write stuff

an update

2009-08-15T19:24:00.000-04:00

quick update, I will no longer be posting on Write Stuff. Don't fret, you can still reach my pearls of wisdom via my new blog.

quick update: writing stuff

2009-05-05T23:08:00.003-04:00

Things have been busy with the move and getting settled into a new job here, but I have found some time to continue writing. Here are some snippets with more to follow soon:

+ Lady Sovereign interview
+ No Doubt summary
+ Easter dining preview in Press of AC

Also, this past weekend I attended the Summit of Awesome hosted by Hello Craft. It was very much awesome, as per the name. Here's a picture of D.J. and I looking very sweaty at Saturday's Show of Awesome.

Container Garden: Day 8

2009-04-26T19:11:00.004-04:00

It's only been a week since I began phase one of my container garden and thus far it's a smashing success. I am proud to report that the radishes have begun to sprout up through the dirt. In just a few weeks I'm going to have the best radish-based salad ever.

Radishes (growing quite nicely in my makeshift milk-turned-container):

Plus the kale and lettuce are really happy!

Lovely kale:

And the lettuce Mix:

From My Kitchen To Yours: Adobo Chicken

2009-04-11T16:18:00.005-04:00

From mashed potatoes to Mac-n-Cheese, I have found that comfort foods often have a tie to one's childhood. Often times it is what you ate when you home sick from school or what you scarfed down when you were upset or anxious.

In my case, one of my all-time comfort foods is my Mom's adobo chicken. It's probably one of the easiest, yet delicious meals I make. I am starting to realize most Filipino dishes are that way.

Ingredients:
- 1/2 pound chicken wings
- 1/4 cup white vinegar
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 minced garlic clove
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tablespoons peanut oil

Directions:
1) Put all ingredients in a medium-sized pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat to about medium low and let softly boil for approximately 1/2 hour. If the liquid starts to boil down then feel free to add more water.

2) Warm the 2 tablespoons of peanut oil in a skillet on medium high heat. Place the chicken in the skillet and brown them on both sides.

3) Dump the chicken back in the liquid broth. Bring back to a boil and let simmer for approximately 10 minutes. Serve over fresh rice.

DIY Project: flower brooch for spring

2009-04-05T13:09:00.003-04:00

It is nearly 70 degrees today and I'm absolutely loving it. Unfortunately the weather peeps are predicting thundershowers and rain for tomorrow. So to avoid starting my work week bummed with the crappy weather, I made a pretty flower brooch to wear.

I promise it will ward off all negative feelings caused by the weather (or at least it does the trick in my case)

directions here: http://tinyurl.com/c2sofx

DIY Project: easy wall art

2009-04-02T21:49:00.004-04:00

I'm tired of the space above my dresser being bare and stark white. Thus I made some decorations with the extra fabric and embroidery hoops I recently scored while thrifting at Unique.

I had to find a nice balance between what I found pretty and what the BF found too girly as I don't have the luxury of residing by myself. In fact, all my roommates are boys except the kitties.

Also I'd like to point out the pretty rose perched on top of my dresser. It was the present waiting for me after my first day of work.

A close up of the lovely trio:

Also I'll have to thank the lovely BF for taking a break from writing to hammer in some nails where I can't reach:

From My Kitchen To Yours: Gyoza

2009-03-18T22:40:00.005-04:00

Gyoza. Dumplings. Pot stickers. No matter what you call 'em they are delish. I once walked like 30 minutes into the heart of Chinatown in NYC to get dumplings. Five for a $1. I wish I could do that anytime I pleased, but since I cannot I headed into the kitchen to give my gyoza cravings some justice.

I'm proud to report I tried my hand at making my own and the results were wonderful. Plus the best part is that you can get creative and put whatever you want in these little suckers and they will most likely be awesome.

I was lucky to find a little Asian store in the DC suburbs selling most of my favourite ingredients. Since it's off the beaten path and one of those tiny-aisle, full-on-fish-on-ice types of places, everything is dirt cheap. I got the wrappers for less than a buck.

Once you track down the pre-made dough for the Gyoza (although you can make it if you have a lot of time on your hands) you'll need the following ingredients:
- About a pound of ground chicken for the filling. (I used chicken as per my man's request but beef, shrimp, pork, veggies, tofu can all be used.)
- 1 scallion finely chopped
- 2 cups cabbage (I ended up using Bok Choy because I had an abundance of it laying around and I honestly didn't notice a difference in taste)
- a dash of garlic powder
- 1 egg
- 1 carrot finely chopped
- a little less than half of an onion chopped
- a dash of both vegetable oil and sesame oil
- a pinch of minced garlic
- less than half a cup of water

Make sure you have defrosted the Gyoza wrappers ahead of time. Then you sautee the garlic and onions with in some vegetable oil. Once the onion becomes transcluent in color, add the cabbage, scallion and carrot until the cabbage leaves are wilted. This takes about 3 to 5 minutes. Then throw in your filling, the garlic powder and the egg. Once the meat (or tofu, etc) is cooked through and the egg isn't runny remove from heat.

Now for the fun part....spoon about a tablespoon of the filling in the middle of a gyoza wrapper. Pinch it closed. You can use some water or egg white or oil to seal it.

Then add the sesame oil to the same pan and brown the gyoza on both sides. Make sure not to burn them.

Finally add the water to the pan and cover. The water should come up to less than halfway on the little guys. Let them steam and remove from heat once all the water is gone.

Now get ready to induce some food coma. When I made these the plan was to share with my entire house. The plan miserably failed as none were left in the end. In all honestly I burned a few from the batch making them inedible, but not THAT many. I think the man and I just started eating and couldn't finish until they were all gone.

DIY Project: eyeglass cloth

2009-03-11T22:45:00.003-04:00

Last weekend something absolutely dreadful happened...I dropped my Versace glasses (case and all) into a puddle. It wasn't just any puddle. It was a puddle of greasy oil in the Post Office parking lot.

If you know me at all, you know I love my glasses. I also loved the wonderful case and little eyeglass cloth that came with it. The case was able to be salvaged but I decided it was time to trash the wonderful eyeglass cloth -- Versace logo and all.

Thus to get over my grief I decided to create a new eyeglass cloth.

Made of the softest cashmere I had in my stash, I'd say it's better than the cloth that came originally with my glasses.

I also embroidered a little pair of glasses on, because A) it looks cute and B) I have more than enough free time on my hands right now.

DIY Project: bookshelf for too many books on the cheap

2009-02-26T17:33:00.004-05:00

It's true, I own way too many things....especially books. So now that I have to add my books to the bf's collection it is obviously time to get a bookcase so there are not random stacks laying around like in my previous place.

We had an empty wall that is perfect the home for our books, but we didn't want to spend a bunch of money at Ikea for something that would break in a year as most of their furniture has in my experience. Thus, we borrowed an idea from my friends Erin & Chippy and decided to build one with wood and garden stones. (Their shelf was for CD's so we had to adjust as necessary for the varying heights of books).

All we needed were 5 pieces of lumber that we later sanded and a shit ton of garden stones:

We stacked the stones like so:

After stacking the stones, the bookcase became stable:

Thus it was time to fill it up:

I think the bookshelf makes a great focal point for the room. It's also right across from the bed so I'll have something else pleasing to look at every morning (other than the bf who was patient enough to listen to my idea for the bookshelf, then help me make it).

DIY Project: desk for the corner

2009-02-19T15:08:00.007-05:00

The bf and I recently moved into the master bedroom of a great house and the room is huge. This is good news as I'm a pack rat who tends to keep everything (which was apparent when my stuff helped to overfill a car and a moving van).

Thus we're trying to keep our new room minimal, yet functional. The bf bought me a great dresser that also doubles as a desk which is perfect for storing my laptop. However, he has a desktop and we needed a place for it without taking up a lot of room.

We found the solution in a folding table from IKEA for about $60. When it is folded in half it fits perfectly in one of our corners.

The shape was perfect but it was kind of an ugly looking. So I decided fabric in a pretty, yet manly design (this is for the bf, not me) would make it an excellent addition to our room. Before covering it with fabric, we gathered some paper bags from Trader Joe's and Whole Foods and cut them into long strips which we covered the table with to protect it as we might want to use the table for something else down the line.

Once covered with the strips of paper bags it looked like a miniature ironing board:

Then we flipped it over and began to cover it with fabric. It was easier to do so with the table upside down, especially when working with a hot glue gun that pretty much burned me every chance it got:

When finished it look like so:

And finally all set up in the corner:

sock it to you

2009-02-12T14:35:00.003-05:00

I've been dreading the attempt to make socks ever since I started knitting. A few weeks ago I got over my fear and about 2.5 hours later I had to frog the whole thing. It looked like it would fit a baby which is cool cause I love babies. And I'm sure a few of my soon-to-be expecting friends would love some socks. The problem is the socks were supposed to be for ME. Thus, this business of making socks isn't as easy as I thought it would be and it confirms why I've been subconsciously avoiding them.

Yet, I'm back on the sock bandwagon and so far things are going swell. Now I just need to get used to knitting with 5 needles and feel like I'm wrestling an ornery octopus.

See what I am about the mess of controlling 5 DPN's at once?

And this time there's lots of ribbing so hopefully the sock will stretch to fit properly:

Sailing By Night

2009-01-19T00:00:00.003-05:00

Tonight the bf, Rusty and I ventured out into the wintry tundra to see Here We Go Magic and Department of Eagles at the Brattle Theater. It was definitely worth it.

Here We Go Magic is basically the Luke Temple I remember with a full band. I'm really looking to getting my hands on their new album. And I was totally psyched to see Department of Eagles perform the majority of one of my favorite records of 2k8 live.

Here We Go Magic:

Department of Eagles:

2k8 musical wrap-up of sorts

2009-01-13T23:49:00.003-05:00

I’m wrapping up 2k8 a little later than I aimed to do so, but it’s better late than never methinks….

1. The Shivers “Beaks to the Moon” [Whiskey and Apples]
I did not hear this album until the year was more than halfway over. It's a shame because “Beaks to the Moon” has been on my constant rotation ever since my friend Dan let me hear it in its entirety after we saw them at CMJ. Note: the moment they won me over might have been their brilliant Suicide cover…

At any rate, the track “Half Invisible” is probably what made me fall in love with “Beaks to the Moon.” The first minute or so makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It’s exactly like the first time I heard CAN’s “Yoo Do Right” and that is more than okay with me.

And the rest are as follows:
2. Frightened Rabbit “The Midnight Organ Fight” [Fat Cat]
3. Department of Eagles “In Ear Park” [4AD]
4. Mates of State – “Re-Arrange Us” [Polyvinyl]
5. The Walkmen “You & Me” [Gigantic]
6. The Night Marchers “See You In Magic” [Vagrant]
7. Sleeping in the Aviary “Expensive Vomit in a Cheap Hotel” [Science of Sound]
8. WHY? “Alopecia” [Anticon]
9. Wax Fang “La La Land” [Don’t Panic Records]
10. Jay Reatard “Matador Singles” [Matador]
11. TV On the Radio “Dear Science” [Interscope]

Albums I Wish I Spent More Time With (aka honorable mentions):
Chad VanGaalen – “Soft Airplane”
Ladyhawk – “Shots”
The Dodos – “Visiter”

long vacation = feather explosions ?

2008-12-26T22:17:00.005-05:00

I've locked myself in the guest bedroom of my parent's house and have been working pretty much all vacation on a few projects I've been meaning to begin during the past few months. With the prodding of the little sister, most recently we've created a beautiful feather eruption (while managing to avoid what could have been a terrible hot glue mess).

I'm most likely wearing this to the upcoming dinner & drinks date with friends in Atlantic City:

Which looks like one this when worn:

Also, this little guy almost didn't make it. Yet it managed to survive and is one of my favorites from the whole night:

Finally plenty of embroidering fun going on:

Last Minute Christmas Gifts

2008-12-22T21:45:00.005-05:00

With Christmas just around the corner and vacation til January 5, I've been busy finishing up knitting projects that have been on the back burner as of late. Since I'm home, my little sister Ember can model everything for me (when the kitties aren't getting in the way).

The first is a scarf for the love of my life. He's about to spend his first winter in Boston and has no idea how bitter cold it is going to get in the upcoming months. So I whipped up something luxurious and warm while still being manly.

It's a simple garter stitch which usually bores me to no end especially when it is for a never ending scarf. Fortunately this was the perfect project for killing time commuting to work or any activity that doesn't require my hands or much thought. (SEE: long ass phone calls at work or with my mom.)

It's pretty long and weighs more than you think:

Kitties also apparently love it:

There's also a neckwarmer I made for my Mom Mom that needs something to keep her warm
when she walks her dog in the brisk morning air everyday. It knits up super fast (I casted on last night and it was finished this morning). I found it on Ravelry and it the whole cowl takes less than a skein which is great for folks like me making gifts on a budget.

The neckwarmer can also be worn a number of ways....although I very much doubt my Mom Mom cares more about versatility than she cares about being warm:

Knitting Project: Scarf turns to Mini Scarf

2008-09-14T16:22:00.004-04:00

Fall is just around the corner. My body can definitely sense the shift in seasons as it has been putting me through torture with a terrible hell of a sickness with the recent change in weather. On second thought, it also could be due to the fact that I've been detoxing the past few weeks and my body is craving junk food, cigarettes and booze.

