Last One

This year, although I consider myself an independent person, I realized how much I would crumble without the love and support of my friends. Old and new. For real guys, I don't know how I would have made it through the year 2009 without you. All of you. Thank you. Again and again.

Posi

This year I made a conscious effort to surround myself with only positive, caring people. It makes life a better place to be.

TYI

This year I experienced loss on a level I could never have imagined.

More

This year I smoked my first cigarette since 2005. I subsequently started, stopped, and started smoking a bunch of times. I can honestly say today that I no longer smoke.

This Year I... Joe Garvey Edition

Here is a photo of my good friend Joe Garvey and I in New York this summer.



Since he doesn't keep a personal blog, and he sure as hell didn't "want to post this shit on Twitter" (although I think #thisyeari might go over huge there), he sent me his thoughts on the subject. So here you are, as told by the man himself.

This year I...

-met a lot of new friends in the Twin Cities
-quit a horrible job
-moved to NYC
-started a company(a work in process)
-saw a lot of live music including Morrissey and Bruce(2x)
-grew a lot of different styles of facial hair
-wore my boots a lot

Next year is all about helping...

Thanks Joe.

Keep em coming

This year I embraced the blue-collar side of myself, something I have ignored for a long time.

I like the way this is looking friends.

Round 3

This year I fell in love with the wrong person and got my heart broken.

Not trying to bum you out. Just stating the facts folks. Keep em coming.

Again

This year I stopped playing music. Then I started again.

Ashley is playing along. Let's get with the program here kids. Make it sad, make it happy, make it funny- as long as you did it, state it.

This Year I...

As the year of 2009 comes to an end, I want to share with you some things I did this year. Friends, I invite you to join me in this, not in the comments, but rather in your own forums.
So let's begin.

This year I fulfilled at least one of my new year's resolutions: I traveled. A lot.

Your turn.

Shoreline

Please come and join us to celebrate all that was Shoreline.

Cousins

Ezra looks just like Roger Federer. I am excited for this record.

A Few Things

The wundertwins are back with another banger. I don't always like records I like a lot at first listen. Sainthood is not that way. This record sounds great. Right away. Stream it early on MySpace.

This article is so on point. Worth the read for any fan of The National. Shit, worth it for those who aren't fans (which bt dubs, if that includes you, you have no business on this blog). Dude's got it right.

Speaking of dudes, some guy is hosting a night just for you tomorrow. You should probably go solve the mystery. I'll be there.

In other news, Lookbook is awesome. So is sneaking into the sold out kitty cat klub. Chicks with banana suits and Jeff Goldblum fetishes make for entertaining nights. Working for the weekend isn't the end of the world.

Do you ever want to hang out with all of your friends at the same time?

UHH... God Damn

This is dope. It's far from the best mash up i've ever heard. But I get real hyped on just the idea of this. trust. Listen

Runnin With The Xx (QUIX vs. ELLIOT Blend) - Biggie vs. Tupac vs. The Xx

also, Zombieland is a great flick. Go see it.

Running Down a Dream

“Life isn’t about finding yourself.
Life is about creating yourself.”
-George Bernard Shaw

Yep. Dude's got it right.
I won this weekend. also, that last post should have been named what this post is named.

You Don't Know How It Feels

I drove around a lot this summer. It reaffirmed my faith in a lot of things, including this great country we live in. I've said it before; for a while I thought the notion of being "american" was a negative thing. But fuck all that. I love this country. There are amazing people, places, and things that come from the US. Trust me. I am proud to say I have seen a large portion of it. We are far from from perfect, but I think we are on the right track these days. Embrace what you have and where you are from.

Recently, Ryan and I drove to Omaha to see Bon Iver. It was wonderful. On the way home, I stated something like "There sure is a lot of America happening right now."
We were two dudes chewing sunflower seeds in blue jeans, converse all stars, flannel, and white t-shirts, on the tail-end of a roadtrip to see some Rock and Roll. There was a guitar in the backseat. We had just camped our under the stars and eaten at a roadside diner. Tom Petty was on the stereo and we were following a baseball game on Ryan's phone. All while rolling through the hills of Southern Minnesota, snapping photos left and right. It felt great. It's a good time to be alive.

