2011 in review, with a heavy heart

I haven't posted here since the Stone Roses reformed (no North American dates YET, those wankers), and that was a long time ago (over 2 months ago) but I've been busy.

• starting at the end of October 2011 TGTF became the Guardian Music-endorsed TGTF, showing up regularly on their "Best of the Music Blogosphere" blog roll. (at the time of this writing, my Top Gigs of 2011 is still sitting on their blog roll, which is pretty cool for Casiokids, Dutch Uncles, White Lies, the Joy Formidable and the Coronas, b/c they got attention I'm sure they weren't expecting.) in early December I was asked by two members of Delphic WHY I was still hawking TGTF badges on my holiday in Manchester and the answer was, "we are now the Guardian-endorsed TGTF, I have a reputation to protect!" this included making sure we had plenty of not just content but GOOD content for them to choose from. which meant many, many late nights for me.

• speaking of that holiday, I was away for my birthday in England for 16 days but was ill for 14 of them. so my plans to do a lot of poetry and songwriting went by the wayside of trying to stay in as physically fit as possible state for 10 gigs, hanging out and drinking with friends and colleagues, a lot of sightseeing-related walking, and travel between 3 different English cities. to say I was wiped by the time I returned is an understatement. somehow though I managed not to take a single day off work since I returned. (yes, I am such a good little employee.)

if you were wondering what those 10 gigs were, they were:

• Dutch Uncles Now Wave show (Fiction supporting) - 02.12.11 - Deaf Institute, Manchester, England - my There Goes the Fear review
• Example (Fenech-Soler supporting) - 01.12.11 - Apollo, Manchester, England
• Exit Ten (A Thousand Autumns, Tomorrow We Radio, and Fei Comodo supporting) - 29.11.11 - Fibbers, York, England - my There Goes the Fear review
• Billie Butterfly fund 'Magic in the Air' charity show featuring Everything Everything, I Am Kloot, and Badly Drawn Boy - 28.11.11 - Comedy Store, Manchester, England - my There Goes the Fear review
• City Reign EP launch (Stella Marconi and Modern Alarms supporting) - 26.11.11 - Gulliver's, Manchester, England
• Blonde Louis homecoming show (Monaco Bears and Camus the Cat supporting) - 25.11.11 - Plinston Hall, Letchworth, England - my There Goes the Fear review
• Cashier No. 9 (Kowalski supporting) - 24.11.11 - XOYO, London Old Street, England - my There Goes the Fear review
• Pete and the Pirates (The Catcher 9 supporting) - 22.11.11 - Buffalo Bar, London Islington, England
• City Reign (Wire Trees and Ulysses supporting) - 19.11.11 - Bull and Gate, London Kentish Town, England - my There Goes the Fear review
• I Dream in Colour single launch show (Heroics and Anchor and the Dove supporting) - 18.11.11 - Bull and Gate, London Kentish Town, England - my There Goes the Fear review

• I got to interview Marc Riley for TGTF inside the new BBC in Salford and who should walk in but Stuart Maconie?!? hugs and photos ensue. I never could have predicted that happening. I'm still amazed thinking about it. and he remembered me from my letters and me Tweeting him? what are the odds of that?


• going back to the Guardian coverage, we suddenly had a lot more interest from potential writers. I am finding this good and bad. it's great to have interest. but gee whiz, if you plan to contribute somewhere, be sure you respond to your editor's emails. I can only assume you don't care or you're too busy to respond - and therefore not a good fit - if I don't hear from you. that has been pretty frustrating: maybe because I'm a woman, some people think I'm a pushover. not in your life. but I've picked up at least one good writer who is a friend of a regular contributor, so that's good...


• but I can tell, it's a tough road ahead in 2012. I'm trying to not let this spectre of being tops in the Guardian's books hang over my head...like it already is. it is hard being me. I don't think anyone realises how much I put into the blog, how I sometimes lie awake at night thinking about how to make the site better, how to help my writers achieve their dreams, how I'm going to start a new campaign to promote a fledgling band I believe in and how exactly I plan to do that. I didn't mean for it to happen, but the blog has become my life. I'm not whinging: I'm very proud of what TGTF has become under my leadership and we still have leaps and bounds to grow and become even better. it's like when Elvis was saying he was jealous of the Beatles being a group: when you're the person running something big, you can have lots of supporting players, but no one but you knows the pressure of keeping things in tip top shape. and it is a lot of pressure.


• it's become very clear that one important thing has to happen before I can even *think* about leaving America for England. and that thing - something that could actually happen, versus something that will never happen, like me getting cured - is not going to happen anytime soon, so I think I can kiss my dream of living in England goodbye. and surprisingly, I'm okay with that. I had such a violent shock to the system on this trip that I'm not really sure when I'll return. if I do, I'm guessing it will have something to do with my dear friend Matt Abbott, whose presence I miss daily.

I'm going to work on trying to post more here in 2012, starting with one of those a "song a day" memes. I already know it's going to be tough work - not for the posting aspect, but for the choosing of the songs.

