"Home is wherever there is you..."

I just felt like putting up the Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros performance from the other night when they paid a visit to David Letterman's show. Dynamic, cult-like, and energetic - I find that larger piece bands usually have interesting hair and a front man with a Jesus-like persona. Everyone's been posting the video on the interwebs, and so I thought to join in.

Also, if anyone has the live mp3 of this performance, shoot me an email, as I'd love to have it. It's much better than the album version. I especially appreciate the minor chorus change in the live version to "Home - you are me and I am you" and how smiley the entire band is, to the point where I was mildly creeped out but very intrigued. I applaud the musical genre change up from a former member of Ima Robot.

"I'm known for runnin' my mouth, I will not be accountable for what comes out..."

NASA featuring Kanye West, Santigold, and Lykke Li - Gifted

N.A.S.A. - New Music - More Music Videos

I enjoy the production, and Lykke Li's small but ethereal contribution. However, I must say that I feel Santigold really shines on this track.


Also, I miss calling her Santogold.

"Seven days in hell..."

Here's how I feel about P.Wolf's new video.

Patrick Wolf - Vulture


I have not read/researched anything much about Patrick Wolf's "Battle" in an effort to hear it feverishly and without bias when it comes out. I did the same with U2's No Line on the Horizon, Yeah Yeah Yeah's It's Blitz, and Metric's Fantasies. I got the lead single off each, but that was it.

Anyway, moving on.

Not knowing much, this is what the video throws at me:

1) I like P.Wolf's hair. Not the long Legolas/Thor thing he has going on, but the mad scientist/Egon from the Real Ghostbusters cartoon/Agyness Deyn diva do that's intercut with him sprawling out in bondage gear with normalized hair. The normal floppy hair adds to the sense of vulnerability. The awesome up-wave adds to the sense of drama. I'm feeling it.

Here's Egon, btw


2) The licking of lips and camp gestures makes me worry for the current incarnation of Patrick Wolf's stage persona. I miss Wind in the Wires Patrick, or Lycanthropy Patrick where the sense of dark romanticism was there, and the drama, but not the overt staging of it. The focus felt more on the music than the thematic display in order to make a good viewing for audience members and people who are more visually entertained. Really, people will understand the music without contextualizing it that way.

3) From what little I have heard, Battle has some LA influence in it from his time there. That's pretty obvious.

4) I don't know what others drew from the video, but the dominance issue didn't appear ultimately sexual to me, but rather a conflict of personality. I felt like Patrick Wolf was postulating that the man being pushed down and subjugated in some form or another was his real self. The daily P.Wolf that none of us know (unless you legit know the guy), and right now, the rest, the flashes of dramatic shine and flash that we see are what we're going to get and who is currently reigning supreme. I feel like there's a reason why there's a vulture cape and a disco-y dare devilish suit - these are heightened sense of vicarious authority figures - mythic gods and heroes and glam rock or adrenaline fueled thrillseekers. But to me, the person who felt the most authentic was strapped down in the dog collar.


Anyone else? Thoughts?

"Makes me feel like a madman on the run..."

Links to what I cannot embed.

Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero video


It came out two days ago, so if you haven't seen it, do so now.

I enjoy this new direction that they've taken. Yes, it's softer. Yes, it's more 80's-ish, but hey, I love the 80s. And wow their drummer lost a bunch of weight. I'll have what he's having.

Metric - Pre-Order Fantasies

New Metric album is dropping soon. They've had it announced for quite a bit, so again, if you haven't taken advantage of digital downloads, or getting the limited fan edition, might as well.


Also.

Also.

One of my life goals came true.

I met Bono. The musical love of my life. He signed my "All I Want is You" record.


He wrote "Yum..." underneath his name.

I, like the fangirl that I am, took the time to draft a heartfelt letter to the band, and he took it from me gladly, for which I am very grateful. He actually took the highly decorated Indian envelope from me and looked at it and began to sign it and I gasped "No no, this is for you."

And he looked up and smiled and said, "Oh, this is for me? Like a gift?" And I said yes, and he said thank you, and put it into his pocket and said he'd read it later.

I hope he did. It kind of rocked, if I do say so myself.

The photo I uploaded makes him look old, but I figured it'll be there for all the haters, or all those who aspire to greatness as a reminder that everyone is human and we all have our flaws despite years of rocking, tons of money, and excessive fame. So, to my fellow poor college grads, at least we're young and pretty!


I really need to make it a point to post more, because I still love discussing music as much as ever. Life has kept me a bit busy, but hang in there, folks. In a few months, I Wake Up Late will be back in full swing.

"Can you really die from a broken heart? Is it true?"

I was just emailed about this band and I like what they stand for, so I figured I'd post about them.

