"I'll miss you more than anyone in my life..."

Congrats to Bruce and Nick! These two friends of mine have just moved into their first Manhattan apartment. It should be a fantastic time for them - of settling in, and exploration, and living in and loving a city so grand.

And they're only 5 blocks away from another friend. Fun!

You know, sometimes... okay, more often than I would like to admit, when I am in the city, I cannot wait to leave. Though so much time has passed, (and in alternate meaning than the original intent), I must cite that familiarity breeds contempt. I've shifted my hangouts to a more downtown feel, and while I do adore my friends, it is not so secretly hard to be in some of the same places as not so long ago. To even have a frame of reference. So much so that if right at this moment, I'd gotten into Cornell, NYU, and UMDNJ for medical school, I'd most likely pick UMDNJ and just be done with the whole idea of everything across the river. And I still might regardless of the hypothetical scenario.

What can I say? At times, the ghost of another life haunts me.


Daft Punk - Around the World. This was playing during our Scrabble fun and always reminds me of the classic and brilliant MTV show, Daria.



Here's another good Daft Punk song - Something About Us. This one is lyrically sweet.

"A stubborn heart remains unchanged..."

I didn't forget!

So I really need to finish up my friend dedicated post. I'd made it through Bruce and Bryn from when I was kidnapped up to Massachusetts/Rhode Island, but I hadn't shouted out to Dani or Nick yet. So you two, this is for you!

Dani and I spent a chunk of time watching the winter X-Games competition and seeing all the cool tricks. In the background of one of the commercials was the Foo Fighters, whom I love because I think Dave Grohl is fantastic and hilarious. Plus, a Foo Fighters photo shoot developed my love of entertainment magazines and musical journalism. But that's another story.



Foo Fighters - Long Road to Ruin from Echoes, Silence, Patience & Grace








Nick and Bruce came down to NYC and we went out dancing one evening before they left. This song was played twice during our night out at Glamdammit.
The Sweet - Ballroom Blitz

"We get so hungry, we eat each other alive..."

To end a wonderful and wintry day: Ben Lee fuzzy goodness.

Ben Lee - Hungry from Ripe. Ben Lee has been getting more comfortable and laid back each time I see him perform. He seems to have forgotten himself as a famous artist who has been entertaining and singing for his entire life and embracing the creative and fun side of musicianship. This is quite amazing, because it creates a casual atmosphere to his concerts and draws the audience in as friends rather than people who are paying to see someone put on a show. Ben Lee has always seemed like a caring and genuine individual and I am personally glad that this is showing through even more on the stage.




Random other things:
I've set my DVR to record Spongebob Squarepants - Atlantis Squarepantis. I'm 22 so I'm not hugely into Spongebob (if at all, though he is occasionally amusing. Gary owns though, not gonna lie), but David Bowie lends his voice to the role of the King of Atlantis. Kickin!

I watched this song on youtube after reading Gawker comments about a particular New York lothario and was incredibly amused. The Asian guy in the silver sparkly onesie is hilarious.
Mike O'Connell with Dr. Ken



Lastly, but certainly not least, I've had the website I Can Has Cheezburger? in my links section since I started this music blog. I think cat memes are funny, what can I say. Today, my friend Bruce's caption made the front page of the site! So check it out and pay his particular cat caption a visit.

"Feels like the crowd is saying, 'Gimme gimme more'..."

What an amazing weekend! From the Metric preview tour to Trash to having friends over and running flailing down the street to the very perfect Sunday (in weather, activities, and company), I have had a blast and am blessed.

I often think that life can't get much better, and of course, am proven wrong by unforeseen forces that work on my behalf.

Anyway, there is still so much left for me to accomplish.

I must get some job stuff in order, like temping or substitute teaching, and career stuff in order, like finally blowing those MCATs out of the water, and energy stuff in order, like returning to dance and taking up boxing.

