To say I'm "tatted up" is both an understatement and quite the douchebag of a catchphrase. Nonetheless, I got my first taste of permanent skin ink last Thursday afternoon. My desire to break into the whole tattoo realm has been simmering for at least five years now. After I got over my piercing phase (I put a whopping two holes into my body and both of them were on my ear), I started to give tattoos a thought. I've heard more stories (good and bad) about tattoo experiences than I can even remember. I also think I know more people with tattoos than without, so it was only a matter of time before I got my own.
With all that I have dealt with in my personal life over the past two years, I am a full believer in "carpe diem". If I've been considering a tattoo for as long as I have now, you know what? Fuck it...time to get some shit done. Anyways, after you tell people you're going to do something like this...you can't really back out of it.
Although I want a rather large piece on my left arm, I decided to get a smaller one to break the ice. Scissor Sisters (<3 Jake Shears) is one of my favorite bands, and their logo is so simple yet so amazing. I've been a fan for quite sometime, and I appreciate not only their music but their overall aura and personality. There's just this "I don't give a fuck" attitude that is so appealing to me. They wear what they want, write the music they want, say what they want, etc. Although I'm not the most outlandish and outspoken gay in the world, I'm proud of who I am and what I stand for. And let's be real, yes tattoos last forever, but I'll be a homo from now until the day I die. Sorry Michele Bachmann.
As the world scoffs at America's problem with obesity, we still continue to eat at restaurants that add a little (or a lot) more cushion to our asses, thighs, and stomachs. It also contributes to the not-so-funny side effects of diabetes, heart disease, and death. I would be kidding myself if I said I didn't eat at these establishments more than I should. Otherwise, I wouldn't be truly "American". In addition to slowly clogging my arteries with greasy, processed foods, I recently found out you can also feed your ego (did you like that play on words? I'm so witty).
If you've ever eaten at a Chili's (honestly, who hasn't), you know what its environment usually consists of: the distant smell and sound of oil popping in the fryer, the clinking of glasses filled with half your daily value of sugar, the chatter of waiters/hosts working to get through their shifts, and a wide range of customers trying to pick their poisons. Possibly because of the red phallic symbol in the shape of a chili pepper, or the fact that our only other choice was Tex Mex, we ended up at Chili's front door for lunch. My last Chili's experience was very lackluster due to the douche factor of our asshole of waiter. Nonetheless, I decided to give them another chance.
We were greeted by our twink of a host. I giggled to myself because 1) I've seen him come into my Urban Outifitters store, and 2) I'm pretty sure he had the same cologne on as my boyfriend. After we were immediately seated, our waitress for the afternoon, Tangela, gave us a warm Chili's welcome. I love older black waitresses who have a "Big Mama" complex about them. Soon after, she proceeded to graciously compliment me on my hat, exclaiming how cute and adorable I am. Of course, my boyfriend responded with..."Isn't that my hat?" Nope, it is indeed not. Don't be jealous, gurl. Little did he know, I was about to make my gay mark on Chili's forever. After carefully considering our drink and food orders, Tangela glided to the kitchen. Finally, our margaritas (it was noon, so put away those judging eyes) were brought out as if it was our birthdays. Tangela and our twink of a host shook our shakers with the excitement of proud parenta. Normally, you are given your own shaker to pour, but not me. The twink felt the need create my setup and reach across to pour it for me. From the look on Tangela's and my boyfriend's faces, this was not normal. I was being treated like a celebrity in Chili's standards, and who was I to complain. Everyone needs a confidence boost here and there.
When our food was being brought by the fake enthusiastic girl serving the table next to us, who's order was put in wrong? Mine. This created a chain of events including apologies from what seemed like the entire restaurant staff. I'm a pretty patient person, but since I was the celebrity for the day, this warranted A-list treatment. I did not receive any sort of comp on my meal, so obviously I wasn't that A-list, or maybe I was just being reminded that we were at a suburban Chili's, not a 5-star downtown bistro. At this point, my tequila buzz is kicking in, so I'm milking this shit like a pregnant cow. After my correct meal was brought out sans ranch dipping sauce, Tangela continued to rave about my cuteness regardless of my boyfriend's dismay. I openly accepted these comments. The kicker was when she stated, "And someone else thinks your cute as well." Who else would she be talking about except our twink of a host? I couldn't help but laugh, even when my other half sarcastically deemed him as my "new boyfriend."
All-in-all, I am the new power gay of the Chili's Restaurant corporation. It doesn't matter if it is only in my head or not, but it's true nonetheless. Power gays also get overcharged for their meals. I guess that comes with the territory.
Although a simple concept on paper, the Unhate campaign presents one of the most complicated issues our society suffers from everyday: hatred. This beautiful short film may only last a mere minute and eight seconds, but the powerful message it portrays makes quite the impression (at least for me). The love a person shares with another is one of the most priceless gifts that anyone can receive. There isn't a single person in this world who wouldn't agree with that statement. I feel that it's in our human nature to strive to feel loved and cared for. What's ironic is that the idea of love can bring about just as much hate. I will never understand why groups want to bring someone down solely for the person they love. It boggles mind that this is still an issue in 2011. I know I probably sound like a broken record, but until there is a change, we have to keep flipping that record over. With the constant news stories of suicides, beatings, and murders constantly broadcasting on our televisions and computers, I can't help but feel sick to my stomach. Take this as food for thought: how many people will be more put off by the images of love and affection than by the violence and brutality? Probably more than you'd care to imagine. That notion alone can explain why this film was produced.
Love is such a strong word. With all the negativity that exists among the human race, "love" is almost too much to ask of some people. As awful as that sounds, I stand behind that statement 100%. Reversing the hatred is a much more realistic way to view the journey towards a more peaceful world.
Check out five remixes of "Midnight City" off of M83's latest album, Hurry Up, We're Dreaming. Since rainy days are few and far between down here in Houston, I've had M83 on shuffle all afternoon while I read The Help. Oh, and judge all you want....but I've also had the Fireplace app crackling in the background on my Macbook. I'm being that hipster.