At any rate, I've been working on some "warm" knitting projects to prepare for the impending coldness -- the first being a mini scarf.

It was initially supposed to be a gift in the form of a scarf, but due to circumstances out of the locus of my control the gift was no longer warranted.

With my tendency to always be cold I figured what better reason to turn the beginning of the scarf into a mini scarf.

Also, I'd like to note I got the kickass button from Windsor Button in Downtown Crossing. I spent about an hour there trying to figure out which button would work best for my mini scarf and I think I made the right decision.

Here it the scarf flat:

And here's the little guy wrapped around:

And the kickass button which I think really makes the scarf:

Knitting Project: Coaster for Gregy

2008-08-11T23:51:00.003-04:00

This past week, coasters are my favourite thing to knit for two reasons -- they get rid of my endless supply of scrap yarn and they are great to make in a short amount of time (i.e. stuck on the traing or waiting for an appointment both of which I did this past week while on vacation).

For Gregy's birthday I decided to make him a coaster for his new desk at work. I was about a month or so late getting it to him so I decided to sacrifice one of my t-shirts from junior high to make it more special than just something I knitted up.

I miss this shirt, but now it really stopped fitting me properly a few years ago and now I get to see it every time I pass by Gregy's desk.

And check out the basketweave on this adorable creation!

New Review: Be Your Own Pet "Get Awkward"

2008-04-25T16:31:00.001-04:00

Who else thinks their new album is tops?

You can read my review here:
http://www.strandedinstereo.com/music_byop08.shtml

Knitting Project: Potholders

2008-03-27T16:46:00.007-04:00

I'll be moving soon, and I've almost finished new potholders for the new apartment (location still TBA). They should have been pretty easy to knit up, but for some reason the basketwave stitch and I weren't seeing eye to eye at the start.

I got the fabric and the batting at the last knitting party I attended in Somerville, and the very red yarn I found at the Davis Square Goodwill for 50 cents.

Here's a finished potholder:

And a view of the opposite side with the pretty, yet tricky basketweave:

Here are the pieces of the soon-to-be finished pair to match the first one:

SXSW Pictoral Recap

2008-03-19T11:15:00.004-04:00

Hanging out with Brooklyn:

Playing foosball:

@ the Planetary Skewer BBQ with Joey O!:

Guarding the door w/ Sean aka "Hurricane":

Hotel party with Jess, Ben Nichols:

And possibly the best part of SXSW...$1 Hurricanes!!:

SXSW 2k8 Recap!

2008-03-18T15:35:00.004-04:00

I'm back and proud to say while at SXSW, I indulged in copious amounts of BBQ, tacos, hugs and sun. Ohhh, and music. Lots and lots of music.

Bands I saw included (but not limited too..hey it's hard to keep track of everything down there!!):

Wed.
Anathallo
The Forms
Georgie James
The Kills
The Casket Salesman
Longwave
Lightspeed Champion
Sons And Daughters
Division Day
Johnny Foreigner

Thurs.
Look See Proof
South
Cloud Cult
American Princes
Leopold And His Fiction
Jens Leckman
Presidents of the USA
The Night Marchers

Fri.
Rademacher
The Pigeon Detectives
Catfish Haven
Lucero
Land of Talk
Cloud cult
Lucero

Sat.
TAT
The Gaslight Anthem
Grand Ole Party
De Novo Dahl
The Parlor Mob
Jamie Jasta
Oppenheimer
Look see proof
Chuck Ragan

happy birfday, jess pye

2007-09-16T23:30:00.000-04:00

Kicking and Screaming

2007-09-12T11:49:00.000-04:00

Last night I watched my latest Netflix “Kicking and Screaming.” It was made in the mid 90’s, but the subject matter is something a lot of my peers have or are dealing with right now — post-college angst.

Basically a bunch of friends graduate from college go through the “what the fuck do we do now” phase and overall refusal to leave the past behind. There’s a lot of sleeping with freshman and one of the dudes (about 22) shacks up with a 17-year-old gal with terrible hair and an even worse accent.

The one aspect that really freaked me out is that Olivia d’Abo is in this movie (as the girlfriend that takes off to study in Prague and leaves her man behind.) D’Abo also was featured in a few Law & Order SVU episodes as a psychotic chick who seduces and kills both men and women to achieve whatever she wants. So seeing her in this movie was quite a mindfuck.

Also, both d’Abo and her boyfriend in the movie are supposedly novelists. Throughout the movie, she pulls out a little notepad and scribbles down her thoughts when inspiration strikes. At one point she asks her boyfriend if it bothers him that she writes down the things he says or the moment they have just shared.

I say he should be lucky that she at least uses a notepad. Once I outlined a story I was writing on deadline on a piece of toilet paper with a pencil — no lie. I can just imagine what my man would say if he found a piece of toilet paper....”oh dear, I think some of the bathroom followed you from your last trip. Here, let me get it for you....Oh, wait, there’s writing on this...What? What, the...hell.”

I promise I will start updating regularly tomorrow

2007-09-10T15:59:00.000-04:00

New Mean Creek video for the song "Not To Dream"

Writer's Block

2007-09-02T21:11:00.000-04:00

Just recently I’ve felt the urge to write again. Not the paid freelancing stuff I do for newspapers, but the creative type that pleases mostly myself as I move through the editing process time and time again. Call it masturbation of the intellectual kind.

So tonight I decided to camp out in front of my computer and dedicate most of the night to begin hashing out the start of an idea I’ve had floating around my head. It’s not next great American novel, but I’m pretty excited about it. Let’s just call it the “great project” for now.

As I finish up checking my email I start looking over the notes I’ve been making on the “great project,” and I start getting pretty damn excited – practically salivating over the fact that I have the next day off for the holiday so I can write for as long as I want.

I mean, since I’ve packed up and moved up to Boston it’s been pretty hard to concentrate on anything else than getting acquainted with the city and my new job.

I figure I should shut off my cell phone to eliminate any distractions and as I sit back down at my desk I suddenly hear a whoosh. It was more like a missile flying past my face, than a quick exhaling of the breath.

I look up and it’s the fucking biggest bug I’ve seen since I moved out of my parents’ house in New Jersey. (Not that there are necessarily huge bugs, it’s just that in Boston I’ve seen pretty much little to no insects buzzing around.)

Running out of my room I grab the first thing I can find – a mop. So I’m frantically jabbing cleaning supplies at the bastard (who has taken shelter in the corner of my ceiling) while dialing everyone I know in the 10 mile radius.

After two people fail to answer the phone, I realize no one is going to be around to chat because it’s Labor Day weekend. Everyone is either finishing up a delicious barbeque or preparing to rage all night long because they have the next day off. No one would choose to spend the night alone as I decided would be a grand idea.

Ten minutes go by and the bug is still delicately doing the “don’t kill me, thanks” dance in the corner of my ceiling. At this point, I’ve dedicated a pretty sophisticated bug- killing motion in my mind. It consists of jabbing said cleaning product at the ceiling, then running away as quickly possible.

After five failed attempts with this procedure (and one sore hip from accidentally running into the door) I give up. I go into the kitchen, pour some two-buck Chuck from Trader Joe’s and put on Lucero to think the situation over.

Before I can stop myself, I’m three glasses of wine in and halfway through making an intricate pasta dish for dinner. Although the dinner was delicious and I was tipsy enough to forget there was an insect bigger than half my face flying around my bedroom, I had lost the ability or urge to write.

Call it writer’s block if you will. I’ll label it as punishment for delaying the call to the maintenance man to fix my window.

Gnarls Barkley is Crazier Than I Thought

2006-08-13T11:07:00.000-04:00

I interviewed Cee-Lo Green from Gnarls Barkley last week. You can read the article that resulted from it here or below in it's entirety.

Despite dressing as Stanley Kubrick's “Clockwork Orange” characters in promotional photos or their “Star Wars”-inspired performance at the 2006 MTV Movie Awards, Gnarls Barkley is a band not to be taken lightly.

They hit No. 1 on the U.K. pop singles charts without selling a single CD — a first time feat for digital sales alone. Success for Gnarls Barkley followed in the United States when they released their debut album, “St. Elsewhere,” which debuted at No. 8 on Billboard's Top 200.

Even though the duo — producer/DJ Danger Mouse and Goodie Mob member Cee-Lo — like to play dress-up for live performances, it doesn't mean they want to do the same in their videos.

“A show is for the moment, and a video has much more infinite possibilities. We concentrate more on the sentiment of the album,” says Cee-Lo, who will perform with Danger Mouse 8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, at the Showboat's House of Blues in Atlantic City. “The video for ‘Crazy'was pretty damn appropriate for the song.

“I don't think any video has to be funny. Amusing maybe. Am I clowning around in big shoes for people? Because I'm not.”

Cee-Lo (born Thomas Callaway) went on to explain when the promotional photos for Gnarls Barkley were first taken, the duo didn't think they were going to be a touring band. Even though Cee-Lo admits they weren't taking themselves too seriously in the beginning, the dressing up for live performances stuck — especially for the fans.

“It prolongs the interest and the mystique and the enthusiasm, and they can't wait for us to come back through and wonder who we are going to be next time,” says Cee-Lo.

Gnarls Barkley's fan base is wide due to the variety of songs on “St. Elsewhere” — an album recorded for the majority without a record label attached to it. Cee-Lo also points out: “We started this album before Danger did the Grey album (mash-up of Beatles'”White Album” album and Jay-Z's “Black Album”) or (producing) Gorillaz.”

Cee-Lo describes Gnarls starting out as “an experiment to see what we could end up with.”

The result included tracks such as the soul freak out “Crazy” and the Violent Femmes'cover of “Gone Daddy Gone,” providing a crossover appeal for indie rock, R&B and hip-hop fans alike.

The varying factor fans cannot agree about is where the name Gnarls Barkley originated. Cee-Lo says he is not necessarily a sports fan — elminating the Charles Barkley theory.

“Gnarls Barkley started out as something we tossed around,” says Cee-Lo. “We thought the sound (of Gnarls Barkley) was unique and peculiar and we decided to put a peculiar name on there.”

Another curious thing about Gnarls is Cee-Lo's vocals on “St. Elsewhere” are mainly singing, not rapping as he displayed in past projects.

“With rapping or emceeing … I'm going to deny harmony to do hip-hop,” says Cee-Lo. “Harmony is the first that comes to me. I do believe that the possibilities are just much more with harmonies. There are so many shapes and variations. …(It's like) just sitting there with just some Play-Doh or something. …I heard melodies through (Danger Mouse's) music.”

busy busy

2006-08-03T12:14:00.000-04:00

Last weekend was a hot mess. Particularly the VIP extravaganza this weekend in Atlantic City at the Taj. Members of the Sopranos cast were onhand to celebrate the opening of a new lounge.
The man to the right of me is Michael Imperioli aka "Christopher Molitsanti", and yes I am a jerk for not looking at the camera.

And yes...I am an even bigger jerk for not really watching The Sopranos, yet still I manage to meet people from the cast.

Tomorrow I have an interview for an editorial internship at newspaper in Philadelphia. And today a copy editor came up to me at work to correct one of my stories -- pointing out my mistakes were techniques taught in "Journalism 101" Ouch... I think I'll forget to mention the copy editor's critique during my interview tomorrow.

gossip, gossip

2006-07-20T09:55:00.000-04:00

So I almost gave up my music industry hiatus this week to go on a job interview with a label.

But fate managed to step in and smack me around. Don't worry, it still looks like I'll find myself in a newsroom come December. Speaking of newspapers, I got a new assignment...to write about...RUM.

Looks like I'll be hitting up some bars, bartenders and drinking some yummy rum. Delicious.

I don't even know how many times I have to say, "I love my summer job, sooo much."

Scratch Your Name

2006-07-13T08:32:00.000-04:00

Today for work I am going to three waterparks and riding all the slides and floating the in the lazy rivers. Then I'm going to write about it...I LOVE this job.

So I watched Project Runway last night and the 3 designers I have decided to root for are Kayne, Alison and Keith - - because I think they are adorable. I'm not even going to start criticizing designers on their skills.

(I did enough of that shizzle yesterday. I almost don't want to write the article about the house I went to visit yesterday because I can't stand to think about being aesthetically pleasing for the next few days.)

I also got my very first parking ticket yesterday in Ventnor. As a result, I refuse to go to there ever again. And I guess I can still go to Atlantic City, even if it is a stone's throw away from police ticket town.

On Your Own

2006-07-11T21:00:00.000-04:00

First of all, has anyone noticed there seem to be no cute boys on Project Runway this season? At least last year there was adorable Daniel. I think Kayne has potential -- he did say one of his biggest inspirations was Dolly Parton. I guess I'll have to wait until I watch the first episode before I officially make my decision on the boys.

TV Guide says, "The aspiring designers engage in a bit of animalistic behavior during the first challenge of this week's third-season premiere: They have 15 minutes to rip materials for a garment from the contents of their apartments." Set your Tivo for Wednesday at 9 p.m. (for the casting special) and then at 10 p.m. (for the premiere) on Bravo.

Tomorrow I am going to a special media preview of the "Show House at the Shore.' Basically it is a preview to the special house in Ventnor showcasing interior design rooms featuring decorative painting and outdoor living spaces. I have decided to wear my cute pink outfit so that way when I walk through the house and make commentary on the rooms at least I will look satisfactory while doing so.

