captain stupid sword and bob the dinosaur

Back from the iTunes Live ARIA Awards, Concert Sessions. The lovely father was nominated for Best Children's Album - but naturally The Wiggles won. Again. For the third time in a row. I severely dislike them. But that doesn't matter! I don't want to insult anything that anyone out there really quite enjoys, but honestly I think that The Wiggles time has come and it's time for Justine Clarke to make her way to the top. Which she has, she's the most lovely person ever and an amazing actor and singer, but I'm not advertising am I? I'm blogging! (finally...)
So yes, the iTunes Live ARIA Awards, Concert Sessions. Let's just call it the iTunes thing, yeah? There was about ten minutes of award time and an hour of live music, whelp!!
Boy & Bear opened and ooh, they were so so good! I'd never really listened to them before but in between trying to ignore the pain from my feet and trying to figure whether they were an Indie-Folk or Indie-Rock band (we decided on the folk,) I decided that not only do I really quite like them but that they sound like the Fleet Foxes - a plus, 'cause the Fleet Foxes are so in my top ten bands - and that the lead singer is quite the looker. I got a little smile from him after the set, and now I think about it I should've gone and introduced myself. Dayum.
They played for about half an hour and each song was better than the last. The four part harmonies were so completely amazing, you could see the concentration on their faces. I probably would've been transported into some crazy world where I would have the sudden urge to start writing songs again, but I was outside and amongst people and I didn't want to start mouthing words - I was already getting funny looks for my boots and bedsocks.
The awards were next and then Washington. She was so energetic and had the coolest shoes ever. Her voice is so strong, but I thought I could hear a bit of straining towards the end...she was gorgeous though. She had this cute pixie cut and wicked piano riffs and her bass players bass was the most awesome colour. Salmony orangey reddy pinky colour, gorgeous and I am so jealous I want it. He looked like my friend Jake. Kinda creeped me out, but yeah.
I miss live music so much, but I'm so hoping I'll get my live music fix soon enough. Keep reading lovelies, I haven't completely given up on this blog yet !



Rock It - Little Red





Scattered Diamonds - Hungry Kids of Hungary


Enjoyyyyyyyyyyy x

alligator

I have a new favourite band. I've been listening to them for a while now, but I never really let myself indulge in them because I didn't want to get sick of them. I've realised that when I like a song or a band and I put them on repeat and listen to them over and over for about a week or two until I absolutely can't bear the thought of them. I dislike this!
So, the band in question is The National. The Cincinnati band - which, btw, makes them even that more likeable because I absolutely adore saying 'Cincinnati' in a really bad American accent - has this glorious sound. It's kind of like a mixture between Band of Horses and The Who. 
Honestly, I don't know why it reminds me of those two bands but it just does. So, like all my favourite bands, its comprised of two sets of brothers plus one. Eep, brotherly love! Aaron and Bryce Dessner (guitar, bass and piano for Aaron and guitar for Bryce) and Scott and Bryan Devendorff (Scott bass and guitar and Bryan drums) and the plus one, my personal favourite, Mark Berninger. His voice! Melt my heart, why don't you?
But, anyway, as I was saying. I don't want to indulge myself in them because I don't want to get sick of them. I love them too much too let my ears become bored of their sound. Kinda like a hot bath, let yourself in slowly and then you can indulge. Bad analogy, I know but ssh, who cares.
So yeah, thats my latest news. I just think that they're something special and unique, like most bands, but more. They can put me too sleep but they can wake me up, they can make me calm or get me psyched. However, I don't think they make the cut for Barney Stinson's "Get Pysched Mix!". Pity.

