Video: Acoustic Goodies from Young Statues

BLARE. magazine caught up with Young Statues at the Toronto stop of their tour with A Great Big Pile of Leaves and Mansions and filmed a couple of gems! Acoustic versions of two of their songs, which if you don't have the acoustic EP yet, you're missing out. PIck that up here and then enjoy these two treats. ...

Read more »

Happy Birthday Champ!

This is my better half. My best friend. And he's a year older today. We love the Champ. Everyone who meets him does, most of who you just read about him or hear stories about him love him, but me especially. Though I'm lucky enough to hang out with him almost every day. He's a good sport, the kind that agrees to go on wild goose chases with me and wanders around Michael's while I look at crafty things or goes to shows with teenaged girls screaming because I asked sweetly. He makes dinner and does dishes (I do sometimes too) and he's completely understanding of whatever crazy idea I have going on that week. He's kept me from going full 'hipster' which is for the best, but understands that I do like to dabble. He lets total strangers...

Read more »

Concert: Young Statues 3/8/2012

I've had a short list of concerts so far this year and every one of them has been highly anticipated, but I don't know if any of them had the build up that the Young Statues show had. This one had been in the plan since they day they announced it. It got to the point where once I just tweeted that their music was stuck in my head and Carmen came back with "See you in Atlanta." This was the plan. Maybe it was a touch ridiculous, but this was my first 'found in Boston' band that was headed south. It had to be a big deal. I've said before that The Masquerede is my favorite venue in Atlanta, and I'll say it again. The guys were playing Purgatory which is about twelve steps above the ground level and as big as the first floor of my townhouse....

Read more »

Album Review - "Daydream" By The Endless Summer

I have beyond highly anticipated the new release from The Endless Summer, Daydream. I think I've been looking forward to it since they dropped the first single "Satellites", which I fell in love with right away. There's just something about Nick's voice that hooks you the first time you hear the chorus. I think of it like when you first hear the chorus on "Thunder" or "Hero/Heroine" by Boys Like Girls. Actually Nick reminds me a lot of Martin, and I do mean that as a compliment. "Satellites" is easily the clincher of the EP, but it hardly ends there. Each song has its own flair, something that will remind you of your favorite pop punk (or pop rock, what are we calling this genre now? My iTunes lists it as 'alternative'...right no) artist,...

Read more »

Road Trip 2012 - The Tower and The Fool

Last night in Boston and how fitting that I spend it with Tower. I mean...how else was I going to spend it. I went by to check in on Rana, but she was studying hard for classes and eventually I left her at Starbucks with her books and headed towards Great Scott. Both Colleens were due to meet me there at some point and I wound up stepping off the bus alone, and face with a pacing Bryan. I think I scared him because I just about appeared out of nowhere, but hopefully not. We caught up for a few moments outside until Colleen K found me and then we went inside and I got a beer while we waited for things to get started. There was a good crowd when The Tower and The Fool went on, though it could have been four of us. It was still great. (I...

Read more »

Road Trip 2012 - Paradise Fears

Wednesday was my last day in Boston, but we wound up making a plan to see Paradise Fears play a house show at Courtney and Shannon's. I don't really know them other than their opening set for The Cab a few weeks ago, but I was willing to get them another shot, to see my friends as well because I figured what that heck. I didn't have much else planned. Of course, because this is how things go, the snow came on Wednesday and I found myself walking to my car (parked about three blocks from Rana's apartment) in actual snow. Though it was warm enough that it fell more like rain than snow and I didn't have too much of a freak out of driving in it. That said I think I fared very well with being in experienced in driving in such wintery conditions....

Read more »

Road Trip 2012 - I love Boston

Have I mentioned that I love this city? I love this city. It's fast becoming my second home. I know. I'm a Braves fan, I can't stand the Patriots (tell me you can? You know you can't), I don't like winter and I hate being cold, but I love this city. Maybe I've only seen the best parts, but the place has charm. And it's starting to feel like like a second home. It was a fun few days without a show to go, hanging out with friends. I spent Monday, while most people had class, chilling with my girl Colleen K. We watched bad movies and chatted about things. More than fun. And we watched Prom. Who doesn't love that movie? (Admit it, you love it.) Followed that up with a sushi dinner with Rana and mostly enjoying ourselves. Tuesday was spent with the "other" Colleen, Colleen J. That meant...

Read more »

Road Trip 2012 - H.E.L.L. Benefit Show

Sunday morning I was up and moving again, headed towards Boston from Hartford. I was a little surprised I managed to get up that early, but I didn't have as much to drink as everyone else. It wound up being for the best because I had some massive issues parking and then meeting the crew up at Pinkberry. I did finally make it, pleased with how nice a day it was and more than amused to see my friends. They were all there, which made the trek even better. After a snack and some loitering on Newbury it was off to the H.E.L.L. Benefit Show to see The Tower and The Fool play. I was more than excited, I hadn't seen them play since October and I was due up for a show. Plus all my best Boston friends were there. The place was tiny and I was pretty...

Read more »

Road Trip 2012 - Connecticut

Having arrived in Hartford on so much caffeine that I was shaking, I was surprised that I was actually able to fall asleep. I guess when I crashed, I crashed hard and actually was able to sleep in the hotel room I was sharing with my parents (which is impressive since they tandem snore). We were all in town for lil brother's last Master's recital (he's a an oboe performance major). Morning meant hangs with the family, lunch before a place even opened and then running to a true Italian bakery in the sketchiest part of town. But the walls were will filled with fresh bread and cases of delicious cookies. We couldn't resist. What really shocked me was the first signs of snow. I knew I had to drive again the next day so snow was not super appealing...

Read more »

Road Trip 2012 - The drive

The plan was to make the trek to Connecticut and then Boston, but it's a good 18 hours to Boston from Atlanta, and about 16 to Connecticut. There was no way I was going to manage that in one day. Lucky for me though, my best friend, Heather, didn't mind me using her place as a stop off, which mean stop one was just outside of Raleigh, NC about six hours from Atlanta. Not completely half of the trip of anything, but I'd rather stay with her than anyone else anyway. The weather was perfect for a good drive, clear blue skies, warm weather and with my tunes cranking there was no way to not enjoy it. The playlist was definitely about 460 songs strong, including all my favorites: Young Statues, Early Morning Blues, The Tower and The Fool, Boys...

Read more »

The Endless Summer Releases Daydream EP

One of my new favorite bands, The Endless Summer just released their new EP, "Daydream"! Pick it up on iTunes here! Tune in later for me to do a review of the EP (after I get a few listens i...

Read more »

Feb Photo a Day - Day 26, 27, 29

The last few catch up days! Day 26 - Night This is Ran's street. I'm in love with her street. There's an old bridge thing on one side and trees and these stacked walk ups. It's so city life. I'm so jealous she lives here. Day 27 - Something You Ate Sushi!! Rana took me to her place and in her terms we "beasted". That's half hers though. My stuff is int he middle. Loved it. Really good and not too expensive. Day 28 - Money I didn't do this one. Nothing came up that worked so no.. Day 29 - Something You're Listening To This was a fun one for today and had two different pictures. This is Paradise Fears. I talked about them when I saw them open for The Cab and was impressed them. My friends had them in for a private show and since...

Read more »