2008 March Archive at Love is Elusive.

Archive for March, 2008

Farewell to the Pressure Kids

Published on March 31, 2008 in Baltimore, Daily Life, Friends, Music and Travel. 3 Comments

This is my last morning in Baltimore. This past week has been an utter blur; so many things have happened. I can’t believe I was able to somehow pack it all in. Anyways, I leave for the airport in two hours, and I should be back at the University of Washington in Seattle in the late afternoon.

Friday night was the Malkmus show, which was solid. Last night was the Fuck Buttons and Caribou show. Sadly, Caribou’s drummer broke his wrist so they had to cancel. Fuck Buttons still played, and tickets were dropped the $5. Fuck Buttons put on the best show I have been to all year and in recent memory. Full blog posts and pictures to come once I get back to Sea-Town.

Yesterday I also went to the Cherry Blossoms with Katharine. That was a good time, lots of photos were taken. In short, I need to develop a lot of film and scan lots of polaroids.

Oh yeah, and yesterday I met four people who if I was forced to spend more than 30 minutes with, I’d surely kill myself. Yet, somehow I was able to put up with them throughout the entire show last night. Pitchfork is not the gospel, and you don’t need to have an opinion on every single thing on this universe. Kthxbye!

Obligatory Song:
Kevin Drew — Farewell to the Pressure Kids (Spirit If…, 2007)

New Death Cab for Cutie — Cath (BBC 6 Session)

Published on March 27, 2008 in Uncategorized. 2 Comments

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.

Change of Plans.

Published on March 27, 2008 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

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.

D.C. is full of hipsters.

Published on March 26, 2008 in Daily Life and Friends. 1 Comment

So what was supposed to be a night of awesome musical stimulation turned out to not be the case. Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper played the Black Cat Backstage last night and it was sold out. Me, thinking they didn’t have too big a following in this area, stupidly forgot to buy a ticket in advance. Really, it’s all stupidity on the Black Cat’s side because they should have been playing the actual full venue and not backstage. The backstage at the Black cat, according to a friend of mine, says it holds at most 100 people. Seriously, two Sub Pop bands in a venue that holds around 100 people? Ugh.

This would not be a problem as I’m going to Philly tonight and they play at a venue in Philly. Though, given my luck, that show is 21+. I honestly thought Seattle was the only place to do the lame 21+ deal, but no, Philly does it too. Anyways, I’m off to road trip it to Philly. It should be fun. Maybe I’ll end up seeing the Xiu Xiu/Thao Nguyen show tonight. No guarantees though.

Vampire Weekend plays a sold out 21+ show in Seattle at Neumos tonight. All I can say to that is lol. If you want to talk about Vampire Weekend to me, send me an email or what not, get in touch with me. They are a great talent and write very catchy songs. Though, they are certainly not deserving of all the praise they are getting. They are the most overblogged band on 2008 and we are only 4 months into the year.

Enough of my ranting and opinions. I’m off on a road trip. Here’s most likely what I’ll be listening to on the drive up:

Caribou — Andorra (Rock & Roll Hotel on Sunday)
Cut Copy — In Ghost Colours
Fuck Buttons — Street Horrsing (Rock & Roll Hotel on Sunday)
Hot Chip — Made in the Dark
The Mountain Goats — Heretic Pride
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin — Pershing
Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks — Real Emotional Trash (9:30 Club on Friday)
Tokyo Police Club — Elephant Shell

Take care homies.

Feeling Mad Decent

Published on March 25, 2008 in Baltimore, Friends and Record Stores. 2 Comments

I arrived in Baltimore Saturday night (too late to attend The Mountain Goats show at the Rock and Roll Hotel). My brother was there to pick me up at the airport and as soon as I got back home, I was already out the door. I picked up Katharine and Shams and we hit up late night dinner at Taco Bell. That’s pretty much what we do in the 410. We ordered too much food. Correction, I ordered too much food. After that, we came back to my house and chilled for a few hours with the accompaniment of my brother, Asad, and Adnan.

The next day could probably be summed up in two words: Rock Band. My brother purchased this game a few days prior (I could not understand why he would drop this much cash on this game, and then I played it). The game consists of A guitar player, Bass player, Drummer, and Vocalist. The feeling you get when you perform such songs with a group of friends is shortly ensued by hilarity, lots of it. Shams, Asad, my brother, and I played this game for hours on Sunday. Shams and I also decided to hit up Asean Bistro, which is a must whenever I’m back home.

Both my dad and Brother left for Argentina and Brazil on Sunday. So here I am, in the solitude of what was a somewhat loud, energetic house. Sunday night I spent at Neil’s house where we played even more Rock Band.

