top 10 songs of '09

1. Great Northern: Fingers
2. Maria Taylor: Time Lapse Lifeline
3. Metric: Help, I'm Alive
4. Lady Gaga: Bad Romance
5. Regina Spektor: Folding Chair
6. Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester: Good Girls Go Bad
7. The Sounds: Dorchester Hotel
8. Florence + The Machine: Kiss with a Fist
9. Phoenix: 1901
10. Robert Francis: Junebug

i should call it the lilith fair edition... so many female vocalists!

check out the staff of 11:11A.M.'s top picks here.

i tried to do handstands for you

i know this is an old meme, but it came up on yahoo. totally forgot how much i love the song (by a band called chairlift)! i guess the video is super cute, too.

[big squirrel & baby squirrel @ ucla]


here's the official vid:
[chairlift - bruises music vid]


fave lyrics:
i grabbed some frozen strawberries so i could ice your bruising knees
but frozen things they all unfreeze and now i taste like...
all those frozen strawberries i used to chill your bruising knees...
hot july ain't good to me
i'm pink and black and blue for you

party in the us... what?

look, i'm not condoning miley cyrus and her "music," but this -almost- makes it ok.

[uc santa cruz cloud 9 - party in the u.s.a.]

a capella fever

after checking out this hilar vid of the uc berkeley male a capella group noteworthy (not to be confused w/ BYU's straight-laced-but-pretty-rockin' female a capella group noteworthy who appear on the NBC show The Sing-Off) (and no, Federal Trade Commission, i don't get paid for plugging that show) (where was i?)...

anyhow, here's a slew of a capella videos i unearthed while browsing around youtube. take a look/listen & enjoy!

[uc santa cruz acquire a cappella - i'm on a boat]

FLIPPY FLOPPIES. hilarious and safe for singing along. here's a NSFW language version of the song, performed by the same group.

[uc berkeley decadence - dr. horrible medley]

with my freeze-ray i will stop. the world.

[uc santa cruz cloud 9 - kids & poker face]

weezer did it first @ the paramount party, but still. two of my fave songs in one medley = fabulous!

[uc berkeley decadence - hear you me]

jimmy eat world. a classic, obvi.

[uc berkeley noteworthy - SOAP]

the song that will never die...

speaking of The Sing-Off show... you should watch it and vote for The Socals. thanks!

small black - despicable dogs

[small black - despicable dogs music vid]

Small Black: Despicable Dogs from Yoonha Park on Vimeo.

wow... i haven't been so moved by a music vid since earlier this year when i watched maria taylor's video for "time lapse lifeline." one of my favorite shots was of the uncle running in front of the flickering tv screen image. do yourself a favor and watch it full screen. it is so beautiful.

Small Black’s “Despicable Dogs” Video Made An Intern Cry proclaims thetripwire.com.

It’s a day spent with frontbrah Josh Kolenik’s uncle/personal hero, a surfer who looks to be as wise as he is wily.

pitchfork gave their self-titled EP an 8.

But as much as [summer] is about goofy sunglasses and cold beer, it's also about those garden-crippling late-month frosts. And these guys have that sense of yearning on lock... it both warms and bruises at the same time.

you can check out a few more songs, plus a remix of "despicable dogs" on their myspace page.

happiness hit her like a bullet in the back

found these flo + the machine vids on tripwire a few weeks back, and totally forgot to post them!

thanksgiving weekend seems like a good time to get caught up, y/n? i decided last night would be a good night to start putting my retainer in again (after approximately 3-4 years), so i'm going easy and starting with the bottom one. it wasn't as bad as i thought it would be. i know, i'm 12. also bought $30 worth of ingredients for making rice krispies, but i need to hunt down a pan/baking dish to put them in. i hope i'm not getting overly ambitious about what i can get done this weekend...

now, onto the good stuff:

[florence + the machine - dog days (Levi’s®/FADER Fort)]


[florence + the machine - you've got the love (Levi’s®/FADER Fort)]

our lady, saint gaga

::bows down::

[lady gaga - bad romance/speechless @ the AMA's]


