Archive for July, 2009
The Puncture Wound and Other Developments
Posted on 28. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
Scene of the accident
This morning I was walking to work, cutting through McCarren Park, when suddenly I felt a sharp pain between my big toe and big toe’s buddy second toe. I look down to see that a rogue chopstick has stabbed the delicate skin between my toes. Of course I am wearing flip flops that are now stained with blood, which is ok, because I figure it gives me street cred. I should mention that said chopstick was randomly lying on the infield of a track. WTF, who eats Chinese food at a track? Not the first place I’d go to enjoy a pu pu platter.
In other news, I am now a huge mustard fan. Not that gross French’s mustard crap in the squeeze bottle, but the spicy brown kind.
Completely unrelated, you should listen to Knotty Pine – a bouncy little tune from David Byrne and the Dirty Projectors off the Dark Was the Night compilation. Loves it.
This blog post was brought to you by Urban Rustic‘s iced coffee, now with frozen coffee cubes! Weeeeehoooo!
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Totally Blogging About LA – Featuring John Pemble
Posted on 27. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
After three magical days in New York – Brian and I jetted off for a five day stint in Los Angeles. We flew Virgin Air, which allowed me to catch up on Disney Channel favorites such as Hannah Montana and Jonas. Flying from New York to LA is like taking a time machine. You leave the east coast in the morning and still have an entire day of fun to look forward to on the west coast. After flying Virgin, it will be painful to fly any other airline. Virgin is hands down the best of the best. Each seat is equipped with a touch screen that you can use to play games, watch shows/movies, listen to music, and even order food. I highly recommend the cheese & fruit box.
We stayed in Venice with “Cool Carly” for a couple days before moving downtown to the Millenium Biltmore Hotel. Cool Carly was an amazing tour guide. We saw the man clown in a ballerina skirt from the opening of Californication, which is strangely above the entrance of a CVS. We went on a bike tour through the Marina where we giggled at the boat names. We hit up a fantastic sushi spot called Sugarfish where I learned that Sashimi isn’t all that bad, and spotted actual celebrities doing normal people things, you know, like eating. After seeing some of the people in LA you begin to wonder if they sustain themselves off nothing but coffee, yoga and sunshine.
A few days into the trip I discovered that a fellow Des Moinesian, Mr. John Pemble, @johnpemble on Twitter, was also in the Los Angeles area. We spent an afternoon wandering the city. Check out the the 12Seconds.tv vids by the Pemble.
Walking from Union Station to @Karebear006 via a Blade Runner long tunnel. My 1st time downtown LA. on 12seconds.tv
Hangin with fmr DSM chick @Karebear006 at Red Lion Tavern. Fountain’s mermaid chick is catching it in the mouth on 12seconds.tv
Don’t forget, you can become a fan of John Pemble’s Hair on Facebook. There you can try on the Pemble mane for yourself.
This was my first trip to Los Angeles and I’m definitely looking forward to making it back very soon. Actually I NEED to go back . I’m now hooked on Intellegista Coffee and might implode if I don’t get a fix soon.
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Totally Blogging About New York
Posted on 17. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
I arrived in New York Wednesday morning with three over stuffed suitcases drained and exhausted from the previous three days of packing and preparation. Everything I own has been given away, put into storage, or was crammed into those bags. If you live in Des Moines, right now would be a good time to visit the Salvation Army on Grand, there is some good stuff there.
I’ve been a New Yorker for two whole days now. The city is overwhelming. Everything is taller, faster, louder, add “er” to the end of any adjective and you are describing my new home.
Wednesday night we headed off to the Ziegfeld to see the new Harry Potter. It was a huge monstrous theater that was uber red velvety. I have never seen a theater so huge in my life. The audience was rowdy, there was a lot of clapping and laughing at things that weren’t funny.
Afterwards we enjoyed a delightful dinner of cheeseburgers and beer at “The Burger Joint” located in Le Parker Meridian hotel. Apparently it’s some famous burger spot. The walls are covered in sharpie scrawlings of the rich and famous.
Yesterday we walked down Bedford Avenue, and experienced real life hipsters in their natural habitat. Everything I’ve seen on “Look at this Fucking Hipster” is 100% authentic.
Last night we enjoyed a drink on the patio at The Bushwick Country Club. It’s a nice little dive that serves baskets of cheesy poufs complete with a mini golf course out back. When I say mini golf course I should clarify that there are only three holes, one of which features a windmill made of PBR cans.
I’m really enjoying it here. Everything is so new and exciting. I feel like a little kid at the state fair. Lots of people, bright lights, and things I want to eat.
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Discover Discovery
Posted on 07. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
Last summer anytime I needed a pick me up I’d put on Girl Talk’s ‘Feed the Animals‘. I’d dance in my chair, pound my fist in the air and bob my head to the beat. Before I knew it my mood would elevated to a near manic level.
This summer I think Discovery‘s ‘LP’ might just be my new audio Prozac. Discovery is a side project from Vampire Weekend‘s keyboardist/producer Rostam Batmanglij and Ra Ra Riot singer Wes Miles.
Word to Jay-Z, auto-tune is not dead. In fact, I actually enjoy it on this album. Check out track 8, “I Want You Back.”
Take a listen, and shake your ass, but watch yourself.