Rudely Interrupted is a 6-piece band from Australia. They create your standard and straightforward energetic rock. It's got a great groove to it. What sets them apart from most other touring acts out there right now is the stunning and admirable amount of strength and courage within the band itself. 5 out of the 6 band members have some form of disability, ranging from blindness and deafness to Asperger's, Autism, and Down Syndrome. I must stress to you that they are far from a novelty act, their material is original and their vocalist Rory had the following to say about the band's mission:"“We want to show the world what we can do given the opportunity. We write our own music about our own experiences. We use our weaknesses as our strengths."

Most recently, they played the United Nations, being the first and only indie rock band to be invited to play. On Wednesday and Saturday, they are playing at Public Assembly in Brooklyn, and Fontana's in Manhattan, respectively. Go check them out and give these peeps, who have played alongside Feist and Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, some support. Also, if you feel like checking out their tunage, I highly suggest "Don't Break My Heart."




Rudely Interrupted - Green Lights





Rudely Interrupted - Don't Break My Heart

"Sit tight I know what you are, mad bright but you aint no star..."

Me, I'm a Creator
Thrill is to make it up
The rules I break got me a place
Up on the radar

Sooooo, I've been gone for a long while. I tried to make posts and keep updated and shizzle, but I was too busy being a global adventurer and it just wasn't working out. Now that I'm back from overseas, I'm going to try to post some tracks once in a while in between working, working out, studying, hanging out with friends, spending time with family, and hitting up tons of concerts/doing other fun stuff.

Nothing has really inspired today's entry, so I figured I'd put up a modern classic - Santogold. Everyone has her music, I assume, and I'm by no means being cutting edge, but I felt like hearing Creator, and this is my blog so I can do what I want ;) Enjoy!




Santogold - Creator from the self-titled album Santogold







And just for fun, here's a random video from The Kills because I was totally surprised when their song Cheap and Cheerful was featured on the recent "Lucky Thirteen" episode of House. They really need to get rid of Thirteen and have more Chase and Cameron screentime, darnit.



The Kills - Last Day of Magic

"Don't make me think before I speak..."

Wade Robson, you magnificent twisted bastard. This is the sickest performance I've seen in a while.



The song that he chose for the piece is called "Hi" by the band Psapp.I particularly enjoy the closing lines of the song:

I know what you're thinking
I know how you see me
Although it hurts
You're probably right.




Psapp - Hi from The Only Thing I Ever Wanted






For all those Grey's Anatomy fans out there, apparently Psapp does the title theme to the show. I wouldn't know as I don't watch it. My medical show preference belongs to Scrubs, but hey, you guys had a one up on me for this one. I wish I'd known about Psapp prior to this very moment. In researching a teeny bit about the duo, Psapp, I discovered that they are part of a genre known as "toytronica" in which all the elements that comprise the music consist of toys and toy instruments.

"Please could you stop the noise I'm trying to get some rest..."

If someone were to ask me what one summer concert I would want to go to, I would say Glastonbury without a second thought. The line up features an immense number of artists from a wide variety of musical genres. In fact, here's pdf poster of the full lineup.

And look at some of the previous live performances!

Radiohead - Paranoid Android


Coldplay - Fix You


Bloc Party - Helicopter


Anyway, I cannot make it to Glastonbury this year, yet again. But for those of you who do have a chance to go, let me know how it is. And for all you UK readers out there who don't yet have tickets, not to worry! Not only are tickets still available but there are contest tickets that can be won, including that of the Spot the Bull contest below:

"In your truth, you buried mine..."

So You Think You Can Dance post!

Milwaukee produced the most number of dancers that I really found myself connecting with thus far.

Kourtni Lind, Evan Kasprzak (the kid who did the Gene Kelly number), and Cooper Zamorano - the Travis Wall duplicate. Although in previous episodes, I found myself really enjoying Thayne Jasperson as well (I suppose these names show that my allegiance this year seems to be with jazz and contemporary dancers). I hope at least those four make it to the top 20.

Personality and fluidity were paramount to me, as well as the precision in the execution of movement.

This is going to be a great season, but thus far, I haven't really been invested in the contestants yet. In previous seasons, I found myself rooting for Donyelle, Benji, Travis, Danny, Lacey, Neil, Nick, etc from the moment they auditioned. I guess you could say that I'm rooting for the above people, and that they're excellent, but in previous years, the aforementioned list of dancers just had that extra something that made them standout from the getgo and you knew they'd be in it til the end. Also, in previous years I've been able to pick the top 2-4 from the first audition day, and I don't see that skill continuing this year.

Travis Wall makes a pretty (albeit somewhat agressive!) girl, lol.

