MOG - dangerdot's Posts

How do you listen to music?

dangerdot — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:56:37 GMT

Forgive me in advance if this gets a little...well gets a little out there...in the ether.
I was driving home tonight without my glasses (my eyesight isn't TOO bad but i should probably still wear glasses to drive) and i was listening to the Akron/Family album Love is Simple, and it struck me as something hypnotically human.

I, like most of you, am a serious music listener. I take things apart, lyrically, technically, and experientially. I think about the mastering, the mixing, the instruments, the vocals, the time signatures--"wow how GENIUS IS Trent! he did March of the Pigs in 7/8 --do you have any idea how unusual that is?"

I notice when a song or a tune relieves me of my overworking brain. Listening to most of this Akron/Family album let me off the hook. I didn't listen to the music, I just felt it. I don't want to get into why I think this is, or how it happened b/c that'll just ruin it.

But if you are like me and just want to feel music and zonk out--it's such a peaceful relief sometimes--...check out Akron/Family.

Can NOT wait for the show at the Rickshaw...

People I want to be...in no particular order.

dangerdot — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 02:04:30 GMT

Okay....So i might suffer from this little known disease called low self-esteem.
I often fantasize about being other people.
Do you?
Here's the list so far of possible people I pretty much adore for one reason or another and wish I was as cool as...

Ellen Allien--kick ass, dj, Berlin, boogybytes--AWESOME

M.I.A.--she's such a darling... how is someone who sells not a huge amount of albums such the hot ticket?

Trent Reznor's girlfriend -- Um ...

Tina Fey-- she's smart, funny, and eats junk food.

Liz Phair -- two parts hot, one part shy. She's my first crush, before Trent even. I'd hit that.

Toodee on Yo Gabba Gabba! -- she's always willing to try new snacks, and girl got moves.

The Holy Trinity :

The Best Video Ever--get ready for some warm fuzzies.

dangerdot — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:24:16 GMT

Okay...
I love this song, and I love this video...
It's so simple but it just hits the spot.
For you LA folk, Herman Dune is in your hood for the next week or so...so check him out while you can---in the Echo Park scene...of course.
"Together they're a word...it's the best name in the world...you."

The Next Acronym Sensation: LMFAO

dangerdot — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:18:50 GMT

Laughing my f'ing Ass Off, eh?
Red Foo and Sky Blu are the ones laughing now-- they are laughing at how the music industry is in the palm of their hands.

LA hipster DJ/electro/funk duo LMFAO is about to do the rounds in showcases as they bait labels--major and indie to get a piece.

Popular tracks include titles like:
I'm in Miami Bitch, I am not a whore, and Lil'Hipster Girl.

Seriously, their lyrics do make me LMFAO .

Anyway, this is going to be the next buzz band whether we like it or not...listen up...

Check out "Old Timers" by Leslie and the Badgers

dangerdot — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 06:50:36 GMT

I really do think that Leslie and the Badgers are going to hit the big time sometime in the next 1-2 years. KCRW 's Chris Douridas is a fan, as is Rhino Independent.
Here's my favorite track...

GZA at the Independent, San Francisco

dangerdot — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 17:27:40 GMT

Okay...the review...

The Show started out a little on the droopy side...
The mediocre opening hip hop group called Blue Scholars wasn't able to stir the crowd...at all.
"Oh NO" I thought...this crowd is dead. Someone bring some life support out here. After they moped off stage the crowd was restless for another, oh HOUR before there was any sign of the GZA . It was almost midnight. Then something happened that I've never heard at this venue before...A guy gets on the mic and points out all the fire exits and what to do in the case of a fire...What the...Are they planning on a fire? But as soon as the GZA & co got on stage...i was surrounded by smoke. The weed kind.

OOOOhhhhhHHHHhhhhh...the warning was just in case someone's fat blunt set the place ablaze.

The minute that teeny voice signaled the start of Liquid Swords, the crowd was CRAZY . The GZA was, in a word, happy.
He's gained a little weight, happy weight, and he was all smiles as he went into the crowd and got the fans, hipsters and burners alike, going insane---W's in the air, et al.
The best part of the night was perhaps the freestyling at the tail end of the show intermixed with his demonstration of the origin of the name Wu-Tang as he swung a towel around like a sword.