But really, I am quite happy, and ready for what the universe wants to throw my way. So come on world, gimme more, I feel like I'm quite prepared for the responsibility of medical school, stress, puppies, apartment design, students, early mornings, and sore calves. And for everyone who reads this, I hope your dreams are coming true too. :)






Britney Spears - Gimme More






U2 - Beautiful Day

"So I'm moving to New York cuz I've got issues with my sleep. Looks like Christmas came early..."

I have had this post lined up since I started this blog.

If someone were to ask me when it was decided that I was moving to New York, I'd probably say since kindergarten when we were asked to draw pictures of ourselves and what we maybe wanted to be when we grew up. Tough question for a kid, right?. Being the adorable 5 or 6 year old that I was, I wrote down, "I want to be a docter. I want to live in New York or Los Angeles with my friends and family." Though I misspelled doctor, I have *never* wavered in any of my goals since. I'm pretty stubborn. Yeah, I've done a lot of other things too, but I make my life happen in the way that I so choose. And finally, after years of hanging out here anyway and having strangers (and people I know) tell me that I seemed like I was from the city or belonged in it, I moved to New York.

If someone were to ask me when it was decided with whom I was going to be living, I could not really begin to tell you. I know it was probably already set in place during our inseparable period of sophomore and junior year in college but neither he nor I can pinpoint that exact moment when one of us had an overhead lightbulb epiphany and said aloud, "we should live together." Maybe neither of us ever said anything. It could very well have been one of those ideas that both of us just happened to have at the same time and felt like it was in place all along. It was just very much understood that we were going to live together and then when we got a place that was distinctly ours it would look like fabulousity squared. Bunches of others had invited me to live with them over time, but I always refused, because there was something about our unspoken agreement that had the distinct feeling of being something great. And lo and behold, after a year, here I am and we are already having so much fun. Yay!

So here's the song I've had picked out since I realized I was moving in. After that is the Wombat's latest single, which oddly enough is titled, "Let's Dance to Joy Division." And one ofJoy Division's songs, coincidentally, being the ringtone for my roommate. See! It all comes full circle!





The Wombats - Moving to New York from Go Pop! Pop! Pop!









The Wombats - Let's Dance to Joy Division




And Alison Magnotti-Nagel, I know you read this and you're next in line for New York! I will purchase and roll out a red carpet in front of John Jay just for you.

"And it's plain to see you were meant for me..."

I've had a very fun and relaxing weekend that concluded in such the right way that I came out of it feeling hyper and loved. I even had to explain to Cheryl when we met up that I was not at all drunk, but merely happy and probably full of ice cream. Dublin Mudslide = yum!

So here are my musical notes, anecdotes, and shout outs to sum up my weekend.

Happy Birthday, Cher!! I am looking forward to celebrating and showing you a great time. I'm also glad we got to have a Harold and Kumar moment in the ghetto that is Orange. You are the authority in lighthearted fun.

I remember we used to drive around in her car on the way to bowling or the movies and she would always have mixes in the cd player of stuff like Eve 6, Marvelous 3, and OK Go.



OK Go - Don't Ask Me from their self titled album, OK Go




This video isn't OK Go (except for the music) but I loved the idea of someone's family putting this on as a dance skit for their daughter's wedding reception! It's sweet.





I hope you feel better, Ali! In an effort to speed up the process, here's that David Duchovny song you love. Plus, he has that new series on Showtime and though the reviews are awful, the billboards are great. And hey, he still has that second X-Files movie coming out eventually, which doesn't make any sense to me considering the Lone Gunmen are dead and Mulder ran away with Scully. What plot could they possibly come up with?




Bree Sharp - David Duchovny from Cheap and Evil Girl











After eating dinner at Vynl, we were wandering to Penn Station to catch a train back to New Jersey (it's the new Shangri-la, I swear) and some drunk yeah-dudes said something to which I issued a standard death glare response and then let it slide (for once). Patrick; however, wanted to turn around on 9th ave and fight some guys in defense of my honor. He gets to be my knight in shining armor. Though I wasn't in the mood for a battle this time, if there's ever a next time, I won't stop him. I'll even throw the first punch.