I learned something important this year, which I should have already predicted from the pain I experienced some 399 days prior. something still weighs so heavily on my heart, after the knife went in and then was twisted. it is so big it threatens my mental acuity, my health, all my future relationships. I can be in a public place, in the middle of a crowd, on an airplane, in an elevator...and I will start to cry. it's not right. everyone says I'm so strong; if only they knew. this is me, after years of fighting like my father said I would always have to. sometimes I am tired of fighting and being the strong one, I need someone to lean on. and the one person I want to lean on...I can't. he has no idea...and I have no way to tell him.

sometimes I feel like it is going to engulf me like a huge, oncoming wave with no warning: cold, painful, unrelenting. and sometimes I don't care that my life would end if it did. sometimes I just pray at night that my eyes will not open again, because then I could be sure all the pain would dissolve.

you can have all the right words prepared. but they are useless if you're never given the opportunity to say them.

why haven't I thought of this before? best idea for a tour ever...

according to a chat I had with the exceedingly intelligent and lovely Matt Cocksedge of Delphic, Squib Swain does lighting for both them and Two Door Cinema Club.

so last night when I was driving home and listening to 'I Can Talk', I was thinking...why not have...

the AH-OH-AH-AH-OH / AH-EE-AY-OH-AH-EE-EE-AY-OH tour

the posters alone would be amazing. they could get placement on Sesame Street.

this is completely copyrighted by me, 'natch.



disclaimer: there is no such tour planned, though it's not from lack of interest on my part. I've tried my best to get the ball rolling on this!

2010 in review

I had a think the other night when I was lying in bed, you know, that little twilight time Macca describes right before you fall asleep and strange thoughts come into your head. (at least that is his explanation for 'Yellow Submarine'. a likely story...) and thought it might be nice to have a "best memory" of each month of this year.

January - this is a tie: 1) standing in front of Johnny Marr, jaw on the floor, as he played with the Cribs at the 9:30 on 19 January. he really is that amazing on guitar. and 2) interviewing We Are Scientists backstage at the Black Cat. they are so, so funny. and I got to enjoy the gig with my good friend Catherine, who enjoyed their show even she had no idea who they were / what they sounded like previous to the gig. score!

February - this is probably going to sound a bit strange, but the highlight of February was seeing Delphic's 'Halcyon' video in all its full colour, wide screen glory on a tv display at DC9, 19 February. I had only ever seen it on a computer screen and being able to see it in front of me, huge, brought a smile to my face. that and MB and I were singing along to it and dancing to it like loons, even though no one else there had a clue why were acting that way. (ohhhh, the ignorant!)

March - watching the xx play a sold-out gig at 6th and I Synagogue, 28 March. what a gorgeous, intimate venue to see such beautiful music being played.

April - witnessing Two Door Cinema Club's debut appearance in Washington, at Constitution Hall, 26 April 2010. they could have been scared and apprehensive playing one of the bigger stages in DC, supporting heavyweight Phoenix, but they showed no signs of worry. they were friggin' amazing. I was happy I wasn't the only one dancing along to their tunes but golly, just 5 months prior I'd received a sampler from Kitsune with 5 tracks of theirs (absolutely loving them) and now I was getting to see them live.

the best part was afterwards, when I went right up to Kev Baird and said hello, showing him I knew who he was (he was very surprised!) and when I gave him my business card, he said, "IT'S YOU! you're the woman who writes lovely things about us!" and we hugged. since then I have been sending friends to see them all over the world, and the band know this, b/c inevitably, they meet my friends after and they say, "Mary sent me!" haha

May - Laura Marling at Iota (16 May). I'd just come back from Philly seeing Two Door and was feeling ambivalent about this gig - I'm not a big fan of hers. live, she is WOW. how is it possible someone so young has so much talent?

June - meeting Conor O'Brien (Villagers) and seeing him do a solo show at DC9, 21 June. I wasn't sure if it was such a good idea going to this gig, just days before I had to leave for Denmark, but I am so, so glad I went. we had a nice chat. he wanted to know about me b/c I had said I had learned about him from Steve Lamacq (um, of course!)

July - Roskilde. professionally, this was a major coup, being the only American invited to be an official blogger for the festival. (seriously, I now get the "you went to Roskilde???" gasp from most bands when I tell them I saw them there. probably the best gasp was from Dougy Mandagi of the Temper Trap, whose mind was blown when I told him I had stood behind him as he smoked during the Kissaway Trail's set at Odeon and since he was chilling, I didn't want to bother him. this discussion went on outside the Boston House of Blues, see September.) I saw so many bands gig there that I may never get the chance to see in my lifetime, and I feel truly blessed for the opportunity. personally, I met two English musicians who I think will be friends for a very long time. if their band doesn't get too big and they forget the little people that helped them at the very beginning of their world domination, that is :)

August - I bought my first amp! it's only a practise amp but it signalled my first real foray into bass playing. I am teaching myself how to play electric bass guitar - I started the week after I got back from Roskilde - and it's become a wonderful hobby. I used to sing alto in the school choir, so it's coming pretty naturally to me to play a harmonising instrument than a lead melody one. also of note: I have learned how "sensual" an instrument the bass guitar is. (and yes, that is all I will say on that subject!)

September - travelling to see Temper Trap and Delphic in Philly (26 September) and Boston (29 September). such great shows. forget the money and traveling, I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat for similar amazing experiences. probably the two best moments were 1) interviewing Matt Cocksedge of Delphic, b/c he's such a funny, intelligent, and talented guy and 2) getting hugged by Dougy Mandagi after the Boston show, he'd had such a high after meeting a large group of girls from Indonesia (where he is from) who had travelled all the way to Boston to see their show, because up to that point, they had not played in his home country. I am really glad to have seen them before they start playing stadiums, b/c I'm sure that's where they're headed next. Delphic had a good if not great reception, which is pretty good, considering not too many people know who they are on this side of the pond (hope this will be rectified soon, b/c I've tried my darnedest to promote them over here).

