My Thoughts On The Royal Wedding

Since everyone else is writing and commenting on the big Royal Wedding tomorrow, I thought I should, too. Also, because I am kind of excited about it.

I have no recollection of Princess Di and Prince Charles’ wedding except for what I’ve seen in clips on the E channel. I wasn’t quite 2 years old at the time. I’m also not someone who is super into the Royal Family (is that supposed to be capitalized?). I saw the movie The Queen. I enjoyed it. I enjoy reading about Prince William and Prince Henry’s drunken antics. But that’s about it. I really can’t tell you much about their history or lineage.

But this wedding has totally sucked me in and I am bummed that I will be unable to watch it. Brit’s Pub in downtown Minneapolis is having a viewing party tomorrow morning. Sounds like a blast. But I will be at work. And that’s fine. I’m sure there is a web stream somewhere.

I think the main reason I want to watch it is to see the live shots of London and think back to my trip. I was looking at pictures of the proposed procession route and I just kept thinking: I’ve been there! And I want to go back!

There’s also something just very cool about the whole thing. All the hoopla. It’s just so steeped in tradition. That’s something that I think all of the Royal Wedding Haters seem to forget. Yes, I’m American and I “shouldn’t care” about a wedding in another country that has nothing to do with me. But, isn’t it interesting from an historical standpoint? These royal wedding productions have been going on for ages. You don’t see a lot of that honoring of the past in the modern world today. You also don’t see a lot of beheadings, and that’s a good thing. But it’s still kind of cool.

And, if I’m being honest, I also really want to see the wedding dress. Kate Middleton is quite the fashonista, yet she has this really cool vibe to her. I’m interested to see if she will go the full blown princess route, or if she’ll stick to her cool, slick demeanor and go for something a little more sleek and modern.

And, lastly, like the World Cup, it’s a lot of fun to watch something and be a part of something that the whole world is watching and connected to. The world is actually a very small place. And tomorrow, a big chunk of it will be watching this happen. I want to be a part of it.

Cuteness

After the heaviness of yesterday's post, I feel like keeping it simple today. So here's a video of a penguin getting tickled. Super adorable.

Happiness Is?

I've been doing a lot of thinking tonight and it could be because I've had several, yes several, Amstels on this most beautiful Spring day, but I've been trying to really decide what it is that makes me happy. Why do I let certain things get me down so easily? What do I want?

Example: It's gorgeous out today. I spent the morning visiting my dad at the clinic. He's doing so well. He's practically back to normal. It's amazing. I then went to Sea Salt, my most happy place, and had the first of what will be many baskets of calamari and a fish sandwich and a Surly beer then met up with my friends at the park for a 40th birthday get together, played some frisbee with the husband, came home to a happy dog, brought out the patio furniture for the first time of the year, Matt kicked the soccer ball around with the dog, opened up all the windows...and then the neighbor kids showed up and started the first round of basketball...and all that awesomeness went away. I was livid. That sound of that ball on the pavement over and over again makes my skin crawl. They are out there all day, every day. Even in winter. But in the summer, I have my windows open and want to enjoy what is my beautiful and generally quiet neighborhood. But I can't. Because of that basketball.

That seems silly, right? It's just two very good tweens playing basketball in their yard, sometimes with their awesome dad. It should warm my heart. But it makes me want to scream. It is all the time. It never stops. It ruins my summer.

I was so upset when it started. But less for the noise and more for the fact I was upset. I keep telling myself I'm not going to let it get to me, and it does and it makes me so very mad at myself.

I don't want to be negative. I want to just let things roll off my back. But sometimes it's so hard.

This attitude I felt towards the basketball noise today made me look at other things and really think about what makes me happy. What do I want? Where do I want to be? Why do these little things piss me off so much?

There was a point in my mid twenties where I thought I wanted the nice little family life. I bought my house in the suburbs. I got a "real" job. This is what you're supposed to do in life, right? I grew up in such an odd environment that I think I yearned for the normalcy of this simple little suburban life. But now, I realize normalcy is far from what I desire. But now, I have a mortgage and a car and a "real" job that I need to keep these things. And now the economy is in the toilet and I am stuck with these things. So what's a girl to do?

The thing is, I love my house. I love my yard. I love my neighbors. I love the space and the privacy this house provides. I love that I can keep a drum set in the basement and have a place to practice. I love that I can crank the stereo at any time of the day and not have to worry about it. I love that my neighbors all understand my dog is old and senile and that he only barks outside for 5 minute stretches and that they won't call the police.

I don't love that I've created a world for myself where I am obligated to do certain things. I don't like that I can't go out on a Tuesday because I have to be up at 6:30am Wednesday morning. I don't love that I can't plan to pack up the car and drive west for 2 weeks and play coffee houses along the way because I don't have the vacation time. I don't love that I can't just decide to do those things because I have a mortgage.

But that's all a part of growing up, right? This is what you do. Even Britney Spears has to go tour to pay for her mansion even though I'm sure she'd much rather hang out at home eating Cheetos and playing with her kids.

