I still enjoy most of the bands I've mentioned immensely, and although I've moved on, I haven't abandoned them in the slightest.

The defining music that's stuck constantly with me, and probably still will till the day I pass, is bare, stripped down, raw acoustic music. A guitar and voice, to me, can fill any room, any heart with more emotion than a band can. Death Cab are the only band who I feel have emulated this. Artists like Fionn Regan, Jose Gonzalez, Elliot Smith, Bright Eyes, and Ben Gibbard never cease to amazing with every individual note they play. The mellow vocal lines and perfect chords are what I call music.

These artists have refrence to what I'm trying to communicate in my music; that natural feel of just a acoustic guitar and a voice. Hopefully I'll have some demos, and people to read the blog, in the next couple of weeks. At least then I'll have something to show for all my patter and chatter.

The second factor that's influenced this process is my consideration of "The Great Gatby" by F.Scott Fitzgerald. The quest for self-improvement the tragic character of Gatsby encounters in the book depressed me for a while; all he worked for, however distasteful and vulgar, ends with the futility of lies and misunderstandings. Just another story of the summer past.

This coming together of ideas drove me to the conclusion that I had to improve myself; each and everyone of my flaws, which hold me back from the more worthwhile customs of the world which I could achieve, had to go.

Archer .Versus. Light, I guess is my metaphor for this; against such a vast enemy as the sun, as life itself, how will you defeat it. Focus. That's only way to success.

So here's to Fresh Laundry - things I find on the internet that have been aired out of people's closets whether they wanted them out or not. I've been inspired by such blogs as Cake Wrecks, You Suck At Craigslist, Geekologie, Stall Wall Poetry, and the ever-inspiring Overheard In New York. I've always been surprised by the ridiculous things that people will put on the Internet, and this blog will hopefully be a compilation and commentary on some of the things I've found that were either hilarious, sad, ridiculous, stupid, or just the plain bizarre (or often a combination of two or three of those).

I also like to discuss books, movies, and music. For every post, I'll probably mention a song or artist to listen to. I do some amateur movie reviews, so that may end up here as well. I love to read, but during the school year that tends to take a seat on the backburner - hopefully I'll be able to pick up a little bit over fall break right now.

XOXO

PS Oh, what am I listening to now? That would be Death Cab for Cutie's "No Sunlight," in fact. I'm in love with the "Narrow Stairs" album. It's more upbeat than "Plans" (the previous and brilliant compilation), but does not suffer for a tempo swing, as "Plans" often did. "No Sunlight" and "The Ice is Getting Thinner" are my two favorite songs from that CD.

I'm rereading Audrey Niffenegger's "The Time Traveler's Wife," which, incidentally, will be released as a feature film on December 25th (yes, the ultimate sacrilege of releasing a movie on Christmas Day).

So what is the Ideal Good Blog.  Well in my mind, it's straight to the point while still giving us details.  Another good quality of a good blog is a good writer behind it (which is something this blog will lack).

Well lemme talk about my favorite things in a blog.  The main thing is cool, high resolution , Giant pictures which usually involve technology or travel (Like planes, airports, Public transportation, etc).   I'll try and do this, but I usually say things and don't deliver.  I personally am a proud bystander of the world.  I even had a dream where I made a speech saying that everyone in the world is a bystander.

Well let me talk a bit about life stuff:

On October 26th (sunday) I'm going to the 22nd Bridge School Benefit Concert, mainly to see the 'Smashing Pumpkins'.  A plus will be seeing 'Death Cab for Cutie', but I'm not that much a fan now a days (I was REALLY dissapointed by their latest album "Narrow Stairs"). I'm looking forward to seeing 'Wilco' which is a band I think I may like (I haven't bothered  listening to them online though).

Now on a tangent which relates to my main point, the last thing that's important for blogs is that they must be Clean and Professional.  In clean I mean looking visually appealing, and Professional as in Pictures, explanations, and links.

That's it for now. Hopefully this blog Lasts.