October - seeing the tragedy of DC9 scared the heck out of me (it took a couple weeks before I would even go back downtown again) and First Aid Kit's show was cancelled (boo), the highlight of the month was seeing Delphic there on 8 October, a week before that drunk guy got killed outside the club, is bittersweet.

it had been pretty much a perfect night, the weather was wonderful to hang out on the rooftop bar. (nearly) all my local friends had come for the show, and they were not disappointed. even weirder, one of my cousins was there celebrating a friend's birthday (I had not invited her, she just happened to be there and was surprised to hear there was a band playing that night). before the night was out, I'd introduced her to Rick Boardman - her first rock star encounter (insert proud older cousin smirk here). before the band left, we were able to have a moment with them for catch-up so I could wish them well for the second part of their campaign across our continent. there was mutual appreciation and hugs all around.

aww, now I'm getting teary-eyed! haha.

November - two things. 1) emotionally, I needed to see the Script at the 9:30 on 2 November. (don't you dare laugh.) a lot of people think they're too commercial but I like their sound and they are v. good live. I was amazed how the crowd sang along to every song. what a great night. however, 2) I also needed a good rocking out / kick in the pants this month, and that was delivered by the Joy Formidable at Black Cat Backstage (11 November). it is with some amusement that I remember almost getting hit in the head several times by Ritzy Bryan's guitar. haha.

December - interviewing Brian Briggs of Stornoway at the Black Cat and telling him how much 'Beachcomber's Windowsill' meant to me, and he was touched. before I left the venue, the whole band signed a set list for me, "to Mary, with love from Stornoway, and thanks for the praise online! Oli, Brian, Jonathan, and Rob". I feel very grateful that my "job" allows me opportunities like this.

I am now looking forward to seeing what 2011 brings - more amazing gigs, interviews, and meetings, surely, but I also wish for love. blogging as a single woman is a very, very lonely experience. you just don't know how lonely it is until you actually do it for 2 years and go to most (if not all) gigs by yourself. everyone else is at a gig with their significant other, or at least their friends.

I've travelled alone to all sorts of places for gigs and I wouldn't trade the experiences I've had in places near and far, meeting bands and seeing them gig. but most of the downtime, wandering around an unfamiliar town, is pretty lonesome. it'd be nice to find someone who loves music as much as I do and be able to share that important part of my life with him.

well. it is time to bid adieu to 2010. if you are in DC, London, Manchester, New York, LA, or further afield...I hope you have exciting plans for tonight to say goodbye to this eventful year.

roll on 2011! and happy new year!

Mary x

top gigs of 2010 - TGTF - winner: the Postelles
top albums of 2010 - TGTF - winner: 'Acolyte', Delphic
top 'lists' of 2010 - Popwreckoning - posts tomorrow, 01.01.11

from one fellow MC to another...

it's my birthday, so I can post whatever I want! and I will STILL stick to the Delphic Friday amusement theme, b/c as you know, I am a v. thoughtful person. even on my birthday. aren't you lucky.

one of the two sometimes tragically overlooked (read: by fans / media / etc.) members of Delphic is guitarist Matt Cocksedge, who, judging from my interview with the man in Boston in September for PopWreckoning, is perfectly fine with the spotlight NOT being on him at all. when I was transcribing our little chat (ok, not really little...it went on for about an hour. because I'm such a good interviewer and he is such a good interviewee!), I realised that we had the same initials, MC, and I thought, what a neat coincidence.

we also both wear glasses and have 'suffered' for it so I feel like we are rather kindred spirits in this regard. in these two short but funny videos from former NME editor and now editor for Stunt James McMahon, enter the world of Monsieur Cocksedge for a few fleeting, far too short moments. I promise, he has a smile that could melt an iceberg.





I have no idea when Matt's birthday is...but whenever it is my dear friend and glasses compatriot, I hope you have a wonderful one. and certainly wonderful holidays coming up :)

I dun wanna go home!

this is really bad. it is about 5 AM here in Boston and I cannot sleep. I got up around 2 AM, feeling like I was burning up. no idea what's going on there.

I have a froggy throat, probably b/c 2 nights in 1 week screaming after three of your favourite bands isn't good on the voice box.

still, I had a great time. Best Coast? not so much, what a snooze. but it was great to check out the Male Bonding and Hundred in the Hands for the first time. and to cheer on Delphic and the Temper Trap. Delphic was aware I was travelling up to see them on tour and were just the nicest, nicest people I've ever met in the music business. I say people are lovely to me seemingly pretty often but you want to be best mates with these guys.

there was one moment during the Boston show Wednesday night when I knew I was the only one singing along in this behemoth of a venue with James Cook and he stopped for a split second to look at me and just gave me this huge grin. I hope he isn't mortified that I know all the words. FYI the photo below is from Philadelphia on Sunday night, I haven't had time to process my Boston photos yet. if you were keeping score, I've done 4 review write-ups already - two Philly ones (one for PW, one for TGTF), Best Coast for DIY, and TTT tour for DIY. I still need to do Best Coast and TTT tour for TGTF. and I've got gigs back to back Friday and Saturday. aiy iy iy...



I also want to mention that something rather funny and endearing. Rick Boardman told me in Boston that he had spoken to his father back home in Marple, who said he'd already read a review of their set in Philadephia. Rick answered, "and I bet I know who wrote that!" I am a bit embarrassed :)

during my stay at the b&b, there was another guest who just happened to be from Manchester (or maybe Altrincham?), whatever he was, he was a Man U fan. anyway, I'd told him the day before I was going to see Delphic, and the next morning he remembered. he said, "how were the Delphics?" my response: "bloody fantastic."

will try and go back to sleep now. not for long, I have to get up at 7 and pack. blargh.

trip-related live and promo video spammage

to make up for the lack of a Friday Amusement post last week (17/09) I'm bringing you my favourite live videos of Delphic, who I will be seeing in the land of the cheesesteaks on Sunday. I am also including videos from the other great bands I will be seeing on this trip. have a good weekend my lovelies!

