Day of Music

I haven’t felt much like writing this year, sorry about that. I have been on a lot of adventures and just have not gotten around to writing about them, let alone send out postcards. But two weeks back AJ and I went to the X96 Big Concert Show at the Gallivan Center and saw The Airborne Toxic Event (yeah!!), Neon Trees, and Panic at the Disco. There were other bands, but these were the reasons we went. Especially to see Panic since we have had not had the chance to see them perform; which in a way we still have not since the lead vocalist Brendon was sick in the hospital so he was not able to perform. But the show still went on with Tyler from Neon Trees singing two songs, along with other performers from that days concerts filling in. Very entertaining, glad they still performed, just wish we had Brendon (Good news, Brendon ended up not having malaria).

Also I found that I like Dallon Weekes from Brobecks who is touring with Panic as bass guitarist and back up vocals. My new favorite romantic song- Love at First Sight (shared below). He did a wonderful job performing and filling in with vocals that night.

Overall a great concert for such a low price. Three bands I enjoy for $25. Money well spent!

Death Cab for Cutie

You would think that as little I have been posting that I have not been up to anything this year but it has been just the opposite. Last week AJ and I went and saw Death Cab for Cutie. I’ve enjoyed their music over the years (including Ben’s stint with Postal Service) but their new album Codes and Keys is what won me over that I needed to see them in concert. A very enjoyable concert that actually started on time which is so rare. Here is a sample of why I like them (the video is a little weird, but I do love the song):



I forgot to mention that Ben never stops moving during the entire concert. He is always in motion, I was exhausted just watching him. No need for an exercise plan for him.

Lucky One

I just found a new song I love and I had to share it. I heard it on an episode of Royal Pains and I could not get it out of my head. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. It's called "The Lucky One" by Jess Penner.

The Airborne Toxic Event

On June 1st AJ, DF, and I went to a concert that I have been waiting for over 2 years to come to Utah- Airbone Toxic Event. I first fell in love with the group with their song Sometime Around Midnight and they have had me hooked ever since.

I have to say they were my favorite concert I have ever been to and here is why:

They were personable with the crowd- Mikel Jollett twice walked out into the crowd during the concert and came out afterwards to talk to fans. (I got one person away from him before he switched directions).

I love that their keyboard stand is a stack of books.

They mix instruments like the violin and the cello into their music. (FYI a man playing a cello is very sexy without the tux)

The band members each can play multiple instruments and switch around during the concert.

Noah Harmon looks like a cross between Maxwell Claufield and Bruce Springsteen (yeah, I have a little bit of a crush).

They actually have cool band t-shirts to purchase and thanks to AJ I have one!

And of course their music is great!

So even though my ears rang for three days after the concert it was worth it and here is just a sample why:

Let There Be Music!

Back in June my car stereo system decided to start acting up without my permission. It would decide when it wanted to work and when it wanted to take a break. By November my CD player completely gave up on me and retired. For someone who is in their car a lot, I grew dependent on listening to books on my commute to work. The problem was I just did not want to dish out hundreds of dollars to get it fix. But luckily I have connections. AJ’s brother was so kind to do all the research on what new system I needed to purchase and install it for me for free (though I had to give him a small thank you, I would have felt guilty otherwise). All this week I have had a smile on face as I once again started listening to a book my car (It really does make the commute go faster). So thank you AJ and her brother for helping me out because I am one really happy camper!

Oh, plus AJ gave me some other great news this week, Airborne Toxic Event is coming to town!

ABBA

I have decided that everyone is an ABBA fan if they admit it or not. As soon as Dancing Queen, Fernando, or Mamma Mia starts playing there you are singing along without even realizing it and you have a smile on your face. I have memories of Dancing Queen being played at every college dance I went to.

Thursday night AJ and I went to “Original London’s West End” production of ABBA Mania at U of U. First of all I have to state that we were actually part of the younger crowd as to oppose to last week’s Neon Trees concert. There were people my parents’ age dancing their hearts out and I thought is that going to be me thirty years from now at a The Cure tribute concert (as AJ and I discussed).

