At this moment...
01.31.06:
It's a cover song type of day... Interpretation is an intriguing concept. I was talking with KK about this as I drove to work. Initially I was thinking in the context of reinterpreting music written by another, but it's applicable to our daily lives as well. We're trapped in words and meanings, and being that we walk around in our own skin all day long, it can sometimes be difficult to understand the words others use. Not just the words but their own meanings and definitions that they attach to words. Like, when I say or type the word ball we all probably think of something round, but more abstract concepts become, well, less concrete. Yet it's not even abstract concepts, that's what I find so fascinating. And sometimes the words get lost in translation. But there's more to it than that. I wonder if I should have gone to school to study cognitive science, like cognitive anthropolgy, neuroscience, artificial intelligence, or even linguistics. Then again, I've gone on record as saying I wouldn't make a good scientist. I've always wanted to be an astronomer. Had someone told me when I was younger that I'd need math to understand space I bet I would have paid more attention. But I didn't pay any attention and I'm terrible at math.
Song(s):
Sweet and Tender - The Smiths via Nouvelle Vague
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Joy Division via José González
Handle With Care - The Travelling Wilburys via Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
This Will Be Our Year - The Zombies via Nobody & Paul Larson
01.30.06:
Song(s):
Huddle Flash (Kevin Shields VS The Go! Team) - The Go! Team
Weakest Shade of Blue - Pernice Brothers
People Used to Dream About the Future - A Girl Called Eddy
Your Ex-Lover is Dead - Stars (When there's nothing left to burn / You have to set yourself on fire... This is such a cruel, but honest song.)
Alone - Trespasser Williams
01.29.06:
First NPR, now XRT! The Good Escape by Zerostars kicked off tonight's Local Anesthetic hosted by Richard Milne of WXRT. I've heard and played the song a million times, but tonight I was just grinning from ear to ear as the song played through the tiny speakers on the only working radio in my apartment. Good things are finally starting to happen...
I spent the day in Wisconsin with my brother and his family. It felt good to see everybody. It's weird how my family is all over the country, well, not all over, either in the midwest, or out east (but I have some great friends, some near and some far, who are really making me feel better.) My nephew is hilarious. Drive, drive, drive.
It was a really good weekend. I was talking with KK and I told her that I noticed that I usually only write on the site when I'm sad, so it might give the impression that I'm more sad than happy, but that's not the case. So that means I need to write more when I'm not so down.
"19" was the number of one of the washing machines that I used yesterday while doing my laundry.
Song(s):
Secret Someone & Parisian Dream- Laurars Veirs
One Foot in the Grave - The Pernice Brothers (Yours, Mine & Ours is still my most favorite Pernice Brothers album. There's not one bad track on the entire album.)
01.27.06:
I'm homesick. I wish I could play with Caffrey and run along the ocean, through the pine trees, and pass by the Oreo cows. A bowl of clam chowder with giant oyster crackers along with a pint of Guinness would be perfect. I might try to book a quick three day trip out east. I just wish my car hadn't been so expensive, but at least it's now healthy.
I suppose I could also have a case of the winter doldrums. I get this way every year near the end of January. January managed to slip past me, like some kind of ghost.
Parallax... I think it was a postcard of a dog looking in a window that made me think of that word. I wondered what the dog was thinking. I wondered about the dog's perspective. I think I wanted to be that dog. Which led to me thinking, "His slow feet walked him riverward, reading. Are you saved?" And so I'm thinking of Bloom, of Dedalus, and of Molly. Maybe it's Dublin that's calling? Or Cork? Or any place besides Illinois. Some place where I can get lost, either alone or with another. Maybe noisy, maybe quiet. Then again, home is in your head, or is it in your heart?
...
So it's now a bit later in the day, more like early evening. I just finished with a four mile run and I feel a bit better. I ran my ass off tonight. I really think I needed to push myself harder than I've been. While I may have only ran four miles I ran them near an 00:8:20 pace. My first mile was under 00:8:00. Originally I thought I'd come home and do my laundry but decided a run was more important. Mouse on Mars play as I type, and they're the one band I just can't feel sad listening to.
I'm contemplating making brownies.
...
Later still... Instead of brownies I made blueberry muffins. I looked for a brownie recipe in one of my many cookbooks, but couldn't find any. The muffins are baking now, and I'm quite excited to eat one when they are done.
Song(s):
New Hampshire - Matt Pond PA (Makes me wish I was in Maine.)
Anything Can Happen - Mary Lorson and Saint Low
No Guarantee - Ivy (Ivy at their most Smiths sounding. "Have you ever felt lonely? / Have you ever felt loney? / Have you ever felt kicked inside? / Kicked inside for nothing?")
