GQ did a list the other day about the 50 worse-dressed cities in America. It seemed to me like every city was on the list. (SLC and Provo were somewhere near to top).
I eagerly scrolled to see where Austin would fall. And here we are:
#18. But I am sort of proud of it. Austin prides itself on being weird and non-conforming. It's an eclectic city where hippie meets cowboy- and we like it that way.
So Congratulations Austin!
#18 is pretty sweet consider the style you're rocking!
I know I just wrote about a concert. But last night we went to another concert. And this one was EPIC and so much better. So let me say this up front: The Decemberists are really good recording artists. But they're just ok when it comes to putting on a live performance.
This is a Decemberist T-Shirt, freshly purchased at their Stubbs show.
It's good to know we're not the only ones that went to both shows...
The Arcade Fire, on the other hand, are amazing! I can't WAIT for them to come back to Austin. And to the same venue, the Backyard. Because now I know how to really enjoy the Arcade Fire show at the Backyard. Here's what we did this time:
We got to the show when the first band was on stage- Schamillion. Both of the opening bands were from "Austin" (aka some other town from Texas, like Odessa). Schamillion was like a Paramore copyband. Meh.
I decided to take a break from the scream-o maroon headed girl and take a bathroom break. The bathrooms at the backyard are kind of cool. Because they have real toilets, as opposed to port-a-potties. The downside is that there are no doors to the bathroom stalls- just shower curtains. And the toilets flush on a timer; like every ten minutes or so. So... the next person sees.... you know.
Russ bringing some beverages while we wait.
After that delight we found our spot on a rock just right of the stage. Russ wandered off to check out the food options and came back with two cannoli's (more about this tomorrow). The second band, Explosions in the Sky, started playing. Now, this band seemed to be pretty good. But then, they didn't sing at all. It was just instrumental. I liked it at first, but quickly became bored from hearing the same notes and chords over and over again for 40 minutes. Music fail.
After only a 40 minute break, the Fire was on! I mention this because it was impressive. There was some decent hustle from their stage crew. The Decemberists took much longer than that.
So here's how the actual show was:
1. Month of May: AF started with this song for obvious reasons. (it's the month of May). But I loathe this song. It just a lot of noise for me. I was glad they got it out of the way right at the first.
2. Rebellion (Lies): So much energy in this song, one of my favorites that they have. You couldn't help but jump around singing, "Lies! Lies!" There was a man walking, no running, around the stage with a drum hitting it with a drumstick. At some point the drumstick flew out of his hand and into the crowd (Hope no one lost an eye!). The man just kept on beating that drum with his fist. He didn't skip a beat. So much fun.
3. Neighborhood #2 (Laika): Earlier in the day, Russ and I were cleaning our bedroom, listening to AF, and I asked Russ, "Do you think they'll play this song?" It was kind of funny when they did. I call this song "Alexander." Because it's all about an older brother named Alexander and then about a neighborhood. It's not my favorite, but it's ok.
At this point I realized something. You see, I listen to AF when I study at law school. On this song I realized that I pretty much knew all the words from listening to it so much. Which is cool for the concert, but it makes me wonder if I learned anything about the law since I seemed to be busy subconsciously memorizing AF songs. SAD reality.
4. Haiti: This song is partially in French. AF also announce after this song that $1 of our ticket sales would be going to help local Haitian doctors treat people in rural areas. This just made me love AF more. Not only do they make awesome music, but they also have a cause!
5. City With No Children: Fun. Just Fun. And it talks about Houston (because one of the singers is from Houston).
6. Rococo: I have a love/hate relationship with this song. I love it when I'm with other people. but when I listen to it on my own, it gets on my nerves. So at the concert it was awesome.
7. Intervention: Before this song AF announced this song is about going to church and the things your parents don't tell you about church. Originally this song is on Neon Bible, which Russ and I got about a week before the show. Sadly, I didn't know it well enough to enjoy it.
8. The Suburbs, The Suburbs (Continued): Yes, they played these two back to back. Which Russ loved. This is one of their best songs. My friend Jess LOVES a part of this song, where the lyrics talk about the beauty left in this world. And she would have cried had she heard it live. It was so beautiful I thought my ears were going to fall off.
And if you've seen the music video, it's a bunch of kids biking around a neighborhood that looks just like where Russ and I live. Which, makes sense, because the video was filmed in Austin, probably in a neighborhood that had the same builder as ours. If you haven't seen it, check it out:
9. Suburban War: This song was so beautiful. But sort of sad. Still, I enjoyed hearing it live. I love the time and meter changes in this song.
