music

New York connections

Sara Leave a comment

While many of you will be sleeping, recovering from your extra hour of Day of the Dead partying (yes, Daylight Savings Time ends on Sat night/Sun morning), Roger will be spending the morning on Sunday, November 2 running 26.2 miles through the streets of New York’s five boroughs: Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Manhattan. This will be Roger’s third time running the New York Marathon (the only marathon he would ever consider doing). At mile 19, he will stop torturing his body for a moment to play one song with his former band, Squirrels from Hell, giving him the much needed adrenaline to power on to the finish. The Squirrels have been playing at mile 19 along the marathon route for nearly 20 years.

Here is the map of the route.

If you are up for it, you can sign up to receive text messages or emails as Roger crosses various check points through the Marathon’s Fan Alert System, so you can live vicariously through him. Sadly, since the race begins at 9:40 a.m. Eastern, that means 6:40 a.m. our time… on a Sunday morning. I doubt many of you will be following along, but it might be fun to read later to check in.

I will try to get some blog posts in, but I will at least tweet it up as this should be an exciting vacation.

Radio Nowhere

Sara Leave a comment

As economic times turn to the south, radio takes another look at what is possible for them to afford. It does not seem that long ago when radio was a hot commodity for companies like Clear Channel Communications and CBS, buying out large portions of the radio market, making people question, “How much is too much to own?”

Those days are now gone with radio megaliths shedding what “extraneous baggage” that they can. Unfortunately, that so-called baggage are programs and people, people dedicated to a medium that is losing a popularity contest in a big way.

Watching friends struggle as they lose what they love most is disheartening. Many are forced to move away to markets where their talents are still needed. Those that choose to stay are nearly blacklisted, finding it nearly impossible to get a job in the same market that once showed so much love. I had seen this before while I was a student in San Francisco.

I started out going to university as a broadcasting student. I love the radio, more than that I love music. It seemed like a natural thing for me to venture towards. As I started my first semester with a couple of basic broadcasting and communication courses, I hooked up with a local station (Live 105) and became somewhat of a groupie of their morning show. When CBS bought out the station, they fired nearly everyone that worked there to give the station an overhaul of sorts. I remember listening to the station as it happened. Suddenly there was no DJs for hours, even days. Apparently the news came to the staff in the middle of the morning show… ending their on-air personalities on the spot. At that moment, I made the decision not to work in radio or music. I love it too much, but I like security. Security in knowing that I have income and benefits coming in.

So those in radio, I feel for you but this is the life you have chosen and I admire you for it. It is definitely not for me. Those who listen to radio keep on… it is you who drive the market.

Douchebags never have friends

Sara Leave a comment

Roger and I escaped to Copley Symphony Hall last night to see Sigur Ros. Personally, not a huge fan but I enjoyed my evening of chill music with lyrics that I couldn’t really decipher. The opening band (can’t remember their name sadly), I actually liked. Again, lyrics were indistinguishable but the energy was that of a band of gypsies playing in a fancy recording studio.

Sigur Ros gave a stellar performance with mood setting backdrops of video and lighted globes. The crowd was a mixed bag. Mostly they behaved themselves. It always gets to me the way that regular club goers often don’t respect the nature of the fancier venues. Sigur Ros has the option of playing other venues in town (Spreckel’s, Viejas, OAT, etc.) but he chose to play at Symphony Hall. The acoustics are probably the main reason. But with that he needs to understand his audience too which for the most part are individuals who rarely (if ever) have stepped foot in a fancy theatre in their lives.

The culture and the tone setting of the show was preset due to the fact that it was at Copley Symphony Hall. The culture was confirmed by the actions and behaviors of the opening act. They did not rev the audience up. They performed just as a symphony performs… little to no crowd interaction, using musical transitions instead of telling stories. Even 94/9 respected the place. Instead of banners hanging everywhere, they were given easals on which to place the sign, very classy.

