Saturday, September 30, 2006
Less Than a Week
Next Friday I will be subjecting myself to more torture in the form of medical research for my "sleep disorder". As a matter of fact, I should be going to sleep shortly, as it is important I stick to a schedule of approx. 4 am - 12 pm. I had a few to drink tonite though. I think I missed a few exciting events over the last week, but I'm not sure what at this point. Bobby Conn at Sub-t tomorrow w. 1900s. Woot! Maybe Chic-a-go-go Sunday?!
Oh yeah, sometimes I hate people. Not that often though.
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Sufjan!
I wasn't all that excited by the Illinoisemaker tour. As much as I like spectacle and pageantry, it just seemed a little forced and weird; the cheers were cute, but seemed stilted. I knew the centerpiece of this tour was a large string section and horns, which got me a little more excited. The spectacle and pageantry of 15 people on stage in giant colorful wings and feathers and beautiful background projections (provided by Deborah who did Wilco and Calexico's for a bit) was pretty impressive. The songs themselves could have been lost beneath that, but instead just filled you up like the perfect cup of hot chocolate on a chilly night. There was a healthy mix from the three major albums, with "Chicago" being especially warm and fuzzy. The new song he played "Majesty Snowbird" seriously knocked the wind out of me. There is nothing I can compare it to. There are mp3s and video of it out there, but I haven't even checked it out, because there is no way it could replicate the FEELING. Just fucking amazing. Add to that My Brightest Diamond (aka Shara Worden) who is a wonderful sidewoman to Sufjan. Warm Fuzzies all around!
Sunday, September 24, 2006
Holy Crap is this new?
Paul Williams Cafepress? Official website? I really wanna go to San Francisco, but I don't think I'll make it. Maybe the Hideout could book him!!
I will try to bring you up to date
...but I just got back from seeing
Head at the Music Box, and may be a little whatnot. Let me try and recount backwards if I can. Last nite Detholz! at Hideout. Guitar player proposed to his girlfriend. Thursday too much Prosecco, not enough Proscutto and Betty's for Hotlips Messiah, spoke to Jason on the phone in the ladies room (Groth or Molina?) and James somehow got me home. He deserves a medal. Wednesday was Jandek, but I mentioned that. Tuesday was Golden Smog at the Vic. Monday was dang I am not remembering. Oh yeah, Adam went on tour with Catfish Haven opening for Magnolia Electric Company HOLY CRAP! At some point, my former coworker Matt moved in (yes, there are three bedrooms at
Hotel SnS). Saturday was Catfish Haven at Double Door and dancin' at the Hideout afterwards. Gods, that was a crazy fun hot wonderful show. If you know of anything I missed, please let me know.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Holy Fucking Shit I Just Saw JANDEK
Wow, that was something.
I was talking with Tim and out of the corner of my eye i see this skinny man in black walking to the stage with a soft guitar case. The house music was still on but as soon as people saw him they stopped chatting. I have never been in the Empty Bottle in such silence. People started clapping as he took his guitar out of the case. He was accompanied by John McEntire on drums and a guy on bass that I didn't recognize. At first McEntire's drumming was annoying me, I thought it took away from Jandek's playing, but over the course of the nearly 90 minute set I was greatful for the rhythm section. I really love his drumming, so it was all could do to not be distracted buy him and watch Jandek. Jandek's playing is interesting, but it would have gotten old on its own. Then he "sang". Some lyrics included "I see you there in you red skirt. I don't know where you put your shirt." "We talked about money We talked about drugs Then you were caught". He wore a widebrimmed black hat, and with his black guitar he blended right into the walls, except for the nearly transluscent splotch of his face. With the red spotlight behind him I swear I could see right through him. At one point in the silence between songs someone yelled "Where have you been?" and he kind of chuckled, but otherwise there was no banter, no thank yous. When the set ended he looked at the band and nodded, and that was it. It was odd to have the recreation of listening to a Jandek record in a club, because even though the club was packed, the lack of interaction between songs made you feel like you were listening alone in your bedroom, which is really the only way to listen to his records. Jandek is not really a social activity.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
oops
Yes, I realize I'm slacking in the posting. A lot even happened last week (catfish haven! uh I can't remember what else!) so I'll try and get it all down tonite. It's getting cold here!
