alone in a crowded room

happy two years.

school started this week.. that's where i've been! will have some more awesome emo posts soon. tomorrow, i'm photoing @ sd warped, and get to see a bunch of friends!! am still appallingly behind on photos.

today wasn't the best of days. worn out from the week... thank you to the girl in the red vw bug for cutting me off on fairfax today. you rule. NOT. i feel a bit overwhelmed (like my head might explode) but i'm just going to take e's advice and make my checklists. i will get things done.

some photos of the outline. will post full sets sometime.. in the future. i make no promises.
[the outline - the roxy - august 16, 2007]

hhh

2006- i was definitely mildly obsessed with elevator, hot hot heat's previous album, after seeing the lead singer rock out super hard on a keyboard (at san diego street scene 2005?) without ripping his awesomely tight pants. no joke. i've seen them several times and so far-- no wardrobe malfunctions. (rob says "he's canadian." as if that explains everything). so finding out their album happiness LTD comes out sept. 11 was welcome news to my ears.

also please read jax's account of how/when hhh filmed their video for let me in @ the echoplex. that makes so much more sense now.. i was trying to figure out if they were trying to say the band members were all descending into some sort of 7th level hipster hell...

[hot hot heat - let me in vid]

tonight: metro station @ the alley in fullerton. would go to their la show on monday but i start classes that day!! still obsessed with kelsey. wooo reading. bye.

i've been dying to say this to you

the sounds presale for their 9/17 show @ santa monica civic auditorium starts at 10am today.
p/w: 24hours
link here.

love.

you won't be seventeen forever

omg happy music. check out metro station. their album drops sept. 18th but you can pre-order the album at the shows while they're on tour for $10 and they'll give you a limited edition EP with artwork by the band!

metro station is currently on tour... forever. mid-october they hit the road with mcs, mae, and anberlin. emo festttttt. fun fact: one of them is (allegedly) the half-brother of none other than miley cyrus.
[metro station - kelsey vid]

la la light the night

occasionally, i use my blogger powers for good rather than evil. here goes nothing:

Dear Readers & Friends,

I will be walking in the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Light the Night Walk at UCLA on Sunday, September 16th for the second year in a row. I am asking for your help in reaching my goal of raising $1000 this year. If you are interested in donating to help me reach my goal and make a difference, you can make a secure online donation at http://www.active.com/donate/ltnLosAn/2045_mshiokura. No amount is too big or too small!

WHY: As many of you may or may not know, Andrew McMahon, the lead singer of my favorite bands Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin, was diagnosed with leukemia two years ago. On August 23rd, 2007, he will be celebrating the two-year anniversary of a stem cell transplant that saved his life. So it would really mean a lot to him and to me, if you all could support this worthy cause.

ALSO: This year, I will be leading several of the Southern California Jack’s Mannequin teams as TEAM CAPTAIN! I am hoping some of you would like to join my team(s). If you are interested in joining Team Jack’s Mannequin in the Greater Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire, or San Diego area, or have any questions, please feel free to contact me directly (leave me a comment with your email address) or check out http://www.lightthenight.org/. I promise it’ll be fun!

SPECIAL THANKS: Last but definitely not least, I would like to thank those of you who gave so generously last year. With your support, I raised over $500, which absolutely blew me away. THANK YOU!

Love, Mao

let's take a walk on saturday

aka caturday!!


[the graduate - lollapalooza day 3 - august 5, 2007]
^ clicking on link will take you to the full set.
FAVE MOST PHOTOGENIC MEMBER AWARD GOES TO...
MAX!

in a world full of vampires

PHOTO UPDATE. links will take you to full sets.
warped photos:

[we are the fury (goodnight) - warped tour pomona - june 29, 2007]

[paramore - warped tour ventura - june 30. 2007]
lolla photos:
a few randoms. [jack's mannequin - lollapalooza day 1 - august 3, 2007]

i turn my camera on

[lollapalooza day 1]


[lollapalooza day 2]


day 1 recap:
we get in, catch soulive, they're great and extremely talented. scoot over to jack's and got a nasty tan line from waiting for an hr. cellular phone was debuted, a couple of sound problems but a fun set. got some food, listened to some of against me!, then met with christi @ silversun pickups. alas, it as too hot (sun in face- not cool) so we head over to watch some of blonde redhead, then to the the at&t blue room oasis. GLORIOUS. kind of freezing in there. meet up with the rest of the group for the black keys (AWESOME) and get up close for ben harper. not much of a ben harper fan but i'll say with my own two hands made me an instant convert.
weather: pretty hot. awkward tshirt tan. boo.

day 2 recap:
ryan shaw is fantastic, so much fun and great stage presence. no idea what we did until 3:30 when motion city soundtrack came on. started raining but the kids didn't care at all. total dance party, a couple of new songs.. love them. got yelled at by security dude who thought we were video-ing.. after telling him rather emphatically that we WEREN'T taking video (idiot..) he went away. ran over to regina to stake out a spot in front of the soundboard. met up with a few friends, had a religious experience (see: entry below).. hid out in the blue room again during YYYs and spoon. by then it was heavily sprinkling... got lucky with some ponchos that a radio station was giving out. sweeeet. stayed for about half of muse, then ditched out to get drinks @ benigan's which is fabulous and also on the way to the L train.
weather: warm, cloudy, pretty nice other than the rain.

day 3 recap:
we get in line about 10:45 to catch the graduate, who are one of the first bands to be playing. unfortch, due to whatever circumstances, doors don't open till 11:20 (doors should have been at 11:00, the grad went on at 11:15) DUMB so we sprint on over. missed a few songs but it was still a good time. crystal light but i wouldn't recommend it! ditched out mid-day to grab some lunch w/ "family" haha, had some proper deep dish chicago peetz @ gino's! soooo good. apparently we missed out on the hottest part of the day too, so that was handy. got back in time to hear kings of leon, met up with the crew for my morning jacket to stake out spots for pearl jam. the rest was.. a blur. my morning jacket was superfun, and then the wait began for pearl jam... but well worth it.
weather: really really warm. some sprinkling pre-pj but otherwise no rain.

be afraid of the old, they'll inherit your souls

okay, tons to update from lollapalooza weekend '07. however, i'm still backlogged from warped tour photos from june/july so i really should get started on those.

recap including two vidblogs.. and some photos from pearl jam (!) later. for now, i'm just going to say that seeing regina spektor was comparable to a religious experience. i literally almost cried during several songs because she was so amazing. hearing samson live basically made my life complete. i have no other words to describe how amazing it was to see just her and a piano up on the stage... apres moi was not one of my fave songs but since hearing it live.. it is now. sa;fhklshflkh fangirl aotp.

tonight i'm off to the troub to see 1990s, mezzanine owls, and robbers on high street! if that's not your thing, you can see fionn regan @ hotel cafe tonight. am listening to his cd right now and it's lovely.

also please check out the flyer for revenge of the sunset strip august 16th edition - the outline. (also note, office has been added to the august 30th show. yayayaya) hollaback.

it was a plane ride from lax to o'hare

[animatronic animals lolz - hey there delilah]

this guy's comment sums it all up: "At very least I'd rather see this song being performed by an obese animatronic redneck bear than some kid with an acoustic guitar."