As I said before, the audience was mostly good, perhaps their parents brought them to a symphony or a theater performance when they were younger. There were a couple of guys (drunk guys) that were absorbed in the music and felt the overwhelming desire to dance and attempted to convince the rest of the theatre to dance as well.

One guy, probably the same guy who was yelling loudly during songs, decided to dance all the way down the aisle. After the security and ushers tried to escort him back to his seat, he decided to yell, cursing at the whole theatre the fact that he was not permitted to dance. It ended up taking 4-5 people to get him back to his seat… yeah, they let the guy stay.

I have to say that I like dancing. But I also have a understanding that there is a time and place. If you want to dance to Sigur Ros, go to Big Sonic Chill night at the AC or wait until he goes to a different venue.

However, I did notice that neither the drunk dancing or the other guy down front who kept trying to get people to stand up the whole night, had any “friends”. He may have come with people, but they were no where to be seen as soon as they started acting up. And you know that these guys aren’t coming to shows alone. I can’t see how they ever get out of the house… I mean, once a friend makes a fool of themselves in a public place like that, wouldn’t you never want to hang out at a show with them again? Maybe it is just me. Grow up.

Back to the Streets: Street Scene 2008

Sara Leave a comment

Of the many opinions on Street Scene out there, I would like to add my own take. As an event planner, I do to look at festivals like this a little more critically.

Most people were excited that Street Scene moved back downtown. Aside from the convenience of public transit (and not so bad street parking and lot parking) and additional shade from buildings, the ambiance of this year’s event was not much different than at Qualcomm. I’m not saying that this is a bad thing, since I really didn’t mind it being at Qualcomm.

I didn’t drink, so I didn’t really get a good look at the lines for drinks. I did notice the separation of types of drinks… this is sometimes hard to manage since it is not often known what the drink of choice will be. The beer garden did have a good deal for drinks: 7 samples for $10 (probably the best deal at Street Scene).

The layout was ok. I would have positioned stages and bars a bit differently, but it worked. The cramped space at the Zarabanda stage could have been partially avoided with a different line up at that stage. Basically, acts like MGMT and Vampire Weekend should have been placed at the larger stages, especially when both of them have radio hits compared to the others that they were up against (yes, even if they had to have an earlier slot).

Oh… and vendors should not be placed on the corners of major thoroughfares, like the hot dog vendors that were on the corners near the Casbah Stage and the Zarabanda Stage.

I don’t know if the emergency crews could even make it to the front of the stage at the Zarabanda stage with the narrowness of the street and stage blocking the entirety. I’m guessing that the city didn’t say anything… doesn’t mean it is any safer.

One good thing… the bathrooms were great in number and were fairly clean considering the population’s drunken state. Props to Rob Hagey for spending money on toilet facilities.

Below is a quick recap of bands I managed to check out and what I remembered of them:

Friday
Chester French: Looked them up prior to going. Lyrics were entertaining. Poppy melodies song by the curly haired lead singer. Guitarist was wasted.
The Muslims: Seen these guys before. They are popular locally, but I still don’t get it.
MGMT: Didn’t get a chance to go see due to the large crowd that I didn’t want to fight with. Apparently there was glitter and lots of it.
Foals: The Street Scene guide says they sound like Oasis meets Radiohead. Nothing of the sort. The lead singer sounded like (and kind of looked like) Robert Smith of the Cure. The band actually sounded like Scarlet Symphony as well as another well known band that I can’t think of. I really did like these guys.
The New Pornographers: I really don’t remember anything distinguishing about them.
TV on the Radio: I thought I would like these guys more. They had energy but maybe I didn’t.
Spoon: I love these guys. I have seen them at least three times. I really don’t ever get tired of hearing their music.
Cat Power: Missed out on seeing her. After her last show at 4th and B, it is hard to go back.
Devotchka: Quickly got a chance to see them. A tuba covered in twinkle lights. I would like to see them again sometime. Again the Street Scene guide was off… no were near like Flogging Molly or Dropkick Murphy. More Eastern European/Mexican than Irish.
Vampire Weekend: Love the album and they played it well live. They need new songs. This album has gotten mileage, but it is really time to get new songs when you really aren’t able to play an hour long set to it’s entirety.
Beck: Saw a few songs. Would like to see again sometime when my feet aren’t feeling like they going to fall off. He really is talented. Weird hairstyle choice, though.

