All posts in: “Pachuca Sunrise”

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09 Jul 2010

Summer Anthems

What is your definition of a summer anthem? A song, released in the summer [HOBviously] and one that doesn’t really start to get old until the end of it. It’s fun, poppy, original, refreshing, etc etc. I’m sorry, when I listen to Katy Perry’s “California Girls,” I do not see a summer anthem. Blame it on my biased opinions of her Bumbershoot ’09 performance or not, I don’t care. She’s just too much hype for me.

When I think of summer anthems, I think of Sheryl Crow’s “Soak up the Sun,” Will Smith’s, “Summertime,” or  Sublime’s “Doin’ Time.”

I was driving into Seattle yesterday during peak-traffic jam time and was listening to my radio when they announced the classic summer song. Can you guess what song I’m going to say next?

Of course, it’s LFO – Summer Girls!!!

Stuck in traffic, the only thing I was paying attention to were the lyrics:

I like girls that wear Abercrombie and Fitch,
I’d take her if I had one wish,

[take her where…is this supposed to be suggestive?]

When you take a sip you buzz like a hornet
Billy Shakespeare wrote a whole bunch of sonnets

[yep, that’s really in the song.]

You come from Georgia where the peaches grow
They drink lemonade and speak real slow
You love hip hop and rock n roll
Dad took off when you were 4 years old
There was a good man named Paul Revere
I feel much better baby when you’re near
When I met you I said my name was Rich
You look like a girl from Abercrombie and Fitch

[What is going on with this verse? You go from something really nice about lemonade and then when the dad leaves when you’re four…Paul Revere? History lesson? Also I know Rich is the the lead singer and all, but how come we don’t hear Devin and Brad name drops in the song.]

What’s your favorite summer anthem?

  • “DJ Sammy – Heaven”
  • “Ben Lee – Catch My Disease”
  • “Kiss – School’s Out Forever”
  • “Steel Train – Bullet”
  • “K’naan – Wavin’ Flag”
  • “Jason Durulo – Ridin’ Solo”
  • “Bon Iver – Skinny Love”
  • “Kid Cudi – Cudder Is Back
  • “Ke$ha – Your Love is My Drug”
  • “Allo Darlin’ – If Loneliness Was Art”
  • Belle and Sebastian – We Are the Sleepheads
  • The Roots – The Seed 2.0
  • Kid Cudi – Simple As…

This list was compiled by my frands. If you were looking for new music, you just got it!

In case you were wondering my favorite right now is Florence and the Machine – Dog Days Are Over and my favorite summer song of all time is Minus the Bear – Pachuca Sunrise.

How embarrassing, my own brother said LFO – Summer Girls.

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27 Jun 2010

Let’s Talk Shows: Reviews

Last weekend, I had the chance to see a private performance from Minus the Bear at the Vera Project because they were promoting the Pepsi Refresh Everything Project. I didn’t get a chance to talk about the show in a previous post because I was so pumped about meeting Suchin Pak though! My bad, sowwy!

It’s been a few years since I last saw them perform. The first time I saw them, I was w/ my best friend at Neumos on a school night. Reckless behavior. Before they got on stage, they set up plush white tigers on top of the speakers to set the mood. I can’t remember  if they were promoting Planet of Ice or if it was the album before. I do, however, remember attending  a laser show for Planet of Ice to preview the whole CD before it came out in the summer of 2007. Minus the Bear didn’t need the tigers at their recent performance though.  Since I saw them last, their sound has matured and so did they naturally. They have come a long way since Pachuca Sunrise, which is still one of my favorite songs.  There is more structure and cohesiveness apparent throughout their entire new CD Omni. For Planet of Ice, we heard bionic and futuristic sounds that different from their previous two albums. With Omni, each part within a song – intro, chorus, bridge is emphasized. They’ve also upped their game in terms of performance. This past week, they performed on Jimmy Kimmel and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

Along with a show review, I guess I’ll give you a CD review too.

Best songs:

  • My Time
  • Summer Angel
  • The Thief
  • Into the Mirror feat. Rachel Flotard of Visqueen

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IpOfnuUjlOc&feature=player_embedded]

Portugal. The Man

Way to exceed my expectations this past Friday! It had been three years since I last saw them and even back then I had decided that they were one of the best performers I had ever seen. Not much has changed. They have been blowing up all year performing at some of the biggest names in music festivals including this year’s Coachella, Sasquatch, and Bonnaroo. They began their entrance with a thick fog emerging off the stage and into the crowd. It wasn’t long before the lasers appeared, which really got the crowd excited. [myself included]  They performed tracks from their 2010 album American Ghetto as well as last year’s The Satanic Satanist and even songs from when I first started listening to them nearly four years ago.

Portugal. The Man – Thanks for reminding me of what I have been missing from my life.

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18 Aug 2009

Seattle bands you should know (or listen to)

I think Seattle music posts are my favorite to write. I was inspired to write this post when I heard a little snippet preview from Minus the Bear the other day. When I was fifteen years old, I threw myself in the local Seattle music scene and since then  I’ve watched favorite bands dissemble, migrate to other bands, or become incredibly successful.

