last meaningless blog of the year

its 433 am and i'm finally home... it was a good calm NYE, easing on the booze, and prioritizing my state of mind for my last bit of time with my niece tomorrow...not sure what to write about so i will prolly just babble on about good times big fun this year...

free week happens every year in ATX... starting Jan 1st.. all local all free. and all the cheapskates come out in groves.. But its good to play.. last year was grand with The Laughing, Frank Smith, Low Line Caller, Ovenbyrds, Riverboat Gamblers, Cartwright...may you all venture out farther than ever in 2K11

SXSW in march...most memorable shows were local natives, bear in Heaven, best Coast, Diamond Rings, fanfarlo, surfer blood, reading rainbow, hunx, we are scientists, washed out, small black, Tanlines, so many more..but the Windish party at emo's was outta site..it was all day shows...energy drinks, gas station sandwiches, goin home for a hot second and NOT napping.. then out again...i guess thats the time when "i can sleep when i die" mentality comes into play.. its a whole different world here during march..a world i enjoy..

working around the fanfarlo kids in march was quite awesome. seeing the songs come to life..the frustration and magic, fatigue and perseverence involved in the recording process...wonderful

April brought Beach House to Emo's ...i hate standing side stage, but its almost mandatory unless yer under 21 at this venue at a sold out show... still first time live was brilliant

Future islands in may (opening was lower dens) quite an intimate sunday nite show with k spot and new bandmates from teh sour notes...love loved...

toured with Sour Notes in late May...great to play all around teh east coast and canada..O canada! i want to live in you! seeing brooklyn after 3 yrs was pretty great..as was the old friends and faces. so much <3

Triggermen show at trailer space was fuckin A!!

random mixtapes from k-spot always hit the spot <3

June came the NBA playoffs and i was in celtics mode.. FUCK the LAKERS!

July-august - the entire year.. it was peppered with Team Fab DJ gigs.. weddings and clubs...CD releases...it was all so grand..i hope to do again before i move..

August: dj gig prevented me from seeing woven bones and happy birthday..Beach Fossils at Emo's was just incredible

September...dj gigs and the one nite KSpot and myself chose to see Harlem over the Drums.. Not disappointed.. Harlem ruled it..just off tour.. But fuckin A i've yet to see the drums live..

October...ACL best shows were pre show with Spoon at the Mohawk.. then offically, saw Spoon, plus Beach House, Soft Pack, Henry clay people, Edward Sharpe,Girls (roses round the mics...ahhh) sonic youth, the fuckin Eagles...dont' ask about the drug use or clothing please ;) plus so many others.. VIP is wonderful.. after show with Mates OF State at mohawk was surprisingly Afuckingmazing! also caught Sonny and the Sunsets which was a perfect icing on a delicious weekend cake

Elf Power.. my old lovers at emo's.. small crowd.. it dwindles over the years.. and no surprise guest spot from jeff mangum

FFF Fest in November..first time to see Wavves, the antlers, toro Y moi, os mutantes..was waay into all these sets, but mostly wavves..plus best coast, Black Nasty (best show i've seen from em live, woo hoo!), delorean (gotta love that language barrier!) ariel pink, GWAR WTF? the descendents....lost..Deerhunter OMG!

saw Future Islands and Lower Dens at mohawk properly w/ K-spot.. was thoroughly moved..to somewhere

saw millionyoung and teen daze... made for some great dancing, even if it was inside at the mohawk

WMMF and frank smith at antones was pretty awesome too.. again, locals completely kicking ass

memorable musical moments include many...live beach house, Barbarella dance nites, team fab DJ nites, weddings where we had to behave, artist weekends with jim and britt and kspot at shang, five fingering geek outs, dancing to wild nothing, bryan/college station music festival, White dress, Karaoke, road trips to houston singing Detroit Cobras and Kelly Clarkson, the new Kanye west (this weeks been a bad massage, i need a happy ending) <---OMG i could go on forever!
lookings forward to in 2011:

Jean on Jean
The Laughing
Jeff the Brotherhood
Kuroma
Mister Heavenly
rainbow Bridge (<--great live vids on youtube)
The generationals
The very best
blackbird blackbird
Family of the year
the so so glos
white fence
maximum balloon
the crocodiles
pearl harbour--whatever they are called now..
more beach fossils, more wild nothing, more CEO, more SXSW discoveries... cheers to Candy Claws at the fest, RIP Women, RIP Ponytail :(, learning all the words to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Elephant 6 holiday tour...
No Joy, getting around to that newish smith westerns....
and all the other bands i hear so much about this year but never really took the time to get up on that shit.. so here's my memory aid for 2011..

