Some favorite music

So I have a favorite music artist. Kind of an unusual choice for an old gal, as he's a hiphop/rap type artist, and I find that a lot of people my age (54!!) don't embrace the 'new' music. But I am a gal with quite eclectic musical tastes, and love discovering new and interesting artists. Grieves came to me through my daughter, who discovered him when he opened up for Atmosphere, way back when she was about 15. We have a funny bit of history together about Grieves, which I have written about in the past here and here. I really, really love his music, have all his albums and joke that I am his "oldest fan". It really surprises teh 20 somethings at work when I start playing his music in the lab. What? An old woman likes hip hop? Say it isn't so.

Imagine my surprise last week when driving home from work, listening to my totally un-cool and un-hip, 'All Things Considered' on NPR and I hear Grieves "Bloody Poetry" playing! So what does this mean? Is NPR cool now? Or maybe it's always been cool, despite that my listening to it made my kids nuts back when they were in school. Sarah always complained that everyone on public radio talked in a mono-tone! Or maybe I'm cool now? Eh, probably not...LOL Is Grieves now a mainstream artist? I've always thought of him as 'alternative', I don't think anyone I've ever told about him, old or young, had ever heard of him. I hope getting played on NPR is a sign that he has "arrived" as his music is great! Give him a listen!

Sedona Sojourn Day 7 - Boynton Canyon

An intersting thing about Sedona... It is known for it's powerful energy vortexes... If you are a metaphysical type or energy worker you'll know what I mean. I can't say I am believer or non-believer.. as I do suppose there are things modern science has yet to discover, but being a "show me the data" girl I do examine these things with a weird mix of open-mindedness and skepticism. Of the four energy vortex I visited, I can't say I noticed anything special until I visited Boynton Canyon. I have no idea if it was special energy, but my experience there was amazing. Perhaps people were scared away by the 'bear warning' signs or the fact that someone marked out the mileage on sign and scrawled 3.3 miles by GPS as the distance to the end of the canyon, but I hiked to the end of the canyon in solitude. I stood there surrounded by tall cliffs in near silence, silence punctuated by the buzz of insects and the caws of crows playing high up on the canyon walls. It was peaceful, and beautiful, and I have no idea if I was feeling vortex energy, but I certainly felt the beauty of being one with nature... it was quite magical. I hiked out of the canyon with such a happy, serene heart, and as I came closer to the trailhead I heard music... Indian flute music wafting up the canyon. High on a spire sat a man with a flute. What a magical experience!!! I ran into some people near the trailhead. They said the musician comes there everyday to play, and that he decorates the trees with sandstone hearts, and also gives hearts to people he meets along the way. I hiked the spire trail to better hear the music. The music ended and a guy walked up. He extended a hand, which held a sandstone heart and said "Here is a gift from mother earth". He certainly was not the the hippy-dippy Sedona energy worker type I expected... just an ordinary looking 50ish year old man, dressed in chinos and polo shirt. We chatted a bit and I thanked him for his lovely performance. As I hiked back down the car I noticed that indeed, there were sandstone hearts decorating the trees. What an interesting, special place Boynton Canyon turned out to be!

Sedona Sojourn Day 5

Sedona from Cathedral Rock

Not a wilderness hike today but a fun climb up to the base of the spires of Cathedral Rock.

Cathedral Rock

View from the spires

View from the spires

One fun thing about traveling alone is that you never know who you will meet along the way. Coming down from Cathedral Rock I ran into a guy. I don't remember why we started talking, but he was an energy healer from Canada. He had driven 36 hours to come see Sedona's energy vortexes, one of which is near Cathedral Rock. I can't say I'm a 'believer', but I am curious so I asked him if I could tag along. He agreed and we headed down the trail to the creek where the vortex is purported to be. I can't say I felt any magic energy, but the hike along the creek was beautiful and the conversation interesting. Across the creek is Buddha beach, where people visiting the vortex have built lots of small rock cairns offering healing prayers.

Creek by Buddha Beach

After my apres hike soak in the hot tub at the resort I headed out on my second adventure of the day... a trip to Jerome AZ, an old copper mine town perched high on the mountains about 30 miles west of Sedona. The mining days are over, and now the town is bit of an artist community. Not much was open when I arrived, but I did find a great gallery of local and had a lovely chat with the owner. Being alone really opens up the door to a lot of interesting conversations.

Jerome

Walking up the street I found a great little southwester restaurant, Quince. As I was contemplated the menu deciding whether it was where I wanted to eat, a guy with a guitar walked in... so I knew it was the place for me. I sat at the bar, joked with the bartender, ordered food and a very yummy margarita. A prickly pear fresh mint margarita, made with lime and Grand Marnier and good tequila... definitely not a 'Utah' drink. LOL The music was awesome, a fabulous guitar player, Eric Miller. Spanish/jazzy, all I can say is that I think I'm in love...(well, with his music) I sat for 2 hours and listened until he was finished, then had to by a CD...nice guy too we had a nice little chat about music and he even showed me pictures of his sisters artwork What at lovely evening, I never would have though I'd have such fun adventuring out on my own.