[animatronic animals lolz - london bridge]


LOLLAAAAA-- i'm ready for it.

this time we're not giving up

omg can hayley and i be besties. please.

[paramore - hallelujah - uk single/vid]


you can also check out the high quality version over on fbr+.

wedding weekend- beginning and end

[team wedding]


[the scenic route on sunset]

self-conclusion in one simplified motion

yo, it's me. i think i have a vidblog to post, if i manage to upload the thing tonight.

this week:
- tonight (7/30): eastern conference champions @ safari sam's. SO STOKED.
- wed (8/01): the format @ the avalon in hollywood. i probably won't make this show (is it sold out yet?) cos i need to pack and get ready to leave for lolla on thurs! but whoever goes needs to tell me how amazing it is and how stupid i am for missing them like, 3-4 times already.
- thurs (8/02-03): we land in chi-town (i hate saying that) at midnight. technically, i guess that's friday a.m.? woooo
- fri-sun (8/03-8/05) lolla madness. REGINA SPEKTOR. THE GRADUATE. MUSE. ALSHDFLKHKJDSLF more. brunch sat morning if i make it in.

next week:
- tues (8/07): robbers on high street west coast cd release show for grand animals @ the troub.
- thurs (8/09): indie schmindie!

more deets here or below.
Rock Insider Presents: "Indie Schmindie!"
Thursday August 9th, 2007
At The Scene Bar In Glendale
Performances From:
Strangers Smile
Meho Plaza
Divisadero
Austin James Band

$5, 21+ Yrs, Doors At 9 PM
i've been meaning to see ajb again for awhile, so i'm very excited to see they're playing indie schmindie!

take a leave of absence, see what you're made of

i'll be away from the blogosphere for a few days. certain celebratory events (aka WEDDING) is this weekend and that'll be amazing and emotional :) and no, it's not my wedding. perish the thought (quote stolen from v.beckham).

might check out streamline (soco drummer brian ireland's current band) at the gig on thurs night, if i'm not half dead. they're on at 8:30pm and it's $10 to get in. wheeee

asfhdksgfjk sleep.

lolz on the newz

jay of jack's mannequin talks a lot. also has an accent.

wooo the newz!

also apparently really really likes the deadly syndrome & the newz, as evidenced in the clip/teaser on the frontpage rehearsals.com (click on "what's hot"). <-- probably the best clip of jay speaking. ever. in history. trust me.

speaking of tds, they're touring with hot hot heat (though, not exactly near LA.. grrr):

i saw tds at spaceland and they were so good i nearly fainted. that's a half truth.. they were good but i fainted for other health related reasons. how annoying. anyway, i'll see them @ revenge at the sunset strip on 8/30 at the roxy, hopefully with less bad annoying bodily reactions. hah

i'm going to finish listening to avril lavigne now. HOT!

i've got one foot in the gate of hell

so i got my little hands on a copy of eastern conference champions' ameritown... the best way i could describe the album is-- it reminds me of an old friend. i've only listened to it 2 or 3 times so far and i'm loving it so much, because i've immediately felt an attachment to the songs. i feel like i've known the album my whole life.

i'm totally obsessed with some sorta light, still. it's sort of bright eyes-y (vox) in the beginning and then bursts into GORGEOUSNESS, slows down, and then jumps right back in. other songs i'm really loving: stutter, rabbit hole, hollywood. sometimes/generally they're kind of spastic, but in a good way. am pretty stoked to see them @ safari sam's next monday (7/30).

photo update soon, i'm hoping. so many things i haven't even uploaded yet onto my compy. i registered for fall sem. classes. uhhh yay?

i ixnayed the previous vlog idea of post- revenge of the sunset strip. i watched it and i sound like a moron. not that i don't always, but i used the phrase "really really good" more times than i care to admit.

don't know if i want you to understand me

suffice to say, kenna blew me out of the water. he is AMAZING. i haven't had that much fun at a hiphopish show in, well, a lifetime. he's arresting and i was impressed. lighting was fantastic at the roxy tonight. i almost cried, the lighting was that gorg. yea, i cry because of amazing lighting. sue me.

AND HE'S TOTES EMO FYI. THAT SONG STATIC. SRSLY, THE LYRICS.

carina round sounded great, pretty diff from when we saw her last year with the oohlas.

vlog later?

revenge pt. 1

TOMORROW NIGHT @ THE ROXY:

fullsize.

guess who just got added to aug. 16th? THE OUTLINE. HELLO. YESI'MEXCITED. again.

i just watched that special on vicky beckham and i lolzed. she's so vapid that it's actually kind of amusing.

eastern conference champions (the band, not the champions)

breaking news via rockinsider (okay, fine, like 5 hrs later): eastern conference champions' [hereinafter referred to as "ecc"] cd ameritown comes out today-- but their album release show has been moved from cinespace to silverlake lounge. they go on at 11pm tonight.

reason for location change? something about a secret show for spoon. haha okay.


if i don't make it back in time from dinner in hermosa, i'll def. make it out to their show later this month @ safari sam's (7/30). my fave track is some sorta light. ecc sounds like a superfun (i really need to work on my adjectives) band to see live so can't wait!! woo

i got my issue of spin today and paramore has a one page thing. they are so cute, and i'm thrilled they're doing so well. love love love. in other news, they've taken over my ipoodlemini's top 25 tracks. scary.

ps. this post title was not invented by me.

hold up, wait a minute, put a little love in it

omgsuperlolz!!!!!!!!!!! srsly though, they are FANTASTIC live. i dare you to watch them and NOT want to dance.

