hipster high-kicks.

Sometimes Justin and I buy concert tickets without thinking things through, or without consulting each other first. Which is fine, as they say "When in Rome!" Which also means we have to drive 2-hours away in the middle of a work week to see said concert. Which is also fine. When in Rome. So Tuesday I left work early and we journeyed up to Los Angeles to see one of our new favorite bands Alt-J.

Oh you haven't heard of them?

Just kidding. I won't hipster you. Rather, I'd very much like to share Alt-J with you because they are quite spectacular. And in the fashion of one of my other favorite bands (BONNIE BEAR), you can't understand a damn word they are saying. In a good way, naturally.

Because they are such a different type of music, I was really curious as to what type of crowd would be there. The short answer? LOS ANGELES. 

First of all. We really in all seriousness might have been the oldest people present. I had no idea that the kids would be into this cool of music these days. It seemed mature to me, I guess? But yes, we in fact we the only mature folks present at this venue.

Secondly, we had entered hipster nation. Fine. So we are dealing with a mass of young hipster Los Angelenos, what could go wrong? Nothing went particularly wrong. HOWEVER. I spent 85% of the show distracted by two individuals. I shall call them NUMBER ONE FAN and the Stripster-Hipster.

You guys. YOU KNOW how much I love people and the things they do to unknowingly entertain me. THESE TWO WERE GOLD. Maybe I pre-partied a little too hard. Or maybe they really just had gold running through their veins. Either way, I WAS IN HEAVEN.

NUMBER ONE FAN, NOF for short and yes all in caps-lock because he lived in caps-lock, was the tallest person in the entire crowd. Yes, taller than me. Ya dicks. We were in the upper balcony/old-folks zone so I had a great view of the sea of youngsters below us. And when the openers starting playing NOF went HAM. He was the singular person in the steadily growing crowd that rocked his huge heart out to each and every song. The singular person fist-pumping to every song. And when Alt-J came out, HE HAD TRIANGLE SIGNS (Tesselate is one of their big hits...so triangles...you get it, you do). I lived for him and those triangle signs.

Stripster-Hipster. I don't even know where to begin. From my vantage point, she appeared to be on the younger end of the young-kids crowd. And she danced. AND DANCED. And thrusted. And flipped her hair. And then, to cap off my entire night, she added high-kicks to her routine. HIGH KICKS. Soon a young gentleman joined her (because most of her friends had walked away) in the high-kicking stripper hipster dance routine along the safety barriers and I was practically jumping up and down cheering them on. I mean if Alt-J calls for ANY kind of stripper dancing it is definitely the high-kicks.

Like proper old folks we left early as not to get caught in traffic because old people hate traffic more than anything. And although we were beat the next day, a two-hour drive to LA to see a really, really rad band and the hipster groupies that love them was totally worth it.

what would yeezus do?

I realize that this post is beyond a few days late considering this news came out last week and is already so last year. However, I wanted to use the weekend to listen to Yeezus to make a fair and balanced assessment, Fox news style.

Although I am strongly suspicious that the act of listening to Yeezus on repeat is what caused my car to stop working, I loved it. First things first — this is not radio friendly music. At all. It is rough and dirty and sometimes a little harsh on the ears but in a strangely melodic way. Like a Bjork kind of way. What a comparison. But you probably aren't going to find yourself gleefully rapping along a la Two Chainz. Unless you've mastered the growl. Because there is growling. I love it. I also love the angelic voice of Justin Vernon (of Bon Iver) getting nastified. I have NO idea what his lyrics are, I just know they are not friendly. That unlikely pair? They make magic.

Kanye's last album, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, is what completely changed my mind about him as an artist. I listened to his previous tracks on the radio but purchased this entire album because I was obsessed with "Monster." This album blew my mind and I listened to it on repeat for months on months. AND and it featured my hipster angel, Justin Vernon. And many other collaborations including the rap verse on "Monster" that in my mind put Nicki Minaj on the map and was probably her best work ever (FUN FACT! If you get me really drunk I can rap that for you).

via Vulture

I know that I am never ever going to convince you to like Kanye West. Ever. He is the man that everyone hates. Well, everyone except me. I find him extremely talented and intelligent, all while maintaining the knowledge that he is in fact probably a little bit crazy. Artists have never been known as the sanest people on our planet. One even cut his ear off. Some sleep in art museums for art. Others make music and live an incredibly outlandish and avant-garde lifestyle that we cannot relate to and don't understand how to begin to.

