Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche won me over with his music on "Phantom Punch" so much that I was willing to trek to Amoeba earlier this year to watch him live, performing his own classic songs like "On the Tower," as well as "The Tape" and "Airport Taxi Reception." It wasn't until recently that I found out that he is the main (and pretty much only) soundtrack contributor to a film that I would like to see, which is "Dan in Real Life" starring Steve Carell.
Some of the tracks are songs that have appeared on previous albums, such as "Faces Down" but others are remakes of classic Elvis Costello and Pete Townsend songs that are sure to please audiences. His vocals are pretty much universal, basically in a way that he can sing whatever he pleases from jazz ("Duper Sessions") to experimental rock (his latest album).
Other than that ... I love him! I met him, and what a nice guy. I talked about it in a previous blog before, but I think it's worth rehashing for one last time.
If you'd like to see what I saw in March, then watch the video below in which he talks about his first musical memory, meeting Elvis Costello, and making music. It's part performance, part interview, which is cool ... but it would've been even better if they had more of the performance.
I can't believe I didn't know about the new Whole Foods in Lake Merritt!!! I just read about it on SFist a mere week too late (d'oh!). But I'll just come out and say it: I'm in love!!!
Check the link, if you please. I only have three words for you: BIG. MARKET. HALL.
Yesterday, my relationship with my green 6GB iPod Mini ended. Bought ages ago (2005), it somehow managed to piss me off doing what it usually does (die on me), when the battery is still somewhat full. It was like a dramatic ending to one beautiful relationship that was beyond repair. As I waited in the pouring rain, I pulled out my iPod Mini in search of a tune that fit the moment (something like John Mayer ... ha) only to have one message flash before my eyes as the song became distorted:
"The battery is running low..."
I couldn't even switch it off either, and I had to press menu and the center at the same time to reset it. Angry and frustrated, I knew it was so over. Over!
The good news was that I came home to find my new black iPod Classic waiting for me. Sleeker design, more space (80GB), shinier and brighter, it was a welcome glow as opposed to that drab hunk of junk that I used to love so much. Maybe it's cliche for me to drop one thing for something that's better looking, but I do believe that I made a good choice. Upgrade!
But now comes the tedious task of putting (almost) all of my music on it, but remembering to pace myself and not put everything on it. Having the iPod Mini was kind of like practice: what to put on it, what not. And now with the option of putting TV shows and movies on it, I think I'm going to have a lot more fun with it.
More fun features: - Games! There's the iQuiz, which on my Mini was just a "guess the song snippet" kind of Thing. But now it's better, complete with five rounds, and even a random question thrown in about something like about how many records you need to sell to go gold (500,000, FYI). I also enjoy the game Vortex, which is like Pong, but ... not. - Cover flow: sort of like when you have iTunes on your Mac. Some reason I want to just touch the screen, but it's not a touch. I end up looking quite the fool.
I'm glad I waited a while before buying another iPod. It's good that they came out with a new one, and that it came out just in time before the holiday. And, if you're wondering, I'm not quite through with my Mini ... I'll use it for the gym, and also for uploading the music I listen to when I'm doing my reviews. We're all winners here.
SPIN magazine grabbed my attention with their latest issue, which celebrates the 30th anniversary of the year punk made its superbad debut (or big splash, for you purists that say it goes farther). My love for punk doesn't date back as far, but it definitely starts with the bands from that era: one I wish I was around to see.
But alas, I was a couple of years too late into it, but appreciation for the more known bands (Sex Pistols, the Ramones) and probably lesser known but still important (Television, one of my faves!) is something I won't apologize for. Heck ... why should I apologize for being born after this era? I shouldn't! That's not punk. Ha.
My greatest punk beginnings? My parents, whom while still young frequented the Mabuhay Gardens, aka the Fab Mab. Filipino restaurant by day, punk club by night! Upon learning this piece of history, after listening to my first Ramones record, I knew this love affair was meant to be. As someone who still thinks she needs to be better versed in the punk world, I picked up this issue pronto. More punk, the better.
Worth checking out is the interview with Johnny Rotten ... with him saying that the Ramones were never punk (among other things), it's a perfect interview. He says things that'll probably make you squirm, but it still makes for a good read.
If you don't want to pick up the issue, you can find that they have everything featured about 1977 on their website.