P.S. Be sure to see M83 in concert when they stop in Houston at Warehouse Live on their Fall 2011 tour.
Although there is certain light-hearted, humorous air surrounding this new film, 50/50 portrays a scarily realistic account of what cancer patients of all ages have to deal with everyday. You can't help but follow in love with Joseph Gordon Levett's character "Adam". A young, successful radio journalist of only 27 years-old feels on the top of the world with his best friend and girlfriend by his side. What seemed to be just a simple backache turned out to be a very rare malignant tumor of the spine, and the trials and tribulations begin almost immediately. Like most Generation X and Y'ers, we take great pride in our independence. Adam is no different. Despite his initial plea for minimal help from his mother (who is also taking care of a husband suffering from Alzheimer's Disease), through many therapy sessions with an inexperienced Ph.d student, he realizes that he was kind of being an asshole. As the layers of denial and anger start to peel, your genuine hope for this character grows exponentially larger.
For anyone that has dealt with cancer, whether personally or through a family member, 50/50 hits almost too close to home (think Terms of Endearment). Having recently witnessed the detrimental effects of this awful disease on a close family member myself, it was almost as if I was reliving the entire process again. The chemotherapy and the subsequent sickness, sitting in hospital waiting rooms for hours, the physical and mental deterioration....I could go on, trust me. If it weren't for the consistent humor thanks to Gordon-Levett and Seth Rogen, this movie would have probably been too much for me to handle. At the same time, it's refreshing and almost therapeutic to see that no one is ever alone when dealing with this illness.
Besides the most obvious theme of the movie, others include betrayal, family, courage, friendships, loyalty, and in general, optimism. No matter who you are, there is something you can relate to in 50/50. It definitely gives you plenty to ponder and makes you want to hug a loved one.
On a side note, the soundtrack is quite spot on, featuring a number of singles that the indie community is sure to appreciate.
I discovered this gem on XM radio yesterday and was literally spun into a musical trance the moment its gentle synth struck my ears. Mr. Little Jeans took an already great track and transformed it into something so special. There is a very ethereal feeling to it that can give you chills. Check out her gorgeous music video above.
The National recently contributed "Exile, Vilify" to the soundtrack for the upcoming video game Portal 2. In conjunction with it's release, the band also held a contest for fan-made videos. The winning clip (above) comes from director C.F. Meister. The song is engaging, beautiful, haunting, and somber (what else would you expect from The National) featuring an endearing string line with building complexity. In the video clip, you follow the saddest hand puppet you've ever seen in your life. This ain't The Muppets, Fraggle Rock, or Sesame Street. Get ready to possibly shed a tear.
First, read this article about a couple's reasoning for withholding their newborn's biological gender from friends and family. Here are my thoughts on the subject matter. I apologize now for the ranting.
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It's definitely a very interesting parental take on gender identity. I mean, we've all ready several stories about parents approving of their children playing into opposite genders (i.e. little boys wearing dresses but still identifying as male, etc.). Obviously, I fully support the acceptance and open arms of these parents. In my mind, the story behind this article just takes it to a whole new level. Remember the boy who wore the Daphne (Scooby Doo) costume to school (pictured above)? One of the most adorable photos I've ever seen. Nonetheless, everyone knows he's a boy, including himself. Yes, he and his mother received criticism, but do these parents of a "genderless" child think they will receive any less? I completely understand, and appreciate, where these parents are coming from in not wanting to announce the sex of their child. Gender restrictions are something out society makes far too definite and strict (especially Americans), but there will always be social norms to go from. An an open/liberal-minded parent, you want your kids to grow up in an environment where they can feel comfortable being whoever they want to be. At the same time, I'm wondering what effects this will have on the baby later down the road. How long are the going to attempt keep the baby's gender a secret? How is this secrecy affecting the other two young boys? How is this situation going to react when he/she realizes what his/her parents did? It really is an experiment and could go either way.
There is a fine line between structure and chaos. The lack of structure in raising their children is to allow for freedom of expression and I'm 100% supportive of creating that sort of environment, but I firmly believe a certain level of structure is vital to a child's development. Personally, I could never use this "unschooling" approach. In my mind, the purpose of homeschooling is to allow for children to not only learn at an accelerated rate, but also to be able to focus on certain interests more so than would happen in a public school setting. Structure isn't about suppressing a child's creativity, but to allow them to have a better base for making their own choices as the grow into singular individuals. I'm all about being free spirited and carefree and never blindly accepting your "place" in society, but there has to be some sort of standard to go from. I think they are too young to make decisions about their own upbringing, plain and simple, yet the parents want to deny the acknowledgement of biological gender? I don't know...a little extreme for me.
I agree with a quote from Dr. Ehrensaft in the article: "I believe that it puts restrictions on this particular baby so that in this culture this baby will be a singular person who is not given an opportunity to find their true gender self, based on what's inside them." Just because the baby is physically male or female doesn't have to determine the way he/she is brought up in the household. Babies, for the most part, don't really even know what's going on lol. Masculinity/femininity are basic attributes of life. Whether this child grows up to identify more with male or female, despite what they were biologically given, is still up for grabs. Still, I think this limits the child in having a choice as to which direction they will go. Everyone has to decide what part of the spectrum they are in. I think a lot of it plays into worrying too much about outside influences. As parents, you just have to put in the extra effort to create the kind of home environment YOU want. Peers, media, etc. are going to become more and more influential in future generations, and that is not going to change.
I have respect for the parents' decision not to announce the sex of their baby, but I feel like it's a waiting game to see how the situation plays out. No matter how you spin it, there will always be social norms that people are compared to. These norms are definitely expanding, but they will always exist. Completely disregarding them will not benefit any child in the long run. When it comes down to it, it's all about the children. I just worry about the possibly negative effects...especially when we live in a country that can be so harsh. As unacceptable as this harshness is, it's still a reality.