This. Was. Brilliant.

That is Kanye. Yes he picked on America's goddamned sweetheart and most of America will NEVER get over that (although it was incredibly well deserved and I loved every second of it and also it was the MTV awards so those don't really count). But at the end of the day, he is an artist so the crazy is okay. He pushes the boundaries and tries new things and GASP dares to be different.

via Vulture

Most importantly, the baby name? We make it our business although it is none of ours. And really, it wasn't the worst they could do. Can we give them some credit for at least spelling it right? Yes, this little girl will be brought up in the spotlight living the most lavish lifestyle imaginable. Did we think that Marie would suffice for a child as such? Maybe Kathleen? Come on people. They are celebrities, and we asked for it.

In conclusion, you may not like the man. You may not like his baby-momma (I certainly do not). But give the guy a fucking break okay? Until you come out with your groundbreaking rap album. Then you can speak.

you're safe child, you are safe.

You know, a lot of these posts were challenging which I guess is the entire point of this month-long situation...but you wanna bring music into the mix? Shit. This is my nightmare.

Day 29 - 5 songs that speak to you or bring back memories.

SHIT. We all know I'm a chronic concert crier and habitual radio crier. Point being, I cry. And to avoid delving into the memories of each song, I am going to withhold specifics. Just know that music never leaves your heart, even if you want it to. What am I even talking about, you know that.

Bon Iver - Blood Bank

Birdy - Terrible Love (Originally by The National)

Stars - Your Ex-Lover is Dead

Active Child - Hanging On (Ellie Goulding also kills a version of this. Kills beautifully.)

DeVotchKa - How it Ends

And oh dear god, I can't stop. My favorite boys just made me all goose-bumpy. So here. Number 6, just for good luck.

Taking Back Sunday - My Blue Heaven

JUST KIDDING I FOUND ANOTHER ONE. This just became my favorite video on this post. So I hope you made it this far.

Taking Back Sunday - Everything Must Go

You in first place.

Something is going on with my music choices. Meaning, shit got ghetto. Real ghetto. Meaning, this song has been on repeat even though it has nothing to do with my life and I don't really want to be buried in the booty club. I might win a bad bitch contest though. That could actually happen.

While I'd like to state that I'd like nothing more for my birthday than peace in the blog world and stricter gun laws, we all know that isn't ever entirely true. I like things. Pretty things. 

You know, in my 29.975 years on this planet I still haven't mastered the light scarf. I'm setting my goals really high this year, guys. Thirty is the year of the light scarf.

Music: Live and in tears.

Last week we had the pleasure of seeing Rachael Yamagata at Anthology. That might be the most boring sentence I have ever typed.

Let's do this again. The incredibly stressful night before Thanksgiving, I forced Justin to attend a performance by my favorite singer/writer of the most heartwrenching music you will ever listen to at an acoustically perfect venue.

I feel better.

Rachael Yamagata will break your heart over and over again. And you will ask for more. You need more. I've been listening to her since my early 20s, which were wrought with immature heartbreak that her songs seemed to fit so very well. So when I saw that she was in town, I bought tickets and then asked Justin if it was okay to go that night.

The instant she started singing tears welled up and I knew it was going to be perfect. And it was. She sounded just beautiful and well, perfect. But the best part? Between each song, after ripping out your soul, this girl had me in giggles. She is so weird, and awkward and hilarious. She says herself that the music comes from such a trench of despair and melancholy, that you have to laugh in between the songs or you won't make it out alive. And thank god for the giggles because I got all weird about it.

