It has been brought to my attention that my social persona may conflict with my inner self, the core that is me. Ever since I've started this blog, I've befriended many online friends. People who only know me through Blogger or Twitter or Facebook, etc. And on some occasions, I come into contact with these new friends. But when they meet me, they have this idea in their head of what I'm like, and I'm usually disappointed when they tell me their first impressions.
It usually goes something like this: "I thought you were this crazy party animal who lives only to dance at the clubs." Something about my online image gives people this idea that I'm superficial, insensitive, self-centered or cold...or all of the above. That's buggin' me out.
There's more to me than meets the eye.
I chose this track to relate to this moment I'm having right now. Kid Cudi is OK, nothing brilliant or groundbreaking here. But I can appreciate what he's trying to express through this song. There's depth there, and it just feels honest and raw.
So just like he says, "I've got some issues that nobody can see, and all of these emotions are pouring out of me." Get to know me before you judge me, folks.
I feel so out of the loop. It's been a good five or so years since Zoot Woman has come out with an album. And they finally debut their third album, and I drop the ball. It's been out for months, and I just found out because my pal Tristan gave me a heads up. I've been anxiously waiting, and I snoozed.
Anyhow, this entire album is phenomenal, and I expected nothing less based on their first two albums. I love the way they're able to marry the 80s new wave sound with newer synth-electro beats, without sounding too cheesy. They have a very distinct sound, one that is emotional yet upbeat. Each of their tracks puts me in a very specific state of mind. That's what I love about them. They have a song for each of my feelings.
Here are four of my favorites off their most recent album, Things Are What They Used To Be. My personal favorite is "Saturation." The beat is infectious, and the lyrics are eloquently expressive. I also love the way it starts off soft and slow, then becomes hard-hitting and spirited. As he tells his story, I imagine a man observing this woman, as he falls in love at first sight. Or so he thinks. He becomes infatuated with her presence and will do anything for her, knowing he's not good enough. But he follows her anyway, because unrequited love is much more satisfying than no love at all.
I love those nights that are unplanned. The nights that begin with me laying in bed, reading a book, minding my own business. And next thing I know, I'm walking out of my apartment with my partner in crime, props in our hands. One thing leads to another, and I end the night dancing around a bar wearing a wild animal mask.
It seems those spontaneous nights always lead to something great. A new musical discovery, a new friendship, a new favorite cocktail...whatever.
In this case, it may be all three.
But I'm going to focus on the musical discovery today. I think I owe a large portion of our shenanigans last night to the man responsible for the music at Bar Deville. I was definitely that annoying chick, walking up to the DJ booth every five minutes asking the name of each song. Thankfully, The Beta Theta was awfully nice to me and gave me the title of each desired track.
I'm so happy there are bars in Chicago that play this kind of music (I'm not even going to attempt classifying it...BUT if I had to I guess it was a mixture of punk, electro and funk). My pals and I danced the night away, terrifying strangers in every direction I'm sure. I mean, a friendly panda and spastic giraffe never hurt anybody!
Anyhow, thank you Beta Theta for hooking it up with the tracks. And if you like what you hear, pals, you can find him on Myspace at http://www.myspace.com/thebetatheta. For those of you Chicagoans, he'll be DJing at The Burlington Bar in Logan Square tomorrow and at Rodan in Wicker Park on Sunday.
So this blog is approaching its one year in existence, and as I look back at the past few weeks I realize that I definitely veered off my intended path. I look at my first few posts and remember how much I focused on house, pure house music. And it's funny I make this realization today, because as I was driving this morning, "Finally" by Kings of Tomorrow started playing in my ride. And there is no house track that is more true. Everything about this track is intentional and powerful.
When I listen to her words, I think of falling in love. I think of all the obstacles I've overcome. I think of saying goodbye to the past and hello to the future. I think of how much better it feels to embrace the sour times because they make the sweet taste that much sweeter.
My favorite lyrics: "I had a dream my trip would end up at you, and now I know paradise."
So it's only fitting that my blog takes another direction sometimes; my life does too. But I always return to what I know to be true and what makes me feel alive.
Cheers, web friends! I introduce (or reintroduce) you to what may be one of the greatest house tracks produced.
Well, as a matter of fact, a few good somethings already happened today. I breezed to work through a snow storm in less than 30 minutes. The guy at Starbucks gave me my vanilla latte for free. And here's the kicker: I text messaged the only radio station I like, 93.1 XRT, and won tickets to their holiday concert this Friday. All this good fortune before 9 a.m.
Now it's the afternoon, my day has been pretty mediocre, but I can't seem to forget the streak that occurred this morning. I'm going to ride this wave for as long as I can. I have a good feeling about the near future. I'm not sure where I'm going with this, and not knowing is what makes me excited.
Anyhow, I thought these tracks were quite fitting for this mood, this state of happiness and anticipation.
I've loved and I've lost. Who hasn't? But one important lesson I've learned is that it is much more painful to hold on than it is to accept the loss and move forward. However, every once in a while it feels so good to revisit that love and remember it for what it was.
This particular song, "Signs" by Bloc Party, has the ability to make me smile and cry simultaneously. It can hurt so much to think about what's missing in my life, but I remember how lucky I am to have felt that closeness to another human being. And it never ceases to amaze me the traces these people have left behind. I see signs all the time.
Like most of my friends, you may not be a fan of Bloc Party. But this track is like no other. It's not obnoxious, it's emotional. It may be one of the most heartwarming tracks I've listened to in a long time. I urge you to watch and listen to the live version above before you actually download the track. It might give you a whole new perspective on the band, the music, and that special love.
