I guess we spent Fall having too much fun because I forgot to blog about any of the things we did. Well, here are the highlights:
Event #1 Food and Friends:
While this happened often, I often did not take any pictures of our time spent with friends eating, laughing, and eating some more. But here are pics from one such occasion.
This is Brandon's Burger. It looks both awesome and scary.
This is Brandon eating the above burger.
He's a growing boy, so he DOWNED it and went back for a second!
What do you do after all that food?
Watch "The Lion King" in 3D.
Event #2 Our Annual Fall Date:
So starting last year, continuing this year, Russ and I do a day date in Austin where we hit up Cheesefest at all the Central Markets in Austin. Cheesefest is a celebration of cheese. You can taste all sorts of cheeses that have been made locally or that have been in the cheese process for years.
This year's winner: The Roaring 40's Bleu Cheese.
We also got some Pumpkin Pie Soda to wash down all that cheese:
And we ate Mongolian BBQ before the whole Cheesefest began:
We also went to look at the Whole Foods Chocolate Halloween display. It was less impressive than last year, but still fun to look at:
Event #3:I beat my friend Eric at Words With Friends.
My pal Eric is a Words With Friends genius. He wins by 200 points- at least.
Well, I won... one time.
Event #4: We saw Willie Nelson, George Strait, The Avett Brothers, Asleep at the Wheel, The Dixie Chicks, and Lyle Lovett in concert.
In September wildfires were raging down here in Texas. Thousands lost their homes, pets, and everything but their families. Austin, being the Live Music Capital of the World, did its' part to help these folks get back on their feet.
There was a massive benefit concert for the wildfire victims.
Sure, Russ and I couldn't afford the $500-$1,000 seats up close. But we managed to get the $25 nosebleeds. It was an amazing night of music. I felt like I was watching a family reunion of talented musicians. Everyone played together, or hung out on the side of the stage and watched Willie play.
And, may I just say, George Strait is a cutie? Well he is, even if he is an old man. He has really kept those good looks!
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.
On Saturday night Russ and I went to the Decemberists concert at Stubbs. Who are the Decemberists, you ask? Well, see this post. They're a band that I've adored for quite some time.
When I was on my LDS mission, in Kahalu'u, I found a BYU-Hawaii newspaper while cleaning out a drawer full of Ensign magazines. One of the articles caught my eye. The article was about this band called "The Decemberists" and their recent concert at BYU-Hawaii. I distinctly remember feeling that when I got home from my mission that I would love this band.
Well, I returned from Hawaii and forgot those feelings. Until about 2008. It was around this time I stumbled upon The Decemberists and fell in love with their music.
So this year, for my birthday, Russ bought me tickets to their show! Here are the highlights:
We got there before the opening band and staked out our position (about 15 ft. from the stage). After a few minutes I utilized the port-a-potties so I wouldn't have to go in the show.
We played Words With Friends through the opening band and checked Facebook. The opening band, "Our Lives", was just okay. They had a girl in the band playing the violin and the cello but you couldn't hear it. I was sort of disappointed.
After a 40-ish minute break in-between sets (I think we were about to mutiny due to the delay past 9 p.m.) the Decemberists made their entrance. They talk a lot about Oregon in the opening schpeal and it was here that I learned that Austin and Portland have some sort of rivalry. That made me a little sad. Because Austin is the BEST!
They played a LOT of songs from 'The King Is Dead', their new album. Which is fine.
But FINALLY! They played Crane Wife 1-2-3. I'm not ashamed to say that I cried through the Crane Wife 1 and 2. I should probably say that I bawled. Because I did. Those two songs just break my heart! And I must say, this is the first time that I have cried that much at a concert. But I couldn't help it. It was magical.
After the Crane Wife songs, they played the Rake song. The crowd went from melancholy to fierce air punching. It was quite enjoyable.
From there they played a lot of other good songs that we enjoyed. We had to take a break because I grew tired of standing so we went to get a Dr. Pepper. We had to go inside to get a Dr. Pepper, where I discovered there's a BATHROOM accessible to concert goers. Word to the wise for future Stubbs concert goers, don't use the port-a-pottie! There's a inside bathroom available.
After watching a drunk man completely face plant into the concrete and Russ waiving a security guard over to help him, drinking down our Dr. Pepper's, and watching the crowd perform jigs akin to riverdance, the Decemberists left the stage. For the first time.
