March Music Madness

Posted on March 8, 2012March 9, 2012 Posted in Announcement, Blog Post, Event, MusicTagged 35 denton, alternative, austin, Best Coast, denton, event, festival, indie, music, sxsw, the jesus and mary chainLeave a comment

This month is going to be full of noise.

Whew! Just let me breathe for a moment. I’m currently in the process of reviewing three albums by today, and planning several things. When I say “several things,” I mean 35 Denton and SXSW, and that’s just in the duration of two weeks. Last Monday I was at a Radiohead show in Dallas (click here for my videos), which prepared me for concert mode, and seizure-dancing with maracas if SXSW bands feel inclined to do so. However, one arena concert will not fully prepare me for the onslaught of music about to occur.

Beautiful Austin before the annual invasion

Every March bands parade through Texas (and usually most of the U.S) while they make their way to SXSW. 35 Denton is the weekend before SXSW’s music portion really kicks in. This year’s lineup boasts bands such as The Jesus & Mary Chain, Atlas Sound, Best Coast, The Raincoats, Mountain Goats, and more. SXSW includes more than 2,000 bands.

As thrilled as I am to satisfy my shoegaze heart’s desire for The Jesus & Mary Chain, it is also one of the most stressful times of the year for me. Luckily I am not currently in college, so I have time to plan everything, but the level of press I am providing this year is far above anything I have ever done. On one hand, I feel a sense of accomplishment, and promise that my worries of not having a successful future is merely temporary self doubt. On the other hand, am I going to survive?! The amount of walking/awkward running will surpass the previous festival workouts.

It may seem like I’m just complaining (well, I kind of am, aren’t I?), but I certainly enjoy the craziness. 35 Denton is much more relaxed and laid back. It is a way to see bands without the mayhem and large crowds, and SXSW offers an atmosphere and musical experience unlike any other in the world.

This year, I will be taking photos and reviewing shows at 35 Denton (which goes along with the Air Review interview already completed), and then it is off to SXSW on March 14-20. So far, I know there will be an interview with Brooklyn’s Ava Luna, photo-taking at Spin‘s Austin Throwdown and Rachael Ray’s Feedback parties, and reviewing/taking photos at many day parties.

There are some other possible developments that are really exciting. I will be interviewing other bands, and may be attending a few other events that will for sure get me giddy if they end up being confirmed. Here’s to musical bliss and sneaking in saltine crackers for the next few weeks!

Anti-Valentine’s playlist (part 1)

Posted on February 14, 2012February 14, 2012 Posted in Blog Post, MusicTagged 13th floor elevators, alternative, angry, breakup, classic, compilation, foo fighters, husker du, indie, led zeppelin, lily allen, linkin park, modern, muse, music, playlist, pop, queens of the stone age, rilo kiley, rock, song, talking heads, valentine's, white stripesLeave a comment

A playlist for the rest of us.

Ahh, Valentines, the time of the year I find myself eye-rolling the most. For some, it may be more about sobbing or feeling lonely, but no worries. Here’s a playlist of songs to remind you of how awful you feel!

This is part one of the playlist. Yes, I am a pessimist.

1. “Don’t Want to Know If You Are Lonely”- Hüsker Dü

If you don’t know about the influential band Hüsker Dü, please listen to Candy Apple Grey right now.

2. “There’s No Home for You Here”- The White Stripes

This song is in the middle of angry and happily independent. The lyrics appear to be resentful, but the music isn’t as dark.

3. “Heartbreaker”- Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin…isn’t that reason enough?

4. “Gonna Leave You”- Queens of the Stone Age

Singer/guitarist Josh Homme has one of my favorite voices in rock, yet Bassist Nick Oliveri sings on “Gonna Leave You.”

5. “One Step Closer”- Linkin Park

Yes, I included a Linkin Park song. Don’t judge me! I have to occasionally relive my middle school years just like everyone else.

6. “Hyper Music”- Muse

An obvious but fantastic nod to the guitar genius Tom Morello from Rage Against the Machine, “Hyper Music” doesn’t seem to have aged much over the course of more than 10 years.

7. “No Compassion”- Talking Heads

David Byrne sounds somewhat like a jerk if you listen to the lyrics, but it is David Byrne we’re talking about, so you never know what’s going on in that arty head of his.

8. “Monkey Wrench”- Foo Fighters

There’s no way I can play this song without a smile on my face. This song may not necessarily be about a romance, but it’s still applicable. The Foo Fighters will always be one of those bands that bring back good memories.

