Tomorrow: Modest Mouse and the Walkmen! Let's hope it's everything I want it to be.

I've got the domain for the improved website all set up and am in the process of moving over everything from the wsum.org site on over before I start tweaking it. Hopefully I can get it up and running by late next week! Good luck on the final show, DJ Lazer!

I'm hoping this doesn't happen to me.

A really random article about "emo boys" in the New York Observer.

Today I went to see the Corporation by myself.  It was really cool because probably 75% of the audience was also there alone!  Anyhoo, I'm not sure if it's out in Madison yet, but it's an interesting movie.  It had some really fascinating stories, like how IBM contracted with the German government to sell them punch card machines that were used at concentration camps (proven with contracts and video footage of the IBM founder with Hitler), and then some issues that I didn't really see a problem with, like certain marketing tactics, the idea of a corporation as a "legal person," and the concept that being motivated by profits can only be evil.  Must be the business school side of me that will never die.  Still, it makes you want to be very aware of the kind of company you are working for.

While sleeping in an uncomfortable position on a couch in a cabin in Eagle River, WI, two nights ago I had a dream that Nicole was desperately yelling at me to figure out the mystery of who called her last Tuesday. Why? I'm not sure. But I do know that the dream stemmed from my thoughts about the revalations in the final Adventure Story Hour Episode airing next Monday. Also, the dream served as inspiration for the opening dream sequence of tonight's episode.

THE FUTURE OF THE PERFECT FACE FOR RADIO

So as Rockey wraps up the last shows before moving to New York, I've decided to keep this website going in modified form.  I've got myself a new domain, www.theperfectfaceforradio.com, and will be transferring the site over to it in the next couple of weeks.  For now, it's basically just going to be my own personal website with a major music theme; hopefully down the road, after doing DJ training at WLUW, I can get a new show and bring the PFFR back to the airwaves.  Mostly, I can't bear to part with the upcoming concerts page, since I'm probably the biggest user of it, and I can continue to use the site for my own narcisstic purposes, since I'm sure everyone wants to know what I'm doing at any given point in time :) .  Hopefully everyone on the blog will continue to check in once in awhile for fun, and so I know you're all still alive.

I also just posted a note on the upcoming concerts page that I'm thinking of reducing it to only Chicago shows.  If you use the page for shows in Milwaukee or Madison, let me know and I'll be happy to continue; I just don't want to expend the extra energy if it's not actually serving anyone. 

So stay tuned for the address change, and if anyone has any suggestions for what could be included on said modified site, let me know!

I'm exhausted after a long weekend of shows- Matthew Dear on Friday and Xiu Xiu on Saturday.  I wish I could have seen Xiu Xiu at the terrace- they sounded great but the Fireside Bowl is a crappy venue; it's just the corner of a bowling alley and the stage is way too low, so unless you are right up front you can't see anything.  I really wanted to see what kind of instruments Xiu Xiu used to make their weird sound, but unfortunately, I could barely see their heads.  Kind of like going to a packed show at the Catacombs.  Luckily, they'll be playing at the Empty Bottle in October, a much better venue, so I'll get to reassess.  Next week- Modest Mouse and the Walkmen!  At an equally crappy venue, the Eagles Ballroom in Milwaukee, so plans are to get there when doors open and park ourselves right up front.

HOT new song of the moment:  Junior Boys- Teach Me how to Fight, off of Last Exit.  Good lord this song is good.  Electronic pop music in the vein of the Notwist.  I highly suggest everyone go download it now, not that I'm condoning downloading or anything.  I don't download anymore, but if someone could come over and get my computer to make Soulseek work I could reconsider . . ..  Or you could just buy the whole album, it's super good.  But that song . . . ooh baby.

YES!  YES!  YES!

Sunday, September 12: Les Savy Fav w/ the Detachment Kit, the Bottom Lounge- Chicago

So I've just discovered the one drawback for me in working in the music industry; it involves extensive time spent on the phone.  I HATE talking to people I don't know on the phone.  At least I'm not trying to sell them something.

Meanwhile, I finally found out why the agency is called Billions, since about 20 people have asked me; apparently, before he started the agency, the owner "Boche" (childhood nickname that never went away apparently, real name David) used to play a lot of poker with his buddies, and they started calling him "Billions Boche."  And that's . . . the rest of the story.

