As sharp as I sting

Happy Tuesday, all. I am finally going to tell you about Mirah and Thao. A few weeks ago, Kat, Amanda and I road our bikes over to the West Bank for some dinner at Acadia and a great show at the Cedar.

I have a ton of pictures, as you can see. But I will tell you right away... these pictures do no justice to A). how attractive both of these women are, B). How well they play together and accent each other and C). How energetic they were on stages and how much fun everyone was having. Before the show, I had never really listened to Mirah. A and I really like Thao and saw her a few years ago with her band, The Get Down Stay Down. We know that Thao really kills it on stage and has an amazing presence. But I was pretty excited to hear what Mirah was all about. The opening band, The United States, was pretty good. They were actually really good at what they do, but it wasn't my absolute favorite genre of music (sort of alt. country type stuff, but *very* tight!) But their set was energetic and fun.

After the opening band, Thao and Mirah came out with their band. It was an awesome rhythmic jam for the first few minutes, which got me pumped up. Everyone on stage (well, besides the drummer and bass player) were clapping in rhythm (which i usually can't stand) but it sounded totally cool. It got everyone up and dancing, and then they busted into a song.

When these two ladies voices went together, I got goosebumps a little bit. I'm serious you guys. It sounded so beautiful, it was breath taking. Throughout the show they did a mix of Mirah songs and Thao songs. They sang their own stuff and sang for each others tunes. They also did alternate versions of things and really threw down.

One thing that I thought was great was the dynamic. Yes there were plenty of really upbeat, danceable songs, but there were also a few really sweet, lyrical, and melodic goldmines. I really enjoyed that.
Also, there was more than one percussion break down. Each member of the band had a different percussion instruments to grab-a tambourine, shakers, and extra drum-so cool. And Thao would just bust out some sticks and start beating on different drums on the drum kit!

And the opening band came out for a huge on stage jam (Mirah, Thao and their band came out for the last song done during the These United States set as well-both drummers together sounded AMAZING!)

There was a unique instrumentation. A clarinet, keyboards, bass, drum kit, violin, guitars, banjo and sometimes a bells set. The Clarinet player was loving it. He was dancing all over and such fun to watch! Over all, the show was really great. I suggest you look into both of these artists (both separate and together.) Also, we learned a few days before the show that Mirah and Thao may/may not be dating. Well, there is something going on between them, but they are trying to keep it hush hush so the world can focus on the amazing musical collaberation, not their hotness.

At the end of the show, they came down in the audience to sing and dance and have a good time. You can see that Kat was *loving* it! It was very cool. They also played a like 3 songs for their en core. All in all, amazing show! And below is a link to some of their music, so you can hear for yourself!

http://mixtape.me/p/17231

Driving Mix

Happy Friday. We made it. We survived the week. Today is just a breeze, right? I hope so. To help you get through your Friday, here is yet another rad mix. It is a road trip mix, of sorts, as I am driving to Milwaukee later on today.

I love making mixes for road trips. I usually make a few with different themes. Today I just want something that will keep me up and going. I feel this mix will do the trick. Some ups, some downs, a little of everything.

I hope you enjoy the roadtripmix!

http://mixtape.me/p/17147

1. Get Innocuous- LCD Soundsystem. I really like LCD Soundsystem. I remember the day I bought this album. A and I had just started dating and took our first trip to Electric Fetus together. I got LCD Soundsystem and Yeasayer. She got Thao and the get down stay down. Then I made her Spaghetti and Meatballs for the first time and watched a bunch of L Word together. Ohh the memories.2. Alala-CSS. A girl I worked with about 4 years ago made me a mix CD. She worked at RadioK and had awesome taste. This song blew my mind. It makes me want to go out and have a damn good time. I miss my dance party days. 3. Swimming Pools-Thao and the Get Down Stay Down. We recently saw Thao (ill review it soon) and it reminded me of how much I love her. She has SO MUCH energy on stage. She makes you want to dance just by watching her. Love it.

