Support Local Music!

This is a subject that means a lot to me. In the recent year, I have been going to concerts that are filled with local musicians. Some my friends, some not. Actually a majority not. But I think it is your responsibility as a citizen to go to these shows. After all they could be the next Bob Dylan, except your not going to the Gaslight or the Troubadour to see him. It's a different venue, but same idea. I imagine these artists who have the guts to play in front of local audiences as the next big star, only your seeing them before the big break. Another reason why I love going to these shows is that you get to talk to them afterwords, and tell them you love their music and support them. You can't do that at huge shows. Your lucky if you see the artist without binoculars. Well, some shows, and without amazing tickets. And with that communication, I don't know, it starts to become fulfilling helping these artists. It's pretty amazing, and as I have realized it becomes quite addicting. I love supporting these artists, because you support them, they support you. Win-Win :) Another reason, it's cheap! Local concerts are waaaayyy cheaper. At least a quarter of the price of a ticket at a large venue. And that intimacy at small venues, there's nothing like it. It's awesome. I was going to make a Support Local Musicians/Artists print and T-shirt for Art, but now I'm thinking... Save $$, Support Local Music! who knows?

I love how there seems to be more a personal connection to the music too. I love the short stories and the unpredictability of these shows. It also can help create a more community atmosphere in supporting these young adults who are putting themselves out there and listening to their music. It also can help ignite the arts in the cities where you live, and it can start an art community where everyone helps each other. It can help local businesses, because fans may travel to see these artists and profits rise if the performance is held there. It helps everyone.

Just something I believe in! Hope you do to, if not go to a local show!...it's so worth it.

Local Indie Rock

A few days ago, I went to a concert hosted at The Snuggly Mug where Kenny Stahl, The Brites, and This April played their sets. It was a great show of indie acoustic pop-rock.

From the first act, This April aka Zach played his songs from his EP Ups and Downs. The songs talked about love, and his life at being at the ripe age of 21. His songs are simple, his voice, a guitar and maybe a few other instruments. Lyrics filled with a quiet honesty that is hard to come by, and they exceed his age. It's filled with fantastic hooks, and the recording is similar to his live performance. As time has gone by since the show, I have been going to his EP to listen to-- it's very addictive. Also in talking to him, he said he has a "hardcore-ish" band, Come Find the Lions. Two very different sounds, but he has the talent to perform both. He lives in Grand Rapids, loves making music (got from his info.) and you can hear it in his tunes. Great live show.

The guitar is put away. New bands sets up.

The Brites.

A Theremin. Drums. A Banjo. A Guitar. A xylophone. The music they play is the true definition of indie. Filled with unusual instruments, lyrics that are cheerful and they have a great sense of humor. They played a cover of Sujfan Stevens and they played a great show live. They are recording currently, and they have a very distinct style. Very fun to listen to.

They break down their equipment. Then Kenny Stahl!

Kenny Stahl and his band, the Lemon Tests play a set. Songs filled with love stories, unfortunate circumstances, and a some beautiful pop songs. He is influenced by many artists, from The Beatles, Ben Folds, Sondre Lerche :) Elliot Smith, and various others, but these are the artists that I love listening to that definitely relates to his style of music. Kenny played some great songs, and with talking to him after the show I learned that he played Hell's Half Mile 2 years past. Funny how small the world is. His songs are pop inspired, and while watching him perform I thought of Sondre, and Bob Dylan, The Beatles.

It was a great show, filled with awesome local music.

If you want to check out their myspaces:

http://www.myspace.com/thisapril

http://www.myspace.com/comefindthelion

http://www.myspace.com/britesband

http://www.myspace.com/kennystahl

A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints

I just finished the book, written by Dito Montiel. A story of a young boy from Astoria, Queens from in the 80's. With a Nicaruagan father, and an Irish mother travelling to the city taking the tiny alleys that only the locals know, making fun of tourists. Going on the subway, and only knowing New York as home. But with this local neighborhood that is similar to a small town, inside one of the biggest cities that Orlandito (his full name) calls home. He remembers going to the local pool at midnight with his friends, Nerf, Guiseppe, Antonio, and Laurie. Dito also remembers when seeing his best friend/older brother, beat a kid to death with a baseball bat in a gang fight. They were know as "kids from nowhere going nowhere." So many memories. The film was written by Dito, directed by Dito and with that an accuracy of detail, feeling comes along. I have to say from reading the book there's a lot missing in the movie, but there's plenty of information that the movie shows that's not in the book.

Funny thing is, I was going through my Sundance On Demand and only really wanted to watch the movie because Channing Tatum is in it (Step Up).

