Returned from Sunny Florida!

Yes, I've returned from my 9 day trip to beautiful Florida!

My family and I spent a night at the Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, which is by far the best hotel ever created. I was in Rock N Roll heaven, wandering around the floors of the HRH looking at the memorabilia, especially the Gingerbread Graceland that I found (That's my pic of it! It's AMAZING!) What's great about the HRH is they're a incredibly nice hotel, while still being down to earth. All of the bell hops, desk help, and even the waiters are funny, and helpful. One of the best parts about staying at the HRH is that if you show your room key when you get in line on any of the rides in Universal studios or Islands of Adventure, you get to go in the Express Lane! I rode some great rides at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure, and my sister and I still agree that Earthquake is still the most fun.

After Orlando, my family drove down to our time share in Hollywood Beach, Florida. Hollywood Beach is the french quarter, with a full "Broad-Walk" (It's not a boardwalk, since it's not elevated...So the pool attendant claimed). There are plenty of restraunts and shops, and a full beautiful beach to enjoy.

Over all, it was a wonderful christmas time!

Thursday Thirteen #11: Classes

Thirteen Classes I've enjoyed in my 5 semesters at The University of Michigan (and 2 half semesters)

1. Theatre Pedagogy
The wonderful Dr. EJ Westlake led this 4 person class on teaching theatre, and using theatre as a teaching tool. I learned so much and had a lot of fun. With only 4 people in the whole class, we had some very good discussions on how theatre should be taught and what we've learned through observation.

2. History of American Film
The film department no longer offers this class, but I thought it was awesome. We went from Edison's black mariah films all the way up to today's industry. I got to see movies like The Gold Rush, Night of the Living Dead, Shaft, It Happened One Night, and Shampoo up on the big screen and talk about film history---a subject I personally love.

3. Set Design 3
Considering I was the only person who showed up for every class (and on time too!) I enjoyed this class. I feel like I'm really growing as a designer, and it's fun to see my class mates improve so much also.

4. Intro to Stage Management
Considering there's no Advanced Stage Management class at UMich, I'd have to list this one. I loved learning about the field hands on and in the classroom. No one can teach a class like Nancy Uffner.

5. The Screenplay as Literature
I took this class during the spring half-term. It kicked my butt, since I was working part-time too, but I kept up with the reading. I learned that the Godfather's script is much different than the movie, that the screenplay of Star Wars sucked, and that Harold and Maude is amazing.

6. Intro to Design
This is the class where all the freshman designers get their feet wet. Featuring projects like: pasting macaroni to paper, painting a hat, making shoe box models (aka diaramas), drawing/painting characters from The Snow Queen....wait, was that College or Second Grade?

7. Theatre History 2
After suffering through a semester of theatre history I didn't care about, I finally got to the real meat of what interested me in theatre history. We read some great plays, and the professor led some good discussions. Mostly, I liked my group's final project, where we presented 2 minutes from Twilight Los Angeles: 1992 as a battle rap.

8. Communications 101
Another spring half-term class, this one was pretty cool. Basically, we talked about media, and how the world interacts with it, how technology has changed everyday life and how media is created, etc. The professor was a little crazy, but she was super nice and understood that all of us were working and taking other classes at the same time, so she was really flexible.

9. Intro to Technical Theatre
The best part of this class was the professor, because Gary Decker is amazing.

10. Rendering
This class taught me to draw, paint, and approach design well. The projects were challenging, but I enjoyed doing them. My portfolio is awesome now!

11. Intro to Information Science
From the name, it looks boring, right? And I admit, that I took this class purely to fulfill my Social Science graduation requirement, but I will also admit that this class was really interesting. The flow of information is complex and confusing, but I understand it now. Also, how we gather and store information has evolved a lot over the last few decades. The lectures were amazing, so I always showed up...even though the Professor podcasted the lectures. I've been pleasantly surprised by most of my non-theatre classes, and this one takes the cake for the most surprising.

12. Scenic Painting Lab
I spent 45 hours in the paint shop for this One Credit practicum, but I'd rather spend it there than anywhere else.