[family force 5 - montage/clips/etc. set to "love addict"]

are we wasting time, or is it wasting us

the academy is... presale went up tuesday. late notice, but better than nothing, right?
here's the link. to save you the trouble (though you'll have to register to use the system anyway), the inital stuff:
login: theacademyis
p/w: tickets
some dates have already sold out, so i would totes get them now. i'm set for the wiltern! + canNOT wait to see their headlining set. YES.

also, of note: robbers on high street is playing their west-coast record release show @ the troub (headliner) on aug. 7th. doors @ 8pm; mezzanine owls and 1990s are opening. i believe irene is a fan of mezzanine owls so that should be fun fun fun. plus robbers! their record grand animals is out later this month (7/24) so holler at that. they need to play here more.

re: paramount, one of my high school classmates is in the band. i've seen them a total of 3-4 times and they've gotten better and better each time. endearing song by the drummer (which sounded like a cover of some other song, though i can't be sure). super fun... you can hear a lot of the strokes/occasionally interpol-ish influence. i believe they play @ o'briens in santa monica once a month so pls check them out.

july is busy busy busy.

revenge of the sunset strip: good music WILL prevail

starting july 19, the roxy theatre. here's the deal: local artists, fun giveaways, drink specials (i'm sold already), djs, guest appearances, etc. every thursday, filter is being rad and bringing GoodmusicBack. i know, enough with the SexyBack jokes.
7/19** - Kenna, Carina Round [tix]
- i saw carina round play with the oohlas awhile back and she's amazing, i think she had these really awesome red shoes but i can't remember now...
- kenna is a the neptunes' protege.
7/26 - J*DaVeY [tix]
8/2 - Pop Levi, Grand Ole Party, The Shys, The Procession [tix]
8/9 - The Redwalls, Augie March, Bang Lime, Mark Mallman [no ticket info yet]
8/30** - The Deadly Syndrome, Let’s Go Sailing, The Western States Motel [no ticket info yet]
- i've always wanted to see let's go sailing and the western states motel (i think a lot of people have been blogging about them) and i just saw the deadly syndrome recently @ spaceland.
add them / more info on each artist here.

GOGOGOGOGOGOGOOOOO.

san fran (listen to me talk, i don't sound smart). this is not a tbs song title fyi.

[splashy sea lions (soooo not splashy) ]


[splashy sea lions (soooo not splashy) pt.2 alcatraz cameo! ]


[san fran wrap up.]


if you found that amusing, i guess that's the point. more updates later today, including paramount's show @ o'briens last night. fun timesssss

wouldn't you rather be a widow than a divorcee

quick update, photos eventually.
1. 11:11am raffles have kicked off. entries: online for $1.50 (cool exclusive stuffs by emo bands!) or at warped tour- take action booth- for $1. check out photos of the items here and enter. do it. it's good for the soul. (ps. in raffle 1, you can win a prize pack with one of my stickers. if you win, i'll autograph it. hahahahahahahha no. unless you want. )

2. ladybirds- you can stream two songs from their upcoming release, regional community theater, here. max bemis (say anything) guests on "maxim and the headphone life" and "regional community theater." so danged cute!

3. rehearsals.com the newz. warped edition. paramore, spill canvas, pennywise, pepper, rja, etc.etc.etc. watch it!

4. oh peet, how i love thee. i mean.. um, this is one of my fave songs off IOH.
[fall out boy - the take over, the breaks over]

remind me to get over how awesomely ridic hilar this video is. skanky cat dancers and breakdancing mail man. IT'S MY DREAM! (ps. weird thing, the beginning of the song = same as an ashlee simpson song. true story. too bad i forgot what song it was.)

--also- what's with "dudplication?" major labels don't spellcheck anymore? sad.

but i can't go home, cos you're my home

being home after going going non-stop since last last thursday feels strange.

lots to post, but i've forgotten half of it.

time to make lists. and sleep, finally.
xo

21st century digital boy girl

BAD RELIGION. ON STAGE. asdlfhlkshdf SWEET.

caught all of new years day (FINALLY). ashley is so cute. she and hayley should have a cute-off contest. family force 5 pretty much wins at life. incredible and kind of metallll/crunk/aerobicizing. if you get the chance, go watch them at warped. bring yr dancing shoes.

saw the spill canvas' full set (FINALLY) with amsa from the sidestage. i heart them and i can't wait till their new album is out. amsa is on the spill canvas' bus, blogging from warped for 11:11am so check that out here.

photos etc from warped & san fran, rando videos laterrrrr. disneyland today!

we want the airwaves back

"warped tour is trying to kill me"

so day 2 of warped tour is done. ventura will always and forevs be my fave venue for warped. there was a nice breeze.. too bad i neglected to put on sunblock as regularly as i should have. my nose is now tanned/burnt, along with my scalp. on a happier note, we're raising money and more importantly, awareness of 11:11am's and pediatric cancer research foundation (PCRF)'s causes. people are seriously so generous and very willing to listen to what the org has to say. perhaps it's my LA cynicism, but i'm always pleasantly surprised when people simply donate money and do not ask for anything in return. i've also heard a few personal stories of people who have lost friends/loved ones to cancer and my heart goes out to each of them.

saw paul @ the ap.net tent today yay

pomona - i think i am still having an allergic reaction to the dust/pollen/dirt/etc. floating around in the air. good times. STAGES ARE TOO FAR AWAY FROM EACH OTHER. why is there a hurley stage and a hurley.com stage? caught some spill canvas, all of paramore, all of we are the fury (goodnight), and all of my american heart.

ventura - paramore i've seen twice thus far and i love them so much. we saw hayley bstage and i wanted to put her in my pocket. she's so teeny tiny. and adorbs. but i didn't want to be a stalker. I DO NOT LIKE THE SIDESHOW CIRCUS. DIAF PLZ. i def shaanted a little with alee, caught most of bad religion, and went to the beach b/w sets. i have picked up two rocks; they are now this trip's mascots: rocky and rocky ii. they're currently sitting inside my shoes in the car. was happy to see rhonda after a decade. tried to stop scary kids scaring kids from getting to their own signing. woops.

i keep missing new years day so i will def see them tomorrow. and the full spill canvas set plz.

i would write more but this is ridic and i need sleepz. tomorrow is mtn view, then some touristy-ness in san fran! maybe photos.

