Who's goin to SummerFest?

I couldn't decide this morning if I wanted to write about the ultimate summer backyard party playlist or the quickly approaching SummerFest, which is taking place in Milwaukee June 24 to July 4.

As I started downloading tracks from the SummerFest artists I realized this WAS the beginning of a great party playlist. So lucky me...two birds, one stone.

Even if you can't make it to SummerFest this year, you'll still have a pretty healthy foundation below to start your summer playlist.

I've never been to SummerFest, although I've wanted to attend for many years. They always seem to put together a pretty diverse lineup. And as soon as I saw Modest Mouse on the lineup for July 3, I knew I had to go. After all, it's a $12 entry fee. If you're within a reasonable driving distance to Milwaukee, there is no reason you can't come as well.

So here's your preview. Hope you can make it!



Modest Mouse - I Came As A Rat


Thievery Corporation - Shadows Of Ourselves


Passion Pit - Live To Tell The Tale


Cage The Elephant - Back Against The Wall


The Melismatics - Soul Sucker


The Bravery - An Honest Mistake


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Hello habit, welcome back!

Last night, it occurred to me the exact reason why I have been neglecting my writing. I mean, geez, look to your right and scroll down to my posts in 2009. I posted something almost everyday! Now, I'm lucky if I get in a post a week. I should be ashamed!

Anyhow...back to my original thought. So as I sat in the car and smoked a hitter, I listened to this track by Modest Mouse. My mind wandered to places it hasn't been in quite some time. And I started analyzing the strangest elements of the music. It suddenly occurred to me that I haven't been writing because I haven't been smoking!

That being said, I look forward to sparking up a fatty at SummerFest this Saturday while Modest Mouse hopefully plays this track and others that don't suck. (Please don't play Float On, please don't play Float On!!)

This is exactly the kind of track a stoner can appreciate. It's mellow, it's slightly repetitive, it's got those sinister strings and the lyrics reflect something so sad yet uplifting at the same time.

"So long to this cold, cold part of the world..."

So haunting. It reminds me of the moment you realize you need to say goodbye to a bad habit.

But me? I'm saying, "Welcome back!" to a habit. Otherwise, I'll have nothing more to say ;)



Modest Mouse - The Cold Part

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Healing comes so painfully

I'm not feeling so well today, and I haven't felt well in a few days. I'm not going to get into the details of what's bringing me down. I think I'll keep this one to myself. I can be over dramatic sometimes, this I know. But this time, I'm trying really hard to remain positive. It's hard. It's so hard to not expect the worst.

I feel damaged. Broken.

I'm hoping this situation is reparable. I have faith this too shall pass, and I'll look back at this as a learning lesson, a small obstacle in this journey we call life.

Happy, upbeat music does nothing for me when I'm feeling like this. As a matter of fact, it only makes me angrier. The only way I know how to work through times like these is through music that intensifies these already depressing emotions. You can call it self-loathing; I call it therapy.

These five tracks have been on repeat for the past 24 hours, and they'll continue to be on repeat until things get better.

Plumb - Damaged
Pink - Sober
A Perfect Circle - 3 Libras
Modest Mouse - Bukowski
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Desecration Smile

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