i was there || xxxy

Show: XXXY

Location: Lincoln Hall

Date: 5.22.13

Favorite Song: I knew going into this show that I liked XXXY's sound, but quite honestly I wasn't too familiar with many of his songs. There's a line in David Byrne's "How Music Works" that says, "They claim that we listen more closely when we know we only have one chance, one fleeting opportunity to grab something, + as a result our enjoyment is deepened." I certainly felt that way with this show. I listened closely + found some new stuff I loved, including XXXY's awesome mix of Close's "Beam Me Up." 

Memorable Moment: I absolutely loved that Rupert Taylor (XXXY) was singing along to the songs during the set. That made me happy + seemed like something I would do if I was a world famous producer.

Biggest Letdown: That was the most empty I had ever seen Lincoln Hall. It was weird + awkward. The upstairs area wasn't even open.

This Show: had a lot more potential but it was at the wrong venue, on the wrong night, at the wrong time. I'm so glad I saw XXXY + I was certainly impressed with what I saw, but now I'm just dying to see him again in a better setting at a venue like Smart Bar. I think even a festival setting would have been better than that (+ I do love Lincoln Hall). This was also perhaps the first show I purposely left before the headliner. I don't know much about Kastle + I'm sure his set was fine, but I was just interested in XXXY.

i was there || foals

Show: Foals

Location: The Vic

Date: 5.18.13

Favorite Song: I mean "Spanish Sahara" is pretty hard to top live, but Foals sure tried their best with "Red Socks Pugie" which was performed about halfway into their set. They went so hard with it that I thought for sure that I was mistaken + we were already in the encore. Honorable Mention would also have to go to "Milk + Black Spiders."

Memorable Moment: Foals is really really good at songs with big build ups + then they just fucking unleash. Their electric guitarist was quite impressive + I found that the songs I liked the least we're the ones that he had less of a presence in.

Biggest Letdown: Aside from getting there slightly late + being up in the balcony for this pretty high energy show, I'd have to say the lead singer. Philippakis' voice sounded good + all but he did about every cheesy cliché a lead singer can do. I'm talking crowd surfing, very literal hand gestures, + he even kicked over the microphone stand. On purpose. If he had smashed his guitar I think I would have left. Or vomited.

This Show: was fun + high energy. Some of that doesn't always necessarily shine through on their albums, but trust me, it's there.

home is where...

This is precisely why I don' think I could ever live with roommates again.

via

bare

I really wanted to name this post "crop it like it's hot" but seems I can excerise some self control after all.

But guys, I did it. I went + bought myself a crop top (+ from Urban Outfitters no less). I've had some pseudo crop tops in the past, but this is the real thing. Don't let the photo with those high waisted short fool you. I'll have some serious belly button action going on when I wear it + strangely enough, I think I kind of like it. 

I do feel a little too bare when I've tried it on with shorts, so I quickly solved that problem by ordering this skirt below. We'll see whether I like this ensemble or not, but I feel like I needed to share this life shattering moment.

+ what is the deal with UO clothes always looking disgusting on models? I don't think I can ever judge clothing off of this website again because everything seems to look better in real life.

top | skirt

i was there || four tet

Show: Four Tet (DJ set)

Nate Manic

Location: Smart Bar

Date: 5.16.13

Favorite Song: I have great recall with sounds, but I'm horrible when it comes to names. Earlier in the set Four Tet played this very African inspired song which I know I've heard previously + multiple times at that. I've been racking my brain all weekend to try + figure out where I know that song from, but no luck yet. I'll come to an answer eventually. Regardless, it was great. I also secretly loved his mix of "That Boy is Mine."

Memorable Moment: It had been a little while since I had last been at Smart Bar, so it felt nice to be back among my fellow music loving weirdos. It was also great to see Smart Bar so packed on a Thursday night. Four Tet was deserving of the crowd though.

Biggest Letdown: I hate leaving shows early + while it probably was the smart decision at 2am on a Thursday when I had a busy day of work ahead of me, I just didn't want to do it. I was having such a great time + can only imagine what other goodness I missed out on. I need to be more strategic with vacation days  for shows like these.