with hearts and wrists intact

honda civic tour 6/23

tai: incredible. even from far away. william beckett is love. and his voice has improved SO MUCH since the last time i properly saw them (march '06, i won't count warped b/c that was a partial set, and i won't count snakes because he was playing acoustic by himself.. even though the entire room sang "attention, attention may i have all your eyes and ears, to the front of the room, if only, if only for one second" in unison. emosqueal*).

tbqh, i did want to see tai more than i wanted to see fob. but as always, fob puts on a great show. a little too much gratuitous pete wentz everything, but whatever. loved the new songs being played live. plenty of old faves (grand theft autumnn, saturday, "tell that mick..." etc.). p33t- please get a haircut and don't even mention paris hilton's jail sentence being covered in the news.. considering the fact that you. date. ASHLEE SIMPSON. i mean really. that's like so many negative scene points you should be banished from the scene comm.

just kidding though. i love p33t. ask adam.

dates for the format tour are up & holler at giving away their album, dog problems, for free [source: tripwire]. starting on june 26, it's free, free, free, digitally, for a two week period. JUST FYI: THAT ALBUM IS GLORIOUS. kind of like the regina spektor album, you'd think with all the upped-up production stuff, it wouldn't be the same or as good.. but it's different and it's so sosososo sosoooo good.

angie's flying over to visit me, and we embark on 3 days of warped tour fri (pomona), sat (ventura), and sun (mountain view/sf) with 11:11am with the take action tent. see yall around!

ps. "i read your blog." check out these sites plz: hate something beautiful and rockinsider. meeting on the interwebz has never been so fun.

the choice is chalk, the path is known

zombies! aliens! vampires! dinosaurs! the outline!

it takes a real band to be that comfortable wearing spandex. no seriously, i love them. troub show july 5th, with cavil at rest.. opening for facing new york. set times are all up.

[the outline - "death to our enemies" vid]


also, i had dindin with vanessa last week, and jesus. christ. honey's kettle chicken in culver city. better than roscoe's. srsly. i got the two piece meal and it was heavenly. definitely my new fave place.

it might be the greatest thing since breathing

TREATY OF PARIS TAKES OVER REHEARSALS.COM NEWZ THIS WEEK. watch it and stuff.

also i'd like to take this moment to say i love phil. in a totally platonic way. even though chris likes my hair or something. scene points ftw!

(plus if you're really into it, check out the preview page on the rehearsals frontpage. they're weird. and they sing. edit: it's gone now. sad face. quick bio: treaty of paris is the first band signed on andrew mcmahon of jack's mannequin's imprint, airport tapes and records. their album comes out sept 25.)

allllllso, i'm obsessed with the new paramore cd, riot! i listened to it non-stop on monday during research, in the car, at the gym, et cetera. a lot of songs sound familiar, so i guess they don't garner too many points in the originality category. on the other hand, their familiar sound makes them really catchy, which gets stuck in your head, and really easy to hairflip to. might seem contradictory, but the album is a breath of fresh air out in the sea of tepid punk-pop and I LOVE IT. ENDORSE IT. do you like all the cliches i used? i do. seriously, that album is perfection and i would say probably one of the best albums of '07.

i'm hungry. e and i went to palomino's yesterday in westwood and i have some fancy french fries leftover ("crisp potatoes gorgonzola"). so good my stomach hurt. BYE.

i brought you chicken caboodles

holla.

both graduate shows have been amazing thus far (baltimore and philly). no photos unfortch since the lighting was terrible, but good times. i dannyauditioned (aka flipped my hair and pretty much broke my neck) at balty. bad traffic on the way to philly (basically it took 5 hrs to go a distance that would take 3 hrs)-- just barely made it in time during the grad's interlude (first song). perfect timing. they're weird. fun, but weird. and apparently [redacted] was formerly religious, but now uses their merch money to support their bad habits of 1) drinking, 2) eating bad food, and 3) staying in bad hotels. idk.

b/w the balty and philly show, corey posted photos on their myspace. am really excited, check out the last two on the 1st page of photos and the first one on the 2nd page. i know, show off. whatever.

watch tai tv.

when the sun shines, we'll shine together

video goodies for today before i'm off to the right coast.

[one republic "umbrella" - lucky strike - june 7, 2007]

ummm basically amazing.

[the dresden dolls "shores of california" music vid]
feat. kelly of SHOES! fame.

you can stand under my umbrella

last thurs was the annual leukemia & lymphoma society's celebrity rock 'n bowl. lighting was bleghhh for jack's which i still don't understand... but you can't beat free food and drinks. and getting kidnapped. easily influenced. dealing with one particular jerk from the press line. defending my lawyerly honor. secretly fangirling over unexpected people, thank goodness someone puts up with it. someone else fangirling to the right of me during jacks... that dude fangirled harder than i ever have, which i guess is maybe impressive, aside from the fact that he spilled his drink all over my shoes. repeatedly. i forgive him, how could i be mad at someone for liking a band a liiiiittle too much?

some photos below, the rest posted here.

[jack's mannequin - lucky strike - june 6, 2007]
i realize it's upside down, kind of the point. [onerepublic - lucky strike - june 6, 2007]he's kind of cute. in a "i'm too skinny and i play the cello hipster" way.okay seriously. hearing "apologize" live again was AMAZING. that song. is pure. pop. goodness.

they're headlining @ glass house in pomona on july 6. tix here & they're playing with the color turning, great glass elevator, and glacier hiking. they are so talented. cmon, timbaland thought they were amazing, so you should too. (timbaland presents shock value - apologize remix - listen to it on their myspace). i think there's also a fall out boy song on there.

yes, it's real love

mtv has the leak of instant karma: the campaign to save darfur (out 6/12 digital and cd format) here. regina spektor can do no wrong.

also, check out the nifty little banner to the right for music saves lives-- get a vip pass for warped (you will still have to buy yr own tix in) by donating blood @ designated music saves lives donation locations and dates. go to their site for more info and sign up soon! i'm donating this sunday. being scene and saving lives is totes poss.

also- fyi psa: socal is always in a shortage of blood supply, but as we move into the summertime, the shortage becomes particularly critical. if you're in the socal area, please consider donating blood to the red cross. if you're unable to, they also have great volunteer opportunities to get involved. get more info here at www.givelife.org.

big weekend coming up. let's be more adventurous. the outline, get back loretta (boo, cancelled)...

