There's something about the grit behind someone grabbing a mic and wailing on it as if it were a part of their soul they're rejoining that I thrill to like nothing else. The closer, the better. The louder, the happier. Hard, intense, soulful or sexy- I like it every which way around. And when it's from the heart, it feels so much better to hear.
Thanks again for the very merry Christmas, Hotel Cafe. I love you.
Sara Bareilles sings Christmas from Jersey Shore
Gosh, how I love you guys:
Showing posts with label concerts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label concerts. Show all posts
Monday, December 28, 2009
Friday, August 8, 2008
I love you.
How can it be so easy to feel and so hard to say? I'd like to know who's fault it is so I have someone to blame.
This band is fantastic.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Together Forever.
I've had friends interested in helping out a bit with upcoming events and work I have moving forward with Shameless Self-Promotions. There are some fantastic opportunities coming up in partnering with a magazine's quarterly issue launch (attaching benefit events to each issue), fashion shows linked to women's issues and poverty and (most pressing) an invitation to supply the musical talent for a local UC's Care-A-Thon.
Mtv's Americas Best Dance Crew will be there, and I'd love to find some musical talent equal to what the University has brought in! If you have any ideas for talent, suggestions, or contacts in the music industry local to LA/Orange County, let me know! Otherwise, I'll be stuck looking up my favourite 80's has-beens to try and work in a dance number of my own...
One last queerie:
How has someone not turned this into a church video?
You'd think the missionaries would get ON that! ...And I swear, the obsession stops next week. Right Rachel?
Happy Weekend.
Mtv's Americas Best Dance Crew will be there, and I'd love to find some musical talent equal to what the University has brought in! If you have any ideas for talent, suggestions, or contacts in the music industry local to LA/Orange County, let me know! Otherwise, I'll be stuck looking up my favourite 80's has-beens to try and work in a dance number of my own...
One last queerie:
How has someone not turned this into a church video?
You'd think the missionaries would get ON that! ...And I swear, the obsession stops next week. Right Rachel?
Happy Weekend.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Real Art.
Has anyone else noticed that the caliber of a club can often be equated with how much urine needs to be blotted from the toilet seat? Maybe only the ladies can relate here, but I am always impressed (impressed!?!?) when I don't need to clean up after someone who went before me. (Pun unintentional, but funny, now that I see it.) Which is rather sad, really. Since I would hope that wiping down a toilet seat would be an unnecessary task for an evening out.
The other night we went to The Strand in Hermosa Beach. It felt like the swanky living room I never had, as if I had invited my block over to hang out and hear a show while we had upscale chicken and waffles (a natural aphrodisiac, you should be warned). Jay Nash opened with a bare-bones, heart wrenching set. His sandpapered voice is deep and growls like a 300lb trucker, and it rumbles out with the power of a barrel-chested 50 year old, past the lips of a face so pretty, it's like seeing the love child of Ryan Gosling and Jason Lee. Listening to Jay live, even in a small living room, feels like holding onto the outside of a train as it rushes forward; exhilarating and exhausting and a total experience worth having.
I realized only after the show, while I was driving in my car, listening to Jay's cd, he's really got this edgy, Springsteen-esqe type of voice. Only I like it more than Springsteen.
The more I listen to his album, the more I appreciate the journey he takes. From sensitive and pained, to gentle and loving, from tender romance to stuff so sexy it may have gotten me pregnant. They're stories of experience and understanding. Check him out.
The dear, sweet, magnanimous, Chris Pierce headlined. While we haven't seen each other in a couple of years, he was still as sweet and genuine as ever. (He had been a great supporter of Shameless benefit events.) He's lost weight, cut his dreads off, and traded his homespun threads for sleek lapels and a sharp tie. If his smile didn't tell me he was exactly the same humble guy who brings the Spirit in through music, his performance certainly did. O- and did I mention his response to my thoughtless, "So- what have you been up to lately?" He smiled shyly, "Well...I just got back from touring with Jack Johnson...Have you heard of Colbie Calliet? And Al Green- that was really cool. But it's really nice to be back and just be at home. I love it."
