A-OK!

Sports + Music = Mania

astefano — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:33:08 +0000

So one of the greatest phenomena by far looking at the non – musician musician has got to be the odd sports team/ athlete crossover. Yes indeed, this takes a rare sort of esteem, check out the Chicago Bears’ Super Bowl Shuffle, just one of the many hilarious examples

Exception

astefano — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 01:33:08 +0000

Although my last post about how hard it’s hard to swallow actors crossing into music is , indeed there is one exception that has to be made. One actor / cross actor that has smashed through my speculation, and yes, you probably already knew, it’s Jason Schwartzman. How was I supposed to know that his role as Max Fisher in Rushmore was only a taste of the joy that he’d bring to us all ( as well as inspiring my Halloween costume in 2007)? Yes, the two Coconut Records albums do encourage foot tapping, whistle provoking fun, and there’s nothing wrong with this at all. Some reviews have compared the songs in Davy to Beach Boys stature but I just like it ’cause it’s simple, unpretentious and dripping with road trip quality, seriously, try it. However, you may think I’m smitten by now, but one thing that’s made me hesitant is Schwartzman pimping his merchandise etc on the Coconut Records website – questionable! The music is good, yes, but why do you need go this route? Also a bummer is that Coconut Records has never toured, why not bring your music to us little people?

Authentic much?

astefano — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 05:20:53 +0000

Alright, I know, celebrity musicians are here. But it seems like the days of the multi talented performer is long gone, and perhaps has truly come to an end with MJ’s death. So now, we’re left with a stream of actors trying their luck at anything to grant them more publicity, any type of publicity which usually equals an embarrassing display of self exploitation, manifesting itself lately in the form of song. Ok yes, i know this. But really, i wanted to like Zooey Deschanel’s project with M Ward, She and Him. And really I did like it okay! But then came Scarlet Johanson with the Tom Waits covers and then her new project with Pete Yorn. So, yes, i have to admit I barely gave this a try, so what, I did see them perform on a French tv show, she looked nice at least and the singing was decent, but there’s just something about having your hands in too many cookie jars, right? In a world where the megahit artists hog the airwaves, and squeeze the independent artist out of any chance to grab recognition, it’s hard to swallow the fence- sitting celebrity as a true hearted musical talent. Let’s just remember two historical events: Heartbeat and Party All the Time.

Bumbershoot Day 2

astefano — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:41:08 +0000

YEAH YEAH YEAHs were the first stop, having seen them earlier this summer and listening to it’s Blitz a million times, I thought maybe i’d over done it. Seriously, how excited was I? It was unreal. Karen O brought the ultimate show, her costumes were amazing, crazy poncho stuff and super colorful capes were a hit. Then the eye ball balloons hit the audience and glitter started flying through the crowd. Groups of teens/ tweens, whatever lots their minds. I have to say it’s hard to beat a sunset at the Gorge but this show was really really good. We left at the beginning of maps, as we were walking through the crowd someone yelled you can’t leave durning this song – seriously heartfelt.

We left for Pizza and returned to see the start of Swollen members. What’s up with these dudes? Shirts off like cheeseballs, with the Rock Star drink girls on stage wasting space. Enough about these guys already – we walked over to Common market then to see No Age. Alright so No Age could’ve been great but the venue was a real disappointment, it was in a basement venue with the worst sound system but the indoor bathrooms were a plus. This is the same venue where we saw the Weakerthens in 2008, I was so pumped to see the show but the venue did it no justice.

Then MSTRKRFT was up, this show made me feel like i was 15 again in the height of the 90′s rave scene.

Bumbershoot 2009

astefano — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 20:41:08 +0000

Some highlights from DAY 1:

Greasy Festival Food – Messy falafels: the sauce explosion was awesome, folks eating corn, blocks of curly fries, gigantic Elephant ears

Free samples!!! Alright, Clifbars were super – we’re talking PBnJ, Choco Brownie whatever, awesome. Also mouthwash, n stuff, but the best by far was the free Death + Taxes Magazine at the poster show also a free subscription ( tad suspicious really)

Best shows: De La Soul, Matt and Kim, McSweeny’s book reading, Comedy show with Todd Barry was good but he’s a serious comic act recycler – same act as Sasquatch earlier this year – get some new stuff man.

Bumbershoot Low Points: where did Ready Made Mag go this year? Last years set up was great, T- shirt making, free magazines, it was the best. And also the indie market was a bust, was it the recession? Where did all the great book stands/ merch go? Even the McSweeny’s stand was sad this year.

Day 2:
Todays started off rainy, major downpour really. People were hiding out waiting for the rain to pass making it a interesting experience trying to buy coffee at Macarina’s bakery. But it looks like the rain has passed for now, DAY 2 looks aOK. Here we go, YEAH YEAH YEAHS are first on the list.