After I just came back from the doctors office, and had a nice ultrasound, I have found that I am not pregnant, yet will have to have surgery on my groin. It's a great time to be going off on a snowboarding adventure.
If you missed last weeks Tegan and Sara show, they were supposed to open for Little Birdie tonight at the Metro Theatre, however, the ornithological portion of the show has been canceled. Quite a deal for the best live act going these days:
Tegan & Sara - Onstage 10.00pm Bob Evans - 8.45 - 9.30pm
$12 at the door
Little Birdy will be postponed till early November. Tickets will still be valid or a refund will be issued. Please call The Metro Theatre Box Office on 9287 2000 for further information.
"I'm certainly not someone who wants to go out and sell fucking Tag Heuer watches and L'Oreal and all that whole stupid fashion that has come in right now.It is whoring ourselves for millions of dollars."
Is the conceited fuckwit suffering amnesia? Did he think "A Knights Tale" would be a contender at Sundance? Ooohhh what about "10 Things I Hate about You"... definitely not whoring. ___
Why do Australian's seem to hold a place in their heart for misogynistic pricks who do yucky things. Not only do they get tv shows, they seem to get unlimited oral sex, IN PUBLIC! I'm sure the women in question just wanted to take him home to meet their mothers.
Wow, what a treat. Get to know the best punk rock band that ever was... check out Jefitoblog's Idiots Guide to the Replacements. For those of you who didn't grow up in Minnesota, and missed out on picking up Sorry Ma on vinyl, it's even got MP3s.
I'm a little late to the race here, as I just got the chance to watch the Six Feet Under finale last night. My flatmate was sitting at the computer in the living room and I had it playing on my new imac to tv digital surround nerd set up, and I really had a hard time not making sobbing noises. Spence really made the call on watching Entourage afterwards, I think I would have cried myself to sleep if it hadn't been for imagining myself cruising in E's Maserati (Joe Walsh Stizz).
Stereogum posted a couple of MP3s of Sia's Breathe Me, the final song in the final montage that succeeds in turning on the waterworks more than any moment in TV history. Sia Furler hails from Adelaide, Ben Fold's Australian home, and the only place I've ever attended a foam party. Sia is also one of the vocalists contributing to the work of Zero 7, and has done stuff with a lot of the Bristol triphop aristocracy. Sadly for those of you diggin' on the Garden State soundtrack, that's Sophie Barker on Zero 7's "In the Waiting Line".
When I was about 21, and I was completely obsessed with Liz Phair, my dad told me that once I hit my late 20s, I'd start to lose my interest in music. Here I am, 10 years later, and even more interested and obsessed than I ever was. The best part is that now that I don't have to impress anyone, I can listen to music purely for my enjoyment. I don't have to pretend to like Bright Eyes or The Flaming Lips, just because they're aclaimed, and I can listen to Kelly Clarkson, Christina Aguilera, The Sugababes and Alicia Keys without fear that of being ostracised. I suppose dating a singer songwriter helps things along, but I have also come to a new enjoyment of seeing live music. I saw some amazing bands when I was younger, The Pixies, Chilli Peppers, Soundgarden, Liz Phair, Ivy, etc. However, I don't think I ever really appreciated or examined the music on the level I do as I have gotten older.
Last nights Tegan and Sara show proved to be one of the most amazing, enjoyable and memorable shows of my entire life. From the moment they played their first song, until the last encore, I had constant shivers. Anyone who complains about the lack of innovation of rock and roll should immerse themselves in these two. Their intimacy with the audience was enthralling, and if they ever give up music, they could certainly star in a sitcom. On Tegan taunting Sara over the loudness of her guitar, she gave us a little Billy Corrigan riff, and both were joking about their mother's adventures in Australia. Their mother was as cute as the two of them, and she teased me a bit at the merchandise counter for having to get help from a girl to get my shirt. I'll definitely be on a high this week after such a moving performance.
If you missed the chance to see them, they'll be back in Sydney next Thursday, opening for Little Birdie at the Metro Theatre. If you did see the show last night, be aware that the sign across from the venue was for an actual business, not a promotion for the lesbian twins from Canada.
Thanks to Miss. Highco for getting the band shot for me, my little fat hands are just too damn shaky!
When in Rome The internet is abuzz... Fiona Apple (everyone's favourite gibberish speaking, long album titling, dirty music video filming, food avoiding songstress) is finally able to release her album, Extraordinary Machine, after Sony finally gets a suitable single out of the deal. What do the folks at freefiona.com do now?