Friday

Someone drew this picture.
I guess they haven't really figured out how to draw noses. And they have a shitty scanner.
I think it was supposed to look like this. Just a guess though.
Happy Fucking Friday
New job. New York. New ambitions. New bands. New Jay-Z is pretty good.

Saturday

You know it's gonna be good. If you were there, you can not miss it. If you weren't, come and wish you were.
See you on the 29th. Duh

Volcano Choir

It's good. Real Good. Homeboy can do no wrong. I'm convinced.

Premiere Shit

Go Listen

The Sky Could Be Blue

Regardless of how you feel about Coldplay, you should really watch this video. An impressive feat. Damn Squirrels. Always gotta be taken princesses and shit...

Can't Wait.

featurette
by ThePlaylist

This is gonna be pretty cool I guess

Don't Hate

This dude rules so hard. Positive vibes only. Thank you.


Oh ya, I'm home now. Holler.

Like that flick a lot. I've got a soft spot in my heart for nike's in that colorway. 

In NYC. Ruling. Bring it. Holler if you are here too. 

For The Homies

Espescially for Ryan, but especially for Mike.

Thought you fools might like this. Peep the credits. Now, the real question is, who looks better in the drug rug? Munz or Chloe? Sorry Scrunz, I know you've been holding that look down for awhile now, but I've gotta give to the babe...

Sammy C

Word Is Bond

So good. That's some real talk right there. I slept on top of a picnic table last night, and you know what? I feel pretty good about. Gonna go kick it in some tree houses today/tonight. then somewhere on the Atlantic coast, then D.C. Lot's of ground to cover.

Life Is Good.

Dark Was The Night Live

Go here and listen. I am right now! It's great.

Dark Was The Night: Live From Radio City Music Hall

Get the set list et all from pitchfork here

Vidz

Stick with it. So good. Also, the video for their song "The Knife" rules too.

I'm a sucker for stuff like this. Great song too

Off of one of my favorite records. This band makes me want to play live again.

Anything with that face in it is great. I would cry for days if Annie wanted me to.

Still ripping. Is it really them? I like to think so.

VisionQuest09

Ya, I'm really far behind.

Day 1

Jeff Buckley

I've been geeking out on Jeff Buckley tonight. Hard. It's such a tragic story. But let's not dwell on that. His music lives on. I was recently in Amoeba Records in San Francisco, and the "Buckley, Jeff" section took up at least three rows. I think Lou Reed got two. For a man who only released one studio album, this is quite a feet.

Do you have Grace? Live At Sin-e? No? What the hell is wrong with you? Get them. Both. Now. I could go on and on, but I'll try to keep it brief.

Grace. Released in 1994, it was his only studio album. The true power of every song rings through loud and clear. You can just feel Buckley putting every once of himself into every note on the record. Never have I heard a record convey the true passion of an artist better than this one. It even translates through his amazing band on the album. Every snare hit, every bass line: you feel it deep inside of you. It is truly amazing.

This is the first record I listened to when I finally set up my turn table in Minneapolis. It was late one weekend night and I had somewhere to be. The volume was up and it caught me off guard, but it sucked me in right away. I sat on my couch in awe. Engulfed truly in sonic Grace. I think I listened to the first side twice before I flipped the record over. I was late to wherever I was going, but needless to say, it was worth it. That night I wanted to go out and make some serious memories. Make some real connections.

Live at Sin-e. The one you need here is the legacy edition. It was originally released in 93 as an ep, but an extended version was released later with two discs. It was recorded at a tiny club in the East Village called Sin-e in 1993. It is interesting to hear some early versions of songs that would eventually end up on Grace, but what really shines here are his many covers. He plays everything from Bob Dylan to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Van Morrison to traditional African hymns, and ever so famously, Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. Once again, the sense of raw emotion is clearly audible throughout.

He recreates some of his favorite artists material, a brave thing to do, especially as a young artist. He transforms Cohen's original spoken word verses and gospel-sung choruses into a beautifully sad ballad conjuring biblical allusions and personal strife. I have very very vivid memories of hearing this song for the first time.