Any Help... Anyone?

2006-06-30T08:03:00.000-04:00

So yesterday I spent nearly an hour cutting out all my articles of work from the past six months into sizable chunks. Then I went to a local office supply story/copy place to copy them all to standard legal-sized paper.

It was the worst customer-service experience in my entire life. Needless to say, they didn't know how to make copies and were giving me a bad attitude because they said I was breaking the law by trying to copy newspapers.

I do understand there is probably a copyright law, but I write the articles! I basically freaked out and told them I would bring them all my freelance contracts and show them I really have rights to the articles. But in southern New Jersey, you shouldn't utilize big words like "contract" and "legal rights" to people that work in retail stores because they become confused and then just refuse to help at all.

So are there any other writers out there that have experienced this same type of bullshit? And writer or not, does anyone have any advice where I can go to get some copies made? (Some of the articles are bigger than the legal size to begin with, so I guess I need a place that has super huge copiers.)

Or maybe I'm just screwed?

I've Been Working Overtime!

2006-06-29T22:37:00.000-04:00

Ashlee Simpson article: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/entertainment/story/6483755p-6335800c.html

Beer Promo article: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/capemay/story/6472571p-6325346c.html

Gin Blossoms article: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/entertainment/story/6481264p-6333302c.html

Opening of new pier in A.C.: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/entertainment/story/6481263p-6333281c.html

Center story about camping: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/inside_story/story/6481182p-6333261c.html

Help A Brotha Out

2006-06-24T20:53:00.000-04:00

If you're being a nerd like me and staying in on a Saturday night, please take the time to vote for one of my all time favorite bands The Appleseed Cast. Follow directions:

I have listened to these guys back when I was an even bigger nerd in High School and refused to listen to anything that wasn't on emo-licious Deep Elm Records.

Pieces Of Me

2006-06-16T19:19:00.000-04:00

So today I got to interview Ms. Simpson on the phone. She was everything I expected her to be. I'm not the biggest fan of her music, but the fact that she is my age and she used to be somewhat a unique individual really fascinates me.

Anyway the burning question I needed her to answer (besides stuff about plastic surgery and her new video) was what she is listening to nowadays that she is really digging.
The answers?
The Beatles, Nelly Furtado and Etta James
(Ummm, RANDOM WHAT?!?)

I still think if she and I met, then we would be bffs.

Oh, and my last piece of freelance work (this summer) got published by the Philadelphia Inquirer today. You can read it here:
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/entertainment/weekend/14828507.htm

Embarrassing, no?

2006-06-12T20:44:00.000-04:00

This morning I should have predicted I wasn't going to get out of the door until at least 9 a.m. for work. I was running later than usual for 2 reasons, the first being that I am lazy and I like to sleep in. The second reason is that I was busy creating a beautiful matchy outfit that consisted of coral pinstripe pants, a coral-colored shirt and shoes to match.

On top of all that, I was trying to make my messy hair look a little representable. After a few minutes I decided that it didn't matter what I did to my hair because it was pouring rain outside and my styling efforts would be destroyed the moment I stepped into the wet outdoors.

So while frantically brushing my hair on top of my head, my dad came strolling into the bathroom. He told me to hurry up because traffic would be bad in the rain. I did my best to ignore him, and just try to finish up my hair.

Then he started to take a piss, with me in the bathroom! It was the most awkward and unnecessary moment in my life. Afterwards I wanted to beat myself in the head with my straightening iron to make the whole incident disappear.

Has this happened to anyone else, or am I just the unlucky one?

WTF

2006-06-11T22:45:00.000-04:00

Okay so I managed to erase my template on this blog.

But I think I like these colors better so I won't curse Blogger for the loss of all those annoying links that formely resided on my sidebar.

obnoxious, obnoxious, obnoxious

2006-06-11T22:10:00.000-04:00

Even though I'm supposed to be taking a break from the music industry, I still find myself writing about music. And I did so at my new internship, and they published it:
http://pressofac.com/life/story/6426812p-6282904c.html

My Filipino mother wasn't impressed with it when I showed her a copy of the Sunday paper, but it amused me to the extent of bursting into a fit of giggles when I saw it. I guess I like being obnoxious and having southern New Jersey readers learn about bands like Pretty Girls Make Graves.

By the way, I'm completely exhausted right now. This weekend was jam packed with summer fun. On Friday I was in Ventnor with my sir and friends for a BBQ. Then Saturday I went to my NYC Bronx BFF Kayla's graduation party up by Long Beach Island then shot down to Ocean City with my sir. I'm working on a story about southern New Jersey's amusement rides, so that is why I hit up OC last night and ended up in Wildwood all this afternoon.

On top of it all, I started to try running to be in shape. I hope that I'm not the only person in the world that ends up puking on the side of the street after jogging only half a mile.

Better Than The Rest

2006-06-08T11:25:00.000-04:00

My boss gave me the day off today since I will be working all over NJ for a story this weekend. Check out my first article at my internship: http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/ats/entertainment/story/6418962p-6275074c.html

And instead of being really wide awake and enjoying the day, I'm super tired since I went out to drink on the island(s) [Stone Harbor and Wildwood] with some of my favorite girls that I graduated from high school with. We checked out that new Flip Flops bar in Stone Harbor and then somehow ended up at Juan Pablo's in Wildwood.

I've also decided that the best way to make drunk men hitting on your or your friends is just to say, "We're married to Jesus. Sorry" This line works, I swear...well at least for me it does.

New Job, New Mixtapes to Follow

2006-06-04T22:51:00.000-04:00

I've been at my new internship for almost a week now. My boss has been on vacation so he hasn't been around at all. But he'll be back tomorrow.

So in celebration I made his the first of many mixes I promised to make for him. I finished this one off while painting my toenails a beautiful purple to match my stylish purple high heels I'm going to wear tomorrow.

The first mixtape is entitled, "The Music Your Intern Listens To (Since I Couldn't Answer That Question When You First Asked Me)" and tracklisting is as follows:

The Promise Ring -- "Jersey Shore"
Of Montreal -- "Oslo In The Summertime"
Idlewild -- "When I Argue I See Shapes"
Spoon -- "Jonathon Fisk"
Sufjan Stevens -- "Super Computer"
Harvey Danger -- "Sad Sweetheart Of The Rodeo"
The Wrens -- "Boys, You Won't Remember"
The Dismemberment Plan -- "What Do You Want Me To Say?"
The Long Winters -- "Scared Straight"
Nada Surf -- "Do It Again"
Wilco -- "Pot Kettle Black"
Destroyer -- "It's Gonna Take An Airplane"
Mclusky -- "To Hell With Good Intentions"
The Decemberists -- "Song For Myla Goldberg"
Braid -- "Please Drive Faster"
Old 97s -- "Buick City Complex"
Les Savy Fav -- "Yawn, Yawn, Yawn"
French Kicks -- "Wrong Side"
Codeseven -- "Alt. Wave"

Disney World= awesome

2006-06-04T18:53:00.000-04:00

I Hate You Resort Diner Place

2006-05-28T20:46:00.000-04:00

I have just returned from my vacation in Disney World with my sir. Unfortunately I managed to come down with a nasty case of food poisoning from my breakfast dining area at my resort this morning.

Fun pictures from my trip and updates will ensue once I can sit at a computer without having to run to the bathroom to relieve myself every 10 minutes. Yummmm...

Graduation Wishes

2006-05-23T12:39:00.000-04:00

First of all, a huge congratulations to all of my Cabrini friends that graduated on Sunday!

Claudia who is graduated and Melissa who is not graduated:

Melissa and Kristen: (NOTE: Both of them are going to be famous very soon and this picture will be worth lots of money even though Kristen has her eyes closed. But she works at NBC now so I guess I can forgive her almost ruining the picture I hope to collect money with by auctioning it off on eBay)

The boy I accidentally followed to Cabrini from southern New Jersey, CONOR: (Note: Conor will most likely become famous after he graduates from his Ivy League school of Columbia University Teacher's College)

I got roped into helping with graduation since I was a resident assistant for the coinciding academic school year. I was the sucker that had to stand on the stage as the entire graduating class was called up to receive their diplomas to keep their name cards in order for the photographer.

After the 200th student and one and a half leg cramps I realized my biggest fear is that next year I will be one of the kids that don't get clapped for when his or her name is called. As I stood there I felt really bad for the students that had silence after the speaker announced their name. I tried to watch their faces to see if it bothered them that some of the graduates had the entire crowd clapping and whooping and that they got nothing.

What I want to know is when did graduations become a popularity contest? More importantly, I need to know if any of you had this fear, or turned out to be one of those outcast kids that everyone decided not to clap for when receiving your college diploma.

No Place Like Home

2006-05-19T10:02:00.000-04:00

I'm officially back to my childhood romping of 08210, New Jersey. Moving back in was a total bitch and it's still not finished yet. Although down here this summer I won't have to deal with college headaches, I will be dealing with my parents and that is a nightmare in itself.

At 9am my dad came to my door and yelled, "Get up! Your belongings are still strewn all over the floor and it's time to be awake. You're not on vacation anymore." (NOTE: Yes, my belongings are still literally ALL over the house because instead of packing them away I drank a bunch of wine and watched the OC finale with my 12-year-old sister)

Anyhow I'll be back to PA on Saturday afternoon just in time for Panda's birthday. Since she is turning 21 big celebrations are to be had. Then I'll be in graduation on Sunday (no not graduating, I just got roped into helping all my older friends make their exit from Cabrini.)

Maybe I'll go and visit the beach at somepoint before I leave for Florida on Wednesday.

Love Me, Love ME

2006-05-17T21:27:00.000-04:00

Kind words from my former employer FMQB appearing in their weekly email:

Sadly we must wave goodbye to Christine here at FMQB. Christine has been an invaluable help to us over the nine months or so that she worked here, first as an intern, then as an employee. She contributed The Valedictorian CD write-up to this very weekly report, along with a variety of other tasks that helped get this out on time every week. She will be missed around the office. She can still be found at a Sufjan Stevens or Idlewild concert near you.

Does anyone else think it is ironic they chose Sufjan Stevens as a concert I would be seen at? I've never seen him live, although from what I hear he and his crew put on a good show.

Journalism At My Peak

2006-05-14T14:16:00.000-04:00

Finally I've gotten some paid freelance work that has been published in a nice-sized newspaper. You can read it here.

I plan on using the money to pay back my sir for our expensive plane flight down to Florida in a few weeks.

"You're Famous" (according to E. Chandler)

2006-05-13T19:41:00.000-04:00

I don't know why I forgot to blog about this sooner, but I guess things have been a little busy for me as of lately....So a few weeks ago I wrote a fun feature for the lovely Tripwire.com about how it could be a turn for the worse for Rolling Stone to pair up with MTV. You can read the article here.

And then yesterday one of my favorite NYC/TX ladies informed me that some people have taken a liking to it. Which you can see here or there.

Erin thinks I'm famous. My sir thinks I will be blacklisted from music journalism now. And I find the whole thing amusing even though I tried to tell my Filipino Mom about it, and she didn't really know what Rolling Stone Magazine was.

Finally Legal To Do EVERYTHING

2006-05-10T21:52:00.000-04:00

Turning 21 wasn't really that much of a big deal except now I don't have to worry about slipping into and out of shows when doing interviews. We DIDN'T go out for sushi, but we did head over to Erin's Pub and then down to Atlantic City. Pics are below...I'm not really that hungover, just super tired from deciding it would be cool to go and learn to gamble until 4am.

Gina, Maureen, Me, Adam & Vetter:

Me doing a shot of tequila:

Me, Claudia, Melissa & Jess with Buttery Nipples:

Me & Fiona with my finally legal ID:

Pretty Vetter and I doing shots:

Matt, Adam, Vetter and I before heading out to Atlantic City:

Playlist of 4/23 'His' VS 'Her' Show

2006-04-23T16:23:00.000-04:00

Interpol -- "Length Of Love"
Pretty Girls Make Graves -- "Pyrite Pedestal"
Sufjan Stevens -- "Seven Swans"
Minus The Bear -- "Absinthe Party At The Fly Honey Warehouse"
Billy Bragg & Wilco -- "Another Man's Done Gone"
Colin Meloy -- "Baby Song (Live)
Pedro The Lion -- "Second Best"
The Noisettes -- "Don't Give Up"
Maritime -- "Young Alumni"
Maximo Park -- "Graffiti"
Guided By Voices -- "Everybody Thinks I'm A Raincloud (When I'm Not Looking)
Editors -- "French Disko"
Built To Spill -- "Time Trap"
Stills -- "Still In Love Song"
Sparta -- "Red Alibi"
Ladytron -- "Destroy Everything You Touch"
Ryan Adams -- "Boys"
Rainer Maria -- "Catastrophe"
Grandaddy -- "El Caminos In The West"
Alan Spearhawk -- "Be Nice To People With Lice"
Death Cab For Cutie -- "New Candles"
Fiery Furnaces -- "I'm In No Mood"
Racetrack -- "Sorie (Come & Gone)"
Idlewild -- "Little Discourage"
Say Hi To Your Mom -- "They Write Books About This"

Who Wants A Job In The Music Industry?

2006-04-19T16:57:00.000-04:00

Hey Y'all... we are still looking to hire someone to fill this position, which you can find here at craigslist: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/med/152573567.html.

below is the description... if you or anyone you know is interested, please message me back here or email my work bff Kim at knoonan@fmqb.com!