Quince

Sedona Sojourn Day 2 continued

As I approached Sedona I chose the scenic route that would wind down through Oakcreek Canyon. The canyon was green and deciduous, and the further I traveled the more red rocks started showing through the trees. Since I was not in a hurry, I stopped and found a trail to take a walk through the woods. The trail ended overlooking Slide Rock State Park, which looked like a stellar place to take a swim on a hot day.

I checked into the resort and was rather impressed with my plush accommodations; one bedroom condo with a balcony overlooking one of the pools. The resort had complete spa with free exercise classes (yoga for me!) and big salt water pool and a hot tub. Me being me, after a my short tour of the resort I headed right to the hot tub.

While chatting with the other guests in the tub I sought dining advice. "Where would there be a fun casual place for a single gal traveling on her to find a meal?" It was Saturday night... perhaps a place with music. A local in the hot tub suggested the Oakcreek Brewery. Not the pub by the resort, but the actually brewery in West Sedona, where they have open mic night on Saturday. Sounded good to me.

So after my soak I head off for my dinner adventure. The brewery was a little tricky to find, behind the shopping center, down a dark road, no sign of anything, until I spied some twinkly lights up on the hill. Sure enough that was the brewery. I walked in, there was a concession window on the right, and through the second door I found the brewery. I had expected a yuppy pub like we have back home, but I walked in to dark room with a bar on one end, about five pub tables, surrounded by huge stainless steel vats. A musician sat next to the vats playing his guitar. The bar was, quite literally in the the brewery, I sat down at a table, and quickly realized, that I was the tourist in a sea of locals and that nobody was going to come serve me, so I relocated to a seat at the bar. I asked what sort of beer they had, and was having a hard time deciding between the porter and the seasonal. As I paused to think the bartender whipped out 2 sample cups, filled them up and handed them to me try. Clearly, I was not in Utah anymore. No free tastes back home! I chose the seasonal.

I was starving, so asked for the menu. Well, the menu was hot dogs. Simon's Colombian Hot Dogs. I could order at window I passed on the way in. At the window I pondered my choices, and decided, "When in Rome" and ordered the Colombian, a hot dog with pineapple, cheese and crushed potato chips on top. So much for the yuppy brewpub fare I expected. I headed back to my seat at the bar, where I sipped my beer and chatted with neighbors. The folks at the bar were friendly I had a nice conversation with some local business owner who splits his time between Sedona and San Diego where his family is. Another fellow was there to join the open mic night. He made instrument for a living, banjos and ukuleles. The ukulele he brought to play was just lovely. And then there was some buy named Papoose, who welcomed me to the brewery and invited me back for drum circle night. The music was really good too. I found I really enjoyed meeting and chatting with the random interesting people in the bar. It was fun to have these encounters that never would have happened had I not been traveling alone. And you know what, that Colmbian hot dog was good too!

I love Biggie Smalls

OK I admit it, I don't really know Biggie Smalls, I know he was also known as The Notorious B.I.G, I know he was a rap artist, I know he was murdered. I don't really know his music, as, with the exception of my "boyfriend" Grieves, I don't know much about rap music at all.

So why do I love Biggie? Yesterday I came home from work and walked into a spotless home. Dusted, vacuumed, garbage emptied, kitchen spotless. The cat's litter box had even been cleaned. I about fell over dead. Sarah must have spent the whole day cleaning. I don't think she's ever cleaned the cat box without me having to give her at least three stern reminders. What a delightful surprise to come home to.

I asked her what had come over her. Her answer? "Biggie Smalls". She turned on some Biggie Smalls music in the morning, and it gave her all this "energy", so she started cleaning, and he music kept her motivated, so she kept cleaning. So you go, Biggie Smalls! I love you! I may actually have to listen to one of his CD's someday

Music morning

Yeah, weird picture I know. The stage at Kilby. Hand held, low light, long exposure. But I like it.

Saturday morning, Sarah is cleaning up the kitchen so I can make her pancakes this morning. She had yesterday off from school, but didn't empty the dishwasher before spending the day with friends, so being the meanie mom I am I left the mess for her to take care of today. So she's cleaning, cranking the tunes, and I'm waiting for a clean kitchen to cook in.

Her tunes of choice today is the music of our boyfriend Grieves. Grieves is a young (twenty something) independent rap/hip hop artist. My daughter introduced me to his music a year and a half ago or so. I'm hardly a big rap fan, but as it turns out I really, really like most of this guys music.

