Certain Songs

Piracy might not be the best thing ever to happen to the business side of the music industry, but it sure has helped out people like me...music lovers who live in secondary markets.

Living most of my life in Columbus,OH I have just grown accustom to seeing some of my favorite bands, especially the European ones, skip my town while on tour. But over the last 2 or 3 years, due in large part ot file sharing I imagine, bads are having to get more and more of their money from playing live...this means lots and LOTS of shows to come to.

I don't ever remember a summer here where I actually had to DECIDE on which shows to go to...usually so few came that it was never a problem to attend all of them. This summer, however, it will be one hard choice after another...but as a long suffering music fan in smaller town, it's a problem that I for one am thrilled to have!

Here are the next 3 shows upcoming on my calendar:

The Raconteurs - 6/9
'Bang Bang' MP3
Nada Surf - 6/10
'The Film Did Not Go Round' MP3

Iron & Wine - 6/15
'The Trapeze Swinger' MP3

What a great time to be a music lover, huh? Go to a show...a few days later it is all immortalized on youtube for you! Which really comes in handy at Hold Steady shows, where much drinking takes place. The audio on these are not great, but I hope you get a sense of why the Hold Steady are my favorite band on the planet. Craig says at the end of every show, 'There Is So Much Joy In What We Do...' and these clips totally back that up :-)


'Joke For Jamaica'(new song):


'Lord I'm Discouraged'(new song):


'Ask Her For Some Adderall'(new song):


'Your Little Hoodrat Friend'


'Massive Nights'


'Killer Parties'

Um, wow. This a rather descriptive missed connection. I am proud to say it comes from the Columbus page! It came to me as a request from a friend in Columbus...and I have it on good authority that she is NOT the girl in question.

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You drive a Honda with a broken window - m4w - 47

You just moved into a building I own down the street from my office. You have a little daughter with an interesting name. I don't normally mix business with pleasure, but I think this is a special circumstance. I want to roll you around in a baby pool full of honey and tell you how much I want you. I want to powder you like a donut- then tell you how sweet you are-and I want you to tell me that you're bad for me-then I'll tell you "I know, but it's worth it". I want to wrap you in plastic like a lollipop, then take the plastic off and enjoy you like I would enjoy a lollipop. Slowly.

I've been wanting to talk to you about this ever since you filled out the application. Ever since I talked to your dad. I want to be your dad. But only in a sexy "call me daddy" way. I don't want to tell you what to do. Unless you want me to. I hope you read this. God I hope you read this.

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This is the FIRST song that came to me...i think it works extraordinarily well!

Live - 'Freaks'

I think I have found my favorite Los Angeles venue so far. I already loved the Troubadour before ever setting foot inside of the place, just knowing it's history and the legendary list of people who have played there. But once inside, it just got so much better. Such a fan friendly set up...and the sound was perfect all night.

Jesca Hoop opened the show and was mesmerizing. Such a beautiful voice, backed by a subdued but capable band, it was clear that her voice was the star of the show. I literally couldn't walk during her entire 40 minutes on stage. She was radiant. The songs she played off of her debut album 'Kismet' sounded even better live.

Then just a few minutes after 10 Matt Pond PA took the stage. First thing I noticed is that the band configuration has changed quite a bit. I have seen them twice before, both times with multiple strings players. Now they play as a tight 4 piece and seem to play with a LOT more intensity. This was by far the best I have heard the boys sound. The highlights were 'Sunlight' and 'Taught To Look Away' from Last Light, the new record....and 'So Much Trouble' and 'Halloween' off of Several Arrows Later.

A great night all the way around....now to catch my breath for a couple of days before Lucero on Saturday night :-)

If I could, I would have this coming week saved and ready for multiple viewings.

Starting with Rilo Kiley on Monday night(Monday nights don't get much better)...Matt Pond PA will be my mid week fix...and then I will close the week in grand fashion, with my old friends Lucero on Saturday night...and Bobby Bare Jr is opening up that show...and for me, that is a big deal. My liver may not be prepped for the grand finale...that's a drinkin' show if ever there was one!

How many times in your life do you get to say to yourself 'That person is doing what they were born to do?' Not many I am thinking.

That thought came to me again and again last night at the Beirut show as 21yr old Zach Condon led his band through a wonderful, albeit short, set of music. To see Mr. Condon on stage is to see somebody totally in their element. He effortlessly switched between several instruments all night...horns, guitars, ukuleles...playing each one like it was the last time he may ever have the chance to be on stage.

How at 21 this guy is able to compose such amazing and worldly music is something I will never understand. He has the kind of talent that leaves you in awe...but with none of the pretentiousness that so many artists carry with them.