Queen - (I set my Queen music to random and just picked the first track that came up) The Show Must Go On which can be found on The Platinum Collection amongst others.







Queen - Don't Stop Me Now



A bunch of us (Jonathan, Jeremy, Cher, Patrick, myself) got together for a chill movie night and watched Velvet Goldmine. Hilariously, no one else liked it (I still enjoy the style and music and Oscar Wilde-inspired dialogue, but I'm partial, so I guess that's a neutral vote from me). Regardless, I look forward to our bringing back the glam rock hedonism and decadence once we've all established ourselves, and someone can smoke from a really long cigarette holder while Jonathan has a tranny entourage.

I seriously love you all so much.



Placebo - 20th Century Boy from Velvet Goldmine soundtrack.





Ballad of Maxwell Demon

"It's not the storm before the calm..."

Yesterday, I caught the James Morrison - Ben Folds - John Mayer show with Alison and Michelle (who are like my sisters). We sat on the front edge of the lawn at PNC Bank Arts Center and had a great view of the show and entertaining company including your standard pothead surfer types, a middle aged mom with green hair, and overly cuddly couples.

Having seen Ben Folds earlier this year, I can wholeheartedly say that he put on a better show (the best show) at Muhlenberg College. However, he still performed wonderfully, though it seemed that not enough of the crowd knew the words to his songs. They did appreciate his $8,000 keytar synthesizer instrument thing that he uses to play the cover of Such Great Heights, which, along with Jesusland was one of the highlights of his set. He strayed away from things that absolutely everyone would know (Rockin the Suburbs, Brick) and a lot of his material was from his more recent albums. I was holding out for "Learn to Live with What You Are," being that he was doing a lot of music from Songs for Silverman, but alas, it never came. However, Ben Folds attacked each song fearlessly, and even led the crowd in sing alongs while standing atop his piano, and that's just plain fun.



Ben Folds - Jesusland from Songs for Silverman




John Mayer did a really great mix of songs, both old and new, that carried over well to the crowd. I know he's a talented artist, and have respected his career course in doing pop stuff and then branching out with the John Mayer Trio, but his guitaring was a sight to behold/amazing to hear. He went into a four minute solo riff at some point and created some grooves that invariably justified the presence of the holdover hippies we witnessed swaying in their tie-dyed t-shirts, jean shorts, and fanny packs. He thanked his fans after every song and didn't stray away from making the guitar face. I'm a fan of the slower John Mayer work, but in a massive concert setting those aren't bound to be played. I was surprised that he busted out with songs from the John Mayer Trio and was just overall impressed and awed by his technical ability.

John Mayer - Clarity (Acoustic) from Heavier Things (Bonus Disc)


John Mayer - Slow Dancing in a Burning Room from Continuum

"My kind's your kind..."

I've returned from Boston. I missed the last day or two of Boston-related blogging, so I figured I'd just finish it out right now.

Dani has a signature style. Band t-shirts, jeans, and comfy sneakers comprise the majority of what I see her wear, and if there's anyone to have a collection of emo-band t-shirts... but that emo label says nothing about her and the type of person she is. She's not melodramatic, her hair isn't asymmetrical, and she's one of the most direct people I know.

She's like that glasses wearing kid in SLC Punk. You don't realize what or who he is and then *bam* he knocks out some folks in a mosh pit.

I remember one night when she had just met someone right off the street and tried to prevent him from getting into a jeep with strangers. Or the time we went to Six Flags, we tried to determine which seat on the circular white water rafting tube would get the rider least wet. When we boarded the ride, she switched seats with me so that way I wouldn't get soaked. Awww.

Brand New - Play Crack the Sky from Deja Entendu

Though he could not come to Boston due to other obligations, I figured I'd throw an anecdote about my friend Patrick into the mix. He is a large portion of Boston to me, and our stories are endless. There were always days that passed like minutes. We would have three or four hour dinners and just talk incessantly about anything and everything (though some people believed we only discussed the finer points of fashion). We are those kids who are so into hanging out that we do ridiculous things. One day (and probably more), we were talking online, decided to meet up, and after signing offline immediately called eachother and then talked on the phone while walking til we got to our destination, and then spent the day and evening having fun, and probably called eachother late at night after hanging out too.

