Mad Jams

mad jams

[mad-jams]

The Perfect Accident

Last weekend, I attended my first ever Noisepop show. On Saturday, Jukebox The Ghost, Lighthouse and The Whaler, Matt Pond, and French Cassettes were playing. I had waited for this day to come for months and early Saturday morning, my friend and I went down to the venue (The JTG story is for another time). I am so grateful to say that I had amazing luck, and was invited in by the bands to spend the afternoon chilling inside the venue. It was such an amazing opportunity to get to talk with all the members of the bands and watch the show get set up directly before me. Through this, I got talking with the lead singer of a local band called French Cassettes. Scott was obviously incredibly excited to be opening for such a big name in the indie music world, and it made me so happy to see a young person about to take their steps into making it big. 

Unfortunately, Scott did not have the same luck that I did. About 2 hours before doors opened, his drummer called to say that he could not make it. Without this drummer, they could not play the gig. But the members of Matt Pond and the other bands encouraged him to make SOMETHING work. Thankfully something did work. My friend and I walked down from the balcony and asked Scott what he had worked out. He explained that they couldn't play French Cassette songs but that they had called a friend from home over to the venue. Together, they were going to play his friends music but with a few members FC. I could tell how afraid they were that this wasn't going to work.

The venue filled up, and the new makeshift band came on stage. Their friend who filled in was Travis Vick. Travis Vick was a family friend of my father's who's music I had grown up and LOVED. His music was the kick I needed away from the mainstream into the beautiful world of indie, alternative, and pop music. You could imagine the excitement that went through my brain. When they started to play, the crowd was captivated. For the first of 3 opening bands that night, they blew peoples minds. French Cassettes brought their indiepop vibe to plate while Travis Vick brought some of the most beauty grunge/folk vocals to our ears. Together, the sound resembled something similar to the early Arctic Monkeys (minus the british accents) or LA-based The Neighbourhood. The set list went like this:

Spider, Fear vs. Love, Blue Teeth, Robert Downey Jr, Seamus Fruitridge

Later this month, French Cassettes will be playing a show together again! I highly recommend making the drive out to the central valley to see this one- you won't regret it! Click here for that info

Click here for Travis Vicks website

Click here for French Cassettes website

Click here for an acoustic Travis Vick video

Be sure to check out Travis Vicks song above^ Despite the quality of video and sound, it is a truly amazing song. He's been at this whole music shindig for a long time now, and he deserves a lot more of the spotlight!

SHARE THIS MUSIC AND SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL ARTISTS !!!

[icertine]

Jordi of San Cisco stage diving during The Vaccines encore at The Fillmore (x)

[mad-jams]

The Vaccines and Jordi <3 2/15

[mad-jams]

The Vaccines Experience

although this blog makes it appear as if i have good grammar and capititilazation, i have given up on that for this post. i'm still pretty emotionally shocked by it so yeah lets just jump right into things.

on friday, february 15th, around 1:45, i entered the line in front of the fillmore with 6 other girls to wait for the vaccines with san cisco and the zig zags. i had purchased these tickets back in october, so this was a long anticipate thing. since october, i have listened to a lot more vaccines, but i became i diehard san cisco fan. they're seriously the cutest thing and i had been listening to them on repeat for months so i was so STOKED. so anyways, the other people in front of me in line (only like 5 of them), and the girl behind us became chatty and were talking about bands when all of a sudden JUSTIN YOUNG the lead singer of the vaccines walks towards the tour van. issabella and i approached him and i apologized for bothering him while he got his suitcase out and he said it was totally fine and that tonight was going to "foohkin rad" and then i took a picture with him and he looks so awkward yet perfect. 