4. The Big Fight-Stars. I love the vocals in this band. So pleasant and beautiful. And the lyrics are great. I think once you have gotten out a little energy in the first 20 minutes of your drive, you need something to bring you back down and lose track of time for a bit. I think Stars is really good at doing that. And then it breaks into something totally different and the trip feels like it has really began. 5. That was just a Dream-Cut Copy. This song is great. with the road trip thing-I like electronic music while driving. Their is a flow you feel and really experience (or maybe I'm just weird) but everything feels so fluid. Unfortunately, this version gets cut early. But you get the feel.

6. Never Ending Math Equation-Modest Mouse. This is the shit I LOVE. I love their older stuff, Isaac Brock has more raw emotion in his voice-there is still that youth in there. I first got into Modest Mouse the same summer I happen to drive back and forth to Milwaukee about 6 times. And I would listen to their album (whatever one I chose that day) over and over and sing at the top of my lungs. That was the same summer that I first started to begin looking at my attraction towards females. I had a lot of emotions flying through me as well.7. Sunlight-Matt Pond PA. I just recently started listening to this stuff. It comes up on my Pandora a lot. I heard it the other day and really liked the hand claps. And I like the lyrics.

8. NYC-Interpol. I'm still learning about this band. Their sound has changed from album to album, and because I never really listened to them, I'm just starting to figure out what I like/don't like about what. I like how this song builds, and has a really big sound for a song that isn't really too loud, or fast or anything like that. The sound feels like it could fill up a huge old warehouse somewhere. That is what I picture seeing as I hear this song.

9. Anthem for a seventeen year old girl-Broken Social Scene. I first heard this song in a townhouse-part of a bunch of townhouses called "Skid Row," right near the campus of the University of Delaware. That was about 6 or 7 years ago. This song has been real significant several times in my life and is one of my all time favorites. I think if you just stop doing whatever you are doing and simply listen to this song, you won't regret it. It is beyond beautiful.

10. You've Got the Love-Florence and the Machine. Every road trip mix needs a song sung by a woman with an incredibly powerful, soulful, moving vibe. This is the song that I am feeling today that falls under that category. I would really love to see these guys live. 11. Lake Michigan-Rogue Wave. Do I need to explain the motivation of this song as we take a road trip to Milwaukee, next to my favorite great lake? But I will say, I like these guys-have a similar sound to Local Natives-that heavy percussion. All the rhythmic stuff going on-love it.

12. Were is my Mind-The Pixies. I like this song. I know y'all hear it a lot, but I think it is another fun sing at the top of your lungs while on a road trip jam. Try it next time you are in the car. It is great.

13. Band the Drum-Todd Rundgren. This is my Dad's ultimate weekend jam. I heard it a lot growing up-they play it on the local MKE classic rock station every Friday (or used to) and whenever my dad wants people to get pumped up and/or start partying, he throws this one on. Love it :)

14. Heavy Soul-Black Keys. The Black Keys are awesome. I love the grittiness-some real raw rock n' roll. His voice is exactly what I want when I drinking a Blatz and smoking a smoke on some dirty patio at a Milwaukee (dive)bar.

15. The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth-Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. This song still makes me excited. When I first got this album I would drive around just to listen to it (on CD player I had at the time was in my car) and just get so into it, I would have to pull over sometimes. I like it :)

16. Hyperballad-Bjork. Bjork is my hero. She is also one of those artists that should be on a good road trip mix. I really like how this particular song just keeps building and adding more to the complex beats. By the end, you cant help but be moving a bit. Her voice is also beyond amazing.

Well that's that. I hope you guys liked it. Ill be back in town on Sunday evening, after Holland beats Spain. (GO ORANGE!)

Back to the MKE!