I wanted to put up some Ben Lee music, but then I remembered a day when we were supposed to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and TV on the Radio do a free show in Government Center. We had already spent the entire day having tea, shopping, going to the museum to see the Americans in Paris exhibit, eating food, etc. Instead of making the show, we decided to have a cozy evening and propped ourselves up on pillows to watch two movies we rented (Bright Young Things, and The White Countess) before heading out that night.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy from their upcoming EP (whose release date is tomorrow) The Is Is.










Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps

"Ain't no doubt about it, we were doubly blessed..."

Rosa and Noah would wake up on weekends after drinking and make Bailey's pancakes for brunch while they sang along to classic songs. I tried making alkapudding once, but it totally backfired. Turns out, you can't add alcohol to everything. The two songs that stood out most in memory were their renditions of "The House of the Rising Sun" and "Paradise by the Dashboard Light."

Then they would film Noah's fingers attacking one another in various comedic situations or take picture of their shoes.



Meat Loaf - Paradise by the Dashboard Light from Bat Out of Hell





The Animals - House of the Rising Sun

"Oh that starry night, lost my sense of time..."

Alexander Wolf is no mere mortal. I remember on particular evening when he came over to hang out in Beacon Hill. I think he missed the T home that night, so the lot of us decided to chill and talk. He was the last man standing. I consider myself a dedicated insomniac, but that particular evening, I was ready to fall asleep, which was already no easy feat as the the daylight was steadily shining through the windows in my room. Alexander? He merely shrugged, bid us a good day, and walked out into Boston to take the T home. I imagine he had quite a full day afterwards.





Roisin Murphy - Night of a Dancing Flame from Ruby Blue











Chris Hallenbeck probably hates you. Actually, I'm just kidding. He's never done anything to suggest that this statement would be true, and he's quite a lovely and caring fellow, but one day his dark core may overcome his genius and then you may need to watch out. Until then, he'll just out-obscure you on books and music and will throw your Killers albums out the window without thinking twice or even asking. Then he'll disinfect his hand.

In the winter once, we were bundled up outside, waiting for someone on the corner of Boylston St. and Tremont St. in front of the LB and we started singing Kenna songs to pass the time.




Kenna - Sunday After You from New Sacred Cow

"Look at that sky, life's begun. Nights are warm and the days are young..."

I'm in Boston for the week!

I've written all these anecdotal posts in advance, so that I way I can just bug Bruce to use his laptop for less than 30 seconds each day and click "Publish Post!" and you'll have something new to read and hear.

I have an infinite number of fun memories of Boston and the time in which I lived there. However, it was the people that made the place for me, and it would be an empty place without them. My heart will be immeasurably full in going to visit and though there are many of you whom I shall see and continue to miss when I leave, I can only fit a handful of you into this theme. Apologies and hugs go out to the rest.

Once when I lived in a dorm on 6 Arlington Street, my roommate Bryn decided to cover up our big mirror with a poster of Bowie circa Aladdin Sane. Because of the way our room was organized, every morning when I'd start the day, it would be to Bowie's face, and if I ever woke up in the middle of the night, the poster would freak me out because I would forget it was there and really, you should try sleeping with a darkened glam rock alien legend staring down at you. Eventually, I think the poster fell, or we just peeled it off and put it elsewhere during one of our massive redecoration fits, but I still remember David Bowie haunting me both pleasantly and weirdly.


David Bowie - It's Hard to be a Saint in the City from The Platinum Collection









David Bowie - Golden Years from Station to Station














There are times while living at 51 Anderson when I don't remember where other people were or what they were up to. Little moments, like staying up late and talking to Bruce while he worked in the kitchen on his design/architecture projects, eating samosas bought from Whole Foods afterwards, or when we walked to Cold Stone and he got a sundae the size of his head.