01.26.06:
Apologies to those who visit this site regularly. I'm going to write about the British version vs. the American version of Tales from Turnpike House, so humor me for a bit.
I often wonder why different versions of the same album exist for different continents. I'm sure it has to do with marketing, but still. Last year I picked up the import version of Tales From Turnpike House and found it to be an amazing album, possibly the best Saint Etienne album since Tiger Bay. Today, I picked up the US version enticed by the sticker that claimed this was a limited edition version with a bonus disc of material. I probably would have passed it up, but since I'm a huge fan of Saint Etienne I decided to part with $13.99.
Once I got the shrink wrap off the case I popped open the CD only to find a bonus disc filled with songs not by Saint Etienne but by other artists on Savoy Records, Saint Etienne's US label. Talk about misleading advertising. Shame of Savoy, and I do plan on sending an email off to the band letting them know of these questionable marketing practices.
First off, the sequencing on the US version is quite different. Instead of leading off with Sun In My Morning, like they do on the British version, the US version starts with Side Streets, which is probably the first single in the states. But Sun In My Morning is the the perfect lead off track since it sets the tone for the album. The choice for track two on the US version, A Good Thing, is even stranger since on the British version it's Milk Bottle Symphony. I say stranger because thematically Milk Bottle Symphony introduces all of the characters on the album. Since Tales From Turnpike House is a borderline concept album it makes sense that we get to peer into the lives of the song's characters by the second track.
Dream Lover, only found on the US version is quite good, and Oh My, found only on the US version, enhances Last Orders for Gary Stead. On the British version Last Orders for Gary Stead seems slightly out of place. Initially I wasn't a huge fan of Relocate, but it's grown on me. My guess is that it's to British for the US market, but it is included as a bonus track available in the US iTunes store. Falling, which is a b-side, makes an appearance on the US version, but it still feels like a b-side to me.
I guess I'll have to give the US version a chance. Maybe it's the way Saint Etienne wanted it, and I'm just too familiar with the British version.
I'm wishing Winter gone. Even though it's been a mild Winter I'm wanting warmth, and fresh air. I want to see green leaves on trees and flowers. There are so many things I'd like to have right now.
Watching:
Before Sunrise (So this movie killed me, possibly like no other movie has ever killed me before.)
Album(s):
Tales From Turnpike House US Version - Saint Etienne
Begegnungen - Eno, Moebius, Roedelius, Plank
Amber - Clearlake
The Greatest - Cat Power
Rabbit Fur Coat - Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
Song(s):
Hip Hop Is a Way of Life - Kim Hiorthøy
Pink Moon - Nick Drake
Living Life - Daniel Johnston
Fearless - American Music Club
Lost in the Plot - The Dears
Where is My Love? - Cat Power (The strings are just gorgeous, and Chan's voice is pure.)
01.22.06:
Today was one of those days that remind me why I run. I felt like a little kid at times, jumping over snow bank hurdles left by snow plows and trying to keep myself from slipping on the sidewalks that were left unshovled from the small snowstorm on Friday. I initially thought I'd only run three miles, but the combination of watermelon Bubblicious (you totally could have stolen a piece) and Annie (who better to run to while chewing gum) on the iPod kept me motivated, so I ran a little over four miles. At some point soon I need to start upping the mileage. I miss my long runs.
Watching:
Hellhouse
Ten Things I Hate About You
Storytelling
Album(s):
Endless Summer - Fennesz
Loveless - My Bloody Valentine
Detrola - His Name is Alive (Thankfully they're no longer fascinated with R&B. Great album.)
Veedon of Fleece - Van Morrison
Ask Me Tomorrow - Mojave 3
Song(s):
Hopefully Yours - Stina Nordenstam
That fantastic beat boxing rap left on my answering machine
01.21.06:
Thank you to all who braved the snowstorm to see Zerostars at The Viaduct. Thank you to Garret Hammond for filling in on drums.
The weather was complete shit as I was driving down to the city for our show. At one point my car almost spun off the on ramp. Surprisingly it still took less than an hour to get down to Chicago, so that was a plus. By the time the show was over the expressways were clear.
Album(s):
Us - Amp
Mapping Your Dreams - Laura
Animamina EP - Amina
Song:
Hope Is the Thing With Feathers - Solveig Slettahjell
01.20.06:
Earlier I had written something else...
Thank you. You brought me up up when I was feeling down.
