Friday, March 21, 2008
Notting Hill and High Street Kensington
Today was chilly but sunny outside so we caught the Tube to Notting Hill and walked up and down Portabello Road browsing the antique markets. You can find everything from old pocket watches to porcelain tea cups and vintage leather goods. So cool and such a beautiful neighborhood with great Victorian, Georgian and Edwardian architecture and the cutest brick townhouses lining the streets. We had a nice lunch - celery soup and bagette sandwiches with tea : ) - at one of the cafes and caught a double decker bus to High Street Kensington for some shopping at Uniqlo and H&M - my weakness! Came back to the hotel for a nap (only 2 hours this time!) and went out for dinner at Chimes in Belgravia. We had pints of cider, veggie pie and bangers and mash. It was the best meal here so far. Tomorrow, we grab the National Express to Edinburgh for 3 days of R&R at the Sheraton by the castle. So looking forward! More again soon...
London calling via iPod!
Made it across the Atlantic ocean and we're now in central London
staying at a small hotel near Victoria station. No Bowery here :( but
at least it's clean, has a bathroom en-suite and wi-fi. Had a great
English breakfast this morning too near the station and walked around
Chelsea and Belgravia where all the high end shops like Gucci and
Louis Vuitton are. We spent sometime inside of Harrods, which had
amazing food halls, brasseries, butcher shops etc. It was sensory
overload so we headed back to the hotel for a much needed 4 hour nap!
Later on, we wandered around east London and had Indian food off the
famous curry mile known as Bricklane. To our surprise, we weren't
impressed with the food we had at one of the many Indian restaurants
that lined the street. Next time we'll have to research it a little
better because I know there is great food to be had in that
neighborhood. Gotta go where the Indians go and not the tourists! We
ended the night at the punky Old Blue Last owned by Vice UK. Loud dive
bar packed with British hipsters. Threw back a beer and called it a
night. Until tomorrow, London loves!
staying at a small hotel near Victoria station. No Bowery here :( but
at least it's clean, has a bathroom en-suite and wi-fi. Had a great
English breakfast this morning too near the station and walked around
Chelsea and Belgravia where all the high end shops like Gucci and
Louis Vuitton are. We spent sometime inside of Harrods, which had
amazing food halls, brasseries, butcher shops etc. It was sensory
overload so we headed back to the hotel for a much needed 4 hour nap!
Later on, we wandered around east London and had Indian food off the
famous curry mile known as Bricklane. To our surprise, we weren't
impressed with the food we had at one of the many Indian restaurants
that lined the street. Next time we'll have to research it a little
better because I know there is great food to be had in that
neighborhood. Gotta go where the Indians go and not the tourists! We
ended the night at the punky Old Blue Last owned by Vice UK. Loud dive
bar packed with British hipsters. Threw back a beer and called it a
night. Until tomorrow, London loves!
European honeymooning begins!
Lots of mileage this month... last week it was 3 days of SXSW in Austin, then a couple days in NY to visit friends and stay at the Bowery and now we're over to Europe for our belated honeymoon - finally!
Here are some small details written via iPod touch (such a cool gadget) from our travels so far... enjoying every minute of this!
Bow-wow-wow-wery! 3.18.2008
Got into NYC yesterday around 4pm and caught the train to lower east
side where our classy bowery hotel is. We got a huge suite (even
bigger than last time) on the 3rd floor that overlooked the bustling
street side and had views of the empire state building. So grand! The
management even left us a welcome note with a bottle of wine, so we
had David mariah amy & kristen come by to enjoy it with us. Later on
we had a tasty italian dinner (gnocci & eggplant pasta - so good!) at
max then chilled back at the hotel lounge. The next day we walked
around soho, stopped into the new museum's gift shop (no time to see
exhibits) and ate delicious mexican at la esquina in nolita. Lots of
good food in this city and even the potato knishes and cold borsch at
yonah shimmel made for a savory snack. Still love katz's deli the best
though. Cant wait to try more... Next stop, London!
Here are some small details written via iPod touch (such a cool gadget) from our travels so far... enjoying every minute of this!