It's also weird because there are some major names in this, and yet everyone I have talked to has never heard of it. That makes me sad, especially when I was in a state of almost crying when the film ended. And I don't cry for movies. Robert Downey, Jr. is in it, Shia LeBouf (his best movie I've seen yet-- real emotion), Channing Tatum, Melonie Diaz (Hamlet 2, Lords of Dogtown) are stars of this. It's a coming of age story, and can relate to about every teenager I know. The thing that is most relateable is, that exposure to the bigger world out there and the strings of people that link us to our past to and the saints that have helped him along the way-- even though by Webster's definition they weren't exactly the normal "saints."

I love how in this film it shows true, real, raw emotion and it brings an intensity that's hard to come by.

It's a great book to read at about any age, but recommend it for anyone that's a teenager and beyond. Guide to Saints has an On the Road feeling to it that I can't quite capture, but it's there.

Dito dreams of going to California, and making a band with his friend, Matt O' Shea who plays guitar. He wants to leave the city, but is drawn back to it.

With this film, I am starting to recognize some of the Saints in my life. The people who have influenced me, or who I just think are really cool and inspire me to do what I want and will help.

Whether the are my mom's friends, family, my friends, or strangers who later become friends to connections, or a band that I met randomly on the street. My journey has barely started, and I thank you for giving me the encouragement to keep it going. Saints are everywhere, you just have to recognize who they are.

More Shoes.

I saw this film at Hell's Half Mile in Bay City, MI a year ago. Lee Kazimir (the director) was there, to take questions and answers. Let me give you a short synopsis of it.

This man, Lee, was struggling having dead-end jobs, and was never fully satisfied with them. He came up with an idea to follow Herzog's advice,"filmmakers should skip film school and instead make a journey alone on foot, let's say from Madrid to Kiev... this journey would teach one more about cinema truly means than would five years sitting in a classroom." Lee took this advice, and he had no reason not to take this adventure. He met an elderly French woman who was picking asparagus on her birthday, and a man at a bar who wanted to take him home to give him something to eat, and various others with their own story to tell. This film is his journey, the people he met, the scenery surrounding him, the strangers who wanted to take care of him (sometimes reluctantly) and the lessons learned from this journey. He travels to Madrid to meet a friend from London to prepare for his trip. Before watching this film, and part of what intrigued me was that I read On the Road by Kerouac a few months earlier. This was only a different version of that, and the man who went on this daunting journey by himself was in front of me. Amazing.

He becomes friends with fellow travellers, and meet the locals, and tries to avoid the tourist places, yet he still visits them. My favorite parts were his commentary, and the short stories given from the people he met on the road. Parts of life we never hear about, and the struggles or victories that we forget about...

I have now talked to Lee, asked advice about cameras, film stuff.

His film intrigued me in more ways than one. I am waaayyyy more interested in film than I ever was, and it has inspired me to backpack Europe (at least), but now take a camera along. I have read a book, by Robert Downes called Planet Backpacker (fantastic, instead of visually seeing his trip you read it) and now it's a dream, but I know I will make it a reality.

He has also inspired me to think of other movies I want to make. :)

This film is so good, and I hope you all will watch it. I have not watched it in over a year and I forgot how good it was.

If you want to check out his website here it is:

http://www.madridtokiev.com/

And it features music from a Brooklyn artist known as Birdie Hilltop:http://www.myspace.com/birdiehilltop

Thanks Lee~!

Top Chef and Food TV

I love this show. I like food television. I watch many of the Food Network shows, and some Travel Channel. But Bravo has brought addiction to these shows, like Top Chef and Chef Academy. The watcher learns about cooking, a chef's perspective, and a lot of aspects of going to a restaurant and the food are closely examined and becomes a learning experience even though you are thoroughly entertained by the conflicting personalities and tastes in food. I am one of the few (that I've realized) that in season 6 of Top Chef, really liked the winner. Mike to me was the most creative, and he can back up his ego. Really back it up. He knows what's he doing. And in the finale, Kevin, who is known for simple food with subtle complexities, and Brian who is an overall good chef who can do many types of cuisine, and then there is Michael, who does creative food that leaves you stunned. All main points of the spectrum: simple, somewhere in-between, and creative. It ended up that the creative end had a better night. I think about food so differently after watching these programs.
I've learned so much about food by these shows. I've learned that letting a steak rest for a few minutes is good, and that you are loosing all of it's wonderful juices if you cut it immediately. Another lesson, in order to have the most juice come out of citrus (lemons and limes): roll it, so the juices are flowing and then cut and press the juice out of it. Simple as that. These tricks work. A tip from Chef Novelli (French Michelin star chef) says leave "pips" from lemons in your rosotto, and leave garlic pressed-- all skin and all. I've learned to use those tips when I make my own Fatoosh (Middle Eastern Salad), incredibly simple recipe, by the way. First couple times I used the recipe, but after about 5 times it's memorized and no need for it to be out.
First food post, won't be the last.
Maybe some fashion stuff will be on here, too.

