one more tip…

So I left something very important off of my concert going post! Don’t, under any circumstance, wear a shirt for the band your going to see! Ya look goofy! Now, I’ve see people change into the shirts they bought at the show…somewhat pass. I would recommend either wearing a shirt for a band that is in the same vein, or one that is completely different ironically (hipster style J), at least that’s what I tell myself when I have a total shirt fail. Most of the time, I wear my concert shirts out on the weekend. It’s pretty rare that I’ll wear them to a show. And though I have a great many Bob and 10 Years ad 7D shirts I haven’t worn them to a show in a while, some times a Star Wars shirt is OK. The one for Bob has gotten me into some shows before with out a pass, so that’s cool. So if you decide to wear a concert shirt, make sure you edit.

 

So my next post will be about Van Susans  (http://www.vansusans.com) and will be my first listen only post…not a live show! Yikes! But at least you’ll get some song names J

 

concert going

As I’ve said before I go to a about a concert a week and most of the time I’m up front! Now it takes a lot of huevos rancheros to stand up there the whole time! So here are some hints: 

1. get there early! I found that there are some many great opening bands! I fell in love with Like a Storm (http://www.likeastorm.com)and Lady Danville (http://ladydanville.wordpress.com/) and so many more because I get there early enough to hear the openers. Also, please clap for them and give them some energy. Nothing looks worse (well almost nothing) than creepily staring at them with no emotion at all. This is to you creepy guy at the Toadies (http://thetoadies.com) concert at Josabi’s (www.josabis.com)…I’m talking to you!
2. wear comfy shoes! Most of the time I wear my Toms (http://www.toms.com)and they work well for me. Mostly, because I don’t have to worry about dirty feet if we’re outside or getting beer on my feet. I have worn sandals before, but it’s to a venue I know and that I haven’t had any issues with kicking bottles or being stepped on (yet another benny of getting their early) I have stood for more than 8 hours in my shoes before, so I’m serious about making sure they’re comfy. The only time I will wear heels is if I know I’ll be sitting down. Like at the Chris Cornell (http://www.chriscornell.com/) show at theParamount (http://www.austintheatre.org)
3.  If you’re going to an outside especially in the summer (or an un-air conditioned space like GrueneDance Hall) make sure you drink plenty of fluids, and I am talking water here. There have been times where I have been so dehydrated despite my drinking tons of water that I almost feel over (thank goodness for walls!) make sure you drink plenty of water before /during the show.
4. now, there’s a code of regular concert goers…if you leave the space, you leave the space! If you want to be upfront, get there early! I’m so not moving for you no matter what your story is! So back off!
5. don’t wear anything you can’t wash beer out of! Some of the shows get crazy! They go flying through the air and hit where ever. Sometimes they even come from the band. I would also suggest something light and breathable. I have seen some funky things there…please check yourself in a full length mirror or you might be mocked J muffin top is wronged!
6. make sure you wear your hair (ladies) in a way that can stand up to the moisture and heat. There are very few times I spend a ton of time styling because it’s a waste! In about two seconds it’s poofy.
7. make sure your make up can stand up to the heat too! This can go for the men as well. I’ve seen some interesting things
8. please, please please do not take huge bags! I really dislike being hit in the side and back by women who have brought luggage with them! Completely unnecessary! What are you taking? A book!? A radio?? A small child?
9. and one of my biggest pet peeves….if you take your child…PLEASE TAKE HEARING PROTECTION FOR THEM! Their little ears are still developing! Give them a fighting chance to hear when they’re my age!
10. also, if you drink and take your child, please have someone to take care of you! Don’t ever drink and drive! You just had a blast at the show! Stay alive to share the story! (soap box away)
11. know what you can take in the pit! There have been times where I have been super scared by the pit and picked up where I thought I might be dropped and crushed. If you have a problem get out as quickly as you can so you don’t get hurt…however, a lot of times the madness is over as quickly as it started. Just get a feel for the group. There have been shows where we hung in the back because we knew the crowd was going to eat me alive! I missed being upfront but was really glad not to be black and blue at the end.
12. after the show a few really special bands will come out and sign autographs after. They are some of my fav bands! They really love the audience and their fans. I have more pictures with my favorite arts! I have them set up on a digital frame and laugh each time I see them. Love the ones I have with Lewis from 10 Years (http://www.10yearsmusic.com) ! One of these days I’ll take a decent pic with Bob Schneider (http://bobschneider.com/) . He’s just so pretty I look dumpy!
13. lastly…ENJOY YOURSELF! Give those funky guys in jeggings a chance, you never know, they might be your favorite new band!