so then we walked back into line and then JORDI FROM SAN CISCO WALKS BY but he was on the phone and i was basically crying at that point so i didn't approach him. 30 minutes later, arni walked by but he was too awkward for me to approach so i just didn't even try. and then sweet jesus omfg SCARLET, JOSH, AND NICK FROM SAN CISCO walk towards me and offer me kfc or as they call it "chips" in an adorable australian voice. and i didn't get a picture with nick and josh but i did with scarlet and i was crying. i was stumbling all over the place and i told scarlet how much of an inspiration she was to me and yeah so then this happened:

here comes the heartbreak- jordi came out LOOKING FOR ME because he got my tweets and i was getting sushi around the corner and ugh i hated myself so much in that moment but the night went on. hours passed and it was time for the show! i was super familiar with the venue so i walked (not ran!) straight to barricade and got a great spot- 2 spaces over to the right from front and center. the vaccines had a rad backdrop and i was so pumped and i made friends with all the people around me DID I MENTION HOW NICE EVERYONE WAS. it was insane. so the zigzags were first up- a little too hardcore for the scene in my opinion but i LOVED their vibe. very sex b-bomb. their drummer was amazing. heres a picture from that:

then san cisco was up and i couldn't stop smiling during their set and scarlet looked super nervous so i smiled at her and she smiled back and it was so precious. a very large tattooed guy was moshing during their set which was just out of place and stressful but thankfully he stopped during the vaccines. anyways, san cisco was PERFECT and scarlet gave me the set list and i cried and jordi was just adorable. did i mention nicks guitar dance? yeah nicks guitar dance. it was amazing:

then the vaccines MADE ME FALL IN LOVE. I AM OBSESSED NOW. IT WAS A RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE. freddie was so beautiful and arni was awkward as usual and JUSTIN SANG AT ME FOR A SOLID 30 SECONDS. IT WAS SO GREAT. and wetsuit was a religious experience. their entire set was mind blowingly good and they played old and new stuff. they closed with norgaard which was just perfect. JORDI AND FREDDIE CROWD SURFED AT THE END AND IT FAILED MISERABLY BUT ITS OKAY BECAUSE I HELD FREDDIES HAND FOR 13 SECONDSISH.

they have the best stage presence of any band i have seen before. i'm still stunned, two days later.

then it was to the merch table where i bought a san cisco cd, a black and pink vaccines shirt, and a san cisco baseball tee. 55 bucks total. so worth it. i grabbed a poster on the way out too. i went over to the line by the tour bus of people who wanted to meet the members of the bands, and asked my friend to get my ticket signed by jordi, because i had missed him earlier. i had to hop in the car and head home with frankie. as we're driving way, I SEE JORDI WALK OUT AND BASICALLY GOT OUT OF A MOVING CAR AND I WAS CRYING AND RUNNING AND YEAH THIS HAPPENED

and so i'm shaking and my dreams are coming true and i turn around and HI FREDDIE COWAN HES JUST STANDING THERE and i think i almost threw up 

since friday night happened, i went to amoeba and invested in a 27$ vinyl copy of come of age. i already had it on cd but i figured i needed to just get it on vinyl because that night had been one of the highlights of my adolescence. 

in the end, an amazing night. to everyone who i met, you are all beautiful beautiful lovely people and i love you all and am so blessed to have shared such an amazing experience in the company of you all. to all the bands that played, thank you for putting on one of the best nights of my life. to the fillmore, YOURE VENUE IS JUST GREAT AND YOUR STAFF AND CREW IS SO FRIENDLY I SERIOUSLY LOVE YOU GUYS. i highly recommend you get off your butt and get to the nearest vaccines, san cisco, or zig zags concert you can. this night was a reminder of what makes me truly happy and where i feel at home, in my community of fellow music lovers, jamming out to beautiful music and dancing our everything off.

also to whoever missed this for swedish house mafia, YOU ARE WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORLD.

i'm so sorry this post is so messy, but i hope my followers will understand that i am emotionally shaken by how flawless this night was.

[mad-jams]

Friday February 8th @ Bottom of The Hill

     On Friday, I returned to one of my favorite venues, Bottom of The Hill in San Francisco to listen to some Local Warped-Tour-Y bands. BTH holds about 100 people and is incredibly cozy. When you walk in, directly in front of you is a small floor and an even tinier stage. To the right is a bar. The entire venue is just adorable and decorated with crafty things. It's the best. Ok, so now to the part about the actual music...!