9. “Breakin’ Up”- Rilo Kiley

Dance beat, Jenny Lewis’ sweet voice, and liberating lyrics…not all breakup songs are sad!

10. “Smile”- Lily Allen

I’m not a huge fan of Lily Allen, but she does know how to create music that is equally acerbic and upbeat.

11. “You’re Gonna Miss Me”- 13th Floor Elevators

What are the lyrics? I don’t know, but it sounds nice!

Etsy shop is up!

Posted on January 30, 2012January 30, 2012 Posted in Announcement, Art, Blog Post, PhotographyTagged art, artist, etsy, golden gate bridge, photo, photography, shopLeave a comment

After several months of wondering whether I should or not, I have finally opened up an Etsy shop!

Right now, the only item listed is my Golden Gate Bridge photo, but I’m hoping to add more items soon. Hopefully some paintings will be available too. I have a few that are almost complete. I’ll be starting a Florence Welch painting in a few days, so maybe that will be for sale in the near future.

Have a good week everyone, and please stop by my shop and let me know what you think! This is all very new to me. so if anyone has any ideas as to which photos I should put up for sale, that would be very helpful.

Santigold is back!

Posted on January 26, 2012January 26, 2012 Posted in Blog Post, MusicTagged 2012, album, alternative, big mouth, examiner.com, http www youtube, indie, music, music video, news, santigold, song1 Comment

It’s hard to believe that four years have passed since Santigold’s first album Santogold was released. “L.E.S. Artistes” was the first song of hers that I heard back in 2008. Last year I saw her dynamic performance at Austin City Limits, and she drew a much bigger crowd than I expected.

Even though I’m not a fan of hip hop, I gravitated towards her kaleidoscope of genres including pop, hip hop, and indie rock. Now she has done it again with her new single “Big Mouth.” Hopefully the new album she is releasing in the spring will turn more heads (and ears) towards her.

Click here for the “Big Mouth” music video and more information that I have written about what mischief Santigold will be up to this year.

Music video for “L.E.S. Artistes”

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Favorite photos of 2011 (part 2)

Posted on January 9, 2012January 18, 2012 Posted in Blog Post, PhotographyTagged 2011, 35mm, beach, beautiful, california, camera, concert, dslr, film, music, nature, photo, photography, texas2 Comments

(Part 1)

Here is the second (and final) post about my favorite photos that I took last year.

6. Through the Trees

It’s amazing what a simple 35mm film camera can do. This was taken with my dinky little Olympus Trip 200. I’ve had it since I was a kid (back in the ancient days of compact digital cameras being expensive and less popular).

The camera is only used when I feel its lower quality but charming film style fits the occasion- and the outdoors seems like the best fit. This shot was taken in my backyard. I was basically in the dirt getting poked by branches when I took it, but such are the occasional trials of a good photo. This photo was also in my second art show in Grand Prairie, Texas at a library. Hey, it’s a start!

7. Curiosity in the Sand

Stinson Beach, California was one of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen (besides Costa Rica). The roaring waves and the calming, vivid colors of sky’s reflection on the sand was breathtaking. When I saw a kid playing the sand, I knew it would give the image an emotional quality to the already aesthetically pleasing image of nature.

8. Shining Bright

This was one of the first instances in which I realized the great visual treat of bright colors against a black background, and that my bathroom is a great place for photo shoots (who needs a studio when you have a bathroom?). My fiber optic lamp was placed in the bathroom, and then it was simply a matter of patience. Since it rotates and turns colors, I stayed in one place and waited for my preferred colors. This picture is also one of my favorites from that day.

9. Hand Invasion

My Canon 35mm Elan 7NE has been a wonderful film camera. I bought it for my film photography class, and it doesn’t disappoint (plus it has the awesome eye control feature). This photo sparked my interest in silhouettes, and made me realize that even just some bricks in the backyard and sunlight can creating a striking image.

10. Life & Death of a Palm Tree

This image paved the way for the realization of composition being very important, my Discoveries collection of photos, and especially for the increased usage of film. The poor dead palm tree is still in the backyard, but without branches (if that’s what you call them).

There are other photos that I’d like to share, so here are a few honorable mentions (links will lead to Flickr):

Linkin Park- American Airlines Center

Creepy Hallway

Soundgarden- Verizon Theatre

Looking Closely

Flowers in the Morning

I also made a short montage video of my northern California using my DSLR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAeQ7FvoKAI

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