It's SCARY That I like These Songs...

Happy almost-Halloween! Halloween is a holiday I like for NO REASON because I always end up looking weird in my costume and something strange/bad always happens to me during this particular weekend. But hey, I get to wear my fake glasses outside (or in my office. Right now) and drink a lot and gorge on candy because, like, I'm supposed to. Anyway, to celebrate this joyous weekend of costimes and consumption, here are a few songs that I should be embarassed to like to the point where I fear myself, and yet I don't really:

1) "You Love Me" by Kelly Clarkson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pikf1UyXKuw). I kind of love that Kelly was the first American Idol winner but she kind of let herself go and favors sweatpants over ballgowns and is all sort of "damn the man!" while continuing to churn out cheesy pop tunes. She's kind of the ultimate hipster, the way she plays with irony. Anyway, this song is off her new album and it is so rad in how 80's it is. Also, I like that the song is called "You Love Me," but is all about a dude who treats Kelly like doody.

2) "Going Under" by Evanescence (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdhqVtpR2ts&ob=av2e). You guys, I'm being totally serious. I really like this song. So okay, this movie came out a couple of years ago called Tristan and Isolde, starring James Franco with like, the weirdest curly-swirly wig EVER and an incredibly sexytime Henry Cavill pre-Tudors and Superman. The movie was complete poo, BUT it had this really erotic trailer where after the chick is all "I'll pretend it's you," when she's about to sex this other dude that Tristan won her for accidentally (I mean, it's a pretty famous story), this jam kicks in and is wildly effective. Omg FINE don't believe me, but watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAJJay0Uv4M. You are welcome.

3) "Resistance" by Muse (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPE9uSFFxrI&ob=av2n). I am aware that this playlist is now spinning wildly out of control, but I am just trying be brutally honest with you guys. This is what blogging is all about. So, Muse is a STUPID band. Like, that Starlight song is fine and there's this one other old one that is sort of dirty-sexy, but mostly they are these pesudo-Goth, pseudo-glamrock, pseudo-cool guys that think they're creating these epic, eternally poignant anthems when really they're just extremely poor man's (we're talking no shoes and homeless) Queen smushed together with something else. That being said, this is probably their most embarassing song and I totally enjoy it.

4) "The Story of Us," by Taylor Swift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nN6VR92V70M&ob=av2e). I totally have a weird fascination with Swifty. She is this 22-year old woman-bagillionaire who sings about love like she's a 7th-grader who's never been to second base. Seriously, even Mandy Moore sang about making love on the floor (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhN1K59V-BI). Also, she has had like, 50 boyfriends, right? Like does she not bang them? I'm sorry, but is she trying to tell me all John Mayer ever did was "lead her up the stairwell"? Did he just spin around and head right back down the stairs after that? But as sad as all of this is, there is something incredibly relatable about all of Taylor's lyrics. Like sure, I want a dude to drop everything now and meet me in the pouring rain and kiss me on the sidewalk and take away my pain (maybe not in the rain, my naturally curly hair would not like that). This song off her most recent album I find really representative of everything Taylor Swift stands for, plus, the video is Swifty doing a "Hit Me Baby One More Time"-thing without a hint of self-mocking or awareness.

Okay I have to go be alone now...enjoy your Friday.

It Happened Last Weekend...

So, two of my college roommates and one college friend that I did not live with came to visit last weekend. On Friday, Lucy Byrd Lyons (that is really her name. She is amazing and has red hair and lives in DC with her cute husband and loves pie) and Anne Foster-Keddie (equally amazing, law student who lives in San Diego, most energy of any human I have ever met) came with me to the Mason Jennings concert at the El Rey (we have discussed this theater; beautiful old-school venue in Hollywood).

I had a big thing for Mason in college. Anne introduced me to him and I fell hard for his gentle and peculiar voice and painfully honest lyrics. I remember going with her to some tiny spot in Brooklyn our Senior year to see him play an amazing acoustic set while I drank PBR, maybe for the first time. Well, he's still got it. His new stuff is just as compelling (check out his new album: http://masonjennings.com/home). Here is a pic of him playing the DRUMS (he can, obviously, play all of the instruments, but I am a sucker for a drummer who can also sing CAN YOU HEAR ME DAVE GROHL?):

Again, we were closer than this pic would lead you to believe. He is performing here with a band called the Pines, who were FINE...kind of a Cary Brothers rip-off.

