Friday, July 29, 2011

ReDISCovery...

Goddamn, I am clever. So do you guys (I know you don't, Mom) remember Wolfmother? They were these Australian fellows who formed a band and could not manage to stay together for more than three years (to be fair, one of the original band members is still trying to make a new incarnation of Wolfmother happen). But more importantly, do you remember their 2005 self-titled debut album?

File:Wolfmother album cover.jpg

That was the cover art. Well, I remember Wolfmother. Okay, so you could argue that this band sounds like a total Led Zeppelin rip-off. But honestly, if you're going to steal from a classic rock band, Led Zep is a really fantastic choice. I have to give Pandora credit for reminding me about them, but then I went and listened to the entire album and WOW. There are so few albums out there now that I can listen to all the way through (In fact, my friend berated my iPod for not having enough "complete" albums on it but like, I just can't waste the money). I like every song on Wolfmother and it just flows SO WELL (there is not a less douche-y way to say that, I checked).

Obviously, everyone likes "Woman" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzqTz_i1NXQ). It's big and 70's and really catchy. I personally love "Joker & The Thief" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nigSVYeBYEI&feature=fvst) for its awesome, 80's-stadium guitar and "Vagabond" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ObFknA9M0H), which is a song that happens when Led Zep's "Tangerine" makes a baby with The White Stripes' "We're Going to be Friends." Also "Tales From the Forest of Gnomes" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzV1NY_Mib4) is a delightful song and not just because the word "gnome" is so funny. Oh, and there is a MEAN flute solo on "Witchcraft" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYkKi6kKX50). Seriously, each track is completely worth listening to.

This album may be too derivative to be legendary and the band as it originally was may have not lasted long enough to really make an impact, but sometimes it's just fun to remember a simpler time (2005) and re-listen to an album that just made you feel effing GOOD. Okay, time to get on a plane to Boston (NOT similar to Silverlake) to see my friend Siobhan get married (that Roy is VERY lucky)...Happy Friday!

Monday, July 25, 2011

Five Songs I Needed Today...

Mondays are hard. So there's nothing better than unwinding with some beautiful melodies after a long day at the office (okay, so I hung out with Anna and watched The Bachelorette first and that put me in a great mood because the season is so terrible that we ignored it and just watched amazing youtube videos like this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uUlOAyQsn4&feature=player_embedded). Anyway, this is what I am listening to tonight:


1) "Parade" by Delta Spirit (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLsCZwRZeHM). I think this is a great band. I've seen them live like, 5 times and every single performance they just kill it. I think they occasionally live in Silverlake, and I am hoping to see Matt Vasquez at Forage any day now. I fell in love with this band when they performed this exact song at this awesome venue called the Bootleg, which is like a tiny barn with a stage magically located on the East side of Los Angeles (http://www.bootlegtheater.org/).


2) "I Cry Alone" by The Black Keys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNYwB_odaxg). I mean, sure, who doesn't? This is my boys all gritty and stripped down and I DARE YOU not to like this song.


3) "Crimson and Clover" by Tommy James and the Shondells (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpGEeneO-t0). Not-so-arguably one of the greatest songs of all time, as in, it fucking IS so don't argue with me. This song is romantic, sexy, fun, and when Tommy James does that strobe-light voice thing angels weep.


4) "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKTTlVGIeFk). Sometimes I just need some Stevie. This is one of those songs that just builds to this awesome climax and then quiets back down in the most satisfying way. It also makes you want to ride on a white stallion in a flowy dress through a meadow. 


5) "Hear My Train A Comin' (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y2_aDVWfJc). I guess this is my obligatory "27 Club" shout-out in the wake of Amy Winehouse's untimely and wasteful death. This song rocks.

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Things I Did Last Night...

This isn't really in Silverlake, but the show I went to last night was close enough to blog about it. It was Kalen's birthday (Kalen, you're a special, magical delight of a human!), and so we went to Point Break Live. You read that right:

http://www.pointbreaklive.com/pointbreaklive-/HOME.html

This show is not for kids (I mean ,it's in a BAR). It's basically a bunch of goons re-enacting the movie but the greatest part is that they have an audience member play Johnny Utah, the part made famous by the "gifted" actor Keanu Reeves (I personally love Reeves and don't even get me started on the genius of Bill and Ted). Last night the guy who played Utah was in his 60's, which was pretty amazing. The show is also very "interactive," in that you pay a dollar for a plastic poncho at the door because the actors spray you with all kinds of fun shit throughout the night (water, fake blood, sunscreen). The spraying was not my favorite part however, some very attractive topless gentlemen play the surfers and I found myself highly amused for the majority of the evening.