Simple, heartbreaking, and beautiful....what more could you ask for? Justin Vernon has brilliantly crafted a wonderful rendition of this classic song on Jimmy Fallon's late night talk show. With the fast approaching arrival of his second self-titled album on the horizon, this gives us something to savor for the time being. Although the single "Calgary" from the album is completely different in style, which also probably tells you something about the rest of the tracklist, this performance is nothing less than stellar. Maybe he will tack it on to a B-Side or a deluxe version of his upcoming release? One can only hope.
PS: I'm still going to brag about chatting with Vernon at SXSW. He's such a sweetheart.
Screen shot from the set for "Girls (Who Run The World)'
Sure to be an infectious track on sweat-drenched dance floors everywhere, Beyonce's first single off of her highly anticipated summer release, "Girls (Who Run The World)" has leaked prematurely. The song was produced by Diplo and Switch (aka Major Lazer). For those of you acquainted with the DJ/producer super duo, you will quickly recognize the backbeat. Yes, it's a remastered version of their hit track "Pon De Floor", personally handed over on a silver platter. It's always strange to hear certain songs enter the mainstream, but thus is the norm nowadays. I look forward to hearing the final cut without the obligatory drops. Considering the net worth of B. and Jigga, they pretty much could run this world (or at least a part of it). I would be first in line to get citizenship in that country.
As most musically-inclined Houstonians know, 91.7 KTRU is the sole college radio station that showcases indie and international music, among many other genres. Over the past six or so months, Rice University has gone back and forth, threatening to do away with the current format and convert it into another classical music station. Although the majority of this city probably doesn't understand the implications that go along with this (or plainly just don't give a shit), the indie crowd has been up in arms about the situation and signing petitions left and right. I haven't heard anything about the possible change lately, so maybe there has been some voice of reason to change the university's mind. Don't get me wrong, classical music will always hold a special place in my music collection, but one classical rad station in this city is enough. Anyways...
The KTRU festival this year was a great way to start off the outdoor season in Houston. Great bands, free St. Arnold's beer, and...well, the entire event was free, in general (minus parking). Performers included: Mister Heavenly, Real Estate (pictured above), Fat Tony, Houston-based Young Mammals, and Washed Out. As most of you know, Mister Heavenly features Michael Cera as a bassist, and I can't tell you how obnoxious it is to see people flock to the band purely for that reason. Girls (and guys) were freaking the fuck out over it. This isn't Oprah's Favorite Things. I quickly had the urge to cry out, "Get the fuck over it. Yes, it's Michael Cera. You are all posers." In my opinion, they are worth flocking to because of the Man Man/Islands/Modest Mouse combination. I dealt with the same predicament at SXSW. Still, I appreciated the performance, and Cera wasn't overcome with absolute awkwardness. I popped my Fat Tony cherry as well. Despite his obvious inebriation, the performance quite entertaining and often humorous. Fifteen minutes prior to his 8:00 pm set time, I was disappointed by how brief his set was (25 minutes, but I feel like that's typical of most hip hop shows. As a special treat, Nick Diamonds made an uncomfortable guest appearance with Fat Tony which lasted all of three minutes. This happened more so because Fat Tony was obsessing over him on stage. My favorite aspect of rap shows at events like this is the audience. Let's be real, it was mostly white hipsters. I was engulfed in a sea of the stereotypical "white boy dancing". I just stood in the back and smirked. For some, I believe it was drug-induced, but nonetheless I was amused.
Fat Tony
Washed Out
Minus a spilt whiskey and Coke, the festival was lovely. A nice day with great friends, music, beer, and sunshine. As the sun set in the sky, Washed Out closed-out the festival with a hazy, electro, colorful ending. Because my hunger pains were overpowering my senses, I felt it was time to vacate the premises halfway through their set.
How far would you go to try and impress someone? In this music video, directed by Emile Hirsch, a pale, nonathletic twink guy does his best to catch the attention of a muscle jock on Venice Beach. Yes, there is plenty of homoerotic tension, but I'm not sure how I feel about it in general. The ending is just....awkward. Maybe that's the point? Trying your hardest to make an impact on someone's opinion of you can often lead to just that: an awkward ending. Check it out and see for yourself.
Yet another concert with plenty of homosexual overtones....I feel as if this is becoming a trend in my life, but I'm not surprised at all. Jake Shears, Ana Matronic, and the rest of the Scissor Sisters gang made their way to Houston this past Monday on their Night Work tour. The last time Scissor Sisters performed in Houston, they served as the opening act for Lady Gaga in 2010. As much as I love them, I had no intention of shelling out the bucks for that show. Surprisingly, the crowd was more mixed than I expected, and it appeared to be a somewhat older as compared to the Robyn concert in February. I was a bit disappointed with the attendance. The $35.00 price tag might have turned away some concertgoers, but let's be honest; how much does a typical gay spend during a night at the gay bars? Nonetheless, there was enough of an audience to allow for a colorful experience. With some of the outfits people were sporting, you could tell they were more than ready for a show. At the top of my list of fashions was a certain fellow in a skin-tight, latex police officer get up. I can only imagine how much he was probably sweating. I thought about wearing my new black pumps, but I would have been bitching the entire night. Girl, I've got to learn to walk in heels before I can dance in them. I have a new found respect for women. Heels might be cute and all, but damn...they are fucking painful.
With only a DJ as an opening act, there wasn't much of a delay after the scheduled 9:00 pm show time. As the vodka, club remixes, and stage fog circulated through my system, the only two thoughts in my head were 1) let's get this show on the road, and 2) how revealing will Jake Shears' outfit be? At about 9:30 pm, the lights dimmed as the backing band entered the stage. The tension was quickly building as we waited for Shears and Ana Matronic to make an appearance. Finally, the vocal duo made an in-your-face entrance on to the stage in coordinating outfits. I don't think I have to go into detail about Shears' magnificent body. All I can say is that he's even more beautiful in person, and I don't think one person in Warehouse Live, gay or straight, would disagree with that statement.