Webmaster & Music Writer / New Media Assistant:
This position is the perfect opportunity to get a foot in the door of the music industry; many of our previous employees have gone on to work for major and indie record labels and promotion companies! Indie rockers, self starters, corporate wannabees, managers, IT professionals, new grads, musicians, promoters, graphic artists -- send your resume over!

DESCRIPTION: FMQB is a dynamic company that produces high quality digital media and an industry print magazine on a monthly basis. The company is deeply involved in the radio, broadcast, and music industries. The New Media Assistant will aid in the day to day production and maintenance of all digital services for FMQB. Duties include updating FMQB.com and all related domains, creating and maintaining daily and weekly emails, creating simple graphics for use on the websites, creating advertisements (banner ads, etc), and maintaining contact and content databases. The assistant will also write daily music news stories, as well as album reviews when necessary. Special projects will also be assigned as needed -- which is often!

There is a strong possibility for this position to turn into a full time position.

QUALIFICATIONS: - Working knowledge of HTML is required! - Basic knowledge of audio production and streaming media - Basic knowledge of graphic design and web animation - Candidate must be comfortable with Microsoft FrontPage, Adobe PhotoShop, ImageReady - Proficient with Microsoft Office applications. - Interest in broadcast media and music a plus!! - Must be able to multi-task and meet strict deadlines - Working portfolio strongly preferred - please submit your resume and don't forget to include a url to your portfolio (or urls to things you've done) -- if you don't have a portfolio handy, apply anyway!

If this position is not for you, pass it along to someone you think might be interested! If you think you can do this job, email a resume and responses to the following:

1) what is so great about you that will make me hire you?
2) what are your top 5 favorite (pick one) records, books, films, or (insert your own category here), of all time?

Oh, please don't send me a regurgitated version of the classic cover letter used in your senior seminar class in college. Just be straight up and yourself!

this hearts on fire

2006-04-13T21:02:00.000-04:00

Since Easter Break is in progress, this is the quietest Thursday night I've had since this semester started. Things have been a lot quieter since last weekend's not-so-fun events. I don't want to talk about it, I just want things in this world not to be so fucked up as they sometimes are.

On Tuesday night I went to see Wolf Parade with Panda in Philly. Holy Fuck was interesting in a "I want to have sex while on ecstasy with them blaring overhead" kind of way. The best part of Wolf Parade was keyboards/electronic dude Hadji Bakara. His headband matched the little flag on his jacket. I have the biggest nonsexual crush on him now. I would like him to go shopping with me so he can teach me about the importance of matching my clothing.

More evidence has been found as to how I am becoming an old jaded lady. After using the restroom at the TLA some girl tried her best to compliment my shoes. I was washing my hands and felt someone staring at me.
Girl Staring At Me: "Nice shoes."
Me: (hoping this isn't some awkward pick-up line from disoriented lesbian) "Umm, thanks."
Girl Staring At Me: "Did you get them at Urban Outfitters."
Me: (Wincing) "No, I bought them at Kmart for $4."
Panda: (Rushing out of bathroom to stop me from yelling at girl) "You ready? Let's get out of here."

Most people would not take offense to some random girl trying to pay my shoes a compliment, but I did. In this day and age one would think it was the pretentious ones that shopped at places like Urban Outfitters. Yet after Panda giving me a good talking to, I am the one that sucks and needs to stop being mean.

Here is my official apology to everyone that shops at places like Urban Outfitters:
"I am extremely sorry you waste your money on clothing that was not executed very well although it does have good vision. I'm sorry I can't afford clothes at expensive department stores. I'm also sorry you take my fashion sense I might have as just another person buying into an already pre-planned culture created by people that are deemed 'hip' or 'fashionable' at the moment."

change your mind

2006-04-07T00:56:00.000-04:00

I take back my shit talking about people at my school not knowing Franz Ferdinand. I just heard them drunk singing the lyrics to "Take Me Out" from all the way on the first floor.

On a slightly sad note, my bulletin board of alcoholic + random band goodness was torn off the wall.

As Spring Fling kicks off at my school, I promise to have my camera and notebook in hand to keep track of all the WTF?!? moments I encounter.

Playlist of 03/26/06 Radio Show

2006-03-26T16:06:00.000-05:00

Built To Spill -- "Goin' Against Your Mind"
Pavement -- "Major Leagues"
Essex Green -- "Don't Know Why (You Stay)"
John Vanderslice -- "Bill Gates Must Die"
Loose Fur -- "Pretty Sparks"
Dismemberment Plan -- "What Do You Want Me To Say?"
Mason Proper -- "Mr. Charm"
The Television Personalities -- "My Dark Places"
Islands -- "Don't Call Me Whitney, Bobby"
Ted Leo -- "Since You've Been Gone + Maps (Live Version)"
The M's -- "Going Over It"
Echo & The Bunnymen -- "The Killing Moon"
YYYs -- "Gold Lion"
Chad Van Gaalen -- "Clinically Dead"
Fiery Furnaces -- "Single Again"
Faint -- "Worked Up So Sexual"
Eagle*Seagull -- "Photograph"

it's a small world

2006-03-23T23:40:00.000-05:00

Today was the press conference down in Philadelphia and apparently I was on the nightly television news channels. (thanks to all of you that sent IMs and phone calls.) I'm glad I decided to participate in it even though it made me realize that sometimes I am not the best public speaker.

Right now I'm on duty, (aka death on a Thursday night) and I'm eating my leftover steak from my lunch with my dad at Chilie's earlier today. I am usually not a fan of Chilie's at all, especially their steaks, but it's pretty damn tasty. Oh, and since I was going to be jobless for the summer I have decided to fix that for once and all.

I have just accepted a job with the Press of Atlantic City newspapers. (aka the 7th largest newspaper in NJ.) I will be interning with their "At The Shore Guide." It shall be grand because I was looking to get more experience in the journalism field, plus I will be closer to my friends and my sir! AND I will be getting in touch with the souf Jersey scene and hopefully attending some pretty sweet events in Atlantic City.

My sir and I booked a vacation to Disney and I'm super excited! We are going from May 24 - May 28. We are thinking about going to Gator Land if we decide to bother renting a car.

I also am thinking of hitting up a spa and I'm thinking of either going to The Spa at Disney's Saratoga Springs or The Wyndham Palace Resort & Spa just because I think the Ritz-Carlton Spa in Orlando is going to be way too expensive.

Does anyone have any suggestions on other things I should not miss out on while down there?

let's duke it out at kilkenny katz'

2006-03-22T17:24:00.000-05:00

News Update:

I have no housing for this summer so I have to move back into my parents house.
I will no longer be working at FMQB after mid-May.
I will no longer be music director of WYBF after mid-May.

Playlist of 03/19/06

2006-03-19T16:23:00.000-05:00

Ariel Pink - - "Creep Show"
Loose Fur -- "Hey Chicken"
Eels Live With Strings (@ Town Hall) -- "Trouble With Dreams"
Rogue Wave -- "Publish My Love"
Envelopes -- "I Don't Even Know"
Ambulance Ltd -- "New English"
Mates Of State -- "Fraud In The 80s"
Caroline -- "Sunrise"
Sound Team -- "The Fastest Man Alive"
Appleseed Cast -- "February"
Her Space Holiday -- "A Match Made In Texas"
National Eye -- "Waves Of Love"
Elected -- "Would You Come With Me?"
Centro-Matic -- "Triggers And Trash Heaps"
Editors -- "Munich"
Band Of Horses -- "Wicked Gil"
Duke Spirit -- "Cuts Across The Land"
Eastern Youth -- "The Hill Of Hope"
Matt Pond PA -- "Spring Provides"
Calexico -- "Yours And Mine"
Vague Angels -- "The Princess & The Newt"
Magneta Lane -- "Broken Plates"
Stereolab -- "Vodiak"
Measels Mumps Rubella -- "Algorithm of Desire"
Mason Proper -- "A Chance Encounter"
Eastern Conference Champions -- "Nice Clean Shirt"
Sounds -- "Queen Of Apology"
Wolfmother -- "Dimension"

being sick = listening to mates of state all day

2006-03-10T10:19:00.000-05:00

Ever since I was young, I hated being sick with a passion and things haven't changed.

On Wednesday while working FQMB land I felt like my brain was exploding and a hacking cough didn't make the fact that I was trying to rush to get things done so Joey O. could interview Karen O. of the YYY's by 5. Let's just say, I'm glad I was sick because I felt like I couldn't accomplish anything properly - and I really didn't accomplish anything properly.

But on a sadistic side note, enjoying being delirious due to a high fever can have it's fun points. For example when I later took a shower that night, it was an intense experience of multiple dimensions...you actually feel each drop of water beating down on you, and then you start to think the water going down the drain is making kind of a song. (Note: when I took my temperature this morning, I was still feverish..so please ignore the weirdness in this post.)

Anyhow, I guess the moral of the story is that since I am banned from leaving my apartment from suffering a fever + hacking cough + a million other things I can complain about, I might as well try to find something positive to my illness. AND I get to listen to the new Mates of State album all day, because seriously...how could one feel sickly and unhappy when listening to the musical stylings of the happiest couple I know?

Although I have been banned from leaving my room for a while, I did venture out for a bit to meet up with someone from the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation yesterday night. (Yes, that's right I said the Marine Corps)

Don't worry, I'm not going to enlist or anything...my dad actually was a Marine for 2 tours during the Vietnam War and as a result I was eligible for receiving scholarship money for college from the Foundation.

I met up with the member of the Foundation because I was chosen to be a spokesperson for the Foundation this year. I will be making a speech at a press conference at the Constitution Center in Philadelphia. Plus I will be attending their annual ball, and it's a black tie formal event, tickets are $200 (or else I'd throw out an invite for people to come with me.) I guess once I get better I better haul ass to the King o' Prussia mall and find myself a pretty new dress.

oh. so. delicious.

2006-03-08T00:01:00.000-05:00

A Place In Displacement

2006-03-04T14:53:00.000-05:00

After a in-depth discussion with my dear friend Kayla, I've realized that I am becoming an old lady at such a young age. Not old as my age because everyone will agree that being only 20 years young should be the least of my problems. It is definitely the way I act that is alarming.

It wasn't until examining my life as of recently when I came to the conclusion that I have become old and boring in my ways. I haven't been to a show in weeks. (This is a bad sign because I used to average at least 2 shows a week this time last year.)

More evidence to me being an old lady was a recent conversation with my lady friend Ayden last week:
Ayden: "Christine, will you come to SXSW to help out with the Fader party?"
Me: "Umm, is there a place for me to crash in Texas with some other people?"
Ayden: "Yeah, we have a condo for everyone."
Me: "Oh geez, this is too much for me to digest...let me get back to you later."

I later texted her back to say I didn't have enough money for a plane ticket. (which is not a lie...I'm broke as shit and still don't have enough money to afford the things I need - see post below.) But the sad thing is that last year I would have a way; sold some body parts, borrowed some money...Anything to get my ass down to Austin and see my dear friends.

Is it that I'm giving up on the dreams I once had this time last year of conquering the music industry and finding a sweet job? Or maybe is it that my aspirations are changing because instead of going to some conference I'd rather sit in my apartment and set up job interviews for real jobs. I think my career goals are choking me and the scary part is that I still haven't realized what exactly my careers goals are.

Whatever I'm doing (being music director, being A&E editor of college newspaper, working at one of my various jobs) I think I'm always being under appreciated. I think people aren't quite understanding what it is I'm trying to achieve.

Case in point...The bulletin board I just spent a better part of my afternoon making. (*gasp* Yes I am also a resident assistant at my college *gasp*)

Will anyone really notice the screenshot of Franz Ferdinand from their latest video (see upper-right-hand corner in below picture) I included?

Of course the students at my school wouldn't appreciate that, and the reason why is because half of them probably don't even know Franzy upon sight.

Which brings me to my next point that Kayla and I realized...We are stuffing our brains with useless information. As a result of us knowing that Diego Garcia is in fact a very sexy Argentine man and a military island...And as a result of us both owning "The Great Indie Discography" have we made ourselves unable to communicate with our peers?

The truth is that I should have seen this coming. I actually enjoy sitting in my apartment at night and reading Shakespeare for fun. I actually pile my CDs into little piles on my desk at work with each pile having a category of: "Things I Enjoy" and "Things My Co-Workers Will Enjoy" and "Things I Am Forced To Enjoy So I Can Write Happy Reviews Of Them For Work." And God knows that my "Thing I Enjoy" pile is getting smaller and smaller.

Although this seems like just a lot of bitching, there is some good news. Things for me are about to take a major turn in a whole new direction. I can't divulge the details right this second, but believe me...Good days are sure to come. I swear.

I Turn My Camera On

2006-03-04T14:49:00.000-05:00

These are my new Versace glasses:I had to sign up for a new credit card just to afford them. Although they were mighty expensive, I think that's just the price you have to pay to be fashionable nowadays.

Rest Your Head

2006-02-22T15:18:00.000-05:00

This morning I woke up at the crack ass of dawn to get ready for work. My eyes were barely open because I spent half the night awake wondering if the rest of this year was going to turn out the way I had planned. Although I was having troubles seeing, I did manage to notice that when I was in the shower I was in fact spitting up blood.

That's nice.