Saturday was sad because Anne had to leave but then happy because we met up with Lily Oliver (looks like a sweet blonde lady but she will CUT you with her sharp NYC wit...yup, she's also AMAHZING) and went to Mandrake, which is this awesome gallery/bar/danceparty place in  the middle of nowhere down La Cienega (http://www.mandrakebar.com/).  Lucy commented that I must love it there because it was full of hipsters and men in flannel, which is...true, but the bartenders make a mean greyhound (it has a sprig of rosemary in it!) and the dancing is actually really good. Late that night, Lucy, Kyle and I got down to some Abba. Look:

That sign above the dancefloor reads "NO DANCING." So ironic. So hip. Sigh; I miss my girls already!

Twosday

Today is insane. I can only type about two songs and I still need to tell you (Mom) about my weekend. But enjoy:

1) "True Love Will Find You in the End," by Daniel Johnston (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNXTh4A4uS0). Sadly, I discovered this song when it was covered by Beck on the Daniel Johnston tribute album, but whatever, now I know about it and love it.

2) "The Downside of Being a Fuck-Up" by Wreckless Eric and Amy Rigby (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWuXHyp5BJM). Um, thank you Kurt Vile Pandora station for this one. I only knew "Whole Wide World" by Wreckless Eric before this and even though I think that is a JAM, this song is even better in my opinion. Also Amy Rigby, I never knew you, but I like you now.

PS Song...guys, you know I love a PS song. This one is "I've Just Seen a Face," by the Beatles (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CEZ7KHdApE). I mean, you guys probably already know this song because you have the internet and don't live in caves, but it makes me so happy. It's tender. I like that word. Tender. Okay bye.

Chats From a Co-worker...

So Rob IMs me just now (he is sitting next to me):

Rob:    get one of these
            and turn every boy into the boy of your dreams
            http://www.likecool.com/Beardo_beard_hat--Hat--Style.html

He gets me.

Tired Tuesday

Guys I am so beat. It's my own fault...I went to celebrate my friend Deanna's birthday last night and decided to pretend it was not a MONDAY. It was actually really wonderful: Deanna cooked pot-stickers and Bok choy and rice and this amazing Filipino-style chicken and this wine-orange thing and chocolate cake. I ate so much I barely felt the MILLION GLASSES of champagne that I had. Then we went to the outdoor patio at Chavito. And then there was Good Luck Bar. Have I talked about Good Luck Bar? It's this bar (duh) at the corner of Sunset and Hillhurst: http://www.yelp.com/biz/good-luck-bar-los-angeles

I like it there because it's super divey, but actually has a cool faux-Asian aesthetic and somehow they're always playing some amazing Kinks b-side you had forgotten you loved. Anyway, as a result of all this fun, I feel like doody. However, this music is helping:

1) "Because the Night" by Patti Smith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=px__SsVXX_0). This is one of my all-time favorite songs. People my age are way more familiar with the 10,000 Maniacs' cover, but Natalie Merchant's voice, while great, isn't nearly as tortured and interesting as Smith's...possibly because Natalie Merchant wasn't basically homeless and in love with a gay addict artist, but I digress. If you haven't, please check out Patti Smith's amazing book Just Kids and I also recommend her cover of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_ciiCyxOJA). I know I just bashed covers earlier in this very paragraph, but she actually does something very different with the song and brings a perspective to it that I find really relevant.

2) "Number 1" by Goldfrapp (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzfaJRDfveo&ob=av2e). This is a really, really simple dance track from years ago but I still like it. Alison Goldfrapp is a super-charismatic frontwoman and this band was at the forefront of the dance-pop revival. That sentence I just typed could be a total lie, but it feels right...just like walking out into velvet.

3) "The Heart of the Matter" by Don Henley (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xezg3z5IE8I). So I HELLA hate the Eagles. I am not even really sure what they sing besides "Hotel California," but that song alone makes me want to die. Like, who likes that song? Seriously? Why is it on the radio so much? But anyhoo, I LOVE Don. He hits this spot in the cheesiest part of my heart and I just feel so good whenever I hear any of his jams like Tom Cruise in Jerry Maguire when his life is falling apart but Tom Petty's "Free Fallin'" comes on and gives him back his will to live. I also like that all of his songs are basically long-winded justifications for all the terrible things that happen to people, like their exes breaking up with them and moving onto another relationship and they're still single and had to hear about it from a Goddamned friend BUT IT'S OKAY BECAUSE IT'S ABOUT FORGIVENESS! Oh Don...don't worry...in a New York-minute everything can change.

