Who is this nut?
- kired
- "You need to believe in things that aren't true. How else can they become?" T. Pratchett
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
16.5.12
10.4.12
File Unde: This is a Future - Benny Yurco
20.2.12
26.6.11
File Under: Solid Sound, Day 2
Ok folks, we're prepping to hit the road, so this will be quick and dirty.
We finished our tour of the installations at Mass MoCA and came away with the general feeling that last summer's stuff was stronger. Although some pieces did strike true like the one's by Kathrina Grosse (see photo). I'm not sure if it's more that I'm less impressed with video pieces (there were so many of them) or that last year was so very much better in general. Hard to say with art.
We enjoyed a couple hours of the John Hodgeman curated comedy. John was of course hilarious, but Morgan Murphy and the "Artisinal Pencil Sharpener" were particularly hilarious. I expected more from Eugene Mirman, though he tends to work more in the realm of smirk than actual laughing, I suppose. We left before Wyatt Cenac and John's sets. Our butt's were tired and we had to pee. Once you leave, you really can't get back in. The Hunter Center was too damn small. I suggest you bring a cushion and a bottle to pee in, if you go next year.
Better armed against the rain, we settled in with our friends for Syl Johnson and The Sweet Devines, who turned out a great set. However, I have no idea what he was on about in the interstisials, he kept mumbling something about Wu Tang. He thought it was hilarious.
Finally, at 9:15ish, Wilco took the stage and brought forth two hours of Wilco goodness. I can't recommend enough, seeing this band live. Of particular musical serendipity, was when Sarah Lee Guthrie joined the band on stage to sing California Stars (her grandfather, Woody, wrote the lyrics).
Other things of note. We were introduced to something called a Samosa. YUM!
Time to finish packing and hit road.
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease
We enjoyed a couple hours of the John Hodgeman curated comedy. John was of course hilarious, but Morgan Murphy and the "Artisinal Pencil Sharpener" were particularly hilarious. I expected more from Eugene Mirman, though he tends to work more in the realm of smirk than actual laughing, I suppose. We left before Wyatt Cenac and John's sets. Our butt's were tired and we had to pee. Once you leave, you really can't get back in. The Hunter Center was too damn small. I suggest you bring a cushion and a bottle to pee in, if you go next year.
Better armed against the rain, we settled in with our friends for Syl Johnson and The Sweet Devines, who turned out a great set. However, I have no idea what he was on about in the interstisials, he kept mumbling something about Wu Tang. He thought it was hilarious.
Finally, at 9:15ish, Wilco took the stage and brought forth two hours of Wilco goodness. I can't recommend enough, seeing this band live. Of particular musical serendipity, was when Sarah Lee Guthrie joined the band on stage to sing California Stars (her grandfather, Woody, wrote the lyrics).
Other things of note. We were introduced to something called a Samosa. YUM!
Time to finish packing and hit road.
Love, Peace and Chicken Grease
25.6.11
File Under: Solid Sound, Day 1
As Mass MoCA is always a visual delight, we were met with art almost immediately. The place is rife with it, both the installations that already inhabited the vast brick buildings and the festival specific pieces. Food and beverage selections are fairly plentiful and seem to all be local purveyors. The thoughtfulness of that last part makes me happy.
The paid and volunteer staff all seemed happy to be there and were quite polite, even security (what? is that even possible?).
Now for the music, Purling Hiss garnered a great big meh from me. Pajama Club was better but not exactly my cuppa, we listened though as we sat on a hill and watched the sky darken. As their set continued, our friends arrived with boys in tow. We followed them down into the field, which through many feet and much rain was softening into mud. They chose a spot, set up their chairs and we chatted over the band (we are so rude, I know). Not a full 10 minutes after Doug had declared that it wouldn't rain, "the radar showed it had turned...."
Ellyn and I had brought rain coats. I had on boots, I was planning on this all being fine. We're Mainers, rain is nothing. What we hadn't banked on was the 10-15 degree drop in temp. Rain coats and ponchos don't address that little bugaboo. We decided to go back up the hill and sit on the bleachers while they reset the stage for Wilco. We sat for a mere few minutes before we decided the our asses would not be able to endure. Also, the sound tent blocked the view. "If we can't see, we may as well find someplace dryer." said the Mrs. I agreed.
We made our way through the increasing downpour to the shelter of the main building. We debated the merits of staying while in line for our body and soul warming coffee and tea. As we started to make our way back to the field, we overheard someone on a security radio mentioning that is they get thunder they will be shutting down. This makes absolute sense and as the potential was high, we decided to head back to the hotel and regroup for today. We did hear the distant thrum of the band as we waited for the shuttle. In fact we heard about 30 minutes worth. The planners had not accounted for people wanting to leave early if the weather turned nasty.
Upon return to the hotel, we soaked in a hot bath and slept like logs. Now we must go forth to source some better, warmer rain gear. Ta!
4.2.11
File Under: And it's Beautiful
Back in December my wife and I were fortunate enough to see one of my favorite bands, Crash Test Dummies, during their two nights at Tupelo Music Hall in New Hampshire. What we enjoyed that night was showmanship at it's best. Not only were Brad and Ellen vocally superb, they were funny and personable. Whether he was pontificating on masturbation, weed or the intellectual value of certain rowdy audience members, I was highly entertained.
They performed many songs from their new album "Oooh-La-La," (now streaming on their website, linked above) as well as some of their hits. Not one of the "payday" songs was performed without some back story and self-deprecating humor. Their music has always had a certain joyful darkness to it, inlaid with aspects of Brad's personality, but being in that intimate setting with them really brought it to bare. Maybe I've been warped by too many years of CBC programming while growing up, but his sense of humor is definitely mine. I must buy this man a beer.
If you ever get a chance to see these folks in action, I highly recommend you go. I also recommend you leave the kids or people who are easily offended at home. Mr. Roberts has a glorious potty mouth.
Here is a great video about the process for the new album:
From the new album: And It's Beautiful:
One of my faves, they did that night. "Swimming in Your Ocean"
They performed many songs from their new album "Oooh-La-La," (now streaming on their website, linked above) as well as some of their hits. Not one of the "payday" songs was performed without some back story and self-deprecating humor. Their music has always had a certain joyful darkness to it, inlaid with aspects of Brad's personality, but being in that intimate setting with them really brought it to bare. Maybe I've been warped by too many years of CBC programming while growing up, but his sense of humor is definitely mine. I must buy this man a beer.
If you ever get a chance to see these folks in action, I highly recommend you go. I also recommend you leave the kids or people who are easily offended at home. Mr. Roberts has a glorious potty mouth.
Here is a great video about the process for the new album:
From the new album: And It's Beautiful:
One of my faves, they did that night. "Swimming in Your Ocean"
30.1.11
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