The nearly two hour set fired up with their title track, "Night Work", and the dance party was already at full speed. With the constant audience interaction and confetti, there was no time to be distracted by anything else. During one song, Ana Matronic requested that everyone put they're "fucking cameras and cell phones" away for it's duration. It's quite easy to become obsessive when taking pictures and videos during a concert, and I myself have been guilty of this concert OCD. That gave me three and a half minutes to not think about taking pictures, tweeting, or text messaging. It wasn't easy.
The setlist consisted of eighteen tracks with plenty of interspersed banter to keep me thoroughly entertained. She even mentioned The Menil (which is one of my favorite art museums in Houston). Naturally, they performed more tracks from their latest album, but there was still a good mix of earlier works. During the encore, Shears crooned a very intimate, stripped down version of "Sex and Violence". That was definitely a highlight for me. Both Shears and Ana Matronic showcased there true vocal talent with several solos throughout the night. Other favorites included "Filthy/Gorgeous", "Invisible Light", "Tits On The Radio", "Any Which Way", "Take Your Mama", and "Laura". As a result, sing-a-longs were inevitable and welcomed by the band. This explains why I was so soft spoken the next day. Check out the full setlist here. As much as I wish "Mary" would have been on the roster, the fact that it wasn't didn't tarnish the experience.
Being my first live Scissor Sisters concert, I had certain expectations of quality, energy, danceability, and personality. They certainly made the mark on all parameters. Each "sister" even had three or more costume changes. Luckily, Shears revealed an ample amount of skin each time. The magnetic chemistry between every member of the band was undeniable. Once the final note was sung, I was still on a music high until the next morning. I was also reeling from $1.00 post-concert wells at Cecil's Pub. Afterwards, I dreamt that I tattooed the Scissor Sisters symbol on my side. Is it bad that I don't think it's a terrible idea?
All-in-all, it was simply a fun, engaging, and occasionally raunchy show. It was impossible to leave Warehouse Live without a smile from ear to ear.
P.S. I tweeted Scissor Sisters enough for them to follow me. That's not creepy, right?
Congratulations/kudos/accolades to the A&M women's basketball team on their national title! Leave it to the girls to have bigger balls than any of our men's sports teams. The Aggies needed something to cheer for, and we finally got our wish. Lord knows our football and men's basketball teams have yet to truly deliver. I hope the ladies get the "welcome home" that they deserve as they return to College Station today. For those of us who didn't pay much attention to A&M women's basketball before, I'd say we have all had a change of heart. Hell, this was a much more exciting game then the men's championship, and I doubt anyone expected that. I'd be lying if I said I actually watched the men's game because I was too busy getting my gay on at the Scissor Sisters concert.
As the game clock dwindled to zero, we decided to take celebratory Irish Car Bombs. No, we did not take these because we felt an ounce of sympathy for Notre Dame. We took them because those Irish Car Bombs would soon end up in the toilet....just like Notre Dame's and "Crouching" Muffet's pride. We were also the only group of Aggies at the bar, but that didn't stop us (or at least me) from breaking out into a good ol' fashioned "Aggie War Hymn" sing-a-long. No, I wasn't drunk (shocking, I know).
Little Crouching Muffet....sit on your gah damn tuffet and eat your curds and whey...without a national championship.
Coach Gary Blair decided to do the dougie as he accepted his national championship trophy. I think Dora the Explorer might have some competition.
South by Southwest: the land of blaring live music, open bars, hipsters screaming for attention, cigarette butts, and waiting in line. 2011 marked the 25th anniversary of the internationally known music, film, and interactive festival and "conference". Compared to the magnitude of the event now, I cannot even imagine what it was like during the inaugural year. I'm guessing the conference aspect of it actually meant something. I read somewhere that SXSW was "40% larger" than it was last year. I'm not sure what parameters they used to make such an estimate, but it is undeniable that the festival has grown immensely in size. My hypothesis for this growth is simple: accessibility. Five years ago, the general music audience would never have even heard of half these music groups, but times are a-changin'. With the use of the plethora of social media outlets available to everyone, it is much easier for people to make themselves believe they are "indie". In effect, more people are likely to be turned into concert goers, whether they truly appreciate the music or not. There has been a quite a surge of, excuse my French, douchebags attending concerts that would never have seen their faces five or more years ago. Can you tell that I'm not pleased with this evolution? This has also made me deal with more waiting for shit, but I digress....
SXSW is known for it's surprise guests and secret performances as well. This year, Kanye West performed on the last night at an abandoned power plant with array of special guests. Did I even attempt to make my way into that event? Hell no. Apparently, he didn't take the stage until 4:00 am, and let's be real; I'm getting too old for that shit, and I don't do drugs to stay awake that long for five nights in a row. Besides, I saw Kanye perform at SXSW two years.
This was my fourth time braving the streets of Austin, TX for this magical week, and I was not disappointed by any means (and this was my first year without a music badge). I witnessed some great shows, ate from a variety of food trucks, raged with a gang of great people, drank enough booze to kill a good amount of liver cells, and was more often than not covered in body glitter.
One of the most memorable moments...scratch that, THE most memorable moment was conversing with Justin Vernon (lead singer of Bon Iver, but you should know that by now). I walked into Side Bar to meet up with a few friends, when someone nonchalantly informed me, "Hey, Justin Vernon is sitting right over there." That statement literally stopped me in my Am Appy tracks. I've been in love with this man's music for years now. The two times I've had the pleasure of seeing him in concert (including my first year at SXSW), I shed several tears. Anyways....as he stood up to make his way to the bar and/or bathroom, our group might have had the balls to accost him. Luckily, he is sweetheart and chatted with us for about thirty minutes. He took the time to listen to us, learn our names, etc. It's special when people you idolize are as genuine in person as the appear in the media. PS: I knew he was coming out with a new Bon Iver album before Pitchfork posted it. Suck it P4K.