Bow-wow-wow-wery! 3.18.2008
Got into NYC yesterday around 4pm and caught the train to lower east
side where our classy bowery hotel is. We got a huge suite (even
bigger than last time) on the 3rd floor that overlooked the bustling
street side and had views of the empire state building. So grand! The
management even left us a welcome note with a bottle of wine, so we
had David mariah amy & kristen come by to enjoy it with us. Later on
we had a tasty italian dinner (gnocci & eggplant pasta - so good!) at
max then chilled back at the hotel lounge. The next day we walked
around soho, stopped into the new museum's gift shop (no time to see
exhibits) and ate delicious mexican at la esquina in nolita. Lots of
good food in this city and even the potato knishes and cold borsch at
yonah shimmel made for a savory snack. Still love katz's deli the best
though. Cant wait to try more... Next stop, London!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
SXSW photos!
Wish I took more, but it has been a crazy week and the door guys were tough on cameras with no permit. Oh well, at least I have these!
FIX UP LOOK SHARP!!!
More this way: ***SXSW 2008 ON FLICKR***
More this way: ***SXSW 2008 ON FLICKR***
More this way: ***SXSW 2008 ON FLICKR***
FIX UP LOOK SHARP!!! 
More this way: ***SXSW 2008 ON FLICKR***
More this way: ***SXSW 2008 ON FLICKR***
More this way: ***SXSW 2008 ON FLICKR***
HALF ALIVE
Well, I made it back from Austin and I'm still alive... Half alive that is! I got about 3 hours of sleep last night, but somehow I'm still able to write in my blog. I guess my mind is still excited and in party mode but I can DEF tell that my body is ready for a break. 13 hour days of partying and show-going can do a toll. Need more s l e e p . . .
Anyway, yesterday was a trip. I came out of my hotel around 10 and marched down to the Hilton to meet up with a video distributor. Had a productive meeting and then headed back to the Sheraton to take a shower when I stumbled into Dizzie Rascal doing a live set by Emo's. He played 'the hits' which included Fix Up Look Sharp and my new fave, Sirens. That video is so AWEsome btw. Then I finally met Jesse, the Def Jux label mgr which was cool. Took a pic with Dizzie (keeper!) and headed on back to shower and grab lunch. Came out later on and met World's Fair Promoter, Suhrid who let me come side stage to watch British Sea Power. They were AWESOME live and they played all the songs off their new alb, including fist thumping anthems like No Lucifer, Waving Flags, and Lights Out For Darker Skies. Totally epic. I've never really gotten into these guys until this album. Maybe because it's so reminiscent of Guided By Voices and Chavez - bands I've cherished for ages.
Later on, I headed back to the Texas Garage to catch up with Brendan and his crew. They were shooting artists in the Gibson tour bus all day long (poor guys) so they didn't get to see as many bands nor experience the 95 degree weather spot-on like myself. I love the heat though so no sweat off my back. ha. Anyway, there was a long ass line to get into Franki Chan's party (IHeartComix) so I called Travis and he helped me get in. The roof was PACKED, complete with ice cream truck, shuffle board, colorful new rave hipsters and fashionistas. There were 2 stages and I caught a few Santogold songs (kinda has an M.I.A. thing going on but with choreographed dancers that wore matching clothes on each side of her) and the beats were hot as the blazing concrete on the top of that building. I need to check this gig again FOR sure (Spank Rock digged it, saw him nodding on next to us) Then I headed upstairs (Nylon level) to get drinks by the pool and listen to Franki DJ. The Moonrats had just finished playing and Cut Copy was going on downstairs. I ran into Eric Grandy again and spent some quality time with Pretty Titty and Zac. Met their friend Jamie who was super nice too. But I couldn't stay long because I had to cut out and see Telepathe at the KRS showcase. I like what I hear on their myspace page, but their live performance fell short of my expectations. They should stick to making beats in the bedroom because they're at least good at that... Ran back over to Bourbon Rocks for the Subpop showcase and met Lacey Swain, my label contact. She is super sweet. Also, I ran into Zeke from Love As Laughter. I haven't seen him since ~2000 so it was refreshing. We hung out and watched Grand Archives, Fleet Foxes (new signing) and Helio Sequence of course. Britt Daniel from Spoon was in the house too... I really wanted to talk to him but I shyed away since he was almost too accessible. Weird how it works like that. Oh then noisy punk band NO AGE played out back on the patio and knocked everyone's socks off. I'm going to have to get their album. They were super funny too... Making jokes about Vampire Weekend... tell ya about it later. Missed Destroyer though and She & Him, bummed. So after all that 'ness, B and I got tacos from a truck and sat curbside people watching. NERD was playing at Stubb's and we ran into the Yo La Tengo crew. They were watching Thurston Moore from outside the venue (?) so of course we ran in to catch the last minutes of experimental rock goodness. It was the last band that we would see after 72 hours of cramming back to back shows into our schedule. Somehow I think this was the best way to end our SXSW trip; in spirit of Sonic Youth. Independence and rock. See you next time Thurston!
