Bolt of Blue

Alright. I’m alive. I survived my first Coachella. It was magical.

I’m still sore all over. Got a tan. Cried twice. Saw so many bands and pseudo celebrities. Danced. Rocked out. Had a sick amount of fun.

Saturday:

• Blur. Fuck. Blur rocked my world. Best thing about the entire festival. Hands down. Managed to work my way up to second row. When the boys took the stage looking fly (no one can work rolled up jeans and barefeet like Alex James), I started crying. Tears were like pouring down my face. I was a babbling idiot. All these emotions took over… no Graham, being happy to see the guys… it was intense. I settled down rather quickly and enjoyed their set… Out of Time, Crazy Beat, Girls & Boys, Trimm Trabb, We’ve Got A File On You, Bettlebum, Song 2, and more were played. All to soon it was over. As we hurried the heck out of there (Queens of the Stone Age fans were getting aggressive), I started to shake and then proceeded to hug Remi and cry some more buckets. It was such an emotional performance and experience for me. Yar… but then we saw Jared Leto and all hell broke loose.
• Yes, took a photo with a long haired Jared Leto. Foxy. He’s a cool dude.
• Loved the Hives. Pelle was in fine form. Best line that I recall was when he said that The Hives were the only band to see at Coachella and that all the other bands playing were just dessert. That… and when this person was heckling him, he said “You shouldn’t talk, you have no hair.” Then proceeded to declare he could kick anyone’s ass and asked the crowd “Don’t I look like I could kick anyone’s ass?” Oh yeah.
• During the last song of the N.E.R.D set, started to make our way into the crowd for a good spot for The Hives. Right as it was ending, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore walked between me and Remi as they exited the crowd.
• Also seen that day: South, Idlewild (really impressive), The Rapture (only a song or two unfortunately), Blue Man Group (I swear the most pot smoking seemed to occur during this set), and The Libertines (only 2 songs before the plug was yanked). Also heard snippets of: Black Eyed Peas (really unimpressed), Beastie Boys, and the Donnas (really, just one long song).

Sunday:

• I figured this would be a more laid back day as there was no Blur or the Hives playing. For the most part, it was. I let Remi handle the mosh pits during Sonic Youth and Iggy.
• Opening band on the main stage was Whirlwind Heat. Like I had been told, they were rad. Mr. Jack White watched from the side. He is really insane. Reason? Aside from all the obvious, he was wearing a black suit and black bowler hat. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DESERT!
• Suffered through Soundcrap of Our Lives. Way too classic rock for my tastes and I had to run away after a few songs.
• Johnny Marr and the Healers were fantastic (scored a place right in front for that) but their set was WAY too short. The whole Mojave Tent was fucked up both days.
• Seeing Rooney flags all around the place was trippy.
• Celeb sightings I missed: Elijah Wood, Kelly Osborne, Rosario Dawson, Juliette Lewis, Christina Aguilera. Celeb who was stalking me: Jared Leto. Other notables I saw: Tommy Lee, Danny Masterson, Eric Balfour (howl), Scott Caan, and that damn actor who looks like the Dell computer guy. I need to figure out who the hell he is.
• Also seen that day: The White Stripes (most of their set), Interpol (incredible), The Mars Volta (absolute hell), C-Minus, and Perry Farrell (what a wee man). Also heard snippets of: Jack Johnson (snore), Cafe Tacuba (wish I had checked them out if only for the dancing sombrero in the mosh pit), Ben Folds, Dirty Vegas, and the Polyphonic Spree.
• Hot Hot Heat (who I hear were outstanding), The Von Bondies, and Iggy Pop were my only regrets but they conflicted with other bands and I don’t have teleportation powers unfortunately.

Now… going to be driving down to San Diego today to see The White Stripes and Whirlwind Heat tonight. Then Laura goes home tomorrow. And then the midnight showing of X-Men 2 (it’s all about Bobby Drake!) at the Chinese. Then seeing it again on Friday night. Finally… Saturday, I actually get to sleep.

