elliott smith anecdotes

So i was going through the latest issue of SPIN magazine (September 07) and found an interesting section about Elliott Smith and a new photo book by Autumn de Wilde that's coming out about him. In it are some touching and funny anecdotes of Smith, and I thought I'd post them here. (If you don't know, Elliott Smith was a singer/songwriter who committed suicide back in 03 and was always one of those troubled yet beautiful souls.)

"He used to cut my hair when I lived in L.A., the last couple years, I guess. It was one of the few times he would be, for an extended period of time, in a good mood. I think he was trying to put on a happy face for his sister 'cause he was pretty down at that time. He would sit me down in the bathroom, and he would call it "Chez Pepe". He'd get into this fake super cheesy French accent, like a sleazy French hairdresser. So we'd have beers and put on really good music, and he'd cut my hair. He wanted to give you a haircut that didn't look like you got a haircut, and it was supposed to be imprecise. I liked the aesthetic. He would only cut four or five hairs at a time -- it would take hours. It was hard to book time because we both knew it was such a commmitment, so it was rare that he had an entire evening to blow on a haircut. We would listen to Supergrass and the Beatles a lot, just joking around. Everyone always complimented me. I'd say, "Well, these are special haircuts, not available to the public." I couldn't cut my hair for, like, six months after he died because... I couldn't have anyone else cut my hair. He was always my hero, strangely, which is sort of weird to say about your brother." -- Ashley Welch, Elliott Smith's younger sister

"I spent two weeks in Silver Lake [in Los Angeles] in August or September of 2002 finishing up [the Postal Service's Give Up] with Jimmy Tamborello and hanging out with Jenny Lewis, who I had invited to be part of the record. We were hanging out and recording, and we went to get food at this little burrito joint in Los Feliz, one of those places where you can't sit inside and there are three tables out front. I remember going in and ordering some food, and there was thhis little jar where every week you could put your name in, and if your name got picked, you could get a free burrito. There was a sign behind the jar that said BURRITO OF THE WEEK, it said, ELLIOTT SMITH. I remember looking up there and being amused for a couple of reasons. Number one, that this seminal, brilliant singer/songwriter would do something that anybody off the street would do, like, you'd see this jar and think, "I'm going to write my name on this card like everybody else and win a free burrito." I just had this kind of funny image in my head of him going into this burrito joint, thinking if he's going to go there and put his name into a hat to win a free burrito, he probably goes here fairly frequently, you know? I just wanted to be there so badly. I wanted to see him see his name on the board, that he'd won a free burrito, and just knowing that even though he was in a bad way, he'd be happy that he won a free burrito. Everybody likes to win stuff." -- Ben Gibbard

Best Music Video of the Year

What's the best music video of the year? This one.



You Only Live Once by The Strokes. There's really no debate. I mean the video has such big balls and aspirations, it starts off with completely different Strokes song called "Ize of the World". Then it goes into some cinematic 2001: A Space Odyssey inspired movie-like production that is utterly awe inspiring. And don't forget the amazing song to go with it.

"Some people think they're always right
Others are quiet and uptight
Others, they seem so very nice
Inside they might feel sad and wrong

Twenty-nine different attributes
Only seven that you like
Twenty ways to see the world
Twenty ways to start a fight"

Wow... just wow.

the first person in the history of the world to dance

I Love Metric

Metric. I don't know why they're not as popular here as they are in Canada, but they should be. I guess they're kind of a mix between The Faint, Stars, and Muse. Which is a good thing. I'm going to go see them this October at the Fonda, and I can't wait.

Time for some videos!

Dead Disco



Poster of a Girl



Empty

The Broken Family Band

Man! I love it when I find new music that I like! I can go hours and hours in my bedroom alone in the dark listening to random crap with the hope of finding the next band or song that I'll fall in love with. And just when I'm about to fall asleep, I'll say to myself, "Okay maybe the next track will be the one". And when I find it, it's quite exhilarating.

My current curiosity is The Broken Family Band. They're an odd bunch of English fellows from Cambridge who try to tackle alt country indie music from the other side of the pond. Come take a listen!

