I know that I have been a grouchy self-involved hermit lately. I’ve declined invitations to socialize and such and on the rare occurrence I leave my fort I’m sporting a mood which requires many of you to try to “talk me up” or make me smile (which I abhor and yields an opposite reaction btw). Or, I’ll say I’m going and at the last minute not feel up to it. Alas, such is the curse of the temperamental creative.
So, it really comes as no surprise that I’m no longer included in correspondence dealing with upcoming social gatherings and weekend activities. I understand. I would probably have quit long before you did.
I’m speaking out today to ask for understanding, patience, and re-newed interest in including me because, quite frankly, I miss having people to turn down. I miss feeling thought about or considered. Even tho I’ve been unable to reciprocate similar considerations, I love you all in my own special way. You know what I’m talking about. Its the bit that felt something was missing when you were heading out the door.
I can’t get behind social activities that are centered around television though. DVR or not.
Wont you help me re-establish my place as devil’s advocate? The withdrawn shady character sitting in the corner that chimes in only when there is something of value to add (or tear down) or facts to clarify and argue. The observant and impatient one who works to heard everyone out the door in time for the headliner, reduced cover, or happy hour. You see, its the only social role I’ve ever felt at home in.
A lady of few mumbled yet dramatic sentiments,
Claudia Dearest
I found my camera cord and here are some of choice pictures from the trip. There are plenty more on my Flickr page. Now, onward!
Vegan Tom’s: looked good, but left my feet feeling mashed, cold, and wet by the end of the first day.
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Northern Washington – enroute to the gorge
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This is what you see when you first walk up the hill to the main stage.
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The view of the stage from closer up. Look at that awesome backdrop! The National on stage.
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Deadmau5 from the worst side of the side stage
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View of main stage from the otherside of the hill
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Sunset time <3
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Massive Attack was EPIC!
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Back at the campsite, defending the merit of blurry pictures
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It was really crowded on Monday. Thats the hill where YouTube dancing-meme dude
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MGMT at golden hour
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AP checking out the stage/view
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Its been more than a while since I shared my musical flavorings so here is a snapshot of what I’ve been listening to for the past 3 months.
Radiohead made it into the top position based solely on this past 4th of July weekend. The Absentminded Professor inquired “which Radiohead album do you think I would most be into” or the like. It was like diamonds and sunshine out of my heart and eyes to hear such. And just as I was about to make a dash to my hard drive to cherry pick some tunes, AP informed me he already had in his possession the entire discography (well, not the complete In Rainbows). The diamonds flung themselves from me with joy. So, I started from Pablo Honey and ended with the gimp version of In Ranbows.
IAMX – Hypergeneric Mike gave me some tunes a while back which I mostly ignored until I exhausted my current selections. IAMX, Bat for Lashes, & Florence & The Machine were included. I feel silly for waiting so long to peep em (something the new and unknown makes me anxious) but was so delighted when I did. They had me at “After Every Party I Die” and I spent 2 weeks of having the album “The Alternative” on loop. Last time something like that happened, the instant infatuation that is, must have been when someone clued me into Interpol. Here’s the track:
And on a final note, while I talked a bit of shit about Crystal Castles before, I’m really really digging the new album. Intimacy anyone?
I’m tasking myself with a fairly straight forward task: review a music video by one of my favorite bands.
I just watched, in HD glory, Interpol’s recently released video for a single off their new album. The song is called Lights. This is the first time I hear this song as well. And this is just my gut instinct, I’ve only watched it once.
First off. I’m confused. I don’t love it. I don’t dislike it. I feel like I need to look up the director or the lyrics. Is that a bad thing? I’d say that I like being confused. Things that make me think. But right now my take on it veers slightly towards the negative. Maybe its because I’m freshly out of work. Worn out from errands and still there’s a growing to-do list. Maybe I’m just in the mood to have something handed to me. I think this is when people are most likely to watch re-runs on tv. At least I can remember a time when I lived for CSI Las Vegas reruns on Spike after work.
Maybe that kind of relaxation is good for your brain. Or, I should probably just do something relaxing. Meditative. Instead of trying to figure this video out. But… how the hell do you turn that off? Plagued by curiosity, hunches, and intuition. I don’t belong in this place.