Anyway, yesterday was a trip. I came out of my hotel around 10 and marched down to the Hilton to meet up with a video distributor. Had a productive meeting and then headed back to the Sheraton to take a shower when I stumbled into Dizzie Rascal doing a live set by Emo's. He played 'the hits' which included Fix Up Look Sharp and my new fave, Sirens. That video is so AWEsome btw. Then I finally met Jesse, the Def Jux label mgr which was cool. Took a pic with Dizzie (keeper!) and headed on back to shower and grab lunch. Came out later on and met World's Fair Promoter, Suhrid who let me come side stage to watch British Sea Power. They were AWESOME live and they played all the songs off their new alb, including fist thumping anthems like No Lucifer, Waving Flags, and Lights Out For Darker Skies. Totally epic. I've never really gotten into these guys until this album. Maybe because it's so reminiscent of Guided By Voices and Chavez - bands I've cherished for ages.
Later on, I headed back to the Texas Garage to catch up with Brendan and his crew. They were shooting artists in the Gibson tour bus all day long (poor guys) so they didn't get to see as many bands nor experience the 95 degree weather spot-on like myself. I love the heat though so no sweat off my back. ha. Anyway, there was a long ass line to get into Franki Chan's party (IHeartComix) so I called Travis and he helped me get in. The roof was PACKED, complete with ice cream truck, shuffle board, colorful new rave hipsters and fashionistas. There were 2 stages and I caught a few Santogold songs (kinda has an M.I.A. thing going on but with choreographed dancers that wore matching clothes on each side of her) and the beats were hot as the blazing concrete on the top of that building. I need to check this gig again FOR sure (Spank Rock digged it, saw him nodding on next to us) Then I headed upstairs (Nylon level) to get drinks by the pool and listen to Franki DJ. The Moonrats had just finished playing and Cut Copy was going on downstairs. I ran into Eric Grandy again and spent some quality time with Pretty Titty and Zac. Met their friend Jamie who was super nice too. But I couldn't stay long because I had to cut out and see Telepathe at the KRS showcase. I like what I hear on their myspace page, but their live performance fell short of my expectations. They should stick to making beats in the bedroom because they're at least good at that... Ran back over to Bourbon Rocks for the Subpop showcase and met Lacey Swain, my label contact. She is super sweet. Also, I ran into Zeke from Love As Laughter. I haven't seen him since ~2000 so it was refreshing. We hung out and watched Grand Archives, Fleet Foxes (new signing) and Helio Sequence of course. Britt Daniel from Spoon was in the house too... I really wanted to talk to him but I shyed away since he was almost too accessible. Weird how it works like that. Oh then noisy punk band NO AGE played out back on the patio and knocked everyone's socks off. I'm going to have to get their album. They were super funny too... Making jokes about Vampire Weekend... tell ya about it later. Missed Destroyer though and She & Him, bummed. So after all that 'ness, B and I got tacos from a truck and sat curbside people watching. NERD was playing at Stubb's and we ran into the Yo La Tengo crew. They were watching Thurston Moore from outside the venue (?) so of course we ran in to catch the last minutes of experimental rock goodness. It was the last band that we would see after 72 hours of cramming back to back shows into our schedule. Somehow I think this was the best way to end our SXSW trip; in spirit of Sonic Youth. Independence and rock. See you next time Thurston!
Friday, March 14, 2008
INDIE ROCK ZOMBIE AT SXSW!
