Monday, February 28, 2005
Some Good, Some Not So Much
The Oscars. I liked the part I got to semi-watch while study before heading out to see Mates of State. I enjoyed Chris Rock's hosting, but the way he held back, he was more like Chris Pebble. The thing that pissed me off, though, was the way they treated the technical/non-feature awards. Line'em up or give'em out in the crowd? Seriously! This is perhaps these guys' only opportunity in the spotlight, and you shaft them by giving them second-class treatment? And why, because we need to see more unfunny "bits" by Adam Sandler and Robin Williams? (OK, he was /a bit/ funny). Or is it because we need to hear those insipid songs sung by a bunch of yahoos? Sorry Beyonce -- singing those crappy songs didn't help your career at all, no matter how many people saw you.
While the Aviator train didn't bring me an Oscar pool victory, it did get me 2/3 of my money back. That was nice -- but not as nice as Emmy Rossum. Wow. I likes.
Speaking of Mates of State, the rumours were true: the husband-wife keyboard-and-drum duo /were/ disgustingly cute, winking and making googly eyes at each other through out the set. The poppy-goodness of the Salteens started the show off well, packing the maximum amount of ba-ba-ba's into their short opening set. It was the first time I've seen them with their new line-up, so it was nice to see that they haven't lost anything. The Golden Republic came up next and was kind of meh. I must say I enjoyed them more the first time I saw them (opening for Sondre the Norwegian Hobbit). By their completely flaky banter, I think they had a little too much BC buds this time. Meanwhile, the headliners only played about an hour or so, but in that short time, they worked their poppy mojo to the max. I just wish I had been less tired so I could've enjoyed it more. Still, it was a good show.
Oh. And guess who got a new computer and a new phone? I'll give you three guesses. This person also picked up tickets for Ben Lee.
This picture of Pascale Letendre, Ontario's Third at the Scott, just breaks my heart. So, so close. What's wrong with second best, Pedro the Lion wonders? Just ask Pascale and her teammates.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
8:53 PM
Sunday, February 27, 2005
Hearts-less
I am not a very happy camper after seeing Manitoba's Jennifer Jones make that incredible shot in the 10th end to take the Scott Tournament of Hearts over my new curling crush, Ontario's Jenn Hanna. The shot that Hanna made in the 6th had me all pumped up. Instead of throwing the "safe" shot, a guard to prevent Manitoba from taking two, she wanted to thread the needle between two guards, which would jam her own rock in the rings and leave it as shot rock. Balls. But calling it was one thing, and making it was another. So when she snuck by the guards to nail it perfectly, I went nuts. She was up two going into the 10th, but Manitoba made an unbelievable shot (off a rock on the side and angling the roll right into Ontario's well-buried rock on the button with enough weight to take it out) to take four and win the game. *Sigh*. Like Saskatchewan before, Ontario lost after I jumped on the bandwagon. Well that sucks.
That's it. Back to studying.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:02 PM
Thursday, February 24, 2005
(Hot) Shit on the Radio
So, driving home last night, I was grooving to new music from Interpol, Bright Eyes, Garbage, Hot Hot Heat, and the Arcade Fire. No, I didn't have a mix CD on -- it's was the radio. And no, it's not even college radio -- it was freakin' /commercial/ radio. 107.7 The End, a station out of Seattle, spins those guys on a regular basis. Up here in Vancouver, even with our 35% CanCon rule, our "rock" station won't touch the Arcade Fire or play the new Hot Hot Heat. No, they'll rather stick to Nickelback and Theory of a Deadman. Thanks. Really. Bang-up job, guys. Way to promote Canadian music by playing the same bands over and over again. Take a chance, will ya! The Arcade Fire counts towards your quota!
Thought of the day: I had much love for Orangina even before I found out it was the official drink of the Decemberists.
Another thought: god I love the Blow.
NP: The Blow - Hock It
posted by Hanson |
10:06 PM
Monday, February 21, 2005
"I Thought I Had Enough Weight..."
Saturday was pretty good, seeing as I won some money at curling. But the two days after that -- not so good. Ugh. I suppose they could've been worse.
For the record, I'm (nominally) cheering for Saskatchewan in the Scott Tournament of Hearts. I've always been fond of young'uns beating up on veterans twice their age. Go kiddies!
NP: Weezer - Butterfly
posted by Hanson |
11:54 PM
Friday, February 18, 2005
A Good Kind of Overwhelmed
Guess who went to Scratch to pick up some tickets and do a little record shopping after work? By the time we got out, I had bought tickets for six shows. Yup, all the shows listed on the right -- all except for Ben Lee -- I've got tickets for. Apparently, I have six shows in the second half of March, and that's not counting all the shows I'm thinking of going to as well (Jolie Holland, Keren Ann, Kings of Convenience, etc.)
Oh, the joy of spring and the bevy of shows that comes with it. I wish it could be spring all the time :-)
NP: (In my head: Ben Lee - Gamble Everything For Love)
posted by Hanson |
11:51 PM
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
Whole Lot of Rockin' to Do
Ted Leo on Monday night was fun. It was like going to a punk show -- except Ted Leo could actually sing, and his songs were thoughtful and well-written. Openers Yoko Casionos and the Joggers were great too -- the Joggers especially, totally working the dance-rock thing. They were Franz Ferdinand/Hot Hot Heat-ish, but with much less electronics and way more geek. The Yokos had sumthin'-sumthin' going too: guy-girl vocals over rifty, catchy pop songs. Everyone was saying how hot the guitarist/co-lead-singer was, but I thought she was just OK. IMO, there were cuter girls in the audience, but then again, that's just me.