A couple of years ago, my bishop called me into his office with a furrowed brow. "Farrah," he said, "I have been thinking a lot about your work...And I don't think you should do it anymore." Pardon me, Bishop? "Well...You're going into a lot of bars...And the people you're going to assoicate with...I just think you should reconsider what you're doing." I nodded. And genuinely took what he said into conderation. The advice still weighed heavily on my mind when I went to the Chris Pierce show 2 nights later. I walked into the club. The dark, tightly packed Budda Bar. Chris took the stage, and immediately, I felt the warmth of his heart. His spirit radiated out in love as he shared stories of his family and of courage and of faith. I could feel my heart leap in delight- I know this feeling! It's the Spirit! I feel the Spirit here!
Now, years later, Chris' hair may be different, but when he sings, that same spirit of joy and love and genuine soul pierces through to open the hearts of the people who hear him. At points in the show, his face beams and he reaches out, proclaiming, "Do you feel the Spirit?!" It is truly like watching a miracle of God. Jeni and I were saying that the glow of joy is so infectious- it must make the Lord smile to see one of His children take the time to dedicate themselves to share their talent and bring joy to the lives of others. His song is his testimony, and I am so thankful for artists who are not afraid to let it shine, shine, shine.
Beautiful.
The other night we went to The Strand in Hermosa Beach. It felt like the swanky living room I never had, as if I had invited my block over to hang out and hear a show while we had upscale chicken and waffles (a natural aphrodisiac, you should be warned). Jay Nash opened with a bare-bones, heart wrenching set. His sandpapered voice is deep and growls like a 300lb trucker, and it rumbles out with the power of a barrel-chested 50 year old, past the lips of a face so pretty, it's like seeing the love child of Ryan Gosling and Jason Lee. Listening to Jay live, even in a small living room, feels like holding onto the outside of a train as it rushes forward; exhilarating and exhausting and a total experience worth having.
I realized only after the show, while I was driving in my car, listening to Jay's cd, he's really got this edgy, Springsteen-esqe type of voice. Only I like it more than Springsteen.
The more I listen to his album, the more I appreciate the journey he takes. From sensitive and pained, to gentle and loving, from tender romance to stuff so sexy it may have gotten me pregnant. They're stories of experience and understanding. Check him out.
The dear, sweet, magnanimous, Chris Pierce headlined. While we haven't seen each other in a couple of years, he was still as sweet and genuine as ever. (He had been a great supporter of Shameless benefit events.) He's lost weight, cut his dreads off, and traded his homespun threads for sleek lapels and a sharp tie. If his smile didn't tell me he was exactly the same humble guy who brings the Spirit in through music, his performance certainly did. O- and did I mention his response to my thoughtless, "So- what have you been up to lately?" He smiled shyly, "Well...I just got back from touring with Jack Johnson...Have you heard of Colbie Calliet? And Al Green- that was really cool. But it's really nice to be back and just be at home. I love it."
A couple of years ago, my bishop called me into his office with a furrowed brow. "Farrah," he said, "I have been thinking a lot about your work...And I don't think you should do it anymore." Pardon me, Bishop? "Well...You're going into a lot of bars...And the people you're going to assoicate with...I just think you should reconsider what you're doing." I nodded. And genuinely took what he said into conderation. The advice still weighed heavily on my mind when I went to the Chris Pierce show 2 nights later. I walked into the club. The dark, tightly packed Budda Bar. Chris took the stage, and immediately, I felt the warmth of his heart. His spirit radiated out in love as he shared stories of his family and of courage and of faith. I could feel my heart leap in delight- I know this feeling! It's the Spirit! I feel the Spirit here!
Now, years later, Chris' hair may be different, but when he sings, that same spirit of joy and love and genuine soul pierces through to open the hearts of the people who hear him. At points in the show, his face beams and he reaches out, proclaiming, "Do you feel the Spirit?!" It is truly like watching a miracle of God. Jeni and I were saying that the glow of joy is so infectious- it must make the Lord smile to see one of His children take the time to dedicate themselves to share their talent and bring joy to the lives of others. His song is his testimony, and I am so thankful for artists who are not afraid to let it shine, shine, shine.
Beautiful.
Monday, October 15, 2007
You, Me and Johnny Depp.