The performers did a really good job. I had to YouTube ABBA and see if that is really how the group danced since I have only really listened to music, and yep they did a correct tribute to the band. I enjoyed the music, but for once the audience was a distraction.

Neon Trees

So this past year every time Neon Trees has come into town (3xs that I was aware) I have not been able to go see them, until last Tuesday. I have loved them since February and just by chance I saw they were playing at SLCC last week and luckily AJ said yes she would go with me. Neon Trees come to Utah often because they hail from Provo and even though they are growing in popularity they remember where they started off and are proud of it.

First let me just say I am glad I am no longer in high school. So the majority of the people attending were probably college students, but the conversations going on around us while we waited in line to enter just made me think high school. Yes, AJ and I were towards the older end of the scale of people attending but we think we found around five people older than us.

Because it was a small venue we had great seats. In the end the concert was not one of my favorites I have attended this year but still enjoyable and I am really glad I went. What I liked: the lead singer loves the crowd, they have a girl drummer (I wonder if Watts was her inspiration), and of course their music. What I did not like: the stupid SLCC mascot that would not get the hint to get off the stage and the blaring lights that concerts now must have to show that they have succeeded and can afford special effects.

Vampire Weekend

The band, not to be confused with anything Edward.

So, AJ and I discovered we liked the band Vampire Weekend pretty much the week after they came to Salt Lake. We were discouraged. But then a few days later AJ comes up to me at work and says that they are playing in Vegas the end of the month and we could do the entire trip under $200. What else could I do but say yes.

So we flew down Wednesday afternoon after work. I love short flights. We checked into our hotel The Imperial Palace (there was a reason our room was only $30). We ate at Serendipity 3 (like the one from the film but in Vegas) since we tried to go there last time we were in town but they were closed. Our waiter literally winked after every sentence. I guess he was really working for his tip, but it was just annoying. We got dessert first, which was wise since it was huge. Then we hoped on the bus to The Palms for the concert.

Vegas really knows how to put on shows. Every seat in the house had an unobstructed view and the seats were leather. Friendly ushers to show you the way and immaculate high end bathrooms. We had two opening acts The Very Best and Beach House. Then it was time for Vampire Weekend. They are great live. Chris Baio is a hoot to watch dancing while playing bass guitar. I love their up beat music and it makes me smile. I bet when they first started out finishing up at Columbia University their parents thought, “That is what you want to do after I spent all that money on your education?” I’m glad they did because it was worth the investment.

The next day we flew home. In fact our shuttle bus driver could not believe we didn’t have any luggage with us other than a backpack size bags. Don’t other people make short trips to Vegas like us? I would go down for a show again.

Temper Trap

Wednesday night AJ and I went to The Depot to hear Temper Trap perform. I have never gone to the venue before. It’s a club for 21 years old and older that pretty much has a great view of the stage from wherever you sit/stand because they also have screens everywhere. We got there early thinking there might be a line, but we were wrong so we walked around The Gateway Shopping Center for awhile than headed back. Going early does have it advantaged such as getting a really good seat so you don’t have to stand the entire time. I thought it would be more the scene back east at bar clubs but pretty much everyone had dates so it was nice not have to worry about the pickups while you are trying to enjoy the show, though there were a few girls trying to work it.

The opening act was Butterfly Bone. The lead singer’s appearance was a cross between Weird Al and Napoleon Dynamite. I could not watch him with his spaghetti strap tank top, too distracting and not in a good way. The “keyboardist” (if you can call him that when really he is just playing the miniature keyboard that controls the computer for different sounds) really loves his job so it was awkward to watch him as well. So I just stared above them and enjoyed their music. Definitely not a band to watch live but listen to.

Temper Trap sound just as good live as on their CD. You all probably know them for “Sweet Disposition” and apparently most of the crowd came for just that one song as well but overall they have a good album. They were very appreciative to the crowd and their finale was excellent, left you wanting more which is always a good way to end. Two things we noticed about the band: 1. Even though they are from Australia they really do not have accents when they talk (pity) 2. Each band member had a different fashion style that seemed they from different bands from grudge to punk and joined to make a really good alternative rock group.