Also that night, I took perhaps the best picture I've ever taken -- a sweat-drenched Ted Leo completely rocking out. The focus was on, the framing was decent, and the pose was wicked-ass. Not bad for someone who takes usually takes boring, blurring photos at shows! I'll post it soonish. I swear.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
11:49 PM
Quickie Before Bed
Oh, blog, how I've ignored you. It's been a crazy-busy week, and I promise (*fingers crossed*) I'll update tomorrow. Until then, here's a tidbit -- Stars will be playing with Feist (!!) at the Commodore on March 31st. Yes please! That's also the night of the Velvet Revolver show, so for that small, small group of fans that overlap, too bad for them!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
1:08 AM
Friday, February 11, 2005
Drunk Posting
The time is not even 12:30am yet, which means that if I sleep now, I'll get more sleep than I normally do, even if I wake up at the regular time. Yeah. To keep up with the trend that I started last time, I'll keep asserting that -- regarding Mandy Moore -- I'd totally tap that. Yeah. Open bar, guy! To add a different spin to it, I'll say I'd totally tap Lauren Graham too. But what else is new ;-)
Ted Leo on Monday! Yeeeeah!!
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:26 AM
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
The Killers Are Coming
Just letting you Vancouver peeps know that the Killers are coming April 22nd and 23rd, both shows at the Vogue. The pre-sale is on now at their website, so grab them quickly before they're all gone. FYI, I think I'm gonna get tix for the Friday show (22nd).
NP: Ted Leo/Pharmacists - Me and Mia
posted by Hanson |
11:48 PM
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Nifty Tifty
So. Tift Merritt. Last night. So. Fucking. Awesome. Right from the get-go, I knew it was going to be an interesting night. It started off with the opening act, which was supposed to be Tres Chicas. However, instead them, on came Carolyn Mark! Apparently, they couldn't get into the country, so Ms. Mark was enlisted at the last minute to fill in. Not only that, she brought along a little Case -- of the Neko variety! So right here on stage at Richard's, we witnessed an impromptu reunion of the Corn Sisters. Now, as much as I love to see Neko play with the New Pornographers, her voice just dominates the hell out of the place when accompanied by only acoustic guitars. As soon as she sang her first note, the chatty crowd died down (mostly). All eyes (and presumably ears) were on Neko.
And then there was Tift. Oh boy. An aural and visual feast if there ever was one. She sauntered on stage nonchalantly, golden tresses glimmering under the dim nightclub lights, looking even hotter than in her press photos (and those were *hot*). She started on the keyboard, then moved on to the big mic in the middle of the state, playing everything from acoustic and electric guitars, to maracas, to the harmonica, and of course, the tambourine. She shook it like it's nobody's business, crooning emotively on the slow tunes, and completely owning the stage on the more up-tempo ones. Not only can she sing, her musical skills were more than competent too. Backed by a band of very good musicians, her songs just came to life right in front of us. And did I mention she was so fucking hot? My (shitty) pictures don't /nearly/ do her justice. It's too bad that the crowd -- with an unusually high number of old people (i.e. 50+) -- weren't as receptive to the call-response that she so very much deserved. Despite that minor complaint, the show more than met my expectations. With my signed setlist in hand, I walked out of Richard's a very happy Ho.
NP: Colin Meloy - I've Changed My Plea to Guilty
posted by Hanson |
11:53 PM
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Nice One
A great day concluded with me bringing home Clerks on LD. That's right LD -- Laser Disc. Too cool for words.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
8:37 AM
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Left Us High and Dry
I now have in my possession every Wonderfalls episode they ever produced. Too bad there were only 13. Blows. Balls. I don't think have the time to watch them this weekend, but I'm toying with the idea of a marathon next weekend. That should be fun, a Caroline Dhavernas overdose.
NP: Pony Up! - Matthew Modine
posted by Hanson |
11:52 PM
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
Wow
*Both* Bright Eyes records debuted in the Top 20 on the Billboard charts this week. Holy-fucking-crap!! I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning was #10, while Digital Ash In A Digital Urn charted at 15. Simply stunning.
Those of you who have seen Garden State might remember a song by a female singer called "Winding Road." Those of you who checked out the soundtrack might even know that the song is by a woman named Bonnie Somerville. What you might not know is that she's Rachel from the O.C. -- you know, that semi-hot, football-loving lawyer-chick that lured Sandy to the private sector during season 1? Yeah. Her. Actor or not, she's pretty damn good!
NP: (Headline News)
posted by Hanson |
11:45 PM
Apt
Just saw last week's OC. They played Interpol's "Evil" on three occasions, and each time, icky Marissa can be seen lurking about. Subtle, no? Also, good call on Elliott Smith and Rilo Kiley -- Caleb /is/ Pretty Ugly, and Marissa is /definitely/ bad news.
NP: (nothing)
posted by Hanson |
12:22 AM
|
