Floating Away

The VMAs: Are we outgrowing MTV, or does MTV just plain suck?

The truth is probably a little bit of both.  But if you watched any of the VMAs tonight, you now how much it sucked!  The whole thing.  There was nothing to talk about ... except how bad it was.  I guess we should have expected this, given the crappy logo treatment and graphics.  What ever happened to the days of the giant bobbleheads all over NYC?

Some thoughts, in no particular order:

John Norris.  Seriously.  I can't believe he's a) still on TV and b) still alive.  And c) sweet hair, Norris.

Enough with the Overdrive.  This show is bad enough while watching one feed on TV.  Why on earth would anyone want to go online to view from 30 different cameras?  Stop trying to get America to go to MTV Overdrive.  We've been before.  It sucks.

The director is brutal.  I was annoyed while watching the Emmy's that they give an award to the director of these types of shows.  Seems a little biased.  That aside, this guy is really bad.  While MTV is trying to be hip and edgy by letting us hear the director's bark while going into commercial, his poor directing is extremely noticeable when the audio commentary doesn't sync up with the right visual.

Jack Black.  This one is really sad.  Remember how cool Jack Black was?  He was funny, charismatic, and exciting.  Not anymore.  Although, he was a great choice to host this crappy awards show.  They're both tired, bland, out of touch, and lame.

Jessica, what happened?  You've always been so hot.  Not tonight.  While I'm on this subject, go back to Nick already.

Kelly Clarkson.  Alright, who doesn't love Kelly Clarkson?  Dan and I are both huge fans.  (Not as much as that dude from MTV's new show, My Own, which is a train wreck that you can't stop watching).  But seriously, Best Female Video?  Over Nelly F, Christina, Shakira, and Motherfucking Madonna? 

OK GO, was the only bright spot.

Sea Wolf: September Residency at Spaceland

Now that we all got over complaining about liking another band with "wolf" in their name, we can finally appreciate their music.  I saw Sea Wolf at the Echo months ago when the Little Ones opened for them.  They are made up of LA's indie rock finest: led by Irving's bassist Alex Wolf and an all star band featuring Floating Away favorite Patrick Park.  They have one EP out which last time I checked, was selling at Sea Level Records. 

Its a solid 5 song EP that is very good.  Make sure you make it to one of their free Monday night shows all this month at Spaceland. 

Monday, Sept 4 - w/ Eux Autres
Monday, Sept 11 - w/ Beaten Awake
Monday, Sept 18 - w/ Favourite Sons
Monday, Sept 25

Enjoy these fine Sea Wolf tracks:
MP3: Middle Distance Runner - Sea Wolf
 

David Brent's New Gig @ Microsoft

Anyone else out there craving some more David Brent loving?  Besides Alisha?  Regardless, there are two new (from 2004) videos featuring David Brent, aka Ricky Gervais, from BBC's The Office, circulating the web.  Apparently, Microsoft hired Gervais, and writing partner, Stephen Merchant, to create corporate videos as "a light-hearted way of getting our staff to think about the values they attach to working at Microsoft," according to a spokesperson.

Now Microsoft is frantically trying to get these videos out of circulation.  They've already cracked down on YouTube.

They're both about 20 minutes long.  And both hysterical.  Typical David Brent.  Boy do I miss that guy.  I can't wait for the US version of The Office to come back on air!

Video 1:

Video 2:

      

Cat Power @ Malibu Performing Arts Center

I will continue to support Cat Power by buying her records, but I will never see her live again.  I have heard stories of her playing with her back to her audience and seen first hand her cancel shows, but I did not expect what I am claiming ot be one of the worst shows I have ever attended.

Cat Power is kinda crazy.  OK, thats me being nice.  She's really crazy.  And I have nothing against crazy people as long as it doesn't affect your music making ability.  Daniel Johnston is super crazy, but he still makes brilliant records and apparently his last live show was really good.  Cat Power's craziness ruins her live show.  She started an hour late.  She never finished a song.  She just sort of stopped playing or started pounding on the piano.  She stopped mid-song once and told a story about how she was thinking about a dog. 

We ended up leaving early and it takes a lot for me to leave a show before its over. 

Did anyone else go to this show?  I would love to hear any thoughts.  This is the only review I could find.  I have to believe other people agree with me because 1) we were not the first to leave early and 2) other people were clearly laughing at the awkwardness of seeing her live. 

Bound Stems

Sometimes it takes a little nudge to get me to listen to stuff.  Nikki talked about Bound Stems a while ago and I read this at Central Village: 

"I'm not sure what it was exactly that got me to finally listen. I must have read something in passing that sparked an interest. But when I got home last night, I made a point to get my ears on this thing. And, only about half way through this thing, I started IMing friends telling them to listen to these guys. I was completely hooked. This is one of the best things I've heard all year. Mark my words." [Central Village]

So, I started listening to and Nikki and Jeff are right.  It's good.  Make a point to listen.  The Chicago band will be making their way west for a night at El Cid on October 6th.  Based on what I have heard of these guys, this will be a great show.  I will remind you again as it gets closer.  Until then, listen to these three songs:

MP3: Andover - Bound Stems
MP3: Wake Up, Ma and Pa are Gone (Live) - Bound Stems
MP3: Refuse the Refuse - Bound Stems

Ray LaMontagne at Troubadour

One of Floating Away's favorites, Ray LaMontagne just announced a show at the Troubadour on Sept 18th.  Tickets go on sale this Thursday at 10:00 am.

