Minneapolis

Before I moved to Chicago I made a promise to myself that every winter I would get the fuck out of the city for a warm, tropical vacation. So here I am, Late January - the peak of awfulness in winter - freezing my ass off in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Not exactly what I had in mind, in fact it's far colder here than in Chicago, but I'm loving it none the less.

On a bitterly cold Friday night I was forced to leave the warm radiator, I've been clinging to for a week now, to go to 7th Street Entry. Shockingly/Embarrassingly this was my first time here - I've been to First Ave before to see friends but up until now I haven't spent any significant time in Minneapolis. It was a pretty rad show, we missed the first few bands (Sorry we were late Nichole) but the highlight for me was really Gay Beast - they're going to be in Europe at the end of January till mid February and I totally recommend, to the maybe 3 European people who read this blog, to go see them. Shows are on their myspace.

I especially enjoyed that a mosh pit broke out.
We creeped over to First Ave for a second just because we could and accidentally saw Brother Ali preform, which sparked an ever so important conversation about rap music. The conclusion of which was discussed over pizza.

Gigantic pizza.
Conclusion: Aesop Rock is great.

progress

I mentioned before, I take resolutions seriously, especially New Years Resolutions. So, it's more than half way through January and I feel pretty good about a G chord. By this time next year I assume I'll be on 3 months US tour, by this time next week let's just hope I haven't given up entirely....

Documenting the Bottle

I wish he could've lived with us forever. He could have been an international attraction! There would be Japanese tourists queuing up to pose with him and flash peace signs.
-Christen Thomas

everything I love about music

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(HAPPY NEW YEAR!)

Yesterday was 010111 ok! - Anyway, last night my favourite Chicago super group Hot Machines played at the Empty Bottle with my favourite rabbit inspired punk band NO BUNNY. It was the perfect way to kick off 2011 and I'm so glad I went.

Hot Machines
So jealous of Alex White for many reasons - one she fucking commands a stage like no other, two she totally shreds and three has the raddest voice. Obviously, I am also totally jealous of her hair.

NO BUNNY
before

NO BUNNY
after

If I could make a checklist of everything I want out of a great punk show it would be like this:
clothes coming off
little bit of blood or vomit, I'm not picky
beer everywhere
a moshpit or at the very least some kind of dancing
great short songs

Thanks NO BUNNY - I think I can check all of those off my list!

My biggest regret of last night was not buying an album from the merch table - Oh the woes of being poor. I'm saving up my pennies and buying it from Reckless in the future. It doesn't have the same appeal to me as buying it straight from the source but still worth not just stealing from the internet for sure.

It's rare that people who attend the Empty Bottle are stoked for a show or will show their excitement in any physical manifestation - but last night the whole floor was bouncing and most everyone was dancing. I loved every second of it.
Thanks Kristin for always being my dance partner :)