My favorite song of hers, and one of my all time favorite songs that is so special to me that I don't even want to share the link here...she played it. When I heard the first chord, I burst into tears and melted into Justin's shoulder and sobbed into the tissue that I had stuffed in my bra for that exact moment. What a loser. I had warned him, so he knew it would happen. He was still probably embarrassed. I was only minorly embarrassed, but mostly thankful for the experience of hearing it live. And thankful for the life experiences that gave something that much meaning and thankful to know that I don't have to feel that type of despair ever again. So thankful right now. Are we still doing that, STILL? Shit.

If you're in the mood to have your heartbroken, which, don't lie, you know it's something us ladies do sometimes (which is why we continue to watch Grey's Anatamy & Gossip Girl which I'm NOT caught up on so shut it), listen to this:

"It'll Do"

It'll Do

And, because it's the Christmas season and I like sharing (some...) visit here for a free download! (I did it. It works!).

Music: Where are you?

I haven't done a music post in years, it seems. Mostly because no one reads them. Also because I am still the only person on the planet that likes Bon Iver.

But really, I've lost my focus on music lately. And I've realized two things: Mainstream music is ridiculous and being so in lurrrrve limits my choices. Unless I want to switch back to country to listen to songs about how we love each other like we love pickups trucks. As I've said before, my music choices depend largely on my emotions and because of the limited availability and questionable quality of "happy" music, I just am not paying attention right now. I'd open to recommendations, as long as they don't involve the words "Taylor" or "Swift." I'm a Kanye fan. A loyal one.

So, here is an oldie for you. From a great band that no longer makes music together, Straylight Run. I first heard this song live, and it changed my view of live music forever. I was at SOMA, which at the age of 20 was inappropriate for me to be attending in the first place (so old...). I was with my roommate who had tickets to see Simple Plan, which I hated, but she asked me to go and I wasn't going to turn it down. Paramore also opened, and they were incredible. And then Straylight took the stage and sang all of the songs I had already seen live once or twice. And then this happened.

I stopped moving and just stared. It was intense and beautiful, along the same lines as "Running up that Hill" covered by Placebo.

These songs trigger a feeling that is difficult to place. But they are just lovely.

Ball. So hard.

Ladies, and maybe gentlemen, of the internets. If I had to choose one image, and only one image to describe Tiffany this would be it.

                                                                            Source: theyallhateus.com via Tiffany on Pinterest

Ladylike and ghetto, all rolled into one. Every now and then, the ghetto really comes out. You can take the girl out of Chino, but she will still know all of the words to every Kanye West song and want to shout "TWO CHAINS" at inappropriate moments.

If you really want to annoy my boyfriend play some hip hop music. Or suggest performing a Jay-Z & Kanye song at his best friend's mother's 50th birthday party. Because we have been asked to perform a song.* What the heck would you do in a situation like that? Rap, right?

(Seriously though, what would you sing in that situation? Not karaoke, mind you. Full-blown live performance. Extra credit if you fly out and take my place.)

Anyways, here is some friday linkage love for you:

The best films of the 90s. We all know my record with movies (hint, its not great) so I've only seen #1-4, 16, 25, 34, & 39. I've seen more of the honorable mention titles, naturally.

Christopher Walken reads Honey Boo Boo. Enough said.

OKCupid posters = hilarity. You know my thoughts on online dating.

I'd like to enroll in Monsters University please.

Ball hard this weekend, everyone. I won't fine you.

Losing my street cred.

And now I present songs that I love that shouldn't even be on my radar. I listen to Top 40 stations on my way to work because I only have a 10 minute commute and by the time I get my ipod all set up I'm already there and so this is what happens instead.

One More Night - Maroon 5
You guys, has anyone actually listened to Adam's voice? Or are we all just hypnotized by his body? He legitimately has an annoying voice. Listen. Listen to it. Did you listen? And the version with Cee-Lo's highly intelligent rap? I can't even handle it. But will that make me stop listening? Hell no, TURN IT UP!

As Long as You Love Me - Justin Bieber
I understand if you need to unfollow, I do (Except for you Shay!). But when I am carpooling with my bestie, we do not turn this song off. We sing it. It doesn't even make sense and that is my favorite part. It even says, "I don't know if this makes sense but..." No, Big Sean. Please explain more.

