39 days.
39 days stands between me and Chicago's premier music festival, Lollapalooza.
In my eager anticipation I've been pouring over the numerous acts playing on the day that I'll be attending--Saturday, August 7--and contemplating what would be the absolute perfect set schedule. For almost 11 hours, I have unlimited access to over 30 different shows--a music journalist's wet dream and virginity-losing moment all rolled into one.
So far, here's what I'm thinking (however, this could be subject to change):
11:30-12:15: Mimicking Birds
-Assuming I'm coherent and at Grant Park by this point, I'll be catching this up-and-coming group out of Portland, Oregon. Much in the same surf-folk vein as Jack Johnson, Matt Costa and Timmy Curran, it'll be a chill-rock barrage of guitar and spacey effects to pop my music festival cherry.
Song to Sample: "Burning Stars"
12:15-1:00: Rebelution
-Might be sparking up for this show: Santa Barbara, California's, Rebelution combines dub, reggae and jazz elements for the perfect mid-day jam session. Also the perfect group to wet one's pallet for the Slightly Stoopid set later in the day.
Song to Sample: "Lazy Afternoon"
1:00-1:45: Rogue Wave
-Everyone's favorite non-Jack Johnson Brushfire Records act, Rogue wave is indie-pop at its finest.
Song to Sample: "Lake Michigan"
1:45-2:45: Blues Traveler
-My only 90s nostalgia trip for the weekend. And the best harmonica solos this side of the South.
Song to Sample: "Hook"
3:15-4:15: The XX
-I think a customer's iTunes review describes England's The XX best: "it's essentially make-out music for the cool kids; steely quiet soundscapes that redefine R&B for a generation that loves Aaliyah and post-everything from Timbaland as much as freshly pressed Hot Chip singles and Cure LPs."
Song to Sample: "Islands"
6:45-7:45: Slightly Stoopid
-The closest-sounding act you'll find to a Bradley Nowell-led Sublime.
Song to Sample: "Ocean"
8:30-10:00: Phoenix
-With Green Day being the other headliner of the night, attending Phoenix's set is a no-brainer: French-pop maestros create catchy, bubbly harmonies and badass soundtracks for Cadillac commercials.
Song to Sample: "1901"
God Is Love,
Rev Rub.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Scott Raab, My Youngs.
For those who don't know, I'm trying to get on with the blog, The Smoking Section. As I tirelessly slave creating sample posts for the editor-in-chief to eventually tear apart, I figured I'd share a few of my "refined" posts who will probably never see the light of day on the actual website.
Lucky you.
With that being said, here's a blog post I wrote about an Esquire blog (creative, I know) that's written by Scott Raab. Raab, a native Clevelander and Esquire senior writer, gives his nihilistic view of the LBJ carnival like only a northeast Ohioan can. Raab's blog is funny and, sadly, probably very true.
Enjoy my take and then enjoy his. But really, enjoy his more. His writing is phenomenal. And he went to Cleveland State of all places. Go fucking figure.
***
For the general American sporting public, it’s hard to sympathize with a Clevelander. Those who have been blessed with championships in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles can easily overlook the championship destitution (and actual destitution) of northeast Ohio while showering in their clubs’ previous successes.
So while everyone and their mothers are vying for King James’ services this year, it’s understandable that a ‘Land ombudsman has been ignored.
Luckily for us underrepresented Cavs fans, Cleveland native and Esquire senior writer Scott Raab has taken it upon himself to air the disgruntled and nihilistic voice for Ohioans everywhere with his LeBron Watch blog:
"If LeBron decides he’d rather toil in New York City for the Dolans or in Chicago for El Reinsdorfo, that’ll say all that needs saying about his loyalty and intelligence."