Delphic - 'Doubt' (Later with Jools Holland)



The Temper Trap - 'Fader' (promo video). dude, I wanna be Jonathan Aherne in this, he has the most fun part to play!



The Hundred in the Hands - 'Pigeons' (promo video)



Best Coast - 'Boyfriend' (live at South Street Seaport, NYC, 23/07/10)



Male Bonding - 'Weird Feelings' (promo video)

Roskilde Festival vids

here are some videos of Delphic at Roskilde. I took the first one, though it's kind of frustrating b/c I couldn't see Matt thanks to an annoying tent pole in Pavilion.



the second is a nice pastiche - a best-of if you will - of their set. I'm amused b/c I'm actually IN the video!



and the third I surmise was taken by a v. tall man b/c he got a good overall view of the stage during 'Remain', which is awesome b/c although I could hear him playing, I couldn't for the life of me see Richard on piano.



I'd like to say to those people I used to call friends - hey, easy come, easy go. you don't want to talk to me anymore? whatevs. don't come crying to me later.

HAPPY FRIDAY ALL and have a good weekend!

Roskilde - what it was, and what it wasn't

I haven't written much about my personal experience at Roskilde b/c for a while it seemed like I was writing and writing about the festival and then I got burned out. you can read all my writings in the Roskilde section of my gigs page.

it was a lot of what I expected. I expected the huge crowds, lots of walking around, long lines for the toilet and to buy food and drink.

however some of it was highly unexpected, good and bad.

the good:

1. meeting 2/3 of Delphic. it's true what they say, Northern boys are terribly polite. so polite that the 1/3 of Delphic I didn't meet recently apologised for not meeting me in Denmark, so hopefully we will meet up next month.

2. the incredible variety of acts at Roskilde. I had an idea just looking over the schedule but running around Festivalplads and catching 28 bands in 5 days - wow.

the bad:

1. a man who I have nicknamed 'Big Bloke' fell on me in his overzealous dancing/moshing to Biffy Clyro, I fell to the floor of Arena and had to be lifted to safety by festival staff. embarrassing in its own way but I pissed off at the guy.

I still have no idea how security found my glasses b/c they went flying when I got pushed.

I am tempted to see Biffy next month when they are here and interview them just so I can tell them what happened and they can feel sorry for me (ha).

2. the only time we were offered any sort of tour of the grounds was 5 PM Friday 2 July. the exact time Delphic were due at the Pavilion Stage, a far walk from where the tour was. I didn't want to miss Delphic's set, not to mention I thought it would be terribly impolite to ask for an interview and then not even see them play. so I skipped the tour.

3. it was disappointing us bloggers never did anything together. it wasn't from lack of trying on my part. oh well.

willpower needed. inquire within.

it is taking all the willpower I have in my body NOT to click on bus fares to Philly and back for a show in October. it'd only cost $2! but...but...

I thought I had convinced myself that my trip to Philly and Boston for Delphic and the Temper Trap twice in 4 days the last week of September outweighed the chance to go to Austin City Limits and Texas the following week instead (where I had planned to see Two Door Cinema Club in Houston, where two of my aunts live, and also see them and a bunch of other bands like Muse at Zilker Park playing at ACL).

the only reason I had contemplated going out to Texas in the first place was b/c the FRIGGIN FIRST TIME TDCC plays a headlining gig in my town (in one of my fave venues in DC no less, the Cat!), I won't be IN town! ::grumble:: no, I will be on a plane to California for my day job.

I have since weighed this in my mind, the good angel arguing that I've already seen them twice this year - opening for Phoenix at DAR and headlining Philly's Johnny Brenda's - that I shouldn't be greedy.

but...

the more I listen to 'What You Know', the more I am determined to see Sam and Kev let loose on their guitars like nobody's business, b/c I know how they play, and they are good.

the problem: Philly is the closest date and it's the week before the D.C. date, but it's a Thursday, which would necessitate either taking off at most 2 days (Thursday and Friday) or at the least 1/2 a day Thursday, rushing up for the show, then booking it back by bus so I'm at work bright and early the next day with no sleep. (the latter doesn't sound v. good but hey, it could work.)

the venue doesn't sound all that great - a church. I saw the xx at 6th and I Synagogue in March. it was ok, but that was the xx. their music is kind of chill. TDCC? not so much.

I should also note I am typing this with next to no voice - I have some sort of cold/lurgy thing - and sick people should not be allowed to daydream.

HELP.

will I ever get to the Warehouse Project? / why I love Manchester

if you aren't in the know, the Manchester Warehouse Project is this rave/dance night that is put on throughout the autumn in what I've been told is a disused car park under the Manchester Piccadilly train station. now I've BEEN to that train station before, well prior to be told this, but I had no idea anything of the sort was going on deep in the bowels of a major Northern transportation hub.

I have special ties to Manchester. not just who I know there, but it was the first place in England I ever set foot in when I first visited the country 4 years ago (not counting a stop-over at Heathrow). I remember taking the train from the airport into Manchester Piccadilly and looking out the window at the council houses that I only knew from episodes of British telly that made it onto public telly here and wanting to cry with joy because I couldn't believe that I was actually in the country that I held so dear. I also saw Morrissey play there 3 times on that trip and did the requisite Smiths sightseeing.

I haven't been back to Manchester since then. it's not from lack of desire. I miss the North. it's just that things never fell into place like they did in 2006.

last year I really wanted to go to see the Friendly Fires curated night that featured themselves playing live, the Field, Michael Mayer, and a whole slew of other dance luminaries. it was on 14 November, which was a Friday, but considering I couldn't get ANYONE to go with me, a late night rave by myself didn't seem like a good idea.

yesterday Delphic was being coy, saying they had a big hometown gig announcement to make today. uhhhh what would be bigger for a dance band than to play the Warehouse Project? I guessed right. only problem: it's the day before Halloween, this year. my wallet hasn't recovered from Denmark and at the end of September I shall be travelling to see them in Philadelphia and Boston opening for the Temper Trap, so I'll already be several hundred in the hole from that. so quite sadly, looks like I'll be missing it. nice-looking line-up though. it's oh so tempting...