Esben and the Witch @ Beauty Bar
This year, I kept note of every band I stumbled upon because I maintained a steady buzz my entire stay in Austin. Some of the highlights were:
Twin Tigers, Ponderosa, Violens, Jonquil, The Generationals, Theophilus London (If you think you're special, you probably aren't), Solid Gold, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., The Dodos, Baths, !!!, James Blake (Yes, I'm on Team Blake), Har Mar Superstar (fat man in a thong...mmmm), Chikita Violenta, Nervo, Surfer Blood, Big Freedia, The Oh Sees, La Sera, Das Racist, The Authors, Mr. Heavenly, and Esben and the Witch.
Sadly, I did not make it on stage this time for Big Freedia. As consolation, my friend frightened the shit out of straight boy with his dance moves. Along with everyone around us, I was dying with laugher. I was also double fisting a beer and a Red Bull/vodka.
Luckily, I only vomited one night out of the five. Those are good odds, right? [nod your head]. Also, it was St. Patrick's Day, which made for a double whammy. South by Southwest AND St. Patty's Day? Of course I puked. I can't say no to Irish Car Bombs and unlimited drinks/tequila shots. I ended the week on Sunday afternoon with Gay by Gay Gay. Yes, you read that correctly. It turned out to be a gay hippie fest out in the middle of nowhere. The music was subpar, but we enjoyed ourselves.
"SXSW Karma" reared it's ugly head the following week though. The pollen and dust was terrible throughout the week which led to allergy issues, which in turn led to a sinus infection, which also ended with a case of pink eye. Despite my "disco sickness", it was all worth it.
As many of you have heard, Obama has officially declared that the Defense of Marriage Act will not have federal support from now on. This is the policy that essentially labels same-sex marriage as unconstitutional. Although it has been a long road for Obama to take a significant stance on this issue, I think his "NObama" moniker is slowly starting to shed. If I hear one more Republican claim that he is tearing away at this country's social fabric, I will literally scream. Well, now that I say that, I might as well start warming up my vocal chords. As a wise person once said, "I don't understand why people are against gay marriage. Their main argument is that it's tearing away at our social fabric. You really think gays would do anything to harm fabric?" Although a humorous take on the situation, if you logically take the matter into consideration, who is gay marriage hurting? That question is much easier asked than answered, I know. It's been such a constant argument for far too long. Just because two men or two women cannot reproduce doesn't mean they shouldn't be able to legally bind their relationship. It is proven that same-sex parents are just as effective, and there are enough children in the world in foster care and orphanages. I'm not even going to start the whole "religion" thing. I could go on about this for a long time...but I will keep this short. Anyways, I just went for a run, and I smell pretty stank.
I'm remaining optimistic that Obama knows what he is doing as the 2012 presidential race quickly approaches. Although many have lost faith in our president, I haven't. I may not be 100% satisfied with the way our country has progressed (well, maybe I'm more unhappy with the fact that Rick Perry is still our governor in Texas), but I have a good feeling about the future.
To read the full New York Times article about the Defense of Marriage Act click here.
Can I express to you how long I have been patiently waiting for this night to arrive? Several months too long. The moment I found out she was performing in Houston (well, Texas in general), my heart was all aflutter. Robyn has made quite the comeback over the past year with her triple-installation album Body Talk. It has received many accolades and praises for its showcase of what true, quality pop music should sound like. After somewhat of a hiatus during the 2000s, Robyn took the music scene by storm with the promise of new music, and loads of it. I think most fans can agree that she did not disappoint. Most look back on her 1997 hit-song "Show Me Love", and some remember her self-titled album featuring tracks such as "Konichiwa Bitches" and "With Every Heartbeat", but if you aren't a fan now, you need to get your ears checked. Even though she is competing with pop divas such as Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Kylie Minogue, she stands her own ground with a unique image and sound.
Over the past couple weeks, Robyn had cancelled a handful of shows due to illness. Of course, I wanted her to get healthy, but I would be so disappointed if the Houston date was cancelled. Miraculously, the music gods were watching over us, and we were graced with her presence.
Warehouse Live was in full gay force that night. The venue staff should have hung a rainbow flag in the front entrance. Everyone was dressed to impress being that 75% or more of the audience was of the homosexual persuasion (so obviously, I felt right at home). Robyn wholeheartedly respects and appreciates her gay American following. Although straight, Robyn feels very connected to gay culture. Like I've said before, if you have the gays on your side, you will always have success.
There were two openers for the show: Natalia Kills and Diamond Rings. The show either started earlier than schedule, or Natalia Kills' set was just extremely short. We caught a couple of her tunes, including one of her more popular ones, "Mirrors". She was decent, but nothing to necessarily write home about....just filler. Next was Diamond Rings, who I was actually looking forward to seeing. First off, he is adorable with his David Bowie-esque appearance Secondly, he put on a great show, especially for being a solo-act. His music is very Soft Cell/Depeche Mode sounding. He is performing this coming Monday at Fitzgerald's in Houston with PS I Love you, so you have another chance to check him out. Also, his "Stay Fierce" t-shirts are fucking awesome.
Now, on to the queen herself. I know she was ill in previous weeks, but she showed no signs of sickness during her impressive 1.5 hour+ set at Warehouse. Her energy level never seemed to take a break. She constantly danced around the entire stage, exclaiming her love for the Houston crowd. I wish I had a dollar for every time she actually said "Houston". The amount of vitality and genuine love she showcased was nothing by infectious. When you caught a glimpse of her smiling at the end of a song, you knew she meant it. Can I also add in that I loved her outfit? I give her props for pulling off her dance moves in those platform shoes. The audience was in an uproar as her set shot off with "Time Machine" and didn't slow down from there. She sung almost every track from Body Talk, which led to quite a number of sing-a-longs. I will admit that I am quite guilty of wailing with the rest of them. I was disappointed that "The Girl and the Robot" did not receive the attention that it deserved. I was very much looking forward to it, and I might have gone a tad crazy when I heard the opening beats. The crowd went wild during "Dancing On My Own", "Indestructible", and "Stars 4-Ever". How could you not? My attempts at filming during the show failed at certain points because I, myself, became too enveloped in the music. Naturally, she ended her third and final encore with "Show Me Love" which turned into a venue-wide sing-along.
