Los Campesinos! - Milwaukee, 4/3/09

On Friday Night, My brother and I were prepared to go to the Los Campesinos! show at Turner Ballroom. We were briefly swayed by free Morrissey Tickets, but clear judgment prevailed, and we decided to pony up the mere $13 to go see Los Campesinos!.

Best.decision.ever.

My brother and I are very similar in our preferences for concerts, and the following traits are our favorites:

• Good, fun music
  
• spectacle
• insanity
• fun crowds
• lots of weird instruments
• Cute indie boys (for my enjoyment)
• Cute indie girls (for his enjoyment)
• Epic-ness.

All of these things happened with Los Campesinos!, and it was possibly one of the best shows I've ever seen.

To begin, however, I do have to ask-- What in the bejeezus was Turner trying out with their table set up that night? They had a set of tables placed like dinner theatre in the room, with rows of seating behind. As the opening band, Skylarkin, began to play, the awkwardness of the set up was palpable, until they finally offered a prize to whomever came up to touch the stage first. My brother and I, knowing that all people need is someone else to break the ice, got up and stood front and center, motioning for the rest of the people to stand up with us. ..which they did, thank god.

Skylarkin was very cute and enjoyable. Not my favorite opening band on the planet-- but they did the PERFECT set, enough to get a taste of the band, and left us without droning on forever. There are a lot of opening bands who don't know how long is too long. The Drummer was enamoring, however. He practically hate fucked his drums throughout the set, and reminded me of a real-life Animal. Red hair and all. It made me feel an almost uncomfortable level of interest with him as he played.. I found myself staring throughout the set, not because I was trying to, but because I couldn't help it!

Los Campesinos! came out and within the first thirty seconds, my brain exploded in joygasms. Glockenspiels, synthesizers, rock & roll violin, two guitar players, xylophones, and a pink haired, argyle wearing, girl bass player.

The lead singer, Gareth, had a really endearing quality to him, almost delicate, effeminate and flouncy (Which I think just has to do with being British?), and I couldn't help but compare him to Connor Oberst-- if Connor Oberst took his Prozac that day.

He also looked kinda like a kid I used to hang out with named Beau, but that was mostly the ears.

I loved screaming the play along lyrics, "We have to take the car because the bike is on fire!", "Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks!", and my personal favorite, "I'M NOT FINISHED!" from the song 'Death to Los Campesinos!', which is a scream-able song the whole way through.

One of the highlights of the show for me was the 'mosh pit' that formed as the show went on, which I think was probably the happiest pit I've ever seen. Smiles and hugs and slamming pogo style into one another with a unity I haven't seen since the basement shows of my teen years. It was rare and it was nice.

At the Encore, the band came out to play and a few jumped into the crowd. Right into the mosh pit. Somehow-- the music stayed perfect, clear and fun, and Gareth grabbed a small blond indie pup by the back of the neck, pulled him in forehead to forehead and screamed into his little face. It was beautiful. At one point I was flanked on all sides by guys with instruments and getting all wrapped up in cords.

This is the type of show I cherish. This is the concert that I always dreamed about in bed at night.. It was really, really great.

When asked about the show, I took a moment to contemplate the best way to articulate the 3 hours spent at Turner Ballroom, dancing my big ole' ass off...

It was a Punk Rock Church Revival Dance Party.

..And I was converted to the church of Los Campesinos!

Here are a few of their incrdibly adorable music videos to enjoy:

Let your aldermen know how you feel about Zwieg's art Project!!

Janet Zwieg has been commissioned to create a whimsical, interesting public art piece here in Milwaukee, and I feel VERY Strongly about it. Yesterday, there was a Public Works Committee of the Common Council meeting to discuss concept, and they ignorantly shut the concepts down. I wrote some alderman to express my thoughts, and I think you should too.

First, acquaint yourself with the concept and make sure this is something you believe in, I know it's something I do.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/42241822.html - an article explaining the concept

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/entertainment/42269322.html - Note the community comments!

http://www.artsyschmartsy.com/2009/04/can-we-save-janet-zweigs-art-we-need-to.html - great arts blog about the situation

If you are interested in writing your aldermen, please use the following addresses:

ALderman Robert Bauman: rjbauma@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Robert Donovan: rdonov@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Joe Dudzik: jdudzi@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Robert Puente: rpuent@milwaukee.gov
Alderman Willie Wade: wwade@milwaukee.gov

This is the letter I sent:

Dear Milwaukee Alder-persons,

My name is Mary and I work in the Arts & Entertainment sector of Milwaukee, and not only do I make my living in the arts, I believe that exposure to the arts is crucial in building a well-rounded and creative city. I've seen some of the most wonderful creative outlets lost by this city and economy, (Paperboat Boutique, Broadminded Bookstore, etc..) and it pains me to know that resources like this are disappearing from our city.

