Apologies.

So if you read my previous post (actually wait . . . does anyone actually read these?! Sometimes it feels like I'm just talking to myself) you probably were able to tell that I got lazy, as in super lazy, as in just-did-not-give-a-fuck kind of lazy. The post was pathetic, even a little bit degrading, because here I was attempting to explore the love and beauty that surrounds this amazing band by the name of Thao With The Get Down Stay Down and I didn't do a goddamn thing to give them even the tiniest bit of justice. I will admit that when I had begun typing that post, I had the case of the swine (yes H1N1). Not a severe case where I'd have a week to live but where I am (still in the process) of being quarantined in my room with nothing but 12 water bottles and my iPOD (currently on day 3 of the quarantine). I feel a helluva lot better and my skin no longer burns when it touches the keyboard, with nothing but a harsh cough crawling it's way up my lungs every ten minutes I feel I can now fully express myself the way I initially intended. My sincerest apologies blogging world and of course to Thao! And hey, you can't reach the top without bumping into a few rocks while at the bottom (think there are some ghosts hidden under them?).

I am originally from Calgary, Alberta but Thao and the band was playing in Vancouver, British Columbia, a whole province away. Those plane tickets raped my wallet. Also, just so you are aware the legal age in Vancouver is 19. The Legal age in Calgary is 18. The venue for Thao's show in Vancouver was a bar, so 19+ only was allowed in. I am only 18. Let's just say older sister's are good for some things :D especially their id's. Ha ha ha . . .

The show's opener was a one man-band by the name of . . . to be honest, I don't remember. I don't mean to be rude but this guy just had no staying power, no stage presence, nothing really about him stained my brain. The most I remember is him, his cute blue hat and an acoustic guitar. The sounds that came from his guitar and vocals were ... well I really hate to criticize but . . . they were just a bit bland really. OK enough of that, we don't need to lay the smack down on the poor guy. Right after him was where the crowd got a helluva lot more interested and really peaked mine as well. The next opener (yes, there was a second opening, I know I hate that too when all you really want to see is the band you came for) had traversed all the way from mysterious Portland with all band members ready to destroy the bar with cello's in hand.

Cello's? . . . YES!

The Portland Cello Project, a four-piece project all sat on stage in front of us wielding cello's as their weapons, ready to disarm the crowd of their curiosity and attack with exotic melodies and covers of Pantera and Outkast. What I also discovered was that the Portland Cello Project was selling a collaborative album with Thao and an unknown (to me) Justin Powers. Of course I snatched that up as soon as word spread (plus they were only selling 5 copies!)

Ok now right after the PCP (not the drug!) played and quietly made their goodbyes to the crowd is when bodies became much, MUCH closer to attempt to get to the stage. Ahh yes, that half hour wait, squirming and pushing past others also aiming for the same goal as your own, sweating and smelling before the music even comes on. All this to get to the front. I made it there, I saved up and traveled all the way there, there was absolutely no way I wasn't going to be upfront. So when three slightly recognizable bodies walked on to the stage and the surrounding crowd burst into hoots and hollers and 'I love you Thao!'s my chest squeezed and thrilled and almost collapsed as Thao With the Get Down, Stay Down began to play.

Thao moved so fucking passionately on that stage in her little cowboy boots, letting her guitar fill her body with every vibration it was exuding. Her voice vigor and full of life, much like the songs she had written. I sang along with her, how could I not? I think I almost cried. I was just so goddamn happy.

I first discovered Thao and The Get Down, Stay Down in the 11th grade and instantly fell in love. The unique quirky voice that the front woman bells out, the folksy, playful twangs and strums that come from each calloused finger-tip and that drum beat; man oh man; serve me those beats on a silver platter and I'd never starve. This is what this band does to me.

Hopefully you fall in love with them as much I did, I leave you with some tracks from the bands latest release "Know Better, Learn Faster"

Body - Thao With The Get Down, Stay Down
Goodybye Goodluck - Thao With The Get Down, Stay Down
Geography (featuring Thao) - Portland Cello Project

ps. I got Thao's guitar pick!

Vancity!

It's been a while hasn't it? My apologies blogging world, I've been in Vancouver for the past week so I could go see Thao With The Get Down Stay Down! Yes, I traveled a whole province to see a single band. For those of you unfamiliar with Canada, provinces are the US's versions of states. (not to be rude but when I talked to Thao she really knew nothing about Canada, it was cute).

Thao and her backing group The Get Down Stay Down are one of my top three favorite bands and I was so completely stoked to hear that they were coming to Canada! So they weren't coming any near my area and I needed to save up a bajillion dollars for the plane ride and accommodations. I am now completely broke and needed to ask my mom for lunch money. It was so worth it.

The show opened up with the Portland Cello Project, a 4-piece all with, who would have guess, cellos. They did covers of Pantera and Outkast, which in my opinion is pretty fucking sweet. What also caught my attention was that they had a collaboration album with Thao and Justin Powers.

When Thao finally came on, my heart would not stop beating intensely. Thao puts so much energy into her songs and the way she strums her guitar is full vigor and passion. She was absolutely adorable in her little blue dress and cowboy boots. That one night pretty much my whole life complete.

What also had me pretty stoked was that they were selling Thao's solo album 'Like The Linen' which you can't find here in Canada. I waited until I got home to Alberta before tearing apart the plastic as to not ruin the cd case and found . . . an empty cd case. THERE WAS NO CD INSIDE. I cried, I literally cried. I emailed the band but still no response. I don't know what will happen. It's really sad.

Current Obsession

Eh heh heh, so I realized I already had the Ohbijou song posted. My bad. Take a drink of some Bat For Lashes instead. I've completely devoured this video. Delicious!

Local Scene: Go For The Eyes

I know I'm posting two 'local scenes' in a row but trust me, it's completely worth it. (and anyway, it's really all about my satisfaction)

Initially I had expected to spend my Saturday night wasted and flying high but seeing as how the weather and the shitty day at work had dampened my mood, neither one felt like a good choice. Staying at home, watching Hayo Miyazaki films all night had lost it's luster since I had been doing that the past couple of nights. My last resort was to call up the Giant. Well, not really my last, I really wanted to see her but just as a girls night. But of course nothing ever really works out the way you want it to and it had turned out Giant was with the boys listening to some locals play at Vern's Tavern. I really wasn't feeling it but hey I was willing to be anywhere but home. And goddamn what a good choice I had made.

Have you ever been to a show at a shitty little shady bar with only 10 people plus the band all rocking out? It's bloody fucking fantastic. All ten or so of us kids, just rocked out, we tore that bar into pieces.

Go For The Eyes, a rock/alternative/pop band contains members from Jenny. Well it's basically just Jenny with instrument switches. But it's still awesommmmeee! I'm not very good at describing sounds but just give 'em a chance, I can't guarantee that you'll be completely blown away with just a recording but it'll still bring some loving into your life.

And really, we could all use a little more love.

http://www.myspace.com/gofortheeyesband

ps. HAPPY THANKS GIVING LOVERS.

The Local Scene: The Nix Dicksons

An indie/garage/pop band that knows that "all girls want are bad boys with sleeveless shirts . . . and holes in their jeans" but all they've got is "skunkweed, vinyl records, pop songs and garage bands and minimum wage."

That song in unfortunately not displayed on their myspace which is a shame because I think it's one of their strongest but check out "Big Kids." The howls on it fill your lungs up with fluid and all you (well me really) want is more.

http://www.myspace.com/thenixdicksons