At the same time, life is short. It goes so quickly. And shouldn't you fill it doing what you want to do?

So, what do I want to do? I have no career path I'm heading down. And I don't want one. I have no desire to be some VP somewhere. I just want to go to a place that pays me money for the work I do and then go home at the end of the day and not think about it. I don't want work stress. I don't want to be thinking about my day job at 8pm on a Thursday. That's sad.

I think I just want to float. I just want to see what life happens to me. I want to go to work each day and work. Happily. Get up, do my job, come home. Come home and write music and hang out with my dog and husband in our nice little home. Go for bike rides on the weekend. Enjoy time with friends. Have meals in restaurants every once in a while. See bands I love in concert. Any night of the week. Play my own shows whenever I can. Make music because I want to, not because I'm trying to achieve something. Leave the country once a year for a long weekend. Not fret about bills, even though there are many. Spend the money I have and not think about what I have to pay, just pay it and move on. Learn to live on 6 hours of sleep instead of the 9 I seem to require so I can have more time to enjoy more life.

And really, that's it. I need to enjoy things more. I need to not let the the little things get to me. As a girl I know responded to my Facebook post regarding my annoyance of the sound of the basketball: "enjoy it! rejoice in the happiness it conotes! it's SUMMER!!!!"

An Ear Full

After a scare with my digital music collection (almost losing it all), I've decided that music is too precious to be so easily disposed of with just the wrong click of a button. So from now, I will buy all albums from a physical record store. The occasional drunken iTunes session of Lady GaGa, Debbie Gibson, and Poison downloads is still okay. But any album that I really want I will have to go out and purchase just like back in the old days.

Which is what I did today.

I headed to the best record store in town - Electric Fetus - and picked up 5 new to me albums. They are:

1. Wye Oak - Civillian

I am head over heels in love with the song "Civillian". It's making it's way onto the list of songs that my insides go crazy for when it plays (see also "Terrible Love" by The National and "The Mistress Witch of McClure" by Sufjan Stevens - amongst others). After a quick listen, the album may be a little to grungy guitar rock ala Paramour for my tastes (honestly, I have no idea what Paramour sounds like), but I'll see how I feel after a few more thoughtful listens.

2. Haley Bonar - LeO

Friday night was the CD release show for Haley Bonar's new release, Golder (see below). It was a beautiful show. The girl has amazing talent. Her band is awesome. She should be right up there with Jenny Lewis as far as Indie Lady Darlings go. The LeO album is an EP of instrumentals.

3. Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles - Good of That

I think I like Lucy Michelle and the Velvet Lapelles more than I think I do. She inspires me to do crazy things on the ukulele. Her lyrics are quirky, yet meaningful. I'm a big fan of their Orange Peels and Rattlesnakes album, so this one has a lot of pressure on it. Upon first listen: I like it.

4. Grant Cutler and the Gorgeous Lords

Grant Cutler used to be in Lookbook. Lookbook never really grabbed me. This new project is quite good. Slow, moody, Low like songs. A deep voice over dreary, doomsday music. Also good is that it's just 4 songs long. Just the right length for songs like these.

5. Joanna Newsom - Have One On Me

This album is not 4 songs long. It's 3 discs long. Many songs reaching over 9 minutes. Her voice is heartbreaking. The music is intelligent. I would love a night of red wine and this album and only this album and really, really listening. That's not going to happen tonight. But someday soon.

Other albums I picked up recently that I'm also giving a listen to tonight:

Haley Bonar - Golder

This is the new CD. It's beautiful. You should buy it.

Gift or Creatures - Pilot House

I played with these folks at Keweenawesomefest. Super nice people. And they make super nice music. Country tinged, dreamlike, boys and girls singing together (which you know I love). Check them out.

I've been overwhelmed by music lately. I really cannot get enough. That's usually the case anyway, but lately it's been kind of overtaking my every moment. Whatever I'm doing, I find myself thinking how much I'd rather be playing my music or listening to someone else's. #addicted. Oops. Too much Twitter lately.

Summer Project!

I’ve been hesitant to “officially” launch my summer project for the same reason it took me so long to put myself out there as a musician, I’m worried it will stop being a fun thing I do when I have some free time and become this thing that will stress me out and make me not love it anymore.

But, since the musician thing has only become more and more fun with each passing show and practice and musical adventure, I think chances are that this will be, too. (that is a weird sentence)

Over the past couple of months, I’ve been recording various cover songs in the comfort of my own den. It’s good practice for song arrangement and learning what all the buttons mean when recording. But, I’m digging some of the results and I want to put them out there.

Some of these covers have already been shared via my Facebook page, but I plan to stop the sharing, for now, and tweak them and make them sound really good, record some others, and then release them in early fall, online, for free! I’m not sure how cover songs work as far as giving them away. I should probably look into that as I would really hate to get sued. But it’s not like I expect this to be a big seller or anything.

So, yay! “New” album due at the end of summer! See, now I’ve given myself a deadline. Now I have to do it.