[lady gaga - bad romance music vid]


i've been obsessed with this video since it started making its way around the interwebz. how sick are her shoes (like, all 10 pairs of them)? also, kind of amazing breakdown of the "occult" symbols in the bad romance video here (i skipped the lyrics interpretation stuff and went straight to the video analysis). i can't vouch for the accuracy, but (if true) it's a pretty interesting read.

in sum:
s: am officially convinced she is dancer/genius
s: and no longer human/crazy
me: yes i agree
me: she's just so talented that the rest of us cannot understand her

@mariedigby: new cover, tour dates

[marie digby - fireflies (owl city cover)]


just scored my tickets to her dec. 17th show @ saint rocke in hermosa beach! super excited cos i've never seen her live before. here's the link to purchase tix. e has been raving about the venue (which i've never been to see a show there), so it'll be an adventure.

tour dates:
Nov 30 2009 7:00P @ Jammin Java - VIENNA, Washington DC
Dec 1 2009 9:00P @ Joes Pub - New York, New York
Dec 3 2009 6:00P @ Beat Kitchen - Chicago, Illinois
Dec 5 2009 5:30P @ Kilby Court- Salt Lake City, Utah
Dec 7 2009 8:00P @ Doug Fir - Portland, Oregon
Dec 8 2009 5:30P @ Triple Door - Seattle, Washington
Dec 9 2009 8:30P @ Hotel Utah- San Fransisco, California
Dec 13 2009 8:30P @ Casbah - San Diego, California
Dec 15 2009 8:00P @ Rhythm Room - Phoenix, Arizona
Dec 17 2009 6:00P @ Saint Rocke - Hermosa Beach, California

are you there, internetz? it's me, meow

oh hai there, internets. i'm glad we could get reacquainted while i sit at home with this cold. meanwhile, i've missed william tell playing @ USC tonight. boo, hiss.

internet round-up, take 101:

- download the graduate's "don't die digging" here after entering your email addy.

- marie digby announced new tour dates for december on myspace.

- butch walker covers taylor swift. and naturally, i love it and have been listening to it repeatedly.

You've Got The Love: Pepsi Music On Location on Yahoo Music!

one word for florence = fierce. though, i have to question her choice of footwear for an abandoned zoo... however, i don't really have any other suggestions for suitable footwear for that kind of enviro. nvm.

pablove foundation benefit @ avalon

everyone, please check out the event below. there are some very famous artists performing and it's all for a good cause!

as you may know, jeff of dangerbird records started the pablove foundation in honor of his son, pablo, who passed away earlier this year after bravely fighting cancer. pablo was 6 years old. read the story & follow jeff's journey as he cycles across america raising awareness and funds for childhood cancer. you'll feel good, i swear.

Please join us on November 21, for a very special Pablove Foundation benefit show at the Avalon. The show will feature stripped-down performances from:
Band of Horses* confirmed as headliner
Tom Morello: The Nightwatchman
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club
Shirley Manson of Garbage
Tom Gabel of Against Me!
Sea Wolf
Butch Walker
Jarrod Gorbel of Honorary Title
Songs for Kids
and more!

Tickets are available via ticketmaster.

The Pablove Foundation raises money to improve the lives of children with cancer. Your ticket purchase directly benefits the charity's programs. These include funding pediatric cancer research, helping families without health insurance, and improving hospital playrooms. Please visit pablove.org to learn more.

satellite heart

from the new moon soundtrack (omg excited sfm bbq)...

ps. got my midnight showing tickets. where are all my fangirls at?

'Satellite Heart' Anya Marina

Anya Marina | MySpace Video

just say yes

[snow patrol - just say yes music vid]

this snow patrol kind of reminds me of cher, i can't really put into words why... and i mean it in the most flattering way possible. maybe it's the flashing planetarium light show. their compilation album is out on nov. 10th (next week!) & just say yes is their new single. enjoy!

dear jack

last week, e & i were lucky enough to catch 2 sold-out andrew mcmahon solo shows (jack's mannequin) at anaheim HOB & troubadour in LA. on wednesday, we attended a screening of andrew's documentary, dear jack, and sat with our nearest and dearest JM friends (and some surprises-- pauly shore? who is that guy anyway?). it was an intense and fun week!

too lazy to re-write this announcement, so here it is-- in all it's quoted shameless promo glory:

Tomorrow the much-anticipated Dear Jack film will be available in-stores and via digital download through iTunes (the link will become active at midnight on 11/3).

