Phil Lesh & Friends 9.29.07

As a way to celebrate Phil and Friends coming to Red Rocks on Saturday, my friends and I got down there in style in a colorful, grateful dead painted, crazy-funky Rasta bus. Because we rode down there in style, I had to dress up for the occasion as well, so I threw on my bright red dress, brown tights, leg warmers, and knee-high rainbow socks. Yay! What a way to start up the festivities. In case you haven't figured it out, when Phil Lesh comes around, it's kind of a big deal!
So good thing we arrived early because Phil and Friends started to play the second after the sun had set. The lights went down, Phil & Friends took the stage, the crowed cheered, and the band kicked it off with Bertha (one of my favorites). It was a very energetic way to begin the first of three sets, which lead me to believe it was going to be a high energy, everyone dancing around, getting the groove, kind-of-show…but after the first set, the show began to slow down. The second set was all acoustics, so it was a sway back and forth with your eyes closed, holding up your lighter, set. It was beautiful, mellow, and I loved every moment of it…all the while, thinking, since the acoustic set was so mellow, the band must be saving all their energy for the final set. When they took the stage again for the 3rd set, it was overall, spacey and again, still slow, and there were times where I can say I was actually kind of bored. FINALLY though, they began to pick up the pace towards the very end of the show with their last three songs. So basically, as soon as I started getting warmed up, dancing up and down the isles, and the band started really playing fast and hard, the show was over. I don’t want to say I was let down because to be honest, no matter what, Phil Lesh can never disappoint me… BUT, I was really hoping for more energy, and I didn’t really get a taste of that until the very end of the show.
It was all, a very beautiful, relaxed, and spiritual night. Everything was just so peaceful and quiet… I almost felt like I could hear the wind blowing. I just wish the show hadn’t ended once I had finally started getting into it. I have a feeling the band was tired from playing at the Fillmore the night before, which explains the almost sluggish, spaced out jamming.
On a positive note though, which is how I always like to leave it, the weather was perfect, there was a great crowd, they played The Other One, which I was dying to hear, and they also encored with Not Fade Away, which is how I was hoping they would end the show!
So it may have been a mellow show for the most part, but I still had a fabulous time!!

Here is a video I took of them in action, playing The Other One! Enjoy!





And for those interested, here is the nights set list:

Set 1- Bertha, Big River, Midnight Rider, Candyman, Cold Black Devil, Deal

Set 2(acoustic) Friend of the Devil, Sweet Somewhere Bound, Deep Elem Blues, Brokedown Palace, Tell Me Mama, Ripple

Set 3- A Hard Rain’s a Gonna Fall, Cryptical Envelopment>The Other One>Dark Star>Mountains of the Moon>Dark Star>China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider.

E: Not Fade Away!

iPod Nano and iPhone...booo

As much as I love my ipod nano, it’s not as reliable and useful as I’d like it to be. I got it as a gift, but I was hoping for an ipod that would hold all of my music so I could back it all up. The nano, being only 2 gigs, doesn’t hold even half of my music. (Maybe that’s because I listen to bands who jam out songs for over 20 minutes). But now apple is coming out with a new ipod nano that allows you to watch movies. Why would anyone want to fill up the little amount of space on their nano in order to watch a movie on a tiny one-inch screen? It’s just so pointless. I understand that you can hook your ipod up to a TV and watch it on there, but a lot of people don’t know that’s possible, or, they don’t know how to set it up. Not everyone is on point with technology. Also, the ipod was created as a way to listen to music, so why keep adding on more unnecessary programs to it? I don’t need to play solitaire on my nano, or watch movies, all I want is to be able to listen to my music…and if Apple is going to work on improving the ipod, instead of adding more to it, like the ability to now watch movies, they should focus on improving what it already has, and work out the kinks that may exist right now. For example, I’ve had my ipod for a year and I’ve already had to take it to the apple store twice because it randomly wouldn’t turn on, for mysterious reasons. So I don’t need to watch movies on this miniature screen, and I don’t need to play games on it, I just want my ipod to play music, and not break. Is that too much to ask?