Some of my friends and I arrived at the venue at about 7 (doors opened at 8:30) and no one was in line. We chatted with a few of the members of one of my favorite bands, I The Mighty, about touring and high school and all good things. Eventually we made it inside the venue. The lineup for the night began with a band called Belle Noire. By the time Belle Noire made it on stage, only about 30-40 people stood in the venue. My friend Kate and I were center stage front row the entire night. Belle Noire was great and did everything they could to get the crowd hyped up for the night. With the size of the crowd- I think they did a great job. They played about 7 songs and gave it their all to the small audience. I really really enjoy their music. HERE is their facebook page, check it out! Here is a photo of me with their singer, Joey, and their drummer after the show! Both very sweet and sincere musicians who genuinely appreciate their fans! They're San Jose Natives too!

Next up was another local band called Highsociety. Their music was pop punk (Breathe Carolina-esque), but they had a DJ who was spinning dubstep tunes at the same time. Although I did not enjoy the vocals all that much, the floor was filling fast and about 50-60 people stood in the venue. Highsociety had some very cool lights going and their DJ was fantastic. They really got the crowd going and everyone was on their feet. I did not meet any of them after the show, but I did manage to get one of their business cards. Look them up on Youtube!

Okay, so now comes the really good stuff... Still remaining center stage and front, we saw another local band called Beta State. The floor had completely filled and over 100 people were jamming out to these guys. My friend Kate was serenaded center stage by their singer, Matt, who is also insanely talented. They were phenomenal!  They had a rad light-up drum set too. We met Matt after the show and he was incredibly kind and gave me the best hug ever. Sweet guys who make great music. Check them out HERE!

Around 11, the moment we had been waiting for came and I The Mighty took the stage playing new and old tunes. This band is INCREDIBLE live, as I was reminded. This was my third time seeing them. All the guys in I The Mighty have the best stage presence and the nicest fans. They played my favorite song of theirs- Hearts & Spades- which I had never heard live before! It was wonderful. You can check out their music HERE! 

I got to meet one of my favorite musicians ever for the third time and he was absolutely lovely and kind. Here is me with Brent Walsh, the singer of I The Mighty: 

We danced so hard that my feet still hurt. It was a night to remember. All the guys who I talked to in every band encouraged my to follow my dreams of being a part of the music industry and were so genuinely grateful for their fans. I can't wait until next time!

[neontommyaande]

The Local Natives Plays For Hardcore Hometown Fans At The El Rey Theatre

[more-volume-blog]

[mad-jams]

Check out Australian band, San Cisco. They put up a music video for their song "Fred Astaire" and it's absolutely darling!

[mad-jams]

My Top Four Jams For The Week Of 1/21/13

Radar Detector- Darwin Deez

I found out about this feel good track through my "Isacariot by Walk The Moon" radio on my favorite music platform spotify. This is a very pop-y yet simple tune that resembles some of the newer Hellogoodbye that is coming out now. I'm getting stoked to see Darwin Deez Thursday March 7th at the small SF club, Bottom Of The Hill. Check out the music video for this one, it's pretty rad.

Bath Salts- Koruscant Weekend

SERIOUSLY IF YOU LIKE GOOD MUSIC YOU REALLY NEED TO LISTEN TO THIS SONG. Okay, so this band (SF Bay Area natives) is absolutely amazing and they have under 2,000 facebook fans. With this beachy alternative vibe they've got going on, they deserve a lot more recognition. I'm seriously loving this song. I discovered them through my friends review service Fifteen Minute Media.

Default- Django Django

This electronic/indie track has been my soundtrack for getting chores and homework done. I'm loving this track so much that I'm thinking about doing a stop motion video to it. Although I am a little disappointed by their other stuff, I really love this upbeat jam.

Finale- Funeral Party

This song is killer. It's really making me regret skipping out on seeing these guys at the last Warped Tour. The vocals are very "basement rock" while the instrumental is a lot more classic alternative.

[coverthebeat]

[mad-jams]

Song of the day, y'all! First of My Kind by Miles Kane. This Paul McCartney look a like is pumping out music similar to Mystery Jets (a new found love of mine), The Macabees, The Libertines, Noel Gallahger, and The Wombats. Loving this song. 

[mad-jams]

Haight Street Haul!

Fell In Love With A Girl by The White Stripes (45rpm, Vinyl)- $9.10- Raspuntin 

...and it's red and absolutely beautiful.