this year really meant a lot more than this blog..but i'm all for jotting down and editing.
much loves to you all..

big news!! songs evoke emotion! memories are triggered! synapses fire! senses aroused! yes you know the drill....home alone and reflecting on the songs of the past year...and the big news! that came along with them..

song i listened to when i was happy: Spoon: Got Nuffin
song i listened to when i needed to cry: Shearwater: my good deed
song i loved rollerskating to: Seawolf: Violet Hour
song i drove DT for a nite out to: CEO: Come With Me
song that i danced to a fuckton: Miike Snow: Animal
song i felt that i would sing to someone if i loved them: Diamond Rings: All Yr Songs
song i liked to dance to a lot when DJing (amongst many many others): Sebestien Tellier: Divine/Delorean: Deli
song i made an actual dance routine to: Wavves: King of the Beach
song for when i'm nostalgic: Wild Nothing: Chinatown
song i just needed to hear cuz i was feeling all..me:Phantogram: Mouthful of Diamonds
song that made me feel carefree: Best Coast: When I'm With You
song i needed to hear when i was hurting: Beach House: Take Care
song that made me and jen go apeshit: They Might Be Giants: Man its so Loud In Here
song i drove pre 8 AM to: Passion Pit: I've Got Your Number
song i needed to hear when an oomph was necessary: Future Islands: Little Advances
song i was inspired by: wavves: king of the beach
song that was always tragically happy: Woods: Rain on
song i was asked about a lot while DJing: Russian Futurists: Carby
carefree song: The Drums: Let's Go Surfing
could be good times or bad song: Beach Fossils: Golden Age
girly song: Best Coast: When I'm With You
best live song (local): Frank Smith: Put Me In A hole
best live song (touring): Local Natives: Sun Hands/Beach House: Silver Soul
best live song at a festival (local): Black Nasty: Gimme Your Butt
best live song at a festival (touring): Bear In Heaven: Ultimate Satisfaction/Girls:Lust for Life
tour song: Antlers: Kettering
best song danced to at a club: Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes: Home (w/kspot)
best song danced to in my car: Detroit Cobras: Bad Girl
best song i never woulda hear if it weren't for K-Spot: Sad Brad Smith
best song studio style: Fanfarlo: Fire Escape
best song title: Harlem: gay human bones
most inspiring song: Neutral Milk Hotel: Holland 1945
just for fun song: reading rainbow: Girls FM (<--another amazing song title!)

okay best best best...bests don't actually exist for us...all that jazz about opinion could change tomorrow/in a funny mood right now/ feeling years end nearing.....and well, i obviously cling to old(er) favorites...but to chronicle the 2010 year with some songs...kinda like a journal. i'm into a little big news now and then..
g'nite loves

i enjoy songs and listen to them

off the tip top of my head, here's some songs played quite frequently this year, not necessarily all FROM 2010, but most definitely listened to and smiled upon throughout this year:

