Music speeds recovery from stroke: study - Yahoo! News: "A daily dose of one's favourite pop melodies, classical music or jazz can speed recovery from debilitating strokes, according to a study published Wednesday.
When stroke patients in Finland listened to music for a couple of hours each day, verbal memory and attention span improved significantly compared to patients who received no musical stimulation, or who listened only to stories read aloud,the study reported."
Follow the fish, GnR fo' life!, GH3!, NYC Winter, NYC Fall, Lakers v. Celtics, Karaoke Bday, Sigur Ros q&a, back w/ the bruin tailgate, Beasties in Brooklyn, Princeton w/ the cousins, Harry Potter Lives, Chicago Architecture, NYC w/ my koreans, bbq in Jersey City, Terry's wedding, Yankees v. Angels, Blonde Redhead (my 1st NYC show), Atlantic City, my 1 mo. apt, erik the cupcake server,mini-March madness, me and warren g, Pac10 Tourney, so long Sweep, boarding in Big Bear
David Byrne and Thom Yorke on the Real Value of MusicBut people will still pay to have that experience. You create a community with music, not just at concerts but by talking about it with your friends. By making a copy and handing it to your friends, you've established a relationship. The implication is that they're now obligated to give you something back.
woxy.com > Holiday Mixer: "From now through Christmas, we're pleased to offer up the WOXY HOLIDAY MIXER! This unique 24/7 collection of seasonal tunes is filled with vintage renditions of your holiday favorites by modern rockers from around the globe."
Having listened to the bootlegs a ton of times since last years tours I was wondering how I would feel about the studio versions. For the most part I'm very happy (They could write shit and I'd still be happy). I'm most impressed by Reckoner. After the first listen through, that one stands out the most. I've always loved Nude/Big Ideas and I really like what they ended up with here. 15 Step has always been a fav and I guess we now know where they put that class of kids they were recording with (no clapping...but they got to cheer). I was disappointed a bit in Videotape...the live version is similar but by far better. My favorite live version was House of Cards which is duplicated here nicely...just missing the live ambiance that I got used to. I suppose it just reminded me of listening to it outside at the Marina in San Diego, which was lovely.
Thanks Jetblue!
Matrix Music School & Arts Centre
Rolling Stone : Global Warming: A Real Solution
Man...NYC has a ton of "street fairs" everywhere...EVERY weekend. Its kinda cool though...to be able to walk down the middle of normally busy streets...but other than that, it's nothing special...same old street vendors selling socks (???), $5 purses/sunglasses/belts and the assortment of food. My roommate's wife talked me into going to the 2nd "Spring Jubilee" outside of our apt. today and I got to enjoy the so-so chicken kabob, the $1 lemonade and...my favorite...funnel cake! Definitely the highlight of my weekend. Felt like I was back in SoCal at Magic Mountain getting sick off of the powder sugared present that is funnel cake. If only they had deep-fried oreos.
Finally caught Sea Wolf live. Been wanting to see them for a bit now and luckily they came out to Brooklyn within my first month in nyc. I really liked Union Hall (in Brooklyn) too...very cool, intimate venue (felt like I was in some basement library at the Haunted Mansion from Disneyland). Sea Wolf was 1000 times better than I had anticipated. I'm sure they are picking up a ton of fans opening up for SilverSun Pickups. Their EP came out this week so i bought it from the Celloist and even got to shake hands with the Alex Brown Church. 
Went to my first NYC concert and it was an amazing show...both bands were fantastic live. Looking forward to seeing Fields again next weekend at Union Hall and Blonde Redhead over the summer at Mcarron Pool.
Seems like forever since my last post but its all cuz I finally got a job and I have since relocated from LA to the NYC. So far, so good. Weather has been relatively nice...until today's 36 degree/snow flurry Easter (atleast its kinda sunny still). I don't mind though...I'll stay indoors today and watch the Laker game.
