7/29/13

todd terje || essential mix


I thoroughly enjoyed this Essential Mix from Todd Terje that aired over the weekend. It's a good mix of old with the new -- disco, Men At Work, Jim Morrison, + my favorite, Steve Miller Band's "Serenade," at the 1:39 mark. I've got lots of good memories of being the coolest kindergardener alive + listening to Steve Miller Band on repeat with my brother.

7/23/13

i was there || justin timberlake + jay z

Show: Legends of the Summer Tour with Justin Timberlake + Jay Z

Location: Soldier Field

Date: 7.22.13

Favorite Song: "I'm A Hustler Baby" + "Senorita" were two of my favorites that I got to hear right off the bat so that made for a good start to the show. Others worth mentioning: "Cry Me A River" + "Magna Carter."

Memorable Moment: I was basically sitting at the 20 yard line of Soldier Field to watch two phenomenal performers on stage together. I liked the B2B performance + I'd never really seen a show like that other than DJ sets. (Real question: Is it still called B2B for non-producers?)

Biggest Letdown: Soldier Field is not a great place to see concerts even when you're sitting right on the field. I don't typically like stadium concerts + I know a lot of people tend to hate the theatrics, but I actually was hoping for a bit more at this show. I think something could have been done to engage the fans in the way back a bit more.

This Show: made me feel slightly guilty at first. I like JT + Jay Z a lot, but the seats were so great that before the show started I felt like a bigger fan probably deserved to be in my shoes instead. I hadn't listened much to their new albums yet + I didn't want to be the jerk sitting near the front that didn't know any of the songs. That feeling quickly surpassed though + I'd say there were only about 2 or so songs I was unfamiliar with. This was a crowd pleasing concert + they played just about all of the old hits. Or maybe these two are just so great that all of their songs are inevitably memorable.

7/22/13

i was there || boiler room chicago

Show: Boiler Room Chicago
Todd Edwards
Nico Jaar
Jacques Greene

Location: Lacuna Artist Lofts

Date: 7.20.13

Favorite Song: Unfortunately I had to hear this song while waiting in line to use the rest room, but "The Thing" by Atumpan mix from Todd Edwards is so great. It stood out in his Essential Mix but is even more fun live. I challenge you to keep still when listening to it in a party atmosphere. That's the stuff I just love. Honorable mention goes to "Mi Mujer" from Nico Jaar.

Memorable Moment: Walking in right as "Face to Face" started was pretty memorable + all around perfect. Todd Edwards' set was very similar to his Essential Mix (+ a bit more Disclosure) + was absolutely perfect for that environment. It was my favorite from the night.

Biggest Letdown: Lines upon lines upon lines. I wish they weren't offering free beer because I think that might have kept away they people that weren't there for the music. The AC was also broken, but it wasn't horrible + I think it added to the vibe.

This Show: was a party as opposed to just a show. It really felt like hundreds of my closest friends were just dancing + having a blast together. I wish Chicago had more events like that. Often times people on Boiler Room just stand around awkwardly. I hope Chicago left its mark that we can party.

the thing

I am so very behind on "I Was There" posts, but here's my favorite song from Pitchfork weekend from Todd Edwards Boiler Room set:



Happy Monday!

7/17/13

i was there || wavefront music festival

Show: Wavefront Music Festival
Audion | Benoit + Sergio | Danny Tenaglia | Derrick Carter | Fatboy Slim | Guti | Guy Gerber | Hot Natured | Jamie Jones | Justice | Magda | Maya Jane Coles | Nico Jaar | Pat Mahoney | Rusko | Scuba | Shit Robot

Location: Montrose Beach

Date: 7.5.13-7.7.13

Favorite Song: Chalk it up to girl power but I very much enjoyed Maya Jane Coles set. Comfort is a superb album so hearing bits of those tracks was a total treat. I've got a lot of respect for this chick.

Memorable Moment: That view. I mean hard to top a sunset like that on the beach while all of the top DJs are playing.

Biggest Letdown: Wavefront tried to get too big too fast. The crammed in the stages + as a result the sound was pretty awful at times. I think a lot of festival goers respect the fact that less is more sometimes. This was definitely one of those instances.

This Show: Is still one of my top festivals. The lineup is unmatched in Chicago currently. I think it fits well with the cities history too.

7/16/13

i can write the saddest poem of all tonight

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.

Write, for instance: "The night is full of stars,
+ the stars, blue, shiver in the distance."

The night wind whirls in the sky + sings.

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.
I loved her, + sometimes she loved me too.

On nights like this, I held her in my arms.
I kissed her so many times under the infinite sky.

She loved me, sometimes I loved her.
How could I not have loved her large, still eyes?

I can write the saddest poem of all tonight.
To think I don't have her. To feel that I've lost her.

