Show-Going Moments of the Year:
*It wasn’t really a show, but going to the Ian Svenonius talk for “Censorship Now!!”, and having Ian Svenonius give me a high five, was singlehandedly the most delightful thing that has happened in recent memory. The whole thing was so hilarious and smart and the only disappointment was that James didn’t ask Ian S. where he gets his swank suits tailored.
*All the shows we played were pretty special and I feel I’ve made a lot of progress in becoming a more confident performer. I think maybe my three favorites were: 1) the show we played at Shea, although I drank a lot of very strong black tea beforehand and had a major anxiety fest as we were setting up; 2) a solo show James and I did together at this performance art place called Torus Porta. Just a bunch of odd people hanging around, genuinely wanting to hear music. I really felt like James and I were conjuring something out of the ether, and working at doing that with someone you love is a very special thing to experience. Let’s not get into the insect petting zoo, though…; 3) a show we played at the clothing shop DRTY SMMR; it was the first show thrown there and it was for a friend’s birthday, so it was good vibes and a cozy time. Every show I’ve seen there since has been spectacular because that same feeling is always present.
*We went to see our friend Ken, who performs under the name August Wells, in an abandoned diner across from McGolrick Park in Greenpoint. One of the most beautiful voices I’ve ever heard live! I was so wowed that I didn’t even mind seeing someone I never wanted to see again in attendance.
*Witnessing Chameleons run through Script of the Bridge in full with James by my side at The Wick was absolutely exceptional, and one of the finest show-going moments we’ve ever had as a couple. That album is among the greatest of unsung classics, and I really don’t listen to it enough.
* Likewise, the Manics doing The Holy Bible in full was something else, and I don’t think I’ve ever had or ever will have another show-going experience close to it. It actually made me question the purpose of live shows, and full album shows, because really, some of those songs are not meant to be listened to among strangers. I also have probably never cried that much at a show since I saw Neko Case during a very love sick period of my life (probably around 2007 or 2008).
*Same as last year, every time I saw Bodega Bay was golden, and it’s really touching that they were totally game on doing a birthday show for me at a point when I had only known them for less than a year. I’ve seriously seen them like 15 - 20 times this year, but if I were to narrow it down, I guess the best times were the show where I was cuffed, the album release show because it put forth such a good feeling, and this show that happened at Aviv in Sept. that was really transcendental and almost Sonic Youthy?
*Kid Congo Powers strolling through the audience at the FFS (Franz Ferdinand and Sparks) show.
*Having Parlor Walls play a PopMatters CMJ show I helped put together was really special, simply because they are so staggering live! By far the best discovery I’ve made this year from a musical standpoint as well.
*I somehow was lucky enough to see The Pop Group this year?! I never thought I’d ever hear something as special as “She Is Beyond Good and Evil” live, but somehow I did.
*Seeing Bjork alienate the bulk of the annoying ass audience at Governors Ball. I mean, seeing Bjork in and of itself was fantastic, but really that audience had to get out of there.
*All the acts I saw at Governors Ball were actually pretty great (even Tame Impala!), but Hot Chip doing “Dancing in the Dark” was above and beyond.
*Best banter of the year: “I don’t get paid enough either. But then again, I don’t work at all.” –Ian Svenonius at the Chain and the Gang show, when someone yelled out, “I don’t get paid enough!”
