New Music Friday!

Check out this adorable music video from DC duo Birdlips. I actually saw them play quite some time ago at Union Hall in Brooklyn. I enjoyed the show a lot, but unfortunately, I got so drunk on white wine (who me?) I think I said a bunch of words at them that sounded like one sentence and then woke up the next morning with an awesome tote bag of theirs that I'm still using.... wah wah. I was so pleased though when a friend of mine (who's a real gay blade by the way, old school definition that is, and who also taught me the phrase) sent me this track and video the other day. While I do have a soft spot for couple bands, guys and girls playing together is just a beautiful energy to behold, that is beside the point (or is it?) that this is just a really cool song. It has old school sleepy beach surf all over the place and then some grungey I'm going to drink coffee and look at the rain mumblings and whispers through the vocals, and what a nice little bass line indeed to boot. But I hate trying to categorize new music like that, really, what I'm trying to say is that they should just have babies and travel around in a caravan.

I look forward to whatever else is coming from them, you should too!

This thing I am working on...

Not quite at this point yet, but close.

I have been completely MIA for a while now. Taking care of myself at home. Going a little crazy, stuck in the house I started working on this thing. Book? Short story? Narcissistic dramatic diary entries? Pure drivel? I don't know. But it's a thing. And I've been working on it. I wanted to share one of the little entries with you, all true, of course:

She walks to her favorite restaurant nearby, after cooking herself dinner, for some wine. Explains to the owner and waiter that she is just going to have a drink and doesn’t want to take up a table. But it is late and they recognize her and they don’t really care about things like that anyway. They take her to a quiet table in the back of the restaurant, the whole place is glowing with candlelight as couples and groups dine and chatter softly around her. She orders a glass of white wine and sits down to write a letter to her Grandma.
Dear Grandma, she always begins.
She tells her about the restaurant and how much she savors these small moments alone. She tells her Grandma about how it comforts her to think that maybe she is also having a quiet glass of wine by herself at this exact same moment so in a way, they are having one together. Though they are both very much alone, which sometimes worries her in regards to her Grandmother, who feels so far away. It is a nice letter, she has gotten much better at writing honestly and naturally instead of in a formal matter so stereotypical of the crap your supposed to write your Grandparents. And her Grandmother can tell, their relationship is growing more intimate and solid through these letters as a result. But without a doubt, no matter what, they always have and forever will discuss the topic of weather. In every single letter past, present, future, the weather, it wins.
This is her last Grandparent. The reality of this sometimes hits her and she wonders what she will be capable of doing when that time comes. She hopes that she will do what she hopes she will do.
A second glass of wine now that the letter is finished. This one goes down quicker as she sits and watches the room around her. All these thoughts, about everything and nothing. She smiles as the waiters float by and by. And then it’s time to go back home.

One morning Catherine woke up and there was a dove perched on her windowsill. It was looking right at her. It stayed for a while there. She felt so protected.

So that's just one of the little scribbles that's come out of me. It feels really good to resurrect some of these memories, not really sure what will come of it all, but I suggest you all give it a try. Anyway, will be back to work and life soon, making more memories to write about next time I'm out for the count......love you all, have a most triumphant time (does that tell you what movie I recently saw?)

Artist Profile: David Smith

I recently went over to David's rad apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn to learn more about him and talk about art and things like that. He made me a cup of coffee and we sat down and had a thoughtful conversation. Artist's stop frontin'! Let's get together and encourage each others work! Stuff like that. He has been working as a photographer, musician, visual artist, and most recently, an art teacher at SUNY college and he is just really nice to spend time with. His apartment is currently in the works to become more of an open space for projects and collaborations, I certainly look forward to seeing what comes into fruition there as it is such an inviting place to be. I remember well the first time I ever saw David play under the 2nd best band name ever, Doom Trumpet. I was like "WTF." Yeah, it was so awesome to see a solo performance with so much sound and layers...just one man, a microphone, an amp and a looping pedal. I was so inspired by the fact that you can rock out by yourself, which he certainly does (ummmm Space is the Place). It was an honor then to have a live performance right in David's apartment just for us, the debut of his new song (officially named in my presence) Waterfalls. The more I watch this video the more I realize what a bad ass song it is, he is so humble and generous in his performance.........



But there was still so much important information to be uncovered about David.....so without further ado, I bring you a glimpse into the mind of David Smith in this shocking and controversial interview............



Please do yourself a favor and check out David's work here as well as listen to some Doom Trumpet originals....(ummmmmmm, Space is the Place)!

How Did I Not Know.....

....about Chet Baker?

Dad, you dropped the ball on this one! How dare people who know me well not know to inform me that I just might be into this guy? I was working in the bar last night and this song came on and I was hooked. I woke up this morning and bought three of his albums and they are gorgeous. His playing is like his singing, so soft, light handed, but certainly not weak......and he is sexy.



He did a bunch of drugs, got his teeth knocked out and couldn't play for a while then got dentures and played again. Moved to Europe in his later years then apparently died falling out of a hotel window.

Typical.

Mugen Hoso in NYC

A couple weeks back Bug and I played an open mic at Spike Hill in Brooklyn. Mugen Hoso was the first band to play the open mic and we were like "WTF" "OMG". This two piece group from Japan is electric, their energy together is so tight and while they shred and offer genuine rock n' roll as well as punk and new wave timings, they are overwhelmingly happy and you can just feel their love for playing to an audience and sharing their music. We were instant fans and went to see them last night at Fontana's in the city. We hung out with Igaki (guitar and vocals) and Taro (drums) after the show for a bit and made a little video outside the club. I sound like such a dork, "say some words about love..." (seriously?) and the language barrier is apparent, but more importantly so is their personality which totally comes through and if you don't try to go see them if you're here in New York this week, well, that's a god damn shame. Here's some of what went down:





My video's were uploaded wide screen, so the format is kind of annoying to look at, please watch them in their proper aesthetic if you are so inclined here on YouTube

They will be playing tonight, Sunday 3/6 at Piano's
Friday 3/11 at the Delancey bar
Saturday 3/12 Otto's Shrunken Head
Tuesday 3/15 Lit Lounge

Then they are back to Japan....! Visit their website here for more information and muzak

New Music Wednesday with Guitars!

I woke up this morning and checked ye ol' book of face. To discover that Guitars have released a 4 song EP available now for free download! I just downloaded it and have only listened through once so cannot give my super educated, timely thoughts on it, but it sounds super clean and offers more straight forward song structures and a certain sense of humor (OMG the cover!!! you must see!) that could be the ticket to get their sound out there to those "other people" without losing the integrity of meaning and harnessing of the Universe so apparent in Soundtrack For Your Future Nostalgia, which you should also make sure to listen to if you haven't already. Yay! New music. Right now, my favorite song on the EP is Them Mysterious Places...which is yours?

Download the New album here
Check out their blog here for other stuff and more music