Anyway, here’s the video:
So… drinking milky liquid off a microscope slide. Bathing with black loofahs (where do I pick up one of those) followed by a close shave with some straight razors. Ok. That makes sense. If I was going to coat someone in latex, that might indeed be a good idea. And now for the release… white milky liquid oozing out of her mouth.
If that description doesn’t make you want to go watch the video if you passed over it, I’d wonder whats wrong with you and how your neat little mind got here.
Song sounded like typical Interpol. Doesn’t make me want to run and pick up the album. Especially after checking out their 3D glossy logo on their website. Romantic-scifi-neo-noir-porn? Sure, why not.
Don’t be that way now… I couldn’t help it. You were in the back of my mind. Always. I swear. The things I’d tell you, the photos I’d share. Sometimes, in those intimate moments before sleep, I’d have a conversation with you in my head.
I can’t find the cable that connects my digital camera to my computer so… as soon as that happens I’ll be back to share the spoils. Until then, check out my new glasses:
Caribou continues on its upward ascent into my repertoire of choonz. Had to get some Green Velvet in when I saw the line up to HARD Summer. Omgz. Lots of goodness on the lineup but the only other thing that had me squirming was Major Lazer. Annd this is why:
Of course Team Crunk came back with reports from Coachella of delicious mind melt action. I can’t wait.
This last week brought about some changes to my listening habits. The Absentminded Professor (my partner) decided to come to the white side and purchased a Macbook. And in the age of the internet, valuable resources come in the form of digital bits, preferably those flavored for creative use or inspiration. He bestowed the gift of new music on the household, and all was good.
First off, Caribou. I noticed this guy was on the lineup for Sasquatch and Last.fm let me know he was coming a Phoenix a few weeks prior. I decided to give em a google and have been jamming on the delicious tunes since then. Had me dancing about the apt. Recommended!
I also got some Knife tunage to see what all the fuss is about. Kinda weird, in a good way. Also, the new Massive Attack album is great; just easing that into rotation. After all the mentions via Internet and IRL curiosity got the best of me and I gave into Neon Indian. It’s ok. Chill. I don’t foresee it having the longest shelf life. Maybe one of those albums you listen to like crazy, then forget for a while, then find again when organizing your files 6 months later. Ala Crystal Castles.
Oh Hello. Rest assured dearest reader, my inconsistently here is indicative of the chaos going on IRL. I just finished moving out of the apartment I lived in for close to 4 years. All I can say is that I am ashamed of how much crap I own. WOW. It’s filed the new place and its twice the size of my old apt. Ridiculoso.
Its spring time and the allergy season this year is one for the record books. I’ve never had allergies. Never. I’ve always made fun of my friends who did taunting that “Mexicans don’t get allergies” and such. So, I had this coming. Pichu is also going crazy with allergies, not sure why the poor thing had to be dragged into this. Sigh. So unnecessary.
Also, I’m not at Coachella. Sasquatch is right around the corner though and it will be so nice to get out of AZ in may. AND the dates for the next Decibel Festival have been announced and Aphex Twin is confirmed (!!!). Ahhh summering in Seattle… life is good.
Sort of failing at this tunes on tuesday thing. I’ve keep having dreams about coachella and Thom playing. I would love to go for that last day but I don’t think there’s room in the budget considering Sasquatch is right around the corner. Revisited Goldenboy and Miss Kittin; I was oozing apathy like only oldskoo (?!) electro can induce. Danced around the apt while cleaning and moving to Deadmau5. And finally Boards of Canada is good dinner music.
It was a hectic week. Thom helped me through it. Loving the bit of Fever Ray that last.fm has exposed me to. I even go the idea in my head of making to just the last day (Sunday) of Coachella this year… since Thom Dearest will be performing. So far its just an idea…
Culture Shock aims to bring Arizona a fresh experience and expose some of the local talent the city is seething with. The night is “traveling” (like a circus!) and the first one was in December 2009 at Jugheads. Here is some footage from the night. I provided the visuals playing in the background:
Visit the official Culture Shock blog to stay informed about upcoming events: Culture Shock AZ
Cheers!