13. Musicology
I love music history, so studying music from Bach to the Beatles was right up my alley.

Pics are of projects I did in some of my classes. First is my Waiting Room set design, second is my Snow Queen scene, and last is my rendering final project

Thursday Thirteen #10: Sufjan Stevens

My Thirteen FAVORITE songs off of Sufjan Stevens' album Songs for Christmas


The Michigan native Singer/Songwriter, Sufjan Stevens, has been earning acclaim for many years now for his one-of-a-kind music. Sufjan has recently been in the spot light because of his mission to record an album dedicated to each of the 50 States. Already tackling Michigan and Illinois (IL got 2 albums, technically), Sufjan has released a 5 CD box set for Christmas. Songs For Christmas started as a simple tradition that Sufjan started, by quickly recording Christmas EPs for his friends and family, and the following box set is the result of 5 years worth of EPs. The production quality improves with each disc/year, but Sufjan's original approach and heart-felt delivery of each song brings new meaning to many christmas classics. Sufjan also supplies brand new Christmas songs that are infused with his creativity and humor. The following list is a very small selection of the 2 hours of sonic bliss that I promise you will experience while listening to these albums.


1. Holy, Holy, Holy (Disc 5 version)

2. Get Behind Me, Santa!

3. The Little Drummer Boy

4. Angels We Have Heard On High

5. The Incarnation

6. O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Disc 1 Version)

7. Star of Wonder

8. Ding! Dong!

9. Lo How a Rose E'er Blooming

10. Only At Christmas Time

11. Once In Royal David's City (Disc 5 Version)

12. Christmas in July

13. The Winter Solstice

Concert Review: Ben Taylor @ Borders

Ben Taylor featuring Sonya Kitchell and David Saw
Friday, December 1, 2006
Ann Arbor-Downtown Borders

Ann Arbor's 107one, local radio station, has a feature on their station called Studio A2, where they have national artists perform and get interviewed. Last year they started doing Studio A2 ON THE ROAD at the downtown borders. This was an interesting event, since it was technically just a live radio interview, that just happened to be at Borders.

For those of you who don't know, Ben Taylor is the son of James Talyor and Carly Simon. I first saw Ben when he was on tour with his mom as the opening act. He immediately blew me away with his great acoustic guitar lines, brilliant lyrics, and his voice sounds exactly like his father! After seeing him that one time, I became addicted to his album "Another Run Around The Sun" and was hoping he would come back to the Ann Arbor area. A year later, he finally returned! Unfortunately I couldn't go to his concert at the Ark, but 107one set up this great in-store appearance.


The set up was incredibly simple, just 3 stools, the sound equipment, and a backdrop. I was really impressed with how good everything sounded eventhough the venue isn't suited for this kind of performance.

Finally, between the cookbooks and coffee shop, Ben, Sonya, and David appeared from behind the backdrop and were introduced by the local radio personality. Sonya Kitchell performed her song "No Matter What" first, which had a great guitar line, lyrics, and featured her voice really well. David Saw accompanied her on guitar, and Ben provided back-up vocals.

I was completely floored to find out during the radio that Sonya was only 17 years-old! She says that "[I] was born, and started singing." She was raised in a very creative household, since her parents are both visual aritist, and they have always been supportive of her music career and her dreams.

After the brief interview with Sonya, Ben played a new song called "Wicked Way," which was a really witty song that immediately had the crowd laughing and clapping at his lyrics. The song will hopefully be on his next album, which “About...0%” has been recorded, according to Ben.

Once the song was over, Ben talked about growing up as the son of James Taylor and Carly Simon. Their advice to him was to always remember that "music is blue collar; don't be fooled that everything is glamorous." He took this to heart, understanding that his parents came from a time when it was much easier to be successful in the music bussiness, and that the industry has changed a lot since they started.

Sonya played one more song live on the air for the radio audience, which had a very sophisiticated melody, and wonderful lyrics. David and Ben both played guitar, and their strumming/picking styles blended very well together. Unfortunately, the song hasn’t been recorded yet, and probably won’t be any time soon, since she’s touring in Europe in the spring, and will be unable to get any recording done until the fall of 2007.


Ben played one more song for the in-store audience, which is one of my favorite songs off of Another Run Around the Sun, called “Ghost”. Ben apologized to the audience, since he had flown from Dublin the night before and on top of that he was pretty sick, so he was afraid he sounded terrible. But honestly, I thought he sounded great!

Over all, I thought the morning was really fun, and this intimate setting made me enjoy it all the more. I hope that next time Ben comes through town I’ll be able to see a full concert of his!

