Readers (If there are any these days),I started this blog my freshman year of college at the University of Washington. It gave me a outlet to vent and something to ground myself in while I was stumbling and fumbling around finding my way out west. Almost three years have passed since the inception, and I’ve come a long way. I’ve been busy in other realms, and I have not generated any content over the last year which is kind of pathetic.
Anyways, I write this post as a notice: If you want to grab any mp3s or content from this blog please do so in the next two or three days. I will be shutting it down, pulling the plug, etc. I will be backing up all the content, or most of it just for nostalgia purposes but other than that backup everything will disappear into the ether of the internets.
A lot has changed since I started this blog. Everyone on the internet seems to have a music blog, or tumblr, or what have you. It’s intimidating, and it’s hard not to get cynical. It’s also hard to attempt to generate any unique content. If you want to keep up with me or contact me any time in the future, you can find my twitter here. You can also email me at omar.shaukat(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you for all your eyes and input over the years. It really has been a pleasure running this thing, or rather maintaining it every once in a while. Content you used to find on this site will be regularly available on the new rainydawg radio (University of Washington’s Radio Station) website here: http://www.rainydawg.org/ It’s got a banging blog that I hope will become a force in the next year or so. If you’re in the northwest and want to get drinks in the next year, contact me. I’ll be up for it as I turn 21 this August.
That’s all. Take care, and godspeed.
Let me just let you all know I apologize for the lack of updates on this blog recently, life has been a bit hectic. Expect a few updates.
One of which is a post regarding the local band, Get Dressed, and their in-studio at Rainydawg Radio. They blew me away.
In addition, I’ll post some of my photos from the Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin show (now on my flickr).
Finally, I’m having Unwed Sailor come in to the studio on Tuesday for a performance/interview session. That will be at noon. Check out their show at the Sunset Tavern this coming Monday at 8PM.
Hmmm, maybe I’ll see Pelican tomorrow night? I’ve always wanted to see them live. Who knows.
Yet another big break. Matt Pryor and I have been in touch the past few days, and he’s going to be out in Seattle next weekend playing at the Showbox. I am so very excited to have him swing through the studio. Pryor has been an inspiration for my love of music since the days of middle school with TGUK. More details to come in the following days. Hyped!
Well, if you want to get technical, this is nothing new. But it’s great to have this song in good quality. Gibbard played this song on his acoustic tour last summer, where he toured with Johnathan Rice and David Bazan. The live video can be found here. Ever since hearing this song, it has rapidly become my favorite solo Gibbard piece. I have probably played that youtube video over 200 times, and that could be an understatement.
Needless to say, I will be buying Narrow Stairs on vinyl just for this song. I can’t wait to see what factor Chris Walla plays in this song. My only request was for a solo Gibbard version in top quality, and my wish was granted yesterday. The smile on my face was unmatched when I saw this on hardtofindafriend (in blogroll). All I can say is thanks. Link to the song is below courtesy of HTFAF:
Ben Gibbard — Cath (BBC6 Live Session Acoustic)
Soon everybody will ask what became of you.
Your heart was dying fast and you didn’t know what to do.
The whispers that it won’t last roll up and down the pews.
And if our hearts were dying that fast, they would have done the same as you.
I’d have done the same as you.
I just drove back from Philadelphia. I ended up not seeing Xiu Xiu/Thao there, nor will I see it tonight at the Black Cat in D.C. There are just too many people to hang out with, and I’m sorry to say, I’m not too well versed with Xiu Xiu. I listened to Women as Lovers and it did nothing to me. I will be getting my hands on Fabulous Muscles though, so I will be making my opinion on them after a few listens of that.
Philadelphia was such a splendid trip. I got to see my grandparents, aunt, uncle, and cousins. My cousins, who I haven’t seen in nearly a year, treated me to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. We chatted it up all night and had a great time. On top of that, I got in a lot of guitar and piano playing. I really have to start taking Piano lessons. It’s something I’ve always wanted to pick up, so I will probably start in the coming weeks. The trip made me realize what a great family and extended family I have and how fortunate I am.
Anyways, the plan now is to head out to College Park and spend the night with some high school friends. It’ll be good times, I haven’t seen them in a while. Tomorrow I’ll most likely visit my old high school and goto Georgetown for some shopping and to meet up with Neil before the Stephen Malkmus show at the 9:30 club. I will certainly be going to that as well as Fuck Buttons/Caribou on Sunday. I’ve been looking forward to those shows too long to pass up those opportunities.
Time to head out to CP. I got two fresh Orioles hats today. Keep on the lookout for them in my flickr and what not. It’s the hotness. I leave you with a link to photos taken at the Justice/Diplo show courtesy of my good friend, Tim Willis.
