At the Stroke of Midnight

All clocks say 12:00 am, meaning I'm now old enough to order alcohol and all other perks of being 21 (which is what?). That and between these two sentences I got mobbed by a uh, mob of guys on a rampage, due to this fact.

Try the Ensalada...

Well, a little over a week left of school, I'm turning 21 in less than a week, and that means I'm on the lookout for good music again. I've finally hit the point where all the music I've bought I've finally listened to enough and going back to old standards kinda depresses me. Of course, it's a strange thing, the music I'm talking about. I'm not talking about music that I listen to as a musician, I'm talking about music that I listen to as a lover of music in general. Two separate things, I must tell you. Lately the ones that have stuck on the rotation to give you a general idea of what I listen to forget I'm a musician is:

Nickel Creek: This Side
KT Tunstall: Eye to the Telescope
Kate Earl: Fate is the Hunter
Amos Lee: Amos Lee
Norah Jones: Come Away With Me
Jamie Cullum: Twentysomething

Crap, that's an intense list, go buy all of it immediately. Now I'm looking for something else to sate my ear cravings. More on this later.

Speaking of which, here's one of them right here:
Kate Earl: Officer

Fizz Makes the World Taste Better

Seriously, what's up with carbonation? I mean, to the best of my knowledge, they added it to make soda drinkable back in the old days because it was so thick no one could guzzle the miracle drug. But now it's in our sodas, in French water, and nobody ever talks about it. Honestly, it is the very definition of soft drinks in regions of the United States (it IS soda, not pop or coke) but it's not like we like it or dislike it. It's just sorta there. I kinda don't like it, I think it's annoying because if you try to chug it, it burns your throat. You try to slosh it around in your mouth to get rid of the burning sensation, your mouth fills with toxic CO2. Plus it messes with the flavor. Of course, on the other hand if it wasn't for carbonation we'd be left with water, high fructose corn syrup, chemicals that represent artificial flavors, added colorings, and stimulants. So thank you carbonation for tricking us into thinking we're drinking something other than pure death. I DON'T WANT MY MIND AT EASE. That is all.

Live at the Ryman #2

So yes, tonight I got to see the fabled Gov't Mule. Warren Haynes, one of the finer guitar players with an incredible voice fronting the band. My compatriot Joshua and I got to the Ryman around 7 and at around 8 Mule took to the stage. Unbelievable show. Anyways, coolest part, the guitarist Jack Pearson (read backwards, I referenced him back there somewhere in the archives), local guitarist who happens to be off his rocker good came on stage and played two songs with Mule. Made Warren Haynes look stupid cause he was so good. Anyways, yeah, we left at 11:30 and Mule was still playing. Then we got McDonalds. Then we saw a fire truck and ambulance in Belmont's appartment area. Then in my dorm they came in and took a basketball player out who had passed out and hit his head. Then I ended up talking to this girl with music for half an hour. Then I came up and wrote this. Now I'm going to go to bed because tommorow I have a lesson I haven't really practiced for, a piano test I haven't got done, and BGVs to learn and a part to play for this guy in his vocal seminar. Then I'm going to go to bed too.

As You Wish (You Jerk!)

It's becoming a regular occurrence for me to mosey on down the street to the Belcourt Theatre to see movies long past into the public access channels. This past Friday I experienced the Princess Bride in it's cinematic glory. The best part was that it is entirely possible that everyone in the theatre has seen this movie at least 10 times or more. Thus, shouting at the screen ensued not long after the opening credits. For those of you not up with your musician's culture, Rob Reiner, director of the Princess Bride, also directed
This is Spinal Tap, the definitive rockumentary of the century.
In Spinal Tap, the lead guitarist is Nigel Tufnel, played by Christopher Guest, who delivers the epic line, "but these amps go to 11." Guest also plays the Count Rugen in the Princess Bride. In any case, in the part where Wesley (Cary Elwes) notices Rugen has six fingers, someone in the audience yells "His fingers count to eleven!" The theatre died in laughter for a long time after.

Unplugged

I don't know what's wrong with me but for some reason I like almost every Alanis Morissette's songs if they're somehow acoustic or otherwise. I hate every single they play on the radio (minus maybe Ironic and even then, when set against the unplugged version it sounds horrible) but for some reason every acoustic song I've heard I've found to be compelling. Right, anyways...