Note: I hit 'Ctrl+S' a million times while writing this blog. I Kept thinking  I was using Word.

Por eso y mucho más, Death Cab For Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart.

[audio http://music.merdead.com/Indie-ish/Death%20Cab%20for%20Cutie%20-%20I%20Will%20Possess%20Your%20Heart.mp3]

This is the soundtrack of your life. Welcome to the Sunrise/Sunset scene of your movie.

TRACK LIST:

1. Sleeping lessons - The Shins

This song is perfect for watching the sun set through trees. The ripple of what sounds like water drops hitting a marimba in perfect time (and what is actually a synthesizer, i believe.) is perfect for musically representing the sun rippling through the tree branches, the wind blowing the branches slowly...Trust me. Its so picturesque, stephen spielberg will appear at any second to film this happening. And once the song picks up, the guitar and drum beats start, suddenly the song is triumphant. Suddenly, that sunset is YOURS. all yours. the sun crashes into the ground, sending sparks of itself shooting into the sky to become stars, and you're the only one who can appreciate it. Beautiful. just beautiful.

2. Starry Eyed Surprise - Paul Oakenfold

I'm sure a lot of you would recognize this song from a certain Coca Cola commercial in which people are roller disco-ing on a boardwalk-like place, and the sun is setting. Thats probably why I still associate this song with the sunset. This is just a really happy song to listen to. Its a good song for beach bonfires when its getting cold out and everyone's dancing to keep warm, putting on sweatshirts and hugging (FYI: hugging while wearing sweatshirts instantly makes everything that much more cuddly) and just generally having a good time. This song just screams "Fun Times."

3. Into The Ocean - Blue October

Sort of switching gears a little bit here. This song is more for reflection. Like, you're watching the sunrise and just thinking about your life. Its hopeful, while thought-provoking sounding. "I want to swim away but don't know how, Sometimes it feels like i'm falling in the ocean." This song is also good for when the clouds pass over the sun slightly, making that beautiful rainbow of shapes and light that much more interesting to look at. To me, this song says "well, something bad happened recently, or maybe not so recently, but either way, it doesn't matter. because i'm here. i'm alive. and i'll live on." Its defiant in a humble sort of way.
I honestly don't think i'm making any sense. I'm just kind of typing out how each song makes me feel...music does strange things to me, haha.

4. Concerning the UFO Sighting Near Highland, Illinois - Sufjan Stevens

This song makes me picture waking up in a field next to the boy or girl you love, a beautiful prarie, with tall grasses surrounding you, and the sun begins to rise, signalling the beginning of a new day that you get to spend with this wonderful, beautiful person next to you. The flute runs/trills are lower notes, and the breathy sound makes me think of birds flying across the sky, into the sun.

5. Bixby Canyon Bridge - Death Cab for Cutie

Ben Gibbard's voice compliments the colors of a sunrise perfectly. As the title suggests, this is a good canyon sunrise song. or just any rocks. mountains, cliffs, rocky hills, surrounded by greenery and rocks. This is another good contemplation song. The heavy bass and drum about a third of the way through the song sounds like the sun finally getting up in the sky and having its rays beating down on you, because if you're in like, The Grand Canyon, that sun is not going to be kind at the top of that canyon. Trust me. It gets flipping hot up there. Beautiful, but sweltering.

6. Phantom Limb - The Shins

The Shins have the perfect sound for sunrises. Their style and beats and musical grouping just instantly equals "sunrise" for me. Anyway, This song is good for waking up early, while theres still dew, and dancing down the sidewalk, through a forest, or down a sleeping street. It could possibly be good for early morning running/excercising, but I wouldn't know, i've never tested it out. It sounds like it would be though, its got a good, upbeat sound that should keep you motivated.

