Musicky, concerty things

[beautifulduckweed]

Five announcements of cool shows coming up, and one observation:

1. Bassnectar is playing tomorrow at the Wonder Ballroom. $15. Delicious, delicious thumpy beats and dancey goodness. benefitz and I are going.

2. Annuals are playing at the Doug Fir on Monday, November 12. $10. I've written about them before here. They are young, intense and fully of the most amazing energy. Even if you're not super-fond of their recorded music, I highly recommend checking them out live.

3. Band of Horses at the Crystal Ballroom on Wednesday, November 21. Tickets are $17. ccarrico characterized their sound as The Shins getting stoned off their minds and playing Morrissey covers, which is a) hilarious, and b) entirely accurate. Regardless, I love them and their dreamy, floaty, froofy sound.

4. MAGNETIC FIELDS IN SEATTLE OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG. And further: OM FUCKING G. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10 a.m.; the show's not until March 6 and 7. I'm going to get a pair of tickets and find somebody in Seattle to go with me on the Friday show. Tickets are $27.50 but after bullshit fees, they'll probably be close to $40 each.

5. DJ Shadow and Cut Chemist, also in Seattle. What a freakin' double bill, y'all. Show is on Sunday, February 10. I have no clue how much tickets are, but I'm going to get a pair--this'll be my birthday present to myself.

Observation: I can be in pain, and cranky, and tired, but listening to Murray Perahia playing Bach will restore, if not everything, at least go a long ways towards improving my mood. He plays with so much warmth, compassion and grace; I'm not sure I've ever felt so much warm, fuzzy pleasure from listening to music. It's in rather stark contrast to when I listen to Glenn Gould play Bach. When listening to Gould, I am struck with awe at the sheer mastery of technique he exhibits. I feel like I'm staring in the face of an angel--not one of those milquetoast Hallmark insipidities with their pretty faces, curly hair and feathered wings; I'm talking about REAL angels, the ones with four heads and six wings and fuckin' cartwheels of fire for eyes. (As paraleipsis said, there's a reason why the first words out of an angel's mouth every time it manifests itself in the Bible is "Fear not.") Gould terrifies me and paralyzes me in the best way possible. Perahia, however, mostly makes me want curl up in a comfy spot with a soft blanket, or hug people. Gould makes me tense and seize up in pleasure; Perahia relaxes me and makes me euphoric in a rather different way.

Comments

[ccarrico.livejournal.com]

I WILL GO TO THE MAGNETIC FIELDS WITH YOU. And put you up while you're in town.

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

Motherfucker we are ON. I have bought two tickets; they were General Admission and came to about $36 each.

Wheeeeeeeee!

[quietselkie.livejournal.com]

I could worship Gould, IF ONLY HE DID NOT FECKING HUM ALONG while he plays. Because DAYUM. He hums teh suck. I fully comprehend the urge to reproduce those sounds with his body instrument in sympathy with the piano, but again...dayum.

Does Perahia hum? Because if he doesn't, and there's a Goldberg Variations out there with his name on it...?

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

The humming distracted me at first, too, but I've learned to become kind of fond of it.

And no, Perahia doesn't hum. And in fact, he HAS recorded the Goldberg Variations. My copy should be arriving soon, and I can't wait to get my mitts on it.

[mustela.livejournal.com]

Don't forget Stars, Nov 15th. We're motherfucking going.

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

Did not forget. This post was for announcing new shows I haven't announced on this LJ previously. I can't wait for Thursday. Eeeee!

[leahseraph.livejournal.com]

Magnetic Fields OMG. Totally going to that.

[misshepeshu.livejournal.com]

YAY! Get your ticket for Friday, if possible, 'cause that's the show I'm going to.

[benefitz.livejournal.com]

Interesting observations on Gould and Perahia. We will discuss.