in Mr. Hansard's story I was grinning like a mad fool because playing on a concert hall stage is something one never forgets and I can only imagine what it would be like for an aspiring musician/twelve year old. In any event, Glenny was amazed and also determined to play such a venue again. Well, last night, along with the rest of the members that make up the Swell Season, he did and in my ever so humble opinion, it was amazing. Last night's show is the reason I go to see live rock concerts, no matter the venue (except of course the Sonar.) Without a doubt last night's show was the single best performance I have ever seen. And that's all I can say. Best gig ever.

Update on Things to Come

It's my dad's birthday today so I have to be nice to him. :sigh: Anywho, some happy updates on my list of upcoming things:

• Volunteer! Hopefully I'll be doing some volunteer work for the public affairs division of WPFW, but that means an interview which scares the shit out of me. At least I've got my travel route all planned.
• Set list postings! I'll be doing that whole thing shortly after this Saturday's Swell Season show. I'm quite excited.
• Grades! Well, they turned out about where I thought they would, and I'm in good academic standing in terms of my major and in an overall sense. I'm not thrilled, but I'm not failing, even by my fucked up terms.
• Duffy! Which I'm getting today, goddamit.
• No more rain! My hopes came true and we've been rain free for two days! Hurrah!
• [new item] Firefly marathon! If all parties can their collective shit together there will be a marathon of potential awesomeness. And possible brainwashing. Mwhahahahahahahaha

Well that's it. I'm currently rating my entire music library and I'm only at the Beatles. And there's a shitload of Beatles. Ta.
P.S. My dad hated Juno but for some reason doesn't think Belle & Sebastian could possibly be twee. I'm thinking of getting him to listen to some of their earlier stuff, just to prove the point that he's very wrong.

Things to Come

Some things that might be (or, in certain cases, will be) happening this week:

• A massive post of set lists! But no reviews sadly.
• Volunteering! At WPFW if the stars are lined up correctly
• Grades! I just want to know for fucks sake, I just want to know!
• Duffy! Yes her name is ridiculous (what's wrong with Amie?) but she's awesome!
• No more rain! This one's mostly just wishful thinking, but it has to stop raining eventually right?

And that's about it. Look forward to writing here again sometime in the far, far future.

Maturity

In case any of you were wondering how I might react to a Macca*/KC union, here's a little picture:

Oh yeah, I'm mature.
In other news Amy Winehouse has been arrested on suspicion of drug possession and I turn twenty in two days. Yay.


*For those who don't get the reference

And In the End

I move out tomorrow. Next semester I'll be living with a girl named Kathy in Arrington which means I'll have a five minute walk to Pollard instead of a 15 minute walk and A/C during those first two months of hell. There was some choas getting to that point, but I think it will be well worth it. I'm ending the semester not so much on a bang but on a puff, if that, but at least I've got lots of electives and my good grades from last semester to cushion the fall. All in all I've made it through this only slightly scarred and learned quite a lot in the process. It's been a good year.

Exam Week Interruption

:Minor brain explosion: (See here for reason)
I haven't actually read the article (don't have time don't ya know) but just the headline causes my brain to explode ever so slightly. That and the photo, but really that's to be expected.
I'll be off then. Cheers.

Three Weeks

The following is three weeks of Friday Fives. I'm bored and stressed and need something to take my mind off of my stress and boredom. That and Dr. Baker scares me and I need to focus on something other than that.

1. Whats harder to live without, chocolate or alchohol?
Chocolate, since I don't really like alcohol to begin with.

2. Does the colour yellow remind you of anything?
PEO? My Kaiser Chiefs tour shirts? The Yellow Pages?

3. Who most annoyed you last week?
You mean besides my roommate? And my relatives? (Yes I am answering everything in question format because it's fun)

4. Do you have a cutesy romantic nickname for your partner (or previous partners)?
No. -_-

5. What is your favourite Stephen King movie?
I don't have one! Ha ha!

1. Love at First Sight: Fact or Fiction?
I want it to be fact, I really, really do!

2. Fortune Telling: Fact or Fiction?
Fiction, unless you're in a movie in which case it's fact.

3. Other Life: Fact or Fiction?
Other life? What the hell does that mean? Parallel universe kind of stuff? If so, then in between the two.

4. Afterlife: Fact or Fiction?
Gah. Dunno.

5. Bigfoot: Fact or Fiction?
FACT!! Because that would be awesome.


1. If you had the ability to legally change your name, would you? To what?
Yes and I would change it to Trillion or Fenchurch, just for shits and giggles.