I think while I'm home for break I'm going to see a doctor about this in addition to possibly getting some sleeping Meds.

Playlist of 02/19/06 Radio Show

2006-02-19T18:14:00.000-05:00

Elefant - - "Lolita"
Destroyer -- "Painter In Your Pocket"
Sounds - - "Song With A Mission"
Ladies - - "Empathy On A Stick"
Elected -- "Would You Come With Me"
Polysics -- "SuperSonic"
Lady Sovereign -- "A Little Bit Of Shhh (AdRock Remix)"
Controller.Controller -- "Heavy As A Heart"
Spoon -- "I Turn My Camera On"
Witnesses -- "Stole My Room"
Belle & Sebastian -- "Funny Little Frog"
Editors -- "Munich"
They Shoot Horses Don't They -- "Hiccup"
Dogs Die In Hot Cars -- "Celebrity Sanctum"
Ester Drang -- "Everyone Is A Victim"
Eagles Of Death Metal -- "I Want You So Hard"
The M's -- "Plan Of The Man"
Eames Era -- "Got Your Note"
Noisettes -- "Monte Christo"
Mylo -- "In My Arms"
Lilys -- "A Diana's Diana"
Tegan & Sara -- "I Know, I Know, I Know"

If you're in Atlantic City this weekend and bored:

2006-02-17T10:53:00.000-05:00

My sir joined a band. Go see them if you're in Atlantic City this weekend and are drunk and need something fun to do. (Yes, I don't date doods in bands, but this is not his serious band...so I guess I'll let it slide.)

unfairness at its best

2006-02-08T15:34:00.000-05:00

So today while like everyone else got to listen to new track's by the Yeah Yeah Yeah's from Interscope lady, I was in my cubicle wondering whether or not I should run out to my car to get my lollipop to eat.

Damnit damnit damnit. In other news, their new track "Gold Lion" is not what I expected.

Oh, and I might be lending my talents to a friend's band. I always said I would never join a band, and now look at me. *le sigh*

good news!

2006-01-29T23:12:00.000-05:00

So last Wednesday I was in my (newly cleaned) radio office, checking my email. As usual there were a zillion story assignments and questions about stories due to my editor job on the college newspaper.

I was really tired and rubbing my eyes and saw an email that said something about employment. I was about to erase it, thinking someone had emailed a story idea to me that I couldn't use when I noticed it was coming from the administrative assistant from my prior internship with FMQB.

To make a long story short, I am now being employed by FMQB and my first day back will be this Wednesday. I'm super excited.

Playlist of 01/30/06 Radio Show

2006-01-29T17:24:00.000-05:00

Colin Meloy -- "Charlie"
Colin Meloy -- "Baby Song (Live)"
Clearlake -- "Good Clean Fun"
Elefant -- "Why"
Pavement -- "Stereo"
Saint Etienne -- "Stars Above Us"
Black Wire -- "Hard To Love Easy To Lay"
Clientele -- "I Can't Seem To Make You Mine"
Strokes -- "Juicebox"
Wolfmother -- "Dimension"
Jesus and the Mary Chain -- "My Girl (Temptations Cover)"
Elected -- "Would You Come With Me"
AIDS Wolf -- "Spit Tastes Like Metal"
Arctic Monkeys -- "When The Sun Goes Down (Fake ID Remix)"
Kills -- "No Wow"
Wrens -- "Built In Girls"
Gossip -- "Jealous Girls"
Mancino -- "Your Number's Up"
Jenny Lewis -- "Melt Your Heart"
Idlewild -- "When I Argue I See Shapes"
Rocky Votolato -- "The Night's Disguise"
Liz Durrett -- "The Mezzanine"
Romantica -- "Oscar Wilde"
His Name Is Alive -- "In My Dream"
East River Pipe -- "Crystal Queen"
Jets To Brazil -- "Your X-Rays Have Just Come Back From the Lab..."
Plastic Constellations -- "Best Things"
Russian Futurists -- "These Seven Notes"
Kaito -- "Driving Manual Auto"

Playlist of 01/22/06 Radio Show

2006-01-22T16:08:00.000-05:00

Metric -- "Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix)"
Cat Power --"The Greatest"
Pretty Girls Make Graves - - "This Nocturnal House"
Saint Etienne - - "Side Streets"
Okkervil River - "For Real"
Liz Durett - - "No Apology"
Mates of State - - "Fraud in the '80s"
East River Pipe - - "What Does T.S. Eliot Know About You?"
Kraftwerk - - "Pocket Calculator"
Elefant - - "Lolita"
Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins - - "Rise Up With Fists!!"
Decemberists -- "Red Right Ankle"
Plastic Constellations -- "Phoenix and the Faultline"
Elected -- "I'll Be Your Man"
Diplo -- "Golddigger Remix"
Clearlake -- "It's Getting Light Outside"
Gossip -- "Standing In The Way Of Control"
White Stripes -- "Walking With A Ghost"
Delta 5 -- "Mind Your Own Business"
Sia -- "Breathe Me (Four Tet Remix)"
Action Action -- "The Game"
Morricone Youth -- "Bonniewood"
Test Icicles -- "All You Need Is Blood"
Minus The Bear -- "Absinthe Party At The Fly Honey Warehouse"
Wrens -- "I've Made Enough Friends"
DFA -- The Unreleased Britney Spears Track !!!W#%#ER!!
His Name Is Alive -- "I Thought I Saw"

dcfc does snl

2006-01-15T00:14:00.000-05:00

I'm was not impressed.

Maybe it was me imagining Ben's voice cracking as the chorus kicked into "Soul Meets Body" or maybe I'm just some prick that cannot be pleased with any performance anymore without picking it all apart. The performance of "Crooked Teeth" at least brought a tiny smile to my face.

And I can't judge them based on what they sound like on a television show.

P.S. - Maybe I wouldn't be so cranky and judgmental of their performance if I hadn't spent 9 hours in RA training earlier today.

Movie Reviews: Casanova & Memoirs of a Geisha

2006-01-09T21:53:00.000-05:00

I found myself sitting in a movie theater twice this weekend. Although I do like to think that I'm a big supporter of the the theatre movie arts, the sad fact is that I really only go to the movies like twice in three months. Lately there hasn't been anything released that has really grabbed my attention.

On Friday I saw Casanova with J. Clark. Seeing this movie was a complete accident. J. Clark is not the type of guy I usually would imagine to accompany me to see a romance like Casanova, but it was better than him dragging me kicking and screaming to see his choice of Hostel.

Casanova was one of those feel-good movies. Everyone ends up with someone to love at the end. Now even though I like to think life ends up that way, it rarely does.

Thus, I didn't end up thinking too highly of the movie except of the fact that the evil bad guy villian from Die Hard With a Vengence was in this movie. Holy crap, why exactly is Jeremy Irons in this movie?

Then last night I hung out with Krista and again I accidentally ended up at a movie. After trying to eat some crazy brownie thing at a local restaurant we decided to catch Memoirs of a Geisha.

I've been really excited for this movie to be released and I'm surprised it took me so long to finally hit up the theater to see it. I bought the book a few years ago while thrifting and it's been a favorite of mine to pick up and read when I come back to visit my parents house.

Now I'm not a huge fan of books being turned into movies, but I must say Memoirs of a Geisha didn't turn out so bad.

A few key things I think they should have kept the same in the book as in the movie:
- Nobu needs to only have one arm. (he wasn't repulsive enough in the movie.)
- I think Sayuri needed to keep the Cheif's handkercheif the entire time and NOT throw it off a side of a cliff.
- It needs to be better explained that Sayuri's sister was turned into a prostitute.
- Dr. Crab needs to be portrayed as the sicko that collects the blood of virgin's and not just some random old semi-dirty dude. In the book, he was creepy....like creepier than the construction worker that tries to talk to me everyday.

right in the nick of time

2005-12-30T13:40:00.000-05:00

Top 20 Albums of 2k5

20 Stars - "Set Yourself On Fire"
19 M.I.A. - "Arular"
18 Idlewild - "Warnings/Promises"
17 Silver Jews - "Tanglewood Numbers"
16 Nada Surf - "The Weight Is A Gift"
15 Of Montreal - "Sunlandtic Twins"
14 The Mountain Goats - "The Sunset Tree"
13 LCD Soundsystem - "LCD Soundsystem"
12 Metric - "Live It Out"
11 Bloc Party - "Silent Alarm"
10 Clor - "Clor"
09 Super Furry Animals - Love Kraft"
08 Wolf Parade - "Apologies To The Queen Mary"
07 Art Brut - "Bang Bang Rock & Roll"
06 Decemberists - "Picaresque"
05 Minus the Bear - "Menos El Oso"
04 Spoon - "Gimme Fiction"
03 New Pornographers - "Twin Cinema"
02 Maximo Park - "A Certain Trigger"
01 Sufjan Stevens - "Come On Feel The Illinoise"

Playlist from 12/04 Radio Show

2005-12-04T14:55:00.000-05:00

James Blunt - - "You're Beautiful"
Ted Leo - - "I'm Looking Through You"
Tom Vek - - "I Ain't Saying My Goodbyes"
Interpol - - "Public Pervert (Carlos D. Remix)"
Cat Power - - "The Greatest"
Lady Sovereign - - "Random"
Madonna - - "Hang Up (Tracy Young Remix)"
Spoon - - "I Turn My Camera On (John McEntire Remix)"
Rakes - - "Retreat (Phones Remix)"
Kills - - "No Wow"
Gwen Stefani - - "Hollaback Girl"
Maximo Park - - "I Want You To Leave"
Blue Van - - "Word From The Bird"
Capes - - "Mexican Broads"
Mando Diao - - "God Knows"
Brakes - - "All Night Disco Party"
Darkness - - "One Way Ticket"
QOTSA - - "Little Sister"
Everclear - - "So Much For The Afterglow"
Go Go Go Airheart! - - "Rats!"
Rogue Wave - - "Publish My Love"
DFA 1979 - - "Romantic Rights (Erol Alkan's Love From Below Re-Edit)"
MIA - - "Galang"

this is the saddest story.

2005-12-03T23:45:00.000-05:00

Tonight I decided it was finally time to round up the saddest songs I could find to put on a mix for my summer roomie entitled "I probably shouldn't be listening to sad songs because my boyfriend and I just broke up, but that's the only thing that makes me feel good right now."

With the help of Bryan and others, the list is finally starting to grow. Now I just need to pick the final songs for her. Peep what we've come up with thus far:

Nico - "These Days"
Jimmy Eat World - "No Sensitivity"
Elliott Smith - "Pitseleh"
Cloud Cult - "As Long As Your Happy"
Romantica - "Oscar Wilde"
Jawbreaker - "Kiss The Bottle"
Troubled Hubble - "When Racoons Don't Live"
S. - "Five Dollers"
Aqualung - "Breaking My Heart"
Cat Power - "Good Woman"
The City On Film - "I'd Rather Be Wine Drunk"
Fenix TX - "Tearjerker"
Get Up Kids - "Forgive and Forget"
Bright Eyes - "It's Cool, We Can Still Be Friends"
Last Days of April - "Aspirins and Alcohol"
Tilt - "Crying Jag"
Brand New - "Seventy Times 7"
Beck - "True Love Will Find You In The End"
Wrens - "Happy"
Wilco - "How To Fight Loneliness"

Feel free to let me know if there's anything that needs to be on there, that's been left out.

As Long As Your Happy

2005-12-03T23:31:00.000-05:00

Last night while I was impatiently waiting for Ted Leo to take the stage I overheard a 16-year-old girl ask "Who is this singing? It sounds so familiar!" (in reference to the music in between sets at the Starlight Ballroom.) It was Cat Power, but I didn't have the heart to lean over and tell her of the goodness that is Ms. Chan Marshall.

And it's not because I didn't want to tell her. It's because I felt like she wouldn't get what Cat Power is all about. How can a young girl possibly understand the complexities of Cat Power?

But after I asked myself that I instantly felt guilty and knew that I had no damn right to make that decision. I decided it would be best to just pretend I didn't hear anything in the first place.

Oh and has anyone seen the beautiful cover/ story of Cat Power in my new employer's magazine? She looks absolutely wonderful.

The Siren Sings

2005-11-03T00:07:00.000-05:00

Wow, things have been so busy busy lately. I apologize to the greatest extent to anyone out there who had to actually ponder if I was still alive due to the lack of updates as of recently.

First of all and most importantly, HALLOWEEN! Panda Panda and I crashed Haverford College's little costume ball/party because Diplo was the guest DJ. I was of course a magnificent pirate!

The semester is more than halfway done and I'm more than ready for some turkey and for Thanksgiving to finally come. I will surprisingly be returning home for Thanksgiving for once this year. And the weekend before that, I will be paying a visit to my favorite favorites from NY as I venture up to the Bronx with my sir to have a pre-Thanksgiving celebration with Dan/Kayla & crew. (Yes, this is the same Dan I stayed with for CMJ.)

As the internship at FMQB grows closer to its end, I have a brand new gig lined up already. I will be joining Cornerstone promotional FARM (Field Activation Research and Marketing) Team. Basically it is completing services like promotional events, listening/release parties, servicing music, college campus promotions, product seeding, local market branding, retail promotions, survey-based research, etc.survey survey AND now onto some important musical subjects I know everyone has been missing from my lack of posts:

As a college student, my diet consists of a lot of random things I find laying around my apartment. For example, yesterday, I ate a slice of pizza, some ramen noodles and a slice of apple pie. Although eating all those things in one sitting would be a little too overpowering, when taken in small doses the combination works brilliantly. The same idea holds true for the Fiery Furnaces' latest album Rehearsing My Choir.