P.S "I was afraid I'd eat your brains, because I'm evil" = greatest most creepiest lyrics ever.

hear it here, part 11

I have to play this for my trumpet exam. The part that immediately comes in, yeah, the fortissimo high A? Yep, that.

hear it here, part 11

i want to meet the walrus, part 2

Her Majesty. I actually have no idea what this song could be about. Just a little fun song. But I'm truly curious. So, 'Mean Mr Mustard' and 'Polythene Pam' originally had this inbetween them but when Paul heard it he didn't like it and asked for it to be edited out. When you listen to 'Her Majesty', the first chord is very strong and full and is, infact, the last chord of 'Mean Mr Mustard', and it ends so abruptly because it's real last note is tacked onto the beginning of 'Polythene Pam'.
I didn't completely comprehend all of this, when I first read it, but then I did some tinkering of my own and made a playlist on iTunes with these three songs and put 'Her Majesty' in the middle and it all worked out quite nicely.
Again, 'Her Majesty' has played some more trickery on us. Originally, 'The End' was to be the final track on the last album ever recorded by The Beatles, but the engineer who cut out 'Her Majesty' obviously didn't want it to be completely destroyed so he recycled it to the end of the tape, making 'Her Majesty' the sly last track on the Abbey Road album.
Paul has also admitted that he had a bit of a crush on Queen Elizabeth as a boy, and when he met her on the 26th of October, 1965, to receive their MBEs he was asked what her thought of her. He replied: "She's lovely. She was very friendly. She was just like a mum to us."
Oh, Pauly, U QT!

shwingers and shvingers

I think that, and I'm sure I've said this many a time before, Australia definately comes bottom when it comes to band tours. King of Leon is going all over America with the Black Keys. SP00N is going around England with The Doors and gaaaaah unfair!

But, in my despair I looked up the lineup for 2011 Big Day Out and I'm pretty sure it's going to be sah-weeet. From what I can see and from the update and leaks from various people it looks like the Gorillaz will be there, eep, as well as The National and M.I.A and Kings of Leon???????? Squeeeeee!

If this is true I am so getting a ticket no matter what. That is all for now, I felt bad for not blogging. Apologies. I don't even have any good youtube videos for you cause of friggin' school work. Tear. But I'm just gonna budge you guys again and link you to my tumblr? Yey!

P.S If you haven't noticed, Kings of Leon are my latest craze. I know they've been around for ages but only recently have I started to listen to them and I really quite like it. I can't explain it, something about their definite beat of music and the singers voice just gives me nice chilllllls down my spine. Whats more, they're all incredible babes.

i want to meet the walrus, part 1

A couple of months ago my dad, knowing my utter obsession with The Beatles, bought me their book A Hard Day's Write. It is absolutely amazing. I don't know what I orginially though the Beatles had in mind when they wrote their songs, but it sure wasn't what was actually going through their mind.
And so, because I think that a little knowledge about the meaning behind songs is always good, we're going to play a game.

No, not really I lied. Every week until I run out of Beatles songs I'm going to write what I thought a particular song was about. Underneath, the real story behind it. If you guys have any suggestions or songs you want to know or thoughts you had on why that song was written, tell me!
First song: Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

I always figured it was just some little song about Pauls secret childhood friend or something like that, Sgt. Pepper. Then, with four minds plus some working together they got the Lonely Hearts Club Band. Yeah?
Kind of...Paul McCartney created Sgt. Pepper and his band to give the Beatles more freedom with their music. Thats a legit reason I think.
In November of 1966, Paul had had to wear a fake moustache so as to travel in cognito while travelling in Nairobi. On the flight back, Sgt Pepper was conceived. This led Paul to believe that the Beatles would be so much more free is they opted for this group disguise. However, by the first song on the album the trickery was found. Their disguse didn't last through the reprise either, although it
succeeded in giving the impression to many people that Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was a 'concept album,'".  George Martin says that the songs have absolutely no connection at all, but that doesn't matter to most...doest it?

Next Song: Her Majesty

hear it here, part 10

New favourite shower song, hells to the yeah

hear it here, part 9

So...I've been a bit not good on the weekly music fave have I?

Well, back into action, men! Let's get crackin'!