Cher Lloyd - Want U Back
I don't even have an excuse for this one. I just think she is adorable and got suckered into this childish persona by The Man.

Linkin Park - Burn it Down
I just unfollowed myself. I wasn't even going to admit this one, but I figured on a scale of 1 to Cher Lloyd, this was maybe a little more acceptable. Hi Justin. I know, I know. You win.

Let the shaming begin.

Music: The XX

If you haven't heard this song yet, you're doing life wrong. It is quite possibly the most delicate and sugary sappy love songs I've heard recently. What? Is that really a question? OF COURSE I cried the first time I heard it. Listen and then we can talk.

Again, I realize my blog updates are a little overemotional lately. But so am I. Love is an overwhelming and powerful thing and causing my emotionometer to go all wacky. Emotionometer. It's a thing now. Make it happen.

Music has always been a pillar in our relationship. Our first kind-of-date was at his best friend's band's show. Then a week later I forced him to go to a fest put together by a local radio station that featured a few bands, most notably Florence & the Machine and Noel Gallagher's High-Flying Birds. Wonderwall happened. And then I died of happy. And during a time when we weren't even supposed to be speaking to each other, we drank whiskey and listened to music for hours which made me fall even more in love than I already was. So busted.

So the first time I listened to this song and actually paid attention, I immediately picked up the phone WHILE DRIVING to tell him to listen to it. It was a necessary risk.

If you like this, you will most likely enjoy all of the lovely music by The XX. Just remember to be aware of your emotionometer.

Music: Robyn

Let me save you some time: If you don't like pop music of any kind, you may leave. I know, it's not for everyone and I accept your choices. That said, let's talk about one of my favorite pop singers of all time, Robyn! If you haven't heard of her, you must have skipped 1997. She had one of the best songs on the charts at that time and my god if writing that doesn't make me feel old. I was 14 when I first started listening to Robyn. And then in 2010 I rediscovered her and was like holy shit I have been missing SO MUCH.

This Swedish singer is wacky to the max and I love every bit of it. Her hair, her wardrobe. All of it. I love it. My favorite part of all she does, besides her singing of course, is her dancing. I can't even use words to describe it so I will provide exhibit A for evidence:

I may or may not have attempted this routine at some point. How could you not? (Side note: THAT SONG. Let's just say I listened to it on repeat for the better part of 6 months. And while we're on that topic, the acoustic version of Hang with Me will steal your soul. And now I've officially spiraled.)

Because I love you, I'm going to share with you one of the greatest things to ever happen, in which I fell deeply in love with Taran Killam of SNL fame:

Life, changed...am I right? I know I can be snotty about my musical choices, I'm the first to admit that. And obviously this is a little off. But sometimes I just want to get weird and dance, and I think Robyn exists just for that reason.

Must listen to tracks: Call your Girlfriend, Indestructible, Dancing on my Own, Get Myself Together and any acoustic version of any song of hers. So, so lovely.

Get weird. Dance. You know you want to.

Music: Daughter

I prefer my music to have feelings, so that when I need something to validate my crazy feelings I know it is there. Sometimes these songs makes me want to throw my ipod out of my car window (if only it rolled down...). Other times they makes me smile because I feel so alive with emotion. Once, I made my BFF a mixtape that she decided to name, "Suicidal Lesbian." I listened back on the playlist and thought, holy shit she was SO right. This can't be healthy.

This song is no exception and was a track that I clinged to with all of my might earlier this year. I know many of you have felt the same sentiment as this song is singing out and jesus if it isn't some of the worst emotional pain you will ever go through. 

Daughter is a folk duo from London and I found this track on itunes for free last year (I've found some of my favorite songs that way!). There isn't too much information on the interwebs about them but from the raw lyrics to her delicate and haunting voice, Daughter totally nails it. I can't even write more about it without getting all weird and emotional. That right there is powerful music that you should listen to when your feelings have no words.

All melodramatics aside, what are YOU listening too? What should I be listening to? Something a little more cheery, perhaps? Excuse me while I wipe off my excessive black eyeliner, blow out these candles, and pump up some happy tunes.

