foolish

Foolish - Ra Ra Riot

let's mix it up a bit, shall we?

So in response to "Musically Parched in the Desert" I have set up my very own account at 8tracks.com and have found it quite enjoyable.

The Clear Spot 8 Tracks

It's a fun little site and I encourage you to make some mixes of your own.

this one goes out to s. california

It's really feeling like summer here in Seattle. The daily temperature is right around 80 degrees and by noon you can count on the sun making it's way through the grey cloudy sky.

5pm is just about perfect.

As I was driving back from Roslyn, WA this past Sunday, Avi Buffalo fit the bill for the drive's soundtrack. Straight-forward and unencumbered, these young'uns from Long Beach have really hit the nail on how to release a summer-ready album. Casual and breezy - with some heart-felt albeit hormone-infused observations about being young - Avi Buffalo takes from their surroundings in the best way possible. When I found out they were from the South Bay it totally didn't surprise me.

While tunes like "What's In It?" feel like a lazy afternoon, songs such as  "Five Little Sluts" is a smooth night out at the local bar.

Their stand-out number is "Remember Last Time". It takes you on a three-part journey, ultimately dropping you off somewhere between new love euphoria and arresting anticipation.

So for all of you guys I miss and love in LA, here's to you!

Remember Last Time - Avi Buffalo

runway houses city clouds

Yesterday I was lucky enough to catch the australian neo-psychedelic outfit Tame Impala at a free show at The Echo. The band initially caught my eye as I was perusing emusic's website and was intrigued to find them the most downloaded band of the week. I did my usual 30-sec music taste test before I eagerly downloaded their debut LP InnerSpeaker. Right off the bat I was hooked. Lead singer Kevin Parker's vocals sound hauntingly similar to John Lennon's via Rubber Soul or Revolver and their swirling melodies harkened back to shades of Jefferson Airplane and Pink Floyd. At the same time I was amazed at how modern and new their sound was.

Their LP found me at the exact right moment. I checked their myspace and found that they would be traveling through LA in a couple of weeks. Already their initial show had sold out so they added two more sets, one to be free. Yes, free! Just the right price for me.

So me and my friend Casey trekked across town, enjoyed a little walk through the novelties of Echo Park and found ourselves sipping on beer and whiskey waiting for Tame Impala to take the stage. To my disappointment we had to stand through a mediocre at best band, WEAVE!, whose songs all sounded like poor knock-offs of Talking Heads songs circa Fear of Music.

But all was more than rectified once the Aussies took the stage. Their set was short (about 45 minutes) and in that time only managed to play four songs. But that was more than enough to hook me. The highlight of the night was when they closed with "Half Full Glass of Wine" off their 2008 EP. It was a 12-minute jam driven with power chord guitars and trippy space-invading pedals.

Here's a little taste:


tame impala // half full glass of wine jam @ grasslands gallery from Jimmy Morris on Vimeo.

In reading up on Tame Impala I came across a playlist series they did for their record label Modular. Turns out their drummer Jay Watson is a huge Yes fan.... his entire playlist consists of Yes songs. Now whenever I'm listening to "Runway Houses City Clouds" I can't help but think of the "Wurm" part of Yes' "Starship Trooper". Love it!

Runway Houses City Clouds - Tame Impala

klickitat street

I was quite excited when I first heard that there was going to be a movie based on the Beverly Clearly "Ramona Quimby" books (I have since seen the trailer and it looks atrocious). As a kid I watched the Canadian-produced TV show "Ramona" (based off said books). I absolutely loved the show and to this day, the theme song still fills my heart with childhood nostalgia.



Maybe that is why I have found myself such a fan of 10,000 Maniacs' "In My Tribe". For whatever reason, it gives me that same feeling. The weird thing is that it transports me back to 1988 but instead of being 3 I'm 26 years old.... living in San Francisco. Strange, I know.

So here is to my 3 year-old self... keeping it real in late 80's.

Like The Weather - 10,000 Maniacs

Hey Jack Kerouac - 10,000 Maniacs

it's not like it used to be

Man, I love that chorus.

that's the thing that I keep in the back of my head

To express how I've been feeling these days, I present to you a few songs that encapsulate my general mood for April 2010.

Los Angeles : Not so bad

Most of you know that I have had a long-term battle with the city of Los Angeles. When I first moved down here, I really didn't like it much. I couldn't understand the culture, I missed my beloved evergreens, and wearing sweats everyday was somehow unacceptable.

More recently I have had grand dreams of moving to New York, London, even Vancouver. But the tides have seemingly turned yet again. These past few weeks, my love for the City of Angeles has reemerged and I have found myself loving the sunny-but-not-too-hot afternoons. I have been eating fresh produce from the farmer's market and my bike has even seen some new mileage.

But maybe the real reason for this new attitude towards my adopted home can be found in the charming ways of Joni Mitchell's "California".

California - Joni Mitchell

Dare I say I may be garnering some California pride?
shhhhh... don't tell anyone.

Going with the flow? Who knew

I have never really been that laid back. I worry about almost everything and always anticipate the worst. But for whatever reason, this month I've witness a slight internal change. Things aren't as big of deal; certain things happening or not happening don't always have some deeper meaning. Life sometimes just grabs you and you have to go with it. It's okay not be in control 100% of the time.

I Know What I Know - Paul Simon

Now, if only I could be given a Fulbright.

Texas: The New Frontier
Okay, I'll admit it. I have always had a preconceived notion of the state of Texas... and not the best one at that. But in the past two weeks I have had a change of heart. Now, some of you will scoff and what I'm about to say but...

Friday Night Light (the tv show) has sparked a new interest and appreciation for the Lone Star State.

Yes, it is a little ridiculous. But even so, it's not any less relevant to my life (whether it is based in reality or not). I find myself day dreaming of a Texan gentleman (who played football in high school - very important) showing up at my door ready to sweep me off my feet. Okay, so yes, it is completely ridiculous.

I did run into a southern gentleman last night but he was from Georgia... it wasn't the same.

Look Into The Air - Explosions in the Sky

I will say, that show has quite a nice soundtrack.

So enjoy this last day of April. Tomorrow brings May.