It's been a little while between blogs but we've been on the road for just over a week. I think we've covered 6 states so far and have 3 to go before arriving in NY in a couple of weeks (almost there, Reens!)
Given a picture is worth a thousand words, I thought I'd do this entry as a mini-photo essay of the US adventure so far... (photos courtesy of my road trip buddy who just bought himself a Canon 5D that is almost as talented as he is)
Ok, to start, hit play (just to give you a bit of a road-trip vibe):
We started here...
Where we saw these guys...
at the incredible Greek Theatre in the Hollywood Hills.
And then we picked up this little number...
And headed this direction...
Pausing along the way for this...
Finally arriving here...
Where we won these...
Then headed along this...
Which led us here...
And eventually here...
Among other places. Now we're in Santa Fe with a few more cities to visit en route to NY, NY.
Tip for new players: get a BIG ipod and make some car trip compilations before you go. I wish I had because our car's ipod "shuffle" mode only likes Neil Young, Bruce Springsteen and, ironically, Mogwai's "Yes! I am a Long Way From Home". Neil and Bruce are only fun for 20 minutes, not 20 hours.
But we're sticking to a strict all-American playlist and shuffle has uncovered some gems on some albums I hadn't explored properly (and some of them are actually current. Really. Way to ride the curve, Katie) Stay tuned for updates.
I've spent the past month containing my over-excitement by trying to stay as still and quiet as possible so I didn't screw anything up. I screwed up a couple of things but managed to avoid other mistakes so, you know, swings and roundabouts...
Now, I know I have been a terribly unreliable blogger these past few weeks. I promise to be more diligent in NY. Expect: updates on the battle between The Hipsters and The Nerds (apparently the neighbourhood we're planning on living in is hipster-city. I'm still not committed to either side and will probably keep reading Pitchfork because this Animal Band phase is surely coming to an end); a live gig review or two (so far on the agenda we have Phoenix, Sufjan and Do Make Say Think); and regular installments on Project: Stalking Soderbergh.
As for the list of Things to (have) Achieve(d) in 45 Days... 1. (Inappropriate public dancing) Jogging has pretty much killed my will to dance - too busy trying to breathe. But Jon, I see your Ace of Spades air-guitaring in the neighbour's yard and I raise you some Bloc Party air-drumming down Glebe Pt. Rd. Your move, sir...
2. (Jam session on drums) Failed. Bashley's all packed up and has been a bit neglected these past weeks. No jamming imminent.
3. (No "Explosions"-like music downloads) Failed. Started following a terrific music blog and it was all over.
4. (Get fit, thin & gorgeous) Failed. Apparently moving to NY is not a big enough treat: I needed daily "celebratory" treats because I was so excited about the move. As I am yet to find an emotional state that doesn't lend itself to snacking, I will have to go to NY as is and hope to get addicted to exercise and celery while over there.
5. (Get over stuff) NY should sort this out... And maybe the celery.
Meanwhile, just in case you're looking to procrastinate with some ponderings while I am blogless on Route 66, here are some thoughts that I might have cluttered up the bloggerverse with if I wasn't going away...
1. After years of searching it turns out I had a burnt cd of Arab Strap's The Red Thread the whole time! The guitars are what make this band and Malcolm Middleton solo is not as good. Thoughts?
2. I wonder if that blue shirt the guy from Phoenix wears in every performance is the same shirt or one of 10 that are identical (ala Albert Einstein)?
3. (In anticipation of Scorsese's Shutter Island) who would provide the soundtrack to Scorsese's films if The Rolling Stones had never existed? (Or: Could Scorsese exist without "Gimme Shelter"?) Although I suspect they won't make an appearance on this one.
4. Best incorporation of atmos / sound effects into a pop song? Inspired by recent music purchase, Message to Bears, and their use of kids playing and also rain in their Departures album. I nominate Akron/Family for seagulls in "I'll be on the Water"... who else... Max Richter and typewriters on The Blue Notebooks? And lolly wrapper scrunching by Tunng during their live performances... any other nominations?
I couldn't decide what track to leave you with today... Should we go significant & epic with God is an Astronaut? Or stupidly happy with Katrina and the Waves? Hmmm... I think we all know who's going to take us out today....
Here's Ry (who apparently writes computer game reviews these days. Inexplicably, this has increased his appeal in my mind. Literacy is so attractive in a man.) And now let's do this thing! I can't WAIT to see what happens next... Catch y'all on the flip side!