This was also the last stop on Robyn's Body Talk Tour....Houston got lucky :)
Robyn is a true artist in every sense of the word. Her music, charisma, style, and personality are all absolutely amazing. She literally melted my heart. I woke up the next morning with "Stars 4-Ever" buzzing in my head, in addition to the alcohol I consumed the night before.
Check out "Indestructible" below:
It's impossible for me to pinpoint my "favorite" performed tracks, so here is the full setlist:
The 2011 Bonnaroo lineup has been released today! Although they will continue to add more artists over the next couple months, I'm impressed by who it consists of so far:
Eminem, Arcade Fire, The Black Keys, Lil Wayne, Mumford and Sons, Ray Lamontagne, Girl Talk, My Morning Jacket, Explosions in the Sky, Scissor Sisters, Beirut, Big Boi, Robyn, Floren and the Machine, !!, The Walkmen, Man Man, Twin Shadow, Gogol Bordello, Matt & Kim, and so many more. Check out the full initial lineup here.
For those of you who haven't attended this festival, it's quite the experience. Although not for the faint of heart, I fucking loved every minute of it.
New Orleans bounce is becoming a way of life for the indie music scene. Who would have expected that to happen? I've always had an affinity towards all things related to southern rap. It is a music scene that is very unique within the hip hop community, and that's saying something. In general, African American community is not known for being very hospitable to the gay community, but artists such as Big Freedia and Sissy Nobby have been helping to alter this perception for the past decade. As Big Freedia will attest to, it has been an uphill battle, but it's refreshing to see that she is finally getting the respect she deserves. I mean, every Queen Diva is owed a certain amount of reverence, right? Yes.
Last week, despite constant tweeting that the Big Freedia's concert at Fitzgerald's was cancelled, to my surprise, the promoter officially announced that the show must go on. Thank. God. I missed Big Freedia last time she made her way to Houston and was elated to hear she decided to go for round two.
The audience consisted of a mixture of hipsters, gays, and black people...not necessarily your typical congregation of concert-goers. Nonetheless, everyone was there to have a " boucin'" good time. Ok, that was cheesy as shit. I know. Anyways, the evening started off with DJ Good Grief spinning an array of classics. DJ Jubilee - Get Ready, Ready was definitely crowd favorite (It got me sweating. That's for sure.). The stage quickly flooded with gyrating bodies as the beats began to speed up and the bass was shaking the entire venue. My white v-neck was thoroughly soaked with perspiration, and Big Freedia hadn't even made an appearance yet.
Finally, the production crew began to clear the horde of amateurs in anticipation of Big Freedia and his Divas taking to the stage. I can't lie to you...my "giddy school girl" side made a quick appearance. As soon as she began her set, you could feel the energy immediately. The Queen Diva truly knows how to get the crowd going. Her constant interaction with everyone made the night even more memorable. If you have seen any videos of these concerts, you know that it is tradition for audience members to go on stage and "shake what they got in them jeans". One of Big Freedia's more well known tracks is "Azz Everywhere" (clever title, I know). The crowd went frantic as soon it began, and the stage started filling up. I had just enough vodka in my veins to be on the fence as to whether or not I wanted to go on stage. Well, Big Freedia made the decision for me and physically pulled me on stage herself. This was one of my proudest concert stage moments. Excuse my French, but I shook my ass SO f*cking hard. I'm pretty sure I received applause and outdid the girl next to me. Oh, and don't worry...it's all on video. I can prove that this actually happened. My adrenaline level reached sky-high levels, and I was on cloud nine despite my bruised shins and knees. On a sidenote, my dad recently joined the world of Facebook. Since my siblings confirmed his friendship, I felt obligated to do the same. Because he currently has a whopping four friends, my profile is plastered all over his news feed. What status did he have the pleasure of reading Saturday morning? "I shook my ass more than ever before tonight. Thank you Big Freedia for personally pulling me on stage and letting my show my stuff. My shins hurt from getting on my knees on stage. Azz everywhere." Oh yes, he made a comment about it. Can you say, "awkward"? That should be an example in the dictionary. I might need to institute a few privacy settings.
I have to show my utter amazement and admiration for Big Freedia's Diva dancers. I cannot even fathom dancing like that for an entire set. I am absolutely exhausted after a mere ten minutes. I also can't imagine poppin' it on a handstand and going into the splits. I definitely have some practicing to do to even approach that level of awesome/stripper.
This concert was a much needed change of pace. I don't attend enough rap/hip hop shows. Not only does Big Freedia do her shit right, she also has an amazing back story. Nothing but love and respect for her.
This year's Super Bowl has come and gone, and there were more unwanted commotions revolving around this enormous sports event than anyone could have ever expected. Number one issue: the outrageous winter weather that has smothered the south for the past few weeks (and just won't seem to f*ck off). Texans are prepared for the possible annual snow fall or ice storm, but 2011 brought it to a new level. Watching the news, I half expected to see Jake Gyllenhaal sledding in the background like a scene from Day After Tomorrow. Ok, maybe the weather wasn't that extreme compared to the north's winter norm, but local meteorologists made it appear that way. Aerial views of the Cowboys Stadium showcased a town blanketed in snow, ice, and frigid winter gusts. Texans cannot be reamed too harshly though, purely for the fact that we aren't physically prepared these sort of storms. We don't have snow plows running up and down are streets everyday. I don't think snow plows even exist in Texas. After a few injured stadium employees, cancelled celebrity parties, pissed off local businesses, and annoyed DFW residents dealing with rolling blackouts, Super Bowl Sunday finally made it's way to the nation's television screen. Despite all the hubbub, Super Bowl XLV became the most watched television program history. I think some were just watching to see if anything worse could happen.
I'm not a huge fan of the NFL, or any professional sports for that matter. Well, that does not include soccer. Mmm....most attractive athletes. period. ANYway...I'm all about college football, but I decided to crack open a few beers and watch the Super Bowl. I was more interested in the commercials and musical numbers, which brings me to my main purpose for writing this. First, we'll talk about the clusterfuck that is Christina Aguilera and the national anthem.