Out at the Ryman #1

Well, pending a request, you're getting the full story of last night whether you like it or not. Last night Nickel Creek paid a visit to the Ryman and luckily we caught them there. A band called the Mammals opened for them, reminding me why I only like Nickel Creek out of that entire genre. It's pretty much amazing how tight the trio is live, their harmonies are perfect and their little variations they throw around in their songs were unbelievable. Around the third song Sarah Watkins broke a string on her fiddle (can that happen?) so while she was changing a string they ended up going into an interlude they jammed on until she was done. One of the best moments of the night came during their cover of Toxic by Britney Spears....which was pretty much spot on to begin with. During a breakdown a tech came out on stage and hit his laptop which was hooked into the sound system and for one bar hit a drum machine with some techno/hip-hop beat then turned it off and walk off stage. Everybody went crazy. Anyways, their song before pretending to leave was The Fox which they went in the middle into The Weight, by (is it the Band?). After coming back in their bassist ended up doing a sort of jig on the floor and it was still picked up by the mics, so it ended up being rhythm for the song. Plus Thile came over and while playing his part did song danced in tandem with the bassist. Finally, Thile announced they had a few special guests, the first of which was Bela Fleck (!), the second was Edgar Meyer (?). The latter drew the most applause but I had to look him up later because I had no idea who he was (apparently a big deal, apparently I'm just ignorant). Yeah, parking was six dollars, Josh was holding the ticket and almost didn't get it when we drove up to the place to let us out. That's pretty much it.

This has nothing to do with that. The Shins: Young Pilgrims

Feed the Lions

A hearty welcome to the weekend. Finally, after 21 hours of sleep and lots of different medicine over the last couple days I actually feel a little bit better. Last night was really weird, random people entering the room, dreaming about random people entering the room. Plus all the random things you dream when you have a fever. Tonight's gonna be awesome because this night Laura, Josh, one of Laura's friends, and I are going to see Nickel Creek. It's been a little bit since I've seen a show so this should be really cool. I remember when I went to see Chris Thile that a completely different crowd came out than what I'm used to (welcome to the South). Anyways, I'm not a huge fan of live stuff, but this song's just too awesome to keep down.

The Black Crowes: Soul Singing

On the Road Again

Not really, but that's the name of the last Kerouac book I read. It's a really cool little book (actually, collection of little books) that at least I can relate to lately. On a side note, two hard drives from back home showed up in my mailbox in Thrailkill hall so now I'm getting reaquainted with the world. Also I got really really sick over the last couple of days. Last night I slept eleven hours with the help of some Nyquil and Benedril. Luckily I don't have anything left to do except help a friend out auditioning downtown for a slot at a local club and attending a Nickel Creek concert. To add to the surrealness of being sick and sitting in a room with all the blinds shut while my roommate naps, I've been listening to Christmas music and old, old covers of songs by undergroundish bands. Right now I'm listening to a Copeland cover of "Do You Hear What I Hear?" (I wish I could put it up but I can't find anywhere on the net it's up and I got it off of iTunes).

So this will have to do, I'm sure most of you have heard this, but I'm sure you'll listen to it one more time: Copeland: Pin Your Wings

Jack's Smirking Revenge?

So I've been out of it for a while since a lot of strange things have been happening lately. For all you faithful readers (my one hand is almost full counting you all) out there, let me fill you in on just some of the bizzarities (<== new word!). I'm currently writing this in the Belmont computer lab because my computer abruptly began hating life and stopped taking its medication and shot itself in the hard drive. I still don't know if I can get any of my files back (which would kinda make me freak out for at least a week of nonstop straightjacket 24 hour suicide watch. Not really). I've become more and more dependant on my laptop for pretty much everything (entertainment, directions, human contact) so my roommate Tim can tell you sometimes I sit in my chair under my bed and stare sadly at where my laptop used to be. That's insanity number one. Number two, I ordered an Xotic AC Booster (like a Tube Screamer but better (Tube Screamer is like a boost plus overdrive (i.e. loud guitar noises))) from an online store who promptly charged my credit card but didn't send the pedal...I think. Last I heard from the store they said they had sent the pedal but then they retracted the charge on my card. So I'm still not sure what's going on with that. Stack that on top of school with some strange happenings (yeah that, for those in the know) and this has turned out to be a weird week. At least I saw Donnie Darko in the theaters....twice. Best twelve dollars spent ever. Except on woot.com. And I got my guitar adjusted for free by this really cool dude down on 16th (Classic Axe, for those looking).