Anyway, the song Kourtni danced to last night was:




Ani DiFranco - Parameters from Knuckle Down








And here's a clip of one of my Top 20 hopefuls - Cooper Zamorano, dancing to a song by Craig Lyons.

Craig Lyons will be an artist to watch. 3 of his songs have found their way into contemporary auditions, and even one partnered dance. He is a singer-songwriter with a guitar focus. The sound is passionate, and slow, but not heavy like Ray LaMontagne's, or softly restrained like Damien Rice. I'd say maybe he's comparable to Matt Nathanson, but Craig Lyon's voice is more well defined and doesn't have that Jason Mrazzy upswing that Nathanson usually does with some of his words and choruses. Obviously, I've been trying to fit Craig Lyons in to some sort of category, and with some sort of name, but labels don't matter. What it comes down to is that he's good. And you should listen to him.

Craig Lyons - In Your Eyes - danced by Cooper Zamorano

"That girl wanna give it up, watch her..."

This past week was chock full of So You Think You Can Dance as both days the program aired 2 hour double episodes. The standout performance for me this past week was that of identical twin brothers, Anthony and Antwain Hart. When Anthony didn't make it due to a performance that underestimated the judge's needs, Antwain went on to deliver an excellent routine and then highlighted his twin's skills during the question period. He even said that he thought his brother was the stronger, cleaner dancer and should be there instead of him. When Nigel asked them to dance together just to see what they were capable of, they really shined, and both later made it to Vegas.

It was a very sentimental moment, but not overly cheesy.

Good job, guys!

They danced their duo routine to:





Twista feat. Pharrell - Give it Up from Adrenaline Rush 2007







And here's Twista's candy colorful video:

"You're a breath of fresh air to me..."

Because I love So You Think You Can Dance so much, every week I'm going to try and put up a song I enjoy that was featured in that week's episode. So You Think You Can Dance makes some great (and some not so great) musical choices, but best of all, reminds me of songs that I've liked in the past and had forgotten about or highlights new songs.

Though she didn't really stand out to me this opening week, someone did audition to The Time is Now by Moloko (aka Roisin Murphy), and I personally think that is an excellent song to use to make a danceable first impression. It transcends the boundaries of pop and has a jazzier funkier twist than most, in addition to having the strange Roisin Murphy influence that is always present. That girl wound up getting a ticket to Vegas.

Moloko - The Time is Now from Things to Make and Do

Another fun song that is featured as part of montages on So You Think You Can Dance is Sonny J's Can't Stop Moving. I think this represents the show quite well in atmosphere, energy, and lyrics.

"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.

"I asked you nicely once but I won't do that again..."

I never thought Keith Murray of the We Are Scientists could get any cuter.












(images courtesy of wearescientists.com)

Then, he became a puppy herder and proved me wrong.

Damn you, Keith Murray! Damn your gorgeous self and your angled flip of hair. And Chris Cain isn't too shabby either, I confess.

In all seriousness, this is the song they're promoting as their next single. Though I have not put up a review of their album, or said much on it either than declaring my undying love for the band and attempting to unravel the missing Michael Tapper mystery, I quite enjoy Brain Thrust Mastery and this song is up there as one of my faves, even though its back beat at times does sound a tad bit reminiscent of Daft Punk's Robot Rock.

We Are Scientists - Chick Lit



In addition, I will be missing out on their 2 upcoming NYC gigs due to my own global adventures. We Are Scientists and I just can't synchronize our schedules it seems. Every time they are within a few miles of me, I am somehow detained. Alas. One day.

Anyway, if anyone hits up their show at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on July 31st or Bowery Ballroom August 1st, do let me know how it all went down.


And as a personal note to friends of mine, watch this video and tell me if you think Keith Murray is copying my moves. Really. Towards the end of the song, he bops his head back and forth and then purses his lips a la my head bop and merp face combination. I am clearly reading too far into things, but hey, it's a fun coincidence. Birds of a feather and all...

"Everything will change, but love remains the same..."

Yeah, it's another one of those guilty pleasures (confirmed by the Amazon page for the album, its tags include "Worst of 2008". And speaking of Amazon, the Kindle is back in stock for those who want it). What can I say? I think the song has an honest message, or, if not that, at least a message I believe in.

Half the time the world is ending
Truth is I am done pretending.

I, never thought that I
Had anymore to give
You're pushing me so far
Here I am without you.
Drink, to all that we have lost,
Mistakes we have made.
Everything will change,
But love remains the same.

Besides, I grew up with a Gavin Rossdale crush (who didn't?). Rugged, handsome, British = Yum. And, he and Gwen Stefani make a genuinely gorgeous couple.