Also, the Dear Jack EP will be made available on tomorrow as well. The EP features four previously unreleased tracks: “Dear Jack,” “Diane, the Skyscraper,” “There, There Katie,” and “Swim (Music Box).” This musical companion to the Dear Jack film will be sold exclusively through iTunes (the link will become active at midnight on 11/3).

Finally, a limited-edition “Swim” art book, which includes artwork created by friends and fans of Jack’s Mannequin that became a prominent part of the “Swim” music video will be released on exclusively at JacksMannequin.com (the link will become active at midnight on 11/3).

west coast winter: just me and the blue sky

you are cordially invited to the 2nd annual Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Holiday Ice Skating Party! proceeds benefit LLS and will be credited to LA Team Jack's Mannequin.

ALSO: we're going to be running a raffle with some AH-MAZING prizes, which will be announced later... you can only get raffle tickets if you show up!

here are the deets since the flyer is fuzzy-looking:

When: Sunday, Nov. 15th, 10AM-12NOON
Where: Seaside Ice in Redondo Beach. Check out their website for more details and directions. It's a (outdoor) skating rink on the beach!
Cost: $15 per person, includes skate rental and discounted parking.
Accepted Forms of Pre-Payment: Cash (in-person), check (mailed or in-person), or PayPal (email me for the link).

Please note: Pre-paid admission will end and payment must be received by Friday, Nov. 13th, 2009 at 5pm. After that time, we can only accept cash.

ps. all blog inquiries should still be sent to emokidsbff(at)gmail(dot)com. this is just for the fundraiser!

the early novembrrr

halloween has come and gone. who dressed up & what were you? i was a cupcake with red sprinkles. somewhat glad i didn't go with the lady gaga idea, since i've seen a lot of pictures of ppl who were dressed as her.

i'm already thinking about next year, and i think i might be sushi. tuna or shrimp, not sure yet.

anyhow, i leave you with this video, in the halloween spirit.

[sea wolf - wicked blood music vid]

sea wolf just played a show @ kcrw's halloween masquerade this past weekend. if you missed that, never fear (well, maybe a little fear, b/c you know the twi-mobs for this will be INSANE): on nov. 6th (friday), the band will be participating in a special Twilight: New Moon event at the hollywood & highland complex. other artists performing include: death cab for cutie, anya marina, and band of skulls. Q&A with some cast members will also follow.

ps. they're also playing a show @ solana beach - belly up, on nov. 5th.

so turn it up and break it down

i know, i've been a bad blogger this month/year/decade. picked out a shiny new template here for semi-overhaul-ish purposes... i haven't figured out how to coordinate colors b/c i'm challenged like that, but orange will have to do (for now).

so, what else is going on? this week has been crazy; have had lots of work-work and non-work to deal with. new PC came in 2 weeks ago, so i need to get with the whole transferring files & installing le photoshop. monday was snow patrol & tues-thurs was all about the sounds. seeing them @ kimmel brought back good college/intern memories. oh, to be 21 again!

[the sounds - come on bring that beatbox back]

4 songs & a fight (but no ticket fees)

the sounds posted this blog recently:

Meet The Sounds and Pay No Ticket Fees!

We are taking over The Hollywood Palladium box office on Tuesday, October 20th from 3-4pm in order to offer you concert tickets at FACE VALUE...with no ticket fees.

Trying to keep ticket prices as low as possible is something we always try and work out with our promoters, so we worked out with our LA promoter, Live Nation, for you to be able to buy Wiltern tickets for our show on October 21st and 22nd without paying any of the extra ticket fees if you come and buy them directly from us!

Oh did we mention we will also be signing autographs and taking photos with those who come out? See you there...it will be fun!