If the title of this tune doesn't aptly fit the going ons this week, I don't know what does. Jamiraquai: Virtual Insanity

Please Tuk Chopsticks

I'm so glad this week's finally over, week 1 of September '06 will officially be the week known forever on as the week that kicked me in the face repeatedly. I went to see Johnny Hiland tonight, a good guitarist at... ...between those two pauses about an hour has gone by. Tim walked into my room and decided it was time to sate the craving for munchies. Off we go to the fabled Circle K when we hooked up with a bunch of his friends and we ended up taking an extended excursion to the outer limits of the Belmont campus. I can't remember what I was going to say before, I just picked up in the place I left off in Lost in Translation. Tommorow I'm going to see Jack Pearson, probably one of the best guitarists I've heard. Derek Trucks takes a lot of his style off of Jack Pearson, so this should be awesome. Nickel Creek tickets came in today and I just bought KT Tunstall tickets, so a lot of good shows coming up soon.

I keep trying to classify Lost in Translation and it doesn't work. It's so funny in parts but it's so tragic in most other places. It ends on a hopeful note but it's still sad. It's far too late for movie reviews.

Listen to this. Don't be fooled by who it's by. The Jesus and Mary Chain: Just Like Honey

Conspiracy #4

So I've always held this theory the song "Crazy for This Girl" is actually about a guy talking about a girl that he's interested in behind the back of his girlfriend. Last night, after listening to it on iTunes random shuffle I've decided to document my findings (Tricia Aurand gets partial credit because I can't remember if she or I came up with it first)

-And I don't know why but she's changed my mind- Last line of the first verse, sounds to me like some girl has changed his stance on his girlfriend.


Would you look at her (girl #2)
She (girl #2) looks at me
She's got me thinking about her (girl #2) constantly
But she (girlfriend) don't know how I feel
She (girlfriend) carries on without a doubt
I wonder if she's (girlfriend) figured out
That I'm crazy for this girl (girl #2)

You can read more into the second verse and the bridge, but that's proof enough. Now all you have to do is run it backwards to hear "Paul is a dead man."

About the picture, this was so cool I had to put it up. Also let me introduce two awesome friends I have. Stage left, we have Joshua Cross, much deliberated and anticipated leader of the Free Revolutionary Anarchist Party. Also a guitarhead as shown. Center, we have Laura Musten, part of the exiled Canadian royal family and twelfth in line for the throne. In exile, she managed to become a violinist. More on those two later. This is us testing out how blue our grass is. Sadly, that guy on the right's trying to play mandolin and is messing the other two up.

By the great Glen Phillips, this song's just plain awesome. Glen Phillips: Duck and Cover

Lead Poisoning

It's strange, now that I'm old enough to use pens and inks and things like that. Today I had to do my music theory homework, which has to be done in pencil. I have several pencils in my possession but none which are sharpened. Thus this led me on a campus wide search to find a pencil sharpener. I knew there were some in the music building which was unfortunately locked, so I was pretty much out of luck. Thankfully, I found a nice girl named Lisa who traded me her pink and green mechanical pencil for my unsharpened one. So thanks Lisa, couldn't have done my theory homework without you.

This band's songs are like mini-movies. It's awesome. The Decemberists: The Soldering Life

Standing Water

"Dude, we should do something." "-Ok." Famous last words of many a male. Thus, Joshua and I set out in search of adventure. The target was a major fountain in front of Belmont Mansion. Unfortunately the giant fountain was turned off so we were forced to settle for smaller targets to bathe in. At least we got some good intel for next time. Next time we're going to have to bring a third party along to snap the shots as we splash about. On a side note, Josh ended up getting the deer's number. Tommorow is Labor Day where we celebrate uh...labor. Occasions like these only occur every once in a while and so far I've planned a good bit of nothing. At least Donnie Darko is coming to the Belcourt soon. That will rock. You all have a safe Labor Day.

Know that Nothing Stays the Same

So yesterday I paid my first visit to Grimey's Music, a store of used and new CDs and vinyl and picked myself up a copy of Deloused in the Comatorium on vinyl. Which by the way sounds amazing, since they mixed it differently for vinyl so it's almost like a separate version from the CD version. Currently I'm listening to a song off Chris Thile's new album "How to Grow a Woman from the Ground" called You're an Angel and I'm Gonna Cry, which is pretty much my favorite song for the evening.