Which brings me to the new iPHONE, where now it’s more than just a phone; it’s your entire life compacted into this tiny gadget. You can use it, not only as a phone, but also as an mp3 player, computer, organizer, calendar, blah blah blah… I know it’s convenient to have all these things in one, but how lazy are we? And how many people actually use ALL of these capabilities? I personally would feel uncomfortable relying on this one device for everything. What happens if I lose it? Then, I didn’t just lose my phone; I also lost everything else I use it for! Which would then leave me feeing helpless, followed by a probable panic attack!

I know this is all just a way to try to make life easier, but for some people, it seems to make things more complicated. Maybe I’m old fashioned but I just need a cell phone to get me in touch with people, (and the camera phone is useful at times too I’ll admit) and I just want my ipod to play music. Are all of these other accessories really necessary?

Stephen Marley - 9.22.07

During Stephen Marley’s show at the Ogden, I turned over to my friend and told him that when I blog about this show I’m just going to write “Stephen Marley …is the Man…Period”. That’s all. That’s all I need to say in order to get across how much I enjoyed his performance. BUT I figured those reading this would rather me elaborate…so here goes…
Marley’s high energy performance, along with the mixture of his new songs as well as his father’s old school tunes, really brought this show past the level of absolute perfection!
There were times during his set that I actually felt like I was watching Bob Marley himself perform. Stephen definitely resurrects his father’s spirit on stage with his energy, mannerisms, energy, voice, dancing, energy, connection with the crowd, and oh yeah, did I mention his energy? He really demands your attention with that luminous smile of his as he shakes around his dreadlocks while bouncing and dancing all over that stage.
Giving you goosebumps.
Making you think.
Feel.
Smile.
Dance.
Love life!
The set list was filled with songs from his new album “Mind Control", which I believe was nominated for 7 or so grammys. He also mixed his set up with some good ol’ Bob Marley songs such as Duppy Conqueror, Jammin, Exodus, Could You Be Loved, No Woman No Cry, Iron Lion Zion, and Roots Rock Reggae. He did such an amazing job bringing these timeless classics to life. His father’s influence is definitely visible in his new songs, but they also have an element of his own, edgy, hip-hop, personality as well.
So if you’re into reggae, hip-hop, rock, and/or being moved by music spiritually, mentally, and physically…Stephen Marley IS THE MAN…
PERIOD.

Biscuits Scene and Heard

Does anyone avoid going to shows because of the crowd that the band brings in? I wouldn’t say I avoid it, because I enjoy the music so much, but I can say at times, I certainly get fed up with it. It’s like there’s this hierarchy of coolness, and everyone is crawling all over each other to reach the top. For those of you who know me, you know that I’m talking about The Disco Biscuits scene. The dirty, raunchy, slop fest of a scene that when I leave a show I feel like I need to take 10 showers, get some sterilization shots, and put on the Jerry Garcia Band to bring me back to reality. How is it that a band of such talented musicians can attract this following of people with a “holier than thou” attitude, who many times are there for reasons other than the music? Where is the love in this scene? It seems to be an “everyone out for themselves” type of environment, rather than that of a family, where everyone is looking out for one another. I know…I know… not everyone is this way, but I’d have to say, it’s a pretty decent majority. And the Biscuits music, to me is revolutionary. They’ve brought electronic jam bands to a whole new level and opened the door for a future generation of upcoming electronic bands. God, I love this band! So much so that I can’t even handle looking at a set list for a show that I wasn’t able to go to… it just hurts too much to see what I missed! A lot of kids at these shows however don’t appreciate the music as much as it could be appreciated. They are way too busy putting on a facade…walking around like they own the place, trying raise their status, showing off their money, trying to make money, or missing the music completely because they’ve spend the entire time outside the venue, most likely getting kicked out for being too out of hand. Sometimes I have to laugh at the ridiculousness of immaturity in this scene, and other times it’s a real annoyance because I can’t relate to, or even understand why kids that follow this band act the way they do. Are they being true to themselves? Or are they just trying to fit in with everybody else? Is it all a game in order to gain respect from their fellow peers? Whatever it is, I’m glad I never adapted to this scene's style and attitude. By the way, this “scene” that I’ve been referring to exists heavily on the east coast. Word on the street is that here in Colorado, and on the west coast, the fan base is very different…more laid back, more diverse, more real, and more passionate about the music than other things. So I guess I am just going to have to wait until the Biscuits come back to Colorado so I can get a taste of it first hand and see for myself. Either that or I can just accept it for what it is, and conform into this subculture so I too can fit in with everyone else. In all honesty though, I would look absolutely absurd with a huge, sideways, flat rimmed hat that’s way too big for my head, black skater sneakers that are way to big for my feet, an LRG hoodie that’s way too big for my un-showered body, and a “too cool” attitude to match. I’m all set with that. I’m only here for the amazing music that is the Disco Biscuits…and more specifically to watch Marc Brownstein fiercely bop his head to those low, intensely crunchy bass lines that he drops. So Sick.