Gavin Rossdale - Love Remains the Same from Wanderlust






Oh, also, I noticed that the bandwidth is out for some of the tracks. Not to worry, it will be restored soon! In the meantime, enjoy videos and what you can while I wait for a server reset at File Den. Perhaps I should buy actual server space and stuff like that, anyone have any suggestions/ideas?


In the meantime, here's Justice's video for Stress, which I think is excellent, but reminds me very much of a modern day version of The Destructors by Graham Greene.

"You're the beat that can't stop..."

I have to talk about this video I noticed online.

I think the concept is genius. This band signed with a record label and received $10,000 to do a video. What they chose to do was just go out every Wednesday and Thursday and be in the background of paparazzi celebrity shots, dubbing themselves bandarazzis. They played their music on an old school jambox and just walked around. That is brilliant, low key, and completely hilariously relatable. My favorite moment occurs when Jenna Fischer from The Office is looking out of her car window at the guys. Best of all, this video highlights the laid back and goofy quality of the band. It suits them well. They genuinely look like they're having a blast making it and bouncing around and being silly. In that respect, it's excellent. In terms of being prolific, Bob Dylan they're not, but who cares? It's fun and worth a watch.


A Cursive Memory - Everything

"I don't want to be your friend, I just want to be your lover. No matter how it ends..."

Radiohead - House of Cards on Late Night With Conan O'Brien


There's no guarantee how long this one video will be up. NBC has a knack for finding and pulling everything related to their shows pretty quickly. I have to give them props for quickly and efficiently protecting what's theirs, even if it's at the cost of other people being unable to enjoy it too.

"In every city there are dozens of these clubs where men can go..."

The Faint was on The Office!! Well, their music was anyway.

I totally squealed when I heard Worked Up (So Sexual) in the background of a scene where Michael (Steve Carrell) is hitting on a woman. And I loved coked out Ryan (BJ Novak).

Refocusing to what I wanted to say, it's constantly fascinating to me when things permeate the mainstream without having reached a saturation point. There's been a higher occurrence lately of more... independent, I'd say, bands in the forefront of the media but it appears to have risen out of nowhere. Months ago I'd mentioned Shiny Toy Guns in a commercial, Mates of State, etc. Lately, I've been noticing Ben Lee, Silversun Pickups, and so on and so forth, have been populating commercials and television show episodes more than say, your Kelly Clarksons or Rihannas. I don't know what to make of it yet, because I'm not a marketing person and don't know the trends as far as exposing people to what they haven't heard and how these things correlate to big business. Nevertheless, it's just fun to recognize snippets of things you enjoy.

Here's a tiny clip of the Faint's Worked Up (So Sexual)

"It's your godforsaken right to be loved loved loved..."

Odd/fun musical story:

I was driving with my family to the closest Best Buy the other night to pick up the In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 album, when Hungry Like the Wolf came on the radio. That particular Duran Duran song holds some importance to me. At one point in time in college, it was the song I noticed when I thought I had recognized a kindred spirit in someone else. This memory being at the forefront of my mind, thanks to the song, I decided to tell the story to my parents. Upon doing so, I was greeted with a basic question from both my parents. "Just now, why did you feel the need to talk about that person?"

I did not have an answer other than the fact that music of any kind reminds me of people I know. They know this, so I expect they were looking for something further. The song was ending at this point, and I answered, "I don't know, but I let music speak for me and for itself." The moment I said that, With or Without You by U2 came on the radio. And I laughed and said, "See, the music gets it." Right after that? Jason Mraz's latest single. That last one wasn't applicable to the story, I just really enjoy it. It's the perfect song to listen to for this season and for any occasion: Walking down the street merrily, playing it at a party, having drinks with friends, hanging out in the park with flowers, laying at the beach. It's just so lovely.





Jason Mraz - I'm Yours from We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things











Look into your heart and you'll find love, love, love...

"What you give is retaliation. I hope one day we meet again. I hope one day we love one another..."

"But I heard the rumor they will burn down your house..."

Miranda July did an interesting video to the Blonde Redhead song, Top Ranking.

Here it is.
Miranda July/Blonde Redhead - Top Ranking

"Wise and silent..."

I love M83. Oddly enough, I was looking at the cover to the new album, and lo and behold on the front is a kid I went to college with. I'm a teeny bit jealous, I want to be on the cover of an album! In a lyric. Liner notes. I'll take anything ;) In all seriousness though, I think it's awesome he landed that photoshoot and gig. That kicks major ass and more power to him. :)

Also, yay Emerson in the real world!! If you can't tell, it's where I went to school. And it turned out a number of fantastic folks with whom I'm glad to be associated and to constantly love.

Prior to listening to much of the album (or any of it, in my case), here's the video for one of the songs.

M83 - Graveyard Girl from Saturdays=Youth