Here's a throwback to a band nobody from my generation remembers. Toad the Wet Sprocket: Whatever I Fear

Almost a Nickel

It's almost one, I'm dead tired, my roommate's already asleep, and I'm sitting in the dark. Must be time to blog. I have just returned from the Belcourt down the street. The artist I saw there was Chris Thile. Thile and his band (How to Grow a Band) played two shows tonight, both sold out. I got there a good half hour before the show started and got a far back seat. The show itself was incredible, the musicians with Thile put on a great show, even covering a Jack White song and a Strokes song. Even better, after waiting a mere hour or so afterwards I got the meet the man behind the mandolin and his mostly empty bottle of wine. Better still, I met somebody with perfect pitch. Awesome.

In the spirit of such; Nickel Creek: The Fox

Outside in the Indoors

Tonight I went to a pub. This pub was host to a really loud band. My hearing still hasn't returned yet. Over the evening I observed a strange thing. During a slow song a guy walked over to a girl sitting at another table and asked her to dance. They did so for the song and at the end he gave her a kiss. They then sat back down in their seats across the room from each other. As the evening progressed I watched as they went back and forth talking for less than ten seconds before returning to their seats. After more dancing and draft, they eventually exchanged numbers and went home. I hope it works out.

Covers can be so cool. Check this one out. Death Cab For Cutie: Earth Angel

Nashville's Finest

Meet Tim. A rather unassuming guy you'd rather like to meet at a sushi bar. Tim likes good music. Tim likes Facebook. Tim owns and plays harmonica. Tim also happens to be my roommate. Tim is a towering 6'2, I stand at a stout 5'6, so you can imagine what we look like together. I met Tim at the Belmont "Caf" one sunny day and from that day forward we've been the best of buddies. Then came the fateful day whenst the Mighty Tim decided it would be a good idea to be roommates. He had no idea how much physical and mental harm he was in for. I'm sure one day he will look back on this time and thank me in his prayers. For now he has to suffer through hours of guitar practice, various personal articles strewn about, and one very ugly plum colored chair I decided to buy. Tim also enjoys reading, composing poetry about God and nature, and long walks on the beach.

This guy is awesome too. Buy his CD. NOW. Amos Lee: Arms of a Woman

Thank You for Showering

Showering can be such a confusing thing. Actually it isn't. But the way is. I've always showered facing away from the showerhead, thus not drinking a gallon every five minutes or so. However, it came to me that people could actually face forward in the shower too. I wonder also if people, like me, assume that everyone else showers the same direction that they do. This could be the end of civilized bathing was we know it.

This is tasty. Take it, put it in your mouth, chew it. Mazzy Star: Flowers in December

Exit/In #1

So my first show back in Nashville is a bunch of locals. Friday: 1P; I get a call from a friend of mine telling the woe that his amp had broken and he needs to use my head. Saturday: 7P; I get to hear my amp in action in use for Jaclyn Schutrop . Definately worth the time to take a listen. The second band up was Miracle Drug, a high schoolish band that was solid but didn't do anything Wolfmother in major keys with the Killers in minor keys couldn't do. The third band up was Philos, a sort of run of the mill "scene" band. The weird thing was Miracle Drug's high school guys were dressed collegiantly, while Philos (definately post-college age) were dressed all high school like. I'm confused.

By the way, this dual cover is awesome: David Ryan Harris: By Your Side/Something

Soul and Body

Today I found a site that linked about 64 versions of the Standard Soul and Body. All the greats were there minus Charlie Parker and Miles Davis but others like Lester Young and Billie Holiday were listed. This facinating listen just goes to show how diverse the voices of the Jazz community were and are.

Another great site I found was Found Tapes Exhibition, a site with posted mixtapes found at random. Makes me wonder what stuff I've left lying around that's now on display somewhere.

I passed a girl today of whom I'd never spoke too but had seen around. She greeted me with my name as she walked passed....how she got it, I have no idea. I feel bad.

Tarantino Style

So after a couple of days living the dream at college I decided to report my findings here. I went to a Matt Wertz/Dave Barnes show which was in conjuction with Blood/Water, started by Jars of Clay to get clean water and blood out to Africa. Sadly, the show turned out to be a promo for a rocking $21 book of photos from their trip to Africa I couldn't afford plus about six songs. Wertz's CD comes out September 19th.

Right now I'm sitting in the dark listening to a song that's setting my synesthesia to overdrive. It rocks.