Ok so here’s the plan people. I’m going to see my favorites (Dawes and Blake Mills) in San Francisco
for New Years and I would love for you to join me. I haven’t indulged
in a major new years activity in a long time and this year I’m changing
that.
I will gladly get more tickets if your interested. I’m leaning
towards getting a hotel in the city for the one night. The ticket
includes open bar (which I would like to take advantage of since I’m
paying for it regardless) and I would rather not be driving late that
night. It’s going to be a little pricey and it needs to be planned early
so things don’t sell out.
I understand that not everyone shares my passion for these guys, and
that’s cool, but know it will be a fun night of great live music. Call me
soon so we can work out the details ;)
I've been preoccupied by the prospect of my boss opening a new location. It will be in Cloverdale. I'm excited for it but feel a little out of the loop. This store is going to change some things and I don't feel prepared. I'll just roll with it like I usually do and things will work themselves out.
Among some other highs and lows this summer it's pretty much the same old stuff around here.
Mumford & Sons released a new album today. I haven't had a chance to listen to the entire thing but so far so good. There is a free show this Thursday at the Mystic Theater with Everest and I'm definitely going. If it's anything like the last time I saw them in San Francisco, it's going to be great!
Also, this got announced yesterday and pretty much ruined me in the best way possible
- 2 nights! (one being NYE!)
- hello it's DAWES people
- in my city
- oh what? Blake Mills is opening too...your welcome
so basically my plans are made but feel free to join! The more the merrier :)
Here's to a smooth transition into the holiday season and maybe I'll catch you around
I do apologize for the lack of updates. Things always get a little crazy this time of year! I warn you...this will be a long one :)
Alrighty, to start off, October was my music month and I kicked it off with a weekend in SF. The Friday (last day of September) my mom and I went and saw The Jayhawks at Slims. She has played their stuff since I was a kid so I'm fairly familiar. They just came out with a new album with all the original members, so this show was kind of a big deal. Carrie Rodriguez opened the show and was really entertaining. The Jayhawks played for over 2 hours and seemed to be enjoying it as much as the audience. Unfortunately, we ended the night by returning to the car to find the back window smashed and our bags missing. Now, I carry a purse about 2% of the time. I knew I was going to be out all weekend so I had some extras with me. My mom however has a "mom" purse with all kinds of important info. We covered everything up and the seat was pushed back slightly over the bags so someone had to be watching us get out of the car. I mostly lost my keys, Rx glasses, and camera. I felt worse for my mom who now had to replace a window, cell phone, ipod, and other key info in her purse like her RN license and Chemotherapy certification. Way to start the weekend :(
Well, the next day we decided to not let it ruin our weekend since there was nothing we could really do at that point. We took my car and headed back down to SF for the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. That day could not have gone better! The weather was brilliant, we found reasonable parking, and someone called about finding my mom's purse. This girl found it thrown across a sidewalk about 2 blocks from Slims. She collected it and managed to find a phone number. We met up with her on our way home. The phone and ipod were gone but all her other essentials were there! After seeing Patty Griffin, The Belle Brigade and A.A. Bondy, (who all put on great sets!) we had really turned things around.
The rest of October was filled with some great shows. The most anticipated was the opening night of Dawes & Blitzen Trappers co-headlining tour. They played at the Mystic Theater in Petaluma. It was my first time there and I thought it was a pretty cool venue. Dawes closed the show but I have to say Blitzen Trapper was quite the act to follow. They put on an amazing set and rocked a lot harder than I expected. Another act that I was pleasantly surprised by was The Head and The Heart. They give off so much energy, it's just infectious! They played the Independent with Release the Sunbird.
The Fling rounded out the month with a small opening set at Bottom of The Hill. I saw them play a couple of songs at The Fillmore when they opened for Delta Spirit but this was much better. I love getting to see bands when they're still up-and-coming. After suffering through a local band opener (yikes) I got to hear them play almost, if not all, of their new EP What I've Seen. Needless to say I bought it right after and it has been on constant repeat at my house. They are coming back in a couple of weeks with Yukon Blonde...already have tickets!
Halloween came and went. I actually dressed up and went to Lindsey's so it wasn't too bad. Work at the store has been weird. The girl I work with keeps getting really sick and then takes off for days. It's been stressful but hopefully she is done with that for a while. Saw Dawes and Blitzen Trapper again at The Fillmore...just can't get enough! John came down for Thanksgiving. It has been sooo long since I've seen him so I was pretty happy.
Now December is here with some of the nicest weather. It's so weird. My family is headed to Disneyland for Christmas this year. Timing isn't great for my job but it is what it is at this point. I've got most of my X-mas shopping done, now it's just pack for LA. I'm so excited to be having any kind of vacation. I can't remember the last one. It's gong to be so fun seeing Disneyland with the first timers Dillon and Travis!