He trades Dylan's "so it goes tone" in If You See Her, Say Hello for one that recalls a man battling his acceptance of a lost love. You know he means he is over it, but it still hurts him. It hurts that she is gone, and it hurts that he is kind of ok with that. But what hurts the most is the fact that he can not fully let go of the idea of her and what they had. He keeps some of it with him at all times, even though he knows it tears him up inside. He holds onto some foolish hope for the future. It's not to say that Dylan doesn't say this- if nothing else, through his lyrics- but through Buckley's delivery, he brings new sadness to the subject.

One of my favorite covers on the record however, Buckley does not stray far from the original. The song is called Calling You. Originally featured in a film called Baghdad Cafe, it does one of my favorite things a song can do. It puts you in place you've never seen, but a place you have been before. The subject matter is very specific, but the theme is universal. As a listener, you feel as though you are on that hot dry road. You can taste the sand in your teeth. You know what the people in the song are going through, because you have experienced it yourself. Once again, this is further heightened by Buckley's powerful delivery.

I provided a few examples of the covers. Listen to the originals too. A good cover can not exist without a solid base to build upon. But really, do yourself a favor and get these albums. Listen to Grace as loud as you can, and listen to Sin-e in bed, by yourself. So much for keeping it brief.

Update

Tucker took a really great photo, but that looks much better, doesn't it?
As I'm sure all of you know, I've been on the road for about a month now. Don't get it twisted,, it fucking rules and I'm having the time of my life, but I miss all my friends back home and the perfect Minneapolis days that go on right about now. See you all in July.
I'm in San Diego right now. Gonna hit the beach. Booyah. Vegas tomorrow. Should I bet red or black?

Party Time

Going Away/Birthday Party
Friday 05/01/09
Let's say 10ish
You know where
BYOB
Holler

I leave on Wednesday. Proper update soon. New blog just for that too.

I Woke Up Early On My Born Day

I'm 23. It's a blessing.

Thanks everyone. I'm ready to start a new chapter. Let's do this.

Stay

Sorry in advance if this gets heavy.
If you know me, and chances are if you are reading this, you do, you know I don't really talk about the music I write too much offstage. I don't think I do at least. But lately I've kind of been thinking a lot about Shoreline and all we did. What it meant to me. I'll tell you, it meant everything to me. It was all I thought about at times. It was all I ever really wanted to do. Like some "what do you want to do with your life" type shit. I wanted to be in Shoreline and that's it. As you probably know, that has been interrupted by the death of my best friend Kevin. I don't know if that means the end of Shoreline, but for right now, it is on hold.
I have avoided for a long time really talking about it, but truth be told, that really bums me out. All I want to do, especially right this instance, is plug in my Jazzmaster, turn it way up, and play the song Stay with Kevin, Craig, and Slanga. Really fucking loud. That song was always my favorite to play. We usually started practice with that song. It was one of the first songs I wrote for Shoreline. It was so simple. I play three chords the whole time, but it was always one I connected to the most. I felt it the most. The lyrics started out as one thing, but evolved into the way the song sings now. That lyrics holds more weight now than ever. I've said it before, but when I write songs, they aren't always autobiographical. It's always really interesting when they become autobiographical. I need to start writing songs about people coming up on a bunch of money, or inventing really dope shit or something instead of writing about things like heartbreak and loss.
These are the lyrics to Stay

I'm in love with a voice
You're in love with the noise we make
All around all around on the town
They don't know that it breaks me down

I'm in love with a vice
You're in love with the lies you say
Just to save face when you want
But you can't save me cause I'm gone

Stay above the water
Remain the same as you always were
Leave me standing here on my own
Stay above the water

You come down, we have to choose
One or the other, both of us (I) loose
And I know and I know what you want
But you know and you know that I can't

Stay above the water
Remain the same as you always were
Leave me standing here on my own
Stay above the water

I'll keep you up nights, keep you asking those questions
You can call it a promise
Call it a promise

Stay above the water.

