Nostalgia + Music Overload Part I

Warning: Sentimental ramblings ahead

I've been in this funk ever since I lost my dear iPod, which probably sounds ridiculous but it's true. I began to regret leaving New York for the summer, leaving my friends, realizing I have no money to travel around Europe or even enjoy London, and then moving out of my apartment has been a huge pain. in. the. ass.

So last night I was driving back to my parent's house from a party a friend of mine was having that turned into a high school reunion. It brought me back to four years ago, where I would be that shy, awkward girl sitting in the corner smoking to avoid any superficial conversations I would end up having with people I didn't really like to begin with.

As I was driving home I thought how different things are now, four years later. Yes, I'm still awkward and smoke too much, and usually hang out in the back or corners, but I never in a million years thought that I'd be as crazed as I am, all for good reason. I was always that weird kid who thought up grand ideas, and actually did them. But this magazine was definitely the biggest one yet, and each day I am thinking of new ways to bring it to the next level. To have people actually read what I write, even now, would have seemed ridiculous to me four years ago. And as I inhaled and looked at the scene in front of me, in good old suburbia, all I wanted to do was get back into the city and be bobbing my head along to a band I love.

My boss asked me on Friday what it is about music that I love so much. Seemed like a silly question, because I've always loved music. To spare you from my musical history, my parents were huge Beatles and Pink Floyd fans and I always remember my dad blasting music in our car and I would sing along. Things haven't changed, as I always need my music at full volume and never cared about singing at the top of my lungs. There's something about music, that just fills your entire body up, surrounds you, and lets you live in that moment, of that song, for however long you please.

I don't know what has brought on this rambling. Looking back at this year in specific, it's been probably the best year of my life. But something inside of me tells me that things are just going to get better. One of these days I hope that I am not so terrified walking to interview a band. I told someone recently that I swear, one of these days, I'll be normal. But I don't think it was being normal that got me to where I am right now, and I wouldn't change it for the world.

My oh my, someone needs to kick me in the ass and tell me to stop being so cheesy.

On to the music!

So as I said, I made a splurge at In Sound recently, and I've also been sorting through the pile of CDs that have been collecting dust on my desk, waiting to be listened to. I found some fantabulous goodies, and only wish I had my iPod to share it with. So instead, I share with all of you. (all mp3s, right click, save as)

(Ed note -- sorry for the problems, all files should be working now, let me know if there are still problems!)

1. Kevin Devine - Split The Country, Split The Street (buy here)
After hearing "No Time Flat" I was ecstatic to receive this CD in the mail to my utmost surprise. This Brooklynite evokes that Oberst like drunken swagger in his voice, but doesn't let it keep him down. Instead he works on politics and life, mimicking Elliott Smith's romantic and brutal honesty, all through his catchy tunes, which keep me right there, in no time flat.

Kevin Divine - The Afterparty

Kevin Divine - Buried By A Buzz

2. !!! - Take Ecstasy With Me/Get Up EP (buy here)
I really had no idea what or who or how even to say this band but kept hearing about them, so thought I would give it a shot. For a measly $5, I got this EP that although only features two songs, packs quite the punch. It's two covers, the first A Magnetic Fields, and the second a Nate Dogg, and it’s jam band for the drugged out crazies. But you know what? It's fucking sweet.

!!! - Take Ecstasy With Me

!!! - Get Up

3. My Victoria
Liz knew My Victoria's lead gal Diana from blogging class, and kept telling me to check out her band. It took me until I met Diana at Oasis's listening party to actually remember. Now I can't get their songs out of my head (especially "Cheating", holy crap). With some damn-catchy bass lines, plus Diana's super sweet meets I am a rock goddess voice, they have executed New York's rock scene quite well. They play TISWAS July 9.

My Victoria - Accidental Beauty

My Victoria - Cheating

4. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands Say Yeah (buy here)
Do I need to say anything more about this band? Everyone's talking about them, loves them, wants to have their babies (okay maybe not but NYC is obsessed). But it's all for good reason, their debut album has officially become one of my favorites, and their live show lives up to the hype. Go. Listen. Now.

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Clap Your Hands!

Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Is This Love

5. Say Hi To Your Mom Ferocious Mopes (buy here)
Even though it's father's day, I thought we'd say hi to mom. Shh Rachael, stop trying to be clever, because the band already does it for everyone. I caught the tail end of these guy's set when I ran over to Bowery to see The Wrens a few weeks back, and made it my job to buy their album. Job well done. Their website makes me chuckle too, especially this:

We find it very amusing and cute that you have requested a free record from us, even after we have discouraged you from doing so in our Frequently Asked Questions section of this very website. We also find it very amusing and cute that, without fail, when you send said e-mail requesting a free record, you do so with both electronic and snail mail addresses that clearly do not reflect the record label whose A&R department you claim to be working for. We will admit, the first few of you fooled us (probably because we had just exhausted our bank account paying that month's rent) when you claimed to be from said record label's A&R department (as the prospect of a 50 million dollar signing advance did seem comforting). We even find it very amusing and cute how, without fail, you neglect the normal pleasantries even your superiors practice on a regular basis. You know, like feigning an actual appreciation for the music. And so you write, most likely in your Urban Outfitters getup, with your amusing and cute i-Book with stickers on it, from your new East Village apartment, on the walls of which you've tacked the same bunny-eared Bright Eyes and Interpol posters you had in your dorm room last year (you know, because you're INDIE ROCK!), as The Killers' screech and patter via i-Tunes through your bass-lacking computer speakers, all the while oblivious to the fact that you won't ever get promoted and that you won't even get credit for a signing in the unlikely chance your efforts pay off. We find it very cute and amusing. We really do.

Sincerely,
Us (02/03/05)

(note: we have nothing against the aforementioned bands or Apple products)

Say Hi To Your Mom - The Twenty-Second Century

Say Hi To Your Mom - The Twenty-The Death of Girl Number Two

Say Hi To Your Mom - Dimensions And Verticals

Say Hi To Your Mom - The Forest Scares The Hell Out Of Me

Say Hi To Your Mom - Yeah, I'm In Love With An Android

They play Bowery Ballroom 7/15/05. Buy tickets here.

More music tomorrow. Happy Birthday to Matt Go Station!