Monday, I decided to goto the Mall and be somewhat trendy and pickup clothes omgz. I hit up Gap, H&M, and what not (not trying to be too hipster, though I take that back as I will be visiting American Apparel in Silver Spring today). After that, I spent the whole afternoon with one of my favorite people, Katharine. We ended up going to Pikesville (where my high school is located) and going to my favorite Pizza place, Vito’s. They messed up our order and ended up giving us an extra Cheese Steak Sub. Had I known before we left, I would have returned it, as that would be the ethical thing to do, of course. The night also consisted of many pictures being taken (Katharine is my one friend out here who is as passionate about photography as I am and doesn’t mind me bringing my camera everywhere). The film I’m shooting with is a roll of Kodak Tmax 400. I’m pushing it to 3200 though. We’ll see what happens.

In addition, we hit up The Sound Garden, my favorite record store in Baltimore. I picked up hella Baltimore Club Music for mixing. I’m hyped. Highlights include

Clipse — Wamp Wamp (What it Do)
DMX — We In Here
Diplo — Hollertronix Vol. 7
DJ BlaqStarr — Supastarr (Mad Decent)
DJ Blaqstarr — Shake it to the Ground (Mad Decent)
Eazy-E — Eazy-Er Said Than Done
MIA — Homeland Security Remixes
Rick Ro$$ — Hustlin’
Rick Ro$$ — Speedin’
Three 6 Mafia — Stay Fly

I’m hyped to listen to the Mad Decent stuff as well as the Hollertronix. Speaking of Diplo, yesterday was the Justice/Diplo show in Seattle. I couldn’t go, as I’m on the opposite coast; however, my friend Tim Willis called me during both sets which was nice. From the distorted/ear deafening sounds it seemed like a party. Luckily I have Fuck Buttons/Caribou on Sunday in D.C. to make up for that missed concert.

Today has been solid thus far. I went to Bill’s music to checkout some of the turn tables there. I’ll probably purchase two of them and a mixer after the school year is over. I also got my electric guitar repaired so that’s exciting. I’m looking to make lots of music this Summer, whether it be Electronic, Instrumental, Mixing, what have you. So be on the look out.

I’m off now to meet my friends in Silver Spring. Tonight is the Fleet Foxes/Blitzen Trapper show at the Black Cat in D.C. I’m so hyped for this show. Tomorrow I’m driving up to Philly to see some family. Fleet Foxes and Blitzen Trapper are playing Philly tomorrow night so there’s a good chance I’ll be at that show too. I love music.

I leave you with some photos, including my homies Otis & Tim kicking it with Diplo and some friends partying it up in Rock Band. Take care.

On Repeat: Eastern Conference Champions — Box (Ameritown, 2007)

P.S. A big fuck you to CVS for messing with the development on that roll of 400 portra!

I Will Be Interviewing Georgie James on the 04/11/2008

Published on March 21, 2008 in Music, RainyDawg Radio and The Big O. 0 Comments

Yes. I had to re-read that title myself. I can’t believe I pulled this one off. Georgie James off of Saddle Creek have accepted my personal invitation to visit the studio here at University of Washington and do an exclusive Interview/Performance for the listeners of Rainydawg Radio. More details to come as information flows in. I will be offering exclusive photos/recordings through this site. My excessive gratitude goes out to the whole band in accepting my invitation.

Georgie James — More Lights (Places, 2007)

Alive (2008).

Published on March 21, 2008 in Music and Seattle. 1 Comment

Yes, I am alive and well. Thank you for asking. I am writing this post from the prison that is Terry Hall during Spring Break. This place is dead, and no one is around. Luckily, tomorrow I will be leaving to go back to Maryland. Finals went seemingly alright, and I somehow managed to scrape by another quarter.

Justice/Diplo will be playing Seattle on Monday and I will not be going. This is tragic. Especially because I had a ticket. On top of all this, I thought I’d be able to make it to The Mountain Goats show tomorrow night in DC but my flight gets in past midnight so that is a no go. I’ll try to keep the bitching to a minimum. Here are a list of concerts I will be attending when I return home. There’s some great stuff. As always, I will post write-ups and pictures as they occur.

Tue 03/25/08 Blitzen Trapper & Fleet Foxes at the Black Cat
Thu 03/27/08 Xiu Xiu & Thao and the Get Down Stay Down at the Black Cat
Fri 03/28/08 Stephen Malkmus and the Jicks at the 9:30 Club
Sun 03/30/08 Caribou & Fuck Buttons at the Rock and Roll Hotel

The Caribou/Fuck Buttons show is the reason I am attending Spring Quarter late. When that tour comes to Seattle it will be 21+, so I had to do this. By far, I am expecting no less than concert of the year thus far from that lineup.

As you can see I have a lot on my plate. I’ve also been listening to lots of new albums from bands such as: Animal Collective, Cut Copy, Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin, and Tokyo Police Club. All are fabulous albums and I highly recommend you pick them up when they are released, as I will do the same. Everyone, take care for now. I’m out.