Once again the brother/sister duo has created an album trippy enough to mix up your rotation in all the right ways. As much of a concept album as it is a display of theatrical grandiose, it features Eleanor and Matthew Friedberger's 83-year-old grandmother Olga Sarantos. The track "The Wayward Granddaughter" sparkles amidst the 58 minutes ruled by Sarantos' spoken word tales. Lead by Matthew's driving drum machine and zigs and zags of his synths, it tells the story of a Greek-American teenager whom had two boyfriends named Kevin (or as Sarantos adds in, "You mean two jerks!"). Since forming in 2001, the siblings have been touring almost nonstop with artists such as The Shins and Franz Ferdinand. Specialty spins for Fiery Furnaces have already kicked off on stations such as WXDX, WGRD and WFNX. You can find more information about the Fiery Furnaces at www.thefieryfurnaces.comwww.roughtradeamerica.com.

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No matter where I am, I need to be the DJ: in the car, at my apartment, at parties and especially while IÂm at the station. As a result of being (as what I like to refer to myself) a ÂDJ hogÂ I have developed the ability, just like many of you, to instantly pick out the songs that have instant hit ability. You know which songs IÂm talking about. ItÂs the song you play at a party and four people will come up and ask what youÂre playing. ItÂs the phenomena that occurs when you spin a new song at the station and the phone starts lighting up because listeners want to know exactly who they are hearing. Tom Vek is one of those artists has the ability to get the listener intrigued within ten seconds of hearing it.

The LondonerÂs debut album features a whole lot of bass which is definitely a good thing when youÂre tired of hearing those catchy guitar lines for the thousandth time from other artists day in and day out. Entitled We Have Sound, Tom Vek claims his debut album Âbuzzes with a raw garage rock energy, driven a long by subtle electronic touches and a backbone of rigid, angular funk.Â In the vein of Talking Heads or Gang of Four, Tom Vek has just the right mix of garage rock, electronic music and dance punk to make you nod your head to the hypnotizing, repetitive beats. His hit-worthtrack ÂI AinÂt Saying My GoodbyesÂ definitely gets the people moving out in the clubs so think of the potential it will have on your listeners. ÂNothing But Green LightsÂ highlights VekÂs ability to produce a song that is as simplistic as it is complex with its electronic recurring line of notes and its driving bass line. Already getting spins from stations such as KCRW, and WKGB and WAVF show that some have already taken advantage of the potential of Tom Vek to get their listeners up and moving. To get your dance on, check out www.tomvedk.tv or www.startimeintlcom.

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When I first became Music Director at my college radio station, I couldn't help myself from getting excited about every artist that originally was from across the big sea. Within a short amount of time, I realized I was addicted to everything British, especially their music and culture. Things haven't changed much since then, so when I first listened to Black Wire, I naturally couldn't help but squeal with excitement.

Their self-titled debut sounds as if you threw Bloc Party, Billy Idol and Iggy and the Stooges into a blender and pushed puree to get a gritty, fresh new sound...plus the tightest pants you'll probably see on any boys. If you were going to get the party started at your station by rocking one of the appearedhat has appearaed in the SubModern Valedictorian thus far, then Black Wire is the obvious choice. Just glance at their song titles, such as "Promote the Happy Hours." The trio, originally hailing from Leeds, England, have already played with the likes of the Kaiser Chiefs, the Libertines, Bloc Party, The Cribs, Ladytron and the Futureheads. Moreover, the Kaiser Chiefs' worte their hit "I Predict A Riot" based on one of Black Wire's gigs. If their impressive resume hasn't convinced you to give them a listen, then what if I told you that if I decided to become a stripper tomorrow, their first single "Hard To Love, Easy To Lay" would be my anthem. The single gives the listener exactly what they want out of a classic rock song, plus delivering exactly the right mixture of driving guitar lines and a hilarious chorus to mix-up your programming. The single and full-length are already on your desk and stations such as WXDX, KDGE and WAQZ are already embracing the single. So go ahead and start spinning Black Wire so you can say you played them before they got huge. For more information on Black Wire, check out http://www.blackwireonline.co.uk/ or www.giantpeckerrecords.com.

Playlist of 10/31/05 Radio Show

2005-10-30T14:15:00.000-05:00

Sun Kill Moon - - "Space Travel Is Boring"
Tom Vek - - "CC (You Set the Fire In Me)"
Chris Walla - - "Shattered Dreams" (Johnny Hates Jazz Cover)
Calexico - - "Love Will Tear Us Apart" (Joy Divison Cover)
Guided By Voices - - "Everybody Thinks I'm a Raincloud"
Black Wire - - "Hard To Love (Easy To Lay)"
Pavement - - "Cream of Gold"
White Stripes - - "I Was Walking With A Ghost"
Sufjan Stevens - - "The Great God Bird"
CYHSY - - "By The Skin Of my Yellow Country Teeth"
Stars - - "Calendar Girl"
Test Icicles - - "Boa VS Python"
Minus The Bear - - "Hey, Is That A Ninja Up There?"
Tapes N' Tapes - - "Cowbell"
Wrens - - "I've Made Enough Friends"
Karen O / Squeeky Clean - - "Hello Tomorrow (Adidas Version)"
Wilco - - "The High Heat"
Sparklehorse - - "Ghost of His Smile"
Cure - - "I Don't Know What's Going (On)"
Clor - - "Stuck In A Tight Spot"
Mates of State - - "Whiners Bio"
Blue Van - - "Mob Rule"
Death Cab For Cutie - - "Prove My Hypothesis"
Bling Kong - - "We Got the Bling"
Harvey Danger - - "Sad Sweet Heart of the Rodeo"

Playlist of 10/23/05 Show

2005-10-23T16:03:00.000-04:00

M.I.A. -- "Fire Fire"
Test Icicles - - "All You Need is Blood"
Black Wire - - "Hard To Love Easy To Lay"
Tapes n' Tapes - - "Cowbell"
Matt Pond PA - - "Halloweeen"
Fiery Furnaces - - "Candymakers Knife In My Handbag"
Bling Kong - - "BLING KONG Girls"
Metric - - "Handshakes"
Donnas - - "Drive My Car"
Castanets - -"A Song Is Not the Song of the World"
Spoon - - "I Turn My Camera On (John McEntire Remix)
ETID - - "Apocalypse Now & Then" (for all those hardcore boy & girl listeners)
New Pornographers - - "Jackie, Dressed in Cobras"
Magic Numbers - - "Loves A Game"
Atmosphere - - "Smart Went Crazy"
Danger Doom - - "Benzie Boz Ft. Cee-Lo"Oranger -- "Mr. Sandman" (off of Stubbs the Zombie Soundtrack)
Brakes - - "All Night Disco Party"
Maybellines - - "Night Ranger Party"
Gunshy - - "Remember These Chords in the Morning"
Harvey Danger - - "What You Live By"
Franz Ferdinand - - "Do You Want To"
Giant Drag - - "This Isn't It"
Annie - - "Chewing Gum" (Mylo Remix)
Capes - - "Super Girls"

Playlist of 10/09/05 Radio Show

2005-10-09T16:02:00.000-04:00

Happy Bullets - - "If You Were Mine"
Sufjan Stevens - - "John Wayne Gacy, Jr."
Brakes - - "All Night Disco Party"
Clor - - "Good Stuff"
The Beautiful New Born Children - - "Do the Do"
Ashlee Simpson - - "Boyfriend"
Moresight - - "Take the Candy"
Long Winters - - "Scared Straight"
Harvey Danger - - "Cool James"
Super Furry Animals - - "Zoom!"
Tokyo Rose - - "Spectacle"
Broken Social Scene - - "Superconnected"
Matt Pond PA - - "Spring Provides"
Metric - - "Monster Hospital"
Metric - - "Dead Disco"
Ted Leo - - "Since You've Been Gone + Maps (Live Version)"
The Go! Team - - "Ladyflash"
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - - "Gimme Some Salt"
Constantines - - "Draw Us Lines"
Maximo Park - - "Graffiti"
Wheatus - - "The London Sun"
Lightning Bolt - - "2 Morro Morro Land"
Blue Van - - "Product of D.K."

You Don't Need a Thought to Look Good

2005-10-06T00:06:00.000-04:00

With the summer heat finally starting to fade out, you’ll need the lush and poignant pop of Matt Pond PA to ward off the chills of fall that are soon to come. This week’s Submodern Valedictorian was formed right in FMQB’s backyard in Philadelphia. Pond currently lives in Brooklyn, New York and with the rest of his band they create lugubrious songs to warm your heart, even though many of them are about heartbreak. You might already be familiar with Matt Pond PA, as they are notorious for their covers of songs appearing on the pop-culture ridden television show The OC; first Oasis’ “Champagne Supernova” and then Neutral Milk Hotel’s “In An Aeroplane Over the Sea.” Moreover, Matt Pond PA was recently featured in Rolling Stone as “10 Bands to Watch.” Pond told Rolling Stone that this album is all “about letting go, knowing that the thing you love the most – like girls – is the worst thing for you sometimes. And then just going right back to it anyway.”

Matt Pond PA’s latest album Several Arrows Later showcases guitarist/ pianist/ vocalist Matthew Pond’s skill as an arranger. While some say Matt Pond PA’s songs all sound the same, I beg to differ for it’s Brian Pearl’s piano line or Margaret White’s subtle violin in this album that separates it from all the other releases hitting your desk this fall. Their first single “Halloween” showcases the perfection that is reached with the unity of piano, bass, guitar, violin and keyboards while Pond gives advice as he sings, “I heard its modern to be stupid / you don’t need a thought to look good.” Matt Pond PA is currently on tour in support of Liz Phair. You can find more information about Matt Pond PA at http://www.mattpondpa.com/ or http://www.altituderecords.com

(as per my review at SubModern Valedictorian, you can see it in its origianl form plus more reviews and all the updates on specialty radio at http://www.fmqb.com/specialty.asp )

Wicked Light Sleeper

2005-10-04T00:02:00.000-04:00

You know a good record when you hear it, something inside you just twinges and your ears seem to perk up. No one can ever pinpoint why an album becomes a permanent fixture in his or her CD collection. It’s either the vocals or the catchy guitar line or some distant percussion part. This falling in love with an album instantly occurred to me with The Joggers’ new With A Cape And A Cane. Just in case you doubt the love at first listen phenomena that occurred to me, Entertainment Weekly also recently listed With A Cape And A Cane as one of their most anticipated albums of the fall, ranking the boys next to artists such as Outkast, My Morning Jacket and Madonna. Reminiscent of a less-polished Walkmen or labelmates The French Kicks, The Joggers sophomore effort was the fifth most added record at college radio and undoubtedly has potential of making an impact this fall in the commercial end of radio.

The track “Night of the Horsepills” showcases what The Joggers are all about: grimy guitar lines, ringing harmonies and reflective yet bittersweet lyrics. This track takes a personal turn as it explains that in relationships, even after they end, the memories you have created with that person will remain with you forever. Standout track “Wicked Light Sleeper” kicks off with a Futureheads-esque repetitive guitar and bass line that lasts the entire song. With start-stop vocals and one of those melodies you just can’t wrap your head around, this track definitely deserves the repeat button, plus spins on every specialty station. Having toured in the past with artists such as Hot Hot Heat, Ted Leo and The French Kicks, the Portland band plans on touring the United States almost non-stop throughout the year. You can find more information about The Joggers at www.thejoggers.com or www.startimeintl.com

(you can read about more fun things at http://www.fmqb.com/specialty.asp )

Playlist from 10/02 Radio Show

2005-10-02T16:04:00.000-04:00

Matt Pond PA - - Halloween
King of France - - Moon
Raveonettes - - My Boyfriend's Back
Joggers - - Wicked Light Sleeper
Constantines - - Love in Fear
Halloween, Alaska - - I Can't Live Without My Radio
Mates of State - - HaHa
Morcheeba - - Ten Men
Modern Skirts - - Pasadena
Youth Group - - Shadowland
Oranger - - New Comes and Goes
Ashton Allen - - Better Than I Know
Dengue Fever - - Sleepwalking Through the Mekong
Summerbirds in the Cellar - - Behold the Wolf
New Pornographers - - Use It
Stars - - Elevator Love Letter
Atmosphere - - Smart Went Crazy
Her Space Holiday - - The Weight of the World
Ambulance Ltd. - - Primitive (The Way I Treat You)
Broadcast - - Tender Buttons
David Gray - - The One I Love
Tegan & Sara - - Where Does the Good Go
J + J + J - - Jobs That Require Headphones
Brakes - - All Night Disco Party
Gravy Train!!! - - Ghost Boobs