Lucky Star

So, I got these new boots.

I’ve talked about them before. There isn’t really anything special about them. In fact, they are so the opposite of special that you can find some version of them in any store that sells shoes.*

But, I was drawn to them for some reason and when I tried them on, they were so full of comfort that I had to get them.

The other day as I was walking to the bus, I caught my reflection in a window (Okay, I was totally purposely looking. You know you do it, too) and saw how my boots looked when I walked and realized why I like them so much.

They remind me of the boots Madonna wore in the “Lucky Star” video.

Now, as you can plainly see, they are nothing like the boots in the video except that they are both black and about the same height. But, when I walk in them, they feel on my feet how I imagine those boots felt on Madonna.

Sounds strange, right?

But, when I was a little girl and idolized Madonna, I would watch this video and try to copy the dance moves in my living room. Not realizing that it was just my inability to dance, I assumed it was those totally kick ass boots she wore that allowed her to dance that way and if I could just get a pair, I, too, would be able to jump and kick my leg high in the air.

So now, when I walk in these boots, with their light as air cushioned soles, I kind of want to break into the “Lucky Star” dance just to see if my little girl self was right all along. I haven’t tried it yet.

Maybe tonight…

Side note: How cool was Madonna back then? Look at her! She ruled. I so wanted to dress like that, but I was too young.

*You could find them in any store, but now that it’s summer, shoe stores assume you no longer want to buy boots and it is impossible to find a pair. I have been searching for a different pair and boots have just disappeared from the planet for the summer.

Keweenawesomefest 2011

This past Friday, I played at Keweenawesomefest 2011. This is a yearly festival put on by WMTU, Michigan Tech's college station located in Houghton, MI.

Not only was this my first festival, it was also my first gig out of the state of Minnesota. A chance to play to a room full of strangers. And, a Road Trip.

I love road trips. I love getting up and packing up the car, stopping for coffee and hitting the road. Shawn, who plays drums/lead guitar in my little musical adventure, and my husband Matt took off around 8:30am Friday morning. Thanks to Shawn's previous touring experience, we magically fit a drum set, 2 guitar amps (one of which is very large), 2 guitars, 3 backpacks, a drum stool, and 3 people in our Subaru Forester.

We were told the trip to Houghton from Minneapolis would take a varying amount of time. Anywhere from 7-9 hours. Google Maps said 6 hours 20 minutes, and that's exactly what it took.

Houghton is a cool little city. We go to the upper peninsula of Michigan often, but we are always over on the far eastern side. I'd never been to the north western side. It's beautiful. Almost mountainous. It reminded me a lot of Flagstaff, AZ.

The city itself resembled Pittsburgh in a lot of ways (also a city I love). Lots of hills, narrow streets, the river running through. Just beautiful.

I played at the McArdle Theater with 7 other bands also on the bill. It was a really cool room - a Black Box Theater. There were 3 sets of theater risers circling the stage. The room was pitch black. The attendees were very attentive. If they weren't sitting in the risers, they were sitting cross-legged on the floor.

I had a 30 minute set, I played 7 songs.

It was a lot of fun to meet the other bands. I had yet to be in that sort of situation where, besides the 2 people I came with, I didn't know any of the other bands or any one else in the room. All the other artists were from Michigan. They were all great. A lot of fun.

The whole trip made me really excited about getting out of the state more - or even to other places within the state - and playing. I wish I could just pack my car and hit the road for a week or two, but life takes a little more planning than that these days. But it will happen. I will make it so.

Next up: the Commemorate the Date event during the St. Paul Art Crawl. It's going to be a solo show. I haven't done one of those in a while.

The event will be a lot of fun, so you should come!

Setlist

Keweenawesomefest April 8th, 2011

-The Paul Simon Song

-Cast A Spell

-Can't Even Tell

-The Party

-Good

-Here

-Adore

(Kind of getting worried that my setlists have been very similar lately. I might need to change it up next time)

Let's Go Turf Club!

Last Thursday I played at the Turf Club Club in St. Paul, MN. It's a music venue that I go to often. I love it there. The sound is amazing. I've always wanted to play there and - hooray! - I got to!

I was incredibly happy to see so many of my friends show up. I put this bill together and it meant a lot that everyone came out to show their support.

The other bands on the bill were Walker Fields, Dunes, and Rank Strangers. 3 very different bands and me. But the evening had a nice flow to it. I, personally, thought it was a fantastic show. But maybe I'm a little biased.

Setlist

Turf Club, March 31, 2011

-The Paul Simon Song

-Cast a Spell

-Good to Know

-Can't Even Tell

-The Party

-Good

-Cohabitate

-Here (first time played! title may change)

-Adore

I really need to think about the faces I'm making when I play

Next up for me is Keweenawesomefest in Houghton, MI this Friday, April 8th. I'm so excited. It's my first festival. I can't wait to see the other bands and play my first show out of Minnesota.

And...I'll have buttons to give out!