We went and saw World Inferno once, and I had a really fun time. Perhaps the next time we go to a concert, I will actually be able to finish one full can of beer.


The World/Inferno Friendship Society - The Models and the Mannequins from East Coast Super Sound Punk of Today!





The World/Inferno Friendship Society - The Brother of the Mayor of Bridgewater

"Damn, they don't make 'em like this anymore..."

Last night, I went to my friend James' house party. It was, musically, a trip. I was suddenly in 4th grade again, listening to Notorious BIG and hanging out with the same kids with whom I grew up. Outside, during the beer pong tournament, I felt a collective pause when Kanye's "Stronger" came on and someone mentioned that it doesn't matter where you are, people will dance to that song.

Being that I haven't yet copied my Notorious BIG cds and various 90s rap albums to my computer, here's Kanye West.



Kanye West - Stronger from Graduation.

"Your eyes make a circle..."

Last night, I went out with my friend Cher to celebrate my current freedom from academic stress. We stopped by Trash for a bit to have some drinks, and proceeded to have a blast. Sometimes, when I go out, I will say, "I love this song!" (What can I say, I enjoy a ton of music) and no one will get out and dance. But last night, whenever I said "I love this song," Cher's immediate response was "Well then we have to dance!"

When I woke up today, I was still very cheery and bouncy. So here are some tunes which made us inexplicably happy to which we shook our tailfeathers.

Kaiser Chiefs - I Predict a Riot from Employment. This is such a great song, made better by the fact that Bryn and I used to play it all the time when we had a radio show in Boston. (I'm also mentioning this because the following week's music posts will all be Boston related).



U2 - I Will Follow from Boy






The Knack - My Sharona





The Cure - In Between Days from The Head on the Door.

"Teacher thinks that I sound funny, but she likes the way you sing..."

I am constantly thankful for the presence of my friends and often awestruck in looking back and realizing the growth that has occurred, both of our bonds and of each individual. Keeping that in mind, I thought it would be nice to put up a couple of my favorite tunes on the topic. From the early notion that two children could walk with eachother merrily to school, to people being with one another in their final days, here are a handful of songs that I believe chronicle the growth of companionship in a unique manner.

The White Stripes - We're Going to be Friends from White Blood Cells. I think Jack White captures the nature of elementary school friendship perfectly. Children walking to school, getting messy, the rambly sing song nature of their speech, the coziness of autumn. Even the video for the song, (which can be found here) is understated and sweet as Jack plays guitar while Meg sleeps.




Stellastarr* - Somewhere Across Forever. This song reminds me of a conversation. I've always thought of it as a back and forth between two people, perhaps teenagers, of a particularly bold and brazen temperament, wanting to strike out on their own and establish a world for themselves.




Justice Vs Simian - Never Be Alone. Aka "We Are Your Friends," the story behind this song is hazy, possibly due to the many re-imaginings of the bands involved (Justice, Simian, Simian Mobile Disco, Garden). From what I've gathered, it seems that Simian released "Never Be Alone" and then Justice remixed it for a contest (but didn't win!). The song still took off, was renamed, and won an MTV Europe Music award (it was the one where Kanye West went crazy). It reminds me of nights spent dancing, and how I was told to remember the lyrics so one of my friends could get the song, but never did.



LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends from Sound of Silver. The line "you spent your first five years trying to get with the plan and your second five years trying to be with your friends again" makes me think of 30 or 40 year old business people in suits running around trying to be 20 again. As a bonus, here's Franz Ferdinand - All My Friends (LCD Soundsystem Cover). Quite possibly better than original.



Death Cab for Cutie - "Follow You Into the Dark" from Plans.
I thought it was best to put up the video.




And as a post script to yesterday's initial video post, Rod Thomas actually contacted me and is a really sweet fellow who appreciates even the tiniest support. He's coming to NYC in late September, and you should totally check him out. I know I'll be there.