Welcome to the NEW Cosmic Kid!

I spent all sunday night re-building this wonderful blog, and I for one, think it turned out beautifully. Featuring my own photography in the background, and some improvements on a stock blogger template, I came up with this.

Hopefully this week I'll finish my concert review of Ben Tayor's in-store acoustic set at Borders, and an awesome new Thursday Thirteen.

Next week, I'll have a book review, and my Favorites for the Month of December!

See you around,

The Cosmic Kid

Thursday Thirteen: Trapped on an Island

Thirteen Albums I'd want to have with me if I was trapped on an island


1. Rent-Original Motion Picture Cast Recording (Delux Edition)

2. Bruce Springsteen-The Wild & The Innocent & the E Street Shuffle

3. U2-Best of 1980-1990

4. Beastie Boys-To the Five Burrows

5. Elvis Costello-North

6. Dashboard Confessional-The Swiss Army Romance

7. Jack's Mannequin-Everything In Transit

8. Bruce Springsteen-Live 1975-1985




9. Joni Mitchell-Blue

10. Radiohead-OK Computer

11. Wicked-Broadway Cast Recording




12. The Who-Ultimate Collection


13. Ted Leo-Shake the Sheets




On a Side note: Go buy Sufjan Stevens' Album Songs for Christmas if you want to hear some of the most beautiful music I have ever heard! If you buy this box set and can't find at least one song that you like, I will buy the CD back from you.

Thursday Thirteen: About Me

Thirteen Things You Probably Didn't Know About the Cosmic Kid

1. I Skateboard
I may not skateboard well, but I do skate. I learned this summer and absolutely love it. I especially like riding through the theatre building since it has all concrete floors!

2. I have 5 roommates
Luckily we live in a 6 bedroom house, or we'd probably hate eachother. I love them all!

3. I have the same job now that I had in High School
In high school I started music ministering in Freshman year. By the end of Sophomore Year I'd taken over the Music Ministry and was running it by myself. My friend Chris was the campus minister and he coordinated all of the other complicated aspects of the mass. Today, I work as a music minister for a church in Plymouth, MI, and Chris is an Associate Youth Minister........AT THE SAME CHURCH! Kind of funny how that works out, eh?

4. I hate Keanu Reeves
I would rather watch paint dry than Keanu Reeves act in a movie. I have never seen any of the Matrix movies because of this.

5. I have a paranoid hamster
I've had this hamster for a few months, and he refuses to be handled. He's warming up to me, since I give him treats and let him run in his hamster ball, so I'm hoping he'll let me hold him soon. However, the other day he barricaded himself inside of the "cool petting zone" portion of his cage by filling the tube that connects it to the main chamber with bedding. The next morning it was all gone, but I can't help but worry that he thinks someone's out to get him....

6. I went to my first concert at age 5
Maybe I was 4, but I'm positive it was before my sister was born when I was six. I went and saw Fred Penner LIVE with my too-cool-for-school parents. I'm pretty sure it was at the Fox in detroit too....very classy.

7. I adore Hockey
I love hockey and I love living in hockeytown! If there hadn't been a 2.5 year waiting list for the girl's league near my house I probably would have played. GO WINGS!

8. I listen to the Beastie Boys
The Beastie Boys is the only kind of rap that I can stand, mostly because they don't take themselves too seriously, and they have fun with their music. I honestly couldn't care how many chains and "b*tches" the dime-a-dozen rap stars have today. Give me some Beastie rhythms and I'll be a happy camper.

9. I am addicted to Podcasts
Now that I've discovered that NPR podcasts Wait Wait Don't Tell Me and This American Life I've found even more addicting podcasts and listen to them religiously!

10. I have only pulled one full all-nighter in college
I don't know how I've managed it, but I've only had to have one full-on all nighter after 2.5 years at the University of Michigan. Sure, I've gone to class on 4 hours of sleep, but that's not a huge deal. After my all-nighter, I seriously wanted to die. I'd stayed up to finish my History of Dress source book on the 1970s. Not only that, but I then had to DRIVE on the freeway, in rush hour morning traffic to get to class on time! I was the most dangerous person on the road that day. I got a B+ on the project though, which is outstanding since the prof never gives good grades to non-costume design students.