In other new album news, if you are fan of modern bluegrass, or alt.country, Nickel Creek's new album, Why Should the Fire Die is frick frackin' fantastic. These guys have been the new faces of bluegrass for a few years now, but still sound fresh and innovative. Chris Thile's banjo picking is awe inspiring, and Sara Watkin's voice is like honey. There's no Pavement cover this time (if you haven't heard NC's version of Spit on a Stranger, you are missing out), but they cover a bit of Dylan with Tomorrow is a Long Time. Check out the video for When in Rome here. There isn't a lot of groups out there doing three part harmonies that give you shivers like these guys.
Tegan & Sara is tonight at the Annandale, and their will be plenty of tickets at the door, see you there.
Annandale Hotel Cnr. Parramatta Rd & Nelson St Annandale, NSW Australia
Surprise, surprise, now that they're on a major label, dissing the Death Cab is the new digging the Death Cab (it's nice to know blog fucking still exists, and the lovelies all get along). Gawker's number two is quick to inform us that she does, however, love Kelly Clarkson. In the most recent Six Feet Under, former Death Cab enthusiast Claire listens to Breakaway to greave for her brother's death. The writers seemed to be implying that Claire was losing her elitism and becoming more mature. Is Kelly Clarkson more indie than indie itself? Celebrate your indie world with a Since You've Been Gone mashup.
Speaking of indie... I have been an insomniac for as long as I can remember, but have tamed the beast and avoided spending all my nights scanning the Ikea catalogue with books on tape. Dawn and Drew's podcast has been a fun addition to my sleep time repertoire as of late, but I also get a lot of material from Audible.com. I picked up Jonathan Safran Foer's "Everything is Illuminated" without even knowing that I was being indie. I just thought the cover was pretty. It seems that all the kids love the guy, and he loves Bright Eyes, but Conner doesn't know him... Oh, and he's having a baby. Phew... what a soap opera. Being an up and coming fiction write aint what it used to be. What happened to getting wasted in Paris? ___
After initially avoiding Tegan and Sara's newest album, I have really started to get into it. It's one of those albums that you crave, their voices feel extremely intimate, and the harmonies are ultra lush. They also happened to be playing here in Sydney next Tuesday (16th of August) at my favourite Sydney venue, the Annondale Hotel. Check out I Know I Know I Know, here. ___
For other music in the Annandale area next week, check out Misst at The Empire Hotel's Poptarts next Monday night. ___
I have to agree with the Thighmaster, Mandy Moore makes Entourage very watch able. How can one little package contain so much cuteness and class!!! Hopefully Vincent Chase won't corrupt her. ___
"You call yourself a Christian, I call you a hypocrite, You call yourself a patriot, well I think you're full of shit"
After the Calexico/Iron and Wine effort, can we expect a Stones/Bright Eyes E.P. on the way? ____
I got an advance copy of Death Cab for Cuties new album "Plans" last night. My whole view was tainted by Lindsay Lindsayism bashing Gibbard, whom she considers a self-obsessed prick.
I've been a fan of Death Cab since Something About Airplanes, but I can't imagine respecting them after that song. Fame really does ruin everyone.
Lindsay seems to not only have overlooked the possibility that music can be fiction, but that men don't necessarily fall in love with and marry every girl they have sleepovers with. Grow up, and stop spending your time making fun of everyone... well, everyone but you and your Vicodin popping Misshapes fashion victim friends. Imagine what fame would do to you, sweetheart! (Ok, I'm not very good at bashing people, but I am really getting sick of the New York hipster elite). ___
I keep hearing songs from The Stars "Heart" on Indie Pop Rocks... It's like hearing a newly released album, because I don't have it, and I can't find it in Oz! ___
Plan tonight: Cook dinner for picky girlfriend, watch Maggie Gyllenhaal on Jon Stewart, then watch Maggie Gyllenhaal in Secretary. Problem: The creative cooking epicentre of my brain has gone stale... Arghhh!!! It might end up leftover pizza and Australian Idol!
My little sister to play Miller Park, Milwaukee Wisconsin with Bon Jovi and the Goo Goo Dolls, Saturday the 20th of August.
I got an email from Paul today regarding some old posts (hope that was what you were after, mate) and was looking back through my archives. I found the following comment regarding a previous post on Conner Oberst:
That was the MOST PATHTIC review ever! Maybe you should try listening to the music instead of having your head in your ass and writing down shit you overheard! WHO EVER YOU ARE YOUR AN IDIOT AND BRIGHT EYES IS ONE OF THE BEST AND SMARTEST BANDS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS. OH YA AND HIS VOCALS ARE FUCKING AWESOME, LOSER
Truly ironic, considering that my point was that Oberst's political stylings were overly simplistic, and his fans were young and immature. Sadly (and typically) the author didn't leave their contact details, or I would have written a mature note about such horrible language (Liz Phair is the only potty mouth in my life).
