Show #2 (2011): Geographer

Seen at the Independent with Jenn and Nomi

Photo by Nomi

I finally made it to a Noise Pop show! I manage to miss all of them year after year. This show was four bands, and I was only familiar with Geographer, the headliner, going in. The Funeral Party wasn’t bad, but I just didn’t connect with them or their sound. K. Flay, a white girl who makes her own beats and then raps over them, kept my attention. My only complaint is that her voice is quite breathy and so I couldn’t understand a lot of what she was saying. But she had excellent flow and some intriguing musical choices. As for Butterfly Bones, just not my thing. It made me feel like I was in an 80s movie and we were at the prom, but not in a good way. Everything sounded the same very quickly.

Geographer was way beyond the other acts, and they deserved to be the headliners. I’ve seen them several times now, and they continue to improve. The new songs are in a different direction but a natural evolution of their sound. I am officially a fan.

See more progress on: 2011 – See 10 live music shows

Music Wrap-Up for 2010

So I didn’t make my goal of 10 shows, but I actually came a lot closer than I thought I would. For 2011, I’m setting the same goal, and hpoing that I get to see some class acts. I know I can be hard to reach, and there’s often scheduling conflicts, but never stop inviting me to shows. Please!

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Show #9: Mumford & Sons

After trying to see them earlier in the year and failing due to a 100+ fever, I was relieved to finally get to the Warfield in October and bliss out for a few hours. These guys are just as good live as they are recorded and the harmonies are spot on. This was about the time that I realized that I need to start elbowing to the front again, as I felt kind of removed from the music and distracted by those around me, but I blame me and the audience, not the band. So, so good.

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Show #8: Ricardo Diaz and friends

Last Octber, while I was in Vancouver visiting the best person alive, it so happened that a local Flamenco guitarist who I’ve worked with and admired was doing a small show at a church in town. I easily convinced -j to come with me and it was phenomenal. Three singers, each emotive, though I was particularly impressed with Cristo Cortez. The dancer was pleasant enough, though I wasn’t particularly impressed. But the guitar and singing made this possibly the best show of the year.

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Show #7: Aida

There’s something special about watching opera with several thousand people for free in a ballpark. And extra special while eating greasy ballpark pizza. And extra extra special with friends who appreciate opera but are also terribly bored by the third act and enjoy instead writing our own opera about Koreans who sing in Swedish in Ethiopia. Man, that third act was boring.

(A note about the picture – that was just the stands. The entire outfield was also crammed full of poeple.)

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Show #6: They Might Be Giants!

I’m trying to catch up, now that it’s 2011, and I need new fun goals. But I still want to keep track, so I’ll crunch in as many as I can now.

Oh, TMBG. You’ve been one of my favorite bands forever and you have never disappointed at a show. This one, on August 22nd, was spectacular, at Stern Grove in the open beautiful air (and FREE). The energy was a little strange, as I’m used to seeing them in cramped clubs, the nerdy excitement flowing between all us geeks, jumping in unison. But it was still excellent, even without that. Add a delicious picnic and the company of friends and it was a most amazing day.

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Show #5: Fleck, Hussain and Meyer

This was supposed to be a concert of 2009, but somehow it ended up rescheduled for May 25th. Mom had bought tickets ages ago, and I’m so glad I put the new date on the calendar because we would have completely forgotten.

This was a concert of three people at the top of their arts: Edgar Meyer and his double bass, Bela Fleck and his banjo, and Zakir Hussain and his tablas. I don’t know that I would have dreamed of putting the three together, but it flowed beautifully.

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Show #4: Frightened Rabbit

Way back on May 18th, I went to see Frightened Rabbit’s “acoustic” show at the Rickshaw Stop with Jenn (surprise!). This was my first taste of what would eventually become my cranky old woman-ness, so between that and the death of my hard drive (which lost my photos, which were great for this show, sob), I wasn’t chomping at the bit to write this up.

But the band was great! I’d love to see them again. OH WAIT, I was supposed to see them in October in Vancouver but got a sore throat instead. Stupid throats.

See more progress on: Go to 10 music shows

Cranky Old Person

My goal in chronicling all of the concerts I go to is twofold: one, to make you jealous, and two, so I can actually remember who I’ve seen, and when and where. I’m massively behind, like six months behind, but there’s a reason. Some of these shows aren’t great memories. I should add that every band was fantastic, but I find that all I want to write about is the audiences.

And there is the problem. That shouldn’t be the focus. I don’t want to just sit around and complain about other people; it serves no purpose and makes me angry. It makes me feel two steps away from a “get off my lawn” moment. However, this last week, I realized that I was closer to yelling at youngins than I thought. The reason I’m around all these rude, noisy people is because I’ve been hanging out in the back of audiences lately. For the last twenty years, I’ve always arrived early and secured a good position, usually about five to ten people back, and under an air vent, if possible. The people up there are there to hear music, and to interact with the band, and hopefully not there to drink, or stand around and talk to their friends. The down side is that you’re crammed in there.  Lately I’ve felt like having my own space, and therefore I’m near the back, where the less committed can be found. So it’s my own fault!

But see! Now that I know, I’m going to start elbowing myself up to the front again, so I can lose myself in the music and the energy of the true fans. And if anyone complains, I’ll tell them to get off my law and let the old lady up front.

Show #3: Fanfarlo!

2010 is the year that I only go to see music with Jenn, evidently. I have absolutely no problem with this, since she introduces me to music like Fanfarlo. They played the Great American Music Hall, and they were even better live than recorded. Even with the lead singer sick. I instantly fell in love and have been listening to Reservoir on repeat.

See more progress on: Go to 10 music shows