The Decemberists came back out to play 'Eli, the Barrow Boy' (which always reminds me of my nephew Elliott) and 'The Mariner's Revenge Song' (which resulted in more spontaneous jig-dancing from all concert attendees.
The Decemberists came back out again and played June Hymn.
I don't think I stopped smiling the whole night. It was so fantastic. We skipped back to our car with glee in our hearts. Thank you, Decemberists. Thank you, Russ.
Our failed attempt at a photo before the show
The Decemberists are coming back to Stubb's in August. Want to go?
The sleepless nights have come to an end. My first South by Southwest is over and it was a surreal ride. I saw some great music, had a lot of fun, and (I think) made some interesting TV. The idea was simple. I'd be live at 10 p.m. previewing my plans, go out into the chaos and then be live at 6 a.m. with what I found.
Day 1
Started with a live shot at 6th and Congress. It was the first of many I couldn't really hear because of the noise from all the live music. When we finished, my photographer Pat and I headed into the sea of people that was downtown Austin.
We did a couple interviews and worked our way to Stubb's where local heros Spoon were playing. While Pat got ready to shoot the show, I hit some nearby venues and saw some other bands and did some interviews. There were people sitting outside listening to the big opening night show and performing in the streets. You can download the show (Broken Bells and Spoon) from NPR.org. Here's what it was like inside (from my iPhone):
From there we hit a couple more shows, a party, and ended the night at a burger joint. By ended I mean it was 3 a.m., and we went back to the station and started writing and editing. At 6 a.m. I was live at the Four Seasons where KGSR was hosting a morning showcase of artists. Charlie Mars was one of my favorites (it's better when it's just him and a guitar).
I was in bed asleep by 10 a.m. Here's how my story came out:
Day 2
Started the night at the Levi's Fader Fort, a huge party complex set up by Levi's. Pat and I decided to just take people along for the ride as we bounced around town. We went back to Stubb's. While Pat tried to work his way in, I shot the Generationals across the street (they were my favorite of the night, I should have stayed there longer). We ended the night at the Pure Volume House waiting to see Andrew WK. The idea was my story would end with me going into a mosh pit during the 3 a.m. concert. Well the crowd (that had been enjoying the free booze and Taco Bell) start to get impatient waiting for the show and then they decided that TV cameras didn't belong in the pit and well, long story short, we left with my cameraman wearing a burrito.
I'd write more but you can just watch it here.
Friday moning at the Four Seasons was awesome.
Dawes started the morning and sounded great at 6:30 a.m.
The hotel had been a subdued place, great vibe, but really chill. That changed with V.V. Brown. The Brit rocked the hotel, giving everyone in the building a 7 a.m. wake up call. This video is from one of her other performances:
Local singer and favorite of Chow, Sarah Jarosz played a song (she also won a stack of Austin Music Awards. She's taping an episode of Austin City Limits I really hope to go.
Oh and Creed from The Office showed up. That made my morning.
Day 3
Friday was the most surreal night of the festival. I started the night at a showcase featuring the two bands I wanted to see the most (She & Him and Broken Bells).
She & Him was good...
Broken Bells were great!
But the bridge show we went to next was epic. In a "do-it-yourself" concert showcase were a bunch of bands took over the Lamar Pedestrian Bridge. I was interviewing one of the kids that set the show up, he paused mid-answer, looked away, turned back and said, "that was Bill Murray."
That's SXSW, you never know who will show up. He declined an interview but stayed at the bridge and watched the show, that is until the cops came. The night got stranger but you'll just have to ask me about it. I think the story turned out great.
Saturday morning I stood out in the freezing rain telling people how cold and miserable it was-sure wasn't as fun as the hotel.
Day 4
The night involved a lot of waiting in the cold. It started at the Austin Music Awards and then Eddie (cameraman) and I headed to what was supposed to be one of the hottest parties in town. Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton throws a big closing night bash each year and tens of thousands of people wanted in. The venue was way too small for the crowd so that meant waiting outside.
After an hour or so Eddie was able to work his magic and we got inside just in time to see Snoop Dogg. It was another crazy free booze fueled party. We stayed for Hole, I met my friend John for breakfast and at 7 a.m. I was live at the airport talking to folks leaving town.
The whole week was a blur, but I already can't wait for next year.
Went to the big Weezer show tonight. It was pretty fun. You can't
complain when the tickets were ten bucks. I think I paid more to see
them when I was in High School and they played at club DV8
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.
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