7. Tree Hugger - Antsy Pants

Thank you Juno for introducing me to Kimya Dawson and her crazy, awesome music. Her voice sounds rough, almost juvenile...but completely mature at the same time. This song makes me think of the childish joy I felt upon waking up at 7 AM on a saturday morning so I could go outside and swing on my swingset and watch my shadow, and talk to my imaginary friends. We need more songs like this. It allows total child-like bliss, and the enjoyment of the simple things in life, things that i think a lot of people tend to miss in favor of the "more important" complex things, like jobs and money, and everything we're supposed to worry about. Stop and smell the roses...or watch a sunrise, while listening to this song.

8. Jesus - Brand New

I'm still not entirely sure how religious this song is. Because, looking at the title, most people would assume that the song is either about how Jesus isn't real, or how wonderful he is. I think its just about Jesse Lacey coming to terms with christianity, or trying too, or being afraid of what happens when you die. This is a sad sunset song. If you need to shed a few tears, just get them out, and you're alone and the sun is setting, this is perfect. Its a good song to mourn with, if something terrible has just happened. it doesn't make it feel any better, it just fits, and it makes you feel connected in some way, because the song makes you feel like someone else out there is listening to the song at the same time and knows exactly how you feel. Its a good feeling.

9. Expo '86

Alright, back to happy songs. This is a holding hands song, this is a song you sing to your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband/wife/best friend while watching the sun, and smiling. This is a song for the person who always makes you smile. I don't know about the lyrics so much. There are parts that make me think that this might not be the greatest song to sing to your loved one. But the chords are so beautifully put together. I'm pretty sure its all about sex. "The squeaking of our skin against the steel has gotten worse." Thats awkward. But everything Ben Gibbard sings is beautiful. He could probably do a cover of like, Soldier Boy...oh excuse me, "Soulja Boy" or however you spell that...and it would be like, the most romantic song of our lives.

10. I'm Not Used to You - The Winter Kids

This song makes me think of winter. like, climbing around in the snowdrifts somewhere, throwing snowballs, while the sun comes up in the background. It makes me think of pink noses and gloved hands, trees without leaves and snow angels.

11. From a Balance Beam - Bright Eyes

This is a sunrise after a rainstorm. The sunlight glinting off of the wet grass, the wet leaves, and the slight fog that kind of blurs everything in a pleasent sort of way. Another good song for walking down a street (definitly in a suburb. It isn't really a city song in my mind) while the rest of the town is still asleep. Maybe on saturday morning, while everyone sleeps in.

12. Recycled Air - The Postal Service

Can you tell how much I love Ben Gibbard? This is a song for listening to while you have flashbacks of sunrises past. Probably on a spring day, maybe out on a pier, looking out over a lake. An early spring day, definitly. Because in my mind, you can see your breath. Is any of this making sense to any of you? If so, you get a gold star. If not...i don't really blame you. I'm mostly just thinking out loud...er...something like that. This song also kind of makes me think of watching smoke stacks, watching the pollution billow out into the air. Its so depressing to see, and i know its a lot better now...but still. It makes me sad. Because our planet is screwed, quite royally as a matter of fact.

13. How Can It Be - Forever Thursday

This is another commercial song. It was in a comercial for JC Penny's i think. I don't know, the ad ran a long time ago. The main instrument sounds like a clarinet, but it very well could just be a synthesizer. I'm not really that great at distinguishing things like that. Anyway, there are a lot of layers to this song, its really pretty. Good for laying in the grass and hugging someone.

14. Kindling - Architecture in Helsinki

Another band with an almost child-like voice for the lead singer. It sounds very youthful and excited about life, which is the feeling this song conveys. Again, it helps you focus on the simple things in life.

15. Owls With Knees - The Books

This song is just straight up strange. The lyrics really don't make sense, unless you try really hard to make them make sense. But thats okay. It doesn't have to make sense. This is a good song for watching the sunset over an ocean. A really choppy ocean, with huge waves, lots of wind, wind that blows your hair everywhere.

16. Thailand - Matty Pop Chart

Its simple. Its beautiful. Its another child-like voice (that seems to be something of a theme here.) This is a skipping song. You should definitly skip to it. I promise you, you will end up smiling. The lyrics are simple and understandable, and really adorable.