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Oh shit I forgot to mention...
Congratualtions Paul!
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
I think I am still exhuasted.
Wow, I really packed a lot into last weekend. Friday was the first night of the Hideout Block Party (aka my birthday observed), and I got to see Supersystem and Ted Leo and a little of !!!. Most of my friends showed up and gave me gifts! Then Kris, James and I went to Beat Kitchen for Screaming Cyn Cyn and the Pons and the Dials. Dancing was done. Then maybe James and I went to the Continetal afterwards? Shit, a lot of this is going to be hazy. Uh Saturday Paul and I went back to the Block Party and Lou gave us beer tix, and I could have cared less about anything going on that day except for Man...or Astroman?! I parked up front and center, and it was amazing! Almost just like the old days, Coco, Birdstuff, Starcrunch and whomever else it was... Tesla coil, glowsticks full of cryogenic waste, I wish they would get back together for good! We skipped the Albini lovefest at the end and went to Metro since we had free Gossip tickets (sadly missing Erase Eratta). Oh wait, we stopped at Gingerman and had a pitcher. Gossip were great, I danced! Then we just kept drinking. Yet, I made it up early enough to catch most of Quasi, who were second at 1pm at Hideout on Sunday. I think Paul and I waited a few hours to start drinking. At least til the rain kinda stopped. Coco Rosie were amazing, and we watched Calexico from sorta far back so it would sound good. There was dancing with Erin and Morgan. AND THEN James and I went to the Bottle for the Smoking Popes, and I continued to drink! We hung out with Matt a bit afterwards, and I don't remember much after that. Flash Taco, then James got me to his place, and much sleeping was had.
Yesterday Adam and I went thrifting, and Matt watched TV with me. I needed a break!
(oh yeah, the pic above is Sunday nite during Calexico, taken by James.)
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Thaxfest!
(thanks for the pic as usual Brianne!)
wow, last nite was another barn burner at the Hotel SnS. Thax was in charge of booking the show and I was the hostess. First off all thanks to all the performers: Recent Photo, the Rich Experience, Detholz! and everyone else I didn't mention. Thanks to everyone who helped in some way big or small (Sooz, Paul, James, Adam, Meghan, Tim, Dan, Brianne, Bryn) and thanks to everyone who came and partied and didn't make too huge of a mess or break anything (that I know of).
I'm not exactly sure when I first saw Thax... probably a Wilco show, so he's been a part of my Chicago experience since I moved here 5 years ago. It's bumming me out to imagine going to shows and not running into him, always having a dance partner, sharing a ride back to Humboldt Park, but I guess he has to do what he has to do. I did get the honor of accompanying him on the Omnichord last nite as he read "Hotel SnS" which was a thrill. Also, I think the best front row ever was in effect for Detholz! (me, Dan, James, Thax)
And now I turn 30 (Tim wins the first person to wish me happy bday award).
Monday, September 04, 2006
OMFG.
The Thax documentary was intense. Steve Irwin is dead. I am having a show in the basement for Thax later today and working, I think I should try and sleep. I feel so fucking drained.
It's all going to be okay, right?
Saturday, September 02, 2006
Oh crud.
I really need to get cracking on this cleaning. I have swept, I have done cat litter, I have picked up things. I hopefully have moving and hanging help coming over later. I sampled the treats Dan made for the party. Whoops.
Show at the Hotel SnS Monday at 6pm!! eeek.
Oh Wow.
There is no way I could feel any better than I do right now.
I saw some shows the last few days.
They want me back for another sleep study.
I don't think I can afford more flowery narratives at this very moment in time.
I need to clean up the ol' basement concert venue.
ñ.