To hear the immense night, more immense without her.
+ the poem falls to the soul as dew to grass.

What does it matter that my love couldn't keep her.
The night is full of stars + she is not with me.

That's all. Far away, someone sings. Far away.
My soul is lost without her.

As if to bring her near, my eyes search for her.
My heart searches for her + she is not with me.

The same night that whitens the same trees.
We, we who were, we are the same no longer.

I no longer love her, true, but how much I loved her.
My voice searched the wind to touch her ear.

Someone else's. She will be someone else's. As she once
belonged to my kisses.
Her voice, her light body. Her infinite eyes.

I no longer love her, true, but perhaps I love her.
Love is so short + oblivion so long.

Because on nights like this I held her in my arms,
my soul is lost without her.

Although this may be the last pain she causes me,
+ this may be the last poem I write for her.

- Pablo Neruda


7/8/13

curated || emil lukas

"Using unexpected materials, such as silk + insects, this artist evokes the mysteries of nature."
This artist is Emil Lukas of Pennsylvania who creates his amazing pieces of art in a 19th century barn.
Everything about his art is very organic. He even creates some of his art by directing live maggots with ink poured over them around canvas.
Mostly though, I'm just completely in love with his cool color palette. It gets me every time.

7/6/13

i was there || maya jane coles

Show: Maya Jane Coles

Location: Smart Bar

Date: 7.5.13

Favorite Song: I'm pretty hooked on her album Comfort so hearing most of those songs was a treat. I'm not sure if it's my favorite on the new album, but "Everything" sounded good.

Memorable Moment: It was exciting to final get to see her live in a great venue. I've missed a few opportunities + this performance was nearly perfect. It's cool to see a chick up there do her thing.

Biggest Letdown: Festival after shows are brutal. Especially when you sprinted a little to hard out the gates on the first day. When will I learn?

This Show: Deserves a repeat. Now.

7/2/13

standard ettiquete

Sometimes I'm just not good at being a girl. Unlike most 26 year old St. Louis natives I have not attended many weddings in my young lifetime. Now I find myself just a few months away from the wedding of one of my very best friends from high school + two weeks away from her bachelorette party. All of this is very new to me + I'm just worried I'm going to screw up on the things that most know as standard ettiquete.

So to my understanding/research there are 4 key events leading up to the big day:
Engagement Party | Bachelorette Party | Bridal Shower | Wedding

Here's what I know about each:

Engagement Party: I already probably failed with the this one when all that I offered was well wishes. How standard are gifts? What if you live in a different state & can't attend the actual party? Are gifts still necessary? If so, I'll be sure to tack on a little extra to the wedding gift.

Bachelorette Party: I find gifting lingerie to be kind of trashy, so this is where you just give other girly gifts, right? I have a good idea what route I'm going to go with on this one, but I'm still a little uncertain about the price range. What's typically reasonable for this?

Bridal Shower: This is the biggest question mark for me. If I'm out of state (+ not likely to be invited) + also not in the bridal party are bridal shower gifts necessary? This is a very good friend so I don't want to be rude. I think I get confused on this too because people often have multiple showers (one for friends, one for family, etc). What's the protocol on this? These gifts should come right off the registry, right?

Wedding: Let's be honest, most couples just want cash or gift cards, right? That's the route I plan to go plus maybe something smaller from the registry. I should be good with that, right? What's the typical price range on these gifts?

Clearly I need a lot of help. I'm just nervous about screwing something up + totally embarrassing myself. Any other tips I should know about ?

via

7/1/13

version seven

I don't know how many different bedroom designs I've been through at this point, but I've finally settled on one. I think. Thankfully I haven't been able to afford to make any actual changes so I haven't wasted any money yet. This version isn't too different from the last two that I posted so I doubt I'll regret my decision when I finally start executing.
...Except I already have started executing. I ordered new sheets, a new duvet cover + a new down comforter + so far no regrets. Towards the end of the summer I'm going to bite the bullet + order the furniture. I've mentioned it before but my closet space sucks + I'm going to be needing some more space soon. It's the biggest investment but it'll make the biggest impact so I guess that's cool.
The next major piece is going to be a rug. This has been the hardest decision for me so far but I'm definitely leaning towards an over-dyed traditional rug like the ones below, I'm just not sure on the color.
1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Then comes the other finishing touches like artwork + other little knick knacks. Eventually I might want to replace my teeny tiny TV, but I also kind of hate having a TV in my bedroom. $100 bucks says I lose that argument with my boyfriend though.

milscot || all alone (maya jane coles remix)


This week is full of Maya Jane Coles with a performance at Wavefront, an after show at Smart Bar on Friday night + I'm sure a few more listens to her new album Comfort. You can listen to it on Pitchfork Advance HERE.