Yes, she kind of fucked up the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner. Is this utterly embarrassing? Yes. Should those words be permanently ingrained in her bleach-blond head? Yes. Over a hundred million viewers watched Aguilera fumble. After an interesting year in the tabloids and celebrity news, this is definitely not what she needed for her career. Nonetheless, I will momentarily come to her defense. This just shows that she isn't a robot. Just like the saying "everyone poops", everyone screws up. Sometimes it happens in an empty room, and sometimes it happens in front of hundreds of millions of people. I'm not going to hold her at TOO much fault for the blunder. Shit happens; accept it and move on. Aguilera will be opening The Grammy's this coming Sunday in a tribute to the one and only, Aretha Franklin. Hopefully she will make up for what happened the previous Sunday.
Now, on to the half-time shit show performance. The moment I found out the Black Eyed Peas were the official Super Bowl performers, I was intrigued. Although I'm not really a fan of theirs, it was refreshing not to see a band whose glory days were in the 1960s or 1970s. The moment Fergie opened her mouth, I could feel my skin crawl with nausea. All I can say to her is: vocal coach. Her pitch was more spread out than a constellation in the night sky. Plus, her outfit was horrendous. I still ask myself this question, "What do the other two guys, outside of Will.i.am and Fergie, do for the group?": nothing. They exist solely to visually fill up the stage to compensate for the group's lack of musical talent. Luckily, Usher was able to lip-sync the half-time show into more of a success with his fine self.
The one commercial I was looking forward to hopefully seeing on national television did not even make it to air:
I was a bit shocked when I saw the new Groupon commercial. We had to rewind the DVR to make sure we weren't confused by what just happened. Nope, we weren't. Good job, Groupon. Next advertising campaign theme: despite the AIDS crisis in Africa, I just saved 50% on my meal at this Ethiopian restaurant.
**Sadly, the video was removed to do "copyright" violation". That's was stupid on the label's part. I'm pretty sure the gays have made Britney Spears what she is today. Tsk tsk.**
Ryan James Yezak released his latest music video parody today for Britney Spears' 2011 track, "Hold It Against Me". For those who have seen his parodies before, you automatically expect to see a dozen gay men having fun, dancing, and kissing. Sorry, but that isn't the case this time around. Donna Hood stars as Britney in a less comical visual portrayal of the tune. There are more women featured, which is actually refreshing. I enjoyed the video, so take a look!
Don't worry boys....there is still some eye candy to keep you entertained.
Check out this new track from Mad Decent's own Savage Skulls and Douster, "Bad Gal", featuring the always beautiful Robyn. Anything showcasing her is worth watching. It's a fun, upbeat electro club hit with an almost tribal/afro/reggae feel to it. Plus, the video features outrageous car chases, tennis matches, Robyn "dancing on her own", Mexican wrestling masks, and so much more.
I think I would go straight for Robyn. Is that weird?
If you are gay and know anything about the gay porn industry, there is a very good chance you have heard of Zeb Atlas (born Andy Bick). He has become sort of an icon in the community with his obnoxious muscular physique. I really don't understand the attraction there. I know plenty of men have a fetish for the bodybuilding type, but Atlas is on another level of steroid. Someone should have told him to stop while he was ahead, but that is neither here nor there. I mean, he still has a very successful career to wave in our faces, so kudos to him. Apparently he used to stick solely to softcore porn but finally had his man cherry popped on film. I feel like that would just be utterly awkward to watch. He would probably look like a hippopotamus ravaging an unsuspecting victim.
Everyone has heard Diana Ross' "Love Hangover". It's a 1976 disco classic and is still prevalent in today's generation. When musicians decide to cover a song that has been so tried and true, the goal is to put their own perspective into it without tarnishing the original qualities that made it such a definitive song. Atlas has done the complete opposite of that. He is accompanied by singer/diva Pearly Gates (wow, really?), who featured the porn star in a previous music video for "Stop For Love". Luckily, he only starred in that one and wasn't given a singing role. I think he gained some inspiration from Kim Zolciak (Real Housewives of Atlanta) and decided to hit the recording studio himself. The end product: Zeb Atlas attempting to sing "Love Hangover" and try to appear sexy...it is absolutely horrible, horrendous, lackluster, off pitch, etc. I could add a few more adjectives, but I think you get the picture. If you have a strong stomach, watch the video below.
Sorry Zeb, but you should stick to your day job. Regardless of what I think, I'm sure there are enough men out there who are performing their own "solo acts" to this music video.
Denton-born singer/songwriter Sarah Jaffe made her way to McConigel's Mucky Duck in Houston for a very small, intimate performance last Thursday. Being a Texas-native, she isn't a stranger to the Space City. Having never been to Mucky Duck before, I was intrigued to see what type of concert experience it would provide. Mucky Duck is an Irish pub, but dually serves as a supper club and venue. They have quite an extensive wine list, and a decent pub food menu to complement it. What makes it a "supper club" per se is that you have the possibility of sitting at a table with another party. My friends and I were accompanied by three other lovely people, which led to a completely different experience. It is refreshing to be forced to interact with strangers, as strange as that sounds.
Bosque Brown (also from Denton, TX) was the sole opener for Jaffe. Bosque Brown was started by singer/songwriter Mara Lee Miller while she was attending University of North Texas. It wasn't that her talent was shoddy or lackluster, but I wasn't in the mood for such a minimal, almost repetitive, performance. Also, there was absolutely not interaction with the audience. I mean, none. I think I heard crickets before I took a smoke break. Maybe I should give her another chance?