11. I don't drink
As a 20 year-old Junior in college, I have participated in some crazy things, but I am proud to say that drinking isn't one of them. I have nothing against drinking--legally, and in moderation. The main reason I don't drink is because it seems like such a hassle, to have to worry about geting a MIP (Minor in Posession), or worrying about what I did last night. I have plenty of fun perfectly sober. Oh, and have I meantioned I hate drunk people? I do. I can't stand to be around them at parties, at concerts, at sporting events...they ruin my night if they're really bad. I just don't want to be that person. So, I can honestly say that the only alcohol I've ever had has only come after the word "Amen"

12. I greatly dislike Steve Angrisano
Angrisano is a christian music artist, who is used by a lot of churches who have bought into his "Youth Oriented" music. I don't like Angrisano, mostly because his music is really boring and overdone and his lyrics are lame. I honestly thing that Angrisano sits down with the task to write a song that youth will like, but it doesn't work like that, because if you write that way then it comes off as forced. There are plenty of musicians who are making christian music that youth really respond to, without being boring. If you set out to make good music for God first, and then look for your audience, then you won't be shoving a square peg in a round hole all the time.

13. I've been entered in a National Contest
I've been entered in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival's Stage Management contest. I get to spend a week in Wisconsin participating in the contest in January. I have to make a display for the Pajama Game, which I SM'ed in October, and then have a panel interview about the show and my experience as a stage manager. I'm also entering a set design in the "paper project" contest (which means the design never actually happened). It's going to be pretty exciting.

Thursday Thirteen: Posters

So, I'm going out tonight...and today is Thanxgiving, so I'll be posting this now. Sorry it's not themed for the holiday...I wrote it in advance for times like these



Thirteen Posters I Have Hanging In My House

1. A 1989 Promotional poster for the University of Michigan Theatre Dept.
This poster is amazing! With a really cheesy picture and a list of faculty that is incredibly out of date, this thing will be worth something some day!

2. Charles Chaplin's The Kid
I've seen a lot of posters for The Kid, but none like the one I have. It's chaplin holding the baby he has just found abandoned, and a policeman stands over chaplin. The picture is beautiful, with so much emotion passing between chaplin and the baby, but the policeman brings humor to it. They don't make posters like that anymore.

3. Harry and the Potters-Summer Reading and Rocking Tour 2006
Great art, great band, GREAT concert! I had to get this poster to remember the night by, especially since the picture is AWESOME, it could be the poster for the next book, really.

4. Bruce Springsteen-Born to Run
When you're as big a fan as I am, you've got to have this iconic poster somewhere in your house!

5. The Who
My favorite picture of the who is the photo of the band sleeping underneath a huge union jack. I found a poster of it this fall, and now it hangs proudly above my bed. They're so peaceful when they're sleeping!

6. James Dean
My roommate and I are huge fans of James Dean, so we've got two posters of him hanging in our breakfast nook. One is a nice head shot, and the other is James walking down Broadway in the rain, huddled into his coat. It's a gorgeous shot.

7. SNAKES ON A PLANE!
The best movie of the summer has the best poster too. This one is rare too, since they used the snakes wrapped around a plane logo for all the official posters.

8. Action Action
The pink/green sceme of Action Action's album "Don't Cut Your Fabric to This Year's Fashion" is really cool, so the poster I have for it is double awesome.

9. Psalm 144:9
The psalm reads: "I will sing a new song to you, God. On a ten-stringed lyre, I will sing praises to you." randomposters.com has an awesome poster for it with an electric guitar player on it, and the psalm superimposed over it, it's a great image.

10. John Lennon-Imagine

11. Rusmore
Jason Schwartzman and Bill Murray hang proudly in our 2nd floor hallway.

12. Elvis Presley for President
Elvis for Prez and Nixon for VP in 2008! Get the vote out!

13. Promo poster for Apple's IPOD
This poster is really cool since it's one of the original promo cards. It says LIVE TONIGHT 5.2.03 on it, and has an ipod dramatically lit. It's pretty awesome

Away, away

Thanks to all the bloggers who wished me a happy birthday in my Thursday Thirteen! I had a wonderful day with my friends, and recieved some very thoughtful gifts from them.

Well, it's another weekend on the road for the Cosmic Kid. I'll be music ministering on a retreat for the church I work for alllll weekend. Teaching the kids to "Cry the Gospel"! It's my first retreat with the new church I work for, so hopefully it's a great experience.