Song:
Fugitive Motel - Elbow
01.18.06:
Listening to:
Pixiedust - Solveig Slettahjell (It feels like it's been forever since I wanted to listen to an album on endless repeat. This album is nothing short of stunning. Solveig's phrasing, and the way she hangs on to words, is amazing.)
01.17.06:
Answer: $47.78
Four organic navel oranges
Four organic avocados
One pound of organic bananas
One pound of Intelligentsia Espresso Roast Black Cat Coffee
Package of risotto
Fresh mozzarella, tomato, and basil panini
Instatnt oatmeal
Raisins
Two bottles of mint water
Total items: 10
Question: How much did lunch cost me?
Song:
Jesus, etc - Wilco
Album:
Push the Heart - Devics
01.13.06:
Yesterday, after work I got out for a nice four mile run. I've totally been slacking, so it felt really good to hit the pavement. Plus, it was kind of warm, which made the run even more enjoyable.
Last night I watched Videodrome starring James Woods and Debbie Harry. Such a disturbing movie, but quite good (any movie when someone turns into a human VCR can't be all that bizarre, can it?). I thought it might cause nightmares, but none were to be had. I remember seeing that movie when I was much younger, probably way to young to be seeing it in the first place. Yet,I'm sure when this came out the violence felt more violent than it does by today's standards. Tonight I'll watch The Girl Next Door. Hopefully that will be a bit more lighthearted.
Okay, maybe I'll explain these some other day, but let's just say I saw the most hilarious Elvis impersonator ever...
Listening to:
Misty Medley - Kiss Me Deadly (Disintegrating urgent pop music. Reminds me of early U2 (all that saturated delay on the guitars), but if they were fronted by Bjork.)
Song:
Stay and It's Too Late - Asobi Seksu (For when someone is leaving, and for when someone's gone. Both songs explode in a squalor of heavenly distortion and feedback.)
01.12.06:
Last night, instead of eating out before going to see Be Here to Love Me, the documentary about Townes Van Zandt, Kelly decided to cook dinner. When I rang the buzzer to her apartment she greeted me wearing her chef regalia. So I had to take a photo.
Dinner was quite good (your comment about my music selection was funny -- I just hadn't heard American Beauty in years and I thought it would be nice to give it a spin), and very healthy, so before the movie we went for ice cream. Thanks for cooking last night Ms. Kyle. It's my turn to cook next. Oh, and thanks for getting me those Metallica discs (Master of Puppets and Ride the Lightening) from the library. Both those albums shred, especially the guitar solo in Trapped Under Ice! What I wouldn't give to hold a lighter aloft in my cube as Fade to Black plays through my computer speakers. I know, I'm the least likely to listen to metal, but I thought it would be fun to listen to these albums again since I bet I haven't heard either of them since I was 12, maybe 13 (thankfully my mom took away my metal albums in 6th grade or I might have become a glue sniffing Satan worshipping metal head.) And then I discovered U2 and REM. Thank god for those bands. Although, I rarely listen to either of them these days.
Song(s):
Breathe Me (Ulrich Schnauss remix) - Sia (The album that this track is on is mediocre at best, with this remix, along with the Four Tet remix of this song as well, being the only real standouts. Great video.)
Are You Lonesome Tonight? - Kere Ann (From the Morning Becomes Eclectic EP. Great cover of a timeless classic. And that ebow solo, or is that a slide?, is just gorgeous. Either way, her voice melts me.)
01.11.06:
Some recently discovered photos...
Okay, so I've been running an experiment. Here's a photo of the experiment. It's kind of gross. For some reason or another I kept an expired bottle of grapefruit juice. Can you guess which one has expired?
The dark one expired in June of 2004.
Last night I watched Belle de Jour starring Catherine Deneuve. It was okay, not as good as I expected. I found it odd that there was no music, almost unsettling. I think Secretary does a better job at taking on a similar subject matter. Next up The Girl Next Door and Videodrome (KK and I had been having a discussion about Cronenberg, so I thought I'd revisit a number of his movies.)
Eating:
Oranges.
Listening to:
Album(s):
Tiger Bay (German version) - Saint Etienne (I have to say that I prefer the German version to the one released in the states. The track sequencing is perfect, and feels more complete.)
Mighty Joe Moon - Grant Lee Buffalo (My favorite Grant Lee Buffalo album. Reminds me a lot of the year I spent at the University of Iowa. Honey Don't Think just destroys me.)
Song(s):
Don't Come Down Here - Serena Maneesh (Seven minutes of auditory bliss.)
Deeper Into Movies (Acoustic Version) - Yo La Tengo
01.08.06:
Drinking:
2001 Hill of Content Grenache/shiraz
Watching:
Harold and Maude - "...oh my, how the world dearly loves a cage."