Continued list of amazing actors...

Well, I promised I'd add more to the list. I wrote down many more guys, but here are a few that have captured my heart (and they can actually act, not look pretty!)

First off,

A Mexican actor. (Trying to get everywhere around the world)
Gael Garcia Bernal

This actor is a phenomenal star todo el mundo (all of the world-- thought I'd put some Spanish in it.) He has worked all around the world, with small films to major features. Examples of these fantastic films are The Motorcycle Diaries (Ernesto Guevara's beginnings aka Che), and a young teenager whom with his friend, Tenoch (Diego Luna-- Milk) take a road trip with an older woman where they learn about life, Y Tu Mama Tambien directed by Alfonso Cuaron (A Little Princess-- amazing children's film, that I still love! So glad my 6th grade teacher had us watch it) Gael has played such a variety of roles, from a overstimulated, fantasy driven art student in Science of Sleep (which my brother had me watch because of the creativity and odd imagery), which was amazing, he spoke 3 different languages for it, English, Spanish and even some French. He also starred in the production, Babel, a more mainstream job. Very well done. Pretty great, Gael is still early in his career, at 31, who still has a lot to offer and has shown his talent.

Another actor that I admire. James Franco, now I don't know who caught him as a host for Saturday Night Live last night, which was hilarious by the way. And I don't watch the show regularly.

I knew of his other work before Pineapple Express (which surprisingly loved him being a pot dealer) or Spider-man, he has captured my heart doing the movies as Tristan + Isolde (an Irish version of Romeo and Juliet-- liked that more, and in school we were reading the original), and James Dean-- he did fantastically, at certain points during the film, I thought it was the real James on screen, but it James Franco. He (J.F.) worked his butt off in everything he does. He also has done Flyboys and learned to fly an airplane, Sonny, where he plays a solider coming back to New Orleans, his hometown to being a male prostitute, who has to try to leave that life behind. Very touching, film directed by Nicolas Cage. Before that role, he played a drug addict, and teenage deliquent as Jimmy with DeNiro playing his dad as a cop. A great crime-drama. He can play anything one can dish out, with all energy and effort. And is soon to be playing Allen Ginsberg in Howl. Can't wait to see it! Especially with my love of Beat stuff.

Another fantastic actor,
River Phoenix.

I've only seen 2 of his works, but those are enough for this post. In Stand by Me, he plays a young boy who is a complete bad boy, who smokes, really doesn't have parents, but is the best of friend to a boy who is innocent in many things, well sort of. He does that fantastically, and he pulls you into his role. The other role was My Own Private Idaho, which I've written about before, and it is a great film done by Gus Van Sant, who I respect very much, and this film is a very complex piece of work and he is one of the most vital characters in this. His performance is jaw-dropping, and a inspiring piece of cinematic work.

I know it's only a few...more later.
Included: Marlon Brando, and others.
I'll do my favorite actresses soon to. :)

Sondre Lerche: Norway's Singer-Songwriter

Sondre Lerche is a singer-songwriter who is amazing, and can capture an audience with either his live serenades or a recorded wonder. He mixes a simple troubadour style with delightful beats with cheerful lyrics. I heard of him through a friend, and am grateful because now I adore his music. I love Heartbeat Radio, his recent album filled with acoustic pop and sarcastic songs that remind me of Tom Wait's trickery. That makes me happy that someone is keeping that tradition alive. He also got some of his recent fame in creating the entire soundtrack for Dan in Real Life, which I have yet to see and hear. He is adorable, and can capture girls hearts worldwide. His simple lyrics, that say so much that can make one hopeful, giggly, or just warm your heart that there is still a guy like that out there. :)

But girls (and maybe guys)...he is married, happily. Darn it! LOL

Well, back to actually talking about his music, he is still relatively unknown, and I guess that's part of why he is so special. Only a few of my friends listen to him, and it's like a separate clique who knows what we are talking about. His live songs are amazing. He's done a few duets, two with Regina Spektor, "Hell No", and "Modern Nature."

A guy with a guitar, simple as that. Everyone love simplicity at some point in their lives.