Saturday
The Whigs: Never seen before. They were decent. Don’t have much to say.
West Indian Girl: Caught the last two songs. I wish I had seen more. Very moving and powerful.
Dengue Fever: Indian/Thai flavor to the music. Captivating.
Tokyo Police Club: Canadian garage-rock… not British-infused mod like the Street Scene guide would lead you to believe. Strike Three… Get a new music writer.
The Hives: Listened to them as we were eating. Didn’t have a desire to see, but actually enjoyed listening to them and watching them on the big screen. Lead singer has an ego… but lots of fun. Would like to see again someday.
Tegan & Sara: I love watching these two siblings. at one point Tegan forgot the lyrics to Speak Slow… the audience was able to help with the first verse, but no help at all from Sara or the audience for the second verse.
X: Tired feet, but still managed to get some dancing in. I love these guys. Was very entertained by this neanderthal-looking guy that must have been there to see the Black Crowes and didn’t get the memo.
The National: Sorry Rosey, no feelings what-so-ever.
Devo: Was in bed before they even started… man I must be getting old. There was a guy dressed in a Devo hat carrying around a disco ball. Apparently stuffed animals are not allowed at Street Scene, but a full-sized, mirrored disco ball is just fine.

I did attempt to take photos at Street Scene, however I was far away from the action and apparently not that great at taking photos. They all came out pretty blurry, oh well, I tried at least.

2008 San Diego Music Awards recap

Sara Leave a comment

I highly questioned whether or not to go to the San Diego Music Awards his past Wednesday. I didn’t leave work until 7 p.m., which was the listed start time for the Awards. Roger was working way late so he wasn’t going to go.I finally decided to head out there just to get out of the house and to see people since I had been working non-stop for weeks. It is a long way to drive and a lot of money to spend just to socialize, but I really needed it.

I got there just in time to see Eve Selis name being butchered by some radio personality from one of the stations that I don’t listen to. I’m pretty sure they do a run through of the show prior, including pronunciation of names. This guy really didn’t pay attention.

The crowd seemed similar to previous years. Very social, not really paying any attention to the awards being presented. It really is just set up as a place to people watch and be seen. So sad, but true.

Here is the listing of 2008 SDMA winners.

The biggest surprise to me (and to many) was the Song of the Year and Album of the Year going to Slightly Stoopid. I’m pretty sure this one was not up for popular vote. I would love to hear the reasoning behind the choice from this year’s 37 person music academy besides the fact that reggae has never been represented as an artist/song/album of the year. Actually, I don’t care what they say… I really don’t think that Slightly Stoopid’s album or song ranks up there with the likes of Switchfoot, Louis XIV, Pinback, P.O.D., Sprung Monkey, Jewel, Blink-182, Jason Mraz, Stone Temple Pilots and all the other song and album of the year winners who have sold more records and had songs that at least made it to the Billboard charts (not like that is a perfect measure, but a reasonable one).

This is my opinion of who should of won those categories… not based on personal opinion, but based on other music news sources:
Song of the Year: Switchfoot: This is Home OR P.O.D.: Addicted
Album of the Year: Augustana: Cant Love Cant Hurt OR As I Lay Dying: An Ocean Between Us

Ok… done ranting for now. I am glad to hear that the San Diego Music Foundation raised over $41,000 for Taylor Guitars in schools. I really hope my kid sees the benefits from this program some day.