Have a wonderful weekend! Peace!

Thursday Thirteen: Birthday edition

In honor of my birthday being today, here is a very special BIRTHDAY EDITION of Thursday Thirteen!

Thirteen Presents I Wouldn't Mind Getting This Year

1. The complete series collection of Get Smart
Sure, the DVDs won't come until Nov. 2007, but I will count down the days until it arrives at my door.

2. A Subscription to Relevant magazine
I love the podcast, love the website, must start getting the magazine!

3. The Clash-Singles Box Set

4. An Intramural Zombie Fighting Squad shirt
Found at: http://seibei.com/shop/intramural.html I like the "more gore" option.

5. Anything related to Snakes on a Plane
My new favorite movie, believe me, anything would please me.

6. Money is always accepted

7. The A BABY STOLE MY DINGO! shirt
found at vintagevantage.com

8. A Value World Gift Card!
My favorite thirft stores now offers gift cards! It's the perfect gift for any occasion!

9. A Scooter
I love Vespas...or faux vespas, so if you really wanted to give from the bottom of your wallet...it's Vespa Time!

10. A new iPod
I think I either lost my iPod or it was stolen. But, it was a Gen.2, so maybe it was time...

11. Take me to STEAK AND SHAKE
Just take me to steak and shake and let me enjoy your company. I love steak and shake.

12. Any clothing, accessories, books from LIFETEEN.com
Everytime I get something from Lifeteen.com, I fall in love with it.

13. Anything and everything related to the great BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
I've gotten posters, trivia books (one from 1987), T Shirts, CDs, anything. I read/listen/hang up everything and anything I get...a lot of the times until it's worn out!

Current Favorites NOVEMBER

My current favorites for the month of November!

Music
1. Cobra Starship-While the City Sleeps, We Rule the Streets
The band that brought you Snakes on a Plane (Come Bring It) released a full album. It's guilty pleasure-worthy, full of pop-punk-synth-rock goodness, and song names that make absolutely no sense.

2. The Swift-Today and The Swift
El Swifto has been featured in a lot of blogs lately, but hey, it's for a good reason. The guys rock!

3. Steve Burns-Songs for Dustmites
So, Steve from Blues Clues released an album 4 years ago, and I still can't stop listening to it. He's got a great voice and wrote some amazing songs.---Oh, and it's actually rock music, not a kid CD. He's got a new CD coming soon, so keep an eye out




Books

1.Blessed Are the Bored in Spirit by Mark Hart
I picked this book up while at LIFETEEN's Life on the Road confrence. It's written by Lifeteen's "Bible Geek" and it puts living as a young Catholic into great perspective.

Movies

1.Stranger than Fiction
The new Will Ferrell movie is amazing. It's an interesting take on the "you only have so long to live..." genre of movie. Will Ferrell acts wonderfully, and is backed up by an awesome supporting cast. Sit back, and wander through Harold Crick's life with him.

2.Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
Robert Downey Jr. made this movie last year, and it's one of the best movies to be released in 2005. Co-starring Val Kilmer, Robert plays a bumbling crook who gets tied into a crime himself. I laughed incredibly hard at this movie, and enjoyed every second of it.



TV

1. Grey's Anatomy
I've given up on Desperate Housewives, but Grey's Anatomy still has me hooked. The characters are interesting and complex, and the writing is incredibly witty. I love it.

2. Gene Simmon's Family Jewels
Oh. My. Gosh. Gene Simmon's family is hilarious. Thank you A&E for putting this actually interesting celeb-reality show on the air.

3. Get Smart
TIME-LIFE is releasing Get Smart on DVD!!!!!!! My favorite television show OF ALL TIME will finally be at my disposal. I can't wait to save up the $200 to buy the set....good thing I have a whole year to do it.

4. House
My roommates got me addicted. Hugh Laurie is so compelling and funny. I love him.

Commercials

1. Mike Cox Political advertizement!
Ok, so political ads were terrible this year. BUT Mike Cox released the single greatest ad of all time.
The ad included the following amazing moments:
a. An old person sick in bed
b. A shady character stealing from the old person
c. A CONVICT (in an orange jumpsuit and everything) stealing from the old person
d. A random shot of what looked like a 1940's oil tycoon smoking a cigar

Fashion

1. Sharpie Tattoos
I like making sweet tattoos in sharpie on my arms

2. Motorcycle Jackets
I have a sweet motorcycle jacket which I'm in love with. I don't want to have to put it away because of the winter!

