A Fine Way to Spend the Live Long Day

The good thing about short-term temping is the down time. That is, unless sitting at a desk waiting for the phone to ring and otherwise trying not to jump out of the 6th story window with its spectacular view of the white brick cubical jungle across the street sounds boring to you. Luckily, there is the InT4Rweb. And on the IntT4Rweb... there is Filter Magazine.

Filter saved me from my death. At their media center, they have scores of songs and videos, many of which are available to download in MP3 format. It took me two hours just to build up my scrumptious playlist of new indie music and then another two hours of boredom-free listening. Because I spend most of my time listening to old school southern rock and mourning the generation I was mistakenly born-into, I was not aware that there are actually some very cool bands out there making sweet new music. This was quite the adventure for me.

My newly-found favorites:

Kristoffer Ragnstam, Beauty and Breakfast By the Mattress
Emily Haines, Doctor Blind
Dustin O'Halloran, Opus 23
Pablo, Loser Crew

And now comes the ever-wonderful getting to know you parade of repeat listening until I know every note and pause by heart. There's nothing like new music discoveries. I guess I'm going to have to give this whole indie rock thing a chance. (Fret not Allman Brothers... you're still my first loves.)

Accidental Awesomeness

This weekend was a delightful stumbling into awesome new music.While I was supposed to attend the tree-decorating party of a complete stranger, I decided to forego the festivities and take a chance on a show at the Knitting Factory at the last minute. The band of my friend's drum teacher, Plus/Minus, was on the New York leg of their last tour (they are breaking up after new years) and so we hit it up.

ready to rock on the subway ride to the Knitting Factory.

Fortunately for us, we got there about two hours early, enough time to drink many beers and catch opener "The Changes," who put on a fabulous live show. Slinky guitar parts, crisp vocals and talented musicians who switched up the instrumentation on almost every song kept me on my toes and loving it. Highlights: the vocalist keeping time by tapping a snare drum with a maraca and a very yummy guitarist/keys player/vocalist.

'Twas a great way to rev up for the salacious Plus/Minus, who took to the stage donning their own personal apron-clad camera crew. I guess the final tour for these guys will be one to remember. They opened with a clarinet part that set the mood for musical bounty and they continued to deliver throughout the set. The vocals were shadowy and smooth, offering the right amount of sweetness to the electrical array. Spot-on drum deliciousness and funky rhythmic moments kept the audience rockin' along, my self happily included.

We managed to lavish praise on drummer Chris Deaner following the show and scored some free +/- buttons. Too bad their New Year's Eve show is sold out!

After the show we pumped it up for some delicious Framboise and drunken debauchery at d.b.a.

Good Music always = Good Fun.

Check 'em out:
Plus/Minus Website
The Changes Website