17. The Lighthouses Tale - Nickel Creek

Beware of this one. If you listen to the lyrics too much, you will probably cry. Its a really sad song, but it doesn't sound sad at all. The song encourages acceptance of even the most difficult things. Just watch the sun set, and everything will be okay. The violin is also a very nice touch.

18. The General - Dispatch

Dispatch is one of those bands that makes me really sad that they broke up, because they're amazing. But i guess it just wasn't working out. Good for early morning epiphanies and happy realizations. "Take a shower and shine your shoes, You've got no time to lose, you are young men, you must be living, go now you are forgiven." Beautiful. Simply beautiful. And quite true.

19. Viva La Vida - Coldplay

Another one for contemplation. And a really great metaphor for your life, if you think about it hard enough and pick something in your life that collapsed on you. The string instrumentation is a really great addition to the song. The long notes during the chorus, played by violins in the background, it really makes you picture sunrises in your mind. Its also a pretty cool song to take a face value, like, picturing and ancient emperor walking through the streets he used to own, literally. like in ancient greece or something. or maybe thats just because i'm taking a class about ancient and medieval history...either way. great song.

20. Across The Universe - Jim Sturgess

I know, i know. Its almost a disgrace that I don't have the actual Across The Universe by The Beatles on here. I love that song so much...I just think that Jim Sturgess's voice fits the sunrise/sunset theme better. Its very smooth and just the general make-up of the song makes it all sound very floaty, like your floating on the water, or flying through the sky. Its a very zen-like song for me.

so there you have it. 20 sunrise/sunset songs.
i might not go into so much detail next time. I started getting lazy halfway through.
plus this thing is over 2000 words long.
i talk to much. no need to tell me.

hope you enjoyed!

Só que um dia a música mais tristonha do set começou a chamar a atenção, por causa de trechos da letra. Como assim "You're a disgrace to the concept of family"? Uma audição mais atenta revelou o hino indie definitivo para todos os que tem problemas com a figura paterna.

There's a saltwater film on the jar of your ashes
I threw them to the sea, but a gust blew them backwards
And the sting in my eyes that you then inflicted
Was part of the course just as when you were living.

It's no stretch to say you were not quite a father
but a donor of seeds to a poor, single mother
That would raise us alone, we never saw the money
That went down your throat through the hole in your belly.

Thirteen years old in the suburbs of Denver,
standing in line for Thanksgiving dinner
At the Catholic church, the servers wore crosses
To shield from the sufferance plaguing the others.

Styrofoam plates, cafeteria tables,
Charity reeks of cheap wine and pity
And I'm thinking of you, I do every year
When we count all our blessings and wonder what we're doing here.

You're a disgrace to the concept of family.
The priest won't divulge that fact in his homily
And I'll stand up and scream if the mourning remain quiet,
you can deck out a lie in a suit, but I won't buy it.

I won't join the procession that's speaking their piece,
using five dollar words while praising his integrity.
Just 'cause he's gone, it doesn't change that fact:
he was bastard in life, thus a bastard in death.

Não há espaço para concessões, o pai do cara era um merda e ponto. Acaba redimindo, de certa forma, todos os papais cujas faltas em nossas memórias não passam de um atraso pra nos pegar na escola aqui, um presente pior que o esperado em um Natal ali. Isso é pinto perto desse traste da canção, que nem depois de morto dá um desconto: O vento traz de volta os seus restos mortais, as cinzas caindo nos olhos do garoto. O último incômodo.

Lembranças ruins do seu? Ouça com moderação.

E aqui a banda toca o som ao vivo, junto com uma entrevista em que explica o porquê da letra. é uma história que aconteceu com um amigo... aham.

E há quem faça conexões entre a música e o Grande Lebowsky.

E a música como está no disco aqui.

Archiconocido por su grupo Death Cab for Cutie, este músico incansable de Washington tiene miles de proyectos paralelos. Muchos sabréis que es también el cantante de The Postal Service y de ¡All-Time Quarterback!