tv dinner

THE OOHLAS. COULD THEY BE ANY CUTER. NO.


the explanation: "we are the band for a tv pilot called "loungitude" being filmed here in los angeles. in this video they're trying to get some background shots for this club scene, and thus we were useless at this point in time, which you will see here."

maybe love is best left to who cares less

well, now that my rihanna-inspired haircut has passed muster, and i have met the lead singer of the graduate, i can die happy.
[the graduate - the roxy - may 26, 2007]

the graduate = INCREDIBLE live show. i was so stoked that they ended the show with the formula, probably one of my all time fave songs. corey (lead singer) goes nuts on the drums/percussiony stuff and the show just blew me away. lolsq aotp, if i got a scene point for every one i could point out.. i would... have a lot of points. anyway, good friends + the grad playing justified acoustic outside from their van + haircut adoration + extensive discussion re: clermont lounge and how VA is in the south (?) + late night food run to mel's = idk where i was going with that, but it was a good night. perf memorial day weekend (soo much gluttony).

oh, and i fangirled a lot. i think i embarassed e again, which was kind of the point. i kind of also made a big deal of the fact that the grad wasn't coming back till the fall, and then i realized i'll see them twice while i'm out on the east coast. FANGIRL ALL OVER AGAIN.

[the audition - the roxy - may 26, 2007]
i'm just going to flat out admit i'm not the biggest audition fan, but i kinda like those photos of danny. photos of both the grad and the audish are posted here.

i saw new years day a couple weeks ago @ the troub (opening for ozma along with william tell) aaaand i just want to say ashley (lead singer) is so adorable. plus their songs are super emo and fun and all about getting back at your loser ex-boyfriend. well, mostly. go see them on warped (she said they were doing the first half as a full band-- CA fans rejoice!-- and the other half as half the band, which i assume means acoustic).

shortly after i saw nyd, i saw robbers on high street @ the troub as well. ireney should hopefully have photos soon, those dudes are insane. and idk why but there were a lot of REALLY tall people at that show. maybe bball fans are fans of robbers. morrissey TOTES is. haha NAME DROP.

and we shed what was left of our summer skin

long time, no blog.

summer will be busy, busy, busy. huge events every month, weekend travels, two weddings (not mine, obvi), working pretty much a ton. good times.

plane tix for lolla are set, so chicago is a GO. should be amazing, plus the graduate is going to be playing (!!!!!!). okay more fangirl later, promise. still waiting for the schedules to go up for each day.

speaking of travels-- my good friends over at 11:11am (charity benefiting PCRF) will be on ALL of warped tour with the take action tent. i will be at most of the cali dates with angie, so if you feel so inclined, please stop by and purchase some buttons and bracelets, pick up flyers, etc. there's going to be an amazing raffle at each event, feat. signed band merch, lots of exclusive little goodies (details to follow) which you can enter either by making a donation at that specific warped date, or making a donation online. deets to follow soon (some here).

and if you're looking to help out and get a free ticket in-- there are about 2 volunteer spots open for most of the dates, but they are filling up quickly. check out the volunteer signup page here. also, you totes don't have to be chosen as a volunteer to help out-- it just means you'll have to find your own way in. awes.

it's not a party if it happens every night

i was nominated (by our section rep): most likely to represent death cab for cutie in a lawsuit. please tell me that makes me the indie princess of my lschool campus. i need a tiara. and date seth cohen kthnx.

so if you're lame (like me) and need to get out more (like me), vh1 has rock honors week going on this weekend in la... (events are to celebrate the vh1's annual rock honors show that's airing on the 24th) i totes missed whitestarr playing @ the roxy (which is only relevant because cisco is mischa barton's on/off bf! i know, i'm a celebstalker [mischa, not cisco]. i mean, not rly.). all the events have cool giveaways, raffles, etc. so head on out.

anyway, here's a partial listing of some stuff that imo, will be funnn (click here for the full calendar of events on la weekly):
saturday may 19:
air guitar contest at bally's, 1:00-2:30pm @ 1628 n. el centro ave.
-- learn how to air guitar from the air guitar champion (did not know those existed) fatima hoang and then try out your moves for a panel of judges + poss win a trip to vegas and a membership to bally's. even if you suck, you can at least print out the calendar of events guide (from the la weekly link) and bring it to any location for a pair of 2 week guest passes.

art exhib opening: steve joester, 7:00-10:00pm @ mr. musichead rock art gallery.
-- rock photog and mixed media artist premieres his work. raffle for vh1 save the music gift bag (worth $1000).

monday may 21:
metal skool @ key club. doors at 8:30pm.
-- if you don't know about this. srsly. watch this. kelly clarkson + metal skool = will change your life. if it doesn't, you're probably dead inside. and i don't like you.
Kelly Clarkson sings with Metal Skool (lang nsfw)

okay the point about metal skool was... vip vh1 rock honors party in plush lounge. KLOS-FM (whoa just busted out the caplock there) is giving away vip lounge tix sooo listen.

METALLLLLL.

all week (may 17-27):
vh1 rock honors guitars @ guitar center on sunset.
-- customized, autographed (signed by this yr's honorees) vh1 rock honors guitars. enter to win or bid online. proceeds benefit vh1 save the music foundation.

TGIF yall and don't forget about the cartel contest!

everyone, clap!

guys.

please prepare yourselves for the most amazing thing ever. aka this providence's tribute video to paramore's misery business (which tbqh, i'm still obsessed with), entitled "the misery of business, vol. 1." ashley has informed me that apparently we're on vol. 3 already; i don't know where vol. 2 went but they always start band practice without me...

thx to alee's bulletin.


someone teach me how to flip my hair like that. i'll pay you.

band in a bubble: cartel contest alert!

bob lefsetz hadn't heard of cartel... as much as i respect the dude, i don't think he is quite the target audience for cartel. ask any scene kid and she's bound to know who cartel is. if you don't, minus scene points for you, missy.

loved them even before i realized will pugh reminds me of my (formerly) favorite backstreet boy (*zing*). btw that was only based on looks and not talent/brains, since nick dated paris who is like, a travelling std zoo. REALLY BAD JUDGMENT is all i'm sayin. i digress. basically, cartel is going to be locked up in some sort of giant bubble contraption. i mean really, 5 band dudes locked up in one place? imagine all the hijinks, disgusting b.o. (fortunately, smells don't translate on camera), and dramarama that will ensue. (on second thought, don't cos that's just weird)
they're going to be filmed every single second during the time they're locked in (6 weeks), while they record and put together their follow-up to chroma. check out their online content, streaming live, here. they'll have some kicky contests going on, so i recommend you keep checking back. the first ep premieres on mtv may 24 at 11pm EST (8pm PST). i will be inviting myself over to e's house to watch. when the bubble "bursts" they'll be doing a live show in nyc on june 12. more deets as they come.