I'll blog more tomorrow, cross your fingers I don't go to school pleassseeee

a peanut was walking down the street when he was jumped and A-SALTED

Really quite overdue, but Band of Horses! I admit, they weren't as amazing as Grizzly Bear but were still pretty darn good. The bass player played bass like a bit of a douche bag and seemed to base his appearance around Bono. I don't suggest this for future performaces, Rob Hampton, you look weird.
I didn't really know what to expect. I was quite ignorant of any knowlege about them, only things I assumed or had shamelessly Googled.
But they did put on a good show and did have a good vibe. Plus, what's more, I got a t-shirt! Yay for cheap merch!
I'm ashamed to say that I can't really remember much because it was a little while ago...seven days, to be exact. Basically, the point is they did put on a spectacular performace. They were fun to see, I would definately see them again and Joe Arnone I want to marry you.
BUT GUESS WHAT!!!!
My brother turned eighteen not three days ago (yes, yes, happy birthday best wishes blah blah) and he's having a small get together and he asked me to play bass for him. So now, with him knowing I wasn't all that knowledgeable on the 12 bar blues, he gave me a good lesson and I am fully prepared for any blues thrown my way.
I also realised I gave the wrong link to my tumblr...oops, so for the proper link click here and make yourself comfy.
I leave you with two things.
Numero 1: Should I buy a ticket to the Gorillaz ?!?!???!???!!!!????!?!??!?!?!?
Numero 2: Get That Week State of Mind, Grizzly bear vs Jay-Z.
Enjoy, lovelies.

can you play slow life please

They drank beer and cordial instead of water, they conversed with single people in the audience, they blew the minds of Sydney-siders for the fourth time that year and will continue to do so for as long as they are here. Their music was amazing, their performance was outstanding and their whole being just wondrous.
I didn't know what to expect, were they gonna be as good as they were last time and are they gonna make me feel all funny inside?
They did it all plus some.
After a trek and a half in the rain to get there and prays to the working gods that Allya's friend was working there (which, by the way, she was and so was her other friend but just wait!) we got to the Enmore, showed our tickets and walked into the theatre.
There was one of the two support bands playing, I can't remember what they were called - sorry, no harm meant - and we stood around and waited for Allya's bossmanfriend to turn up. Which he did. And he took us to the barrier. Separating the people who didn't get tickets that would get them to the front. And looked at a guy. And we got stamped. Just like that. Needless to say, we got in and had front and a half row standing positions. BOO-YAH!
So yeah...standing there, waiting for the second band to finish. They were actually quote good, similar to the Dirty Projectors but not as good - again, sorry, no harm meant - but still good. I can't remember their name though, I think I'm having an early onset of memory loss.
Anyway, standing and swaying and then lights go dim and everyone screams and yells and woowoos and Grizzly bear comes on and oh my gosh I think that I may faint because in that three seconds that it takes for Christopher Bear to walk across the stage I have fallen even more and more in musician love with him! He had the cutest new haircut but thats not important. (It is kind of but shh, thats for me talk to myself about...)
Grizzly Bear's music has a way of numbing the mind and making one forget anything bad that has happened. I've been told that I need to say why. Why is their music amazing? Why are they all so awesome? Why is Chris Bear's new haircut so cute? So I will simpify and expand.
Their vocal chords are amahzing and their harmonies just make me wish I could do that. Each of them is doing their own thing on stage but they are still so in tune with eachother and seem to know whats gonna happen.
At one point, they had a backstage person headbanging to "Two Weeks".
People say that musicians who just stand still while performing are boring and lack the animosity needed to perform well but in this case I must say I disagree. Daniel Rossen, who sings and plays guitar/piano, moved only a little and I couldn't seem to stop looking at him. He looked so calm and collected, occasionally smiling and sharing a joke with Chris Bear (!!!!!!).
They all work so hard and to their full extent. I'm yet to see a band who makes me feel the way they do. They make me happy.
I'm scared I'm going to repeat myself, after all it is early, so maybe I'll quit now.
In a nutshell, Grizzly Bear kicked ass.

im cyber sorry

My gawsh what a horrid blogger I have been! I can't even begin apologise enough. I don't have an excuse except that I've been busy and had nothing to write about, but pfft that's not good enough.
I still don't have anything exciting that has come to my head and I haven't had some amazing realisation of what music does to you but I can say that next week beginning Sunday is going to be so flippin' hectic!In a good way, of course.
I'm seeing Grizzly Bear (eeeeeeeeeeepppppppp!!!!!!) on Sunday, then montueswed it's my school musical and I'm playing bass so thats two nights and one day and would be three nights but Thursday I'm seeing Band of Horses (double eeeeeeeeppppppp!!!!!!).
Apology enough? I need to grovel some more? Okay fine. How do I plead?