Playlist from 9/25 Radio Show

2005-09-25T16:05:00.000-04:00

Tah-Dahs - - Alcoholic
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - - She Just Wants to Move
Test - Icicles - - Boa VS Python
The Joggers - - Wicked Light Sleeper
Matt Pond PA - - In the Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel Cover)
Ashlee Simpson - - Boyfriend
Her Space Holiday - - A Match Made in Texas
The Noisettes - - Don't Give Up
Arcade Fire & David Bowie - - Wake Up (Live @ Fashion Rocks, Radio City Music Hall)
Wolf Parade - - This Hearts on Fire
Arcade Fire - - No Cars Go (Vitamins for You Remix)
Pussycat Dolls - - Don't Cha
Broadcast - - Goodbye Girls
Wrens - - Rest Your Head
Harvey Danger - - Moral Centralia
Clor - - Magic Touch
Limbeck - - Usually Deluded
Supergrass - - St. Petersburg
Deerhoof -- Chatterboxes
Braid - - A Dozen Roses
Brakes - - Sometimes Always
Rakes - - Open Book
Nightmare of You - - I Want To Be Buried in Your Backyard
Wrens - - Happy

The Parade That is Wolf

2005-09-24T09:56:00.000-04:00

Wolf Parade - Apologies To The Queen Mary (Sub Pop)

Montreal is more than just winter tundra, it’s now become the place to produce great bands. With the successes of Arcade Fire and Stars, Wolf Parade now falls perfectly in line with their predecessors. Wolf Parade was highly expected to be the next big thing from Canada after catching the attention of Modest Mouse’s Isaac Brock. College radio hailed their self-titled EP, which was released in July. Now Wolf Parade’s debut full-length, Apologies to the Queen Mary, lives up to the hype, complete with published reviews in The New York Times and the Times’ Canadian edition. The track “Shine a Light” is a cohesion of a drum assault and earnest vocals that are reminiscent of their friends and neighbors The Arcade Fire. The album ends with the four-minute poppy ride of head-nod-inducing drums in “This Hearts on Fire.” Wolf Parade’s own guitarist/vocalist Dan Boeckner once described the band by saying, “Wolf Parade is like a retarded dog with four heads. At any given time, three of the heads are sleeping.” While Boeckner’s description may be irreverent, this band will definitely not be sleeping once the masses give them a listen. They seem to be on their way too - they’ve already landed on more than a half dozen stations on FMQB’s Specialty panel, including KCRW, WXRT, WWCD, and WTKS. To learn more, visit http://www.subpop.com/ or check them out at www.myspace.com/wolfparade.

(as per review at SubModern Valedictorian, you can see it in its origianl form plus more reviews and all the updates on specialty radio at http://www.fmqb.com/specialty.asp )

Magical Mystery Tour

2005-09-24T09:00:00.000-04:00

I'm back from CMJ . I guess I know I had a good time when it takes me almost a week to get myself in enough working order to update.

I saw my favorite favorites! I drank until I was falling down! I went thrift shopping! I ate more pizza than my stomach could possibly handle! OH, and I was also voted the biggest female MD flirt! You can see the nominations here: http://www.cmj.com/articles/display_article.php?id=5547206

Although I was running around meeting up with people, helping contribute to my hearing loss problem by experiencing more shows in a week than most students here at Cabrini witness in their 4 years here, stuffing my face with pizza or being a lush at the nearest club, there were a few very somber things that occurred while I was at CMJ:

First of all, a friend from back home died. This is news absolutely no one likes to hear no matter where they are. I called back home from NYC to see what the deal was and everyone seemed distraught beyond belief. He was the kind of person that you would never forget, whether you had class with him once or he was just an acquaintance.

Secondly, my friend I was supposed to be staying with had disappeared without a trace. Not only were her fiancee and I worried to death, as a result of her leaving I had to wait at the train station for about 3 hours because I couldn't locate her. Everything is fine now and she is safe...that is all that matters.

Here's a list that begins to note who I saw while in good old NYC:
Idlewild
Wolfmother
Living Things
Test-Icicles
The Cribs
Youth Group
Arcade Fire ( secretly ending with David Bowie!!!)
Stretch Armstrong
Sound Team
Thursday
Static Age
Darker My Love
Elephants
Pshychic Hearts
Blue Van
The Witnesses
M.A.S.S.
Matt Pond PA
Against Me!
Motion City Soundtrack
Facing New York

Tonight The Wrens are playing Bryn Mawr college. My sir and I are really excited since we tried once before to go see them and definitely missed them! Since they are only playing like 5 minutes from where we live, I don't think we have any excuse to miss them.

Playlist of 09/11/05 Show

2005-09-11T16:04:00.000-04:00

Noisettes - - Don't Give Up
Cribs - - Mirror Kisses
CYHSY - - Gimme Some Salt
The 88 - - Hide Another Mistake
DFA 1979 - - Romantic Rights
Nightmare of You - - I Want To Be Buried In Your Backyard
The Kills - - No Wow
Her Space Holiday - - Missed Medicine
Minus the Bear - - Pachuca Sunrise
Happy Bullets - - The Vice and Virtue Ministry
Acid House Kings - - Tonight is Forever
Iron & Wine / Calexico - - Dead Man's Will
Old 97's - - 19
Magic Numbers - - Love's a Game
Nada Surf - - What Is Your Secret
Harvey Danger - - Wine, Women and Song
Sons & Daughters - - Medicine
Shapes - - Dreaming of an M16
Lake Trout - - Shiny Wrapper
Richard Hawley - - Cole's Corner
I Am Kloot - - Over My Shoulder
Ninja High School - - By Purpose Not By Plan
Javelins - - Love Poems, Vol. 2
Idlewild - - The Space Between All Things
Noisettes - - Monte Cristo

I bet you don't know how to sell conviction

2005-09-11T11:05:00.000-04:00

Idlewild at the TLA on Friday night was not really as big of a letdown as I made it out to be. I believe I was only disappointed as I was walking back to the car only because the show had ended. Roddy made me extremely happy. At most points you could find me standing with my hands on my cheeks wondering how one band that couldn't even sell-out the TLA had made me so happy for so long.

WRFT Matt and I drove to the show and got there early just to make sure the guest list was all in working order. We were on the list for the opener, Inara George, so we had to get there in order to see her and crew. Midway through the opener, Amanda and WLVR Mike showed up.

I'm glad that Mike came to the show since he is the reason I was introduced to Idlewild a few years ago. And like the kind gentleman he is, he picked up my ex-roomie to bring her along since he had an extra spot on the list he needed filled.

Last night was the Noisettes at the Electric Factory. WRFT Matt, Amanda and Laura and I showed up mad early to do what I thought was going to be an interview. Unfortunately the Noisettes got there a little late, so we met up with them and got some station ID's for our troubles of jetting down to the city so fucking early.

I was extremely impressed with the Noisettes set. They have this live energy that is unreal. The singer had kicked off her purple thigh highs and was jumping around the stage barefoot kicking her legs up in the air while she aggresively strummed her guitar and sang in a voice that reminded me of a modern day Billie Holiday mixed with YYY's Karen O.

After their set was the Kills which was filled with such sensuality I thought I was going to break down and have to make out with the stranger standing next to me. If a band was sex, then it would be the Kills. Seriously.

Finally was Bloc Party which, by the sound of the 17-year-olds when they came on stage, was the obvious reason why mostly everyone was there. By this point, Matt, Amanda and Laura and I were standing near the back because I couldn't take being jam-packed in like tuna for effin' Bloc Party.

They did put on an okay show. They were trying for a light show that screamed Secret Machines, but it ended up just blinding me instead of the 'ooohs and ahhhs' I think it was trying to achieve. So I ended up eyeing the man standing behind me because I thought it was my riend Bryan who lives so far away in Wisconsin. He was wearing an Athlete shirt, and I was going to go start a conversation about the latest Athlete album but I didn't. I did however call Bryan after the show to let him know he has a twin walking around Philadelphia that goes to shows and stands around trying to be uber-pretentious.

Today will prove to be a busy day: radio show, radio meeting. In between that, I need to do laundry so I have something to wear for CMJ and finally piece together my schedule so I'll know what parties/ showcases I'll be able to attend.

If you are coming to CMJ and want to see me, please drop me a line before I leave so we can arrange to meet-up accordingly.

The Past Presents the Future

2005-09-08T00:42:00.000-04:00

Below is the review I wrote for FMQB on Her Space Holiday. Has anyone else checked out the newest HSH mash-up? It has loads of M.I.A., Prefuse and even a little Mates of State thrown in there. It's off the hook.

You can get it on podcast or download the mp3 here (which I suggest you do ASAP because it won't last long suckas):
http://www.takemoneymakemoney.com/

Marc Bianchi, a.k.a. Her Space Holiday, has once again crossed the lines of the electronic bleeps and scrapes to end up with a record that gently screams a dreamy pop that will make fans of the Postal Service and My Bloody Valentine turn heads alike. With his sixth album, The Past Presents the Future, Bianchi uses an orchestration consisting of hypnotic synth lines and percussion of handclaps and soft pitter-patters that make the listener wonder how one man can create such a brilliant sound mostly by himself. After hitting #2 on the CMJ top 200 for his 2003 breakthrough album The Young Machines, it is no doubt The Past Presents the Future will do well in college radio. The standout track “A Match Made In Texas” almost turns Bianchi into a social commentator as he sings about “the magic of America’ and the gender definitions that exist therein. The track has a driving, underlying beat with an almost dance-y feel that hides the fact that the song could be considered one of Bianchi’s intimate metaphors of a relationship. You can find more information about Her Space Holiday at www.herspaceholiday.com or www.worlds-fair.net .

Tonight I went to dinner with my sir and had IHOP. Which for all you kids not up-to-date on all the Xtine/Mikey love story was the very first place we went to together....(ahhh, actually the first being the used record store...but you know how us kids roll...cd's + vinyl = more important than eating at times.)

Anyhow, the reason I mention my sir is because we went back to his Alma Mater, Villanova, and I saw the moooooooooost ridiculous thing EVER. There was a girl wearing a grey t-shirt with her collar popped. And across the back of the popped collar was the words "preppy" written in pink. NOTE: the words could not be seen if the collar was not popped.

What the fuck has the world come to? Seriously.

Playlist of 09/04/05 Show

2005-09-04T14:32:00.000-04:00

Brakes - - All Night Disco Party
Sons and Daughters - - Dance Me In
Her Space Holiday - - Match Made in Texas
Free Design - - 2002- a Hit Song (featuring Chris of Belle & Sebastian!)
Franz Ferdinand - - Do You Want To
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - - The Skin of my Yellow Country Teeth
TahDahs - - Mix Tape = Love
Nightmare of You -- I Want to Be Buried in Your Backyard
New Pornographers - - Use It
Death Cab For Cutie - - Soul Meets Body
Cribs - - Martell
The Spectacular Fantastic - - Darkest Hours
Minus the Bear - - The Fix
Acid House Kings - - Do What You Wanna Do
Wilco - - I'm Always in Love
Nada Surf - - Do It Again
Apollo Sunshine - - Flip!
All-Time Quarterback - - Send Packing
Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - - She Just Wants to Move
John Vanderslice - - Plymouth Rock
Orenda Fink - - Les Invisibles
Benji Cossa - Love is Like Lightening
Pattern is Movement - - Maple
Sufjan Stevens - - John Wayne Gacy, Jr
Chad Van Gallen - - Clinically Dead

stay down on yourself if you feel a glimpse of hope

2005-09-03T04:05:00.000-04:00

What it feels like to be me in list form:

- I am only awake because I am on duty.

- I am on duty because my friend and fellow RA has been called to military duty down in LA. I hope he returns in one piece and with good spirits.

- If I was feeling any worse, then I would be most likely dead.

- The only person that can make me feel better decided to go to sleep before I could come back to say goodnight while I stepped out.

- I need to wake up at 8AM to make a road trip to dirty Jersey.

- I really need to stop complaining.

- Even though I feel like shit, I really did feel extremely happy a few hours ago while still at my internship.

- CMJ is right around the corner. I need to get out of this place. Seeing everyone in NYC over the course of the convention will hopefully make me feel better.

- I am going to set up an appointment with my doctor back home to get some meds...as Marc Bianchi once said "I figured out the key to short term success...just tell everyone that you're clinically depressed."

- Speaking of Mr. Bianchi, one of the biggest opportunities thus far at college as happened for me: FMQB wants me to write a weekly column about my prediction of what will do well in college radio and then do well in commercial radio. This is a breakthrough for both forms of radio and of course me. Her Space Holiday will be my very first piece to write on.

- It has been decided that Cabrini is no doubt the cause of my depression and anxiety. I think this means that I will go on being miserable for the next year and a half.

- Note: the only way to cover up how I feel is of course to smile. Smile as I talk to students who don't give a shit what I'm talking about. Smile as I tell kids about music they don't care about. Smile as I argue with my parents as they prove once again to not care about me.

- I'm thinking about starting smoking again. I know it's bad for me. I know it's a waste of money. But seriously with all the aggravation right now, I think it's the best form of relief.

- My friends want to meet my significant other during CMJ. Although I've told him on repeat times to come up for the weekend of CMJ, he won't come even though I've tried to stress how important it is to me.

- I get to eat Surf Taco with Panda tomorrow which is the biggest reason why I'm getting up at the crack ass of dawn to drive to the state I hate the most.

- It better be fucking sunny tomorrow because my ass is going to be tanning by Panda's poolside.

Stuck in a Tight Spot

2005-08-24T18:51:00.000-04:00

After being in intense training for the past week or so, this all-of-a-sudden free time has made me feel feel kind of weird. I'm definitely ready to get this school year started and get all the kids back.

I miss Amanda. I miss our weekly dance party (aka radio show) I miss promising myself every morning that I will go to the gym after dinner and never making it there. I miss late-night Wingers. I miss everything and everyone, which is why I want the next few days to whiz by so I can get back on top of things.