Friday Footloose

I just made that the post-title because Footloose comes out and I am totally amped to see it. I know it's often a crime against humanity to try and remake classic films (like The Thing...I KNOW it's a prequel but you HAVE to be kidding me if you think you can make something more perfect than the original...), but let's be honest this is mother-effing FOOTLOOSE, not The Conformist. It's dancing, it's FINE.

Anyway, I only wanted to share some songs today, not pontificate on the downfall of modern cinema. Enjoy:

1) "Don't Move" by Phantogram (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2RlV6cteiA). Ugh, fine, I found this on Pitchfork. But I am in a dance-y place (see above re: Footloose) and this song includes my lover, the horn, so it goes on the list.

2) "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eH3giaIzONA&ob=av2e). WHAT DID I JUST SAY?! This song doesn't get old to me.Whit is being like, pretty pathetic here, whining about how as soon as it gets dark she gets super lonely and just really wants to "dance" and feel the heat with somebody who loves her, but let's be honest, we all relate. I especially love when she gets all manic, singing "don'tyouwannadancesayyouwannadancedon'tyouwannadance?!" Yes Whit, I do.

3) "Dance All Night" by Ryan Adams (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwEBKVFLtS4). Yeah, we've got ourselves a theme now. Ryan Adams just released a new album and it's pretty solid, but rather than just post "Lucky Now," or some new bullshit, I am taking you back to my college years when my Ryan obsession was at it's peak. This song conjures up stumble-dancing by yourself at last call with the lights on and a half-empty bottle of Jack in your hand...in a good way.

4) "Dance Little Sister" by The Rolling Stones (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9mj7ZwIKnI). This song makes me want to do that cool, 80's, toe-tappy dance where you exaggeratedly snap your fingers and maybe wear your blazer with the collar up, know what I mean? No? Well it doesn't matter anywah because confession: I can't snap.

5) "Night by Night" by Chromeo (hthttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XCcWlgVqHA&ob=av2n). This is one of my all-time favorite videos and the song may not have the word "dance" in the title, but "Night by Night" is ALL ABOUT dancing. And sexiness with sexy Chromeo. And this video is my fantasy: dancing all night in an awesome outfit with Chromeo at a mysterious NYC warehouse. Here's hoping my Friday goes in this direction...

Oh, the Horror!

So as of late, I have developed a secret habit of listening to Beyonces "Best Thing I Never Had" on repeat. Here's the video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHp2KgyQUFk&ob=av2e

Yeah, I know, I have that same outfit in purple. Anyway, I am not ashamed of my Bey-love. She is an awesome, talented lady and married to/about to give birth to the spawn of Jay-Z. I am way more proud of liking this song than say, "Sparks Fly" by T. Swift (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tcfaf3Rk28Y), which I have to turn way down on my drive home when I hit Silverlake Blvd., however jamming nonstop to Beyonce doesn't exactly give me the street cred I crave...

...Which is why I am SO PSYCHED that The Horrors have decided to admit their appreciation for the Goddess B by COVERING "Best Thing I Never Had." Here it is:

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/10/the_horrors_best_thing_i_never.html

Honestly, I like the original better. I appreciate the 80's, Cure-ness of the Horrors' version (as I appreciate the whole 80's, Cure-like thing the band is doing in general now), but the whole point of this song to me is that it's a big, soulful, almost-ballad sung by a true DIVA. Much like "Irreplaceable" (SO. FUCKING. GOOD. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EwViQxSJJQ&ob=av2e),  "Best Thing I Never Had" is a you-are-missing-out-on-all-this-hot-shit-you-idiot power ditty that can really only be pulled off by someone like Ms. Knowles. Anyway, the point is, I feel cooler loving this song now that an indie band covered it.

Hola Chavito

On Friday I ended up meeting some friends at Chavito, the bar that's connected to Mexican (duh) restaurant El Chavo on Sunset (http://www.elchavorestaurant.com/). This was sort of an accidental meeting, since I actually forgot Daniel had said he had moved from Harvard and Stone to Good Luck Bar and made him go outside to save me and Emily from the line at Harvard and Stone...even though he wasn't there. Anyway, this story may make no sense to you, but we ended up and Chavito and LISTEN, it's pretty cool there. It's super-divey and there's a cute little garden outside and the Margaritas are STRONG (on the rocks, salted; this drink is unacceptable any other way) and all of the boys there are bearded and possibly in need of a shower in a good way. Even though I was too shy to talk to the dirty forest men and spent the whole time talking to my very clean friends Gabe (Gabe! You're my best friend! Move here!) and Mori (Mori! I love you!), If you're looking for a chill little night I highly recommend this place. Also important, my delightful Westside friend Jonathan Ames made it out in all his bespectacled splendor, and it was a joy to see him (even though he was sitting too far away for my lazy self to talk to for most of the night).

