Although I hyped up the music festival days, weeks and months in advance, I never actually wrote a post-Lollapalooza entry. But today, the opportunity presented itself when I was reminded that White Lies will be performing at The Metro in Chicago this evening.
Unfortunately, I will not be able to attend the concert, but I wanted to give you rock fans out there a heads up in case you were looking for something to get into tonight.
Once the official lineup for Lollapalooza 2009 was announced, I immediately started downloading tracks from each artist. There were so many, and tons that I never heard before. So I wanted to make sure I didn't miss anything I would potentially enjoy. I listened to "Farewell to the Fairground" by White Lies during my download frenzy, and I knew this was a performance I had to witness.
I am not a fan of comparing bands to other bands, but if I HAD to define White Lies by other bands' influences, I'd have to say they sound like a mixture of Depeche Mode and The Killers. (Although they're often compared to Joy Division. That must have something to do with the darker lyrics.) I gave this same description to a couple of my friends who joined me in watching the White Lies set, and they agreed. And now they're fans too.
What a way to start my three-day music overdose! White Lies was the first set I caught on that Friday afternoon. It had just begun raining, and I was not expecting there to be much of a turnout. I was wrong. And the crowd was definitely feeling the music and the vibe. As a matter of fact, I think the rain was a blessing. It made the performance feel more real and intense; it made the experience that much more exciting. White Lies killed each and every song. And if you weren't able to attend Lollapalooza, I strongly urge you to check these guys out. Tonight, they'll be at The Metro in Chicago.
I travel a lot. I meet a lot of people. These people come, and they go. But every once in a while, I meet someone that makes me want to desperately miss that flight back home so I can spend just one more day getting to know this new friend. Sometimes I meet someone that I can't get out of my brain once I return. I wonder if any of these people think about me. I wonder if our paths will ever cross again. Only time will tell... I came across this track last week as I was searching for Fred Falke remixes. I liked it immediately, but I couldn't really understand the lyrics. So when I looked them up, I liked the song even more. Read the lyrics as you listen, and enjoy!
Hey, good morning Hey, it's calling Hey, good morning Watch the sun come up It's calling I want another day with you
How can I explain it scratchin' my brain How can 10 hours feel like 10 years? I cry 10 men's tears as it disappears With the passionate atmosphere Took your glove as a souvenir Left the other on the pillow as I stroked your ear One last breathe of your hair, stared for a second Then the doorway beckoned I'm a lover not a fighter So I didn't fight the fact that I more than liked ya Didn't matter we were under influence Made sense this was more than lust I don't own you, you don't own me One night only, if only I could take you back and just show you off But I guess if I did that, the magic is lost
Hey, good morning Watch the sun come up It's calling I want another day with you
You and that red dress - What a pairing I kept staring, you couldn't have said less Can't let my head rest, thinking about ya, Really wanna look into your catwoman eyes Turn back time, cause it flies by You know, them Marty mcfly vibes See, I can picture the bright lights Sights and night skies and boats go by I don't know why it happened so fast When I tried to speak your language I'm happy you laughed Cause I'm hardly a linguist Spoke through kisses you didn't speak English And it was hard to distinguish Love at first sight or holiday romance? Don't care I was lost in the moment I really shoulda missed that flight
Hey, good morning Watch the sun come up It's calling I want another day with you Hey, good morning Watch the sun come up It's calling I want just one more day with you
Believe me I wanna stay But I'm going away
I don't think I could be dreaming I felt your touch No I remember you breathing when I woke up Now all I have are these memories I can't trust Just one day, wont be enough
Today officially marks the start of fall season, and I couldn't be more ecstatic. Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the colors of the leaves and the smell of the crisp, cool air. And I finally get to sport my favorite scarves, hats, boots, etc. Whatever it takes to warm me up.
This also is a time for lovers. I mean, really, what is more satisfying than cuddling up next to your loved one under the blankets, sharing your warmth with one another? Or taking a walk in the park, holding hands, as the leaves crunch beneath your boots. I envision fireplaces, hot cocoa and making out. Lots of making out.
And I can't have a healthy winter make-out session without a warm, soothing playlist. So here's my attempt at creating a soundtrack to set the tone for a night in with your lover. I'm making this a long list, folks, so download the tracks and burn yourself a CD.
I know I may seem cold and cynical at times. I preach of the single life and how good it feels to be content by oneself. Deep down, I'm just as soft as the next girl. And these tracks bring out the lover in me.
Judging by conversations with friends and random pop-culture findings of my own, I think there is a large population out there of people who hate 80s music. I'm not sure why that is. Sure a lot of the artists back then were slightly on the corny side of the spectrum, but that's all at first glance. The 80s get a bad rep, and you should also know that without the music of the 80s, all that trendy electro the kids are listening to these days wouldn't exist. So today I'd like to share some of my all-time favorites with you. For some reason, I got into a new-wave, industrial kinda groove while typing away in my cubicle.
Although I was just a child during those years, I became very familiar with the music of that era very quickly. As I've shared with you before, I became a music junkie when I was still in diapers! So here are some songs that remind me of my childhood. Songs that stuck with me over the past two decades. Songs that made me a music lover.
You'll notice these tracks aren't what most 8-year-olds would fall in love with, but I did. I mean, what child understands the heartache in Morrissey's voice, or desires to hear the angry and aggressive stylings of Ministry? What child can even begin to understand the love David Byrne illustrates in the Talking Heads' "A Naive Melody?" While my peers were busy playing with Barbie dolls and going to the circus and whatever most normal children do, I was in my bedroom blasting my headphones imagining myself as a rock star.
I'm sure I was too young to even begin to understand or relate to these following tracks. But for some reason, they stuck with me. And looking back, I listen to them now, and they possess so much meaning. They strike a nerve and probably will for many more decades to come. Listen closely.
Have you ever traveled alone? Up until last week, I never have—not internationally at least, and definitely not for more than two days. A once in a lifetime opportunity presented itself, and I took this spur of the moment trip to Costa Rica, for one week by myself.
I gotta say...I learned more about myself in that one week than in the past five years of my life. I know it sounds cliché—going on a soul-searching journey and finding yourself and all that other hoopla. But I'm dead serious. There is something about that country that makes you one with nature, gives you a sense of clarity, puts things into perspective. Once that tiny charter airplane landed, I didn't embrace the earth; rather I kissed the sky (just as He advised). It was an enlightening moment.
Essentially, I was a beach bum for a few days. I woke up early in the morning, shortly after sunrise and I'd walk along the beach. I'd lay out and sun bath. And simply meditate. I'd listen to my iPod, but never too loud. I didn't want to drown out the music the ocean made as the waves crashed against the shore.
Along my journey, I met a man who had such a strong presence. I had to talk to him, and shortly after meeting him, I understood why. He possessed such a positive outlook, an infectious smile, an inspiring voice. He was kind enough to share some of his music collection with me, and he even freestyled a lil' something for me—a rap that was all about me! For the first time in my life, I felt I was someone's muse. I inspired art!
My final evening in Costa Rica was spent on my hotel room deck, in a jacuzzi. I drank wine, blasted my iPod through the speakers in the suite, and I lost myself. I closed my eyes and let the ocean waves carry me away. I was at peace, and I haven't felt that in a long time.
So I come back to the States, after my many revelations, meditations, inspirations, realizations, etc. And I share with you the music that made up the soundtrack of my journey. Maybe it'll inspire something in you as it inspired something in me.