Even though our tickets only cost $5 (which we could not believe) I would have paid more I enjoyed them that much.

Modest Mouse

Last night AJ, DF, and I went to Pioneer Park and joined 40,000 other fans to see Modest Mouse free as part of the Salt Lake City’s Twilight Concert Series. They are most known for their song “Float On” that came out about five years ago. When we first arrived and waiting for entrance we felt old as we were surrounded by teenagers but as the evening progressed the ages varied. We sat and played Phase 10 while we waited the two hours for the concert to start. The opening band Avi Buffalo was not that great but I really do not like female lead singers so I am a little biased.

The venue was fine, but I really wished there was a way to enforce the no smoking (let alone the marijuana) and people getting drunk. Though it says no outside liquor there were many flasks and bottles of Jack Daniel going around. We ended up moving from our spot since the group in front of us was getting wasted/toasted and the concert hadn’t even begun.

I’m fine with crowds as long as I have my space but last night I got up close and personal with way too many people. Luckily I ended up finding the boarder gate and hung out there. By the end of the night I smelled of sweat (and not just mine), beer and cigarettes (again not mine).

But the band sounded great and it was free- thank you Salt Lake City. We still have another concert there to go to this summer. I am just going to find a better spot to stand.

Now Playing

Lately I have been in the mood of the louder the better. That is probably why for the past few months Airborn Toxic Event’s self titled CD has become my favorite and most listened to. Now if they will only come to Utah and perform I would be very happy. Below are some songs that I keep playing over and over. Usually I just check out whatever group I am interested in listening to out of the library and after three weeks I get the songs out of my system, but these have hung on. After checking out Airbron Toxic Event for the third time, I decided that I just needed to go buy it.

Airborn Toxic Event- Sometime Around Midnight (or practically any song on their album)

Snow Patrol- Just Say Yes (Up to Now album has all my favorites) *

MGMT- Time to Pretend

Neon Trees- Animal (my new favorite song)

The Killers- Human (I love their Day and Age album) *

Sea Wolf- The Violet Hour

Coldplay- Viva La Vida *

Keane- Everybody’s Changing and Somewhere Only We Know *

Muse- Uprising and Resistance

Pink- Please Don’t Leave Me (she surprised me, usually I do not like women singers, but her album Funhouse has about four songs I like)

Lily Allen- The Fear

Letters to Cleo- I Want You to Want Me

The Cure- In Between Days, Cut Here, Close to Me (and many more)*

Postal Service- Such Great Heights

Modest Mouse- Float On

Franz Ferdinand- Take Me Out

For my nostalgic moments I listen to Dino: the Essential Dean Martin album and Frank Sinatra’s Nothing but the Best. I can be listening to one Muse song and switch to Sinatra for the next. My brain just works that way. Funny I know.

*-indicates that I have seen them perform in concert

Fireflies

This morning my alarm went off to Fireflies by Owl City. Don’t get me wrong, I use to enjoy the song, mainly because it reminds me of the group Postal Service who I love (you know them you just didn’t realize that was there name). I just think it is on the radio a little too much. I know I am probably one of the few people who still actually listens to the radio but literally that song either wakes me up in the morning, or is playing during my commute to and from work. That is overkill.

Elvis

Today, Elvis Presley would have turned 75. He has been dead for 32 years yet everyone knows who he is. Now that is a music legend. You may be asking yourself, why would I be posting about Elvis? Well, before there was John Wayne in my life, there was Elvis. It started when I was in 3rd grade (7 years old) and lasted through 6th grade. I still love his music and enjoy his films I just don’t have a picture of him hanging on my wall. At times I really think I was born in the wrong era, but lucky for me I was not because wearing a dress everyday would have killed me. I only like Elvis when he was young and handsome, before the years of drugs and fame dragged him down. Every year in honor of him I watch one of his films for his birthday- mainly Blue Hawaii my personal favorite. Yes, it is fluffy but seeing Angela Lansbury (Murder She Wrote) play his mom is worth it even if you don’t like him. Plus the film has a great soundtrack that even you would recognize. G.I. Blues is a pretty good film as well—young Elvis in a uniform, need I say more?

Happy 75th Elvis!