Saturday 30th October
Delphic Present Acolyte
Delphic [ Live ]
The Whip [ Live ]
Fenech Soler [ Live ]
Jamaica [ Live ]
Rob da Bank
Optimo Espacio
Jamie xx
Foals [ DJ Set ]
Now Wave DJs
£17.50 advance : 21:00 — 04:00

for more information, visit WHP's Web site.

this is a really old photo of James - he doesn't even play this bass anymore.



--

good news. I think I have the bass lines for 'Doubt' and 'This Momentary' down pat. I knew 'Submission' was going to be a struggle, and it still is, b/c I'm trying to pick out the rhythm still, but I've got the notes down, which is half the battle.

Roskilde schedule

tentative plans:

Thursday 01 July
1800 Welcome (Orange)
1800 Paramore (Arena) - catch end of their set

2015 LCD Soundsystem (Cosmopol) - possible interview beforehand?

2200 Gorillaz (Orange)
2230 Wild Beasts (Pavilion)- catch part of their set if bored with Gorillaz

Friday 02 July
1200 Hypnotic Brass Ensemble (Odeon) - if I can make it to the festival site that early

1400 Delphic interview - media area

1600 Florence and the Machine (Odeon) - if I'm feeling like a star. probably not, b/c I want to get to Pavilion early

1700 Delphic (Pavilion)
1800 Casiokids (Odeon) - probably miss part of this b/c I'll stay for Delphic's entire set

1930 Alice in Chains (Orange)
2100 Biffy Clyro (Arena)
2230 Them Crooked Vultures (Orange)

0100 Japandroids (Pavilion)
-or-
0100 Nephew (Orange)

Saturday 03 July
1430 Asteroids Galaxy Tour (Odeon)

1700 Vampire Weekend (Arena) - possible interview beforehand?

1900 Bad Lieutenant (Arena) - possible interview beforehand?
2000 Prins Thomas (Cosmopol) - not looking likely :/

2130 Pendulum (Arena) - skip if queueing for Muse
2230 Muse (Orange)

0100 The Prodigy (Orange)
0100 Titus Andronicus (Pavilion)

0245 Moderat (Cosmopol)

Sunday 04 July
1500 Dulsori (Odeon)

1600 Local Natives (Pavilion)

1700 the Kissaway Trail (Odeon)
1700 Jack Johnson (Orange)

1900 Miike Snow (Odeon) - will probably leave early to catch second half of Kasabian's set
1930 Kasabian (Orange)

2100 the Temper Trap (Odeon) - already seen them but they would be good to see again, but likely will have to queue for Prince
2200 Prince (Orange)

Roskilde, I am ready for you. bring it on!

forecast for Friday calls for rain. this sucks, b/c that's the day I interview (and watch) Delphic.

I'm ready, I've got my wellies (sans jeans, b/c I was told they'd never dry if I wore them when it rained).



I will be SO SO SO RELIEVED to get out of Washington. it is currently over 38C+ during the daytime, and going to a place where 20C is the average will be FABULOUS!

my cup has been Phill-eth

so it's been a couple weeks now since I got back from my last holiday-cum-journo trip, and you're probably wondering "she's a spaz, why hasn't she written about her Philadelphia trip yet?"

the truth is, during and immediately after the trip I was experiencing some conflicting emotions, the worst being those that crossed my mind when I tripped on (and hurt myself pretty badly) on uneven pavement literally seconds before being where I needed to be for Two Door Cinema Club's gig at Johnny Brenda's. at that point, I couldn't turn around. what would have been the point of all that travelling if I couldn't see them? I was wearing skinny jeans so I couldn't ice my knee, but I was able to buy a bottle of water and ice my elbow and that seemed to help. the show was wonderful and Sam and Kev of TDCC were super nice (Alex was under the weather and disappeared swiftly after the set), as was their tour manager (who recognised me from touring with another one of his charges, Jack Penate, as I'd interviewed Jack in DC last autumn).

but to prevent any more damage, immediately after the show I took a cab back to my temporary lodgings, iced my knee as much as I could, and waited for the morning when I had to go to hospital to get this stupid thing attended to. the bad thing was I had to completely cancel all my plans on Day 2 - all the really touristy things like the Liberty Bell and the Rocky steps. even worse, I had to cancel on my mate Eddie Argos and his gf Dyan Valdez (aka their side project Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now) and I felt terrible, like I'd let him/them down.

worse, I became petrified of what would happen at Roskilde. I mean, the bad condition of a Philly sidewalk was the sole cause of this accident. but at Roskilde I'm going to be surrounded by rowdy drunks, and I will get pushed and I will get shoved.

anyway...temporary crisis is over. I'm not eager to get back to Philly. or maybe better put, I'm not eager to go back by MYSELF. anyone not involved in the medical, service, or hospitality industries (my nice b&b owner who drove me around town to get the treatment I needed), everyone that I met was for some reason unnecessarily rude, and no one stops for pedestrians. (I thought DC was bad but Philly is far, far worse.) my brother said to me (over the phone while I was wailing, tears streaming down my cheeks I might add), "it's Philly, didn't you know?" no, I didn't know.

conclusion: I want to go back to England ASAP for a gig, festival, whatever is doable. dunno how realistic that is though. I've got several friends who are going over this year, and I am deathly, deathly jealous. I've actually cried over how much I miss the place. I'm trying to organise an England/USA pub lunch with friends here, knowing I'll be the only one who will not be rooting for the USA (oops).