Chinatown- Wild Nothing (i could srsly take this to a desert island)
Moon Chldren -Palmbomen
Basement Scene -Deerhunter (fave from halcyion digest)
Airplanes- Local Natives
Friendly Ghost- Harlem
Catholic Pagan -Surfer Blood
I've got your number -Passion Pit (lasts forever.. lovely)
Golden Age- Beach Fossils
Find What You Get - Bang Gang
Take Care- Beach House (melting....)
zebra - Beach House
Ultimate Satisfaction- Bear In Heaven
When I'm With You- Best Coast (giggles)
Silent Time of Earth- Candy Claws
Come With Me- CEO
No Mercy- CEO
My Body's A Zombie For You- Dead Man's Bones (thank you my Brazilian Angel)
Desire Lines -Deerhunter
Special Affections- Diamond Rings
Something Else- Diamond Rings (much love for the sophomore)
Home-Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeroes (did you think this wouldn't be listed?!?)
Dye- Eternal Summers
Luna- Fanfarlo (ahh what a blessing!)
Put Me In a Hole- Frank Smith (locals with a one-two step punch)
Vireo's Eye - Future Islands (lively live)
I was thinking- Gauntlet Hair
On Melancholy Hill- Gorillaz (intrigued)
Teen Angel - Heavy Hawaii
Too Fake - Hockey (its singalong time! great to DJ w/ Jen)
You Don't Like Rock And Roll- Hunx and His Punx (bless you!)
The Last Drop The Joy Formidable
Power - Kanye West (insane genius)
Violet - Kiss Kiss Fantastic
Help Me - The Laughing (Local experimenters of all things experimental)
Excuses - Morning Benders (excellent videopiece via youtube)
Mouthful of Diamonds- Phantogram (pocketful of secrets)
Tip Of Your Tongue -Porcelain Raft
Facelove- Ps i Love You
The Sun's Out - Reading Rainbow
The Violet Hour -Sea Wolf (another desert island tune)
Gimme Some Time- The Smith Westerns (thanks for the follow up)
Portofino -Teengirl Fantasy
My Time Outside the Womb- Titus Andronicus
Take On The World - Wavves (you are something)
King Of The Beach- Wavves (anthem)
Rain on - Woods
Best Friend The Drums (aaahhh K-Spot and i shoulda fuckin seen this show!)
10 Mile Stereo - Beach House
Golden Haze - Wild Nothing
Hospice Gates - Lower Dens
twelve Roses - Beach Fossils (brooklyn and shoeless)
Calrission - Million Young
Summers With The Ephemeral Wasp - Kiss,Kiss Fantastic
Turning On - Cloud Nothings
Solitude Is Bliss - Tame Impala
My WHole Life Story - Holy Shit (Take me with you, anywhere!)
Let Me Take You Out - Class Actress (always smile)
Myself - Palmbomen (must hear more!!!!!!!!)
Mien - Million Young
Story - Great Northern
Breakfast With My Shadow - Cloud Cult (lyrics)
Golden Age - Beach Fossils
Monster - Kanye West
Learning - Perfume Genius

sooo many more, so many forgotten tracks and perked up ears...this is why i use Blip. anyways....2nd list of sorts down for the count...prolly to be amended before years end.
Cheers! --elfgirl

the start of something called a list of lists

i won't even try to narrow down my favorites of the year into one list. WTF?! impossible for an over thinking over reactor. musicians, albums, tracks..they resonate on levels worthier than simply best of...i personally am a fan of sub categorization.. so i will break down this musical year of 2010 into several lists..perhaps a favorite album list, favorite shows list, happiest songs of the year, saddest, best shows....blah blah bling!

so here's to taking it back all the way to january album style...in a not so particular order...

Beach House-Teen Dream: this is probably my favorite release of the year. big surprise. As an entire album, there's nothing i want to skip, and everything I want to feel. definitely an "emotional" album, if that makes sense. textured, full and lush, simple, and artfully weaved. it flowed perfectly. Take Care at the end. brilliance. i should just take all the songs from Teen Dream and i'd have a favorite songs list of the year.

Wavves-King of the Beach: was not let down by the studio recording and this was an album of havin fun, making fun of fun, and wishing things were more fun. favorite tracks: No Hope Kids, King of the Beach...and the line "green eyes, i'd run away with you" always speaks to us green eyed girls ;)

Deerhunter- Halcyon Digest: what can I say, this is another album so close to my heart that I can feel it. The sound of lonliness, confusion, coming into adulthood, nostalgia, dreams and fear. It sounds covered in a damp blanket, in a musty attic…where memories are hidden and dust can be blown off trinkets and keepsakes rendering them alive again. Perhaps it’s the basement references on my favorite track that makes me willing to bet this, but damn this album prolly sounds even better in one.

Wild Nothing-Gemini: home of one of my favorite tracks of the year, “Chinatown” dreamy pop, soft and danceable, layered synths, sullen lyrics, “we’re not happy till we’re running away.“ a one man fucking genius. Thank God you're coming to town

Harlem-Hippies: these fuckies made one hell of a follow up. Surfy, do woppy, garage bliss. I don’t care if I don’t hear South of France at the shows anymore.. Gay Human Bones, Be Your Baby, Friendly Ghost…I could name all the fucking tracks. Self deprecating dudes, singing about girls and drugs. Music doesn’t have to be rocket science. Sometimes it can just be a frenzy of fun. Stage presence is pretty fuckin A too.