I am the youth and adult coordinator for the ComedySportz workshops and kidz camp, and I have seen what an experience with the arts can do for a varied group of people when given the opportunity to be exposed to it. For some people, it can be invaluable for personal growth. The light in their eyes is inspiring. A public art project by Zweig will expose thousands of new people to art and creative thought, and that can only garner positive things! I feel that any art project, big or small, public or privately shown in a gallery, is an example of the hearts and minds of the people living in this city, and that expression creates a community, most importantly.

Please open your minds and hearts to new ideas, the way that the art community has in Milwaukee. We want to expand horizons, create and unite the city-- not divide, shun and dismiss creative thoughts. How is a city supposed to grow without new ideas?

Milwaukee is a wonderful, beautiful city with the potential to be only as great as we allow it to be. Please do not stifle that.

Contact me with any questions, concerns or comments, I would love to hear from you!

Thank you for your time,
--
Mary Baird
Executive Promotions Director
Kidz Camp/Workshop Coordinator
ComedySportz Milwaukee
office: 414-272-8888
www.comedysportzmilwaukee.

com

Filed under: Things I hate

I hate Duffy.

There is nothing redeemable about this artist. She's got an annoying voice. Her songs are very standard, though they're attempting to be jazzy or classic, they're just boring.

Okay. Here's proof:



Boring.

The Watchmen, 48 hrs later.

Hi kids, I have some bad news.

I don't want to talk about "The Watchmen".

I'll let all of you see it tonight or tomorrow, and decide for yourselves, but, I will say people with a thorough knowledge of the graphic novel will probably be cranky.

Maybe the director's cut will be more satisfying?

Who watches The Watchmen

Fact: I am a nerd.

Fact #2: I buy nerdy things.

Example:

This is the LP single for My Chemical Romance's cover of Bob Dylan's "Desolation Row".  The song isn't very good, but it's not AWFUL either.  The B-Side of the album is a score song from the film called "Prison Break".  

The best part of purchasing this single?

MY FREE SNEAK PEEK TICKETS TO SEE THE MOVIE 2 DAYS EARLY!!

Consider me pumped.  

My brother and I are getting in line EARLY on Tuesday to ensure good seats.  I guess this is the screening meant for journalists and movie critics, so I will be pulling double duty as both nerdy fangirl and a member of the internet press.  

I'll try not to post hyper freakout spoilers, but if you've read it, you know the story.  

If you haven't read it, I highly suggest picking up a copy.  It's one of the most captivating 'graphic novels' ever, and art-wise, it's incredible.

In the mean time, to tide you over to the official release, here is some of the really great viral marketing video they've been putting out there!

Mark Mallman's new album

{I took this Picture at the Cactus Club,Milwaukee, August, 2008}

This Spring, my favorite musician, Mark Mallman will be releasing his newest album, which he calls his "darkest album yet". Anyone who knows me in the physical world knows that I am possibly the biggest Mallman fan-- ever. Not in a creepy way, hopefully, but in the way that I think his music is pretty close to perfect. Plus, his live show is a tornado of energy, epic piano solos and hellfire. If you've never seen a Mark Mallman Show-- I sincerly reccommend it!

Anyone not familiar with Mallman should probably go to his website and download "Lonliness in America" -- his best of MP3 album. It'll definitely give you the broad overview of the type of music he outputs.

I'm fairly certain Mallman is putting the finishing touches on his soon-to-be released album, and yesterday he sent out a message to his over 1,300 friends on facebook;

"Mark is taking suggestions for the album title for the next 15 minutes."

He received close to 80 responses, most of which seemed pretty silly, and for much longer than his alloted 15 minutes.. Here are some of my favorite silly suggestions:

Steve Barone at 1:26pm February 24

Mall of america man

Kate Murray at 1:28pm February 24

Mrs Doubtfire's Tampon.

Ben Gerads at 1:40pm February 24

Mallslut's virgin orchestra

Patrick Sayler at 2:00pm February 24

Skulls and Swords are Cool.

...and then my suggestion:

Mary Baird at 3:43pm February 24

"Been on a Bender"

We'll see in the coming weeks which, if any, he chose. But if i'm being honest-- "Mrs. Doubtfire's Tampon" is in the realm of genius.

In the meantime, here's a video for the new song, "Do you Feel Like Breaking Up?"off of Mallman's Best Of, "Lonliness in America".