If you want, you can listen to that song here
There is an inherent sadness to the song. A feeling of intensity. But also, a tone of acceptance. That's a hard place to get to. But there is this really calming feeling when you do get there. The song is a sort of good bye. A bookend to a dramatic situation. A denouement of sorts. All these things happened, and that's ok. But it's over now, and we are left with the remains of our actions. And these things, these feelings won't just go away, but that's the way it is. We are left to deal with these consequences on our own.
It's kind of crazy to me how close those words relate to a situation I have recently gone through.
I am really proud of that song. I'm proud of my band for the way it turned out and the way we performed it. I'm glad it exists. At the very least, it means a lot to me. Right now. And that is enough. Listening to this song makes me really happy and really sad at the same time. For a number of reasons. That's an ok thing I think.
Maybe my public blog isn't the best place to get this out, but that's where I'm putting it. Rock and Roll.

Far From A Mixtape

I feel like I relate to songs a lot more these days. It's a good and bad thing. Not specifically these songs. These tracks however, have been ruling my life lately. One day I'll figure out how to embed mp3s on this damn thing. Until then, just trust me and follow the links.

Kurt Vile - Freeway
Short and sweet. That first line is infectious. It's all you need.
The Shins - Saint Simon
From one of my all time favorite records. I think it clocks in at just over thirty minutes. This song always reminds me of my sister. Up until about 5 minutes ago, I thought the line was "Lucy's eyes are blue". Turns out it's "Mercy's eyes are blue". Huh, who knew.
Nas - Halftime
I have listened to Illmatic probably one hundred times since my truck broke down. Classic.
Animal Collective - Summertime Clothes
This record too. I just can not get sick of it. It's almost hard to listen to right now. There are some serious moments/people/issues attached to this record. This song especially.
The National - Slow Show
This band does no wrong. Why this song? Why not? They all rule.
Sam Roberts - Them Kids
Honest pop music. Hard to come by such a good jam.
Beirut - Postcards From Italy
The horn line towards the end of this song sounds like how it would feel to have a rainbow shining down on you. Thats some of the gayest shit I've ever said, but its glorious. Triumphantly sad. Beautiful.
Van Morrison - Everyone
From another great record. This is one of those jams like I said before that I can relate to. (Sorry, I can't find a good stream of this one. Go dig through your parents record collection and listen to Moondance like seven times through. It'll be good for you.)
Phoenix - 1901
These dudes make writing pop songs look easy. Watch out for this record. I have a feeling it will sit right towards the top of a lot of year end lists.
Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric
An excellent track from as far as I can tell an excellent record. Moving out of the garage and onto the dance floor. Welcome Karen and friends. It's nice to have you here.
Harlem Shakes - Strictly Game
I've only heard one other song from this band and it is great too. There's a line in here that kind of sums up being young if you ask me. Let me know if you can find it. It's not "I'm sick of holding on to nothing when I just want to hold your hips", but I'll be damned if that's not a properasfuck line.
Bonus Jam
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova - Into the Mystic
A Van Morrison cover. Beautifully executed.

In other news, blogger is slowly becoming more and more of a bitch to deal with. I am leaving in 27 days, and on the real, that shit ca't come soon enough. The Plat Lite is really great. Fuck 2009. Yes, still. I will be needing addresses to send you all postcards. Get em to me. I think there will be a party on May 2nd. Tired of whining to my friends. Sorry guys, and thanks. Trying not to whine to the internet. My bike is up and running. It's getting nice out. Fuck yes.

SXSW Highlights. Day 1. Empire of the Sun.

So for the next few days or so, I will share with you, in one way or another, some of the dopeness I discovered at SXSW last week. I'll leave the photo coverage to someone else. Pressure's on girl!

First up, is Empire of the Sun. I didn't see this band unfortunately, but I heard them while the girl from Chairlift was DJing at the flea market. I want to dance to this shit. Walking On A Dream is the banger track. Trust one. Go here and dig through some pretty ill remixes. The Van She one is worth a listen. Otherwise, here is the official video for that track.



Pretty fresh, right? I didn't watch that video before I posted it. I have this weird thing about listening to a song too many times in a row.
Stay tuned this week for more. Including bands I actually saw. And hey, maybe even a rant about musicians over at another blog. Fucking musicians...
Just so I don't end on a negative note, I will be leaving in 6 weeks. I will be gone for 2 1/2 months. More on that later.

Favorites

SXSW ruled. More on that later.
On a mostly unrelated note, this photo also rules.

Travis and Kevin
Milwaukee, WI
Summer 2005

Positive Jams From Here On Out

Pro In 09

I would like to thank Ashley, Michelle, Ryan, Mike, and Tucker.

