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Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel performing together in August 2008
Can't wait to see what Baby Mozarts these two produce.
Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
She and Cutie
The first couple of indie rock. She & Him's Zooey Deschanel is engaged to Death Cab for Cutie's Ben Gibbard.
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Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel performing together in August 2008
Can't wait to see what Baby Mozarts these two produce.
Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images
‹‹‹
Ben Gibbard and Zooey Deschanel performing together in August 2008
Can't wait to see what Baby Mozarts these two produce.
Photo: Timothy Norris/Getty Images
Monday, December 29, 2008
If Kerouac Wrote Music
There was this band that kept poppin up on XM. The name was too long to remember so it took noticing them probably 10 times before I wrote it down. Margo and the Nuclear So and So's. When I went to buy the album I couldn't find it. Not even on iTunes. Turns out the band pressed it's first album of only a limited number and they ran out. Crazy. I really wanted the album because the 2 songs I had heard I thought I loved. I knew I liked them, but because it was so rarely I heard the songs I wasn't positive it was full blown love.
It was about 3 years ago and I had a trip to DC coming up that would require an early, early train ride from Penn. Turned out Margot was preforming the night before down at Mercury Lounge so I figured what the hoot, catch them and stay the night. That night I get to the venue with no ticket but at Mercury, if the band is an obscure act, typically you can buy tickets at the door. I was one of the first to arrive so I had plenty of time to spend at the bar. As I sit there, slowly people file in and the two other bands set up some merch. Also small acts, I don't remember who they were. Probably some little band MGMT or something.
Eventually, some little guy shows up and starts setting up Margot stuff. I go over hoping to buy my girlfriend a shirt or whatever. I ask the guy if he knew anything about an album. He tells me they would be re-releasing it soon and in the mean time he gave me their 4(?) song EP for free. I thanked him and explained how I thought I might love the band but I wasn't sure. He then thanked me and excused himself politely. He walked up to the stage and then onto the stage. He was the lead singer of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's.
What followed was the most magical performance I have ever witnessed. Have you ever watched a show that brought you to tears. An ensemble of almost a dozen people all beautifully banging away at there respective instruments (and sometimes toys). Not rock stars but young talented kids all acting out the same beautiful story in the same beautiful play. Not sobbing but definitely misty.
The bio I had in my head was this: By luck these guys all happened to live in the same mid-West town or surrounding area. They were kind of bums for the sake of following their music but none of them were really exceptionally talented enough to become famous on their own. Except for one; the driving visionary of the group. By his lead they were all given direction. The kept odd jobs and all lived together while they played and grew together. It was like the fight club house. They cut a small record which made it's way only to a couple places. One of which was XM. They bought a crappy van and drove to Mercury Lounge.
The visionary I assumed was the lead singer, who I also gave the story telling credit. Lyrics like Kerouac. When the act was over I went over to him on stage to express my gratitude and let him know I was pretty sure about my opinion now. He thanked me again and gave me his pick.
Since then I have seen these guys four or five times and I will see them as many more. No show has been as good as the first but all have been great. I blame the recession on booze and the road but I am sure you will agree—they are still impressive.
Everyone meet Margo. Margot, everyone.
Margot and the Nuclear So & So's - As Tall as cliffs - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
It was about 3 years ago and I had a trip to DC coming up that would require an early, early train ride from Penn. Turned out Margot was preforming the night before down at Mercury Lounge so I figured what the hoot, catch them and stay the night. That night I get to the venue with no ticket but at Mercury, if the band is an obscure act, typically you can buy tickets at the door. I was one of the first to arrive so I had plenty of time to spend at the bar. As I sit there, slowly people file in and the two other bands set up some merch. Also small acts, I don't remember who they were. Probably some little band MGMT or something.
Eventually, some little guy shows up and starts setting up Margot stuff. I go over hoping to buy my girlfriend a shirt or whatever. I ask the guy if he knew anything about an album. He tells me they would be re-releasing it soon and in the mean time he gave me their 4(?) song EP for free. I thanked him and explained how I thought I might love the band but I wasn't sure. He then thanked me and excused himself politely. He walked up to the stage and then onto the stage. He was the lead singer of Margot and the Nuclear So and So's.
What followed was the most magical performance I have ever witnessed. Have you ever watched a show that brought you to tears. An ensemble of almost a dozen people all beautifully banging away at there respective instruments (and sometimes toys). Not rock stars but young talented kids all acting out the same beautiful story in the same beautiful play. Not sobbing but definitely misty.
The bio I had in my head was this: By luck these guys all happened to live in the same mid-West town or surrounding area. They were kind of bums for the sake of following their music but none of them were really exceptionally talented enough to become famous on their own. Except for one; the driving visionary of the group. By his lead they were all given direction. The kept odd jobs and all lived together while they played and grew together. It was like the fight club house. They cut a small record which made it's way only to a couple places. One of which was XM. They bought a crappy van and drove to Mercury Lounge.
The visionary I assumed was the lead singer, who I also gave the story telling credit. Lyrics like Kerouac. When the act was over I went over to him on stage to express my gratitude and let him know I was pretty sure about my opinion now. He thanked me again and gave me his pick.
Since then I have seen these guys four or five times and I will see them as many more. No show has been as good as the first but all have been great. I blame the recession on booze and the road but I am sure you will agree—they are still impressive.
Everyone meet Margo. Margot, everyone.
Margot and the Nuclear So & So's - As Tall as cliffs - A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.
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