Securing The Perimeter

Took my first trip to Seattle today. When I first arrived over a week ago, I missed all of Seattle due to an alternate routing suggested by my friends over at Google Maps. So, I headed into the University District today, which is quite far on the northern side of the city. As a result, I didn't get any feel or real good look at downtown, but when the skyline appeared on the horizon shortly before exiting the highway, I was beaming. Went to a movie at the Seven Gables Theater which is a great indie theater with exactly one screen. There's also a really cool book shop just down the block that specializes strictly in books on film... some really cool stuff there. As for the movie itself, it was decent. Somewhat typical French flick of romance that's very lighthearted at first and then suddenly becomes extremely serious at the very end. I used to be very against going to movies on my own, but there's really no other option sometimes, you know? It was a lonely kind of day.

Before Sunset

There's a lot that needs to be done here and I've finally begun doing what I do best: booking & promotion. If feels really good to be doing this stuff again and to be part of something much bigger than any individual living/working here.

I should mention two things of note that I've continued to leave out of my updates:
- The weather here has been absolutely fantastic. Clear and cool. Yesterday was my only taste of the stereotypical Pacific Northwest haziness, and I enjoyed it immensely.
- I've been sleeping like a log here and waking up with a clear head. So far, I've slept better here than I have anywhere else in a long while.

Other than that, I've been consuming more media today than I've been producing (Dirty Projectors, "Two Doves" from the Bitte Orca LP blaring and sappy romantic films, though I still can't bring myself to watch Jules et Jim)... save for one big announcement that I'll make in a bit on my Twitter feed.

Covered in Petrol

I'm writing material for a new set which will, hopefully, be performed relatively soon. Chances are also good that I'll record the set, split it up into 'tracks' and release it. I like it and I hope you will too. It's music to pass out to.

In other, more exciting/silly news, I went to Jack In The Box for the first time today. Let me tell you a few things about JITB:
1) They've replaced their cashiers with automated stands that take your order for you.
2) You think you can eat like a king at Taco Bell for under $5? You're right. Guess where you can eat like a king for under $3? Yep, you guessed it.
3) DEEP FRIED EVERYTHING!
4) FUCKING DELICIOUS!
This discovery means that I'm in some trouble. So cheap and so bad for you. It's a good thing I've got positive reinforcement from vegan, healthy, organic, and culinarily inclined eaters here.

There's A Serious Vinyl Fetish Going On Around Here

Realizing that I'm a bit more out of shape than I had anticipated. Rode my bike down to the ferries... my anticipated breathtaking vista did not, however, materialize. Lots of hills and cute houses facing the water... one of the first times in my life I'd ever thought, "this is would be a nice place to raise a little family."

Also, I'm getting the odd feeling that I'm here doing field research. Even though I feel like I should be inspired musically, which I am (hanging out with my idols, compatriots, and watching/listening to them record), I've ended up getting some ideas on the academic side of things. At a house show in Bellingham this evening, I was far less interested in the bands there than in the logistics and demographics of the whole affair. It sounds stupid, but I'm basically living out my senior thesis. It's amazing to contrast and compare the two scenes I've now been a part of. Looking forward to where this is going... more later.

Oh, and for the record, the buzz surrounding The Hurt Locker is kind of dumb. Nothing too special, but a half-arty war flick.

Things Move A Bit More Slowly

Still feels a bit like I'm on vacation here: sleeping late, playing video games on a giant projector, reading a ton, playing guitar, hanging out.

My bike got delivered today and I impressed myself by reassembling the damn thing all on my lonesome. I'm getting more DIY by the minute. Excited to explore the world around me starting tomorrow... riding around the island with book and lunch in tow is enthralling.

Now just listening to Sharpling's Best Show on WFMU... working that back into the routine. Routine: a necessary evil? Discuss.

(What The Heck) Did I Just See?

YOUR SCREEN-PRINTING SKILL HAS LEVELED UP. YOU ARE NOW A LV. 2 APPRENTICE.

CONGRATULATIONS.

Over the past few days, I became closer with a lot of the folks that I now live with, as well as becoming chums with some of my idols (going to get late-night donuts, for one). Yeah, it's weird. Thought I'd catch you up on some (I'm probably forgetting a few things) of the action of the past few days before I return to a normal schedule.

Your Heart Breaks kicked things off in a very Pacific Northwest-y fashion. Pretty solid and enjoyable.
Mecca Normal, though decent entertainers, are just not my thing. There, I said it.
My favorite performance of all three days was Mirah's. This is probably more as a result of personal anticipation/goal-setting than anything else.
Most of my friends in my house played with Mt. Eerie and are touring with him this fall. Check them out if they're coming your way.
Earth closed the first evening with a solid performance, if slightly less intense than I was anticipating. Epic, yes.
Sadly, Generifus earns the title of most forgettable. Sorry, gang.
The antics of Vibrarians came as expected. Them is some punk rawk ladiez.
A roommate of mine has a band called St. Merman. They're pretty good.
In a way, Ship Of Friends was good. Ultimately, however, it comes across as pretty gimmicky.
Sitting in the sun listening to Rose Melberg is quite relaxing. Recommended.
I told everyone they'd enjoy Cryptacize. I was right, they did.
Casiotone For The Painfully Alone. Catharsis.
Katy Davidson Jam Band (ex-Dear Nora). See also: Generifus, above.
My new friend, the lovely Genevieve, is O Paon. She used to call herself Woelv.
Karl Blau, perhaps unsurprisingly, played with nearly every band this past weekend. His new stuff is surprisingly refreshing.
Film screening by Vanessa Renwick. Stand up and get a snack before proceeding, there's more.
GRAMMY AWARD WINNER Kimya Dawson. Yeah, songs for little kids are still not doing anything for me.
Oh, you wanted juxtaposition? Wolves In The Throne Room brought it.
I did my part and played with my new friends and roomies in Motorbikes. Very promising stuff coming from this.
White Fang are raucous children screaming and breaking things. Meh.
Lucky Dragons played a really cool, interactive set. Circles of toys on the ground for y'all to play with.
Do you like Bret Lunsford, Karl Blau and/or Phil Elverum? You'll love D+.
Do you like Old Time Relijun, pretentious lead singers and/or loud guitars? You'll love Arrington De Dionyso's Malaikat Dan Singa.
Grouper was the most stunning of anything I was privy to this weekend. So inspiring... color me impressed.
Sheahan Drive is an old artist in residence from the DoS. You should probably buy his records because you'll like them.
I avoided Tara Jane O'Neil because I gave her a not-so-great review on a past episode of Indie Street. She sounded okay though.
No Kids are Mates Of State without the cheese. Made me think of her again.
Everyone went ape-shit for Lake. Not my bag.


If I do say so myself, the DoS definitely "made it happen" this weekend. Here's to strengthening our grasp throughout the rest of the year.