There is no link yet to Ticketmaster, but I will have it up soon. 

A New Bravia Ad! (I just wet myself)

As many of you know, I still can't stop talking about the Sony Bravia Ad, "Balls."  It is the most beautiful piece of video I have EVER seen.  Having worked in Advertising for many years, I'm always on the look out for great ads.  For me, the greatest ads are true pieces of art.

In a seemingly unrelated, yet very related story, I just bought the most beautiful and amazing phone ever.  Thanks to the crappy US carriers, I had to bite the bullet and get it via eBay.  Oh, what phone?  The Samsung X820.  It's the world's thinnest phone.  Think Nano thin.  After loading a couple songs onto the phone, I just now decided to load the Bravia Ad, since it's amazing...and it should always be within arms reach (thanks Coke).  So, I googled the key words to find the url.

That's when I discovered that they're making another ad.  And they're done with the bouncy balls.  This time...they're using paint.  PAINT?!  Yes, they used massive paint explosions.  10 days of filming.  More than 18,000 GALLONS of paint.  And 250 people.  It's coming in the Fall.

Check out the latest info on the new spot here.  When it's finished, I promise to post.  In the last spot, they broke José González.  Who's next?

Big Weekend

This should be a very busy, fun weekend.  There will be recaps all next week.  If you are attending any of the following shows, drop me a line in the comments.  It's part of Inflight At Night's campaign to bring LA music fans together.

Friday:

This will be my first time seeing her.  It should be great.  Let's hope for no melt downs.

Saturday afternoon:

Full report up yesterday. 

Saturday night:

Which is better: words or music? Aimee Mann vs. Dave Eggers. Jenny Lewis vs. Sarah Vowell. Jake Gyllenhaal vs John Roderick. Ok that last one is really no contest.

Sunday Afternoon

Yankees vs. Angels.  Doesn't get much better than that.

And the kicker . . .

Monday

I love the fact that Admissions Day is quasi-State holiday.  For those of you who care, I don't go to work on Monday because that was when California became a state.  I know. Awesome.

Sunset Junction Preview (Saturday)

As many of our loyal readers know, this weekend is Sunset Junction and there are many reasons to get excited.  I will be heading east on Saturday only as it is (in my opinion) the much stronger lineup.

For the informed, Sunset Junction is essentially a large street fair in Silverlake with 3 stages of music and booths inbetween selling food, crafts, clothing and anything else you can imagine all for $12. 

This year's line up has a varied mix of new rock and old soul.   The great part about Sunset Junction is the organizers do a great job of showcasing local artists who are on the rise.  The afternoon line up on Saturday is a clear example of that,  with Great Northern and the Little Ones playing back to back.

The real highlights here are during the day. But if you want to stay late, hang out at the Bates stage.

Saturday highlights:

Great Northern (Bates Stage 1:30 pm)
I saw these guys almost a year ago and I liked them instantly.  They finally got their act together and gave Sea Level some more EPs.  I am not sure if they have any more, but it has been one of my favorite things this year.  Think Grandaddy with female vocals. 

The Little Ones (Bates Stage 2:15 pm)
Tell all your friends you saw them in 2006.  I saw them 2 Mondays ago for the second time and they continue to impress me with their pop sensibilities and their great stage presence.

Lavender Diamond (Bates Stage 4:30 pm)
Lead singer Becky Stark was that girl in elementary school who ate paste but all the boys loved because she was really cute.  She has grown up and she started a fun little band.  She wears old prom dresses and sings about people breaking her heart.

The Elected (Bates Stage 6:15 pm)
Last year, Rilo Kiley played Sunset Junction.  This year we get spin off The Elected and their super ironic mustaches.  I have had enough of the Elected.  I will be leaving around this time to head to Royce Hall to see Jenny Lewis, Aimee Mann, Mountain Goats, etc.

Millie Jackson (Edgecliff Stage 7:30 pm)
1970s soul singer who apparently is still putting on good shows at 62.

Ashford and Simpson (Edgecliff Stage 9:00)
Former Motown songwriters turned performers.  When I think of them, I think of smooth jams.

eels (Bates Stage 8:00)
eels frontman "E" is a genius.  He is known for trying something new on every album.  His last "Live with Strings" album is very good. 

Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (Bates Stage 9:30)
Their song, "Whatever Happened To My Rock n' Roll" describes these guys best.  Serious rock for serious music fans.  I have never seen them live but enjoy all of their albums. 

Redd Kross (Bates Stage 7:00 pm)
Former pop-punk band from the 1970s is doing a reunion thing here and at the LA Weekly Detour Music Festival.  I dont think Mrs. Greenberger (my 7th grade English teacher) would approve of their spelling though.

LA Weekly Detour Music Festival

There are a list of things I keep in my head that LA needs.  I always thought it was great that the Village Voice curated the Siren Festival in Coney Island every year and wondered why the LA Weekly never did anything.  I guess other people wondered the same thing:

The LA Weekly Detour Music Festival
October 7th
Downtown Los Angeles

Featuring:
Beck
Queens of the Stone Age
Basement Jaxx
Peeping Tom
Nortec Collective
Blackalicious
Of Montreal
The Like
The Elected
Oh No! Oh My!
The Blood Art
Everybody Else
The Howling Bells
Wired All Wrong

Tickets on sale Aug 26.  No word yet on where exactly downtown the show will be taking place.