Happy February! With all that has happened and all that is happening, I have a feeling February is going to be an exciting month, and a wonderful introduction to the New Year of the Rabbit!

mike, my editor when i wrote for L.A. Youth/mentor/friend/indie music fiend/overall awesomeness, sent me this live recording of neko case's, "i wish i was the moon." it's a beautiful nighttime, rainy day lullaby (as it is here in treviso, italy), soft yet fiery and filled with so much passion. my kinda music.

i've never seen neko case live, but with this recording i think this is as close as it gets. i get the sensation of sitting front row in my own private concert. and while traveling alone, struggling with foreign languages, pushing through crowds, wandering, getting lost (a many times in thought), this song captures so much power and feeling. it came to mind when i was strolling around the moonlit venetian canals.

it was about a few years ago when mike introduced me to neko's esquisite vocals and i'm still tuning in. hope you will too.

when you've got last.fm
my latest (music) obsession.

recently there's been a growing number of shootings, accidents and deaths in the berkeley area. and in this hype of final exams and papers and graduation and getting ahead, yesterday's anthropology commencement speaker brings up something all too timely, the fact that we are human beings, and not human doings. how easily we can forget that.

in celebration of being, here's brett dennen's "blessed." dennen along with mason jennings and missy higgins gave a SPECTACULAR show at zellerbach this past thursday. nothing like beautiful music about life, love and happiness in an intimate venue with the best of friends..

I welcome the sun,
the clouds and rain,
the wind that sweeps the sky clean
and lets the sun shine again.
this is the most magnificent life has ever been.
here is heaven and earth
and the brilliant sky in between.
blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive.
blessed is this life
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive
I dwell in the darkness
I live in the light
I sleep in the afternoon
and become the noise in the night
I trespass in temptation
suffered in sacrifice
but I awake each day with a new sunrise
blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive
blessed is this life, oh
and I'm gonna celebrate being alive

summertime is just around the corner.
oh, beautiful warm sunny days.. summer's practically here!

today's highlights:
drinking watermelon wheat with anne and patrick @ 21st amendment. mm. and then a little stop in j-town for some sake2me
kate nash @ the fillmore. all the energy and funk with the opening of pumpkin soup, it was destined to be a good show.
i also like the live version of dickhead. with that song title, who wouldn't?
shit song and the nicest thing are still my favs.

the new season is looking good.

now onto my last paper for the year. eek!

..the greatest.

thanks to patty and javier for getting us tickets.
and my partner-in-crime (hittin' the city on a school night), dennie.

despite the iffy reviews rilo kiley received for their new album, under the blacklight, jenny lewis and her hunky dory crew still put on a damn good show. not surprisingly, of course. with the opening of "it's a hit" and then "portions for foxes" i was hooked. so was the crowd, that was proven with the sing-along to "with arms oustretched." 'twas one striking night. and fyi, i like the new stuff, "close call" and "give a little love" lining up as two of my favorite new tracks. some fun(ky) photos..

dylan and i even made new friends, an adorable couple--meaghan is from florida and her beau, england.

note: this post is dedicated to mike fricano, the biggest rilo kiley fan i know, and my inspiration to continue writing.

guess who's got tickets to see modest mouse at the greek??!!!

lap steel guitar included.. timely for springtime blues.
the last town chorus. listen live here.

i can't get over this song and especially this version. listen here.