3. Fingerless gloves
I hate it that when I I wear gloves I can never grip anything correctly, so fingerless gloves are the way I go.


Plays

1. The Waiting Room by Lisa Loomer
This is an incredible play about how fashion has been killing women for centuries. Three main characters a Chinese woman who's feet have been bound, a corseted victorian woman, and a plastic surgery addicted woman from Jersey all meet in the same waiting room and suffer together as their bodies deteriorate. Once you get past the fact that each woman is living hundreds of years from eachother, yet still in the same office, it's a great show. I think any woman would like it.


2. The Tempest by William Shakespeare
This is my new favorite Shakespeare show. I designed a set for it, saw the Royal Shakespeare Company perform it, and have loved every second I've come in contact with it.

3. Movin' Out by Billy Joel/Twyla Tharp
Aside from a few lighting beefs I have with this show, I loved it. The dance is wonderful, the billy joel impersonator was SPOT ON, and the music rocked.

Other

1. The phrase Word to your mother
I don't know why I say it so much, but I do...and it's pretty awesome

A very rockin' birthday...

My birthday is next thursday, and my mom bought me a new guitar for my 20th birthday and christmas this year. I decided I needed to make the investment in a 12 String Acoustic, so I immediately went to my favorite guitar store to test out guitars. I've been eyeing the Seagull brand for years now, so I was pretty sure where I'd land.

I went home with a brand new Seagull S12+ (with a Godin Quantum I pickup) this tuesday. The guitar is gorgeous. The tapered headstock keeps the guitar in tune longer, and makes it easier to tune too. The top is Solid Cedar, and the back and sides is the beautiful Wild Cherry wood that canadian guitars are becoming known for. I can't wait to test it out at mass this sunday!

So far I give it &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts (out of 5)

Thursday Thirteen: Musicals

My Thirteen Favorite Songs from a Broadway Musical

1. Rent-Finale B

2. Wicked-As Long As You're Mine
I know everyone loves Defying Gravity and Popular and What Is This Feeling (Loathing), but I LOVE this song. It's one of the best love songs I've heard in a while, because it's not a normal love song.

3. The Producers(Broadway cast)-Betrayed!
Nathan Lane is brilliant. This song not only captures Max Bialystock's betrayal, but also reinacts the entire musical in 2 minutes...and it's hilarious. I love it.

4. Les Miserables-One Day More

5. Tommy-Pinball Wizard
The broadway recording is almost as amazing as the original.

6. AltarBoyz-God Put the Rhythm In Me
Word to your mother, this song rocks!

7. Phantom of the Opera-Notes
Brilliantly written, one of the few things I truly love love love from Andrew Lloyd Webber anymore.

8. Sweeny Todd: The Daemon Barber of Fleet Street-A Little Priest
The original version, with Angela Lansbury is perfection!

9. The Producers(Broadway Cast)-Where Did We Go Right?

10. Chorus Line-I Hope I Get It
The show is not very good, but the music is amazing, and I love this song.


11. Into the Woods- You are Not Alone
This song makes me cry.

12. My Fair Lady-I've Become Accustomed to Her Face

13. Rent-Goodbye Love
This song is gorgeous, and I was really disappointed when it got left out of the movie, since Rosario Dawson performes beautifully.

Weekend, Halloween, etc.

I'm going to be in Ohio all weekend, because my church job has asked me to go to Lifeteen's LIFE ON THE ROAD music ministry seminar. I'm super psyched! I'll probably be out of internet contact until sunday evening, but I'll definitely post about the experience if it's worthwhile enough. Hopefully it will be. Matt Maher will be there, who if you don't know, is a pretty famous christian musician. SO, let's see how this goes!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Oh, and here's a pic of me on halloween. I dressed up as my set design professor, the amazing Vince Mountain:

The informational Belt buckle:


The whole shebang:


A close up on my interpretation of Vince's tattoo. Yes, it says "DRAFTING" in a big flaming heart. It's pretty hard core.

