Spogga.

I was home for a month, and after having my wisdom teeth out... drooling for a full week and spending way too much time on the couch... I was ready to see some form of human life. My friend was going to Providence to meet up with her sister at RI RA to hear a guy- Spogga. The name immediately intrigued me. I'd like to say that I went without a second thought. But, being me, I checked out his myspace in addition to looking up about 5 youtube videos. To tell you the truth, I was less than impressed. But couch or friends... Ok, I'll go.

I walk into the pub and see Spogga, a good-looking older guy. And then. The head turns. He has a nearly shaved head and a small ponytail section formed into one massive dreadlock. Nothing like anything I had seen before. Then his music began. Nothing like anything I had ever heard live (or anything remotely like the youtube videos). He played an acoustic, and along with other sounds (including a conk shell), looped his sounds to make mixed songs like "99 Problems" by Jay-Z with "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin. It reminded me a lot of the Grey Album. But live. And by one guy. Pretty awesome. Good thing I didn't choose the couch.

Second Time Around

I have seen two complete Kings of Leon shows.

1. Bonnaroo - June 2004

2. Austin Music Hall - Oct 2008

Huge time lapse. New records. New haircuts.

These Southern boys can still rock out. The intensity of the band hasn't changed too much (they've always been adrenaline fiends). But as their popularity has increased, the fans have matched the ferocity of the band. The only apt description of the fans is that of a crowd during the NBA finals... game 7.

Mystery Song

I was reading the Guest List: Best of 2008, where artists choose their favorite albums or tracks of the year, on Pitchfork. The very last entry was M. Ward's, who I really enjoyed at ACL.

His list:
1. Becky Stark "Ocean and Ground"
2. Fleet Foxes "White Winter Hymnal"
3. T-Pain (ft. Lil' Wayne) "Can't Believe It"

I've definitely heard #2 and #3 (and love them). But who is Becky Stark? I searched on hype to hear her track, but nothing came up. I searched her name, but only 3 songs appeared, none of which were "Ocean and Ground." I did an itunes store search. No luck. This started to frustrate me. I did a google search on her name and found she is a member of the band Lavender Diamond. I hype searched this and still no luck. I think the song's made up.

Anyways, I listened to some Lavender Diamond tracks, and I totally dig it. The lead singer, Becky Stark, has a fabulous voice, a simple one that possesses a clarity like that of Karen Carpenter or Jenny Lewis. I like the tracks "You Broke My Heart" and "Open Your Heart." (Seems "heart" is a common theme...)

Christmas Music

Two points on this topic:

-About half the radio stations I like in Waco have changed to Christmas tunes.

-David Crowder started Sunday's service off with Feliz Navidad.

What has this world come to???

Bonnaroo Debacle

I've always found Kanye West annoying. Just like I find the Beastie Boys annoying. Not that I'm dogging their music style or creativity- I just find them annoying as people, not artists.

That being said, when I was on Digg earlier today and saw a link titled "The Top Ten Reasons Why Kanye West Is a Douche" I had to read further. I agreed with most of the list, but what I found most interesting were the posts people had left under the "top ten." Multiple people were complaining about what happened at Bonnaroo 2008.

Now, I haven't kept up with Bonnaroo since I last attended in 2006, but this festival is by far the most personal to me. Anyone who attends this festival loves music... well, and most love drugs and the 60's... but everyone loves music. Not the kind of "love" that you see from most people at other festivals. These fans know the life history of any major rock musician, the key the song is written in, side projects, obscure recordings, the background story of why songs were written. They're intense fans. They intimidate me.

Reading what Kanye did (demanding he would be the last show of the night, refusing to start until all other artists stopped playing, making fans wait almost 2 hours to begin his set, etc) infuriated me. It's bad enough to do that at any festival, but that should never be done at Bonnaroo.

My conclusion: I have lost respect for Kanye as a person and as an artist. The Beastie Boys still annoy me.

All About the Atmosphere

Atmosphere can either make or break a show. Don't believe me? Maybe you should have seen Delta Spirit and Dr. Dog at the Parish in Austin. Being hot and unable to breathe at a show? Not fun. (Ok, festivals excluded- simply because it's expected). I have been following Dr. Dog since the summer of 2007, shortly after their release of "We All Belong," and I had the chance to see them at Siren Fest when I lived in NYC for the summer. The atmosphere was perfect. Dr. Dog was great. At 2007's ACL I was able to see them a second time when they were a sudden addition to the festival's lineup. Again, a great show (and breathing, even in Austin's insane heat, was possible). At the Parish I was really excited to hear Dr. Dog's new stuff, but the heat forced me to do something I've done only once before in my life- leave early. Maybe if the Beatles came back for a reunion tour I would have suffered through it, but that level of discomfort is rarely worth seeing a show.

I've already seen Delta Spirit since (at this year's ACL), and I'm sure Dr. Dog will be back in Austin again.

I Judge People by Their Musical Taste

A typical question I ask within the first 30 minutes of meeting someone...
"What are your top 3 bands?"

A recent answer...
Guy: One Republic (Pop, but pop I enjoy. Wonder what else he's got in store)
Guy: Dave Matthews (Solid band- great live act. It's getting better...)
Guy: Nickelback (Stomach dropped)

Please visit: http://www.thewebshite.net/nickelback.htm