This Show: One of my favorite questions to ask Chicagoans is which bar would you be most upset to learn that it had closed. I love the question, but I've never really had a great answer for it myself. I'm not really attached to one bar in particular + there isn't one that I really frequent more than others. Most people, however, have a pretty easy time answering that question. I was thinking about the show + life over the weekend + it occurred to me that Smart Bar would probably be that bar for me. It's nothing fancy, but the sound is great + the crowd (minus a few occasional sketch balls) is even better. I can't help but feel happy when I'm there. I'd be pretty devastated if I learned it was closing.

i wish this dream comes true

I've always held the Jamie xx Essential Mix at the top of my list in terms of musical perfection, but Todd Edwards might have knocked him out of that position with his 2 hour Essential Mix which aired last Friday. I listened to it at least 6 times in the past two days + I know that there will be many more listens before this week is over.

It's almost unfair though -- Daft Punk (obviously), Disclosure, David Bowie, Phoenix, Prince, My Morning Jacket, Animal Collective, Donna Summer. There are just too many great names in there for it to not be amazing. I especially loved the Giorgio Moroder - The Chase/Digital Love edit which starts around the 21 minute mark. So good. Those lyrics are just too perfect.

Take a listen. It should brighten up your Monday morning.

this must be the place

"I love music. I always will. It saved my life, and I know I'm not the only one who can say that."

- David Byrne

washed out || before

lindstrom || music in my mind

I'm trying hard to play catch up on all of the recent new releases. This weekend I checked out the new albums from The National, !!!, Vampire Weekend, + Kurt Vile, but I've still got so many more to tackle. Music is on my mind, that's for sure.

I'm looking forward to starting my long run of upcoming concerts with the Four Tet DJ set this Thursday at Smart Bar. I'm definitely getting antsy for the dance floor.

the memories that matter

One of my favorite things as a child was when my mom would do the laundry just before my bedtime so that she could tuck me into nice + toasty sheets. I'm realizing more + more that little memories like this are the ones that are the most important.

Happy Mother's Day, mom.

alt-j || bloodflood

This is precisely why I give good albums multiple attentive listens. An Awesome Wave from Alt-J is a phenomenal album. There are so many good songs such a "Dissolve Me," "Something Good," + "Fitzpleasure," that by the time I got to track 12 I was too overwhelmed with awesomeness. 

Track 12, or "Bloodflood," is worth a million listens though. That song has quite quickly become my favorite on the album. I can't get enough. Please give it another good listen if you've been distracted by the others like me. I can't wait to see these guys live again.

curated || ana teresa barboza

If I could embroider my body I would. Artist Ana Teresa Barboza has convinced me of that for sure. I'd likely go with a nice black brocade, but if I was having a more dramatic day I might go with the open heart. Or maybe a nice floral?

This chick is seriously awesome though + I love the way she combines her drawings with embroidery to create these somewhat 3D works of art.

Her work is also just sexy enough. There's enough left to the imagination, but it's also paired with something rather delicate + beautiful.

 

I wish I was able to dig up a little more about Barboza's background, but for now I'll just enjoy the view + hope that you do too.

concert outlook

I'm back state side + things aren't as bad as I was expecting. I actually started to miss Chicago quite a bit + I'm happy to see that the weather is warmer + my concert calendar for the next couple of months is quite robust. The shows bolded below are the ones that I'll definitely be attending:

5.14 | Kurt Vile + the Violators | Lincoln Hall

5.15 | Youth Lagoon | Metro

5.15 | Digitalism | Bottom Lounge

5.16 | Four Tet DJ set | Smart Bar

5.18 | Foals | The Vic

5.18 | Foals DJ set | Primary

5.18 | Flying Lotus | Metro

5.19 | The Shins | Aragon Ballroom

5.22 | XXXY | Lincoln Hall

5.26 | John Talabot | Lincoln Hall

5.31 | Eats Everything | Smart Bar

6.1 | Twin Shadow | Metro

6.8 | Mount Kimbie | Lincoln Hall

6.10 | CHVRCHES | Lincoln Hall

6.13 | Dirty Projectors | Lincoln Hall

6.14 - 6.16 | Taste of Randolph | Randolph Street

7.5 - 7.7 | Wavefront Music Festival | Montrose Beach
7.19 - 7.21 | Pitchfork Music Festival | Union Park

Of the ones that are not bolded, I'll most likely check out the Foals DJ set if I'm up for it after their show at The Vic. Twin Shadow is also pretty likely if tickets are still available. I need to check on that one. Also, I don't think I've seen the actual daily lineup for Taste of Randolph, but there are some pretty great names performing there including The Joy Formidable, Escort, + JC Brooks + the Uptown Band. I hope to make it to at least one of the days. 