CONTEST! WIN A PRIZE PACK AND STUFF. it's a surprise.
(really, i don't even know what's in it)
to enter, email me at emokidsbff(at)gmail(dot)com and give me the answer to this question in the subject line: what's the full name of the person who got me hooked on cartel first? hint: here.

include in the email: your FULL name please. no need to send me an addy. i'll pick one winner next tuesday from all the (correct) submissions and i'll contact you then. **restrictions: US residents only please. i don't make enough money to ship internationally. come to think of it, as a student, i'm making negative monies. multiple submissions will be invalidated. i can't think of any more legalistic caveats so i guess that's it.

info and prize pack provided courtesy of m80 and drpepper.

holla.

i'm in the business of misery

okay, i really liked paramore before. they were catchy and hayley is the most adorable girl ever. sadly, i missed seeing them at last year's warped tour cos i was running late, but thankfully they're playing another round this yr.

basically- i LOVE them now (i know, slow on the uptake). listen to their single "misery business" off their forthcoming album out june 12th, RIOT!, off their myspace. seriously. i was blown away. dare i say, it's better than their whole last album combined (i just listened to that song twice three times while i typed this up). you can preorder the album from the fbr store ($13/shipping included) or d/l the single (legally, thanks) here.


okay i'm back to being a serious student. emokidsinthelibrary ftw. happy monday.

but hollywood is where i wanna be

got lucky with this show. security dudes made me stop taking photos after the first few songs or so, but they were nice about it, since i probably wasn't even allowed to have B O B (my canon s2) in there in the first place.

glorious, hot day. campus was nice. barricade. first time i've heard a full set since the west coast winter tour back in febz. basically made faces at andrew the entire time, he reciprocated, that was fun. he laughed at our bgvs. awkwardddd. more here over on forthesound.

[csun matafest - jack's mannequin - may 12, 2007]
aviators fan club. mao, gtfo of my face.

one more final. i'm off to the libs today.

and if my brain quits, well then i guess that's just it

trust me, i've been waiting a long time to use that title for a post.

nearly one week, and nary a post. a good sign for me, actually-- it means i've been studying hxc for the past week or so. it also means i've caught a cold and i haven't had enough energy to pull any all-nighters. my grades will hate me later for that. w/e i'm ill + taking airborne 24-7.

check out this amazing cover of dcfc's "i will follow you into the dark" by the dresden dolls' amanda palmer here. seriously. d/l it while you can. if you thought the original was gorg (which it is... i can listen to that song on repeat forevs)... this one is gorg x 10. i also happen to have a weakness for covers-- that would probably explain my infatuation with this song.

new fun contest-y stuff coming up. more random posts, obvi.

lovexx.

so read your books, but stay out late (some nights)

[jack's mannequin - coachella 2007 - april 28, 2007]
preview below. more here on forthesound. you know the drill. piano dancer.

can anyone tell that i don't feel like studying? kbye.

so here's to being alone

studying is like, the most anti-social thing EVER. aside from locking yourself away from your friends, refusing to look at people, not going outside, not answering the phone... oh wait, that's pretty much my life.

no joke, i started hallucinating my outline the other day, on the way home from coachella. not funny. at all.

in case yall wanted to know: finals schedule
5/7 torts 1-4pm
5/9 civpro 9-12pm
5/11 contracts 1-4pm
5/15 constitutional law 1:30-4:30pm

i might be crying by 5pm on the 15th. you have been forewarned.

coachella (sat only) was INCREDIBLY HOT. saw peter bjorn and john and that was amazing... until i started feeling dizzy and had to leave the tent before i passed out. it was like a sauna in there-- i think i sweated out half of my body weight. watched the full jack's set, fun as usual. photos will be up later-- when i decide to procrastinate again. made fun of everyone on stage, crushed on bob (always), good times. caught some of kings of leon, arcade fire, ozomatli, the fratellis, etc. left before rhcp- i cannot STAND their newer stuff. wanted to buy the shirt "i'm here for the opening bands" = totes true. always.

to the nice dudes who directed us to our parking spot-- in exchange for a hi-five: thank you. i will never cease to be amazed by people's kindness.

thou shalt not stop liking a band just because they’ve become popular

i heard this song on indie 103.1 and. BRILLS. love the video too.

[video: thou shalt always kill - dan le sac vs scroobius pip]



info, lyrics, d/l the vid/song off of itunes: here.
best lines:
- thou shalt not use poetry, art or music to get into girls’ pants. use it to get into their heads.
- thou shalt remember that guns, b------ and bling were never part of the four elements and never will be.

why do dreams dissipate upon waking

...before we're able enough to intake them?

[the outline - usc springfest - april 21, 2007]i got tired of taking pictures of graham. new cam bb. austen.

i hear that you're mending fences

thoughts/music roundup/other things i feel like bulleting b/c i can:
- LadybiRdS, made up of tyler pursel (keyb for GCH) and teeter sperber of ley royal scam (and 31 corn lane). add them please, they're so cute. i prefer the shark party song, and srsly. look at their track listing for their album regional community theatre, which comes out this summer. "#10 Oh No! The Unicorns are Knife Fighting Again" UM AMAZING. THANKS.

music vid for the brown and red divide, by ladybirds.