Toca el piano, la guitarra, la batería y el bajo, además de cantar y escribir, como todos sabemos.

Por si fuera poco, ha hecho colaboraciones con Jenny Lewis, Nada Surf, el documental de Nirvana Kurt Cobain About a Son, y un sinfín de cosas más...

¿Y todo esto a cuento de qué? Pues de que ha llegado a mis manos un álbum acústico con Ben al piano y versionando canciones de Nirvana, Donovan y suyas propias. Bájatelo AQUÍ.

Simplemente genial.

See Big Truck at Staines

Oct 12 2008      8:00P Staines Hobgoblin £3 entry

BIG TRUCK

BIG TRUCK are a young West London-based rock band. They have been established for just over a year now, having played almost 50 shows in and around the London area. In this time BIG TRUCK have not only recorded their debut album ‘One Long Saturday Night’ but also played a sold-out show at Camden’s Purple Turtle to celebrate its first press. Since then BIG TRUCK have been well received on many independant radio stations in the UK including Total Rock, Inferno and Brit FM to name a few. This was followed by a recent brief tour of Canada and airplay on UPV Radio 102.5 FM in Spain, proving that BIG TRUCK have both UK and international appeal.

BIG TRUCK are a four-piece line up with soaring guitars, driving bass, solid drums and choruses that have you singing along before you even know the words. They hail their influences from a variety of contemporary and classic bands - Foo Fighters, The Who, Muse and Jimi Hendrix to name but a few. The debut album ‘One Long Saturday Night’ is available for sale, along with some very stylish merchandise, through their website as well as at live shows. When asked for a quote about the band, producer and Nick Olivieri’s Mondo Generator guitarist Simon ‘Spud’ Beggs simply stated "BIG TRUCK rock!" No words have ever been more truly spoken. BIG TRUCK are now back in London promoting their album.

Their debut album OUT NOW! (www.bigtruckmusic.co.uk)

Vaughan Pryce-Jenkins // Vocals, Guitar
Jimmy "Fingers" Dockerill // Guitars, Vocals
Mark Kozlowski // Bass
James "Hands" Betchley // Drums

http://www.myspace.com/bigtruckmusic

2.

Catch some New  Acoustic Folk - Staines

Oct 9 2008      8:00P The Hobgoblin (Staines) Entry £3

Afterspark's members Cate, Adam, Ed and Jude accidentally wrote some songs together at the start of 2006 and since then have played on radio shows and at gigs and festivals across the country.

The band plays a dynamic mixture of soaring vocals, foot stomping rhythms and subtle textures that range from the tiny sublime to the beautifully unflinching. They have an album 'Sometimes We Forget', self-recorded and self-funded, which you
can hear on the left, and they also have an EP 'A Simple Life', both of which are available from afterspark.co.uk

http://www.myspace.com/afterspark

3.

Great Works of Bach on Cello  at Walton

Wednesday 8th October 12.15pm Lunch, 1.10pm Concert  Riverhouse Barn

Suites Nos 1 and 4 for solo Cello, J.S. BACH

A welcome return to Canadian Paul Marleyn on a visit from Ottawa where he is professor of cello at the University. This concert is an opportunity to hear two of the greatest works for cello played by a fine musician.

-  full price £13.00
-  without lunch £9.00

riverhouse boxoffice
Manor Road
Walton-on-Thames
Surrey KT12 2PF

01932 253354 (24 hrs)

4.

Rock with Enjoy Destroy - at Windsor Firestation

Oct 9 2008      7:00P ENJOY DESTROY w/ CANTERBURY     Firestation Windsor

Basingstoke/Guildford Rock/Alt band

If you like Biffy Clyro or Foo Fighters you will love this up and coming local band. See them this week at Windsor's new Arts Venue, The Firestation

Link:

http://www.myspace.com/enjoydestroy

5.