For those of you who haven't been to an Isaac Hayden show yet, I'd describe his music as beautiful, thoughtful, well-crafted lyrics paired with a gritty, soulful, raw vocal sound. I hear many people compare him to Jack Johnson, but I'm more apt to say James Taylor, Sting, Donovan Frankenreiter, or Matt Nathanson. Let's just say...He's totally worth the $7.
Our good friend, Isaac Hayden, has been invited to play Johnny Depp's Viper Room this Tuesday.
Please spread the word and show your support!
The show is at 9 and tickets are only $7.
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Meet Me In The Clouds:
Under the Influence of Giants are playing with The Sounds tonight at The Galaxy in Santa Ana.
Shine your shoes, today. You're gonna dance your pants off tonight.
It'll feel kinda like THIS.
Shine your shoes, today. You're gonna dance your pants off tonight.
It'll feel kinda like THIS.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Now & Zen
Dang, do I wish I lived in San Francisco! As if THESE GIRLS (and Paul) weren't enough to make me miss home, my favourite morning show has tickets for THIS on sale for only $20! $20 for Joss Stone...Joss is AAAAhhhhMazing. Definitely go if you live around there.In fact...if anyone down here wants for a roadtrip...I make an excellent travel companion and my roadtrip cds are classic acquisitions.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
My Boys.
I am so in love with these guys, it's ridikulus.
Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10am. GET THEM NOW!!!
Tickets go on sale Saturday at 10am. GET THEM NOW!!!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Live Fraggles Rock.
Seeing The Arcade Fire was like watching human Fraggles rock.
Awesome. Getting to see Fraggle Rock was like a super-duper treat.
Getting to see The Arcade Fire- ALSO a super-duper treat.
Awesome. Getting to see Fraggle Rock was like a super-duper treat.Getting to see The Arcade Fire- ALSO a super-duper treat.
Jumping up and down in frou-frou puffy skirts, wild tambourine action, throwing drums to the ceiling, running from playing violin, crossing the stage with a slammin' tambourine, to hit up the mandolin (was it?) And the HAIR! Just...Fluffy tufts of bouncy hair just- everywhere...sigh. It was like seeing on stage what my heart feels on the INside.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Coming Out.
You may think you know me.But you don't know everything.
I have something to say. Something I've known deep inside me for a long, long time.
Inside this slammin' body of a short Asian girl- I am a gay man.
CONFESSION:
I love showtunes. I spontaniously break into song and truly think it would be really great if life were like a musical. I've fallen in love on the dance floor. I honestly believe that blue eyeshadow will never go out of st
yle, and when it comes to hair, bigger IS better. Diana Ross is amazing. If I had ridiculous gobs of money to drop on something frivilous, it'd probably be a toss-up between getting hair extensions and season tickets to Broadway and Off-Broadway and I fantasize daily on one day performing Off-Off-Broadway. James Dean and Jake Gyllenhaal are dreamboats. And while I never saw "Brokeback," if I were ever going to suggest two men for on-screen romance, Jake and Heath are excellent choices. Madonna is a personal hero. Just about any outfit I own will have one or more of the following contents: feathers, snakeskin, animal print, velvet, sequins or gold. Or look like a costume piece. And I think I would look better if I were dripping in jewels.
I am in love with this man:
And I'd rather dance than talk with you.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Happy Weekend!
And Happy Cinco de Mayo!
No, I'm not at Coachella; and yes, I am a little sad about it.
Tell me what your favourite part was. I'm just dying to know.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
First Times.
People never know who I'm talking about when I say that I would give an appendage to see "The Beautiful South" live. They have been my favourite band since I found their cassette when I was 15. They were my first CD, and they were the first played on my beloved iPod.
sigh.
Sweet memories.
Anway. YouTube has found my delightfully lyrical and sort of weird humoured band, and I couldn't be happier.
Who's your AllTimeMostFavourite-Give-Your-Right-Arm-To-See-Them-Live band? I'd be interested who is standing the test of time. I'm also adding Travis, The Beatles, Madonna, Joss Stone, Amos Lee, and The Beastie Boys. (Of course.)
sigh.
Sweet memories.
Anway. YouTube has found my delightfully lyrical and sort of weird humoured band, and I couldn't be happier.