- mando diao has their forthcoming album ode to ochrasy up for stream over on their myspace page. picks: long before rock 'n' roll, the new boy, tbd. i love the swedes. obvi.
- i think tai should make sleeping with giants (lifetime) a single. am in love with that song.
- this day and age's (rip) second place victory is the most beautiful song. d/l it somewhere, since they broke up awhile ago. sob. play. repeat.
(i heard you say)
it's enlightening to think of the breeze
and to believe in things that we can't see
(so here we go)
let's show them how to live, accept the pain, always forgive
watch the sun go down
learn the sound of following all that is complete

does anyone have any opinions regarding 80s clubbing? pos or neg.

they had to break down the wall

i just wanted to take a moment and send my condolences to everyone who is being, has been, or will be affected by the tragedy today at va tech. (if you were living in a cave or something, turn on the tv. or check google news). it's been called the worst shooting in US history.. not just in schools but in OUR ENTIRE HISTORY.

needless to say, i'm shocked, angered, and saddened by today's events. this morning, we observed a court session in downtown; when we returned to campus, CNN on the tv display in the cafeteria was covering the event. my classmates and i strained our ears to hear over the noise in the cafeteria, but it was very difficult to tell what exactly had happened. fortunately (thank you, wireless internet in classrooms; apologies to my professor), i was able to read up on what little facts the news outlets have been able to procure thus far.

i know that my words may not even reach someone who has been affected by events that transpired at va tech. but what i do hope is that, as citizens, we do all that we can to support each other, and keep questioning and keep asking the hard questions. could the university have taken better precautions in warning the students? or was there very little they could do other than email the students? was the 2nd shooting a wholly unexpected and unrelated incident? the facts will (hopefully) reveal themselves, in time.

we can ask all the questions we want, and perhaps get all the answers we want. but blaming a party will not ever bring back those whose lives were lost today. i know that usually i don't post about personal things, or if i do, it's usually about my emo-existence.. but as a fellow student who actually enjoys spending her time in class, i sympathize with anyone who feels unsafe, or unsettled, on campus. i cannot imagine being a student at va tech, and i wouldn't imagine that i could ever understand what it is like to be there right now. all i can really do right now is (hopefully) show my support through this little blog... and hope that someone out there, as one human being to another, understands that s/he is not standing alone.

lesson #42: spend a moment, every day, thinking of someone to love.
- don't sweat the small stuff... and it's all small stuff by richard carlson.
tell someone you love them. today. they need it.

i welcome everyone's comments. i heart you all.

usc springfest '07 lineup

source: facebook events.
april 21, 2007. mccarthy quad. if you don't know, then don't go.
two stages.. it's all day and it's free.

performers and set times:
9:45 THE GAME
8:30 Ghostface Killah
7:25 Zion I
6:30 Pep Love of Hieroglyphics
6:05 C3
5:25 Rx Bandits
4:55 Trojan Men
4:25 Over It
3:55 A Change of Pace
3:25 We are the Fury
2:55 The Secret Handshake
2:25 The Outline
2:00 My Former Self
1:50 Troy Tones
1:25 Automatic Love Letter
12:50 Dynamite Walls
12:25 Hopefield
12:00 Ryan McDermott
**all set times are tentative and subject to change, so just come early and enjoy to ensure you don't miss your favorite act**
NEWEST ADDITIONS: (1) RxBandits (2) Over It (3) Pinkberry (to eat, i assume, not a band)

also, there'll be a bunch of food vendors (pinkberry, funnel cake, boba, etc.), giveaways, a dj, carnival ride, contests, etc.

updated 1:30 pm 04/19/07.

you've got so much to lose, but i don't

so i've had the graduate's new album anhedonia for a few days now, and i'm pretty sure i'm addicted. i first heard about them via my friend christi (she had sit&sink posted on her myspace) last year, may-ish.

(they totally thank the guy who gets doused with water in the liners. haha)

it's hard to a) follow-up to something as amazing as their EP, b) know what to expect from a band that i have yet to see live (though, they'll be aotp- all over the place for you newbs- on tour with punchline, permanent me, the fold all through april + also on tour with the audition, my american heart, and new atlantic throughout may + then warped july-early august)... but this album is love. after my initial rejection of sit&sink (i couldn't get past the fact that i loved the EP version so much), i moved on to the other songs. thoughts/faves:
i survived- can see this being totally anthemic live.
anhedonia- amazing guitarwork, one of my faves.
the city that reads- could see this being on the wb i mean the cw. oth.
surround yourself- vocals are to die for.
interlude- so hard to make these work, but this one is PERFECTION.
doppelganger- bitter and i love it.
justified- redone. so good. also for lolz- imagine shaant/ciwwaf shaanting to the chorus. even better.

i've decided that the new sit&sink sounds more raw (is that poss) than the old one. i think they can coexist.. peacefully :) def. hearing hints of jimmy eat world in the whole album. timeless. poppy yet plaintive. they totes could be the next j.e.w.

lololololollapalooza

i am a jewish boy.

Create Your Own PaloozaHead - Visit Lollapalooza.com

i also move 200lb. amps in 4 inch heels. thnx.

it's just a song

soooo who wants to get me into coachie vip so i don't (sun)burn. i'll trade for hmmm. my soul? actually someone else already owns that (i traded for a free poster of this band). i can offer legal services after i pass the bar?


guess not.

lollapalooza line-up is going to be announced april 12th. $165 early bird; $195 regular price. no services charges. awesometothemax.

had lunchie (steak torta sandwich and delish fruit tart) at porto's bakery in burbank yesterday. fyi burbank = the next silverlake. i think it was a jimmy kimmel sketch i stole that from.

good news:
jack's mannequin and mick fleetwood performing the j.lennon song "god" for instant karma: the campaign to save darfur. out 6/12 on wbr. other bands include: green day, regina spektor, the postal service, r.e.m. more deets here from the source.

okay whatever, i really would like to avoid thinking about class but i guess i should.

a friend of the devil is a friend of mine

as usual, blogging when i should be briefing. also as per usual.. being random when i don't need to be.

the new bravery song time won't let me go is SO GOOD. i'm not a hxc u2 fan but the song feels very u2-like from my limited knowledge of u2 songs. oh hay did i name-drop u2 like 3 times. yep. i wanted to dislike it based on the fact that it's the bravery.. though now that i think about it, why did i hate them so much? not sure.

went to see la-based hello stranger open for veruca salt last night @ the roxy. keytarists rule.. and i love that they have a song in spanish. show-hopped over the on the rox which is directly upstairs, same venue. don't even ask. i had to choke back a bunch of lolz but all in all.. it was an interesting night. CHICKEN. CAESAR. SALAD.

i found sunlight six hours away.
[atl botanical gardens]

welcome to atlanta, where the players play

hi all-
my trip to atl has come and gone. 3.5 fun-filled days with my favorite ph.d. student and her htb (husband-to-be) and my little protege, tins. it was so good to get away from la and just be random.

i like lists and bullets. things i learned:
- steamed veggies in the south means steamed veggies.. drowned in a soup of butter. i can see all the anorexics in la going "ugh" but they were pretty tastyyyy. i was pretty thirsty afterwards though. who knows what my cholesterol level is after these past few days. (mary mac's tea room)
- don't wear flip flops when turtle-hunting. fyi.
- it's not "the i-75" it's just "75."
- ga tech is building a nanotechnology center.. so they can make teeny tiny little nano things. no, i did not major in science.
- clermont lounge = good. clermont hotel = substandard living. just keep the distinction straight.
- i won't complain (for awhile, at least) about how much reading i have. why? literature graduate students read 200 page packets and like, a book a night. i got pwned.