New to Colorado, Broke, and LOVING the MUSIC

After living in Burlington, Vermont for the last 5 years, the town felt like it was getting smaller and smaller. I began to recognize every face that walked by me and I somehow got stuck in the same routine everyday. I went to the same bar every night, the same breakfast spot every morning, ran into the same people, the same EVERYTHING. I just got too comfortable in my environment and soon I realized it was time for me to move on. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Burlington more than anything, but as amazing as it is, and as incredible is its music scene is, I wanted something new. I wanted to challenge myself. I’m only 23 so I figured, why not? Plus, I could NOT handle another dark, -10 degree Vermont winter. My family thought I had lost my mind… to just move across the country without a job, or very much money, but, it had to be done. I really had to leave the east coast. I knew it in my heart that I was in need of a new adventure. I needed to learn, grow, experience, meet new people, travel… LIVE. So I packed my bags, said my goodbyes to my friends and family (which was probably one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do) and off I went… knowing that everything was going to work out, it always does! (at least that’s what I was telling myself!)

Destination: Boulder, Colorado!

My first day was typical, you know… I got to my new apartment, put my bags down, and went straight to Red Rocks for two nights of a mind blowing Sound Tribe Sector Nine! I couldn’t get over how beautiful it was! I basically had my back away from the stage the entire time staring at the rocks and the stars, and in complete denial that I actually live here now. With the music flowing through my veins, and the refreshing drops of rain cooling me down, I closed my eyes, and took it all in. I knew from that moment on, that I made the right decision to move here. It just feels so right.

The following weekend, it was off to Denver for a night of Conspirator at Cervantes, and the next night, Conspirator in Boulder at the Fox. Marc Brownstein and Aaron Magner were the only two up on stage since DJ. Omen I guess is no longer part of Conspirator. But no offense DJ Omen- I didn’t really miss you. All it took was Brownstein and Magner and that place was out of control with the best Conspirator show I have seen to this day. I couldn’t even handle it! I mean...Seriously?...Is this how every weekend is going to be here? Just straight up unbelievably talented musicians playing their hearts out with a high energy crowd sweating through their clothes and thrusting their bodies all over the place? Well… I guess that IS how it’s going to be, since next weekend it’s Stephen Marley at the Ogden in Denver, and the following weekend it’s The Man himself, Phil Lesh, playing a night at the Philmore, followed by a night of 3 sets at Red Rocks!

So to sum it all up I’m going to use the Colorado lingo I’ve been hearing non stop for the past 2 weeks: The bands I’ve seen so far completely threw down and shredded…and the music scene here totally dominates and rages ridiculously and outrageously hard!

In all seriousness though, I may be jobless, broke, and living off of Annie’s Mac and Cheese, but at this moment I couldn’t care less, because the energy and music in my new home of COLORADO is what’s keeping me feeling alive!!