10. Keep the Car Running: Another one from Neon Bible. It seemed fun, but I didn't know it.
11. No Cars Go: This was a lot of fun. We kept shouting "HEY!" at certain parts of the song. This never stood out to me when I listen to the recording. But shouting it live was rockin'.
12. Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels): AF said that this song was about moving from Houston to Montréal and the first winter up there; how cold it was, but the good parts too. Knowing this, I absolutely fell in love with this song. It's my new favorite!
13. We Used to Wait: I just about went crazy when they started this song. I LOVE THIS ONE! It's about letter writing, and after serving a mission where you live for letters, I felt like I could understand this song. AMAZING! Around this time, we had to get closer. So we pressed through the crowds until we were about 10 ft from the center stage. Much fish jumping ensued.
14. Neighborhood #3 (Power Out): AF said many thank yous and played this song. It's just ok for me.
Finally, they took the standard break while we "wooed" and clapped for them to come back out. After a few minutes, they reemerged, said thank you about a thousand times more, and played:
15. Ready to Start: I love the intro to this song. It just makes your heart pound. More jumping ensued.
16. Wake Up: Finally, they played perhaps their most famous song. Thanks to Motorola commercials, the trailer for "Where the Wild Things Are" and other commercials I can't recall. I videoed the intro, so here it is. This is the uncut version, so there's a few swears at the first as AF explains an exclusive t-shirt made just for the Texas shows (yes, I got one).
17. Sprawl II (Mountains Beyond Mountains): This was their final song. I was looking forward to them playing this song the whole night. The opening lyrics to this song say, "They heard me singing and they told me to stop, quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock." I feel like this a lot, because I am sort of a non-pragmatic dreamer. But this song is just fantastic. It was a great way to end the show!
Overall I had a blast. Here are a few other notes:
I lost one of my new earrings while jumping. : ( Note to future Chow: Don't wear big, cute earrings to concerts.
When I went to buy my t-shirt after the show, it was a cluster of people. There was no rhyme or reason to our attempt to purchase, just mass cluster eager to press forward. A little tween boy pushed his way up to where I was and got in front of me. He was not wearing a shirt. It was so gross everytime I was pushed into his babysoft back-skin or saw his no-hair armpit. I felt disgusting being so close to a half naked young man. Please note: Wear a shirt to a concert. If you take it off, then don't get into a crowd of people and make them touch your peachfuzz back. GROSS.
Arcade Fire probably said, "We Love Austin" about 100 times. And not just the male vocal, but all members of the band said it at some point. It made the crowd that much more energized to be there. The Decemberists on the other hand made fun of the "Keep Austin Weird" slogan. AF>D
Finally, as we drove home Russ said, "I'd love to see them in a theater". I absolutely agree. While it was fun to be outside and under the stars, I would love to see the AF in a more intimate venue, with less people. I think that would be amazing, and well worth the ticket price.
I love Russ's friends. They're so cool. I always hear about married couples struggling to blend friends, but I can honestly say that I love Russ's friends.
Especially when they come to visit! This week we had the opportunity to have Darren, Kristie, and Brookelyn visit us. I was away in Waco for most of the adventures Russ took them on. But they went and had some BBQ in Lockhart, toured San Marcos, and played in Zilker Park. When I finally met up with them, we ate at Chuy's:
Brookelyn colored a fantastic picture:
And then we went to the Texas Capitol Building to walk around and have some good conversation while we walked around.
Plus we posed Brookelyn like a statute:
Thanks for visiting! Next time I'll try to be less-busy so we can play more!
My husband is a news reporter. Which you may think is "cool" or "interesting". But my gut reaction? "yuck". On our first date I gave him an earful. I told him that he was benefitting off of human suffering, he exploited people at the worst and hardest points in their life, and that his profession caused much of the 'fear-mongering' in the US.
Russ took these harsh comments with grace. And I was quickly humbled when our waitress congratulated him for being the National Television Student of the Year. Turns out Russ was really good at his job. And he didn't do the news the way most reporters do. He was very respectful of people.
Okay, okay, so there was one time we got in a HUGE fight because it was flooding in Cedar City and he started filming people bailing water out of their basements while I went and helped them bail water.
And on more than one of our dates he said something like, "There's a hostage situation, I have to cut this short". He does go and chase the news sometimes.