SPEAKING OF SCHOOL I HAVE LESS THAN A MONTH LEFT OF CLASS of my first yr. then finals. expect extra blogging around that time. and maybe some photos of flowers. idk.

that was boring. santi.

what happened next was a series of unfortunate events

go listen: mtv2 the leak: the academy is - santi

my (initial) take: doesn't sound like almost here at all AND it's perfect. and yes, i will marry you, william beckett (joke, people. get with it). and ps. please play a headlining show in la soon. i mean, srsly.

i only think in the form of crunching numbers

major media post today, still trying to put off writing my paper. bad me.

fob video thnks fr th mmrs premiered today (you can d/l it for free over the weekend off their site, if yr browser doesn't keep dying like mine).

thnks smrscn for the youtube link.

tai big mess video.

three (sort of) new buzznet vids on the sounds' page. clicky here for live perf of tony the beat @ abbey road. I MISS THEM. JUST A LITTLE.

last but not least.. i should've posted about this earlier. plz go download the graduate's ep - horror show - for free off of their ap.net page here. i'm not sure what it is but the whole ep is just.. perfect and brills. i love how "the formula" goes back and references sit&sink etc. pretty excited about their full length anhedonia which comes out april 10th.

santi!!!

this distant life

first things first, will tell photos from the troub (and only 3 of the oohlas.. bad lighting. srry) posted here.

e and i decided to be crazy yesterday and catch the oohlas (playing on the mainstage @ knitting factory) and then get back loretta (playing in the alterknit @ knitting factory). set times worked out perfectly.

arrived a little before the oohlas started playing, e spotted irene.. and then trent. i'm totally blind. still. i blame it on the fact that i didn't have my glasses on. so much fun during their set.. we had the oohlas superfans in front of us (alas, no cowbell that night) and trent dancing aotp. photos aotp by all of us.

la la la scroll to the bottom.

gbl was great, obvi. idk how they crammed themselves onto that tiny stage without wiping each other out, but they did. kevin did his piano-dance and i lolzed. i actually danced and danced and danced and danced (hgb style) and apparently some dude from POD was there. interesting. they covered paranoid android and it was LOVELY. really gorg.

the oohlas photos posted here; below are a few of my faves: the lighting wasn't exactly conducive to movement.. so i decided to mess around with my color and aperture settings, since i never do it. kind of makes you dizzy if you stare too long, but rad.

come one, come all, to this tragic affair

i've made it through the whole week.

too many shows. by friday i was over it and not really chatty @ firescape.

last sat 3/10 - my chem. i hadn't seen them in forever and i was SO SO SO EXCITED. live > cd. love them so hard. i wish the stage weren't so big though, cos they looked way too spread out.

3/11 - the outline @ knitting factory, then decapulet @ alterknit lounge. this one killed me, i think. the last time i did two shows back-to-back (1pm then 6pm or something) was for the truckstops and statelines tour last year w/ tai, acceptance (rip), hgb, and patd. the outline killed as usual; i don't think i've ever seen them play a bad show. blegh on the lighting @ knitting factory. i traded my soul (aka i had to promise to be nice for the next x amount of shows) in exchange for a free poster. we'll see how long that lasts, considering my purpose in life is to be rude to band members. decapulet about an hr later, but not before i got my metallll on with roses for ophelia (fyi i am not a fan of metal), thoroughly amusing e in the process. decapulet was pretty endearing, they had a couple of fans who had flown out from texas and they had the audience sit down on the floor. i felt like i was back at molly malone's with firescape, except with 10 people and not 5. oh and there was THE MOST CRACKED OUT OLD LADY mc-ing. i swear. i died of the lolz and e took pix.

3/12 - day off.

3/13 - william tell album release party at the troub. we found sweet parking (aka free. who parks for free in la? you know how we do.) the oohlas went on early, am sad i missed them playing rupert and a quarter of their set. tried out my new rebel xti but i suck. irene probs has good photos that she'll be posting soon. will came on, his set was massively short. andrew mcmahon came out and played on fairfax (surprise). lighting was decent so i tried shooting with both cams. had my sorority girl/omg-i'm-so-la moment with andrew ("omg i haven't seen you in foreverrr! how are ya") and laura got her long-awaited photo with andrew. hugs and lolz. afterrrrrparty. long story. never been to a pop-industry thing so that was weird for me. open bar. denny's. made some new friends. home at 3am. love.

3/14 - day off. just kidding. school was excruciatingly painful but lots of lolz in writing class. club moscow @ boardner's for the outline. i cannot handle teenage hipsters. they scare me and i much rather prefer emo kids. love you guys.

3/15 - day off. forreals.

3/16 - firescape @ the alley. traffic was bad but not terrible. first time i've seen them NOT acoustic so that was definitely different. i kept making weird eye contact with josh, and i wasn't happy about that. i don't even know.

now i get to catch up on homework. remind me WHY i went to all of these shows this week. insanity.

ps. will tell photos soon i guess.

i'll be off to find another way

one of the first songs i heard off of the black parade was "i don't love you" (before the album was released). it was live. and it was gorg. so this video.. asdlkhlkhsdld. the album as a whole is amazing but this song. i don't even know what to say.



anyhow. not much going on. saw the outline @ spaceland last wed, a few photos here. kirsten dunst sighting (fab moretti was djing.. interesting).

last night i saw albert hammond jr. @ amoeba in-store which was FUNNNNN + irene saw drew barrymore when she walked by. apparently i'm blind. then we went to see bright eyes @ the el rey (bday pressie from irene! yay) which was really really really good. hadn't seen them in forev and i've only seen them once before. conor reminds me of a pirate with his longer hair but w/e. and apparently SIA was dancing all crazy next to me and kinda hit me by accident (i didn't know who she was at the time).

a show every other day is coming up next week.. must prepare. happy thurs!