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!

Let's Change The Song

Via: This Is Not Porn

Man oh man, I'm glad I don't own a TV. The news is about as depressing as it gets these days.
I really shouldn't say things like that because I have it sooo good compared to so many right now.
The other night I was babysitting Travis at my parents house. He had gotten out of bed and so I let him cuddle with me on the couch. Wanting to see what has been going on, I decided to watch the 11pm news as Travis fell back to sleep. After only a few minutes I started crying. Here I sit with a sweet baby boy in my arms, an entire life before him, and all that is on the news is death & destruction and the possibility of more war.  I was incredibly overwhelmed and felt absolutely helpless. Needless to say it's been hard to come back from that... I'm just trying to be grateful for what I have and make the most of my actions.
In addition to that we had a time change, lots of rain, St. Patty's Day and more rain. I'm ready for some sun and a better mood. I have the day off tomorrow so this evening I'm determined to start improving it.
Tomorrow will consist of getting new shoes, a haircut, and investigating the cost of 4 new tires. I got my tax refund so new tires it is.

And now to the music...

The big news is that SXSW was last week. Overhyped but still fun. Maybe I'll go someday. Anyhoo, Dawes did a gig for Rolling Stone where they announced the name of their new album. It's called "Nothing Is Wrong" I haven't seen a track listing yet but I'm 90% sure I've heard almost all the songs live because I love them that much ;) I was surprised to hear that "Million Dollar Bill" will be on the new album. Speaking of Middle Brother, their show here in SF is right around the corner! I'm going to spend that afternoon in the city. I planned a little picnic at Alamo Square for before the show. I think Ashley is going to come with. To bad more people don't want to come because I think it's going to be a ton of fun. I get all excited and then remember Blake Mills will be there too!! Hello gentlemen...

Photo by Doug Seymour

A little over a week ago I discovered this band from Seattle that I'm now seeing everywhere. They are called The Head and The Heart. They have such a sweet but raw sound that I quickly was hooked on. Lucky me they are playing in SF next month too. I'm going to try and go but we'll see.

Here is my list of shows coming up... join me, won't you?!

Middle Brother @ The Independent - Sun. April 3
Young The Giant @ Slims - Fri. April 22
The Head and The Heart @ Bottom of the Hill - Wed. April 27
The Boxer Rebellion @ Slims - Fri. April 29
Nathaniel Rateliff @ Bottom of the Hill - Sat. April 30
Other Lives @ Cafe Du Nord - Tues. May 24
Brett Dennen with Dawes @ The Fox Theater - Sat. June 25

A Day Of My Own

I wish I knew someone who loves music like I do.

I've really been enjoying the new Middle Brother album. I'm super excited for the show on April 3rd (Looks like quite the party if you watch below). There has been so much press for the release. It's been cool to see mostly because it has all been so positive but also that the guys are getting recognized. It seems like more press than I've seen for any one of these bands (maybe not Delta Spirit, but close). Congrats though, it's a pretty special album.

It sure does make me ache for a new Dawes album though...
The Fling's Daytrotter session went up today!!!
How cool is this?! The Railroad Revival Tour

Today has been a pretty productive day off. I finally got some books from the library. Without TV I've been trying to read more, so I finally took some time to find a couple of interesting books to get me started. If anyone has any recommendations, I'm all ears. After the library I went to Pier 1 and got some new dishes for my place. They were expensive, although I've never bought dishes before. Anyways, I love them. They are fun enough but not crazy over the top.

After a trip to Target and dumping my life savings into my gas tank, Ashley brought lunch to my house. The weather was nice so it was fun to have doors & windows open while we ate and Travis played on the porch.
Work has been picking up finally. It's so hard to be there with nothing to do when I have a million little things waiting for me at home. Plus, the day just drags by.
Unfortunately I don't have much more to update on. So, enjoy this clip!

Blake Mills and Jesca Hoop perform "Murder of Birds," at the Fretboard Journal from fretboardjournal on Vimeo.

The Show Must Go On

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.


P.S.
There are a bunch of shows I'm going to in the coming months. You are more than invited to join me!
Middle Brother feat. Blake Mills April 3 @ The Independent
Young The Giant April 22 @ Slims
The Boxer Rebellion April 29 @ Slims
Brett Dennen w/ Dawes June 25 @ The Fox Theater

Bittersweet

I'm twenty-three now and things have changed.

On Sun. January 23rd I lost my grandmother to a long battle with cancer.

January is already an interesting month in my house. Everyone is trying to recover from Christmas and new years when my sister's birthday rolls around. We January birthdays are lucky if it's not raining on our day. My dad's birthday rolls in on the 20th and I usually round out the month, with mine, on the 22nd. My family has been struck with death this time of year before. Going from the extremes of Holidays and "Happy Birthdays" to the loss of a loved one is so much more trying then you can imagine. I'm never quite sure what to feel or when I should be feeling it. Days become a blur and everything looses it's importance. People send cards and call but I never know what to say. I always appreciate it but "thank you" just doesn't quite fit.
Before, it was sudden and unplanned. This time it was unexpected, but in a different way. Symptoms had been rapidly increasing these last few months. Pain control was the prime issue but little things would constantly rattle the cage. My grandma got through everything but there was always this feeling of "what next." One day the pain just became too much. We / Hospice couldn't control it with oral medication any longer. In the hospital, the IV meds would work but only for a while and she could never be awake long enough to enjoy the relief. Things continued to decline and slowly her body just shut down.
I feel very lucky to have been with her so much during her last years. The things that I have learned from her battle with cancer...the medical and emotional side of dying. There is an enormous sense of relief now that this chapter is closed and she is no longer in pain or fear of what cancer could do to her. There is also an incredible sadness for a vibrant spirit cut short that I will now miss everyday. (She promised to leave signs, so keep your eyes and heart open.) Now I know I'll see her in my dreams and hear her in her favorite songs.

Kathryn Louise Snyder

Dec. 30, 1948 - Jan. 23, 2011

Hello 2011

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!

December:

A fantastic Delta Spirit show (The Fling opened),

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.

Here's to a happy and exciting new year!

Ladies & Gentlemen... Dawes

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.

Other places to find them:
Blog
Facebook
Myspace
Twitter
A very early but very good interview

Hope you enjoy 'em because I think they're pretty great ;)