Music: Something old, Something new

As I wrote the title to this I realized how much I hate it. The title that is. Music I love and want to marry. Is that legal? I hope so. I want something more sparkly and catchy. Like, "Music: Fuck yea!" Or, "Music: It's What's Dinner." Point being, it needs some love.

Moving on. This week's post is dedicated to a group that I am absolutely enamored with. The Icelandic indie folk group Of Monsters and Men stole my heart with their song "Little Talks." The lyrics, combined with the loveliness of the male and female (Raggi & Nanna!) voices melted me into a puddle of slushy feelings and oh god why won't anyone love me, I'm going to be alone together with this stupid cat and I hate my life! Thank god that's over with.

Ahem. Moving on, again. Their album My Head is an Animal is flawless. I listen to it nearly all day in the office and it doesn't upset me to hear it again at home, which is a rare gift of an album. I could keep talking about their greatness, but I am going to offer you one more song to let you hear for yourself. That's right. I'm telling you what to do. Another favorite, "Dirty Paws." And this video happens to be amazingly rad.

Are you in love yet?

Music: Something old, something new

Finally, something old! There are certain songs in my life that I call “Top ten all time favorite songs.” Chances are my list contains more than 10, so that really doesn’t make sense. However, these are songs that immediately transport me to another time in my life. They bring back memories that I thought I no longer had and remind me of everything I have experienced whether I like it or not. Skinny Love by Bon Iver is one of those songs.

My unabashed love and enthusiasm for everything Bon Iver baffles many. Can you understand the lyrics? Not always. And when you can they usually don't make much sense. Such is the case with Skinny Love. But you just know the utter frustration and heartbreak that is the root of this song. The passion he sings with is so powerful, and if you don't believe me I beg you to see them live. I practically forced my younger sister to go with me and then because of the overwhelming intensity and emotion of the performances I literally cried 80% of the show. My poor sister. But it's THAT GOOD, you guys. (Also, completely brokenhearted at the time. I had set myself up for complete failure that night.)

This song has been covered by so many great artists including Gavin Mikhail, and another beloved of mine, Birdy.

When Linday Pavao covered it on The Voice I cried, naturally. It was one of the most genuine and beautiful performances of the season, but I knew she had lost because as we know or don't know, who the hell is BONNIE BEAR! This has become my all-time favorite Skinny Love cover. (Also, yes I watch The Voice and yes reality competitions make me cry. Apparently everything does.)

No matter which version I'm listening to, Skinny Love makes me have feelings. Somethings good, sometimes bad. But, it will always remain on my life soundtrack.

And just for S&Gs, take a look at Justin Timberlake as Justin Vernon of Bon Iver in one of the best SNL skits of the season!

Weho, Wine, and Jean Shorts

My weekend technically started on Thursday night. If you still haven't heard, there's this small indie film called Magic Mike that changed my life in so many significant ways. Friday I trekked up to West Hollywood for some adventures with my life partner, Leeann. We relived the 90s at the Summerland Tour and drove out to the middle of nowhere for a fantastic wine tasting experience. She also told me I smell like a man that wears cheap cologne. She'll tell you all about it!

When I arrived home Saturday evening, I finally accepted the fact that the few fleas I found on jmeoww had repopulated and tried to take over my home. With the help of my very patient boyfriend, we took J to a friend's house and bombed the shit out of my apartment. We also learned from my apartment manager that they pay for flea control because it's a SERIOUS PROBLEM in my complex. I must've missed that memo.

After an overdramatic Saturday night, I was really looking forward to Sunday. Because. Because it was the day that I got to take Justin shopping. You see, one time I told him that I hated his shoes. Okay let's rewind. One time when I called him sobbing for one final come-to-jesus talk, this conversation happened:

Me: Justin, can I tell you something?
Him: Yea...
Me: I HATE your shoes! (in the most pathetic sobbing (maybe a little drunk) voice you can imagine)
Him: What does that have to do with anything??
Me: EVERYTHING. It means everything! Your shoes are awful, but I still love you!

