Midweek music fix - Late November

Matthew 25:21 - The Mountain Goats. This is a super sad song and unfortunately comes with a heart-breaking story. The song itself is about the songwriters mother-in-law dying of cancer. Unfortunately, thats not the heart-breaking story I was talking about. A coworker and friend (and fellow Iowan) found out recently that his mother was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. My friend went home to visit his family and deal with everything that goes along with news like this. While he was home and showing that life is rarely fair or kind, my friend's brother was killed in a tragic construction accident. My friend's brother had wife with a child on the way. The family had already set up a support site regarding his mother and there is an update on this site for his brother. They've created a memorial fund where all proceeds will go to the wife and unborn child of my friend's brother. You can check all that out here:
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/diankoenigsfeld/journal
You can stop by any local Wells Fargo Bank and donate money to the “Gabe Koenigsfeld Memorial Fund”

She Sells Sanctuary - The Cult. I've been building up my vinyl collection and recently picked up Love through ebay. I listened to it today and it did not disappoint.

You Were Right - Built To Spill. An interesting play on a bunch of different song lyrics.

Haligh, Haligh, A lie, Haligh - Bright Eyes. Classic angst-ridden Bright Eyes. "You said you hate my suffering and you understood and you'd take care of me/you'd always be there/well where are you now."

Volcano - Damien Rice. A song about a totally unhealthy relationship. This live version has so much emotion.

Aisle 13 - Built to Spill. This album is great. It could make my top 10 of 2009.

This Place is a Prison - Postal Service. Most of Give Up is about a relationship gone wrong. This is probably the darkest song on the album and has great lyrics. "I know its not a party/if it happens every night." and, the quiet anger, "what does it take/to get a drink in this place?"

W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E - Wale. This has been a pretty downer of a playlist, so I wanted to end it with something dancy and fun. So, do it now. Get out our seat and shake it. I actually heard this when I went to the next playlist after Scott Orn's friday chill music playlist on 8tracks. How great is this line:
Cut beats - I'm a f*ckin word surgeon
Scalpal Sponge - This work

Concert Calendar Top Picks for the week (Nov 16 - Nov 22)

Wednesday: Julian Plenti @ The Great American Music Hall.
Julian Plenti - fronted by the lead singer for Interpol, I think I've had a few of his songs on a midweek music fix. I'd like to go to the show, but I'll be traveling.

Thursday and Friday: Peter Bjorn and John @ Great American Music Hall
Should be a fun, dancey show.

Friday and Saturday: Girls @ Cafe Du Nord; Girls @ Bottom of the Hill.
Both of these shows are sold out. But, if you can get tickets, you should go.

Midweek music fix - mid november

Talk of Indolence - The Avett Brothers. The Avett Brothers have a new LP out. I haven't bought that yet, but this one was on sale at amazon. I have yet to see them live, but I've heard their live shows are fantastic. Country, Bluegrass and alittle punk.

Time Trap - Built To Spill. I saw BTS live for the first time a few weeks ago. This is off of Keep it Like a Secret. One of the best songs from the show I saw.

Is this really what its come to - Port O'brien. I also saw Port O'Brien. I love this band. Great live show. Great studio albums. Angst. This song has one of my favorite insomnia lyrics: Sleep is where I want to be/but I can't get there for the life of me/so I'll guess just/watch tv

Can't You Wait - Geographer. I've pretty much stopped going to the opening bands at shows. Fortunately I got to Port O'brien early enough to catch Geographer. They're an american Phoenix. I bought the cd almost immediately.

Nowhere Lullaby - Built To Spill. This is off of the BTS album. I am becoming a huge fan of the album. Introspective, in a sort of, "i give up" way. Trying not to solve this/doesn't mean its not that bad/And everyone gets through the night/and everyone wakes up all right

Strangling Good Guys - Trailer Trash Tracies. They sound like the Raveonettes. But, darker?

Never Have Fun - That Ghost. Sounds like 60's garage rock.

Mild Confusion - Tamaryn. Sounds like My Bloody Valentine.

Calm Me Down - Port O'brien. Another angst ridden song from Port O'brien. But, my favorite part is the guitars in the middle. Strangely I think this song sounds like Faster Pussycat here.

