Not on the Guest List

Can I Marry "Love Lockdown"?

Ever since it was announced that this song would be coming out this weekend, I've been on high alert. Thought I'd get first listen via a BBC rip, but alas - here it is live on the VMAs. Wow - no rap - at any time.

Hands down my favorite Kanye song already, even if it's a lil' repetative. And can you believe how un-over the top this was? I was sure with that lack of light that he'd go big any minute, but he saved the massive lighting until the end when it wouldn't distract from the tune's tone and kept it classy. Alexis can you hear him?

PS - Did you notice how hoarse Joe's voice was during the Jonas Brothers' performance? And why when he crowd surfed did the audience immediately return him to the stage? You should have floated him and Nick over to Portland. Seriously. It's been too long since their performance at the Schnitzer. Too long. I am now ready to pay $35 for a T-shirt. Babies come back. But Kevin can stay on the Hollywood lot.

Contest: Win Long Blondes Tickets!

(Photo by Stephen Burch)
Guess who is here this Saturday? Well, you shouldn't have to guess. You should have the hot pink poster firmly ingrained in your mind - the hot pink poster featuring a sliver of Miss Kate Jackson's face advertising the Long Blondes gig at Doug Fir. Yes, before Arctic Monkeys there was but one Sheffield band to sing the praising of and that is the Long Blondes. Wanna go to the show in Portland? Now is you chance (if you're 21 and over)! Yes - you can win a pair of tickets here! The entry is pretty simple. For the chance to receive a plus one, email over your name and the Long Blondes song title included in this previous DJ setlist/podcast: Party All the Time We Are Wolves DJ Set Podcast. The email address? Notontheguestlist (at) gmail.com! Whoo! Good luck! Entries due Friday, May 30th by one pm. So jump on over to that post and find out! It's my favorite song by the five-piece. A random entry will win!

So are you psyched for their US tour? I am, as I've never seen them live! Even while I lived in the UK. And not only will I be able to see them live on Saturday, they'll be behind the decks later in the evening at Dunes as apart of Brace Paine's Situations club night. Fingers crossed he spins some SSion and I'm curious to hear what they select. The Kills played "Club Action" just a couple weeks ago there which I can't say I was counting on int he least, so I wonder if the Long Blondes will go against type and hit us with the bangers.

What will Miss Jackson wear?

Enter now!

Sasquatch Day 2 - Late to the pitch

The Kooks are late onstage by a half hour so far. I just shot some polaroids of them. Luke is wearing a white turtleneck and they performed an acoustic Kid Harpoon cover for us on their bus. Pics to come. The drummer and I talked about their myspace secret show this upcoming Tuesday at Backspace. I think it's weirdly cool they're playing two all-ages show in a row in Portland. He didn't know what I was talking about haha GOD was he nice though... And authentically nice too! It's now been 35 mins since their billed start time and they're still not on. Beastie Boys are though-overhead.

Sasquatch Day 2 - Looking for hot girls

We're on the look out for hot girls right now to stand in the front for the Kooks because if you build it, they will come I.e. Luke will have reason to take his sleaze off the stage and make the fest's first "moment." A girl can dream. Chona and I just made our way back from the ice cream man truck where we got an ice cream sandwich and lime popcicle. We also got some viewing in of Death Cab's Chris Walla hanging with both Tegan and Sara who were super talkative during their mainstage set. We passed White Rabbits during the walk and they waved. It's enjoyable when a band can still recognize you after you've shot them. An instant sobriety test haha. While we wait for the Kooks to go on, the Wookie stage is playing Kid Rock. They've already played Korn and Sum 41. When will Limp Bizkit be heard?

Sasquatch Day 2 - Dave Allen is blogging

Blake and I are watching Dave Allen blog. We'd been discussing how there's been no break out moment or bands' but Dave has video of Rogue Wave on stage with Cold War Kids to close CWK's set. While I'm not such a fan of either band, that's probably the most exciting moment to happen yet. Thank god tomorrow looks stronger though. Yeasayer and Flaming Lips just may pull something out of their hats. Hopefully... But don't quote me on that. I've noticed that being cynical is very in vogue.

Sasquatch Day 2 - Rogue Wave on

They're a lot more country-pop-ish than I expected. Of course my interest in catching a minute of them was spurred by their Lemony Snicket connection. Malkmus is walking in front of us. We're getting icecream backstage. Just did portraits with White Rabbits who for some reason "didn't feel" Starfuckers set last night in Portland.

Sasquatch Day 2 - White Rabbits

They're on their 4th song and Chona (stereogum photog), Blake and I are doing the robot. They are SO good!!! Loving the two drummers - all of us are. It sounded like they played the song "Untitled" as song number two, but way reworked. Golly are they swell! This is the longest I've stayed at a set yet.

Sasquatch Day 2 - On the road again

Blake, Douglas (whose doing the words about the fest for Pitchfork) and I have just gotten on the interstate heading in the direction of the fest site. Our soundtrack is of course being provided by the Metronomy remixes on Blake's i-pod. The first act of the day for us will be Cold War Kids who Blake's been gripping about. Today's other acts include the Cure, the Kooks,WHITE RABBITS, Malkmus and more.

Breeders still not on

But hank williams still is. Just ran to catch final 2 songs of the national who I just found out were presently on. They closed with Mr. November. They were much more upbeat than I expected.

Two acts to go tonight

So I finally just saw Modest Mouse for the first time. Finally! They entered the stage after a minute long siren effect. I think a minute was way overboard, but I'd left my camera battery in the press area, so it gave me time to run and get it. The Breeders are about to go on. I've been picking up on the weirdest fragments of conversations as I run around the site. The Wookie stage is playing Hank Williams right now. Cue me being in heaven. For serious.

Okkervil River is late

They were due on 15mins ago. Miss Maya is still on and I'm bummed I'm missing the show. Her set is/was so much radder than last night. Just saw Dave Allen who is here via a motor home.I just love that M.I.A. Is so small and easily carries crowds so big. Hopefully her message carries to them all past her beats and imitatable dance moves. Everyone's arms were in the air for Africa (and helicoptering).

M.I.A. on soon

I'm eating ice cream in the rain and waiting for M.I.A. To start. I super super enjoy Fleet Foxes and the Calkin lok-a-like is EVERYWHERE. I keep bumping into him. Blake and I just got our hotel room key from one of the people we're staying with tonightmp. It will be impossible for M.I.A. To play in the dark tonight like she did at roseland last night cos it's still light out.

Going to Grand Archives

I'm at Sasquatch and liveblogging. I just got ice cream from Ice Cream Man and am on my to Grand Archives. I've seen 'em twice and keep coming back because of that good 'ol band of horses connection and them being on sub pop!