Then I went to a party at a mansion in Silverlake. Seriously. There is a bidet in this place. Just a typical night, you know, no big deal.

Monday, July 18, 2011

3 Songs I Needed Today...

Guys, today was rough. My work computer basically convulsed and then died in front of me and I was trying to bring my A-game to every task, but felt like it came across as a sad B-. ANYWAY, I wouldn't have made if it weren't for 3 songs I listened to on repeat on the journey back to Silverlake that lifted my spirits and made me whole again. I wanted to share:

1) "Girl, You Have No Faith in Medicine," by The White Stripes (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKTG05rw2iw). I mean, I could talk about the brilliance of Jack White FOREVER and about how I love ALL of his musical endeavors, but The White Stripes really have a special place in my heart. This particular song has a late 60's vibe about it (I think it's that little yelp that plays on a loop that really does it for me) and the guitar throughout is just insane. I have no idea how to play the guitar, but I know Jack is doing it well on this track.

2) "Bonnie and Clyde," by Serge Gainsbourg and Brigitte Bardot (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rIAb9ClVoZc). This song also has a yelp on loop, so I guess I am kind of into that noise and is totally 60's/70's, so I guess I am feeling that time period today. This ditty also plays in a pivotal scene in one of my favorite LA movies Laurel Canyon. If you haven't seen it, just like, go to Blockbuster right now (confession: I don't have Netflix because I resist the future) and rent it; it's super-sexy and makes Cali look fantastic and Christian Bale, Frances McDormand and especially Alessandro Nivola (yum) are all great in it. The movie also has a killer soundtrack (and is a way better Lisa Cholodenko movie than that slightly fake-y The Kids Are All Right).

3) "Soft Shock," by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqyqHZEDbRI). I feel like I might've put this song on a playlist before, but like, it's so damn good, just listen to it. I feel strong feelings for Karen O and like most of what this band does, but I just thought It's Blitz! was a particularly sick album. This song is soft (yeah, I know the title sort of explains that), but you can still move to it.

All I am saying is, listen to these three songs in a row and everything will be better. Goodnight.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Something About Carmaggedon...

Okay, so most of you in America know that they shut down the 405 freeway in LA this weekend. People were freaking out left and right that they wouldn't be able to leave their houses for 48 hours and so last week traffic was actually really horrible, humans were driving like rabid dogs (hence the gross gridlock), and there was a mass exodus out of LAX over the course Thursday and Friday. But guess what? There were no cars on the road this weekend.

Since I moved to Silverlake, I've been more reluctant to visit my friends in the WEST. I actually work on that side of town now, so I've been better in the last few months, but for a while, I wouldn't really go beyond Robertson Boulevard. This weekend I went to the westside both nights. And it was QUICK. Like, Friday night it took me 17 minutes to get to The Mint to see my friend Andrew jam with some cats. I am aware that I just typed "jam with some cats," but don't let that take away from the fact that Andrew DeWitt is an insanely talented musician who also has a gentle nature and a solid collection of plaid tops. You also might not know how far it is from my apartment to The Mint, but it can take up to 45 minutes when the roads are bad.

Saturday, I went all the way to VENICE (I know, I am slightly overly-impressed with myself) to my friend Nora Kletter's house. Nora is just as talented as Andrew, but as a writer (she also makes the most DELICIOUS alcoholic lemonade that I would happily drive a great distance to consume). Again, no traffic. Anyway, there might've been terrible issues coming in the other direction (where, to be fair, the freeway was actually closed and to be really fair, my route to get places never included the 405 in the first place), but I want to rename this weekend CarmaHEAVEN and thank the motor vehicle gods for their kindness. Okay, I thought I should just say SOMETHING about this event.

Friday, July 15, 2011

Someone Else's Playlist...