In more Billions history, I also found out how Boche started the company; he moved here from outside Detroit in Canada with a buddy.   The buddy started Touch and Go Records, and Boche booked the bands on the label.  It just ballooned from there.  So I've realized for me to go somewhere, I need to meet someone so we can work together, eh?  Anyone want to start a record label so I can book the bands for them?

So there's your music business history lesson for the day.  Enjoy!

Last night I had this weird dream about the Plastic Constellations, where they were still in high school and friends with my brother, and I dropped the bro off at the band's house for a birthday party and hung around for a bit.  Not as weird as my dream about the Animal Collective, where I got on stage with them thinking I could play bass (I thought wrong).

This reminds me of that Built to Spill lyric, "no one cares what you dreamt about/ unless you dreamt about them."  So, uh, you were all in it too.

Courtesy of Ben: some fun political humor.

Oh no, they're playing the weekend I'm coming home!!!!  And it's at the Bottom Lounge too, that's right by my apartment.  Oh well, they're from Minneapolis, they'll have to play Chicago again soon.
 
TPC is on the way, Liz, never fear . . .

coooool.  i am considering seeing them when they hit portland.  but i'm not completely sure, since i didn't like seeing them last time (band was too drunk).
 
hey, you should see the plastic constellations when they come to chicago.  i really want that cd...(hint hint)

Here's what I'm doing New Year's Eve, and I think you should too: last Guided by Voices show ever, at the Metro in Chicago.

Information about the upcoming solo Travis Morrison (ex-Dismemberment Plan singer) solo album and future tour.  I'm afraid it's going to suck.  Only time will tell.

FYI Madison friends:  I will be coming home for the weekend of August 13 to get the rest of my stuff from my apartment.  Start planning the fun now.

This will be my second weekend in a row without a show to go to!  Up until last weekend, I'd made it to at least one show a weekend since I moved out here.  Don't worry though (cause I know you all were), the intensity picks up again starting next weekend, with the Ghostly International showcase, Xiu Xiu, Modest Mouse and the Walkmen, AC Newman, and the Hold Steady all coming up on the radar.
 
Another hot way to get to go to free shows; join record labels' street teams.  I'm now officially on the Frenchkiss Records street team, so I get sent posters to put up around town and can see their shows for free in exchange, starting with the Hold Steady.  Now if only Les Savy Fav would FUCKING TOUR ALREADY before I die.

Why no one want make Hulk 2?  I find this incredibly hilarious.  I'm not quite sure why, since I didn't even see the Hulk.

Attention friends who live in New York: A couple of Billions bands are doing a benefit show for "Kerry Victory 2004"- the Pernice Brothers and the Honorary Title- on July 29 at the Mercury Lounge. How hip is that?

And my Spoon review is up today on TMT!

HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHHA. You go girl! I might have to bid. You need to think up some picture to go with your cds; do any of your friends have digital cameras? If not, I could take one and send it to you, if you have a vision.

Meanwhile, Seripop and Little Friends of Printmaking, two awesome poster collectives, are touring North America with their work. Check out the itinerary here, and if you're in Madison, go to the Madison show on 8/27. They'll be in Portland too Liz! Maybe the Little Friends will have some of the Natural History posters left, they were cool.

Coming Soon:
Your chance to bid on a couple of quality CDs on ebay while I get the chance to get SOME revenge on my lying, cheating scumbag of an ex-boyfriend (all proceeds from the sale will go towards the purchase of booze - booze for me).

I'm listening to WLUW here at work, and the German Art Students are on! Sweet!

I put a couple more of my new favorite CDs up on the recommended listening page, the Plastic Constellations and the One AM Radio. The Plastic Constellations are from the Minneapolis suburbs and they totally rock, and the One AM Radio is this one guy who does sort of electronic, sometimes glitchy, folk-y type stuff. God I'm awful with labels. It's super pretty.

Man, I hate this guy.

Last night I was reading People Magazine, and they had an album review of Modest Mouse's "Good News for People Who Like Bad News." I wanted to cry. It said "if you like "Float On," don't expect more of the same on this album." BLECH.