 Well, that’s all the advice I can think of for now. I’m sure there is more, but I’m sleepy and ready for bed! Dude, it’s still light outside, so not rock’n roll!

 See ya next time and live the unexpected life!

Jack’s Mannequin!

I LOVED THIS SHOW! THE WHOLE THING! ok…enough of that. This show was at Backstage Live, down town San Antonio and was the last date of the tour and they still had a lot of energy! and you could tell all of the bands really bonded and enjoyed each other on the tour.

The opening band was River James (http://riverjamesmusic.com) this was their first tour, but you couldn’t tell. They were tight and enjoying being on the stage and playing. It was a short set and I was left wanting them to play longer. They told the story of their van almost breaking down on the side of the road just outside of town but they made it. I hope they made it home ok! I did go buy their disk, but it didn’t really do them justice. I do  home they come back again and play a longer set (hint hint Andrew McMahon)  If you have an opportunity to see them live, take the time and do so. Fun fun fun

 Second band (hopefully breaking the 2^nd band curse) was Lady Danville (http://ladydanville.wordpress.com). They were amazing! And it was the first time I’ve seen a cajon. They covered Kids by MGMT with the cajon! It’s a three-piece band with a guitar, keyboard and cajon. Fabulous! I don’t know what else to say! Cajon, ukulele, harmonica! Ya just can’t go wrong with that! Also bought both of their cds and am wearing out the ep tour disk in the car (can listen to the whole thing on way in to work) and my favorite song on it right now is Sophie Roux. Also, they had a little unnamed song that I sing with…I understand why they’re having so much trouble naming it. Again, if you have a chance to see them live you won’t be disappointed. It will be a group I would seriously think about traveling to see. Hope they come for SXSW next year! They would fit in wonderfully.

 The one band that didn’t really seem to sing to my soul was Steel Train. They were technically proficient but just didn’t seem original. They covered a Tom Petty song…again, technically well done but not really all that uniquely. Tom Petty has such a stand out voice. It almost seemed as if someone got to them and told them “do this” and made them to cookie cutter. I would give them another chance, but I just wasn’t feeling it.

 Now, to the headliner…Jack’s Mannequin! (http://www.jacksmannequin.com) So first of all…a piano is wheeled out! And the party Buda with a serape to keep it company until Jack’s handsome lead Andrew jumps out. This was such a high energy show. I don’t think I’ve seen a piano player jump around and still play and sing into two mics, play the keyboard on top as well. It was AMAZING! Andrew sang several songs about his story. Please go to their page and check out Dear Jack Foundation and read the story and donate if you’re able. At the end of the show all of the bands came out and hugged and really showed how much fun they had. Also, the piano was played with shoes on top of keys. It was something my mother would have killed me for doing as a kid (and you better believe I had thought about it)

 So again, the next blogs will have songs etc in them. I just wasn’t planning on writing a blog at the time and just enjoyed the show! I do want to make sure that I’m thorough in the future.

 Enjoy! Comments are welcome! Please let me know what you think, and what you would like more of!

Ghostland Observatory at Whitewater Amphitheater

This past weekend (July 15th 2011) I actually went to two shows with my concert friend, at her suggestion, as my birthday present…always a good prezzie for me! The first was Ghostland Observatory (http://www.ghostlandobservatory.net/) at Whitewater Amphitheater (http://whitewaterrocks.com/). First off, the venue is fabulous despite the fact it’s outside in 100 degree weather. the sun […]

why?

So, why would I want to write a music blog? Well…it  all started this past Tuesday when I was talking to a friend about the last few concert I had been to and he said “if you wrote a blog i would totally read it.” so, i thought it might be fun, why not!?! so, here’s hoping he actually does subscribe or this is all just wasted electrons 😉

Update, I don’t think the friend that I started the blog for has  read it, however, way more people than I ever imagined have checked it out. Love being able to share music with others! So much fun! Don’t expect to agree with everything, and that’s fine! But it’s really all about the music and encouraging people to go see live performances and support the arts!

so here starts the actual music part of the blog! please see the next post.

First Post!

Howdy! My name is Jennifer and I ❤ music! So, this blog will be about concerts and music I love. I won’t bore you with rehashes, so I’ll post about the last two concerts I went to and then about new ones as they come up…and there are some good ones coming up! So, hang on, it’s going to be a bumpy ride!