Guys, I don't want to make a habit of directing you (Mom) to other blogs, because I need to keep every reader I can get, but Anthony has a blog, http://softpipesmusic.com, and he just put up this mix called Modern Music for Making Out. I downloaded the entire thing (for free!) and you should too. I will now spend all day listening to it, throwing in a smattering of R.L. Burnside jams, because I just discovered him and love him. Try "Someday Baby": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gALi97_vqkU.

I might be trapped in my apartment for the next 48 hours because of Carmaggedon (also because I am lazy), but Happy Friday peoples!

My Building is Smart

I was running down the stairs to leave for work yesterday morning, when I noticed something taped up nearby my landlord's message board:


I mean, it's true. Thanks neighbors.

Sunday, July 10, 2011

It Happened Last Night...

So after a particularly excellent dance party at the Satellite (Anthony and Jon DJ at midnight every Friday; if you're ever around, come check it out!), Lindsey and I were HUNGRY. The only problem was it was 2:30AM. Linds really wanted pizza, so I suggested we drive to Two Boots in Echo Park just to SEE if it was maybe magically still open. Now, they have Two Boots Pizza in my homeland of New York City as well, but I think it's better in LA because when you have this pizza here, you feel like you're getting away with something. Two Boots LA is also attached to the Echo/Echoplex and it's super fun to have a slice while you're at a concert (although it's kind of complicated when you try to juggle a beer and a slice and dance at the same time. Just saying).

Anyway, of course the place is closed. All the people who worked at Two Boots were inside wrapping up and the gate was halfway down and they put this big, strange lobster sculpture in the doorway so that people wouldn't try and walk in. Of course Lindsey and I just step around Mr. Lobster and go right into the pizza parlor. On any other night, I can only imagine how annoyed everyone who worked at Two Boots would've been had two weird women stormed in at 3AM demanding to be fed, but there was something magic in the air this particular Friday (okay, Saturday morning), because all of a sudden this happened:


Yeah, they gave us all of their leftover pizza. For free. As you can see, Linds was feeling a little full at this point. Also two guys saw us in the window and tried to get in but were DENIED and I felt incredibly cool and smug. We sampled garlic and fresh tomato pizza (real garlicky and therefore real good), a slice with sausage and ricotta cheese (you can put ricotta on a battery and I will eat it), and this incredible slice that seemed to be comprised entirely of different meats (prosciutto, pancetta, pepperoni, oh my!). They gave us so much that I had to take a to-go box, which I have been enjoying all weekend with a side of ranch dressing (it's been kind of an unhealthy two days). Then Linds drove me home and I passed out on my couch with one boot on to something scary like Mob Wives on VH1.

Also, guys, don't try showing up at 3AM at Two Boots expecting free pizza now, because the people who worked there begged me not to tell anyone about this and I assured them that only 15 people and my parents read my blog and it would be FINE. So don't make me look bad. I just wanted you to know that Two Boots in Echo Park has delicious pizza and incredibly friendly service and also I am really special or WAS for an hour this past Friday night. 

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Ground Art

I found this on one of my stumbles with Em:


Just a typical road in the hood I call home.

Friday, July 8, 2011

Boss is Gone Playlist

Okay, so this is bad, but my boss is gone so I am listening to music in the office. And blogging about it. But it's Friday! And I already got so much done! And I love sharing. Here we go:

1) "Just One Look" by Doris Troy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAqMKzWEgGI). Pretty sure Regina Spektor (I like her, BTW) completely ripped off this tune when she wrote "Hotel Song." This is a very sassy Motown number that I discovered on Pandora. Get into it.

2) "Glory Box" by Portishead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF-GvT8Clnk). So lately, I've really been reminiscing about the songs of my youth, and on the camping trip, I thought Anthony was going to murder me, because he was DJ'ing the campfire and I was shouting out things like "Play 'Far Behind' by Candlebox," or "What about 'Lit Up' by Buckcherry?" (the Buckcherry suggestion actually caused my friend Cody to come over to me and threaten me with a large stick he found in the forest). But THIS song is great. It is extremely erotic, and was used perfectly in Bertolucci's super-sexy Stealing Beauty. Also great in this movie, "Rocket Boy" by Liz Phair (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcox-WLQhCQ).

3) "Sorrow" by The National (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w8-egj0y8Qs). I listen to this song to torture myself. It's basically a song about self-indulgently refusing to get over someone and then just wallowing forever. So relateable! Seriously though, High Violet is a wonderful album. Also try "England" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Hl6GnmvMMA).