2. What do you with with change that you receive from banks/purchases/find on the ground?
Well most of the time I use it to buy junk food and soda, but yesterday I divided up my spare change between by two roommates because I was feeling particularly nice.

3. If you could travel back in time to change the course of one historical event, what event would it be?
I wouldn't because then Reapers would come and destroy the world.

4. Would you rather live a safe, stable, moderately interesting life or one where every day was dangerous, volatile, and different?
Can I have a mix?

5. What do you think you'll be remembered for when you die and, if you could, would you change it to something else?
Being an absolute looney and no I wouldn't change that. I like being known as an absolute looney.

Mercurial

Well things have improved dramatically since last night, at least in terms of my "home" situation. It's amazing how mercurial she is.
In other news, Last Bus Home wrote an interesting entry that oddly enough reflects many of the entries I've written over the past four years. Namely, the pointless entry for the showing off of X. Or this entry actually. Anyway, I would have something else to write about if NME.com would load. But it's not, so I have nothing. Sorry.
Ta until laters.

Lord Get Me Through This

So, I've been having a bad time of it lately, mainly because it's the last week of classes and don't handle the end of the year/semester that well. I never have and I suspect I never will, but nonetheless it is a very stressful time of the year. What doesn't help, however, is the fact that my New England roommate has turned into an iceberg around me. She barely acknowledges me presence and when she does her tone is just slightly above civil. So I'm being made to feel like a piece of shit by one of my roommates which only compounds the stress I'm feeling from finals. Last night I went in my stocking feet down to the basement and when I found that place had people in it, I speed walked my over to the practice rooms at Pollard. In my bare feet without my key-card. Granted I did feel a lot less stressed when I was done, and didn't have to wait at all for someone to show up to let me in, but I don't think I should be in such a desperate state as to walk out of my dorm in my barefeet, just so I can get away from my roommate(s). Sadly, there is nothing to be done about it. B**ch roommate handles stress one way and I handle it in a very different and opposing way and ne'er shall the twain betwixt. Or something like that. I just wish my life wasn't such in such a shitty place right now. Thankfully I have my classes and my time away from my room to counteract the horribleness of my "home" life. I just wish I never had to "home."

My Lyrics are Bottomless

I have said this before, but I will say it again: Ain't no party like my nana's tea party! Hey! Ho!
God I love Flight of the Conchords sometimes.
Edit: There is something to be said for either an artist or a band that insist on being fair to their fans. Case on point, Alex Turner side project The Last Shadow Puppets have released their single "The Age of the Understatement" in the US through someone other than iTunes. It makes me happy, what can I say. Also, I miss Muse. I really want to see them again. 0_0 They're so much fun!

A Rather Silly Update

This update will be done in the form of headlines with links, because I'm lazy and a little busy. Enjoy

British Kaiser Chiefs fans bitch about warm-up gigs not being "close enough." American fans blow raspberries at them for complaining at all.

The Pipettes lose two members and no one cares.

The Washington Post live reviewers get something right. Nore is shocked. (Second review after, the Mortensen trio)

That's it. Nikki is currently making it impossible to type with both hands, so I'll bid you all adieu until I have some more time. So hopefully the next time I write I'll be posting the Kate Nash set list avec comments. Till then, adieu

Quiet

I'm currently sitting in the study room at Trinkle putting off writing a complete thought in my history paper. I've been at this since 6 and so far I've gotten three pages, based mostly on the fact that I have somewhat lengthy footnotes. The paper is only suppose to be four pages, so the fact that I have three is a good thing, but it also means that the majority of it is crap and quotes from my primary resources. However, from past experience, all this means is that I'll get an okay grade on the paper and comments similar to the ones I had on my first paper. However, it is nice to be some place quiet, especially considering how hectic today has been. I actually thought it was Thursday based solely on how stressed out I was.
In the little spare time that I did have today I cut my bangs. According to Prof. Tavenier it makes me look Irish, but in my opinion I cut them too short. Thankfully my bangs grow quickly and will soon be covering my eyebrows again. Also I'm fairly certain they are in no way even, but what can you expect from someone who has no training in haircutting?
I'm going home tomorrow to see Kate Nash, so a play list will be up probably on Friday. Saturday is Mums birthday and then Sunday I have a chorus concert. Monday is my final recital and the beginning of my last week of classes. I'm in utter shock that it's the end of the year, but given the amount of stress I'm currently under, I really shouldn't be.
On a final note, Dr. Long is an absolute sweetheart and complete looney. I'm really glad I get to have him as a teacher again next year. And the semester after that. Oh, and I got a bear from the University of Westminster. His name is Richard Kent. ;)