I'm still playing catch up to all of the happenings while I was out, but any other shows that I'm missing? I have serious FOMO about these sorts of things, so please let me know.

I've got a spare ticket up for grabs for most of these shows so holler if you're interested. And if you're already going, please say hello!

peace out

I'm going to disconnect for two weeks in Costa Rica. I kind of love the thought of disconnecting for a few weeks, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't absolutely terrified at the thought of missing out on new Daft Punk news or big concert on sales. If there is a really great one announced can you help a girl out with some tickets, please?

When I return, I hope to be a few shades darker + feeling fully revived. Oh + Chicago -- you better be done with this snow nonsense by the time I get back.

i was there || bonobo

Show: Bonobo
Shigeto

Location: House of Blues

Date: 4.20.13

Favorite Song: I don't think anything could top "Kiara." Hearing it live was so so beautiful. It made all of the hard work of finding a ticket worth it. I also think I'm going to have some new favorite songs from Shigeto coming out of that show. That guy was phenomenal. I've always liked drummers.

Memorable Moment: Craigslist angel aside (that sold me my ticket for face value no less), I was just blown away by how all of the instruments worked so well together. And Jack Baker? He was absolutely nasty on the drums. I just love the combination of producers + live instruments. I'd be happy if every show was just like that.

Biggest Letdown: This is just me being lame again, but I was way too tired to make it out to the DJ set at Primary, so I'm kind of bummed I missed out. At least I got to see the better of the two performances. Or so I assume.

This Show: was honestly just what I needed. I had a bit of a weird morning + really fought hard to find a ticket because I knew it would make me feel better. And it did just that. Bonobo is seriously impressive live. I had lots of smiles that night.

a little bird told me : march

You should follow: @niggabootydew, @sidewalk_yawn, @whimsyandspice, @ChaseMit, @TEEDinosaurs, @Do312, @djENRIE, @redbullCHI, @marcusgilmer, @AskDrRuth, @hanklayton, @musicthinktank, @rena_tom, @doorsixteen

kid cudi || unfuckwittable

After the first few listens of Kid Cudi's Indicud I definitely have my few stand out songs. I was in a bit of a weird headspace this weekend so "Unfuckwittable" as well as "Immortal" were in pretty heavy rotation for me. I need to do a few more listens before I really get a good hold of the album as a whole, but overall I'd say that I'm pretty happy with the results.

caveman || in the city

2013 is really bringing the good tunes.

simon's headphones

A couple months back I saw the trailor for the indie film Simon Killer which featured the beautiful sounds of Matthew Dear. The plot seemed a little questionable (young, heart broken guy goes to Paris, falls in love with a prostitute, yadda yadda yadaa..), but when it popped up in my OnDemand movies this past weekend I felt I had to give it chance based on music usage alone. The movie was pretty bad, but there were several great songs used throughout the film in addition to Matthew Dear's "You Put a Smell On Me" that kind of made things okay for me. Take  a listen...

curated || matthew brandt

I am obsessed with artist Matthew Brandt's photographic works of art. I don't fully understand how these pieces are created, but he mixes photography with some very interesting things. His Lakes + Reservoirs series, like the one above, is developed in the actual bodies of water from where the photos are taken.

His Taste Tests series, like this one above, is made from different foods. This one was made with mouth wash + the one at the very bottom was made with Airheads.

Then there are the honeybees. These are casualties of a hive that got destroyed.

Things get really interesting with his portrait work. Portraits are created with different bodily fluids such a blood, breast milk, semen, + vomit. Totally weird + creepy, but in it's own cool way.

 I find Brandt's work to be so cool + I especially gravitate towards his Lakes + Reservoirs series. I'm not alone in these thoughts either. Brandt was recently featured in Elle Decor magazine + was also on Forbes' 2012 list of the top 30 under 30 in art + design.