The music scene is no longer what it used to be. The bands I grew up listening to are no longer really a part of that scene and neither am I, but that doesn’t mean that I ever stopped listening. This post embodies a part of my adolescence that most people never knew or could understand about me. Just so you know, this has taken me DAYS to write and perfect.

Here are a few of my local favorites:

This Providence

I recently caught their new music video for single, “Letdown” on MTV a couple weeks ago. Currently, they are on the bill for Warped Tour, but will be starting their own tour with Cartel beginning October 22nd in Raleigh, North Carolina. The guys will be playing in Seattle on November 10th at El Corazon.

Best Songs:

  • Well Versed in the Ways of the World
  • Certain Words in Uncertain Times
  • My Beautiful Rescue
  • Chasing the Wind
  • Letdown

Myspace

Danger Radio

I was first introduced to Danger Radio four years ago at the first show I attended. I wasn’t even there to see them nor did I stay for their set. It wasn’t until after the night that I realized what a mistake that was. I make an effort to never miss one of their shows at home now, these guys are my favorite and as much as I like their new songs now, I love the old ones even more. The guys were recently in California writing their next album and were taking a break from touring this summer, but will be back on the road again come fall.They were also featured during the Real World Brooklyn season this past year.

Best Songs:

  • Slow
  • Sparkle Baby Shine
  • Groovin’
  • Kiss N’ Tell
  • Slow Dance With A Stranger

Myspace

The Scene Aesthetic

I wouldn’t know about Seattle music if it weren’t for these two fools. They were my first show and first favorites. After creating the hit song, “Beauty in the Breakdown,” the dynamic duo continued to take over MySpace music putting out a series of cd’s and popular singles and even a DVD. After a two year hiatus – the guys have come back together with full force. The two recently spent nearly a month in California recording their new album and just began their new tour. They will be performing in Seattle at Neumos on October 16th.

Best Songs:

  • Beauty in the Breakdown
  • Alvin Maker’s Greensong
  • Don’t Be That Note I Can’t Hold
  • Come What May
  • It’s A Promise, Like A Song

Myspace

Letters & Lights

Letters & Lights is a new band in Seattle, but if I’m assuming correctly Erik and Ethan have been around Seattle for quite some time. Erik (left) and I used to go to all the same shows! He was actually very well known (and liked) in the Seattle music scene so I was excited when I heard he had been making music himself. Their EP was just released on iTunes and they recently played a Santa Monica show with The Scene Aesthetic.

Best Songs

  • Smile Bright
  • In Love and Outdone
  • Pretty Letdown

Myspace

Dyno Jamz

They are your perfect mix of hip-hop and jazz. I’ve never heard anything like it and I LOVE it. And I promise I’m not biased just because my friend Nick is in the band hahah These guys dominated the EMP Sound Off! competition earlier this year, which has earned them a well-deservesd slot at Seattle’s largest and most anticipated music festival, Bumbershoot.

Best Songs:

  • Universal Love
  • Footprints
  • Come Out and Play

Myspace

Kay Kay and His Weathered Underground

I’ve been talking a lot about this band lately! They recently finished their sophomore album and it is fantastic. Other than that, I don’t really have anything else to say except that I adore this band, enjoyed working with them for the short evening that I did and am never disappointed by their shows. These guys are true characters, but very talented musicians.

Best Songs:

  • Hey Momma’
  • Birds on a Day Like Today
  • Bowie the Desert Pea
  • Santa Cruz Lined Pockets

Myspace

Lizzie Huffman

Lizzie has been performing since she was fourteen years old at local teen centers. She has worked with both Danger Radio and Thomas Dutton of Forgive Durden and Matt Bekker. Watching Lizzie perform is always a treat for me. Her voice is so refreshing and her shows are always personal. She is currently performing in and around the greater Northwest area including at my school, Seattle University, on September 19th! You should all come out and see her!

Best Songs:

  • Heavy Hearts
  • Country Song
  • Country Song Number 2
  • Oh My Sweet Carolina (Cover)

Myspace

Bekker

2

When Matt first started out, it was just him and his guitar. He has since collaborated with a number of other people around Seattle including singer Lizzie Huffman, and now has a full band to back him up. I’ve watched Matt grow into a very talented and dedicated musician. Now signed with Sound Records and Entertainment, Matt Bekker and Bryan Watson are continuing to record their next full length album and touring the states.

Best Songs:

  • All Tied Up
  • Empty
  • Deep
  • Let’s Get Away
  • Donovin

Myspace

Also visit my YouTube page to watch some of my recorded videos of Matt’s performances here

Minus The Bear

Minus the Bear IS Seattle music. (Excluding Death Cab) Their single, “Pachuca Sunrise,” is what defines every one of my summers. Whenever I was planning a show, they were always at the top of my list. They still ARE at the top of my list and I’m so determined to have them someday. Not only are they amazing musicians they have given me some great memories. Currently, the band is getting ready for the release of their new album! Here’s a snippet, too excited!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7Q0jH5cJKk]

Best Songs:

  • Pachuca Sunrise
  • Knights
  • The Ice Monster
  • This Ain’t A Surfin’ Movie
  • Drilling
  • The Pig War

Myspace