Florence + The Machine

I first heard of Florence on a YouTube trail-- from Joy Division. Weird right? I've became addicted and I have grown to love her style. She somehow embodies a spitfire facade, with dark, morbid lyrics, and then your listening and have a smile on your face. Florence has only created one CD, Lungs, filled with songs from one end of the spectrum to the other. A pop song about a coffin builder to a song that was in New Moon? Odd. But I don't care. Part of why I love her.
Her voice is so strong, and she can hit notes fantastically. This redhead can sing!

She's been a part of a few bands back in Camberwell (hometown), but this is where she hit it big. Florence has had critical acclaim, in England and in the US. She was on the list in Rolling Stone to look out for her. Funny thing is, I receive that subscription and never noticed it. Found her on my YouTube.

Florence's songs know how to transport you to a new world, and throw you back again. But yet you become addicted to that place along the way. I have found her to be fantastic, and it's only a debut album! Can't wait to hear what she comes up with next :)

Mix tapes and CDs

Ok, has anyone seen High Fidelity? You know when Rob goes to make a mix tape for a friend. How it's a delicate process. I've just undergone this. Being a music lover, it's surprising that I've never really made one before.

I tried to combine artists like The Beatles, Stevie Wonder, Blondie with some girl pop-- Kelly Clarkson, Duffy and of course I had to represent some local bands I knew, or listened for a while...those bands being Chicago's Oh My God, and Breathing Underwater. Harder than it looks, and also try to fit all these amazing songs onto one CD. Now that's a challenge. This was for my younger cousin, by the way.

I had to delete song songs, some fillers and helpers to the transistion songs. It somehow sounds fine.

It's the first time I ever made one. It is so much fun, revisiting all the music you've loved during your musical love again...
Forgot about some great artists.

It's fun, choosing songs for a person that'd you'd like to send them.

Music really is the greatest thing. I was talking with a few friends at the time, having a YouTube video recommendation war for about an hour...very fun. I was also talking to a friend of mine that's a musician-- about love of music. Making mix CDs reminds me of it.

Everyone should make one at some point in their lives.

"...if you ever get lonely, just go to the record store and visit your friends."

Penny Lane of Almost Famous

Perks of Being a Wallflower

This book I read in 3 days. 3 days. Now most books take me at least a month to read unless required by school. And sometimes it takes me that long even if I do like the book. But every once and a while there is a book that I read, and read quickly. This book is an example of that.

It is written by Stephen Chbosky, an independent filmmaker (Four Corners of Nowhere) about this boy named Charlie who writes letters to some anonymous person or the reader of this novel. He writes about his life, friends, and life in high school. Seems like several teen books...right? Well, your assumptions are all wrong. This book is filled with great humor, and somehow seems to understand the teenage mind and it covers everything that most high schoolers go through, with such grace and honesty. It also references some of the best music, and film. (In my opinion) Charlie writes about meeting his friends, Patrick and Sam, and going to The Rocky Horror Picture Show with them, and all the costumes. And driving in the backseat of the truckbed listening to music that makes him feel "infinite" while in a tunnel. There's a lot of amazing moments in this book, so I just suggest reading it. It grabbed my heart by the end of Part 1.

I read this on a snow day, when there wasn't much snow. And that's what we call ironic. But I was talking to friends while reading, then decided around Part 3 I was going to listen to the mix Charlie created. It starts out with Asleep by The Smiths, amazing song, by the way. I found the song on YouTube and started to go down the list. Amazing, how the words of the book and the lyrics and tone/mood of the songs fit. They carried the feelings Perks had, but with music. It left me awe-struck and made me read more. I suggest reading this way. It is just better. I then switched to my own favorite music, and it still went with the book. It was so good.

I had a conversation with my friend because I mentioned his film which I wanted to see, and she was upset about how her favorite books never turn into good movies. They never do it justice. For a film lover, I do not want this book ever turned into a film. I like it in my imagination, it could never be better than what I imagine his family, friends, high school looks like. Wendy also mentioned that that was an "awesome book" and "now I have to listen to the Smiths." I completely agree. This book is awesome, and shouldn't be touched. I laughed while reading, and cried a bit too...fantastic. Another friend of mine (Lee) wrote how he looked up the playlist on YouTube also. I was listening to The Smith's song for the first time. It's an amazing book. This little post doesn't do it justice either. But I'm trying. This book is now in my favorites.

The music, the references, the style of writing, all of it is part of why it is so great. I love this book. I want to own a copy and own all the music and the the films referenced. The stories will forever live in my heart, and there are certain parts that will stick in your brain forever. It is well-written story of growing up, and the process of it. And it's not traditional, but that is why I love it.

Thanks for all the people who told me this book was great, I'm glad I picked it up.