Are you coming to see us at Jimmy Kimmel Live that night? Come by early and meet us at the Palladium.

i already have my tickets (for both nights) waiting for me at will call, but anyone who is funemployed should go pick some up! yayyyy

let's waste time, chasing cars

hey, remember the time before snow patrol became "that band" with "that song" on grey's anatomy? srsly. like when run was like the most amazing depressing song ever? yea. oh, memories.

they're playing tonight @ the music box: henry fonda theatre and tomorrow @ the wiltern. i'm going to see them @ fonda tonight, courtesy of my friend irene. guess who's opening for SP btw? PWTs!!! weird. ahem. snow patrol will release two albums in november:

1. up to now: out nov. 10th, 2009. this double album features all their hit singles, cover versions, rarities and album tracks that span the band's amazing 15-year career. it'll include 3 previously unreleased songs (just say yes, dark roman wine and give me strength), songs from the two albums released on an indie label in 1998 and 2001, and 2 songs by the reindeer section (an indie supergroup w/ members of belle and sebastian, idlewild, mogwai and teenage fanclub. some covers and live tracks are also included.

Official Track List:
CD1
Chocolate
Chasing Cars
Crack The Shutters
Set The Fire To The Third Bar
Crazy In Love
Just Say Yes
Batten Down The Hatch
You’re All I Have
Hands Open
Cartwheels
The Planets Bend Between Us (2009 Version)
Ask Me How I Am
On-Off
Making Enemies
Run (Live at the Union Chapel)

CD2
Take Back the City
Shut Your Eyes
An Olive Grove Facing the Sea (2009 Version)
Run
Give Me Strength
Signal Fire
Spitting Games
Open Your Eyes
Dark Roman Wine
Fifteen Minutes Old
You Are My Joy
Golden Floor
Starfighter Pilot
PPP
Chasing Cars (Live at the Union Chapel)

2. late night tales: out nov. 3, 2009. a compilation/dj set of songs mixed and selected by tom simpson and gary lightbody.

track listing:
1. "Observatory Crest" Captain Beefheart
2. "Midnight" A Tribe Called Quest
3. "Dark Lady" DJ Food
4. "I Walk the Earth" King Biscuit Time
5. "Canal Song" Iain Archer
6. "Ordinary Joe" Terry Callier
7. "It's All Gone Quiet" The Week That Was and Field Music
8. "Last Train" Allen Toussaint
9. "Fancy" Bobby Gentry
10. "That's Us/Wild Combination" Arthur Russell
11. "Eanie Meany" Jim Noir
12. "Half Asleep" School of Seven Bells
13. "Family Tree" TV on the Radio
14. "Hold On" Holy Ghost!
15. "Download" Super Furry Animals
16. "New Sensation" (INXS cover) Snow Patrol
17. "Next Train" Miracle Fortress
18. "Sweet Little Mystery" John Martyn
19. "The Happy Detective (Part 2)" Will Self

when it rains...

things to know:

- the graduate has a brand new song up for stream here on absolutepunk.net. please comment/recommend/share the heck out of that link. we emo kids ♥ them!

- our friends over at kata kouture jewelry are having a warehouse sale on october 24 in carlsbad... here's what rhonda says:

saturday 10/24 kata kouture will be having a sale with macbeth footwear, spicy clothing, loserkids.com & keep a breast. itd be awesome if you came out to support and to do some shopping! :)

check out the flyer below.

- late night blogging and thinking about food plans for tomorrow make me hungry. you know what'd be great? a chipotle truck. i'm craving a burrito bowl something fierce right now.

- i've reintroduced myself to the concept of saving (money). i'll let you know from time to time how that shakes out.

- i have wandered off-track. ahem. the sounds have posted a tour update on their myspace blog. info about the opening acts, cali, jimmy kimmel & beatbox video preview (just a snapshot!) all await. did anyone get tickets to kimmel, anyhow?

i'm crying blood

could they please use this song on True Blood? I THINK SO. comment me with your favorite T.B. quote, kthx.

[vv brown - crying blood music video]
Crying Blood

VV Brown | MySpace Music Videos