4) "Wheel of Fortune" by Ace of Base (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=db53ygi7fdw). I REALLY just want you (Mom) to watch this video. I stumbled upon this song when reading a piece in on nymag.com (http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/07/nostalgia_fact_check_how_does.html). Now I am laughing hysterically and need to move on to the next song.

5) "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AA9maAERDAs). Oh hey guys, I don't know if you know this, but there is this new act called The Beatles and they're really pretty groovy.

6) "Hurt" by Nine Inch Nails (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvJKVKglIRs, it's a live version, go with it). So I know Trent Reznor is hip again because of The Social Network score and also Johnny Cash covered this right before he died (it's a great cover too), but this song is extremely beautiful. I used to lie on my bed in high school in the dark and listen to this followed by Michael Jackson's "Man in the Mirror." It's like I would let myself go to the dark place and then force myself out again. Oh, teenagers.

7) "Shake me Down" by Cage the Elephant (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v27TRan1SBI). So judge me, but I've been listening to a lot of 98.7 in the car as of late. As you know, I make thousands of mix CDs but my commute is like 45 minutes now and sometimes, I want to know what's going on on the airwaves. Also, in the morning former MTV VJ Kennedy is the DJ (I TOLD you, I am on a nostalgia-kick). Anyway, I want to hate this song, but I just don't. Please still read my blog.

8) "Family Values" by Johnossi (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g02il5H8UY8). I sort of fucking hate the name of this two-man act (it conjurs up bad memories of Jamiroquai), but this song came to me via my Black Keys Pandora Channel, and I am kind of into it. It's like the Keys and Ryan Adams at his cheesiest (and if you don't know, in college I felt real feelings for Ryan, real real feelings) had two sexy babies and named them Johnossi (because they were drunk).

9) "Stutter" by Elastica (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ie4x8hWYYE). I thought this song was salled "Toy Soldier" and Veruca Salt sang it for the longest time, so thank you Emily Moffet for setting me straight (I have no clue why I thought this; sometimes I make things up in my mind). I believe I first heard this jam play in the epic romance Mad Love starring Drew Barrymore and Chris O'Donnell, and have enjoyed it ever since.

10) "Please Don't Go" by KC and the Sunshine Band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-l5FyA3pgo). I had to end with song because it fits in with how completely weird this playlist has been and also, let the title be a message to you, dear readers. But I've actually been listening to a lot of music like this lately...Doobie Brothers, "Gypsy" by Fleetwood Mac, etc. My friend Jon calls it "Boat Rock" or something. Anyway, it's easy, breezy summertime listening.

Thursday, July 7, 2011

My New Co-Workers Already Know Me So WELL!

The guy who sits next to me just sent me this IM (transcribed below because my computer is insane and won't let me paste anything ever!):

Co-worker: Daphne
Look no further
I found your boyfriend
You can stop crying
Because he's here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/donnad/hipsters-behold-your-king

Just for the record, I never cry. At work.

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Hipsters Camp!

So every year some of my hipster friends (guys, I mean hipster because you are HIP and I love you, also because you all have good hair) go camping in Sequoia. I won't tell you where in Sequoia, because then you will go and it won't be as cool. These dudes all go for two nights, but I am happy to make a cameo for ONE. This is my camping limit. I love lounging by the river drinking beer, sitting by a campfire drinking beer, and staring at the stars while drinking beer, but I do NOT like sleeping on the ground and I do NOT enjoy forest creatures. Many of you reading this (maybe 8 out of 14), don't even believe I am capable of camping at all. Well, HA HA LOOK:



Okay so Kyle took this picture and it was staged Monday morning before we left and I forgot to bring a sleeping bag to the woods, but I was THERE! My sunglasses look like glasses in this photo, which I really like because I don't need glasses (my friends will tell you that after BREAKING MY FACE in college, I bragged to my emergency room doctor that I had 20/20 vision...painkillers were involved), but I own 3 pairs of fake spectacles that I secretly put on when I am alone in my apartment and think I look DOPE in. Deanna and Noelia organized this trip and for that I am forever grateful. So in short: people who live in Silverlake love camping SLASH Happy 4th of July!