So Sarah and I have this running joke about who's boy friend he is... she's going for the older guy and I the younger. When I say something about "my" boyfriend Grieves, she quickly retorts back something to the effect of "Quit talking about your future son-in-law that way".

Grieves plays concerts here frequently, usually playing a funky little all ages venue; Kilby Court, which is in essence a garage on a little alley way near downtown Salt Lake. Three buildings, the garage that houses the stage, a small building where they sell merchandise, and the ticket kiosk surround a small court yard where they keep a fire going in the fire pit during show. All ages is really a missnomer, as for the most part it's the under 25 crowd.

Grieves played here a week ago or so, and since I'd been torturing Sarah by saying I was going to go see "my" boyfriend this time, she decided not go (I went "with" her once before, she won't let that happen again!). So all by my lonesome I headed to Kilby to be the one odd ball, old fart at the concert. I always feel a little silly when I do this, as I know I know I'm out of place, because it really is all young kids, and they all look at me with suspicion wondering what I'm doing there. I took a few pictures this last time, and kind of freaked a few kids out... It probably didn't help that when asked why I was taking pictures I told them I was the "chaperon police" and that mothers hire me to spy on their kids. I love fooling with the teenagers, but I did eventually convince them that I was really just there for the music. I wasn't totally alone in my old-fartness this time. A guy who I'd guess was in his late 30's, who was there with his friend and a niece, came up and chatted, because he was really curious what I was doing there. So I think there were 3 of us over 30 that night.

So is that too weird? Why should music and fun and entertainment be bounded by age? Or am I just too weird? I do admit the students in my lab as well as my "grown up" friends are usually shocked when I play this sort of music. But heck, I enjoy all sorts of music. If you're curious about "my boyfriend's" music he has some samples on his myspace page. Of what's there, "irreversible" is my favorite.

See, I wasn't kidding when I said this place was a garage!

A Night Out...

Sarah called me at work Tuesday afternoon to tell me "the Notwist are playing tonight at The Venue". The Notwist is German band my son introduced me to a few years ago that I really like. She had mentioned a while back that she had heard they were coming (she's much more in tune to the local concert scene than I am!) and we talked about going. Obviously, she and I didn't exactly plan ahead for this, and she had other plans for the night. So after some hemming and hawing I decided I just be a "brave" girl and go by myself.

Since I don't really get out much, I'm not especially 'up' on how the local concert scene works. Smithtix said the The Notwist 7pm so in my naivety I figured that's when I should go to the concert. So I arrive at 7 and sure enough the doors open at 7 and there are about 4 people in the room. The Venue is an all ages place, so there's no booze, but to accommodate the drinkers they have a club in an adjacent room. Since clearly the concert isn't starting for awhile I decide to go get a drink. I traipse up the steps the desk, where I have to present my ID (yup I'm 47 and I still need to show ID), sign my name to the roster and get handed a card that gives me clearance to enter the club. Unfortunately the club is full of smokers, and since I can't take my drink back to the concert room I pass on the cocktail. So I wander back to the smokeless room and stand around and wait until 8 when some unknown (to me at least) guy sang, then more wait and wait until after nine when the band I came to see finally played.

I suppose I should have felt a little weird standing there for two hours by myself, but I don't actually mind doing things alone. What did feel weird is that I think I was the oldest person in the room - by about 2 decades. I guess the over 40 crowd doesn't like hip music? Or maybe they don't go to concerts in skanky all ages clubs?I for one am thrilled when my kids turn me on to some new music that I like. Good music should have now age boundaries!

Sadly, despite that it was a really small venue, (which I love) the concert was a little dissapointing because he accoustics in the warehouse-y room where really bad. Live and learn. I guess I should get out more so I know the good places to hear music. I think the Notwist would have been spectacular in a better place.

If you're curious about The Notwist they have some music clips on their Myspace page.

Concert Friends....

A couple of my morning coffee shop barista's are playing in a band and they invited me to attend their show last night at Kilby Court. The guys are young, around my sons age (friends of his too),so I'm happy to support their musical endevours. As an extra added treat, the other band playing was the band of a good friend of mines son (one of those kids I knew when he was bump in his moms belly!) that I've been wanting to see in concert for a long time.

Kilby is a pretty funky venue, several small buildings suround a court yard with a fire pit, the "concert hall" is essentially a ratty old four car garage; cinderblock walls, exposed beams,a few vines trailing into the eves from the ouside. There is a small raised stage in the corner surrounded by corrugated fiberglass panels decorated with Christmas lights. It's an all ages (non-drinking) venue, thus most of the clientel are teenagers. I'm sure "old farts" like me stick out like a sore thumb, but that's Ok,I don't care because I'm young at heart!