Hello, Friends. This weekend Amanda, the pugs and I are heading back to Milwaukee. See, my step dad is back in the Hospital, Amanda's best friend, John, is coming to town, and it has been a while since we have headed to the Mil-rock. Because of the circumstances, I'm not sure how much free time I will have. But I figured I would post some of my favorite things to do while visiting Milwaukee.

I lived in this town for 18 years. While most of the fun I had there was innocent, I feel like it still holds up as fun stuff to do. So here goes my list of things to do in MKE, just a few things to do, that is.

One thing I like to take friends to see, and a place we spent a lot of time trying to figure out in High School, is the Mary Nohl House, or *The Witch's House* This house was/still is a legend for myself and my friends. Whenever we were bored, we would drive up the shore to Fox Point, and make that secret turn that leads you WAY down to the lake and into the neighborhood that is home to the House.
While Mary was actually an artist, Her statues and sculptures are so unique, they seem almost "witch-like" to the kids who began gossiping and turning the house into a place to see. Many rumors came out of it. I heard she had a son and husband that took a trip on their boat and never came back, so she sat at her window, which overlooks the lake, and waited until she went nutsy and started making her art. Anyhow, check it out. They even made a book about it. More info here: http://www.agilitynut.com/h/nohl.html

Milwaukee is also home to a little Brewery called MILLER! Back in the day, Milwaukee was home to many breweries, but many were bought out by larger companies, or straight up no longer exist. We are in fact The Brewers! Anyhow, I like the Miller tour-seeing the old caves and the huge brass Kettles that the beer grows in. Plank Road

A little History: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miller_Brewing_Company

I also like Lakefront Brewery. It is newer, a Micro brew, and wonderful. They use Wisconsin grown stuff, and make really great flavors. I enjoy the East side Dark. Yum. More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakefront_Brewery,_Inc..

Milwaukee also has some fine museums. I love the Public Museum. The streets of Old Milwaukee is so cool, along with the Dinosaur/rain forest area. I also like the old European houses. So cool! http://www.mpm.edu/

Also, the Milwaukee Art Museum is pretty amazing! It is really cool to see close up and far away and from the lake and from downtown...it is just really cool. http://www.mam.org/
We also have many mansions in Milwaukee. I don't know a lot of history behind them, but they sure are neat to look at!
This one is right near the church I grew up going to, on Wisconsin Ave near Miller Valley and the Rave.

Downer House: http://www.historic-structures.com/wi/milwaukee/downer_house.php

The Brumder Mansion, which is allegedly haunted: http://www.milwaukeeghosts.com/haunted/brumder.asp

The Wisconsin Club (originally the Mitchell Mansion): http://www.wisconsinclub.com/fw/main/History-4.html

And the Pabst Mansion. This is the big guy. We all know and love it. It is right by Marquettes campus. I remember as a kid going to a Haunted House here around Halloween. The theme was Stephan King Movies and it scared the shit out of me.

More here: http://pabstmansion.com/

Lastly, or at least lastly for now, George Webb's. People in Milwaukee don't know how good they have it. Yeah, Webb's is nothing special (to you!) but the closest thing we have to it is Denny's, and Webb's is no Denny's. 24 hour-Diner chain. For real, they are all over South Eastern Wisconsin. Always cheap, hot, good food. I love their soup, I love their burgers, I love their breakfasts. I love it. I know, I know...It is only George Webb's.

*side note: this is all more fun when on a bicycle! Milwaukee is becoming better and better about cycling, with many trails and bike friendly areas of town.*

Don't worry, Ill get a mix going for tomorrow still. But you probably wont hear from me until We get back to Mpls. Also, I will have the review of the Mirah and Thao show soon. I have not forgotten, don't worry.

American, I Love You!