While his blog won’t win him any favors with LeBron himself, the following rings true for all Cleveland pessimists:
"If he leaves, LeBron will replace Art Modell as the most hated figure in the history of Cleveland sports…. All Modell did was fire Paul Brown, bully Jim Brown into early retirement, and move the Browns to Baltimore — that's the short-short list. But Modell didn't grow up in northeast Ohio and he didn't play the game. Should James go now — without a ring and with full, first-hand knowledge of what his departure will mean to millions of sports fans in Cleveland, Akron, and all over Ohio who will have nothing left but despair — nobody will remember him for seven years of excitement and hope. He'll forever be known for what he is: the son of a bitch who quit on the court, quit on his team, and quit on his home town."
Maybe it’s his above prediction of LeBron’s northeast Ohio status if he leaves. Maybe it’s his referral to the LBJ circus as a “dog-and-pony free-agent tour” and “media lap dance.” Whatever it is, it’s nice to finally have a sensible Cleveland perspective on LeBron James’ free agency in the media.
***
And for those who haven't peeped it yet, check out mine and Matt Marina's latest video projects on Big Sean and Fly Union. Watch out for Big Sean's debut album, Finally Famous, to drop in September along with new albums from fellow G.O.O.D. music artists Kanye West and Kid Cudi.
-Video #1
-Video #2
God Is Love,
Rev Rub
Lucky you.
With that being said, here's a blog post I wrote about an Esquire blog (creative, I know) that's written by Scott Raab. Raab, a native Clevelander and Esquire senior writer, gives his nihilistic view of the LBJ carnival like only a northeast Ohioan can. Raab's blog is funny and, sadly, probably very true.
Enjoy my take and then enjoy his. But really, enjoy his more. His writing is phenomenal. And he went to Cleveland State of all places. Go fucking figure.
***
For the general American sporting public, it’s hard to sympathize with a Clevelander. Those who have been blessed with championships in cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles can easily overlook the championship destitution (and actual destitution) of northeast Ohio while showering in their clubs’ previous successes.
So while everyone and their mothers are vying for King James’ services this year, it’s understandable that a ‘Land ombudsman has been ignored.
Luckily for us underrepresented Cavs fans, Cleveland native and Esquire senior writer Scott Raab has taken it upon himself to air the disgruntled and nihilistic voice for Ohioans everywhere with his LeBron Watch blog:
"If LeBron decides he’d rather toil in New York City for the Dolans or in Chicago for El Reinsdorfo, that’ll say all that needs saying about his loyalty and intelligence."
While his blog won’t win him any favors with LeBron himself, the following rings true for all Cleveland pessimists:
"If he leaves, LeBron will replace Art Modell as the most hated figure in the history of Cleveland sports…. All Modell did was fire Paul Brown, bully Jim Brown into early retirement, and move the Browns to Baltimore — that's the short-short list. But Modell didn't grow up in northeast Ohio and he didn't play the game. Should James go now — without a ring and with full, first-hand knowledge of what his departure will mean to millions of sports fans in Cleveland, Akron, and all over Ohio who will have nothing left but despair — nobody will remember him for seven years of excitement and hope. He'll forever be known for what he is: the son of a bitch who quit on the court, quit on his team, and quit on his home town."
Maybe it’s his above prediction of LeBron’s northeast Ohio status if he leaves. Maybe it’s his referral to the LBJ circus as a “dog-and-pony free-agent tour” and “media lap dance.” Whatever it is, it’s nice to finally have a sensible Cleveland perspective on LeBron James’ free agency in the media.
***
And for those who haven't peeped it yet, check out mine and Matt Marina's latest video projects on Big Sean and Fly Union. Watch out for Big Sean's debut album, Finally Famous, to drop in September along with new albums from fellow G.O.O.D. music artists Kanye West and Kid Cudi.
-Video #1
-Video #2
God Is Love,
Rev Rub
Friday, June 11, 2010
When I Was A Young Boy My Momma Always Told Me To Take No Shit.
There are a few things that piss me off.