My End of February Favorites:
Woohoo! LOST is back tonight at 10pm. Thank god! I was able to last the 2+ month long hiatus and boy oh boy am I excited. Started preparing by watching the last 6 episodes over the past week (thank you Tivo). Here's some of the scoop:
So last weekend my mom had me look up some song she used to love back in the day that she hasn't been able to find...let alone come up with the title. After finally tracking it down for her (and oh was she happy), we had a debate over which was the better slow jam. I've always been partial to the KOST classic that is Always & Forever. She obviously favors Billy Preston & Syreeta's With You I'm Born Again (yeah, I had never heard of it either). I say, let the public decide.
Well I wasn't sure what to expect from Peter, Bjorn and John but needless to say, my expectations were blown away. Despite having to wait for-friggin'-ever (not that long, just got their way earlier than I needed to) and despite it being a thousand degrees and a packed house inside the Roxy (not an exaggeration), I found myself fully enjoy the band's first appearance in LA.
THE SUBMARINES - Vote has been just about my favorite song for the past few months but I kept missing opportunities to see them live so I was happy to finally catch them at the first night of their month long residency at The Echo. Its just Blake and John up on stage and Blake (who is FEMALE) is super cute. Not usually my type but she was very nice and I dig chicks who play instruments. She reminded me of Maggie Gyllenhaal who I really liked in Stranger Than Fiction. Weird, I used to really not like her. But I digress...anyways, its just the two of them with their instruments and an iBook handling the bass and drums. Works for me! Wonder if they'll evolve into a full band someday (like Mellowdrone). Always interesting to see.They wrote songs, each in their own place, about their dismay and unhappiness without the other. Their songs said things they hadn't said in person, and when they heard them--together--it all made sense. In fact, life made more sense together. After a while, and having realized this, they became The Submarines.
FUJIYA & MIYAGI - All I know is that they aren't Japanese...they are british. In fact, their names are really Steve Lewis and David Best and yes, they move my feet. Me likey the beats. Playing at Spaceland and I got 2 tickets.
PETER, BJORN & JOHN - All I know is that they aren't Japanese either...they are, as expected thanks to Bjorn, from Sweden. That and they too move my feet. They formed in 1999, got blogger buzz in 2006 and then had a song play on Grey's Anatomy = game over. Playing at The Roxy ...who's in?
BLOC PARTY - Everyone knows Bloc Party right? Everyone loves Bloc Party, right? Well if you don't, go buy a soul and start. They kick ass live and write really good songs. They are playing two nights at The Wiltern
Well my 2007 TV viewing is pretty much in full swing with The Office, Scrubs, 30 Rock, Grey's Anatomy and um... another show (ok fine, for some reason I like What About Brian? Don't ask). Thankfully all these wonderful shows are helping me get over the mid-'season' cancellation of Day Break. Damn you ABC. Next week is of course the start of Heroes. And I still have to wait until Feb. 7 for the return of LOST. But for now, at least I've got the start of 24 this past weekend. Had to clear out the old Tivo to make sure I keep the good stuff. Jack Bauer is back and crazier than ever thanks to that no good Chinese Government. Most memorable moments of the first 4 hours (WARNING: possible spoilers!):
Highlights include a PhD defense, Habitat for Humanity in Watts, my friends and lots of babies, St. Patrick's Day March Madness, Mammoth and Big Bear, UCLA's Final Four, Q's, Central Cali Boating Weekend/Wedding, Al's Bachelor Party and Wedding, Mud Run, Graduation, 3 Cali Radiohead shows, Yosemite, Mom's 60th, a ton of shows at The Greek, Steve's 30th, UCLA at Notre Dame, Thanksgiving at the Roost, a Ton of Troubadour shows, UCLA BEATS USC, Damien Rice @ The Orpheum, Xmas parties, Vegas, Guitar Hero, Griffith J. Griffith's observatory and my HAPPY new year!