Thanks for hanging in there and I'll be updating more, sooner than later.
Whew, it has been a rough month. Fall is here and October is a day away. I'm kicking things off doing what I love most...music obviously!! Tomorrow is day 1 of the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival. I have to work for most of it but I will be seeing The Jayhawks at Slims so it evens things out. I'll be there all day Saturday but I'm still thinking about Sunday. I was going to be there for The Civil Wars but since they've canceled I'm not too sure I'm up for a 3rd trip to the city. The rest of the month looks pretty good for shows. Dawes is in a week! I got the poster and handbills the other day so I'll be promoting at Hardly Strictly. The handbills looked pretty rough and working were I do I knew I could make better ones.
Also, The Head & The Heart will be in SF on the 15th. It already sold out but I got tickets early this time! Then I'm going to try and see The Fling since I missed them this last month.
Everyone is already talking about Halloween. I have no plans as of yet. I think I have that weekend off but I'm not sure. Halloween falls on a Monday which is a bummer. I guess more so for the kids but still a weird one. Lucky me I can make plans for all this stuff now that I'm not watching Travis anymore. Ashley's hours were getting cut so she started working opening shifts instead of closing ones. I'll still have him every once in a while it will just be more on my terms.
Well, just a quick little update tonight since my internet hates me more than normal. I'll leave you with this song I've been really into this last week. Goodnight! Beirut - Santa Fe by Revolver USA
Time is flying... I can't keep up. The odd thing is that I'm not even that busy. Same old work and babysitting makes up the majority of my days.
It's finally starting to feel like summer around here. ( Thank Goodness! ) We have had about a week of sun now and temperatures are rising. I did manage to catch a non-rainy Sunday and ripped out the ugliest plant you've ever seen. It was right next to the steps on my porch. I haven't replaced it with anything but just not seeing the old plant is a million times better. I also got some sunflowers into the ground but the snails got to them... replanting tomorrow.
For mother's day I got my mom and I tickets to see Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt at the Marin Civic Center.
The show was just over a week ago. They did an acoustic 2hr+ session. They would chat and then one would play a song, some more banter and then the other would do a song. It was a good time with my mom. She played John Hiatt all the time when I was growing up. His entire music catalog is embedded in my childhood, and I'm not complaining. Now I need to figure out something special for Dad and I. I can tell he is going to be a bit more tricky.
As far as the music lately, I missed a lot of shows I would like to have gone to. Money is tight and I don't always have someone to go with. To top if off, usually, the act I want to see is just an opener. A 30-45min set doesn't outweigh the drive and cost of going to the city. The one I did catch, spur of the moment, was The Romany Rye opening for Hayes Carl at Slims. I went with Matt and we met this cute couple from TX that now live in Napa. Apparently they are big Hayes fans. When the girl asked how long/familiar with Hayes I was, I told her I was there for The Romany Rye so she was all interested. She and her husband really liked the set and wanted to get their cd and to know more about them. I thought that was pretty cool. Anyways, it was fun to get out and see The Romany Rye again especially since they couldn't make it to the Dawes show that last time.
Speaking of Dawes, their new album came out on the 7th and it's as brilliant as I expected! Hearing the studio arrangements is awesome. I'm so glad that their albums sound different from their live shows. It makes each a little more special. They seriously can do no wrong in my book! I hope Alex Casnoff is getting all the props he deserves for his work on the album. Seeing Tay with Dawes again will be fun. I see them open for Brett Dennen next Saturday at The Fox Theater. I wish (and I'm kinda shocked their not) that Dawes was doing some headlining shows. Maybe next time around?!
Although we might not have had this amazing cover... (Seriously Griffin's vocals?!) <3
Pretty mundane stuff going on. This sunshine should be bringing some more excitement, like a KRSH Backyard concert with Everest and a camping trip after the 4th. I promise I'll check in sooner than later this time ;)
No matter how you may be feeling, the world around you doesn't stop. For me, that might be a good thing.
Music is my medicine, so I knew I was going to see Dawes in Davis on the 1st.
I got off work a touch early, (Thanks Brad!) grabbed my sister, and we were off. Now, I have only driven to Davis one other time but I felt pretty good about getting there. As luck would have it, no traffic, and we made excellent time! I parked right up the street for free. As we walked, we passed the band so I knew we were in the right place. It was like a little community center in downtown Davis. Not many people were there and a local girl started the show. Jonny Corndawg had Dawes to back him up and that set was a ton of fun! Then Dawes came on and, once again, knocked it out of the park. Ashley and I had so much fun!!! It's rare that we hang out and have such a fun time being silly anymore. I'm so overly excited for Dawes' new album... After the show, I was lucky and got to talk to Griffin and then to Taylor. (Never did figure out where Alex has gone) They are all such nice regular guys...all good.