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Sour – Hibi no neiro
Posted on 06. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
Check out this music video for Sour’s – Hibi no neiro or (Tone of Everyday). The video was shot by selected members of Sour’s fanbase from all over the world. Plus the entire thing was done via webcam.
The song is obviously not in english, so I’ve included lyrics.
Your heart that gently reflects in the puddle
is your tone, as you pass through the maze of everyday
Footsteps of spring
the city starts adding color
The melody flowsLE LU LA LI
Through the colored lenses
ReggaeDubHiphopTechnoLatin
Between the waves of all the different values
JazzRockPops Category no more
Whats the most important thing?
Spinning and turning on the overpass
as we overtake that season
this and that, which color is your melody?
Sometimes you could get confused
ReggaeDubHiphopTechnoLatin
Between the waves of all different values
JazzRockPops Category no more
What are you thinking of now?
If we can embrace all the differences
It will shine the sky in rainbow colors
Your heart that gently reflects in the puddle
is your tone, as you pass through the maze of everyday
You can see it in any color, because of your clear feeling
Dont worry about it, lets just go as we are.
If we can embrace all the differences
The rain will stop, and the sky will shines in rainbow colors
Your heart that gently reflects in the puddle
is your tone, as you pass through the maze of everyday
You can see it in any color, because of your clear feeling
Let your tone shine like the rainbow
Pass through the maze of everyday
And start playing your tone
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June Playlist
Posted on 01. Jul, 2009 by Karri Wells.
Check out this past month’s greatest hits according to moi. Things are kinda all over the place with this one, which is reflective of where I’ve been this month. Looking forward, looking back.
- Airborne Toxic Event – Sometime Around Midnight
This months “Favorite Song to Listen to in the Car”. You start out thinking it’s going to be a melancholy ballad and before you know it you are beating your hands on the steering wheel singing at the top of your lungs. - Patrick Wolf – The Bachelor
Get a free MP3 of ‘Vulture‘ track 9 off the “The Bachelor” album. - Kings of Leon – Pistol of Fire (Mark Ronson Remix)
Mark Ronson has given me a new appreciation for brass. Everything sounds sexier with a trumpet. - Little Joy – Next Time Around
- M. Ward – Rave On (Featuring Zooey Deshanel)
- Frightened Rabbit – Old Old Fashioned
“We can both get old fashioned, do it like they did in ’43.” - Heartless Bastards – Be So Happy
There’s nothing heartless about these bastards.
For more visit the Heartless Bastard’s MySpace
- Company of Thieves – Pressure
Is it me or does lead singer Genevieve Schatz sound EXACTLY like Maria Mena? - AA Bondy – American Hearts
I initially came across AA Bondy’s music while listening to a torrent of SXSW showcasing artists last year. Check out the March 13 performance at the Parish during SXSW 08. - AA Bondy – When the Devils Loose
This is the title track off AA Bondy’s sophomore effort. The album will be released on September 1, 2009. Download: ‘When the Devil’s Loose‘ (MP3) courtesy of the Brooklyn Vegan - Wolf Parade – I’ll Believe in Anything
Found this on a mix CD I haven’t listened to since fall of ’05. - White Rabbits – Percussion Gun
- The Avett Brothers – SSS
Pronounced the AY-Vette Brothers. I’ve been calling them the UH-vette Brothers. These guys get the award for “Most Listened to Artist in June By Me According to Last.fm.” - The Felice Brothers – Frankie’s Gun
I’ve been thinking how cool it would be to put together a festival called, “Bands Made of Brothers”. The bill would include the Doobie Brothers, The Avett Brothers, the Jonas Brothers, the Neville Brothers, and the Righteous Brothers. Brooks Brothers could sponsor it, and maybe they could put out a compilation album on Warner Bros. Records? - Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Zero
A couple weeks ago I was able to squeeze into an old dress that is the same size as this song. This song got stuck on my head, hence it’s inclusion on the playlist. I also think Karen O has some rockin’ bangs. - Safety Suit – Stay
These guys made a stop in Des Moines a few weeks ago to play Simon Estes Amphitheater as part of the Nitefall on the River concert series. They were also in the STAR studio for a live performance that afternoon. I fell in love with this song, and maybe the drummer too. - David Gray – As I’m Leaving
I studied abroad in London as a sophomore in college. One of my very dear friends gave me David Gray’s “Lost Songs” album and a card with the lyrics to this song. This album always comes back out any time a big change happens in my life. - Pete Yorn – Social Development Dance
- Pete Yorn – Last Summer
I really am enjoying the new album. I couldn’t pick a favorite, so I ended up with two tracks. - Carolina Liar – Beautiful World
These guys are AMAZING live. - The Avett Brothers - When I Drink
Heard this song for the first time this past Friday during their show at Hoyt Sherman in Des Moines. The crowd was singing it right back to them. “Just do your best, it’s the only way to keep that last bit of sanity. Maybe I don’t have to be good, but I can try to be at least a little bit better than I’ve been so far.” - The Avett Brothers – Shame
Beautiful harmonies, and can you hear that banjo? Beautiful melody about those moments where you’d like to CTRL + Z the mistakes you’ve made with other people’s hearts. - Little Mojo – Stumbled
The band consists of two brothers, Josh & Nick Sinclair now known as Hollywood Burnout. I’ve been listening to them since high school. I have a feeling we will be hearing more from these guys very soon.
Creepy isn’t it?