But the way news is reported is largely dictated by the news station. I was super nervous when he interviewed with News 8 Austin and I found out that they were a 24 hour news station. I thought for sure this meant that Russ would be leaving all hours of the night (and day) to go cover stories.
But I was wrong. News 8 is very community-oriented. Sure they report the ugly stuff. But there's a LOT of positive stories on this News Station.
For example, this story about this adorable Santa Claus who doesn't have grandchildren(s).
Or this story, which is part of a season series of music. I guess it makes sense given that Austin is the Live Music Capital of the World. We're got a lot of music happening!
Today as I watched after my run, the news anchor mentioned that the station will be showing Christmas performances all Christmas day! Um... yes, I will be tuning in. I love live music, and I love Christmas music!
Just had to write out my love for News 8 Austin. Oh, and as a sidenote, I love all the reporters on there too. I don't mean to sound like an old lady who think the people on tv are her family, but I like turning on the station and seeing who's working. "Jennifer Borget is working!" or "Marc is on today! I though he only worked weekends". Best of all, "Hey, that's my husband. He's doing his nervous smile."
Ooh, he's on right now.
Coming up on the blog:
Christmas Eve traditions
News Year's Resolution... so much promise, so much that didn't happen
Momma Bear descends on Central Texas
Baris- the Best Italian Restaurant I've ever been to
I was organizing some photos on my computer today and realized I never blogged about a wonderful event Russ and I were able to attend in June.
So my friend Kyle, my moot court partner from law school...
got married to the coolest person. Her name is Brooke, but I don't have a picture of her.
Anyway, the wedding was AMAZING! The church was breathtaking. The words spoken were heart warming. The couple was so BEAUTIFUL. I didn't get any pictures inside the church, but here's the outside:
This is the law school gang that showed up. Yeah, I can't pose.
And the best part was... dancing with this really cute guy that was there.
This weekend Randy became our first sibling to make the trip to visit us. We started the visit at the Shrine of Texas Liberty.
Next we river-walked.
The Trans-Siberian Orchestra was in town to do their show "Beethoven's Last Night".
They classically rocked with lasers.
After dinning on Kolaches, tubing the San Marcos River, and eating ourselves stupid on barbecue we headed to Austin. We hiked (climbed 101 steps) to the top of "Mount" Bonnell.
Next stop the Capitol. Sometimes birds sit on your head.
Randy and Chow were amazed by the dome.
Chow really wanted a Popsicle while we waited to watch the Bats.
After a cupcake we topped off the night at the Alamo Drafthouse (the best place on earth to see a movie). Tonight's feature was "Best Worst Movie". I love documentaries and this is a great one. Check it out if and when it comes to your town.
It was a fast and furious 3 day visit. I left out a lot of details, mostly because I didn't take (or get copies of the) pictures. Good times and then some. Thanks for coming Randy.
I read this blog just about every day (addiction) and they posted a comparison of music listening to two different cities. I went to the site and did my own comparison... well I was hoping to compare Salt Lake City, but SLC was not an option. No offense, but yet another reason I love Austin over SLC. The music difference.
While visiting with my little brother in Calgary in December, I asked him if he knew who Spoon was. I was shocked to hear he had not! In Austin, Spoon is a household name. Spoon is like... is like... as big as Coldplay. Ok, maybe not Coldplay but I was sad to see that Spoon was not as popular as Austin leads me to believe.
And that is why Austin rocks. The music. I've taken tests before that say I learn best by listening. Or that by listening I can feel and understand things better. It is no wonder I love Austin.
We took the moms all over Austin today. Actually we started in
Lockhart for some prime BBQ. Then it was off to UT to see some history
(hook 'em horns). Upper Crust was our next stop for a naked cupcake.
After that we paid homage to LBJ at his library. Then some sight
seeing, Whole Foods, and millions of bats. I'm ready for sleep.
After months of studying Chow takes the LSAT in the morning. She spent
the day relaxing with friends, checking out the test center, and
lounging in the hotel room. We both have to be on campus at UT early
in the morning so we're staying in Austin. The room has sleep number
beds, I can't wait to sleep.
Ever since there was a chance we were going to move to Austin I've had
the secret wish I'd get to see a taping of Austin City Limits.
Tonight I saw Gnarles Barkley. It was a lot of fun. I think I'm crazy.
My buddy Richy T was in town so we spent the evening seeing the sights
in Austin. We saw the bats, we ate Amy's Ice Cream, and wondered the
original 40 acres. Good night.
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