*Memo to self, you've used this introduction before. Switch it up!*
Damn, have I? Well, balls, looks like I'm sticking with it. In any case, there's a handful of items that really get under my skin. Saving everyone who reads this post a detailed list of qualified bitching, I'll specifically single out one item:
"ryan, cudi is better than any bs you would post up on fb. including clipse and consequence."
If you have the narcissistic balls to post that bad boy, then we've got serious problems.
Not because you disagree with my opinion, but, man, because of how fucking dumb you have to be to make such a statement.
Don't believe me? Try this versus this or this.
Now, it's not that me and my friend slaved and busted our asses to create this story in time or had the opportunity of a lifetime to profile three of the best and most connected lyricists in the game. Obviously it's peanuts--bush league, really--compared to getting KiD CuDi for a story.
But you're wrong if you're going to sit there and honestly admit to yourself that the Cudder is a better RAP artist than either Clipse or Cons The Don.
It's inconsequential to say Cudi is a better ARTIST than either of the other three (that'd be like comparing apples to oranges or saying that Soundgarden was better for the 90s than Ace of Base), but to say he's a better RAPPER is blasphemy. You're bordering on pariah-status if going on the links provided above. While I enjoy Cudi's product, he has constantly been stuck in this ambivalent middle ground between being a talented lyricist or a talented vocalist. He's like Drake without the voice... or the bars for that matter.
And in comparison to Clipse and Cons' dedication to only rhyming, saying that Cudi is a better lyricist is like trying to argue your younger brother's fourth-grade poetry project is better than Malice, Pusha T and/or Consequence's master thesis.
So if you're thinking that mommy and daddy's money apparently gives you the worldview to comment on hip-hop (since, you know, you're totally able to fly whimsically to both High Times' Cannabis Cup or Ultra Music Festival for your superior opinion), think again. I've got you in a vice-grip and I will win.
Every time.
"in cudi we trust."
Nah, in Rubless do we trust. And quality hip-hop.
Always Preaching Rubbers and Respect,
Rev Rub.
*Memo to self, you've used this introduction before. Switch it up!*
Damn, have I? Well, balls, looks like I'm sticking with it. In any case, there's a handful of items that really get under my skin. Saving everyone who reads this post a detailed list of qualified bitching, I'll specifically single out one item:
"ryan, cudi is better than any bs you would post up on fb. including clipse and consequence."
If you have the narcissistic balls to post that bad boy, then we've got serious problems.
Not because you disagree with my opinion, but, man, because of how fucking dumb you have to be to make such a statement.
Don't believe me? Try this versus this or this.
Now, it's not that me and my friend slaved and busted our asses to create this story in time or had the opportunity of a lifetime to profile three of the best and most connected lyricists in the game. Obviously it's peanuts--bush league, really--compared to getting KiD CuDi for a story.
But you're wrong if you're going to sit there and honestly admit to yourself that the Cudder is a better RAP artist than either Clipse or Cons The Don.
It's inconsequential to say Cudi is a better ARTIST than either of the other three (that'd be like comparing apples to oranges or saying that Soundgarden was better for the 90s than Ace of Base), but to say he's a better RAPPER is blasphemy. You're bordering on pariah-status if going on the links provided above. While I enjoy Cudi's product, he has constantly been stuck in this ambivalent middle ground between being a talented lyricist or a talented vocalist. He's like Drake without the voice... or the bars for that matter.
And in comparison to Clipse and Cons' dedication to only rhyming, saying that Cudi is a better lyricist is like trying to argue your younger brother's fourth-grade poetry project is better than Malice, Pusha T and/or Consequence's master thesis.
So if you're thinking that mommy and daddy's money apparently gives you the worldview to comment on hip-hop (since, you know, you're totally able to fly whimsically to both High Times' Cannabis Cup or Ultra Music Festival for your superior opinion), think again. I've got you in a vice-grip and I will win.
Every time.
"in cudi we trust."
Nah, in Rubless do we trust. And quality hip-hop.
Always Preaching Rubbers and Respect,
Rev Rub.
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