Happy 4th of July weekend, friends! 4th of Jukly happens to be one of my favorite Holidays. You've got fireworks, picnic, parades, marching bands all in one place. Love it. This America weekend has inspired me to make a God Bless the USA-kinda mix. So, all of the following songs have some sort of Americana feel. I hope you enjoy!

http://www.mixpod.com/playlist/59232837

1. America-Simon and Garfunkel. One of my favorite songs ever. I mean EVER. I love this one. so beautiful, such nice harmonies, and it really makes me get that road trip across the US kind of feeling. gives me goosebumps every time I hear it.

2. 16 Military Wives-the Decemberists. They have a lot of songs that have some sort of American feel. I picked this one and another. I like this song, it is catchy and upbeat. I hope you enjoy!

3. Winter in American-Gil Scott Heron. Real gritty American soul music. That's what I call this. Imagine all the years of this particular style of music was played with one busted guitar, while some older grey-haired gent sits on his front porch in ripped overalls and a sweat through shirt, after a 12 hours day.... Can't see it? Just me? I dunno, it makes me want to be at a real relaxed type of July 4th celebration.

4. Young Americans-David Bowie. What can I say, I'm a sucker for bowie. I like this one. I remember hearing it when I was a kid and not totally understanding what he was saying. Sometimes I still feel this way.

5. One Nation Under a Grove-Funkedelic. I wish we WERE one nation under a groove. Do you know how much less war we would have? Something about funk screams summer to me. Drinking in backyards lit by bonfires, lightning bugs and cigarette cherries. Ahhhh summertime.

6. New York-Ryan Adams. I love this song. I love new York. this song makes me think of all the reasons why I actually am happy to be American.

7. Ashes of American Flags-Wilco. Bringing it down a bit here. With the strings and typical Wilco guitar/Jeff Tweedy sound, i get sort of emotional. But Wilco does that to me. Its very down and out. Kind of makes me feel sad, but in an alright way. The guitar work at the end is pretty awesome.

8. Independence Day-Bruce Springsteen and the E street Band. Another group that has a lot of Americana-ish songs. Amanda suggested this one, so here we go. I know, I could have done Born in the USA but you all have heard that probably 100 times before.99. July July-The Decemberists. Bringing it back up with the Decemberists. I really like this song. Every time I hear it (regardless if it is July or November) I think of how nice our summers are and I am grateful for my Minneapolis lakes and such. Enjoy.

10. Lump-Presidents of the United States of America. Didn't think I'd dust this one off, did ya11. America-West Side Story. I happen to be a sucker for musicals and Westside Story is one of the best ever. I love this song, I love the "PR" accents. Sorry if you find this song ridiculous, it is real cool. And the time signature gives it that PR feel, if you will. I wish I could roll my tongue and ehhhhYaaaaa with them. basic jist-the girls love America, the boys think it isn't so great. classic.

12. Fireworks-Louis Armstrong. What is an American classic mix without the great American classic, Louis Armstrong. A: American music would not be the same without this guy B: he and I share the same birthday. I wish we had a dixieland club around here...

13. Living in America-The Sounds. A nice upbeat chick rock song about living in America. Need I say more?

14. Firecracker-Ryan Adams. I love this song. The summer after my freshman year of college a few friends and I painted houses for College Pro. I must have listened to this album everyday for 2 months straight. It also has one of my favorite lines in a siong, EVER. "broken bluesy whisper, sing to me tonight." I really love it.

15. Breakfast in America-Supertramp. This is another band I listened to a lot of as a kid. So this isn't the whole band playing, but I kind of like this acoustic-type version. I used to pretend I was a clarinet player in this band (and Saxophone on their song Dreamer....) back when I was like 7. Pretty cool, huh?

16. Star Spangled Banner/Purple Haze-Jimi Hendrix. Best version of this song ever. period. 17. All American Girl-Carrie Underwood. What can I say. I like her, Even if this song is cheese-tastic and silly. I neglected to put ANY other country music on here for as reason. So what if I put Carrie at the end, right?

Well guys, have a great 4th of July. Enjoy some fireworks, or parades, or picnics. or one of the many 10,000lakes. GodBlessAmerica, BABY!