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Lightdreams

Lightspeed Champion Week Day 1

Last year I used to blog about dreams I had that involved musicians. Then I let the tradition lapse after a really rad dream about Turbo Fruits coming to Portland and never returned to the post topic. Of the few I did blog, those entries have kinda come back to haunt me hahahaha. This blog does mention "neurotic" in the sidebar.
Anyway - last night I had a dream where Lightspeed Champion, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club and The Gossip played a gig in a movie-theatre like auditorium. Could those three acts be anymore different? I'm pretty sure it was a movie theatre. I was still on tour with Dev and after his set we took seats and watched the show go on. Soon BRMC's Nick Jago came over with a detached flash head and started making it flash at us. Then he started talking about Dev's flickr stream and talking about them taking photos together. He said he was taking photos of us by just using his flash -- with no camera attached. Whaaaa? He was taking strobist to new levels - he'd modified the flash so that on slave mode it took polaroids - like inside the body of the 580ex, was a pack of polaroids and after each shot he'd have to manually adjust them - kinda like a pinhole camera.
He said he'd show me how to modify mine.
I went to take a shower backstage and the drain was clogged. Beth Ditto came by and said she knew how to fix it as she wanted to take a shower after another sweaty Gossip set. It took forever and we didn't get too far.
Back in the regular part of the auditorium the night had wound down so the only option if Nick Jago was going to demonstrate how to modify a flash into a polaroid camera was to spend the night at Dev's which happened to actually be Reverend Run's house in the dream. At this point Beth invited herself along because she still wanted to take a shower.
We all slept on the basketball court. So did two security guards - Ralph - gigantic in weight and height, bald head and handlebar mustache and Josh from my former job at a mall, not for security purposes, but just because they were there (?). They made me fetch them sleeping bags too.
The next day it was really sunny. Beth was up early and hanging around the joint tourbus outside in a mini-dress in LA like sunny conditions on the suburban street that near identical houses lined - we were at Reverend Run's house after all.
And at some point word came that Jimmy Kimmel had booked Naive New Beaters to play on his show. Yessss! That part of the dream had nothing to do with anything else. I wish of all parts that that would become reality.
That's kinda where the dream ended.

So where in reality did this come from? See above photo - as before falling asleep I'd just been looking at my Foals pictures from their Rough Trade instore on Brick lane for the first time and in many of my photos one dancing photog can be seen unleashing his inner strobist. When Yannis asked why I was in the UK afterwards I briefly mentioned Dev which got him talking about their joint upcoming Observer cover. Boy - did he go on about that. Then I took a polaroid of him. The polaroid/Nick Jago factor may have come from the polaroid I took of him at Bumbershoot with Greg's camera. Oh - and I just got to my mom's place and Seattle and her bathroom sink drain is clogged...

"Another Fight" (Theoretical Girl Cover) Lightspeed Champion MP3

We all saw Ms. Ditto on Nightline, right?

Multiple appearances throughout the Friday segment!! My mom and I could not be more proud (yes, we geeked out over the phone over her being on it).
Is she fabulous or is she fabulous?

'Standing in the Way of Control' The Gossip MP3

Thanks to Marisa for the link - for once I actually checked my email before Perez. . .

PDX Gossip Roundup

I've still yet to finish my Klaxons+Fist Fite review I posted yesterday (now finished) and have yet to post a review of last night in Portland, but it's Gossip time!

➔ Fresh off opening for Klaxons for their first ever shows, Fist Fite will be joining Klaxons on their UK headline tour later this year!!!!!! Brooklyn's Shy Child are along for Klaxons' UK May ride.

➔ Got a message from Nathan aka Gossip's Brace Paine. Guess what they did in LA? Aside from Beth hanging out with Kate Moss, they had a meeting with RICK RUBIN! Speechless! He said it was surreal. I am in love with Rick Rubin! He slept with his parents in their bed until age 18 and what he did with Def Jam in his NYU dorm room is what made me want to go to NYU (though I eventually never even applied)

'Rick Rubin' Spank Rock MP3

➔ Men's Journal magazine contacted me last week about Portland music photography as their summer issue is a music issue and they're doing a feature on the Portland music scene! I sent mine over of Quasi, Hey Lover, the Shins, Viva Voce, Gossip, Y.A.C.H.T., Panther, and the Thermals (all linking is to my photos of each act on flickr). I think they're passing on my photos, but it's still pretty sick that Portland music is drawing this attention!

➔ Yacht has his CD release party next Saturday at OMSI on May 5th 2007. Doors at 8:30, show at 9pm. GO if you live in Portland and are in town! Adrian Orange who went to my middle school (and high school for a portion of freshman year) is playing as is E*Rock and of course the man of the evening is doing a set as well. A concert at OMSI! Too cool!
Tix are available at Jackpot Records, but haven't appeared yet online on Brown Paper Tickets

Here's a cool video Y.A.C.H.T. made of Portland bands at this year's SXSW:

Gossip Live at the Wonder

Click to read my Pfork review of the show and ooh and ahh at my photos

Only it's not really my review-most of it was cut and it was minimal to begin with. Plus the word "hot!" (including the exclamation mark) was added, which kinda didn't go there (not that they aren't), so read on. . .