Listening to:
Technique - New Order
01.07.06:
Woke early to do a five mile run, but was only able to run three. I suppose I was too tired. I just couldn't get enough energy. Maybe it's lack of sleep. Maybe it's my diet. Maybe it's depression. I will say that it's nice to have the sun back. It seems like it's been forever since the sun made an appearance.
Song:
Amazing Glow- The Pernice Brothers (I'm feeling one of those Pernice moments approaching, where I only listen to Pernice related bands. Today Discover A Lovelier You made sense. Maybe it's the mood I'm in.)
01.06.06:
The days are getting longer. Not that there was any daylight when I returned home from a day at work, but it just felt lighter outside.
Song:
N.Y. - Frida Hyvönen
01.05.06:
A huge, and I mean huge, thank you to Kelly K. for letting me know that Zerostars was featured on NPR's Open Mic show. Somehow the band missed it. Kelly called to tell me that Zerostars appeared in her iPod as she subscribes to the Open Mic podcast. Damn, it would have been nice to hear it on the radio. But I'm still pretty thrilled. Here are two screen shots from the NPR Open Mic website:
Screen shot one
Screen shot two
Here's the write-up from the NPR site:
"Zerostars play tight, energetic and powerful music around the catchy melodies of singer-songwriter and guitarist Jason Moody. It hints at 1960's pop, Latin and bossa nova-influenced jazz with a bit of Morrissey. The Chicago-based band consists of Moody, bassist Scott Kallstrand and guitarist and harmony vocalist Mikey Shin.
The songs of Zerostars range in subject matter from love and courage to fear, regret and the search for redemption. These themes are touched upon throughout the song "Smoking In Bed" on the band's new EP, The Good Can't Escape."
Thank you to Garret for playing drums on the track, and doing a superb job at recording us. Another thanks to Kelly for her contributions to the song (cello and flute).
I'm exhausted. After work I went for quick three mile run, and then I was off to band practice.
01.04.05:
Still, who would want to be a superhero?
After work I got my ass out for a run. It felt good to get out and run, especially since for the strangest reason my right hamstring has been really tight. Hopefully the run loosened it up a bit. I might go run tomorrow morning.
I woke at five to do some yoga. I need to get back in the habit of doing it every morning. It felt great, too bad I had to work today...
For dinner I made homemade tomato and fresh basil soup. It couldn't have been the healthiest soup with 3/4 a cup of extra virgin olive oil and a 1/2 cup of heavy cream. However, all the fresh vegetables probably count for something, right? It was damn amazing too! The cream, basil, and garlic really brought some outstanding flavor to the soup. Also finished a bottle of P.Noir. It's a French Pinot. I grabbed it last week at Whole Foods. It was cheap for a Pinot, only $8.99, and that was on sale. It was okay, nothing too spectacular, but it provided me with a nice little buzz over the last three nights that I've been nursing it. Why is it that I have no problem drinking wine alone, but I feel like a lush if I drink vodka by myself?
And KK, thank you for the subscription to Timeout Chicago. It was nice to open my mailbox to find a really thoughtful present inside, especially since I'm used to getting either junk mail or mail for other people. Now, I have a reason to check my mail. Thanks, you're wonderful.
Listening to:
Power, Corruption, and Lies - New Order (My favorite New Order album, ever.)
01.03.05:
Things always seem to be just beyond my reach.
I used to think that one of the best possible superhero powers was the ability to be invisible. But lately I seem to know what it's like to feel invisible, and I'm not sure I'd ever want to be invisible. What's so super about being invisible anyway?
Listening to:
Arve Henriksen - Chiaroscuro
01.02.05:
I woke at around 2 AM and I didn't know where I was sleeping. I was quite frightened by the whole experience. I remember turning on the light next to my bed. Eventually I figured out that I was in my apartment. And no alcohol was involved.
It just began to storm, which is weird considering it's January. It's also eerily warm outside and the wind is blowing a lot.
Song:
For Your Photograph - The Sterns (Wow, they sound a lot like The Smiths, but in a really good and fresh way. I think they might be from Boston.)
01.01.06:
Happy New Year. I guess that's it.
Song(s):
Seems To Me - Jaga Jazzist
I Wish, I Wish - Cat Stevens
It Makes No Difference - The Band
Sleep Awhile - Will Johnson
Her Name Is Suicide - Serena Maneesh
This World Is Not My Home (2005 Version) - His Name Is Alive (I'd really like to hear Sufjan Stevens cover this song.)