So, anyways, whats da gosss guuurrrlllfrrraaannn? Allya, my ever lovely music supplier has introdued me to the wonderful world that is mashups. Wu Tang Clan vs The Beatles, amahz, Gorillaz vs Marvin Gaye and SHEEWW MUUSHHH MOOORREE.
But my last post, that wasn't completely shitty, was about all my music from my old computer ?!? So yeah, it is the biggest blast from my past in a while. All this crazy stuff like Alicia Keyes and Jack Johnson and things I didn't even know I listened to like the Sugababes, makes me laugh a bit. Oh, and Jamelia's Superstar. Best. Song. Ever. I have a birthday card from a while ago and my friend drew a picture of me singing along to it. Looovee it.
Anyway, this is just a catch up.
I'll be better with posting I promise. If you wan't proper good normal less sporadtic posting go to my tumblr, yeah? Coolios.
Ohh, I've missed this. It's nice to be back.

hear it here, part 8

I've been a bit of a crappy blogger lately. And I am so sorry! Blogger block, it sucks, you don't want it.

I'll get back on track soon. Love xx

welcome home

I've got my old music back. Thirteen years of collected garbage on my laptop. This is like coming home after being at a boarding school for two years or eating a milk arrowroot biscuit dipped in milk and you suck all the milk out from the miniscule holes in the biscuit. This is like seeing your family laughing at something you said or did. This is like home.
Alicia Keyes, Bowling for Soup - I welcome you with open arms into my computer hardrive. Rufus Wainwright, pull up a chair by my cosy battery! You too, ZZ Top. I miss you guys.
I forgot all about so many bands. The Fugees, George, The Grates. Wowowowowowwww. Flippin' love The Fugees, I forgot how lovely they make me feel!
Have any of you heard their version of Killing Me Softly? Cause now you can. It's okay, thank me later :D

hear it here, part 7

war cry

I need help. Badly. I got a tumblr. and now I'm hooked and I don't know whether I should switch. I don't know who reads this and I don't know if they like it or not but I've already got about five followers on tumblr. and I only got it today. So, help is in order.
Keep blogger or move this whole thing to tumblr.? Never ever would I give up this blog, that would be like giving up a child. So please, for my sake, help me decide.
Please please pretty pretty pretty please comment or message me or something me and tell me what. to. do!!

But for my sake...heres the link :D and a song.






Love me xx

hear it here, part 6

compare and contrast

bobbidy dah macdaddy

This guy is amazing. I want to meet him and shake his hand and kiss him on the cheek and tell him that he is the Superman of Music and that, if he wants, we should drink tea and improvise together. Don't know if you remember, but a couple of posts ago I said I was terrible at improvising? Don't go getting your hopes up, still just as terrible, but watching Bobby McFerrin and listening to him makes me want to practise and practise and improvise and improvise.


Isn't this insane? Brilliant, genius. They don't know whats hit 'em. 
But then, he goes on to talk about expectations. And the pentatonic scale. This really shows how the brain works in expecting things to happen a certain way. I don't really know how to describe it. Watch!

Don't we just love the pentatonic scale? Neuro science, here we come...err

rawr

Reow! I've come to confess something, but thought I'd butter you up a bit with this amusing video. Bit of a role reversal, dontcha think? What with the King of the Jungle being behind the tigerrrrrrrr.

Anyway, my confession is this: I like Lady GaGa.

Not all of it. Only two songs. Alejandro and Telephone. Don't ask me why. I just do. I've already been shunned enough as it is, don't judge me please! Just those songs are so much fun. Oh me, oh my.