Rock and Punk at Windsor Old Ticket Hall

Oct 8 2008      9:00P supports ALASKA & at Old Ticket Hall     WINDSOR

Scars & Sirens

Comprised of four talented musicians from Reading/Windsor, Joseph Spencer - Vocals/Rhythm Guitar; Lloyd Henning - Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals Matthew T.D. Rees - Bass/Backing Vocals ; Charlie Brown - Drums the hard-dedicated Sirens are
compelled to make their mark on the rock scene.

Once known as ‘The Otherside‘, the string-slingers prepare to take on their much anticipated challenge of producing the most powerful Rock tracks of the era. It's here show how passionate we really are about our music...

Links:

http://www.myspace.com/scarsandsirens

http://www.myspace.com/theoldtickethall

Get Your Tickets for Beck Theatre, Hayes

The Beck Theatre
Grange Road
Hayes
Middlesex
UB3 2UE

-Visit AdPontes-Staines Regularly for Staines Arts-

Despues del grunge, otra vez la música de Seattle vuelve a retumbar en mis oídos porque anoche fui a ver a los Death Cab for Cutie en el Radio City.  La cortesía fue de mi esposa y debo confesar que supero con creces mis expectativas.  El sonido es melancólico, de repente poderoso. Es música fresca: piano, guitarra, bajo y batería.  Muy, pero muy, indie.  Es la banda que yo quería tener cuando estaba en secundaria. I will follow you in the dark es la canción que quieres tocar una tarde de lluvia.    I will posess your heart (con una introducción Pink Folydiana) es un viernes por la noche:  Basta que pases un tiempo conmigo amor, para poseer tu corazón.

Seattle siempre me sorprende.  Y eso que aun no he hablado de Grey's Anatomy

She has done a lot of of her most recognizable work doing album covers for artists like Beck and the White Stripes and some magazine covers, but she is a multi-talented dynamo with work ranging from documentaries, graphic design, photography and fashion shoots. Take a peek at some of her work.

So Death Cab For Cutie played NYC last night...Arizona was nice kinda nice last night too--sort of...crap.  Wish I was there...

I just recieved a pair of tickets to the Okobos Festival in Green Bay next week. Amongst the performers are Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds and M. Ward. If you are interested in winning these tickets, please leave your name and email address in the comments box.

You will be notified by me if you won on Tuesday! The festival is next week, on Saturday October 11th,  so make sure you can go before entering.

Good luck!

Check out the Okobos Festival and its lineup here.

Bangelijk goeie serie.

"Beter dan Desperate Housewives" hoorde ik van alle kanten maar het is haast niet vergelijkbaar. Oké, er wordt ook gespot met het hypocriete suburbia (oa. al te zien in de intro) en het gaat ook over -op het eerste gezicht- normale, brave huismoeders én huisvaders en zoals je al zelf al kan bedenken is dat niet echt het geval maar deze serie is toch nog net iets gewaagder en sarcastischer dan die andere Amerikaanse topserie.
Filmisch gezien was het even wennen want ik had de indruk dat de montage wat te povertjes was behandeld in het hele 'filmmaking process' maar ik ben er nu eenmaal aan gewend geraakt en zolang ze die stijl behouden tot op het einde van hun seizoenen kan ik er zeker mee leven.

"Little boxes on the hillside,
little boxes made of ticky tacky.
Little boxes on the hillside,
little boxes all the same"

Ook leuk is het liedje dat de intro begeleidt. Het hele eerste seizoen is dat hetzelfde maar vanaf het tweede seizoen wordt datzelfde liedje steeds ingezongen door bekende en minder bekende gastzangers (Death Cab for Cutie, Regina Spektor, Elvis Costello, etc.).
Als je tijdens het bekijken van zo'n halfuur durende episode van Weeds zelf wat smoort zal je de liedjes tijdens de aftiteling keer op keer ongelofelijk goed vinden.
En oja, als je de cliffhanger van het eerste seizoen al waanzinnig vindt, ga je je een ongeluk verschieten bij die van het tweede seizoen!

Meer ga ik er niet over vertellen enkel dat je het gezien moet hebben!