*This one is for Taylor who didn't know who Charlie Musslewhite is.
The following Saturday I was in Yesenia's Wedding!
It started off super early. I had to be at the Mary Agatha Furth Center, with my hair done, by 9am. We set up the hall for over an hour and then got all dressed up. The limo came to take us girls to the church in Calistoga. Now, I'm not Catholic and this wedding was a Spanish Catholic wedding. I was a little out of place to say the least. I just went with it and for the most part and did alright. The ceremony was beautiful. The mariachi band was by far the coolest thing. ;) Pictures followed and then back to the reception hall. I was home by 1am and absolutely exhausted, but it was a great day that I was super honored to be a part of!
Life is beginning to settle down into new routines. The future holds new goals and uncertainties. Overall, all is good and things keep on keepin' on.
Hello new year! Sorry that I let things go for so long. The last little bit of 2010 absolutely flew by and being sooo busy didn't help things. Where do I start?!...the beginning seems like a good place...short & sweet
November:
Consisted mostly of work, babysitting and promoting the Dawes show.I got super lucky and got free tickets for working so hard on promotional stuff. The Romany Rye were supposed to open the show but their van broke down and they didn't make it. :( But I did find this little gem on The Romany Rye's tumblr...
The show was AMAZING and I'm seriously considering seeing Dawes again in February. Thanksgiving was nice with the family. Last but not least, I rented the trailer on the DuVander Ranch. Affordable and all mine, no roommates!
family drama, and spending money like crazy on my new place and on Christmas. I went from my little bedroom to a full house. I need so much stuff. That got put on the back burner the closer Christmas came. Work was so busy! I was totally impressed by the generosity of our customers though. I got all kinds of candy, wine and Starbucks gift cards. Thanks again everyone! I got some overtime but had no time to shop for Christmas. It doesn't help that I'm a horrible shopper and got sick a few days before Christmas. I whipped it out though, and we had a really nice weekend at my parents. Uncle John, Sandra and Aunt Regina all came over. Dillon got some rockin' stuff and I got a lot of things for my new place. John built the new computer that I am thoroughly enjoying since my place doesn't have internet. Hopefully that will change soon.
So now here we are in 2011. Pretty exciting but hard to believe. Time is absolutely flying. I'm hoping to have a Housewarming/Birthday party on Sat the 22nd. Your all invited! Today is Ashley's birthday though. She is out, while I watch my crazy nephew Travis. OMG he is getting so big and we are definitely getting into the terrible two's. It's so much fun though ;) Here he is on the new bike he got for Christmas.
As an ATO Street Teamer and big fan, it is my duty & pleasure to introduce Dawes. I know I have talked about them before but here is the lowdown on one of my favorite upcoming bands.
Left to right:
Taylor Goldsmith - guitar, lead vocals
Griffin Goldsmith - drums, vocals
Wylie Gelber - bass
Alex Casnoff - keyboards, vocals
Taylor and Wylie started out in a band called Simon Dawes (along with Blake Mills who you should check out.) Griffin is Taylor's younger brother who was always somewhat involved with Simon Dawes. When Blake and Taylor decided to go separate ways in their careers, Dawes was born.
Dawes recorded North Hills with producer Jonathan Wilson and Tay Strathairn (keyboards) from Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros. Alex Casnoff was added to the band in place of Tay, and has been a permanent member ever since. It was recorded in North Hills with no backing from a label and was recorded live to analog tape.
Delta Spirit asked Dawes to open for them on a major nationwide tour in early 2009. With their debut album hot off the press, and permission from Griffin's high school, they jumped at the chance and have been on tour pretty consistently since. It was their second show on tour with Delta Spirit that I first saw them. I thought Taylor was just the cute merch guy that Dillon was bugging before the show started. They kicked off the night and I knew they must be something special when Matt Vasquez was standing next to me dancing and singing along to most of the songs. (ATO Records snatched them up soon after this tour.) The lyrics are what caught me right away. Taylor writes the songs and then he takes them to the rest of the band to complete. They complete them with the harmonies and melodies of old pros. Their sound is years beyond their age, but no one is older than 25. They all come from a pretty musical background. Taylor and Griffin's dad was a lead singer in Tower of Power and co-created the band Sweathog. The band is also named after their grandfather (Dawes Lafayette Goldsmith) who played/enjoyed true old-timey country folk music.
North Hills is not an album you put on to have some poppy sounds in the background. It's an album you put on to dive into and appreciate true musicianship. I'm not going to tell you who they sound like or their major influences. Listen to them with a clean slate, then you can back track on some of that stuff.
