Arcade Fire

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.

Her Majesty, The Decemberists

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?

Christmas Music

What's your favorite Christmas song? (this is a somewhat rhetorical question. But you can tell me if you really want to)
For me, there are SO many I love. Yes, I'm one of those people who start missing Christmas around... June. And I have different favorites for the different aspects of Christmas. My favorite is "Stille Nacht" by Mannheim Steamroller.

But my favorite Christmas album is Celine Dion's Christmas CD. Yes, I secretly love Celine Dion (don't tell Russ). And it's sort of cultured... the last song is in French!

But this year I've discovered a new favorite. Russ and I have been fans of this band since undergrad. And recently, thanks in part to Qrank, we've discovered why many think this is the best Christmas song ever:

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As a sidenote, there are some AWFUL song lyrics in Christmas songs. The one that comes to mind for me right now is from "The Little Drummer Boy" and it goes like this:

The ox and lamb kept time pah-rum-pum-pum-pum

As if the song isn't fictional enough... the animals know how to keep musical time? I drawn the line at.

Oh, and if you think of any, do share! I love me some bad Christmas lyrics.

Wednesdays...

Are awful. It's the middle of the week. There's nothing fun going on in Waco (is there ever something fun?). It's been 2 days since I've seen Russ and I won't see him for another 2 days. Maybe 3 days this week depending on how long my research project takes to finish.

So... this will get me through this day:

Researching in the Library.

Some happy tunes

Teaching Yoga tonight

Craft-fooder-noon

My sweet, sweet pals in San Marcos have been wishing and planning for a magical afternoon together. An afternoon where we eat the tastiest of food. Where we talk and talk and talk. An afternoon where we work on those unfinished craft projects from last week, or even from our days in Merry Miss.

Well, the dreaming came to an end over the weekend. This glories occasion happened and is now known as Craftfoodernoon.

We all showed up to Jess's house, guitars in tote. Crafts in tote. Food in tote. Heck, we looked like a group of homeless women about to exchange goods. We got settled in Jess's living room and promptly began... talking. Yes. Talking. Not eating or crafting. But talking. This is obviously the prime activity of a craftfoodernoon. But we did eventually get around to crafting. And eating. Check it out:

Not pictured: Michelle and myself. I'm not quite sure how I missed getting a picture of Michelle.

The food was also fantastic:

It was so nice to just talk and be together! I can't wait to do it again in January! 

Thanks ladies!

Mumford and Sons

I am behind just about a thousand posts on here. I've tried to blog about the State Fair but my pictures have had a tough time uploading. As I drove home from Waco to San Marcos today, I mentally wrote three blogs:

1. Choosing Suicide

2. How I Know the Nation is Dumber

3. Twilight: I Know Why it Sucks Girls in

However, I've chosen to table these blogs, and the state fair, to deal with an immediate matter. The immediate matter of Mumford and Sons. They have a fierce grip on my heart that I have felt since the Decemberists and The Crane Wife songs.

This whole flirtation with Mumford began a few months back on the blog I read. They posted one of their videos. Mmmm. I was interested.

Then a few days later... they were on KGSR (For you Utahns, it's just about the coolest radio station ever. Don't believe me? Click the link).

I turned it up and made Russ be quiet. It was "Sleep Little Lion Man". I felt fire in my bones.

THEN they were on NPR! And if you go to iTunes you can get their radio edit of "Sleep Little Lion Man" for free (It's the 6/1/10 download, or #22 on the list).

But tonight I fell in love with them. I was watching My Generation, a show that I was just loving but got the axe from ABC and this song was in the closing scene musical montage. And that was it. I broke down and bought the whole album on iTunes (um... it was $9). And I feel in love again. Just listen to this song- the whole way through- and tell me what you think. Maybe I'm crazy.

But I love Mumford and Sons.

For those of you not keen on listening, here are the lyrics that I love:

Serve God love me and mend 

This is not the end

Love that will not betray you, dismay or enslave you, 

It will set you free 

Be more like the man you were made to be.

 There is a design, An alignment to cry, Of my heart to see, 

The beauty of love as it was made to be

Please Pick Up The Broken Bells

NPR did a story recently called "Listener's Pick 2010's Best Music (So Far)"

I will admit it, I had a "driveway moment" listening to this story. Only, it wasn't in my driveway, it was in front of the courthouse. Still, I shared a "moment" with my radio as I had ear candy of the great new tunes some great new artists are pumping out.

At number 4 was the Broken Bells. Now I've know about the Bells for a while. But I don't know if you have.

So I ask you, blogsphere:

Do you like Gnarls Barkley?

Do you like the Shins?

If you do, then you'll like the Broken Bells. It's a marriage of the two sounds thanks to Dangermouse (Gnarls Barkley) and James Mercer (from the Shins).

I was insanely jealous when Russ saw them at SXSW, while I was at law school prepping for Moot Court. But their music is so fantastic, I guess it's okay.

Here! Enjoy! Take a moment and clean up your living room while you let this video play on your computer!

My City vs. Your City

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.

And a reason I LOVE Austin.

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.

What we're listening to...

It came out 2 weeks ago and it's pretty good- sounds like a soundtrack to a musical to me. It's also reawakened my love for American Idiot. 

Green day- I think the biggest band of our generation. Or so Russ has said and I finally agree. Thoughts???

R E N T

Tonight I went to the broadway musical "Rent" with my wonderful friend Melanie. She's 9 months (baby due in a few days) prego and has season tickets.

Her husband had to work, so she asked me to 'drive' and attend the performance with her. Are you kidding me??? Of course I want to go!

It was a great show! I enjoyed it!

Thank You Melanie!

Swing, batter batter, swing

Every morning, I get up, I shower, get dressed, and go down stairs to do my hair & makeup in the downstairs bathroom.  While I do my hair and makeup I turn on MTV HD-music videos. I always know when it's time to go because at 7:40 am the MTV plays a country music video.

Long explanation, but today's "video signal" was some song by Trace Adkins called... well I don't know. The chorus went like, "Swing batter batter, swing batter batter, swing batter batter swing". It was about baseball.

So I just thought it was fitting because tonight we went to the Texas State vs. University of Texas San Antonio baseball game.

I got paid for watching baseball. 

- Chow

Mini vacation

My four day weekend is finally over. The fun included a trip to
Houston, 2 Ben Folds shows, a French dinner, a hobbit dinner,
Halloween preparations, a trip to LittleBigPlanet, and plenty of couch-
potatoery. Now it's back to work just in time for one more week of
election madness. We already cancelled each other's votes out, at least on some races.

Concert fest '08 night 1

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

Music to eat by

The Moms are in town so we took them out for stuffed avocados.
Nothing says swanky Mexican place like a dude playing a harp. Visit
the Wildes in Texas we're nothing but class.

I think they're crazy

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.