Eleven Songs I Like Today and the Best Tank Top Ever

20130505-172709.jpg photo by Russ Simon

My neighbor is a prize-winning tulip gardener, and the second the snow melted, the ladies came out! You should see her backyard. I’m allowed to take as many flowers as I want, as well as walk around in them, in exchange for occasionally shoveling her sidewalk. Community! Needless to say, I feel very fortunate to have such a nice neighbor. The tank top is Brandy Melville, it’s Dylan mixed with The Misfits. It is my favorite tank ever, and I wish I could find another. Literally went to the store in San Diego twice before the sales chick found one in a pile of other black tank tops. The skirt was a disaster, windy day, better with a bathing suit.

Here’s some songs I’m loving today (all song titles are links to the song):

1. Rolling Stones “Emotional Rescue” : first time played live, Jagger swaggering and pointing with splendour, every note perfect. To Vegas or not to Vegas….

2. Deodato “Also Sprach Zarathustra(2001)” : my husband heard a version of 2001 that he thought was Phish with horns, did some searching, found it. This is the best rendition of a song ever. Timeless. It’s been played about a hundred times blaring through our speakers through the house. My life has felt very funky but dramatic.

3. The Bamboos “Happy” : continue the funk with this New Zealand band that really needs to tour the USA.

4. TEEN “Circus (Live at Union Pool)” : great, loud, pretty stuff, their name is around a lot right now, I like the flashlight video.

5. Metz “Wet Blanket” : if you have some patience and let the music inside you, it’s the most amazing feeling in the world. They are playing in Denver at Hi Dive on Tuesday. It’s going to be so forceful.

6. Lorde “Royals” : New Zealand is really cranking out unbelievable music! This song is slithery, minimal beat, nice vocals, I have a song of the day!

7. Faces on Film “Knot in the Vine” : this band has a slick, dreamy sound. Sounds like a movie where everyone is sweaty in a small town and most of them have slept with each other and drama sweaty drama.

8. No Joy “Negaverse” : opening for Metz this Tuesday, beautiful noise.

9. Chain in the Gang “Living in the Panther Cage” : love some quirky minimal stuff with male and female vocals and loud snare.

10. Goat “Goatman” : heard this year’s Austin Psych Fest was the best year yet, I’m in for sure next year at this new location. Kicking myself that I skipped it and missed these guys. So much to do, so little time…..

Update- song 11 came in last night and it’s just a perfect simple piece of beauty : “Big Talking” by White Woods

Music in Denver May 1-7

20130501-162833.jpg photo by Dave Vann

Got to cross “Be In a Dave Vann Picture” off the list at Red Rocks Saturday! I’m on the left front row in a grey and red-sleeved Phish hoodie. Represent!

Music in Denver May 1-7

Wednesday, May 1

Har Mar Superstar – Hi Dive – legendary crooner, looks like Ron Jeremy, often gets down to his underwear, his music gets sexy so bring a date: Lady You Shot Me video

John Statz – Walnut Room – songwriter with very interesting influences. On his last album he traveled to ghost towns and wrote the songs there full of inspiration. John Statz website with my photos on the front page!Yay I hadn’t seen that!!

Powerman 5000 – classic American metal

Thursday, May 2

Milk Carton Kids – Bluebird – saw these guys two years ago play in a church and oh how I cried in a good way. Excellent minimal music.

Alex Clare – Ogden – guy has an amazing voice, go to watch everyone wait for his overplayed song: you’ve all heard this one

Crystal Castles – Gothic – high pitched annoying glitchy stuff that I LOVE for 40 minutes. Alice Glass rocks out excellently, doesn’t look like a try hard like that girl from Dead Weather. I have a crush: live video, don’t say I didn’t warn you that the audience sucks

Friday, May 3

Bela Fleck w/ Colorado Symphony – Boettcher – best living banjo player with the symphony? No brainer.

Melvin Seals and JGB – Quixote’s – and then race over here to dance to Melvin and the Jerry Garcia Band

Sunday, May 5

Devendra Banhart – Gothic – is Gothic doing awesome or what? Thank you, AEG. Intellectual king doing his thing, this tour is not as quiet as some others I’ve seen, and I liked what I saw at sxsw and look forward to the extended set.

Tuesday, May 7

Yngwie Malsteen – Summit – all the guys that practice metal solos at Guitar Center will be here with their ponytails and black shirts. Get your guitar wank on.

Faun Fables – Marquis – sometimes they make you sit down, so wear pants, ladies: video for Faun Fables

Metz w/ No Joy – Hi Dive – rage night! No Joy is my current favorite band, and Metz rock it loud live. I’ll be at the front shooting the show, say hi! wild Metz video, you either love or despise

No Joy – Band to Watch

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Montreal’s No Joy has a new album coming out next Tuesday, and wow is it good. We got twelve inches of snow at my house. I think that’s unnecessary on April 17th, and this album made me feel like I was being pulled out of a sleepy cold state into a colorful spring. They pack layer upon layer of fuzz beautifully, all with pretty vocals dreamily floating on top. Man, this snow makes me want ice cream. They are supporting the album release with a North American tour, and they are opening for Metz at Hi Dive in Denver, May 7th. (Hey Houston they are playing at Fitz next week!!) Tour dates and new single in the link below:

new single “Lunar Phobia”

stream the album at Pitchfork