Around 9:00 pm, the lady of the hour hit the stage. Her set only lasted about 50 minutes or so, which was a tad disappointing. Nonetheless, I was still entranced by her performance. I've been a fan for a good while now, and it was great to finally see her in person. Her voice resonated just as powerfully live as it does on her recordings. You could not only hear the passion in her voice, but you could see it in her face as well. Jaffe sang a mix of previously recorded tracks and some brand new ones that had never graced an audience's ears. Popular songs such as "Clementine" and "Vulnerable" received very positive reactions from the audience. A newer song that stuck out to me was "A Sucker for Your Marketing". After those words left her lips, I immediately thought to myself, "story of my life." Jaffe was very charismatic and had a certain candor about her. Compared to the opening act, it was refreshing to have so much artist interaction. If I wanted to hear an album with no interruptions, I can stay at home and listen to my iPod. Jaffe even handled her own merch table. My favorite quote from her was, "If I can hear you smiling, you need more water." I'm pretty sure everyone can relate to that statement. I might have to borrow that phrase next time I'm out with my lushes friends.
With all of the accolades and buzz she is receiving from the indie music world, seeing Sarah Jaffe in a setting such as this was definitely special. I have a gut feeling that she is going to explode in 2011. Texas might be one of the reddest states in the country, but at least we have a damn good music scene.
Really? Inception didn't win an award for anything? Stop the f*cking presses. I'm not going to lie, that was quite a shock for me. Yes, I saw The Social Network when it was in theaters. Was I entertained enough to leave the theater without regretting spending $10 to see it? Yes. Was I blown away? Not at all. Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal as Mark Zuckerberg was of good stature, but I don't think it was enough to help warrant a near Social Network sweep. In all honesty, he started to become more of an annoyance in the film. Just as a side note, I'm happy that Natalie Portman won Best Actress for Black Swan. She played her role phenomenally and deserved the Globe. I still don't think the film was as mesmerizing as the critics say. Yes, I was entertained. Yes, I was somewhat mentally engaged most of the time. No, I didn't have to put my jaw back in place from it falling on the floor. I probably would have put it ahead of The Social Network, though. The only nominated film that left me speechless was Inception. The storyline, the visuals, the special effects, the intricacy, and the acting (I actually enjoyed Ellen Paige's role, and that's saying something) made it a film to remember.
Naturally, the awards I care the most about are for original song and original score. I think those are the only two award presentations I just happened to catch before heading out for a plate of soul food and live jazz music. As far as the Best Song category is concerned, I'm not shocked that a song from Burlesque took home the Golden Globe (look what they had to choose from). Let's be real: the gays run things in Hollywood. Every major player has their own "gay" by their side, telling them what to do.
Onto the category for Original Score. I feel as if I'm more distraught by Trent Reznor's appearance than the film winning yet another award. I couldn't even recognize him, and I was watching the acceptance on a rather large television screen. Since when did he clean up THAT much? Yeah, it's the Golden Globes but stick your roots, man. The original score for The Social Network is indeed worth listening to. It's very unique and outside-of-the-norm compared to most films that win this award. Nonetheless, I have an affinity towards the Inception soundtrack. I was rooting for you Hans [Zimmer].
Check out a live performance of "Time" by Hans Zimmer. The intensity of it is absolutely beautiful. It's difficult to explain. Maybe the band nerd side of is just making a special appearance. Just watch and listen. You won't be disappointed. Scout's honor.
If you enjoyed that, and you appreciate a good remix, listen to what I've posted below. I usually don't value remixes of orchestral/classical music, but this is an exception. My favorite of all time is still DJ Tiesto's remix of Samuel Barber's "Adagio for Strings".
Gregg Gillis, better known as mashup-king Girl Talk, made an appearance in Houston promoting his latest party starter, All Day (which you can still download for free on the official website). It's almost unreal how much the popularity for this man has grown since his solo project was birthed into the world. The show was originally scheduled to take place at the House of Blues, but because it sold out so quickly, Livenation decided to move the event to a more appropriate venue. Either way, I knew I was going to be forced to shell out $8 - 10 per beer/cocktail. To compensate for this, I fulfilled my quota of Red Bull and vodka drinks beforehand at a friend's apartment *Kids, don't drink and drive*.
If you haven't seen Girl Talk in person, you are missing out on something....ridiculous. Hundreds (often thousands) of partygoers + alcohol + eardrum blowing music + flashing lights + confetti + balloons + a stage full of dancing hipsters = a good time for all. This was my fourth go around. His show's are more of a production than a actual "concert" per se. We missed the opening DJ, but I'm not losing sleep over it. Occasionally, I was able to recognize specific tracks from All Day, but when you see a Girl Talk show, it doesn't really matter. You're there to drink and dance. It's as simple as that. Gillis spun for about an hour and half, which is what I expected, and didn't disappoint the 3000+ concertgoers. Girl Talk attracts a very intriguing combination of people. You've got your hipsters, underage kids, fraternity/sorority douchebags, and preps. I went to Nocturnal Music Fest last year (Girl Talk also performed there) and experienced the same type of clusterfuck audience. One of the more surprising crowd pleasers was an extended version of Otis Day's "Shout". There is a small blip on All Day, but Gillis was smart to create a sing-a-long towards the end of the show. I can't lie, I was blowing out my vocal chords with the rest of them. Gillis truly knows how to maintain a high energy level throughout a performance.
As mentioned before, a stage full of dancing hipsters always makes for a more entertaining, and often humorous, show. I've graced a few concert stages with my drunken presence, but I decided to sit this one out. That, and they had preselected a large number of underagers. Funny story of the night: a 16 year old kid not only brought a flask on stage but also felt comfortable enough to let the entire audience know he had it. Oh, it doesn't end there. Apparently, he felt the need to accost his lady friend's vagina....on stage. C'mon guys....discretion. Do you know the definition of that word? Needless to say, he didn't make it to the end.
Whenever Girl Talk pops on my iTunes/iPod, I have think to myself...how did this music style become so sought-after? In no way do I intend to downplay how much work it takes Gillis to create an album, but when you logically think about....an hour of mashups consists purely of an ungodly number of songs that have been already created by someone else. My opinion: Girl Talk is society's answer to MADD (Music Attention Deficit Disorder). I include myself in that population.
Despite the excessive cost of alcoholic beverages at the venue, I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was even complimented on my dance skills. Check out the picture of me that made it onto the Houston Press website here.
PEE.ESS. I took several videos from the concert, so be on the look out for those soon!
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