Well, it's been loads of crazy fun and exhaustion, day and night here in Austin and the weather has been holding up to a lovely 75+ degrees. It's supposed to get up to 90 today, so I'll DEF make a point to cool off at the Nylon/IHeartComix pool party hosted on the top floor of the Texas Garage. Should be a cool view. Anyway, we got into town on Wed afternoon (Steve Aoki was on our flight, 1st class of course) and went straight to the Conv Center to pick up our badges so we could hit the shows. Waited in a long line to eat BBQ at Stubbs (pork sandwiches, not bad) and then hit the Domino showcase afterwards. Saw the Kills (hot), Sons & Daughters, Simian Mobile Disco and also caught the legendary riot grrl punk outfit The Slits. Brendan and I stuck around for a few songs, then split to see REM, The Witch (J Mascis on drums!) and Dimmak's showcase in the evening. I met Luke & Ana who were sweet while watching The Deadly Syndrome. Danny Masterson of 'that 70s show' and various music peeps like the MGMT singer were hanging out. Too kool for skool... I also had time to hit the K Records showcase with Brendan that evening and ran into Clayton (Seattle promoter/DJ Pretty Titty) and Zach on Sixth, the main drag. Good to see some Seatown representin.
Got back to the hotel around 2 (saw The Donnas in our lobby!) and woke up the next day to see more of the goodness... Clipse (so sweet), MGMT, Tokyo Police Club - met the super nice Saddle Creek guys, The Wild Light (Ian Quay rules!) and Yaesayer. Later that evening we ate some street tacos and hot dogs (sooo regretting now) and hit up the Vice showcase to see Raveonettes, Jay Reatard and Fucked Up. Great show. Ran into Eric Grandy (music editor at The Stranger, yay for Seattle peeps again!) and saw Yacht play on the rooftop of some bar. Also met up with David who manages the Presidents of the United States and got to go backstage to watch the show. I can't believe they played Peaches and Lump. It was like 9th grade all over again ha!
Well, better get a jump on the day now that I am sorta rested... more music to come!
p.s. Brendan got to interview Mick Jones (of The Clash) insane!!!
Got back to the hotel around 2 (saw The Donnas in our lobby!) and woke up the next day to see more of the goodness... Clipse (so sweet), MGMT, Tokyo Police Club - met the super nice Saddle Creek guys, The Wild Light (Ian Quay rules!) and Yaesayer. Later that evening we ate some street tacos and hot dogs (sooo regretting now) and hit up the Vice showcase to see Raveonettes, Jay Reatard and Fucked Up. Great show. Ran into Eric Grandy (music editor at The Stranger, yay for Seattle peeps again!) and saw Yacht play on the rooftop of some bar. Also met up with David who manages the Presidents of the United States and got to go backstage to watch the show. I can't believe they played Peaches and Lump. It was like 9th grade all over again ha!
Well, better get a jump on the day now that I am sorta rested... more music to come!
p.s. Brendan got to interview Mick Jones (of The Clash) insane!!!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Triple header weekend!!!
It should be a very busy but exciting weekend since Brendan and I are preparing for our trips to SXSW, NY and Europe. We will pretty much be MIA the last 3 weeks of March, but I'll try and post our adventures as much as possible. AND, to kick off SXSW, we are going to check out a few bands this weekend that are on tour in support of their new awesome albums. Thanks to Maggie at Killrock Stars, Jamie at Vice and Lacey at Subpop for the guest spot hook ups - STOOOOKED!!!
Young, talented singer-song writer, really excited about seeing her. There was a great interview of Thao and her mother on NPR last week too. Makes me want to see them even more.
This is a return to Chain Gang Of Love, really digging this album. More so than Pretty in Black. Dead Sound is fuzzy bitter romance.
The Helio Sequence is one of my favorite bands EVER. I have all of their albums and this is their latest and greatest to date. I'll DEF be at their CD release party this weekend at Nuemo's. Looking forward to the show since their live performances are amazing. I may have to shout 'Square Bubbles!' for old times sake. Really, this album is so good. The kind of album you want to be listening to when driving across the 520 bridge into Seattle alone at night. It's beautiful.
Young, talented singer-song writer, really excited about seeing her. There was a great interview of Thao and her mother on NPR last week too. Makes me want to see them even more. This is a return to Chain Gang Of Love, really digging this album. More so than Pretty in Black. Dead Sound is fuzzy bitter romance. The Helio Sequence is one of my favorite bands EVER. I have all of their albums and this is their latest and greatest to date. I'll DEF be at their CD release party this weekend at Nuemo's. Looking forward to the show since their live performances are amazing. I may have to shout 'Square Bubbles!' for old times sake. Really, this album is so good. The kind of album you want to be listening to when driving across the 520 bridge into Seattle alone at night. It's beautiful.
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