Shake! Shake! Shake! by Bronze Radio Return (CD)- $1- Amoeba SF

The Unmistaken Man by River City Extension (CD)- $1- Amoeba SF

Free by Twin Atlantic (CD)- $1- Amoeba SF

Attack & Release by The Black Keys (CD)- $25.50- Amoeba SF

Oceania by The Smashing Pumpkins (Vinyl)- $17.99- Rasputin 

[ceylans]

[mad-jams]

My track of the day- some Jamie T. I'm loving this song because of it's Vaccine-ish classic sound, and also this splash of rap. I found this track through my Noel Gallahger's High Flying Birds Radio on Spotify. 

[jay-tea-z-be-easy]

Visit Original Link

[mad-jams]

Here’s my song for the day. Frank Turner is just great and such a classic (scottish) sound. Check it out! I’m excited to explore some more of his music.

I’ve been awfully busy lately but I promise to be back with a more substantial post sooner rather than later.

[themalleycat-deactivated2013021]

[mad-jams]

Here's my jam of the day! I got introduced to this band a few days back and am currently loving this song. Bombadil has such a classic and timeless sound but is yet so unique. Check them out!

[welcometomagicalmysterytour]

[mad-jams]

Good morning guys! Here’s my track of the day (LAST DAY OF FINALS!). This song is definitely the perfect fit for fans of Jack White, Arctic Monkeys, and of course, my favorite jersey boys: The Static Jacks. This kind of hard rock is just the thing to get me through my math final. I actually discovered The Family Rain guys through NME’s new artist column on their spotify app- highly recommended! If you enjoy this song, don’t go searching for a legal copy of any of their other music, because this is the only song released in the US. Check youtube for plenty of tracks from The Family Rain.

Thank you so much to the followers and support I’ve gained over the past few days. Keep it up & share my blog with friends! I promise I’ll be back with a longer post tonight- maybe even a review! See you guys if I make it out of this exam alive xx

[urbanglobalgirl]

[mad-jams]

Morning everyone! Here’s my track of the day. Expect a review of this album coming shortly. For now, enjoy this brand new Twenty One Pilots song! Power to the local dreamer! xx

[mad-jams]

My 5 Jams For The Week of 1/14/13 (Finals!)

My first semester of high school is over, and I am now faced with the arduos, never-ending, finals week. So what's getting me through it?

1. Hard Sun- Eddie Vedder

Coming from my favorite movies soundtrack, Eddie Vedder (a member of Pearl Jam) and his crazy guitar skills have been great to relax to in the minutes before I enter the exam room. It's a combination of folk and classic rock, and in my opinion they go together like PB & J. It has a very KFOG-esque* sound to it that reminds me of childhood. Simple yet complex. I recommend the entire album AND the movie- they're phenomenal!

*KFOG is a San Francisco native radio station

2. Well OK, Honey- Jenny O.

Another calming, classic-sounding track like Hard Sun, but not from a very classic artist... Jenny O is a new artist to my radar this week. I discovered Jenny O through Amoeblog and their free downloads. She has a very unique folk sound to her and is perfect for my late-night study sessions.

3. Warrior- Mark Foster, Kimbra, & A-Track

This has been on repeat all night as the soundtrack to my intense physics review. It's one of those can-do tracks that keeps me motivated. It's a really interesting combination: the vocals of alternative singer Mark Foster of Foster the People mixed with the not-so-ordinary pop/R&B artist Kimbras sweet voice, and A-Tracks' EDM beats. 

4. I Always Knew- The Vaccines

With a sound very similar to The Ramones, The Vaccines have been rocking my world lately. I guess I have a soft spot for british bands... This Track is off their newest album Come of Age. It's been keeping me grounded these past few days while also getting me pumped for their concert with San Cisco on February 15th! (See "Upcoming" for more info).

5. Under Control- Good Shoes

Yet another British indie track! I understand that I'm a little late on this one, but Good Shoes are blowing my mind. Their sound is a bit of a mix of The Vaccines, The Teenagers, and The Black Keys. This song, although obviously NOT about exams, has been my exam-ass-kicking track of the week. "I've got this under control!"

Keep Spinning xx