Brand New Heavies in Bangkok

After a couple months of a live music dry spell, I'm finally going to my first show, if you will, in Bangkok. I've already seen Grand Master Flash, but that's a little different considering his genre of music.

And I'm going thanks to the advertisements on the BTS, the sky train through Bangkok. August 11th!!!!!!!

Random Music Moment

Sufjan Stevens and David Crowder
My boyfriend and I were sharing his iPhone listening to music on the way home from Koh Samet. A song by Sufjan Stevens came on, and I was curious to see the song title because it was really compelling. Did I have it on my computer or was this my first time hearing it? I would have asked to see it then, but he was in possession of the iPhone and was completely conked out- I didn't want to wake him. When I came home I entered "Sufjan Stevens" in my iTunes search bar to find the two Sufjan albums I have (I have more on vinyl than on mp3) and strangely a David Crowder song- "O God Where Are You Now (In Pickerel Lake? Pigeon? Marquette? Mackinaw?)." This was very confusing to me. I re-entered it. Still, it was there. What's this all about, I thought. Google- here I come! Findings? Sufjan Stevens wrote this song for Crowder's album A Collision or (3+4=7).

The Language of All

Two things that are universal:
Math & Music (ok, and McDonald's.)

Math: The only thing I understand (other than English) on the white boards at my Thai school.
Music: I totally got into this Korean rock band the other night... and all the sweet guitar solos. For all I know they could have been singing about sushi, although that would be pretty entertaining.

There is also a mega-band here called "Big Ass." Seriously, there are advertisements everywhere. And every time I see it I secretly giggle to myself.

Celeb Couples

...Ones that are shocking/cool

Ben Gibbard and Zoey Deschanel


Ryan Adams and Mandy Moore

To Feist or Not to Feist

Fiest: One of the most beautiful voices in indie rock.
Wilco: My favorite band.

Some people have been gravely upset about their collaboration on Wilco's new album due out this summer. Tweety's sober judgement was good. I think it'll be a gem. In a not-so-sober state they could have ended up collaborating with Miley Cyrus. JUST KIDDING.

Kweller

Ever forget about an artist and completely rediscover them? I first listened to Ben Kweller my senior year of high school (Sha Sha) and bought his second solo album my freshman year of college (On My Way). I went to see him co-headline with Gomez my junior year at Baylor, but I was underwhelmed with his new material, which was why I saw him neither year he played ACL (haha, or mostly because I wanted to see other sets).

2007: Robert Earl Keen- saving our spot for Wilco
2006: Galactic

About a month ago I couldn't get his music out of my head. I was literally walking around, working, driving all to the tune of Ben Kweller. To feed my sudden obsession, I checked out his MySpace and absolutely fell in love with the four songs posted. I bought the vinyl (which came with a CD!) that day. And now instead of singing "Commerce, TX" or "I Need You Back," I'm singing "Sawdust Man" and "Homeward Bound."

Random fact: Kweller sings lead vocals on Guster's "I Hope Tomorrow Is Like Today." (Thank you, oh marvelous Wikipedia!)

Brendan Benson

Whenever I come home, my favorite thing to do is play music catch-up with those who have similar music taste.

Alex: Do you like Brendan Benson?
Jordan: Yes! I love his song "Cold Hands, Warm Heart."
Alex: Yeah he's talented, but I guess that's a given when you're in the Raconteurs.
Jordan: Wait, he's in the Raconteurs?!

I've known his solo music, even enough to put him in my "iLike" two years ago. But I never knew he was part of a band that's popular enough to headline major music festivals? Crazy.