Also, this GEM of an old-school jam came on the radio in my car last night and I want all twelve of you to experience it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbrTX6Frg3I

Beirut at the Greek

I know this post title would lead you to believe I was playing a drinking game at a frat house, but really I was seeing a delightful band at one of the best music venues in the world.

The Greek is an amphitheatre in Griffith Park...a delightful stroll up Hillhurst if you park down by Little Doms. It is LOVELY: http://www.greektheatrela.com/. It's small and intimate and really any seat in the outdoor theater is a good seat (I know this to be a fact; for Arcade Fire I was in the second row and for Beirut I was on one of the side balconies and had a great view and heard great sound from both spots).

Anyway, it was a perfect little Tuesday night; Beirut was fantastic with their gentle jams and trumpets and tubas (I LOVE A HORN!). Who knew a 24 year old dude from Santa Fe would get heavy into Eastern European folk music and blend it with some Paul Simon to create such a soulful, fun sound? Not I.

Here are some dark blurry pics to give you sense of what I was seeing:

So blue! Also, we were closer than this pic would lead you to believe...

Now white! I want to steal those lights and put them in my non-existent garden. Until next time!

Showing My Mainstreamness...

Welp, I love the new Florence and the Machine song, "Shake it Out." It's so much fun!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCWnVznnWcs

Guys, come on, I have been SO weepy musically lately. It was raining in LA all week (confession: I secretly loved it), so I was embracing the darkness. Now, I am stepping into the light. I am going to stop typing now to avoid spouting more cliches.

Idiot...is me.

Youth Lagoon's album is called The Year of Hibernation, not Cannons. Cannons might've been the EP. Sometimes I get really excited and it makes me stupid. Also this is the cool, official video for Montana that rips off Malick's Tree of Life, but is still good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IKPT30jOJw

Noelia alerted me to this. Thanks Noey, as always. She also sent me this video to haunt my dreams:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emCw-rRU3Q4&feature=player_embedded#!

Good song, scary RING-style video. You're welcome.

Tuesditties

Say that title out loud; it will make you laugh. Or don't, whatever, I don't care about you. But here are some songs for you this Tuesday:

1) "Montana" by Youth Lagoon (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbMiHqaE8VE). I am obsessed with Youth Lagoon's album Cannons right now. Seriously, I love all of the songs on this thing...you know I adore me a jam that builds and builds. Anyway, this guy is like 20 or something and I am going to see him soon at the Echo and can't wait.

2) "Elephant Gun" by Beirut (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWSz_PAfgNc). This is the first song I ever heard by this band and I fell immediately into intense like with them. I think I told you that I wanted to adapt this dark children's fairytale into a movie and then somehow get Beirut to do the entire score. I still fantasize about doing that. Typically, I am completely annoyed by twee little bands of boys in suspenders making twinkly music on mandolins, but these guys have a BEAUTIFUL sound and incorporate many instruments. Like HORNS. Also I am going to see them tonight at the Greek YAYAYAYYYY!!!

3) "Let Down" by Radiohead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Z_NvVMUcG8). Okay, so I have basically had this on repeat since I found out they did a concert at the Roseland Ballroom in NYC and became furious that I was not AT IT. Dear Radiohead, can you do that in LA please? Thanks, love, me, Stranger. Anyway, I have loved this song for so long and I am sure you have too.

4) "Baby's Arms" by Kurt Vile (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63KB-EJKdyI). I am not over him yet.

5) "La Isla Bonita" by Madonna (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqIIW7nxBgc&ob=av2n). Have I done this one already? Jesus JONES, this woman is great. I really loved this dark-haired, Spanish-loving phase of Madge's and the videos that went along with it. I love love spoken word or "rap" sections in lady-pop songs (see Mandy Moore's "Candy," as an example. No, seriously).

PS Bye REM! I was real, real all about you for a while. In fact, I used to kiss my pillow and the doorframe of my bathroom and picture Nick Armes to this song in the seventh grade: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_8_LpLqKYA. What?! I considered it a gift that could create such an elaborate romantic scenario in my mind at such a young age.

CORRECTION!

You can't BYOB at Speranza anymore. My friend learned this the hard way on Friday and by hard way I mean she had to leave the bottle in the car, we still had the delicious Malbec that is on the menu at the restaurant, and then she drank the car bottle at our next destination. Anyway, I just don't want to lie to you guys ever, sorry.