One last comment I need to make… Clay, you can build me up buttercup anytime.

The Mellowdrone show on Wednesday was lovely. Though the set was too short (for good reason it turns out), Jonathan once again impressed me. I felt this was one of his strongest and more playful performances I’ve seen in a while.

It’s certainly something to be surrounded by new fans and curious folks in a packed Troubadour who are all there to see Mellowdrone. Vastly different from the times I’ve seen him in a small bar with 12 other people where he goes on to sample my friend’s laugh and use it in a song.

If you have not checked out his EP, what are you waiting for? You can download all the songs on his website or buy a copy of the EP online for darn cheap.

Coachella is tomorrow. I’m so jumpy and excited about it. They announced the schedule. Only one major conflict for me… Hot Hot Heat conflicts with Blur and that is so wrong. And it looks like I’ll be dancing to Interpol as it all ends.

Speaking of Blur… check out their new video for Crazy Beat on MTV of all places! Swoon. And check out there performance on Jo Whiley. And apparently, in a LA radio interview today, it was mentioned that one Alex James is lost in Mexico without his passport. And this happens often. No wonder he had trouble getting into this country. Let’s see if he turns up on the Craig Kilborn show tonight.

Be still my Duranie heart. Finally. Duran Duran are doing 4 shows in Japan in July. More dates are expected. And damn, they better announce more soon or I’m seriously considering going into further debt to make my first trip to Japan. No joke. These shows will be the first time all 5 original members have performed together since Live Aid in 1985. That’s 18 years! I guess it’s kind of fitting that they will play in Japan first (possibly) as that is where Simon, Nick and Warren played their last show together as Duran Duran.

The box set (all their singles from 81-85) is due out June 10 in the US, May 12th everwhere else. So I’m thinking they may do some things in the US in June too to help promote its release. Right?

For all those who were concerned or just merely curious, Miss Modern Age made it to LA and is alive and currently sleeping on my couch.

Ewan Alert:

• Regis and Kelly, May 6
• Making of Down With Love, HBO, May 6
• Tonight Show, May 9

Check out the trailer for Dogville. Now.

This year, Cannes is looking far more interesting than usual. You’ve got Lars Von Trier, Gus Van Sant, Vincent Gallo, and Peter Greenaway’s new films in competition. Plus a wealth of films out of competition including Young Adam.

Turin Brakes have rescheduled their Troub show for June 14. Unfortunately that’s the same day as the KROQ Weenie Roast… at least according to Blur’s website. Cause they are going to play it! Along with the 91X summer fest. Woohoo! You can also listen to Think Tank on their site starting tomorrow.

What a Girl Wants. Finally saw it. It was fun, fun, fun. Though, it felt very edited like major plot points or scenes were taken out. Overall, highly enjoyable and definitely met my expectations. Oliver James is one hot boy. Not as classic cheese as Center Stage or as well-done as Bend It Like Beckham, but still a good time.

And the Moulin Rouge screening was hilarious. We were the loudest group and had such fun singing along, cracking jokes, and enjoying a brilliant movie. Word is that they are moving the midnight screenings to the Mann theatre on 3rd St. Promenade in Santa Monica starting in May.

Two of my friends saw Clay Aiken on Saturday, while driving on Crescent Heights. He was in the passenger seat with the window rolled down. They proceeded to act like they were 12 year old teeny boppers and make not only Clay laugh, but the driver of the car and everyone else who was in the car laugh too as they went nuts. Jealous? Oh yeah.

Can life get any sweeter? Not only are more friends now able to go to Coachella but now my boy is flying down for it too. We didn’t think it would be possible, but we managed to find a great flight for the cheapest price we’ve seen yet. I’m so giddy.

