The Decemberists

I braved two of the things I loathe most today in order to see two things of the things I really enjoy. Loathe: Crowds and the sun. Enjoy: The Decemberists and Barack Obama.
So just what was that yellow bastard doing out here in Portland, anyway?
The sun, I mean. Not Obama.
I woke up a little bit later than I’d planned, so I wasn’t expecting to get in. Little did I know that an estimated 75,000 people showed up, and most of them were somehow behind me. Not sure h... MORE

Ok...let's just start with the understanding that there are no stupid questions. If you download music, illegally, you are not paying the artist. If you buy a used CD, you are not paying the artist. In both cases someone had to originally buy the CD, and the artist was paid, but from then on...what? So, ethically, what is the difference? Yes, I agree that it spreads much faster as an illegal download...but all things being consistent...If "my friend" download a CD... MORE

The Decemberists will perform this Sunday, May 18th, at a rally with presidential candidate Barack Obama in the band's hometown of Portland, OR. The Decemberists The event will take place at The Bowl in Waterfront Park (at the corner of SW Columbia St. and SW Naito Pkwy., south of the Hawthorne Bridge). Doors will open at 12:30 p.m. The Decemberists' set will be followed by a speech from Senator Obama. The rally is free and open to the public. Tickets are not re... MORE

For those in the vicinity of Portland, Oregon this weekend, The Decemberists will play an hour-long set at a Rally with Barack Obama THIS SUNDAY, May 18th. The rally will take place at The Bowl in Waterfront Park, Corner of SW Columbia St. and Naito Pkwy, just south of the Hawthorne Bridge. Doors open at 12:30 pm and The Decemberists will play shortly thereafter. The event is free and open to the public. Tickets are not required, but an RSVP is strongly encouraged. Admis... MORE

  And the water rolls down the drain
The blood rolls down the drain
Oh what a lonely thing
In a blood red drain

(MOG ate the 2nd half of my post. You can catch the first half here) But Wait! There's more! The very next night I took my 7 year old, Bella (with Jaye and my husband) to see The Decemberists. Since we had tickets and big plans for their cancelled fall/winter Portland shows, Bella was thirsty for the experience and Colin Meloy and crew did not let her down. We were in front, on the left of the stage, but waited for the lights to dim before we sat Bella on ... MORE

The Decemberists have been forced to axe their remaining European dates due to an illness, according to a message posted on their website Saturday.

With much regret The Decemberists have cancelled the remainder of our European tour. One of our band members is ill and needs to return immediately home to mend. Our deepest apologies to all of our fans whom have purchased tickets to our forthcoming European shows. Unfortunately our calendar doesn't allow us to return ... MORE

From decemberists.com: Colin Meloy Live Set Available This AprilOn April 8, Kill Rock Stars will release Colin Meloy Sings Live! - a 14-song set documenting Colin's 2006 solo U.S. tour. As those of you know who saw the shows, Colin stripped down to an acoustic guitar and was accompanied by a skull named Cheryl, a ship named Maya Angelou and a small stuffed sheep named Erick (the c is silent). The album will be released in the U.S. and Canada on CD and double gatefold vin... MORE

So I just finished watching South Carolina put an old-fashioned beat down on the Kentucky Wildcats, and all I can say is this: It's about time. Not that we beat Kentucky. I actually feel bad for them because they finally have a great team this year. But it's about time that things start going our way for a change. I've been a Gamecock fan since we moved down here in 1982, and basically every year, for 25 years, our mantra has been the same. "Wait until next year." ... MORE

I haven't been to any shows for a while, but I recently downloaded a fantastic show from The Decemberists. They have been on a tour called "The Long and Short of It." Basically what they are doing is playing 2 nights in a city and on one night playing their longer epic songs, and on the other playing their more poppy short songs. On the long ones, apparently they've been playing Echos by Pink Floyd. And they even do a pretty good job of it (Pink Floyd isn't a easy band... MORE

Yield to the future! I'm sure all you MOGgers out there are at least vaguely familiar with the music magazine Paste. With its indie music consciousness, smart design, and free sampler CD with each issue, it's easily in the very top tier of musical periodicals. But, at a staggering $34.95 for a year's subscription, it is quite steeply priced. And that's probably the only turn off for most would-be subscribers. (I know that's the exact reason I didn't subscribe imm... MORE

So, like many fans of the band The Decemberist, I was excited when I found out the band would be performing at least two days in my city. One day would be dedicated to all of their long songs [This day being called the Long of It] and the next being dedicated to all of the short songs [The short of it]. The Dates I was going to be attending were November 29 and 30th at the Wiltern in Los Angeles. I could hardly wait to hear all of my favorite songs, plus some. And then... MORE