It's LeWar!!

If you're a Twitter-er, you've probably heard of the "LeWar".. Apparently, at some point, Michael Ian Black Declared a Twitter War on a peace-loving (and unwilling) LeVar Burton.

I don't know why.

But I will admit that it's reeally entertaining.

You can see Michael Ian Black's Blog Here and LeVar's Here.

Some of my favorite tweets from LeWar:

Michael Ian Black: @levarburton I will give you one opportunity to surrender. Otherwise it'll be just like the movie "300." Your 30,000 followers vs. my 300.

LeVar Burton: @michaelianblack has declared a Twitter War on me. It may be necessary to go Kunta on his ass!

Michael Ian Black: Sentiment is running about 30 to 1 LeVar over me. I may not have his intelligence or class, but I alone wrote a book about animal butts.

LeVar Burton: "I didn't start this fight, @michaelianblack did! I've seen it before of course: black on black crime. It's really quite shame."


Also, I'd like to take this opportunity to state that I will not pick a side, because LeVar helped teach me a love for reading {and rainbows..} However, Michael was amazing in Stella.. So, I am now Switzerland. Neutral and a big fan of the Matterhorn.

Stuff I've been listening to

This is my weekly top artists according to my Last.fm page, though methinks it's not entirely accurate...

These are songs i'm sure are being played a whole bunch this week:

01: A.C. Newman - "There Are Maybe Ten or Twelve"

02: One for the Team - "Best Supporting Actress"

03: Ben Kweller - "My Apartment"

04: Totally Michael - "Shake your Booty Or Die" (bad fan video ahead, song still awesome)

05: Connor Obertst - "NYC - Gone, Gone"

Afternoon Records makes me smile

For my inaugural post, I decided to write about my current life-thieving obsession, Afternoon Records.

Let me start by saying that if record labels were rated on a scale of whether or not I wanted to have sex with them, Afternoon Records would be my #1 crush. Every boy on this label looks like the guys I fail at hitting on in bars, and all the girls look like the chicks that end up taking those guys home at the end of the night. Everyone is foxy in that self-aware yet haphazard style that can only be cultivated by nights sleeping in the van and thrift store shopping.

But beyond my creeper crushing, the music on Afternoon Records is stellar, through and through. I own records from four of the artists on the label, and plan on purchasing more as my music budget allows. I listen to these albums A LOT.

The thing that I think is so endearing about Afternoon Records is that it’s witty, fun, and some of the most accessible music out there today. There’s music to shake your ass to when glamming up for a night out (The Battle Royale), There’s music to listen to when you’ve graduated college and feel that tickle of uncertainty about life (One For The Team), and something to make out to (Haley Bonar).


Afternoon Records is the brain-child of Ian Anderson, a guy who graduated high school the same year I did, and who has a lot more to show for himself since then. I’ve read interviews and reviews with Ian that call him “The hardest working man in Minneapolis” among other things that tell to his tireless work ethic. He runs Afternoon Records, Say
Rah Records, writes for my favorite Music Blog, MinneapolisFuckingRocks, and plays in various bands. And, on top of all of those wonderful things—he’s effing adorable. Case and point; I ordered a copy of “Good Boys Don’t Make Noise” by One For The Team, and when it arrived, it had a little pink heart post-it stuck to the cover with a little message from Ian.

{Thanks Mary! Hope you like it! -Ian}

I, of course, still have the post it, and think it’s the little touches like that that sets Afternoon Records apart.

Give all these kids a listen—you won’t be disappointed. There’s something on this label for every taste, both musically and aesthetically, (everyone is so damn CUTE!) so here, links meant for clicking and videos meant for watching:

Click here for a complete list of Afternoon Records Artists

Click here for a sneak peek at One For The Team's Upcoming EP, "Build a Garden"

Haley Bonar Music Video for "Devilish Man":

The Most current Afternoon Records update video:

I hope you enjoy Afternoon Records as much as I do!!

Welcome to Card Table Press!

Hi everyone, My name is Mary, what's your name?

..Okay, now this feels a little like an AA meeting, but introductions are always important.

Card Table Press is my creative outlet at the moment, and it's absolutely self indulgent.  Sometimes, I like things and then I write about them.  This will be the dumping ground for all those musings.  

I'm no one important, but that's not what this is about-- Card Table Press is intended to showcase some of the best, quality media entertainment you may not have heard of.  ...Or maybe you have...  Great things happening in music, films and art are meant to be shared and happen every day.  I'm going to share that with you.

And no bullshit-- I'm writing everything from a card table.  Authenticity, bitches.