CEO- White Magic: this is by far the best dance release of the year. Argue with me, c’mon. Catchy beats, bleeping syths, experimental samples involving wicked screams, tribal percussion, full on orchestra at some points…and the crown of all, the chilly sound of a knife blade sharpened in “No Mercy.” a little nod to Pet Shop Boys here, but so much more intense. If you don’t like “Come With Me” well, you don’t like me then ;)

Local Natives-Gorilla Manor Okay so technically released at the end of 2009, French Kiss released it in 2010 so fuck it, I’m calling it a fave. Can’t say enough about the harmonies and chants, throbbing beats…one of the best live shows I’ve seen all year…Sun Hands, Airplanes…these songs crescendo at perfect moments, and yes, they will get stuck in your head…

Best Coast-Crazy For You- Again, it doesn’t have to be rocket science, it’s the California sound that got so fucking big this year. Not super groundbreaking, but really does it have to be? I love that a young woman is being just real here…nothing fancy…. confused, lazy, boy focused, cat loving, and high a lot of the time..well doesn’t it sound like ..um life? Maybe not everyone’s, but can’t really think of anyone who doesn’t relate to one of these things. Favorite track, the hit…”When I’m With You.’ Best Coast, when I’m with you I have so much fun. I want to rollerskate and dance like a little girl.

Alberta Cross-Broken Side of Time: Hard to describe this one…essentially soulful folk rock, with emphases on rock I would have to say with a dash of psychadelia…the most distinctive of their sound would be Petter Erickson Stakee’s lead vocals.. To me his voice is that of an angel. How does this man sing that high and hold those notes…fluttering and quivering at just the right moments? Compared to Band Of Horses or My Morning Jacket…Alberta Cross sets the bar higher. Each song a narrative…bluesy lead guitars, plummeting down to just a single ghostly “oooh “ , full piano both driving and accenting the songs moments of psychadelic geekouts a la Yo la Tengo’s Painful. There’s so much here. Just listen to it. Leave Us Or Forgive Us and Taking Control , and a song named for Austin Texas. Alberta Cross has my heart.

Future Islands-In Evening Air: I’m used to hearing electropoppish, heavy on samples and synths tunes, from these dudes… I can’t complain of course, but god bless Thrill Jockey for putting out this release, which displays the maturity of the Future Islands sound. I adored the Little Advances EP with all its upbeat and frenzy (Nu Autobon, Little Advances !!!)but the next release Wave Like Home was lost on me…the fearlessness wasn’t there.. So here we are in 2010 with the fully formed solid member band, and it couldn’t be better. The beats exist but not at the forefront, so I can’t peg them as dancy or electro..maybe nu electro, haha. Much of the sound relies on the post punkish, dark wavish bass lines (its like peter fucking hook up in here!), repetitive and catchy synths, song arrangement, and sequences. There’s a happiness here, but the Factory Records dark appeal, it juxtaposes perfectly.

The Drums-The Drums: home to some of my favorite songs of the year. These dudes are masters at minimalism and simplicity. Let’s Go Surfing was the first track I heard, sorta lumping them into the hazy beach pop genre.. But they exceed and excel on so many more levels. Yes they wear their Smiths/Cure/New Order influences on their sleeves, but hey know when to say when to stay minimal and leave the fluff out. A few sequened drums and hand claps..some jangly guitars. Simple lyrics, entirely relatable, and bittersweet…” I’m sleeping in the kitchen, I’m eating in the bedroom, and everything is backwards, I wish I never met you..“ awww… “I don’t know what to say cuz when I open my mouth I always sound so stupid..” sort of endearing huh? Simplicity is bliss.

Okay so more more more..other favorites include in no particular order:
Beach fossils-Beach Fossils
Spoon-Transference
Lower Dens-Twin Hand Movement
Kanye West-My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
Diamond Rings-Special Affections
Surfer Blood-Astro Coast
MGMT -Congratulations
Palmbomen-Moon Children EP

Couple of regrets:
Sorta disappointed with the arcade fire Suburbs, cuz I fucking love them quite a bit..but shit, I guess I built it up too much.
Shoulda listened more to The National’s High Violet .. I loved what I heard but I never bought it. Sometimes I make dumb decisions.
Have yet to hear the new Starfucker in its entirety. Hey there’s still a couple of weeks left in the year..

And with that, there are a couple more lists.. Elf girls out for now. <3