I've been quoted. surely a step up?

it was mostly Sam Halliday's quote not mine but it WAS from an interview I did with him (that his mum commented on!) on 10 May. but yeah, Brooklyn Vegan thought my interview was cool enough to be quoted. check it out.

it's been a while (since mid January when I saw We Are Scientists, gah!) since I've listed my reviews and such, so here's a list for you all who want to know the story so far:

Laura Marling (Pete Roe and Smoke Fairies supporting) - 16.05.10 - Iota, Arlington, VA - my This is Fake DIY review my TGTF review

Two Door Cinema Club (Million Young and Bad Veins supporting) - 13.05.10 - Johnny Brenda's, Philadelphia, PA - my This is Fake DIY review my PopWreckoning review interview with Sam Halliday of TDCC

Phoenix (Two Door Cinema Club supporting) - 26.04.10 - Constitution Hall, Washington, DC - my This is Fake DIY review my PopWreckoning review

Hot Chip (the xx supporting) - 24.04.10 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review my There Goes the Fear review

the Temper Trap and Florence and the Machine (the Kissaway Trail supporting) - 06.04.10 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review

Vampire Weekend (Abe Vigoda supporting) - 03.04.10 - Constitution Hall, Washington, DC - videos here

the xx (Nosaj Thing and jj supporting) - 28.03.10 - Sixth and I Synagogue, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review

Hockey (the Postelles supporting) - 17.03.10 - Rock 'n' Roll Hotel, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review

Cymbals Eat Guitars (Bear in Heaven and Freelance Whales supporting) - 06.03.10 - Rock 'n' Roll Hotel, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review my There Goes the Fear review

Muse (Silversun Pickups supporting) - 01.03.10 - Patriot Center, Fairfax, VA - my PopWreckoning review feature my photos on There Goes the Fear write-up

Editors (the Antlers and the Dig supporting) - 21.02.10 - 9:30 Club, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review my There Goes the Fear review my interview with Russell Leetch of Editors

Liberation Dance Party featuring VV Brown - 19.02.10 - DC9, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review my There Goes the Fear review

We Were Promised Jetpacks (Bad Veins and Typefighter supporting) - 13.02.10 - Rock 'n' Roll Hotel, Washington, DC - my PopWreckoning review my There Goes the Fear review

start spreading the news...

this was unnecessary torture I suppose (since I can't eat friggin' bagels anymore with my wheat allergy...THERE I'VE SAID IT!) but when I think of Philadelphia, I think of Philly cheesesteaks (which an acquaintance of mine ♥s) and that oh so spreadable goodness that is Philadelphia cream cheese. I was a young child when the above advert aired in the '90s, my mouth drooling with the idea of dunking strawberries into the luscious, decadent, oh so fattening spread, because it was *very* uncommon for my mum to splurge on such frivolous things when I was young. see, this advert is an example that you don't need fancy graphics or animation for an advert to sell product - the stuff sold itself.

I was having a discussion with my good friend C - whose birthday it is today as Britain is already into Monday 10 May, happy birthday my love - about cheesecakes and how New York cheesecakes are generally the end all. but surely, they all start with Philly cream cheese, don't they?

all this Philly love is all because I only have 3 days left before I jump on the choo-choo to go north for Two Door Cinema Club at Johnny Brenda's (Thursday), followed by Eddie Argos as part of Everybody Was in the French Resistance...Now! at North Star Bar (Friday). I expect major hugfests ::big grin::

playing with the big boys (part 2)

so the deal is, you're usually only allowed to photograph during the first 3 songs of a set. it has been explained to me that this is when the band is least sweaty and gross, so the photos should come out the best.

forget the fangirl in me that actually likes seeing sweat drip off a musician's body when he's given his all to the fans...no, that's not what they're looking for. actually, if you want to get technical, I was the one who was sweating bullets that night. I was so nervous that after I got back home, my stomach was hurting so bad b/c my whole body had been so tense and stiff trying to get photos while not bumping into other photographers that night, I needed Tylenol. I had no one to share stories "from the trenches" on the way back on the Metro. instead, I keep staring at the photo a nice fellow fan had snapped of me and the boys. when I say "the boys", I mean Two Door Cinema Club. (Phoenix was nowhere to be found, though funnily when I was waiting outside the hall before doors, I spied one of them carrying a bottle of detergent and a hamper of clean clothes back from the building and onto their tourbus. so if you were wondering, I guess DAR has laundry machines.)

I'm still no pro photog, but the photos came out pretty good for a simple point and shoot camera if I do say so myself. here are most of them, but if you're interested in the write-ups, they are available at PW and This is Fake DIY.

on This is Fake DIY
on PopWreckoning


Sam Halliday, lead guitar


Alex Trimble, lead vocals and guitar, plus their touring drummer (?)




Kev Baird, bass guitar. I feel absolutely horrible on how this looks. granted, when I trying to get a shot of him, he was all over the place and it was near impossible. couple that with my height and all these people trying to get into their seats during the first 3 songs when were allowed to take photos, I didn't have any great opportunities. I hope this is rectified when I see the band in 9 days (next week!) in Philadelphia.

Friday amusements / Philly, here I come...

I was reminded by a friend how great this "What's In My Bag?" from Ameoba Records was... I ♥ Gibson! ::mork mork mork::



--

it seems appropriate to segue from FFires to their favourite American city, Philadelphia, b/c I have just booked my coach and hotel room to go up to the city of brotherly love to see my latest fave band du jour, Two Door Cinema Club.

YES.

only problem is...I've got another 5 weeks! in 3 weeks I'm seeing them open for Phoenix at Constitution Hall so not all is lost.