The live show is something not to be missed. They bring an energy and comfort that has been earned these past two years touring this album as hard as they have. And your in luck because they have a fall tour scheduled for the next two months.
I will be seeing them on Sat. Nov. 20th @ The Independent if anyone wants to join me. The Romany Rye is opening and it's all for under $20!!!
Dawes just finished recording their latest album that will probably be coming out early 2011. They have been practicing some of the new ones at recent shows so naturally I'm already excited for the new album.
Happy summer! Hope everyone had a great 4th! Mine was pretty good. Saw fireworks Saturday in Windsor after work. Then on Sunday I went to the river with Crystal and that whole crew. Then I went to Lindsey's and we BBQ'd and saw Santa Rosa's fireworks from some hill-top. They had a much better show than Windsor, which is understandable.
I've been working a lot. Trying to save a lot...so hard. I seriously don't know how I did it when I was younger. Granted I didn't drive or have bills...but anyways, I'm getting closer to being able to move-out. Without roommates would be the best case scenario but that is going to be so expensive. Keep your fingers crossed for me. Oh man and tonight made me want to leave Windsor all together. I went to the farmers market with Crystal, Anthony, and Matt. It was fun but Applebee's after was a little ridiculous. My entire graduating class seemed to walk through the doors. I know it's summer so a lot of people are back home but seriously, I need to get out and explore other places and other people in this world.
Things have been pretty quiet and pretty uneventful around here. I'll leave you with some new tunes worth hearing!
Music to check out: "Cosmic Love" by Florence + The Machine -> Great vocals and I love how it goes from soft to intense. "Hey Lover" by Blake Mills -> New album this week (Break Mirrors)! He's a quiet force of guitar skills to be reckoned with.
"Fire Away" by Dawes -> Fell in love the first time I heard it. It's has been refined a bit but at lest there is an accessible version.
Man oh man, I'm in a weird mood. My days are tough lately and I'm not sure how to fix things. Everything feels like it takes so much effort and I'm getting tired. My only answer is to move out. Move out of my house and away from my comfort zone. Logically moving out would only bring on more stress and costs into my already impacted account but I need something to give. I think this time of year has a little something to do with it. Everyone is graduating from their respective schools, where, I got my AA last year. A lot of my friends are moving out or are actively looking. 22 and living at home with a house full of people is not where I thought I would be. I feel like I've got nothing really to show for since high school. Work is good, I can't complain but I wish I was more involved in other things.
Lots of thoughts bugging me tonight.
There is something I can brag about, I saw Dawes again. I heard about a performance at some little restaurant in Davis. Hoping that I could get off work at a fairly decent time, I decided to drive myself over there and check things out. Matt came too. Things didn't really go quite as planned but we got there and saw an amazing performance by three great acts. Everyone was cozy on a small porch of this bar/restaurant. It was sooo great.
I was awkwardly close which I didn't intend on doing because the place was so small, but it worked.
Also, Delta Spirit is coming up and coming up fast. By some miracle tickets are still available so get them now. It's going to be amazing!
Summer is here even though many would argue that. The forecast says rain for the next few days but Dillon gets out of school day after tomorrow and people are making plans. I'm going to be working a lot but hopefully I can get away a little too. This weather is weird but it makes working all day a little easier.
Well, I hope the music gets louder, the weather warmer, and the day longer for me and for you ;)
I keep putting off writing a new post because the little picture of Travis will no longer be the first thing you see when you sign on here. I love, love, love that picture of him!
Anyways, Hello Hello.
I have to share my Sunday afternoon adventure. I was lucky enough to see Dawes in SF at Yoshi's yesterday. I entered in a contest with the radio station KFOG and got picked! There were more people there then when I got invited to see G. Love in the studio but it was still so great. I took Lindsey with me because she is a good concert buddy and she is who I first saw Dawes with. A little over a year ago we saw them open for Delta Spirit and they caught my attention. I bought their album "North Hills" and let it grow on me, which it quickly did. Taylor Goldsmith's lyrics are pretty amazing. Sadly, I have not been able to see them again until yesterday. They have since replaced their piano player and let me tell you he is a great fit. They also just seem more cozy onstage with one-another. Dawes did an hour set and only about half the songs were from the album. I was familiar with a couple of the new ones but "Fire Away" was a new one I had never heard and it blew me away completely.
*If anyone knows where I can hear or get a hold of that song, I will owe you greatly!*
Lindsey and I talked with a few of the guys afterward and they were all really nice and really grateful. I officially have a crush on the lead singer Taylor ;)
I'm going to try and see them again in Davis on the 14th if anyone is interested!?
I highly recommend Dawes to everyone but be prepared. Their album is not one that you just throw in the player as background noise. Their album is best when you can truly appreciate the musicians behind the music.