I'm listening to Clor right now and it's so addictingly good. I know I already gushed about it before, but I really can't help it. AND I finally got the new Super Furry Animals full-length into the station. It's epic. Those are the only words to describe it...I'm pretty much afraid to try and describe it, for making it seem less of an amazing piece of work than it really is.

AND I want my sir to come home. I miss him terribly and I know he's not having the best time of his life down in Alabama. I want him back in PA so we can lay around and be lazy, not have him drifting around the Mississippi River taking samples of things.

Btw, CMJ schedule of performers is up. Everyone that is going this year needs to drop me a line of what shows/parties/panels they will be at so we can all eventually meet up.

be a part of something big

2005-08-21T00:43:00.000-04:00

RA training = busiest I've been in years.

My apologies to unreturned phone calls, lack of charting and me not being a good friend.

M.I.A. Xtine = only for a few more days and then I'll be back in full force. Seriously.

just another number

2005-08-11T00:24:00.000-04:00

I can't stop gushing about my apartment and how much better it is to wake up and be able to turn the lights on and sip coffee and just lay around and be fat without worrying about waking someone else up. Yayayay!

Tonight I will have my first overnight visitor spend the night! Unfortunately he gets to sleep on my floor since I have moved all the fans into my bedroom and it's too deathly hot to sleep in another bedroom or living room.

I'm terribly jealous of everyone that went to TC's Prom this weekend while I was busy being a busy-bee mover. I miss all of my far-away friends that live in those wonderful cities that I never get to see. Luckily for me, CMJ is just around the bend and then hopefully I'll be happy once more.

CMJ Round 2 = xtine hopefully not repeating any silly mistakes from last year.

For examples:
1) coming home with new sir, just a tad bit older
2) being "that girl"
3) attending too many parties, not enough shows and not one single panel
4) spending the night at random hotels/ apartments...not a good idea

I believe arrangements are being made for me to stay with my favorite music snob...that means I will get to see him (right before I pass out every night and when I roll over the next morning)

eliza naumann is my hero

2005-08-10T13:17:00.000-04:00

I just had to climb out of a first-story window to get out of my new apartment due to construction.

Just fucking amazing.

the way you wear your head

2005-08-10T00:03:00.000-04:00

My new apartment is fucking rad. I love it more than I love the new pills I've been taking.

On a not so great note, everyone has taken it upon themselves to only talk to me if they feel the need to bitch. I'm very sorry you are having a bad day, your love life is a mess, your parents hate you, your dog died, etc but please don't fucking tell me.

I can't help you, I can't even unpack my 20 zillion boxes laying all over the living room and kitchen.

I'm locking myself in my bedroom, taking some more pills and only listening to Idlewild until I feel somewhat happy again.

Thank you everyone for depressing the shit out of me.

Squishy, My Love

2005-08-08T00:03:00.000-04:00

Is it wrong that I want summer to be over? I want school to begin again. I want finally move into my apartment.

Then again I want this upcoming year to already be over.

With me being Music Director again of the station, the A&E Editor of the newspaper and an RA in the apartments...anxiety attacks are bound to happen.

I heard the new DCFC album. My first impression was "boring" and then I gave it another chance. As a whole, I'm not very impressed. Yet again, there is like 2.3 songs growing on me in that gross, annoying herpes kind of way.

President of What?

2005-08-03T12:06:00.000-04:00

More Bands to Appear at CMJ are announced:

The Arcade Fire * Atmosphere * The Dandy Warhols * Coheed and Cambria * !!! * The Brian Jonestown Massacre * The Hold Steady * Dungen * Against Me! * Cursive * The (International) Noise Conspiracy * Feist * John Vanderslice * Nashville Pussy * Mae * Longwave * Regina Spektor * Lucero * CocoRosie * Crooked Fingers * Tilly & The Wall * Laura Veirs * Motion City Soundtrack * Of Montreal * Icarus Line * Wrens * why? * Silverstein * The Juan MacLean * Acid Mothers Temple & The Cosmic Inferno * The Constantines * Ambulance Ltd * The Gossip * Kinski * Supersystem * Nouvelle Vague * Mary Timony * Wolf Parade * Alias * Funeral For A Friend * Clap Your Hands Say Yeah * Dead Meadow * Wilderness * Foreign Born * Tom Vek * Adult. * Morning After Girls * The Sun * Dios Malos * Vijay Iyer * Chad VanGaalen * The Kingsbury Manx * Craig Wedren * Fruit Bats * Rogue Wave * The Oranges Band * Need New Body * xbxrx * Subtitle * Grand Buffet * Alan Sparhawk (of Low ) * Robbers On High Street * Rasputina * Youth Group * Dr. Dog * Head of Femur * Kaki King * Make Believe * Amusement Parks on Fire * Parts & Labor * Saturday Looks Good To Me * Dirty on Purpose * Drums & Tuba * The Honorary Title * The Rosebuds * Daughters * Limbeck * Blood On the Wall * Mia Doi Todd * The Lot Six * Turing Machine * The Velvet Teen * Denison Witmer * Chris Lee * The Natural History * Decibully * Billy Nayer Show * Neva Dinova * Narrator * Electroputas * American Minor.

Pitchfork has recognized my fine friends over at Team Clermont for their Annual Prom. Anyone wanna go? You are more than welcome to take my spot for I will be stuck in PA packing and moving into my new apartment that weekend...which I'm not too happy about.

What is this mess about not being able to dance in NYC? Dancing is everyone's God-given right, no matter where you are. Well then again, I am a big dancer so maybe my opinion about the rules on not being able to shake one's booty are a bit biased.

Is This It?

2005-08-02T18:44:00.000-04:00

This is my sir and I. I have a feeling that once school starts up again I won't be seeing him very much anymore which is quite sad.

I am guessing this means my future roommates in my new apartment will be subjected to my housewife and music skills.

But who complains about trying out my brownies and free new music and free concert tickets anyhow?

Three Cheers for Our Side

2005-07-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

Me and the summer roomie have been going on craft journeys. Our latest endeavor being making jewerly out of old vinyl records we don't need anymore. After a few trial and errors I created my new favorite chunky bracelet.

For all those kids now just starting to wet their pants over Sufjan Stevens you should check out that My Mean Magpie has some Mr Stevens live circa 2001.

Erin over at Cornerstone sent me this video link for the video "Your Mama" by Kennedy like 5 times and it's excellent. I can't stop laughing.

My favorite music elitist send me a song from the band Clor. You need to check them out for some fun Brit, 80's feel- good wackiness. They are weird like Devo, but not that geeky that I feel uncool for listening to them.

And The Tripwire decided to use one of my articles. (NOTE: you cannot view this article unless you belong to the Tripwire...if you are not one of those insider happy folk, then just read two entries below to see what I pretty much submitted to them) Holy smokes, I was so excited I wanted to piss my pants. (I did not do that though because I was at my internship and I think that is on the list of things to do when trying to make a bad impression.) PS - internship peoples weren't exactly thrilled that I was writing for the folks over there....perhaps I should watch out who I lend my crafty writing skills too. It's either that, or come up with a really cool moniker for future writing endeavors.

Fox News to Buy Myspace?

2005-07-24T09:27:00.000-04:00

Ahem, well Rupert Murdoch (who runs News Corp who pretty much owns fox news) has purchased the owner of Myspace.com for $580 million.

Here's the link to check it out for yourselves:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4695495.stm

Is this the beginning of the end my friends?

Mirror Kisses

2005-07-21T11:00:00.000-04:00

Last night Matt from WRFT and I headed down to the TLA in Philly to check out The Redwalls, The Cribs and The Kaiser Chiefs. Cribs and Kaiser Chiefs are British bands, all very tight sets, all extremely cute accents.

After bothering Erin over at Cornerstone for like 5 straight days in a row now for the interview/guestlist, it was finally time for me to check out the goodness of the Cribs.

Upon arrival there I had to ask for Spike (The Cribs' tour manager.) First of all, who the hell calls themself Spike? And why in the world did he and the security of the TLA frantically freak out when I tried to bring my tape recorder into the venue.

After a secret convention in the corner with the tour manager and the security guards the consensus was reached that my bag would be held backstage for me. Them taking my bag = Christine freaking out without her cell phone, notes and expensive white linen jacket.

We walked into the Redwalls set. The singer seemed to be making eye contact with the girlies in the front row and the pants the band was wearing was tighter than mine that night.

I jumped into the bathroom quickly for a quick piss before the Cribs set. The bathrooms in the TLA are super small. Oldhead lady in front of me was decked out in a Kaiser Chiefs t-shirt and British girl behind me seemed normal until she decided to stick out her tongue dangerously close to my face to ask if I saw any bite marks.

At this point in time, I peed my fastest pee ever and beelined it to the front of the venue wondering why British bands attract such fucking weirdo fans.

The Cribs came on the stage and completely rocked my face off. The drummer, Ross Jarman, was intensely beating the shit out of his drums and standing up to play the set at times. After breaking a snare drum, vocalist/guitarist Ryan and vocalist/bassist Gary broke out into an impromptu cover of the Shirelle's "Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow" while someone ran on stage to replace it.

Their set was seemless and hard hitting the entire way through. The songs "Hey Scenesters" and "Just Another Number" poured out of the speakers while cute girls danced along with their scantily-clad bodies swaying to the Cribs's pounding melodies.

It was finally 10pm so I headed backstage to collect my bag from the mysterious man named Spike and make my way to the Cribs dressing room. On the way there, random boy from Kaiser Chiefs looked me up and down. I gave him a look that said "no, I am not a groupie. I will not:
- kiss you
- fuck you
- suck your dick.

Found my way to dressing room. Drank beer. Smoked cigarettes. Had a nice little chat until scary tour manager Spike came up there giving me the evil eye that equals "get the fuck out student radio girl"

Anyhow, you need to see the Cribs live. After 10 minutes Ryan was already bleeding all around the mouth. While interviewing them, Ryan explained that he had badly split his lip while in Europe one night and he never got the proper stiches. Ever since then, his lip has just been splitting open during performances most likely due to smacking it against the mic.

He doesn't do it on purpose and it's not just a gimmick. Yet when I asked why he still had blood all over his face like 20 minutes after their set he told me that people tell him it makes him look more like a rockstar. And then added, "Maybe I'm just keeping it on to impress you."

After interview/ getting station ID's I headed back down to catch the latter part of the Kaiser Chief's set. After coming from back from behind backstage I was molested by a groupie.

She had shorts so tiny her bum was hanging out. And she was wearing an extremely low-cut white t-shirt with no fucking bra. And to make matters worse she was completely drunk off her skank ass.

I got to enjoy a lovely screaming conversation with her:
Groupie: Are you in a band?
Me: No.
Groupie: Why were you backstage then?
Me: *Shakes head and tries to move away from said groupie.*
Groupie: (Not taking the hint) Who are these guys?
Me: They are called the Kaiser Chiefs.
Groupie: Do you know who Good Charlotte is?
Me: *Winces, tries not to throw up* Gross, why would you even say that?
Groupie: So I like hooked-up with the guy from Good Charlotte like 20 times.
Me: *really feeling the beer start to come up* *pushes groupie* Go away.
Groupie: *Lights cigarette* *Looks backstage to see if she can get back there*
Me: Seriously. You are gross.
Groupie: What? You can get me backstage?
Me: Fuck no! Get away from me before I burn you with my cigarette.
Groupie: *finally stumbles away from me and unto unsuspecting male hipster who is too dumb to realize she will give him herpes*
Me: *takes deep breath. forces smile. pretends to finish enjoying kaiser chiefs*

Hey Scenesters!

2005-07-16T09:43:00.000-04:00

A year or so ago I found an mp3 from The Cribs on some random blog and after listening to it a few times they kind of slipped my mind.

Yet after hearing their newest disc, I doubt it's poppy catchiness is going to slip my mind again or yours. I'm going to see/ interview them this Wednesday night in Philly. Let me know if you'll be there and for all those kids not in Philly, please come out and support them when they come through your town.

NME has been singing their praises as well as all those kids on our side of the pond that are in the know.

Check the Cribs' video for their single "Hey Scenesters"
http://www.wichita-recordings.com/video/hey-scenesters-hi.mov

Cribs Touring Dates:

07.18.05 – Boston, MA (Great Scotts) w/ Nine Black Alps, Hard-Fi
07.19.05 – New York, NY (Mercury Lounge) w/ Nine Black Alps, Hard-Fi
07.20.05 – Philadelphia, PA (Theater Of Living Arts) w/ Kaiser Chiefs
07.21.05 – New York, NY (Webster Hall) w/ Kaiser Chiefs
07.22.05 – Washington DC (9:30 Club) w/ Kaiser Chiefs
07.25.05 – San Francisco, CA (The Filmore) w/ Brendan Benson, Kaiser Chiefs
07.26.05 – San Diego, CA (Casbah)
07.27.05 – Los Angeles, CA (Spaceland) w/ Nine Black Alps
07.28.05 – Los Angeles, CA (Forbidden City)

All These Things I Have Done

2005-07-13T19:44:00.000-04:00

New Killers video is up and ready for your viewing pleasure! Brandon Flowers makes me feel like a giggly girl sometime...

http://music.channel.aol.com/search/avresults.adp?query=killers