::bounce bounce::

mig stor nyheder!

(run the title through an English to Danish online translator and you get...my big news!)

I'm feeling v. orange lately, because...I am going to Roskilde this year! out of several hundred applicants I was chosen, along with six other enthusiastic young bloggers, to get an insider's view of Northern Europe's biggest, baddest music festival. it's a little daunting being the only non-Scandinavian to join the party, but 'you can never make an omelet without breaking eggs, every cook will tell you that', right?

you can read the festival blog entries from me and my compatriots here. and please comment, I'd love to hear from you.

--

also related to Roskilde:

last week the festival folks were teasing the punters that 2 major British acts were to be announced for the bill. seeing that I was not asked to be the bearer of good news, I knew the bands weren't any that I currently love a lot. given the clues ('what band likes to perform underwater?'), I thought maybe Keane was to be the big act named. no such luck.

the final announcement came and it turned out the two bands were Kasabian and Wild Beasts. I don't know much about either but TBH I'm a bit perturbed b/c I listen to a LOT of British music and what are the odds that they would pick up two bands I know absolutely nothing about?

disappointed yes, but it's an excuse to go into seeing them with no previous ideas about them. I was going to see Wild Beasts last month at the Black Cat but couldn't b/c I was poorly, so it's good I get to see them sometime this year and not have to pay for it myself.

also, it should be noted that Kasabian is apparently a gigantic deal to the Scandinavians, most of whom applauded this announcement loudly and proudly. this should be interesting to see from a sociological standpoint, since I won't actually going out of my head watching the band as a superfan or anything.

--

in the meantime, I have been nursing a v., v. bad case of missing my dear blighty, to the point of tears at some points :/ it's ridiculous how much plane tickets cost. I got to London and Nottingham (coach up and back down) last May for less than $550 R/T. now the tickets are upwards of $1000 just for the plane ticket!!! I'm scheming for some kind of blighty trip this year but not sure how feasible this is going to be, it's going to be tough on the wallet.

for new readers who have come to my blog via the link on the Roskilde Festival Web site, a quick explanation:

for no obvious reason besides the love I have for many, many English (and British) bands, England feels like home to me, although I was born, raised, and have lived all my life in America. I get emotional just thinking about the country because I have many friends there - some in bands, some not - and feel a kinship to its people that I don't feel when I'm home (for real). it's not just a place for me to holiday, it's a deep connection within my heart that I can't explain. I actually cried on the plane ride home last time, that's how much I love the place.

I ♥ blighty, I ♥ you v. v. much.

New England sojourn: Boston part 3b (+ gig photos)

so to continue...

Julie thought, and reasonably so, that maybe I'd be able to see one of the guys from the band and still get some kind of interview from them, once they knew *who* had been asking for the interview. I was after all the American journo that had headed out to Nottingham to see them and chat with them in May at the Dot to Dot Festival, to their near-speechless surprise.

so I'm standing outside by myself - freezing my arms off again (I'm never wearing that jacket in the winter, I swear!) - and then in the distance I see two blokes approaching in dark winter coats. they're too far away for me to make out their faces. (remember, it's dark, it's 1900 on a Boston night.) by the time they get closer and reach the bus parked outside the club I realise far too late that one of them is Ed Mac. (he's wearing socks, which also throws me off. if you look at any of FFires' gig photos of him, he's clearly not wearing any visible socks when he's dancing.) professional decorum prevents me from shouting at him - I'm sure he really did not need or want any fans mobbing him at this point - so that was that. I also see some other people in their crew that I recognise but they're all on their mobiles and it'd be rude to interrupt them. I mean, seriously. what if they were talking to their mums?

the bar opens finally and at last I can sit down and warm up a bit. a stroke of good luck as I spy Edd Gibson coming into the club's bar through the regular doors, as if he were one of us. I wave and as usual, he's as nice as can be. he apologised for being unable to give Julie a guestlist spot as he's already given his last one away eating out earlier. (so it ended up that Julie couldn't find a spare ticket. it was really that sold out. even the touts were trying to scoop up tickets and gouge fans. if you're sceptical, read Julie's "review" of what happened.)

so I go to the gig by myself. but you're never really "by yourself" at a gig, are you? I find myself surrounded by people who work for Converse, which explains why everyone is wearing fashionable Chucks on a winter's night. you know how if you go to a party and you see friends, and you have to introduce some friends to other friends if they don't know each other well? well these Converse employees did that, and then realised when they got to me they had no bloomin' idea who I was. so this one girl introduced me (seeing my photo pass on my arm) as "...and this is the band's official photographer." ::blush:: I wish! I explained to them to the more interested ones that no, I wasn't FFires' photographer, but that I was writing this up for two blogs and that I'd come up to Boston from D.C. because the tour was not stopping anywhere near us. it seemed to impress some of them about my knowledge of the xx (having seen them twice prior coming up to Boston) and where I've been on my blogging travails. one girl, an apparel buyer, told me she was a Capricorn and started asking me what sign *I* was - er...was she hitting on me? I was too busy faffing with my camera's settings and worrying about covering the gig to notice. (BTW, if you were wondering, I'm 100% hetero. sorry girls.)

here is a photo of the FFires set list (next to Ed Mac's synth stand) snapped by one of the nice Converse girls. five gigs now and I still don't have one! I've told my friend MB (who I gave the Big Pink set list to) that the next time FFires are in D.C., she is crawling onstage to get the set list for me (haha). it's somewhat amusing that I've seen Ladyhawke twice and I've gotten both her setlists, one for D.C. and one for Nottingham, with minimal effort.