Thursday 13: Music

THIRTEEN ARTISTS YOU MUST HEAR, BUT PROBABLY HAVEN'T

1. Jack's Mannequin-Everything In Transit
The lead singer of the pop-punk-piano band Something Corporate's first solo album is a HUGE triumph. With wonderful piano-based rock and soulful lyrics, I can't stop listening to Jack's Mannequin!
Stand Out Tracks: Bruised, Dark Blue, and I'm Ready

2. Big City Rock-Big City Rock
This band is going to be HUGE someday, jump on the band wagon now! If you like U2, you'll probably like BCR.
Stand Out Tracks: Sink, All of the Above, Human

3. Ludo
Ludo has a wonderful full length CD, but I love their EP rock opera Broken Bride the best. The opera includes a love story, time travel, dinosaurs, AND zombies. It may sound crazy, but the story works, and the ending is pretty close to a tear jerker.
Stand Out Tracks: Part I, Save Our City, Good Will Hunting By Myself

4. Altar Boyz (Original Cast Recording)
A musical about a Catholic boy band? Yes. Funny? Yes. Great pop music? yes. This is the most original new musical to come around in a long time, so catch it while you can. Plus, a Michigan Musical Theatre Alum is currently starring as Abe in the touring company!
Stand Out Tracks: Church Rulez, The Calling, [Bonus Track]

5. Harry and the Potters!
Do you love Harry Potter? Do you love rock music? Then you'll love HatP! 2 brothers formed this band and they play songs about HP and dress as HP. They put on one of the best live shows I've ever seen, too.
Stand Out Tracks: Save Ginny Weasley, Cornelius Fudge is an Ass, Dumbledore

6. Dashboard Confessional
They've had a few minor hits and a featured song in Spiderman 2, but I'm still surprised how many people haven't heard them. I've listened to them for almost 6 years now, and they've been through a lot of musical changes, but I still think the sound is wonderful
Stand Out Tracks: Stolen, Bend and Not Break, This Ruined Puzzle, Swiss Army Romance

7. The Swift
Yes, More piano rock, but this time Christian piano rock. I can't get this band out of my head, and I enjoy it even more because now I impress all of my friends at work with turning them on to this fabulous "new" band. Their 3rd album just came out, so check it out!
Stand Out Tracks: I Need You, You Burn

8. Jamie Cullum
He reminds me a lot of Elton John when he performs, with sliding across the piano, playing with his feet, etc. His music is great Jazz/Billy Joel-esque rock and he also takes great classic songs and makes them even more wonderful. Jamie brings a Punk Rock attitude to the Jazz Music scene.
Stand Out Tracks: Twentysomething, Everlasting Love, The Wind Cries Mary

9. Patty Griffin
My dad introduced me to Patty 4 years ago, and her brilliance never ceases to amaze me. It's the kind of folk music that makes everything feel better. She's an alt-country version of Joni Mitchell, without being too country.
Stand Out Tracks: Long Ride Home, Making Pies, Stolen Car

10. Pink Spiders-Teenage Graffiti
I love energetic punk rock, and these guys fill that need. A true power trio, these guys kick butt. From classic punk rock style, to a bouncy piano track (Adalae), the guys never cease to please.
Stand Out Tracks: Easy Way Out, Saturday Nite Riot, Adalae

11. Seven Places
Usually I dislike christian rock, but this stuff works for me. It praises without being oppressive and rocks without being lame
Stand Out Tracks: Western Wall, Fall In Line, Even When

12. Tally Hall-Marvin's Marelous Mechanical Museum
A local Ann Arbor band starting to make it big in the music biz, and they're doing very well for themselves. They put on an amazing live show, and I can't wait to see how far they go.
Stand Out Tracks: Greener, The Bidding


13. Ted Leo and the Pharmacists
I love Ted and his band! Indie rock has never sounded so good. And no one can write a rock song about helping a friend survive an eating disorder like Ted, and you can quote me on that.
Stand Out Tracks: Where have all the Rude Boys Gone?, Dirty Old Town, Me & Mia

Concert Review: Dashboard Confessional

Dashboard Confessional 10.28.06
Eastern Michigan Convocation Center
Opener: Brand New

Saturday I spent my evening at the concert for one of my favorite bands, Dashboard Confessional. I’ve listened to Dashboard since it was just Chris Carrabba touring out of a van without a band to back him up, but through unfortunate events, I’ve never been able to see them play live. Since this was my first official DC concert, I was pretty excited to go.