The Broken Family Band
Give And Take - from the album Hello Love (2007)

Acid Tongue

Here's another Jenny Lewis song that I love. This one's unreleased, and it's only been played live.

Acid Tongue
I went to a cobbler
To fix a hole in my shoe
He took one look at my face
And said, "I can fix that hole in you"

I beg your pardon
I'm not looking for a cure
Seen enough of my friends
In the depths of the godsick blues

You know I am a liar
You know I am a liar
Nobody helps a liar

Because I've been down to Dixie
And dropped acid on my tongue
Tripped upon the land
Until enough was enough

I was a little bit lighter
And adventure on my sleeve
I was a little drunk
And looking for company

So I found myself a sweetheart
With the softest of hands
We were unlucky in love
But I'd do it all again

We build ourselves a fire
We build ourselves a fire
But you know I am a liar
You know I am a liar

And you don't know what I've done

By the rolling river is
Exactly where I was
There was no snake oil cure
For unlucky in love

To be lonely is a habit
Like smoking or taking drugs
And I've quit them both
But man, was it rough

Now I am tired
It just made me tired
Let's build ourselves a fire
Let's build ourselves a fire

PostSecret

I love humanity. And all of the good and the bad that comes with it. That's why PostSecret is such an amazing body of work that captures such brutal honesty and struggles of every day people that will make you laugh, cry, and see your own reflection in others.

If you don't know, some guy asked random strangers on the internet to mail him postcards of their secrets. Here is a video trailer about this:

Keys To Being A Good Person

As I get older, I find myself caring less about what others think, and I'm also more and more puzzled over the way people behave. But at the same time, I realize I'm not perfect and being a good person is more important to me.

I think we all reach a point in our lives where we try to be better individuals and human beings in general. So I was trying to come up with a list of things you could do to be "good", but I realized it was pointless. It all comes down to one simple principle. No, it's not giving to charity, volunteering, feeding the homeless, or whatever. Even evil people can be charitable, and they do it for mostly selfish reasons so they can feel good about themselves. And even if you give your entire life savings and free time to charity, it still won't make you any good.

No. I've thought about it many times, and I've realized there is one defining quality that all good people share. Honesty.

It's really simple. Without honesty, you'll never be a good person. And I don't really mean by never telling a lie or always telling the truth (like you were taught in gradeschool). What I mean by being honest is first and foremost being honest with yourself. It's really easy to call someone a liar, but it's very difficult to call yourself a liar and recognize your own faults. If you can't be honest with your own thoughts, emotions, feelings, failings, or humanity.... then you will never be a good person.

I guess that's why I don't mind someone who is rude or an asshole sometimes. Atleast they are honest. I'd much rather deal with them than deal with dishonest people who hide behind social insecurities.

So there you have it. My life lesson #1294. Okay I just made that number up, but I think it's a very important one for me. Be honest with yourself before you try to be honest with others. And don't be afraid of people who are honest. They may be the best people you'll ever meet.

i was at a bowling alley

watching Rilo Kiley play at a not so secret show. People were bowling. Rilo Kiley was rocking. I'm exhausted. Wow. I need time to think about what just happened.

Peter, Bjorn & John - Young Folks

I love this video...

and we don't care about the young folks
talkin' bout the young style
and we don't care about the old folks
talkin' 'bout the old style too
and we don't care about their own faults
talkin' 'bout our own style
all we care 'bout is talking
talking only me and you

...I'm going to be whistling this all week.

Stars - In Our Bedroom After The War

Stars released their upcoming album In Our Bedroom After The War digitally through iTunes a few weeks ago. The album itself won't officially be released on CD until September, but they figured since the album would be leaked anyways, they'd rather allow their fans to purchase the album legally online first. What an unexpected surprise!

If you don't know Stars, they are an indie Canadian band that manages to craft the most beautiful pop songs out of usually very depressing subjects mixed with love, lust, fears, death, heart breaks, angst, and hope.