And that my friends is how you score the man of your dreams. Apparently. Anyways, since my sobbing confession he has allowed me to be his personal stylist. We immediately replaced the shoes and last weekend we cleaned his closet. I know, right? Are you jealous yet? Because the closet cleaning left him with pretty much nothing, shopping was very necessary. He did try to get out of it by seducing me with the final few episodes of Game of Thrones. It almost worked but, SHOPPING!

I decided to take it easy on him and just visit Old Navy. Which seriously failed us. The shorts were too short. Too cargo-y. Too jean. It was very disappointing, however we picked a couple of shirts out without killing each other. I call that a success. Our failure at Old Navy only means that there is more shopping in our future. The romance is too much to handle!

Music: Something old, something new

I promise one day that we will get to the old tunes. There is just so much good new stuff lately (remember, new to me, not to the world!)! This isn't so much about the band as it is the story. I've loved this song for a while now: Take Care by Beach House. It is so delicate, simple, and just a tiny bit ethereal. It was featured in one of my most favorite episodes of New Girl (the one where Nick might have cancer so he gets drunk and they go to the beach and that’s when he and Jess unknowingly fall in love).

Okay, I feel like I need a sappiness disclaimer on this: If you aren’t one that appreciates reading about relationships or any kind of romance makes you queasy, then move on (at least GFC me before you go! I promise it won’t always be like this!).

I haven’t kept it a secret that I’m still getting used to certain aspects of being in a relationship. I’ve always been very independent and spent the last two and a half years pretty much on my own (with the exception of some stellar friends and family members). So when I got some bad news last week (or heard a rumor of bad news…same difference) and my boyfriend felt incredibly guilty for not being able to let me cry on his shoulder, I was like, no big, right? Yet he insisted that he should be there for me and I insisted that I’m used to dealing with this kind of shit on my own. Which apparently ISN’T NORMAL. He reassured me a few more times than would be necessary for a rational human that I will in fact never ever have to go it alone again. What did I do as soon as I hung up the phone? I cried. Naturally. I had to explain the conversation to my sister and she said, why the hell are you crying? BECAUSE! Because I can’t remember the last time someone said something that nice to me. And let me tell you, there is no better feeling in the world than hearing that from someone who is choosing to be there, not from someone that has to.

Did you barf yet? Well if you made it this far, hopefully this song makes sense now. It certainly has more meaning for me now. Okay, okay! I’ll stop.

Music: Something old, something new

If you have a pulse, you've probably heard Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye. If you haven't, dear god where have you been? I cannot escape this song that I originally had a deep, dirty kind of love for. Which is unfortunate because, well GOTYE. That voice. Those piercing eyes (Hello, lover! It's not your fault, pretty one. There is a such thing as loving a song too much, radio.).

Today's post isn't about those piercing eyes though. It's about the other voice on that song. The female voice that starts off so timid before rising into full-blown anguish. That voice belongs to Kimbra. This exquisite New Zealand native knocks all other pop "princesses" down with her soulful voice and insightful lyrics. And holy crap, this girl is gorgeous.

image via kimbramusic.com

Settle Down is one of my favorite tracks. The musically and lyrically simple tune boldly showcases Kimbra's powerful voice. With the exception of the creepy dolls, this video KILLS IT.

If you're into funky, soulful pop that wasn't created in a factory then Kimbra is your girl.

Music: Something old, something new

I love music. It might be more accurate to say I am IN love with music. And I am always looking for new stuff to listen to. While it may not be new to you (hipster…), it’s new to my music library. My musical obsession of the week is Imagine Dragons. They’ve been around for a few years, but I caught their song “Round and Round” on Gossip Girl. They follow the trend of newer alternative and I’m going to use the phrase “more musically gentle” to describe their overall sound.  I might even copyright that phrase.

My favorite song on Continued Silence is “Demons.” It’s an even more relaxed song, the gentlest of the musically gentle. And although the lyrics don’t exactly fit, the overall mood of this song is expressive of how I've been feeling lately: relaxed, peaceful, and quite lovely.