So, my roommate Meg and I headed out for EMU. Upon our arrival we found that only the farthest parking lot was still open, and the line to get in was stretched into and around the main parking lot…which we weren’t too keen on standing in. Luckily, will call customers were allowed to jump the line, which I happily did and picked up my tickets.

Brand New had already started playing, which was ok with me. I’ve never been a huge fan of Brand New, because it’s too much screaming and not enough music. Plus, the guitar reminds me a lot of Nirvana, which is my least favorite guitar style ever. The lighting design was terrible too, with too many lights flashing into the audience and not enough lights on the actual band. I couldn’t see anyone onstage half the time, so I didn’t even have anything interesting to look at. Luckily there were only 4 songs left in their set once I got there!

So, my first complaint of the night came after Brand New’s set when their fans started chanting “Dashboard Sucks”…Now, as I see it, if you go to a concert to see the opener and don’t like the headliner that much, THEN LEAVE, don’t ruin the experience for the rest of the crowd. Meg and I decided to move closer to the stage during the change over, so we got away from the annoying Brand New fans pretty quickly.

During the change over to Dashboard, a large white drape was pulled across the front of the stage, but once DC’s set started, the lights came up behind the drape, silhouetting the band as it started to play “Don’t Wait,” the first single off their latest album. Once the vocals came in the drape dropped and revealed a gorgeous set. The set consisted of a red velvet drape in the background, and hanging paper lanterns that lit up and could change colors. During the second song, the red velvet drape raised up in the center revealing a New York loft style brick wall with large windows that could be lit to show trees behind them and even a moon, through lighting effects. The set reminded me a lot of RENT. The lighting design made it even better. I snuck my camera in and got some great shots of the band.

I was expecting the band to play all their new stuff with only a little of the stuff I’ve loved for so long, but there was actually a really good balance of old and new. The highlights off the new album were Don’t Wait, So Long So Long, and a new version of Stolen, which is a lot faster than the album version, and much less effective in my opinion. Dash sounded great on old favorites like The Places You Have Come to Fear the Most, Hands Down, Bend and Not Break, and Screaming Infidelities. The song that made the entire night worth it was This Ruined Puzzle. The band hasn’t had This Ruined Puzzle in their set for a few years now, so to have it back was great to hear, especially since it is my favorite song ever recorded by Dashboard.

Chris’s voice sounded great, and didn’t stumble or get off key once during the night. His stage presence is much different now, appearing more cocky and putting up a front for the crowd. I could have done without the very obvious scripted banter though…but he did show his personality throughout the night (commenting on the lack of high-fiving he and his friends do, etc). Scott on bass and Mike on drums were very solid, giving a muscular backing for the guitars and vocals to flow over. Johnny Lefler, the lead guitarist, is a hard working musician, switching between guitar and keys, and providing the signature “dashboard” guitar style that everyone has grown to know.

The two new additions to the band, a third guitar player and the violinist Susan Sherhouse, bring a much fuller sound to the band. The third guitarist also allows Chris to put his guitar down on songs like Don’t Wait and Hands Down, giving him a Bono-like stage presence. Susan’s violin is very subtle, but she takes the foreground on songs like So Long So Long, and brings the song to a new level.

My only major complaint about the show was the crowd. While trying to enjoy Dashboard’s set I was forced to stand next to four idiot boys from Dearborn Heights, who insisted on shoving and eventually moshing. I have no problem with moshing if the concert is one that you are supposed to mosh at, but this was not. The music isn’t fast enough, or hard core enough to be moshed to...just because you’re at a concert doesn’t mean that moshing is required. It’s quite obvious that those guys weren’t as concert experienced as they were acting. Anyone who actually attends concert regularly knows the correct etiquette. In the end they were just making themselves look stupid.

Despite the annoying boys, I enjoyed myself quite a bit. Dashboard played flawlessly, and though it is obvious that Chris Carrabba has changed quite a bit since his earliest days, as long as the music stays good, I’ll continue going to their concerts. I only hope that Chris goes on a solo tour sometime soon so that I can experience the dashboard confessional that I have loved since the beginning, now that I have experienced the full-band electric dashboard confessional.

Rating: &hearts &hearts &hearts &hearts (out of 5)

(*Pictures taken by me, so please don't steal them without asking*)