Well, the Cure were pretty boring when I saw them at Coachella- totally uninspired from my point of view, even though they played all the right songs. But our friend Dave thought it was like, the greatest show ever, and he was standing closer. Maybe they'd be better headlining their own tour. But all the rest of the bands on the bill are definitely worth it in my opinion! Now that Interpol is putting out a CD in September, I think they'll finally start playing some different songs . . .

No shows this weekend, my first show-free weekend since I moved here!

it's good to be back. i did read your joanna newsom review - i really want to listen to that cd and see her when she comes to portland!
i really want to see the cure when they come around - you saw them already, nicole. is it worth the $50?

Welcome back Liz! Becky just told me she got the new Cure CD too! But she hadn't listened to it yet. It looks like we'll be hitting up the Curiosa festival in August, woohoo!

I have some new stuff up on tinymixtapes, including a news story and a review of Joanna Newsom (which I've mentioned about a million times here that I love). A Spoon review is in the queue as well.

hey, what's up, everybody?? time i got to a-bloggin, eh?
so, i actually purchased the cure's new cd. it's not bad, but it's no "staring at the sea." i also purchased the new sondre lerche. not to shabby.
good news for people who live in portland, or people who will VISIT (hint hint) people in portland: ratatat is coming aug. 1. fun fact. actually i think my parents are visiting then - think they will dig ratatat's sound?
and NICOLE: i promise to mail your b-day present tomorrow. PROMISE. it's #1 on my "list of things to do instead of going to work."

This is cool: musicians' favorite summer albums. It includes an amusing picture of Travis Morrison holding a bag of Pirate's Booty and wearing that same shirt he wears everywhere.

Haven't slept much. Been real busy lately. Working full time and going out every night. Here what is new:

Saw Jazzanova last night at the Cardinal. Best DJ/techno I've ever seen in Madison. Went out afterwards for bacon at Wando's; to my friends' surprise, I actually ate it.

The Adventure Story Hour got trainwrecked on Monday after the computer crashed so I am replaying episode 4 next week. Oh, and there'll be a new episode too. Because you demanded it. Next recording session is this Sunday.

In the radioverse, Graham's character has betrayed me. The Radio Doctor and his nurse are on the brink of death. DJ Lazer has got his roller-blades back and is ready to set things right again.

Saw Farenheit 911 on the 4th. It was good but I was not terribly impressed like I was after seeing...

SPIDER-MAN 2! Best movie I've ever seen in the theater.

I went back a couple of years to pick up a couple of albums by bands I've been meaning to get more into, but haven't yet- The Notwist's Neon Golden and Low's Things We Lost in the Fire. Both are very, very good. I also just got the new Plastic Constellations album in the mail. Also very, very excellent and somehow it got on Pitchfork's Best New Music list. Go Minneapolis bands!

We found an apartment! Starting September 1st, you can find Megan and I in our adorable new pad right across from Wicker Park, by the Double Door!

It's been a busy weekend with Megan down here apartment hunting in Wicker Park! We saw Iron and Wine on Friday night. Let me tell you, a late show for a mellow folk artist isn't the best idea- by 1:00 we were totally lulled to sleep by Sam Beam's soothing voice. Sounded great though!

Oh no! Becky!

I saw Fahrenheit 9/11 last night. It's a good movie, much more understated than Bowling for Columbine (i.e less stunts), and it appeared to be extremely well-researched. I particularly loved the ending, with a narrative about how the armed forces are made up mostly of poor and minorities and with an Orwell quote before wrapping up with one of my favorite Bush clips of all time, where he can't remember how the "fool me once" saying goes. Things I would have liked to see: when Moore talks about the Patriot Act and interviews congress members about why they voted for it, he should have interviewed the one senator who didn't, Feingold! Also, he does this whole thing about how only one congressperson (South Dakota senator) has a child in the armed forces and goes around asking congresspeople to sign their kids up, but I'd rather have seen him talk to the South Dakota senator and his son about it instead.

On a random side note, there's a scene where he goes to Flint, Michigan to talk to high schoolers about being recruited for the army and one kid he interviews is this total hipster, with the Bright Eyes haircut and Strokes shirt, who clearly didn't fit in with the rest of the kids.