But actually, before I start can we say OH MY GOD!!!! (Click the linked OH MY GOD and you'll be joining me in saying it)

Before the first opening act New Bloods took the stage a very cool song played overhead. I had to know who it was, so I left my spot in front of the stage and made my way to the back to find out. I asked a very familiar looking girl who it was and she replied The Blow. I consider myself pretty familiar with Khaela Maricich's output and this song sounded way electro, so I walked away mildly puzzled over it being the Blow and why the girl looked so familiar.
As soon as I had maneuvered back into my original spot, it instantly dawned on me so I made my way back over.
"Are you in a band?"
"Yeah."
"Are you in Swan Island?"
"Yes."
And our conversation continued. We talked about SXSW and their upcoming shows.
Swan Island opened for the Gossip last time they played the Wonder in September, a show I unfortunately didn't attend.

So-back to the show-NEW BLOODS KILLED! They are from Portland which I can barely believe as they're too good to have not have heard of before. Their take on dance rock has a bit of a ho-down edge to it that's raw and rhythmic- a bit of cross between Sons and Daughters and Holy Hail.

I instantly became obsessed, which I instantly told each of them while waiting in line for the restroom after their set and while buying their 7 inch after the show.
Next up was Reverse Dotty. Perhaps the most memorable part of their set was a few songs in. The lead singer dedicated a song called 'Just Say No' to her grandfather who passed away a few days prior. As she made the dedication a girl in the audience started screaming to her: "You're so hot! I want to have sex with you!" Talk about inappropriate.

The highlights of their set were when they resorted to preprogrammed beats and all sang. When the quintet did that they really excelled and very much channeled the sound of White Rose Movement.
They covered my favorite Daft Punk song 'Face to Face' (which I mentioned in my Lo-Fi-Fnk post) and closed their set doing an intensely cool thing - dancing, striking robotical poses, freezing in place for a few counts in unison, and then starting the 3 steps over again.

Onto the Gossip-

Beth appeared out of the curtains to begin their set. Some guy jumped up on stage a couple songs in to kiss her. Cue awkward moment. She went behind the stage curtains and reappeared when he was gone then forged on.

Brace Paine was in top form - on his toes (literally) and full of unending shoulder shrugs. I remember being captivated by his onstage persona the first time I saw them opening for Sons and Daughters at Glasgow's ABC in late 2005. I remember myself moving closer to the stage to stare at his asymmetrical haircut and sleeves. However, this night my eyes were on Beth pretty much the whole time-and how could they not be? In Glasgow she had been on the defensive, but here, even though she admitted she was nervous from the Wonder stage, she exuded confidence from her voice to her dancing that drew everyone in with the energy of two red bulls consumed before their set.

The show really kicked into gear on their seventh song 'Standing in the Way of Control'. Beth went barefoot and the whole audience was singing the "whoa-oh-ohhs."
From that they went directly into 'Listen Up'. The only Gossip member with a setlist was Hannah who started each song.

Beth began grabbing hands of audience members and pulling them up on stage. I of course jumped right on up. At the end of the song she wanted us all to crowd surf, no one took her up on the offer. Four girls stayed up - one planting a perfect kiss on Beth's cheek. No mater that she sweated her make up off and was wiping her face off with a donated bandana, the lip print stayed perfect for the entire show.
After they played their cover version of 'Are You That Somebody', they stopped, kinda looking like they didn't know where to go next. Then came the chants from the crowd: "Rap! Rap! Rap! Rap!" After about a minute Beth just launched into Timbaland's verse-which isn't apart of their recorded version.

They closed the set with a two song encore, Beth thanking the audience for singing along to the first of the two songs that began with only her and Brace Paine on stage, Hannah coming in about mid-way through the song.
After the show Marisa and I stood waiting to snap some candid pics. While Beth smoked outside we spent the time chatting to Brace Paine and his southern drawl.
Nathan noticed the eye-patch I was wearing on my arm and asked if he could wear it in the photos. Lame pirate jokes ensued after I asked if he knew any, with him continuing to answer mine as he signed autographs for those requesting them.
In case you wannna use some in the near future:
Nathan: "What's a pirate's favorite subject in school?"
Answer ➔ "Arrrggghhh-t!"
I rattled off a string:
Nilina: What did the pirate say on his road trip?
Answer ➔ Arrrgghhh we there yet?
Nilina: What's a pirate's favorite Wayne's World character?
Answer ➔ Garrggghhh-th. Parrrggghhh-ty time X-cellent (as in x marks the spot-yes I have too much time on my hands to have come up with that)

Then we got onto the subject of them playing Perez Hilton's Bday party - ironically the first thing he mentioned was Paris Hilton being there as well as John Stamos.
Oh-and Nathan is "Ready to Uff" (not so long story)
Later, when we got into taking photos my camera was a bit spazzy and I was laughing too hard at their hi-jinks for the photos to turn out good, but what-evs.

And my SUPER exciting news: Me and my Scam Artiste-ness will now be making custom dresses for Ms.Ditto!

'Jealous Girls' Gossip MP3

BUY IT!
or here or itunes, just make sure you do. . . and soon!

Why was it so ironic that Nathan first mention Paris Hilton? (beginning at 4:18)

My favorite Gossip magazine cover (and no-it's not NME)

All time fave live shots: a whole lot of gossip

Local Gossip articles of late:
More Gossip Gossip: Huge in the UK
Complete Control

And of course the obligatory "signed to Columbia" Pfork news item

Swan Island myspace
New Bloods myspace
Reverse Dotty myspace
Gossip Myspace