all in all, a good gig. defo not the best I've seen of theirs, but v. good still. it had nothing to do with the band - they were giving it their usual 110%. (you guys were sick? really?) the crowd just wasn't excited enough. there wasn't the palpable, electric feeling of "OMFG, I'm seeing Friendly Fires tonight!" that I've witnessed from the audience at other shows. from what I heard about the Webster Hall gig the next night, I did well to avoid their screaming, fainting teenyboppers. so I probably made the right decision to head to Boston instead of NYC. I really like Boston! the people are really nice, unlike those crazy people I ran into in NYC in August. and I really like the Paradise.

maybe one day I'll get to interview them again. I hope so. maybe they'll actually remember who I am. I doubt they'll remember what didn't happen in Boston.

and here are the Paradise gig reviews, if you haven't read them yet (shame on you, b/c they've been featured in both places and on the Paradise Rock Club blog!)...
on PopWreckoning
on There Goes the Fear
on Paradise Rock Club's Blogspot

when I'm preparing to post a gig review, I go through my photos and pick out the best ones. this being the 5th time I've seen FFires, I've gotten my technique down for photographing them (if I do say so myself). they're such a photogenic band and have so much energy that you can't really take a bad photo of them, unless it's framed improperly. (let's say someone's head or arm got cut off while the shutter snapped, or I've got a great view - of someone's back. heh!) or someone's moving around too much (which of course is possible since this is, after all, dance music). but I had so many beauties to choose from that many just didn't make the cut. so this is where you benefit, oh dear reader. in addition to these that I posted earlier this month, here are some more gorgeous shots from the night.

el Gibson readying himself on guitar


Moog love


can you feel the emotion from Ed Mac? can you feel it? (apparently my mum cannot. she sees the photos I take at gigs and says, "ew, sweaty!" um...you'd be sweaty too if you were giving it your all, performing.)


I love how the light glints off Edd, banging away on his guitar, in this pic. sometimes "mistakes" make for compelling photos.


are you "On Board" yet? (Edd and Rob)


the Mac introducing the encore, "Ex Lover"


in all likelihood, doth endeth my travelling far for FFires. 2009 was a good year. bring on 2010 and whatever bands charm their way into my heart.

New England sojourn: Boston part 3a

so here is what you're all waiting for - my thoughts and feelings about the Friendly Fires / xx gig. I'm going to be as objective as I can about it...

--

Day 3 (4 December)

I had another glorious lie-in, knowing full well that I'd be up late that night and I'd also have to be up early Saturday morning to catch my flight back to the D.C. area (to cover the Big Pink at home Saturday night - gig review here). another check of my email - no joy there. I printed off my boarding pass, then went to go collect my wristband for the in-store. the clerk gave me the false impression that there weren't going to be too many people there for the performance. (terrible misconception.) I did some more shopping down Newbury Street (got some rad nail polish at Urban Outfitters) and walked a bit more along the adjoining streets. it's a whole lot more interesting than D.C., I can tell you that.

Trinity Church had been closed when I had passed by there in the morning, so later when I went back and I went in and took the self-guided tour. little creepy that the organist was practising as I was examining the stained glass windows. gave me chills, the wrong kind to have when you're touring an old church.

by the time I went back to the hotel at 2, I still had not made contact with whom I needed to for the evening. I tried not to let it worry me as I got dressed for making a good impression over the next 10+ hours, representing the blogs, representing D.C., and of course representing myself. figuring there wouldn't be much time between the in-store and the Paradise gig, Julie and I decided to have lunch/dinner at Trident Booksellers, and I'd just play things by ear and take them as they came. just as we were walking into the store my mobile rang, and I'm hearing on the other end, gruffly, that I'd been misinformed about having any interview with Friendly Fires in the first place and it'd be impossible because the boys were ill and that was that. was I upset? sure. who wouldn't be? I'd traveled all this way and had psyched myself up for what I figured would be a really great interview, considering how candid they'd been the first time I interviewed them in England. don't have all the details on what was going on behind the scenes, but yeah, it was disappointing to say the least. it just wasn't meant to be. oh well. that's how the music biz works sometimes. (my hero/friend Stuart Maconie a couple years ago had a scheduled interview with Morrissey at South by Southwest and got rebuffed, and he's interviewed Moz loads of times. so I don't feel that bad, especially if it happens even in the higher-up echelons of music journalism.) at least I had the in-store and gig that night...

the in-store. oh, I can laugh about it now, but feeling like my arms were going to freeze off in an ill-advised slip of a brown corduroy jacket was not funny at the time. we saw a bloke with a wristband in the cafe, typing away on his laptop, so when he packed up and left, I thought we'd have plenty of time. we got outside at about 1600 to see this huge queue already forming. a terrible feeling in the pit of my stomach. it didn't help that 1700, the time for the start of the in-store, came and went. we inquired why it was taking so long, and we were told the xx's equipment was late. not knowing what the queue situation would be like at the Paradise, I fought an internal battle as to when to cut our losses and leave for the other gig. finally, sometime after 1750 we were finally let in.

rather than rehash what I've already written, you can read, view photos, and watch video on my published posts at PW and TGTF:
PopWreckoning review
There Goes the Fear review

shortly before 1900 we headed back to Julie's car and we headed over to the Paradise. Julie didn't have a ticket and the gig was airtight, completely sold out. I'd been unable to get a ticket for myself as press (though I was v. lucky to be granted a photo pass so I could photograph without fuss during the gig). I'd purchased mine from the Live Nation Web site months prior to make sure I'd be able to get into the show, b/c I just knew it would sell out. Julie dropped me off outside and went to look for parking, and there was no one about except a local couple who was waiting impatiently for the club doors to open, and several other would-be punters who were looking for touts b/c they didn't have tickets either.



to be continued...