Plus, according to Peter Jackson, the extended edition of The Two Towers will have 43 minutes of additional material! (Ignore the part where he mentions they’ve already cut 25 minutes from Return of the King or my mood will turn sour.)

Clay was simply wonderful last night on AI. Gave me much giddiness and smiles.

There’s a new episode of That 70′s Show on tonight. (Don’t think about spoilers and it’s all good.) Plus more AI.

Ash are going to do a headlining tour starting next month. Not only will I see them in Los Angeles, but there’s a good chance I’ll see them in Seattle now too.

I just bought the new Harry Potter DVD. And the new Roger Rabbit DVD.

I finally ordered new glasses. And computer glasses too. So my eyes will feel much better soon I hope. (I’ve been getting massive headaches lately and my eyes have been seriously bugging out.)

I saw The Datsuns last Saturday night. They blew all the hype out of the water by rocking so hard. Amazing. Incredible. Definitely one of the top shows of the year so far. I had a smile on my face almost the entire time. (Minus the drunk leech trying to molest me for half the night.)

I’m going see Moulin Rouge Friday night with all kinds of buddies to sing along at the top of my lungs.

I’m sure there’s more goodness… but I’m already rambling on far too long.

Even though my DSL at home is crap and not working cause my phone lines apparently suck ass and there’s all the woes going on in the world (if I stop my selfishness for a second and reflect), the sun is shining. The sky is blue. And I’m breathing. I’m safe. I’m happy. I’m looking forward to things. Today is a good day.

A Friday Five on Monday. Yes, late, but I actually dig the questions.

1. What was the first band you saw in concert?
Technically, they were not a band but a singing group (don’t get me started on the ridiculous term ‘boy band’)… New Kids on the Block with Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch (pre-Good Vibrations) opening. September 14, 1990. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California. 60,000 capacity crowd. 2nd row. Pure insanity.

2. Who is your favorite artist/band now?
Duran Duran. In the past, in the present, and in the future.

3. What’s your favorite song?
The Chauffeur by Duran Duran. A song that first made shivers run down my spine when I was a little girl upon first listen. A song that continues to move, calm, depress, excite, intrigue, and soak up my senses.

4. If you could play any instrument, what would it be?
I guess guitar. Drums maybe too.

5. If you could meet any musical icon (past or present), who would it be and why?
Hmm… Fiona Apple, Jeff Buckley, or Madonna.

Madonna week is near…

April 22 – American Life is released
April 22, 10pm – Madonna on Stage & on the Record, an MTV special, performing new songs live and answering fan questions
April 22 – Today, Dateline, Late Show With David Letterman
April 23 – Live With Regis and Kelly
April 24 – Guest appearance on Will & Grace

One lovely memory of North Carolina. Talk radio. Snippet of angry caller demanding that Madonna be publicly hanged for her views on the war and her video, which I’m sure the caller has never seen. Oh boy. It almost sounded like a joke it was so over the top in condemning her. Mostly, I couldn’t pick my jaw up from the floor. A day later I heard American Life on a random top 40 station.

Aside from that, North Carolina was beautiful and reminded me a lot of Edmonton (all the trees and lakes mostly). The food was good, the company was great, playing with my new nephew priceless, but I’m really glad to be home.

Check out Madonna’s vid before it got yanked. I’m not sure how I feel about her deciding not to air it here. I almost feel like it’s so not Madonna to back down but I do understand that she made this video before the war started, which she has now taken into account. I figure it’s her video, her art and social statement (it’s not only anti-war but anti-fashion industry) and she can either pull it or not. It’s her choice and right. I think it’s sad that once again so many folks have judged the video before actually watching it for themselves. But really, is that such a surprise? And man, the song is so stuck on repeat. I was not that into it on first listen but now I can’t get enough. It’s so darn catchy. That Madonna!

Sign this important petition if you agree. Link via Travis Morrison (who has some very intelligent views on the war), via Laura.

Now on to a cuter note. A couple more photos of baby Evan.