So, I've been absorbing myself into every second, riff, beat, and lyric of this album since purchasing it a week ago. The opening three tracks are classic Stars. Starting off with the pulsating down-tempo electronic instrumental The Beginning After The End, it prepares you for the next fifty three minutes of musical soul searching.

The second track, The Night Starts Here, is where the album really begins. This song calls you. It calls you to forget your fears, take action, make the first move, and want more from everything in life. The line: "The night starts here. The night starts here. Forget your name. Forget your fear." is the center of this song as its message is rhythmically repeated over and over as the main chorus. It's as if the artists are trying to imprint this one message into your brain as the last impression you'll ever have of this album if you only listen to it once. To forget everything you've ever known. To forget your name and your past. No matter what you've done. Remember, "The night starts here."

The next track, Take Me To The Riot is another soon to be classic Stars song that only they can deliver so well thanks to Torquil Campbell and Amy Millan's soft yet upbeat harmonies. And check out the lyrics:

"You sprung me, I’m grateful. I love when you tell me not to speak. I owe you, but I know you. You’ll have me back but it’s gonna take a week .... Let’s do that, just feed me. I hate when I have to get to sleep. You despise me and I love you. It’s not much but it’s just enough to keep."

The other track that stands out for me is the song Personal. In Stars fashion, they manage to craft an entire song based on a personal ad. "wanted: single f. under 33. must enjoy the sun. must enjoy the sea. sought by single m. mrs destiny. send photo to address. is it you and me?" It's one of the most beautiful and depressing songs you'll hear all year.

So I could go on and on with the rest of the songs from this album, but I don't think I have the time. Is it better than their last album Set Yourself On Fire? Well, no but only because that album is probably one of my favorite albums of all time. But I'm still grateful Stars are still producing the most eloquent, beautiful, and depressing indie pop songs ever. And I can't wait to see them in Los Angeles at the Orpheum Theatre this November!

Oh, here's their video of Your Ex-Lover Is Dead from their 2005 album Set Yourself On Fire:

Stars - Your Ex-Lover Is Dead
God, that was strange to see you again
Introduced by a friend of a friend
Smiled and said, "Yes, I think we've met before"
In that instant it started to pour

Captured a taxi despite all the rain
We drove in silence across Pont Champlain
And all of that time you thought I was sad
I was trying to remember your name

This scar is a fleck on my porcelain skin
You tried to reach deep but you never got in
And now you're outside me, you see all the beauty
Repent all your sin

Nothing but time and a face that you'll lose
I chose to feel it and you couldn't choose
I'll write you a postcard, I'll send you the news
From the house down the road from real love

Live through this and you won't look back
Live through this and you won't look back
Live through this and you won't look back

There's one thing I have to say so I'll be brave
You were what I wanted
I gave what I gave
I'm not sorry I met you
I'm not sorry it's over
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save
I'm not sorry there's nothing to save

deaf percussionist

Ok so all this talk about female drummers made me remember seeing a video once of a deaf woman percussionist named Evelyn Glennie. She recently gave a talk and presentation at the TED conference where she talks about listening to music through your body. It's a rather lengthy video, but very inspirational the way she not only tells you but shows you the difference between playing music and performing music.

karen carpenter

At a recent 'rock' show, someone commented about how cool the band was to have a female drummer. I've always wondered why there were so few female drummers out there. And searching Google ended up with little or no information about the history of female drumers.

Well, the only famous female drummer I knew about was Karen Carpenter. Back in 1968, she was drumming when it was 'improper' for girls to be drumming. Thanks to her, she paved the way for future female drummers to pick up the sticks. So here's a tribute to you!

people are weird

Alright, I need a break. I've got nothing to really write about except how people just frustrate me sometimes. I don't understand people. Why can't we all just get along? People are so sensitive about everything. From now on, I'm going to be careful who I associate with myself anymore.

Be careful out there. Especially if you have a 'friend' who tries to turn your other friends against you or has a habit of talking shit about people behind their backs. I think that's the biggest warning sign. If you know a shit talker friend who hates everyone and talks crap about their so-called friends, you could be next. Sometimes, it's just not worth it to know somebody. Even as friends.

Just shrug it off, try to be a better person, and move on.