Concert Calendar Top Picks for the week (Nov 9-Nov 15)

Monday: The Raveonettes @ Bimbo's 365
I love the Raveonettes, the droning guitars and melancholy lyrics fit perfectly together. I've featured them on my midweek music fix playlist quite often. I'm trying to get on the SonicLiving guest-list for the show.

Monday-Tuesday: The Pixies @ the Fox Theater (in Oakland)
I mentioned them last week. It might be interesting to go just to sing along. It also worth noting that you can go to their site to download a free live version of Doolittle. Check it out below:

Tuesday: fun @ Bottom of the Hill.
Another, possibly, great show at Bottom of The Hill. I like one song that fun did and it seems like they could be a fun live band. But...could also be totally hipster.

Saturday: The Mountain Goats @ The Fillmore
Another one of my favorite bands. I'd love to see them, but I'll be out of town.

Saturday: Mission of Burma @ The Independent
Classic indie rock band at the Independent.

Sunday: Ray Lamontagne @ Nob Hill Masonic Auditorium
Again, I'm out of town, otherwise I'd go.

Concert Calendar Top Picks for the week (Nov 2-Nov 8)

Monday (11/2): The Airborne Toxic Event @ The Fillmore.
Heavily featured in my midweek music fixes and was in fact in my top 33 of 2008 list. I am abit surprised they're playing the fillmore already, but I still anticipate its going to be a good show. Tickets are soldout, but there seems to be a decent market on Craigslist.

Tuesday (11/3): Atlas Sound @ Great American Music Hall.
This show will likely be full of hipsters.

Thursday (11/5): Port O'brien @ Bottom of the Hill.
One of my favorite bands at one of my favorite venues. I'll definitely be at this show. The lead singer is almost exactly as I imagine Kurt Cobain in concert with his sandy blonde hair falling over his face and screaming songs full of angst. Its going to be great!


Friday (11/6): Dinosaur Jr. @ The Fillmore
A historic indie rock band playing at the fillmore. Should be a good show.

Sunday (11/8) - Tuesday (11/10): The Pixies @ The Fox Theater.
Another influential indie band and another Kurt Cobain references. Cobain said that he, "was just trying to rip off the Pixies." I hate the drive to the Fox, especially on a sunday (and especially if the Bay Bridge isn't fixed), but it might be worth it just to sing along to where is my mind. Sunday and Monday are sold out; there seem to be a few tickets available on craigslist, but I wouldn't hold out too long.

Darin's Midweek music fix

John passed his midweek music fix duties on to me, Darin from Iowa, for this week. I've never created a playlist before, and found the constraints (mainly not being able to use iTunes songs) very annoying. I also didn't spend much (or any) time on the order of these songs. However, I love music and just sifting through my collection to find songs for this was fun. There really isn't any rhyme or reason to my selections, other than I think they are awesome songs (for different reasons) and I wanted to include a favorite Pearl Jam song that isn't all that popular.

If John allows me to do this again sometime, I think I will make a mix of the 8 strangest songs I have rated 4 star or higher in my iPod. What I mean by "strange" are songs that make you go "really, you have that song rated high?". I think that may be interesting.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy my selections.

33forever Concert Calendar Top Picks (Oct 26-Nov1)

Sorry I am bit late with this. I'm out of town and haven't had alot of access to the interwebs over the last couple of days. The short story this week is a) there are tons of great shows and b) you should attend at least one show this weekend

Monday (you've already missed this): Sunset Rubdown @ Great American Music Hall.
I was so looking forward to this concert. I've now missed these guys twice in the past 6 months. So disappointed.

Thursday: the Dodo's @ Bimbos 365
I like, but don't love, the Dodos. Still, if I was in town, I would have gone to see them.

Thursday: Times New Viking @ Bottom of the Hill.
Another good band at a great venue.

Friday: No Age @ Great American Music Hall

Saturday and Sunday: Built to Spill @ The Fillmore.
If you go to one concert this week, this should be it. Indie Rock Godfathers playing at an historic san francisco venue. I am giddy with excitement about this show

Sunday: Dirty Projectors @ Bimbos 365
New Indie Pop band of the moment. I dig them and really want to see them...if I don't see BTS a 2nd night

Sunday: Lucero @ the Mezzanine.
I love Lucero. If I can find a way to see these guys and either BTS or Dirty Projectors I will. I am a huge fan of these guys. The point is, I will attend at least one concert on Sunday night. You should too.