At Any Speed

Sam Cassidy used to be in a band called Shoreline. He might still be in a band called Shoreline, but the future is up in the air. At Any Speed is another outlet. Some new songs, some old songs, and an always unstable group of contributors.

charlizetheron

I really, really miss this dude.

Flicks

This movie is so good. If you haven't seen it, I urge you to watch it. Family is fucked.

Also, this movie is obviously great, but have you seen this poster? I hadn't. Kevin used to watch this movie on the daily. I need to watch both of these again.

There are some cool posters over here. Hey look at me. I blog. Ryan Adams is claiming retirement. So is Morrissey. Fuckthatnoise. At least in Ryan's case. Morrissey can really do whatever the fuck he wants. He has a good argument. A thought just popped into my mind: now that he is putting out records and Johnny Marr is playing with Modest Mouse, I wonder if they have played at the same show ever. Like one of the big festivals. In fact, they might both be playing Coachella... but I'm not sure. That will probably be the closet thing we get to a Smith's reunion. Ever.

(text deleted by author)

Surprise Crack Up

This s*&t made me laugh a lot.

True Calling

I've done it. I know what I want to do with my life and this is it. Thanks everyone for sticking with me through all of my indecision. Watch the vid and see what I'll be up to from now on.


All the banger shit is at the end... in SLOWMOTION!

Dream Girls

Musician
Actress
Musician
Photographer
Icon

HOLY SHIT!

If you read this, like, ever, you know how much I love the National. Well, the two guitar players, who also happen to be brothers, have curated a compilation for an AIDS charity called Red Hot. It is called Dark Was the Night and will be available on 2/17 here in the states. The tracklisting is out of this world! I could go on and on about it, but ... fuck it, I will. There are new tracks from The National, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Kevin Drew, Cat Power, Arcade Fire, and more. But wait. It gets better. Collaborations. Feist with the Griz! Feist with Ben Gibbard! Dirty Projectors and David Byrne! Antony and Bryce! And the one I am most excited for... Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner! Holy shit! For those of you unfamiliar, that is the dude from Bon Iver and a dude from The National. That has the potential to be the best song ever! I may be over exagerating a bit, but it will rule nonetheless.
This is the full tracklisting

DISC ONE:

1. "Knotty Pine" - Dirty Projectors + David Byrne
2. "Cello Song" - The Books featuring Joses Gonzalez
3. "Train Song" - Feist and Ben Gibbard
4. "Brackett, WI" - Bon Iver
5. "Deep Blue Sea" - Grizzly Bear
6. "So Far Around The Bend" - The National
7. "Tightrope" - Yeasayer
8. "Feeling Good" - My Brightest Diamond
9. "Dark Was The Night" - Kronos Quartet
10. "I Was Young When I Left Home" - Antony with Bryce Dessner
11. "Big Red Machine" - Justin Vernon + Aaron Dessner
12. "Sleepless" - The Decemberists
13. "Die" - Iron & Wine
14. "Service Bell" - Grizzly Bear + Feist
15. "You Are The Blood" - Sufjan Stevens

DISC TWO:

1. "Well-Alright" - Spoon
2. "Lenin" - Arcade Fire
3. "Mimizan" - Beirut
4. "El Caporal" - My Morning Jacket
5. "Inspiration Information" - Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings
6. "With A Girl Like You" - Dave Sitek
7. "Blood Pt. 2" - Buck 65 Remix (featuring Sufjan Stevens and Serengeti)
8. "Hey, Snow White" - The New Pornographers
9. "Gentle Hour" - Yo La Tengo
10. "Amazing Grace" - Cat Power
11. "Happiness" - Riceboy Sleeps
12. "Another Saturday" - Stuart Murdoch
13. "The Giant Of Illinois" - Andrew Bird
14. "Lua" - Conor Oberst with Gillian Welch
15. "When The Road Runs Out" - Blonde Redhead & Devastations
16. "Love Vs. Porn" - Kevin Drew

Find out more info and how to order it here. Get hyped. Also, there is news at thenoisewemake.com . Also, The Wrestler comes out today. Would anyone like to see it this evening? Call me. Also, I am now going to eat lunch at my grandma's. Also, booyah.