“When a person is lucky enough to live inside a story, to live inside an imaginary world, the pains of this world disappear. For as long as the story goes on, reality no longer exists.”
- Paul Auster The Brooklyn Follies: A Novel
Add comment January 21st, 2010
It’s pretty amazing the difference a year can make, isn’t it? Granted, the photo above was taken on election night in ‘08, so it’s a little over a year old, but I don’t think anyone could have imagined then that a Republican would win Ted Kennedy’s senate seat the day before Obama’s one-year anniversary of being sworn in as President of the United States.
It does seem like ages ago now, maybe because ‘09 was such a shit year, but I still remember the hope so many of us saw in the election of our new president. And truth be told, I still have much of that hope. I respect Obama for being the pragmatist that he so clearly is, and I do think that when we look back on the big picture, he’ll have quite a lot to show for his time in the Oval Office. But I’m just as frustrated and pissed off as the next guy.
I’m tired of reading about the billions of dollars in Wall Street bonuses. I’m tired of a double digit unemployment rate and the thousands of jobs still being lost each quarter. I’m tired of a Democrat controlled White House and Congress not being able to affect the change they’ve been promising for decades. I’m tired of Republicans voting no on everything, and I’m tired of people so quickly forgetting that it was the conservative economic agenda that got us into this whole mess in the first place. I’m tired of the filibuster, and I’m tired of hearing from and about Joe Lieberman. I’m tired of Obama not getting angry, and I’m tired of him prioritizing bipartisanship over the platform he campaigned on. I’m tired of self-centered politicians being immediately more worried about the next election instead of focusing on the job they were elected to do in the first place. I’m tired of being an independent who has to side with a Democratic party that can’t get its shit together. I’m tired of there not being a third viable political party. I’m tired of all three 24/7 cable “news” stations, and I’m tired of entertainment, opinion and speculation being regarded as news. I’m tired of pre-existing conditions. I’m tired of having to worry about our health insurance, and I’m tired of the fear I live in that we’ll lose that health insurance sooner than later. I’m tired of feeling like all of this talk of health care reform isn’t going to produce any meaningful health care reform, especially now with the election of some unknown Republican dude in Massachusetts, of all places.
I could go on, but I’m too tired. So I’m gonna go to bed now and just hope for a better tomorrow…
1 comment January 20th, 2010
The stapled remains of the fence outside Stubb’s Bar-B-Q once all the many live music posters have been torn down…
Add comment January 19th, 2010
If it weren’t for these boys, I probably would have never discovered SXSW. The Amazing Pilots looking serious in an Austin junkyard in ‘05.
1 comment January 18th, 2010
It’s hard to put into words the insanity of a Peelander Z performance (seen above at Hot Freaks in ‘09). Just check out this video from one of their shows, which’ll help paint a better picture. They’re by far one of the most fun bands I’ve ever seen play live, and I kind of don’t even like their music.
Add comment January 17th, 2010
A few months ago, I posted another pic from this show at the Irish SXSW showcase in ‘09, but the above is one of my all-time favorites that I’ve taken down at SXSW. Dubliner May Kay of the band, Fight Like Apes, is equal parts amazing and absolutely crazy when you she takes to the stage. And with hair like that, she couldn’t be any more photogenic to say the least.
Add comment January 16th, 2010
Duke Special at the Irish Breakfast in ‘06.
I wasn’t at this show with Ryan, but I vividly remember him talking about it when he got home from SXSW that year. He hadn’t seen Duke Special in eight years, and the last time Ryan had seen him, he was just your average looking Irish man and had pretty short hair.
As you can see, his look had changed quite a bit since then! But what struck Ryan even more than his long dreadlocks was Duke’s amazing performance that morning. It left a huge impression on Ryan, and I can only imagine the rest of the crowd at the Irish Breakfast. Just hearing Ryan describe it, made me feel like I’d been there too.
I’ve been lucky enough to see Duke Special perform several times since then, and he’s easily one of my favorite artists. He’s so incredibly talented that it really is a true pleasure to see him in action. And every time I watch him perform, especially when he plays “Salvation Tambourine”, I remember standing in the kitchen of our old apartment and listening to Ryan describe the dreadlocked frenzy of Duke pounding the piano as he chanted “I could go to London…” at that special show in Austin.
- Kim
2 comments January 15th, 2010
Here’s a shot I took of Iain Archer down in Austin back in ‘06. We found this incredible mural on the side of a rundown Mexican restaurant on the outskirts of town, and I just love how Iain sort of fits right into it. Or maybe he doesn’t fit at all…
While most in the US have probably never heard of Iain Archer, chances are you’ve heard his work. A native of Northern Ireland, Iain co-wrote several key tracks on Snow Patrol’s breakthrough album ‘Final Straw,’ including the hugely successful single “Run.” But as an artist, Iain is much more than just a collaborator, and it’s his solo work that’s truly special and absolutely worth checking out.
2 comments January 14th, 2010
Easily, one of the major highlights of the last two SXSWs, has been the Hot Freaks party at the Mohawk. A collaborative effort from the most influential music bloggers in the country, Hot Freaks showcases some of the best music on the indie horizon. I’ve gotten to see bands like The Dodos, Delta Spirit, Camera Obscura, These United States, Jason Lytle (formerly of Grandaddy), Christopher Denny and White Denim (as seen above), just to name a few. Last year, I didn’t even purchase a wristband cause I knew we’d have two solid days of great tunes to look forward to under one “roof,” and I was not mistaken.
Of course, I should probably point out that my buddies and I have also been lucky enough to get the ol’ VIP treatment both years, thanks to my good friend, Larry Little, at Future Sounds. It’s a pretty great thing, looking down from the reserved balcony with free booze and delicious complimentary tacos, while soaking up some sweet Austin sunshine. All live music should be consumed like this!
I did learn this past weekend, however, that Hot Freaks won’t be happening this year. And as sad as I am to know it won’t be waiting for us come March, I know that Larry and co. have some pretty incredible plans up their sleeves for this year’s fest instead (did somebody say, Super Rumble?). So RIP, Hot Freaks, and let the new party(s) begin!
Add comment January 13th, 2010
Take this sinking boat and point it home
We’ve still got time
Raise your hopeful voice you had a choice
You’ve made it now
Falling slowly sing your melody
I’ll sing along
- Glen Hansard “Falling Slowly”
(seen above with The Frames at SXSW in ‘05)
Add comment January 12th, 2010
