Sidenote

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 ;)

Roll With It

Here I am

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

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone had a nice holiday season! Pretty quite around here, but quite was good.
Last minute, New Year's Eve, I asked Matt if he wanted to go to San Francisco and see the fireworks. The fireworks were done by the same people who do them for KFOG Kaboom! We went and got the perfect view just south of the Ferry Building. The vibe was really good. I didn't see one fight and people weren't being all weird. After the fireworks we jumped into the crowd and walked around the city for a while.

I have a good feeling about this year. Some things are going to change. To start, I'm moving off the Ranch and into Lindsey and Kenny's. It's a downsize for sure but I'll be gaining a lot of amenities. I'm excited to have people to cook for/with. My water won't be shit and I'll be closer to my city.
It's also birthday season around here. I took Ashley to Berkeley yesterday for her 23rd. Her actual birthday was Friday and she went skydiving. She LOVED it! Lindsey's is a week from today and we are going out to dinner. My dad's is less than two weeks away and then mine is exactly two weeks away. Busy month but it will be fun!
Now I just need some good shows to go to. Anyone want to play Northern CA the weekend of the 20th?! Blake Mills will be in Napa that Friday. I would absolutely go except he is playing with Lucinda Williams and tickets are about $130 for two.
I just want to see him so bad... ;) I did enjoy this article on him though. Couldn't agree more!
Blake Mills: Off the Radar? Or the First Great Revelation of 2012?

Well, here's to 2012

Spring Fever

...more like Dawes fever!

Hello Hello, lots to update on tonight...
On the 3rd I saw Middle Brother at The Independent with Blake Mills (and The Botticellis) opening. Needless to say, I was kind of freaking out.
Blake's set was brilliant! Danielle Haim was on drums and Taylor Goldsmith sat in on bass for most of the set. It was so neat to see them play together. I know they've been friends forever and their chemistry is obvious. "Wintersong" is my favorite and I was so excited to hear it live. I wish there was some footage of the set but a few pictures will just have to do.

Photo by Jay Blakesberg

Then it was time for Middle Brother! Everything sounded great and they performed every song on the album. They just have a ton of fun with each other. Matt ran from mic to mic during a song, John was dressed like a hippie after he claimed to have ventured to Haight & Ashbury during the day, and at one point Matt carried John offstage so Taylor could perform a song. They were joined onstage by Griffin Goldsmith on drums, Wylie Gelber on bass for some songs, and of course Blake Mills. Jonny Corndawg was missed but not forgotten. They evening was perfectly wrapped up with Matt Vasquez, acoustic, on the sidewalk of Divisadero St. I heard him do "Lovers Waltz" by AA Bondy and then "Trashcan" by Delta Spirit. So much fun but made me really antsy for some new Dawes and Delta Spirit.

Which leads me to this amazing news...
New Dawes album "Nothing Is Wrong" is set to be released on June 7th!

 

I could go on about the new album for days so I'll restrain myself tonight.

Continuing on the music theme I got The Head and The Heart's album this week. I was hoping to see them Wednesday but the show sold out before I got my act together. So sad... Next time maybe?!
Dillon and I went to see Young the Giant at Slim's on Friday. That was good times. Strange Birds and Man In Space opened. Strange Birds are from southern CA and are good friends, if not related to, the guys in Young the Giant. Man In Space is a local group who are mostly ex-members of Dizzy Balloon. Their set was great. You can tell they know what they're doing. Their music is just really fun and has a unique funk/pop/hip-hop sound. I got their, I guess it's an EP. Listen to it here!
Now, this was my 3rd time seeing Young the Giant. The first time they played to about 40 of us while a rave was going on in the other, larger, room. The second time was at The Rickshaw Stop to a decent but comfortable crowd. This was little more crazy. I felt like one of the older folks in the audience. People were pushing and fighting their way to the front. Super rude and annoying. Just tried to not trip off it and enjoy the show. As you can see, by the last song craziness ensued. Caught my first stage dive ;)


This post is taking me forever to put together but I have to at least tell you about Travis' Birthday. The little man is 2 now! Ashley had his party at Howarth Park and he loved it. Every time the whistle on the train would blow he would stop, and his eyes would get all big, and he'd grab the nearest person and try to run to the train. So cute! James and his mom and aunt came. Candy, Vicki and Matthew came. Also, some of Ashley's friends including Matilda and her dad. They watch Travis every Tuesday so it was nice to finally meet them. Lots of toys, cake and the park. Mother Nature was on our side and gave us some sun too!

I still feel like there are things I'm leaving out but this will just have to do for tonight! Hope you had a Happy Easter!