His Co-MC's were...totally drunk and high and barely a help at all, but it didn't matter b/c the GZA was ON. All my doubts about the dedication of fans who had paid $30 to see this show were gone.

I myself had staked out my area of the floor by the stage roughly 4 hours before, so I too was happy...Thanks GZA .

GZA is a mutha fuckin' ghost!!

GZA in SF--Liquid Swords in its ENTIRETY

dangerdot — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:21:19 GMT

SO EXCITED ...
The Indepedent in San Francisco has added a 2nd show for GZA aka Genius aka Gary Grice to perform his 1995 masterpiece--Liquid Swords.
O.M.G.
I'll be sure to post photos and a review on Wednesday. Here's a photo from Coffee and Cigarettes...

Andrew Bird's a blogger...one day a mogger?

dangerdot — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 05:20:00 GMT

The order of events...

-Andrew Bird blogs for the New York Times.
-I find out and eagerly go to the site....

-I read ravishedly and find his off the cuff writing as lyrical as his songwriting.

-I write about it on mog, not as profoundly or lyrically, but in list format...with bullets.

Jens Lekman live at Bimbo's 365, San Francisco--photos

dangerdot — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 07:07:08 GMT

Jens Lekman singing Arthur Russell's "A Little Lost" at Bimbo's in San Francisco on 3/22/08. Photos taken by....me.

Jens Lekman at Bimbo's 365

dangerdot — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 08:46:01 GMT

Just got back from Jens Lekman's SF show at Bimbos...I love this guy, but unfortunately...I think he was tired.
Having gone to his show at this same venue last Fall, I have to say--while Jens is engaging, has beautiful pipes, and a solid band---
last time was better...way better.

He started out in charming fashion playing air-chimes and dancing along to his songs with choreographed hand motions-- A for Adorable. But as the set progressed the band (violin, cello, laptop guy, bass, drums) disappeared and Jens was looking a little droopy as he whistled through Friday Night at the Drive-in Bingo and whispered through Pocket Full of Money.

Jens always knows how to engage the crowd, but the innocent blondie from Sweden seemed...jaded? Could it be?

Has the constant touring, incessant reviews, and what looks like lack of vitamins changed him? His on stage banter suggested a touch of --gasp--- cynicism...Oh no no no no no!!

But then again, maybe this is just the course of things. As musicians gain popularity, shows increase, the fan base broadens, and then all of a sudden your stuck between a really tall guy with 18 elbows who keeps yelling "Jens you're off the chain!" and some chick calling her friend in the middle of a song.
I'd be tired of it too...
Please Jens...rest up for next time... we want you on the dance floor like that time last November...
Photos to come!
Here's Jens singing Arthur Russell's "A Little Lost."

Has anyone heard Adele?

dangerdot — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:22:00 GMT

Be still my heart.
Adele--19 years old. hailing from London.

Swedish Feist with Flare--Nina Kinert

dangerdot — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:41:25 GMT

So Nina's 3rd album drops on April 9th--
I don't know if it's all the extra hours of dark sky, but goddamnit I love the consistency of quality music coming from Sweden. Seriously, if I win some kinda scratch off lottery bingo, the first thing I'm going to do is buy a first class ticket to Sweden.
Check out her video for Combat Lover. Her facial expressions freak me out a little, and I don't know what's going on really...but somehow I'm mesmerized and i think there is drool on my shirt...

Leslie and the Badgers: 1, Inner Cynic: 0

dangerdot — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 08:45:37 GMT

Right about the time I was getting ready to leave LA, Leslie Stevens and her band were just gearing up. I wish I was there to see the evolution of this band over the past two years. It's a real voice that I hesitate to compare to a voice you already know. But I'll do it anyway--HA. Vocals are reminiscent of Rilo Kiley, but there is definitely a violin presence that makes you wanna cry a little, in a good way...or bad way, whichever you prefer.
Pour yourself a glass of Wild Turkey and if you have a dimmer on your light switch, make the room a soothing shade of orange. To listen, check out the track called Old Timers.