Who's your AllTimeMostFavourite-Give-Your-Right-Arm-To-See-Them-Live band? I'd be interested who is standing the test of time. I'm also adding Travis, The Beatles, Madonna, Joss Stone, Amos Lee, and The Beastie Boys. (Of course.)
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Music is Better Than Food.
The Feeling: Never Be Lonely.
I like everything about these fellows.* They're younger, thinner, and more European than I am, so therefore, they are my new favourite band. I am kicking myself for not having the cash to get their CD. So if they're on tour near you, do us both a favour. Buy the album, get it signed, and hug each and every one of these boys for me. They prove that outstanding music and the art of performance still exists in this world of manufactured "hits."
www.myspace.com/thefeeling http://www.thefeeling.co.uk/
I'm not even kidding you. I streamed their online clips for six hours straight, and keep doing that for a few hours every day since the concert. O! You damned ATM card with the faulty magnetic strip!!! My fast-food-excuse-for-a-meal was NOTHING compared to THE FEELING.
*Jack Bauer thinks they're f*ing fantastic. And he has promised to kill anyone who disagrees. I swear. I was there. In the velvety-red room upstairs of House of Blues. You can read about it in THE FEELING's blog.
There have been some outstanding shows this year. Live music is so much better when the artist understands the art of performance. Par example- Alyson LOVES Jack Johnson, so we waited to see him in SanDiego's Street Scene. About 10 minutes in, Jack was so boring we ditched out to hit the Foo Fighters. I danced so hard I lost my sunglasses. And I didn't even care. THAT is how hot the Foo do rock.
Other fantastic shows I will always try and hit:
Joss Stone www.jossstone.com
Amos Lee www.amoslee.com
Isaac Hayden www.myspace.com/isaachayden.com
Oasis (yeah- how lucky am I?!?!) www.oasisnet.com
Matt Nathanson www.mattnathenson.com
Still kicking myself for missing:
Under the Influence of Giants www.utiog.com BIG TIME.
OKGO www.okgo.net
Gwen Stefani www.gwenstefani.com
Obviously I have my favourites who haven't even been close to coming my way, so they're not listed. So. Go ahead. Tell me what else I'm missing. I know Broek, Bree, Veeda & Brendan, Caroline, Isaac, Katie, Alyson and Dainon will have amazing suggestions. Listen to them and O- be wise.
I like everything about these fellows.* They're younger, thinner, and more European than I am, so therefore, they are my new favourite band. I am kicking myself for not having the cash to get their CD. So if they're on tour near you, do us both a favour. Buy the album, get it signed, and hug each and every one of these boys for me. They prove that outstanding music and the art of performance still exists in this world of manufactured "hits."
www.myspace.com/thefeeling http://www.thefeeling.co.uk/
I'm not even kidding you. I streamed their online clips for six hours straight, and keep doing that for a few hours every day since the concert. O! You damned ATM card with the faulty magnetic strip!!! My fast-food-excuse-for-a-meal was NOTHING compared to THE FEELING.
*Jack Bauer thinks they're f*ing fantastic. And he has promised to kill anyone who disagrees. I swear. I was there. In the velvety-red room upstairs of House of Blues. You can read about it in THE FEELING's blog.
There have been some outstanding shows this year. Live music is so much better when the artist understands the art of performance. Par example- Alyson LOVES Jack Johnson, so we waited to see him in SanDiego's Street Scene. About 10 minutes in, Jack was so boring we ditched out to hit the Foo Fighters. I danced so hard I lost my sunglasses. And I didn't even care. THAT is how hot the Foo do rock.
Other fantastic shows I will always try and hit:
Joss Stone www.jossstone.com
Amos Lee www.amoslee.com
Isaac Hayden www.myspace.com/isaachayden.com
Oasis (yeah- how lucky am I?!?!) www.oasisnet.com
Matt Nathanson www.mattnathenson.com
Still kicking myself for missing:
Under the Influence of Giants www.utiog.com BIG TIME.
OKGO www.okgo.net
Gwen Stefani www.gwenstefani.com
Obviously I have my favourites who haven't even been close to coming my way, so they're not listed. So. Go ahead. Tell me what else I'm missing. I know Broek, Bree, Veeda & Brendan, Caroline, Isaac, Katie, Alyson and Dainon will have amazing suggestions. Listen to them and O- be wise.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)