Cute

Summer season has started (as the weather in this town can prove) and in the vain hope that my favourite band might be venturing out into the wide world (they are, just not here) I checked their site for any updates. First thing I see is a petition to give Leeds United 15 points back. I've absolutely no clue what they're talking about or how Leeds United lost 15 points over the past football season, but there you have it. A petition to get those damned points back. On the front page of the Kaiser Chiefs website. So cute.

Music Critics

Music critics are some of the most pretentious pricks known to man. Here is my reasoning:
In effort to broaden my horizons while also following the rules of the radio station, I've decided to feature one new album a week. For this week I was thinking of featuring Los Campesinos! who are a Welsh band that have gotten much attention and an A from the AV Club. However, I was also hoping to shed some light on the album/band I'm featuring and so I was gathering reviews from other outlets such as the NME, Drowned in Sound, and Fake DIY. This was obviously a bad idea because now I'm not going to be featuring Los Campesinos! and I think music critics are pretentious pricks with sticks up there asses and a God complex to beat the bands.
First we have Drowned in Sound. The reviewer, Dom Passantino, starts the review by bashing the demise of Britpop and then goes on to bash the Kinks. Now, I know I'm prejudice against anyone who bashes the Kinks, but I'm willing to accept such a bashing if it makes sense. And yes, I also understand the most people in Wales identify themselves first and foremost as Welsh and then British, but this does not mean they are somehow immune to what's happening on the rest of the island. Making Wales out to be France is idiotic and claiming that someone from Wales could never be influenced by one the of the biggest names in rock (not just British rock) is even more idiotic. Culture permeates and can not be avoided, no matter how much wish it weren't so. In making a claim otherwise you are showing cultural ignorance of the top order. So that's Drowned in Sound.
The NME spends the first paragraph of it's review talking about how good music goes beyond genre and how "indie" music is "more a mindset than a musical style, and one that values ideas, imagination and anti-sexist, anti-racist ideologies above record sales and profit margins." The reviewer then goes on to say that musically the album is boring but lyrical provocative in that it sticks to the above mentioned epitaphs. Los Campesinos! are, as they say "a band to believe." Just like every other indie band.
Thus far I've got pretentious culturally ignorant prick and bollocking grandiose prick. Let's see what Fake DIY and the AV Club have to say about it.
AV Club: Twee!! But the good kind like Belle and Sebastian twee. Also, those lyrics, oh they are to die for.
Fake DIY: Lyrics!! And happiness!!! Hurrah!!!
So two pretentious and two taking the thing at face value and not reading into the album or bending it around to fit the reviewer's views. As you can see music critics come in two forms: Pretentious dicks and people who actually enjoy music. Yes I analyse the Kinks and Kaiser Chiefs to death, but hypocrisy is my middle name and the Kinks were born to analyse. Kaiser Chiefs are another matter.

Frazzled

I'm beyond frazzled right now (band set-up gone awry, dealing with little kids and my inability to make small talk, life in general) and so I'm listening to the Cribs. They're cynical "I hate everyone" attitude makes me feel better about hating everyone at the moment. So in honour of my mood and the Cribs, here are the lyrics to one of my favourite songs by them. Hopefully I'll give a real update sometime in the future. Or not, we'll see.

"Things Aren't Going to Change" --- The Cribs

Well I've been drinking for days and I'm happy to say
That we've been leading you on so you'd do it our way
You've had a little success but you're too hard to impress
So raise your standards, change your number
It's for the best
And though I don't want you to stay
There's something about the way that
You say the words that you've rehearsed, now
I think I should explain
Things aren't gonna change
And last October when it took over
The boy was grabbed by his new controller
I'm shifting all the blame
But I still I feel the same

I didn't know what to say when I saw you alone
You say you do what you want but you do what you're told
I fell in love with you gaze, I fell in love with your name
We need to know what to say if we're playing your games

And though I don't want you to stay
There's something about the way that
You say the words that you've rehearsed, now
I think I should explain
Things aren't going to change
And last October when it took over
The boy was grabbed by his new controller
I'm shifting all the blame
But still I feel the same, yeah

And although it makes no difference I still know that
It's got nothing to do with the way I'm without you