Speaking of music for the obsessive, rumours from several sites indicate that the new Death Cab for Cutie album has been leaked. I will keep you posted, but in the meantime, check out Fluxblog.
Misst had a gig on Friday night, so I stayed home by myself and made veal Liver with garlic aioli, with plans to put it up on the Raider. I couldn't stop thinking about the fact that it was a cleansing organ, and I didn't enjoy it at all. I just ended up drinking way too much Cab/Sav in an attempt to salvage the evening. If anyone is interested, I'll put the recipe up, just let me know.
I keep trying to explain to Aussie folk what a biscuit is. I made my first attempt at baking biscuits last night, along with some country gravy. My flatmate was horrified that I was pouring sausage gravey over the top of what he imagined to be a cookie of sorts! Yum, sausage gravey and oreos! Anyway, I will be tweaking the recipe in the next few weeks. I know it's been a long time since I've had a recipe up on the raider, so bear with me.
Anyway, on to some random crap, since it's Friday and all...
While making my biscuits last night, I turned the on the T.V. and actually had to witness the head on car crash craptastic creation that was Stooged. My god. I don't even have words to describe the lameness.
Leo Sayer, of "You Make Me Feel Like Dancin'" fame, is suddenly my neighbour. WTF! He was on the radio this morning talking about the chicken at Plumer road in Rose Bay... and he said 'Chook' instead of chicken!
Speaking of radio, I usually listen to Merrick and Rosso during my morning drive, however, fantastic banter aside, the playlist is about enough to make a man jump from his gay French car. It's nice to see the boys have some influence, however, as the traffic report has been recently accompanied by a little Mark Mothersbaugh, from ze Life Aquatic. Guys, may I suggest "Yeah" by LCD Soundsystem for next week?
Just poured myself a bath last night and watched the latest Six Feet Under. Wow, Alan Ball is one brave mother when it comes to story lines. Ok, I get that Nate's demise was foreshadowed by the bird stuck in the kitchen early in the season, but, what's the moral of the story. I mean, where's the Aesopesque conclusion? Maybe it's just that everyone should bang a Quaker before they die.
The King of Thighland once asked me about prospective Aussie lasses to take as his queen. I completely forgot about a candidate! I was watching Entourage the other night, and who should I see, but sexy little Flick from Neighbours, getting her bits out as a Perfect Ten model. Good on' ya Holly Valance, it's a step up from playing a dead body on CSI.
Ok, I'm outy trouty, but before I go, I promised I'd finish up with some Barnicles..
Sometimes putting an ipod on shuffle is like going to the beach with a metal detector. Being that I haven't been able to add to the ipod since whatever happened to my hard drive, I have been putting it on shuffle to get a bit of variety. So, I was sitting at the computer, hitting a bit of Spoon, a bit of Springsteen, la la la, when Car Chase Terror by M83 came on. I couldn't decide if I was supposed to dance in my seat or be scared shitless. I quickly scrolled to "Before the Dawn Heals" and listened to the whole album. I don't usually get off on the atmospheric stuff, but these guys make Sigur Ros look like a high school jazz band. I think a date with a bottle of Cab Sav and a bathtub might be an order... hmmm... maybe I should give Four Tet another listen while I'm at it.
R to the andom:
While I was in San Fran, Minneapolis and Milwaukee people kept asking me what it's like living in the best city in the world. Now it all makes sense!
I rarely even tune in to broadcast TV lately, since I can get my TV fix from various internet sources. Maybe it's because Australian television is on such a tragically horrible coarse. Australian Idol loser, and dough faced Paris fucker, Rob, Millsy, Mills, will be hosting what may be the most blatant rip-off in television history, Stooged. Keep your eye on Demi, Ashton, Millsy may just try and cut your grass.
Hand me My Hijab
I'm a little late to the race here, as I just got the chance to watch the Six Feet Under finale last night. My flatmate was sitting at the computer in the living room and I had it playing on my new imac to tv digital surround nerd set up, and I really had a hard time not making sobbing noises. 
If you missed the chance to see them, they'll be back in Sydney next Thursday, opening for Little Birdie at the Metro Theatre. If you did see the show last night, be aware that the sign across from the venue was for an actual business, not a promotion for the lesbian twins from Canada.
In other new album news, if you are fan of modern bluegrass, or alt.country, Nickel Creek's new album, 
After initially avoiding Tegan and Sara's newest album, I have really started to get into it. It's one of those albums that you crave, their voices feel extremely intimate, and the harmonies are ultra lush. They also happened to be playing here in Sydney next Tuesday (16th of August) at my favourite Sydney venue, the 
For other music in the Annandale area next week, check out Misst at 
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Just poured myself a bath last night and watched the latest Six Feet Under. Wow, Alan Ball is one brave mother when it comes to story lines. Ok, I get that 
