Cho Show

I saw Margaret Cho Perform last night.
I laughed a lot, and it felt great.
My cheeks were sore from smiling so much by the end of the night.
Its hard to describe the show, there were so many moments I want to remember.
To sum it up:
Georgian Accents, Italian Vogue, Olive Oil explosions, and Dick, lots and lots of Dick references.

Ian Harvie opened the show just before Margaret.
I remember thinking, "What a gorgeous man." Only to find out he's a Transman. Brilliant
I loved his set, he was a great opener, his jokes had me holding my sides.
Ian Harvie

Laughing Pains?

The title describes accurately just how I feel whenever I watch any of Margaret Cho's DVD's. I usually end up nursing my aching sides curled in the fetal position... catching my breath inbetween fits of laughter.

Having been a long time fan of Margaret Cho's work I can't describe how excited I am to be seeing her perform finally. Tonight.

Who: Margaret Cho
What: Stand Up Comedy, Laughing Fits
Where: Queen Elizabeth Theatre, Vancouver BC
When: August 28th, 2010
Why: Why the hell Not?

I remember the first time I saw her stand up. Just a little 2 minute monologue, I don't remember much of what she talked about. I just remember seeing her, an Asian woman, who could articulate so well exactly what she meant. And I remember laughing. From that moment I immediately loved her. Her work, what she stands for...
I think, without even meaning to, I found some sort of comfort in her visibility in the media. Being a visible minority myself, Asian/female I think I immediately put myself in a box.. well Margaret kind of took me out of it, just a little bit.

Just a little video to prepare me and maybe you for her show tonight. =)

The Current

The National perform in The Current Studios

They play a new song called "You Were A Kindness" which has become an instant favourite from their catalogue.

It doesn't work that way
Going back to what you want
Make it so It doesn't work that way
Don't leave me here alone

The setlist:
England
Terrible Love
Your Were A Kindness
Bloodbuzz Ohio

These stripped down versions of their songs are brilliant.

Soko

Her name is Soko. Find her here MYSPACE
She is a French singer and actor.
Her voice reminds me of a child, mixed with Joanna Newsom tendencies.
I remember last summer... when her song I'll Kill her (I'll Keel Her) became my iPod anthem.
I love her accent when she sings, speaks; lulling the listener with her twisted and quirky stories.
As childlike as her voice is, her songs usually deal with pretty serious and heavy topics. As emotionally filling the songs may be with anger and rage, there are such sweet sentiments littered in her songs. It's endearing. Who can't relate to loss of a love?
I'll Kill Her specifically talking about how her prospective lover won't have her, but chooses a "bitch" over her, so she inflects that she'll "kill her". Good riddance, he wasn't worth it anyhow.

Soko - I'll Kill Her (Live)

Dances in Summer

I've been listening to a lot of Men, Hercules and Love Affair, Scissor Sisters and Jessica 6. Well, in actuality Men and Jessica 6 have yet to release an album that I can attain... So I have been listening to youtube recordings. Which for the most part isn't so great but when you search for what little music there is out there finding a few great videos make my night.
Jessica 6 Myspace
Jessica 6 in particular consists of New York based musicians. Andrew Raposo, Nomi Ruiz, Morgan Wiley, and Jim Orso
Nomi Ruiz who is formerly of Hercules and Love Affair, showcases her impressive vocals in Jessica 6. Listen.

Jessica 6 - Fun Girl

Be Like MEN?

I am a biological female. Girl, Lady, Chick, what have you.
I find myself drawn to music that in one way or another involves musicians who are female as well. I don't do this consciously, but when I look into my CD collection, or my iTunes, I find an abundant of artists, musicians, singer/songwriters who happen to be well... female.
This is not to say I don't appreciate music made by men. So when I discovered this band called MEN some time around their emergence into the music scene last year, with JD Samson of Le Tigre I thought to myself, what a perfect balance of male and female. Just have someone who well embodies both genders. I love it.
MEN MYSPACE
Introducing: Ginger Brooks Takahashi, JD Samson, and Michael O'Neill
Together they are a Brooklyn-based band whose dance music embodies the aspects of performance art, radical politics, sexual fluidity as well as bringing to their show an essence of live music mixed with a real art show.

Their music is also brilliant. Go take a listen. And listen again, and again, and again.
Then go buy a ticket to their show in your city.
They are coming to Vancouver's The Media Club on September 9th.... and I am not of age, being just one month away from the legal age is upsetting me, inside. It's frustrating to know that I can't go. BUT don't think that I won't be dancing in my room to tracks by MEN that night and maybe every night until then, because I will.
Feet shuffling, arms waving, body rolling ensues.

Men - Be Like This

I dare you to listen and try not to dance. Go Ahead.

I Need Some Lemonade Right Now

It's 30 degrees Celsius outside, and feels like 40 inside.
I can't move without breaking into an uncomfortable wetsuit state.
I feel stuck to my body.
I need some lemonade right about now.



Découvrez CocoRosie en live avec "Lemonade" sur Culturebox !
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Joanna Newsom

Joanna Newsom at the Vogue Theatre, Aug 5 2010. Skot Nelson photo

Who: Joanna Newsom
Where: The Vogue Theatre, Vancouver
When: August 5th, 2010 - show at 8pm
Why: 18th Century sounding music that makes us breathless

I arrived at approximately 8, upon entry I noticed that there was very little merchandise. Vinlys and LP's I was hoping to buy a t-shirt I can wear proudly.
The opener was Robin Pecknold of Fleet Foxes armed with a selection of 4 guitars he sung songs with vocals healing from years of smoking abuse. His performance was interesting in its quirky-folk melodies and strong and surprising vocals.

During intermission I chatted up my neighbour (Euen/Ewen) to ease the anxiety we both felt being seated 2nd row and just meters away from Joanna.

Once Joanna set foot on stage I was blown away from her opening rendition of '81. Brilliant. I sat holding my breath throughout the songs afraid to move an inch in fear I may miss a note, a movement, a sound from her and her accompaniment. In short the show certainly was not lacking in grandeur and thus full of brilliance. Hearing the songs from Have One On Me was a treat and I think the live versions have a place in my ears for a long time to come. It was a pleasure to hear Peach Plum Pear and Inflammatory Writ from The Milk-Eyed Mender and Monkey Bear and Cosmia from Ys. Some of my favourites were played last night and I still find it difficult to put into words exactly how speechless I still feel. Go Figure.

Setlist:
'81
Have One On Me
Easy
Cosmia
Soft As Chalk
Kingfisher
Inflammatory Writ
Go Long
Good Intentions Paving Company
Monkey & Bear
Peach Plum Pear
Encore: Baby Birch

Read a Review of the show HERE