I have to admit I had a great time with the teens. When I first walked up my friends son, Ben, rushed right up to talk, and was thrilled that I came to his show. The girl behind the ticket window took one look at me and said, "You're Matt Morrison's mom aren't you? You used to come teach science in elementary school". I of course didn't recognize her and had to ask her name; kids do change a lot in the 12 years! I was thrilled she was actually a kid I remembered... but now she was a red headed adult instead of a little blonde 1st grader. I can honestly say I was a tad flattered that she remembered me from so long ago.

My barista friends came and chatted and seemed genuinely happy we came to support them. Then between bands yet another young man came up to chat. I didn't recognize him with his very short hair, but he was the son of yet another friend, (another I knew as a belly bump!). I felt like such a dork when I realized who it was, and we had a nice talk. It's so nice to see that all the boys I watched grow up have turned into such fine young adults.

I wasn't the lone "old fart" for long, a whole bunch of other (old like me!) coffee shop regulars came to support their favorite barista's. So it ended up being a nice social night for me. I was really glad I went.

I was especially glad to finally hear Ben's band; "The Periodic Table of Funk". I had always heard they were good, and I wasn't disapointed. They were quite excellent and extremely professional!!!! Funky, jazzy, original, jam band music. Sadly, here in Utah, they can't play in real clubs until they're 21, so they'll have to wait another year, meanhile I guess they get to keep playing the teeny bopper venues like Kilby. But they're definitely ready for the big time! I think those boys are going places!

Am I a bad mom?... or a cool one?

My daughter and I don't always agree about what plays on the car stereo. I'm an NPR junky, she claims their monotone voices give her a headache. Since her whining gives me a headache, we usually end up playing the music of her choice when we're together in the car. Recently she introduced me to some new music I really like; Grieves, an (***gasp***) up and coming indie rap artist. I have very varied tastes in music, but I must admit that for the most part, rap hasn't done much for me, so nobody is more suprised than me how much I love his album "Irreversible". It was probably the best $10 I've let Sarah spend on I-tunes. I jokingly say that I must like him because he sings "folk rap", rap with interesting, meaningful lyrics. Great beats too! So now I have officially received some "cool points" for liking some young hip music.

Grieves played a concert here in Salt Lake last night. The concert was at this funky place called Kilby court, an all ages venue that is in essence a large, (about 4 car) cinderblock and plywood garage that is hidden away in a alley in an industrialized section of town. The concert building, ticket/drink kiosk, and another small building surround a courtyard where, in the winter at least, they build a nice fire in a fire pit. It's really like listing to a bunch of friends jam in their garage. Much to Sarah's chagrin, I decided I wanted to go to this concert too. She wasn't too thrilled at having mom go to a concert with her; she said it made her feel "awkward". But since she knows I like the music so well, she "let" me come along. I promised not to talk to her and her friends, not to make any silly scenes, no wild dancing, and that I would leave when the 2nd act, Mac Lethal (who I'm not as nuts about)played, so she could have some non-mom time. So I was the old lady standing along the back wall, trying not to call too much attention to myself. I was probably the only one over 40, perhaps the only person over 30, at the concert. I think that except for the moment when one of Sarah's friends said loudly, in front of several other people, "Sarah is that your mom back there?!", she survived the bad mom embarrassment well.

I enjoyed the concert, and feel compelled to pimp Grieves a little. You can find him on Myspace music, where he has 5 songs from his "Irreversible" album available to download. Give him a listen, and let me know if you like him. If this old lady can like some young hip music, perhaps you will too! Here's a link ...be brave, try out some new music!

Is it a Neil Young sort of day?

Apparently, it is!

I admit it, I am an NPR junkie. Much to the chagrin of my children, I keep the car radio tuned to NPR. According to them NPR radio personalities all talk in "headache inducing monotones". I think there needs to be a a new measure of time, a "radio second" perhaps, that measures the nearly instanteous amount of time between my car radio coming on the kids demanding in an impatient, irritated tone; "can we PLEASE change the radio station?" So much for the driver's preferences. Oh, well, at least they say please. So except for the left hand button that is always on KUER, the universities public radio station, the kids are given free reign to car radio buttons.

I played chauffeur last night, so when I left for work the car stereo was tuned to one of their choices. An oldies rock station. Neil Young's song "Old Man" was playing. I really like Neil, so I certainly couldn't complain about that. So I waited until the end of the song to switch to Morning Edition. I stop at my favorite coffee shop, (my morning ritual!) and what do I hear as I step in the door? More Neil Young! The barista is playing his "Harvest" CD. I guess it's a Neil Young kind of morning! What a nice way to start the day! I haven't listened to Neil in a while. Now I'm really in the mood for Neil, I really wish I had some of his music at work, but I guess I'll have to wait and get a Neil fix when I get home. Me thinks it will be an oldies music weekend at my house.

Oh yeah, I should mention, in addition to being a Neil day it's one of my days over at Watch Me Create!