I drove around looking at Christmas lights this evening--my last in Defiance for the semester. Thursday night there was some strong sleet so now our campus is completely covered in ice. The walks and parking lots are ridiculous...and trees around campus look as if they're about to collapse - their branches completely frozen. Funny how a maple can turn into a weeping willow overnight.
The song in the video is Air France's "Collapsing At Your Doorstep." Here's their own video for the song:
Happy Holidays everyone!
*****
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Yet Another New Track: "Single In a Small Town"
"Single In a Small Town", (3:01 runtime)
lyrics:
while out alone on a cold riverside stroll in the twilight
words you spoke the other night have got me talking to myself
this melancholic existence is one I've known for far too long
distractions, pretty demons whisper sweetly
'you're on a roll tonight'
and when I'm sober
I'm so much colder
I'm always sober
far too sober
I need a lover
I need summer
*****
Saturday, December 13, 2008
New Track: "Take That Trip"
It was a lazy day around these parts. Despite supreme sleep-deprivation as of late, I opted to delay the act even further and instead expressed myself through the art of song. It's been awhile since I've sat down at the old "home studio" and in about four hours, I gave birth to a new track. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet, but it relieved some stress.
The thing opens and closes with clips from one of my all-time favorite movies--Big Fish--and transitions from what might come across as a hip-hop beat to a toned-down outro.
Might want to use headphones. The weak software I use makes tracks that aren't exactly 'speaker-friendly.'
Lyrics for "Take That Trip" (3:26 runtime):
see, why doesn't it feel like you know me?
you don't know me anymore
(I) said why does it feel like you don't know me?
because you don't know me anymore
so I tried to be a man and live my life
ain't nothing more pathetic than handing you my pride
but my stomach still burns
Hayden said I gotta take that trip
Hayden said I gotta take that trip
when you weren't home I walked on by
I saw your light on and it made me want to cry
but you know I won't cry
download Deframe's "Take That Trip"
*****
Friday, December 12, 2008
confirmation e-mail
the Portland show's officially in the bag.
Beach House
the Walkmen
Thank you for booking your trip with priceline.com. A copy of the itinerary is shown below. Since airlines change flight schedules from time to time, it is your responsibility to call the airline and confirm flight information prior to each departure.
Your Flight Itinerary
Departing Flight Information - Friday, January 23, 2009 (Arrives Friday, January 23, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Airlines
Flight 1493
2h 7m , 625mi From
Port Columbus Intl (CMH)
Columbus, OH
Departs: 6:40 A.M. To
Minneapolis St Paul Intl (MSP)
Minneapolis, MN
Arrives: 7:47 A.M. Aircraft
Airbus A320-100/200 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Airlines
Flight 217
3h 45m , 1422mi From
Minneapolis St Paul Intl (MSP)
Minneapolis, MN
Departs: 9:25 A.M. To
Portland Intl (Oregon) (PDX)
Portland, OR
Arrives: 11:10 A.M. Aircraft
Boeing 757-300 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
Returning Flight Information - Sunday, January 25, 2009 (Arrives Monday, January 26, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delta Airlines
Flight 1576
4h 25m , 2167mi From
Portland Intl (Oregon) (PDX)
Portland, OR
Departs: 10:10 P.M. To
Atlanta - Hartsfield Intl (ATL)
Atlanta, GA
Arrives: 5:35 A.M. Aircraft
Boeing 737-700 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delta Airlines
Flight 1572
1h 30m , 447mi From
Atlanta - Hartsfield Intl (ATL)
Atlanta, GA
Departs: 7:40 A.M. To
Port Columbus Intl (CMH)
Columbus, OH
Arrives: 9:10 A.M. Aircraft
Boeing 737-700 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
Passenger Information
Passenger 1: Daniel Simpson
Meal Preference - Vegetarian/Non Dairy
Delivery:
Electronic tickets will be issued for this flight.
Summary of Charges
Airline Ticket Cost: $173.50 (USD) per ticket
Airline Ticket Taxes and Fees: $42.00 (USD) per ticket
Number of Tickets: 1
Airfare Subtotal: $215.50 (USD)
Total Trip Cost: $215.50 (USD)
*****
Beach House
the Walkmen
Thank you for booking your trip with priceline.com. A copy of the itinerary is shown below. Since airlines change flight schedules from time to time, it is your responsibility to call the airline and confirm flight information prior to each departure.
Your Flight Itinerary
Departing Flight Information - Friday, January 23, 2009 (Arrives Friday, January 23, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Airlines
Flight 1493
2h 7m , 625mi From
Port Columbus Intl (CMH)
Columbus, OH
Departs: 6:40 A.M. To
Minneapolis St Paul Intl (MSP)
Minneapolis, MN
Arrives: 7:47 A.M. Aircraft
Airbus A320-100/200 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Northwest Airlines
Flight 217
3h 45m , 1422mi From
Minneapolis St Paul Intl (MSP)
Minneapolis, MN
Departs: 9:25 A.M. To
Portland Intl (Oregon) (PDX)
Portland, OR
Arrives: 11:10 A.M. Aircraft
Boeing 757-300 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
Returning Flight Information - Sunday, January 25, 2009 (Arrives Monday, January 26, 2009)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delta Airlines
Flight 1576
4h 25m , 2167mi From
Portland Intl (Oregon) (PDX)
Portland, OR
Departs: 10:10 P.M. To
Atlanta - Hartsfield Intl (ATL)
Atlanta, GA
Arrives: 5:35 A.M. Aircraft
Boeing 737-700 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Delta Airlines
Flight 1572
1h 30m , 447mi From
Atlanta - Hartsfield Intl (ATL)
Atlanta, GA
Departs: 7:40 A.M. To
Port Columbus Intl (CMH)
Columbus, OH
Arrives: 9:10 A.M. Aircraft
Boeing 737-700 (Jet)
Economy/Coach Class
Passenger Information
Passenger 1: Daniel Simpson
Meal Preference - Vegetarian/Non Dairy
Delivery:
Electronic tickets will be issued for this flight.
Summary of Charges
Airline Ticket Cost: $173.50 (USD) per ticket
Airline Ticket Taxes and Fees: $42.00 (USD) per ticket
Number of Tickets: 1
Airfare Subtotal: $215.50 (USD)
Total Trip Cost: $215.50 (USD)
*****
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wandering
About a week ago I read that the Walkmen and Beach House had both decided to extend their respective tours--joining forces for a few nights. The news made my spine tingle. You & Me has dominated my dashboard for some time now and Devotion got me through some very tough times this spring in Georgia. These are two acts I have to experience. If it were reasonable to create a 'bucketlist' at my young(?) age, seeing both bands in a small venue (on the same night?!?!) would certainly find a spot on the thing--right next to qualifying to the 2016 Trials and signing to some indie label (Sub Pop?).
the Walkmen playing one of my favorite tracks of 2008: "In the New Year." Fitting, because that's precisely when I'll be standing within arms reach of their guitars.
Only problem was, they were only entertaining the left coast. They had both already passed the midwest earlier in the year. I had missed my chance. Game over.
But wait! The Portland date jumped off the page (it damn-near winked).
Self, you don't suppose your long lost friend/mentor/former coach and (most importantly) Oregonian, Bret Kimple, could play host?
BK--my former head coach at Heidelberg. Bend native and current resident of Portland.
Even if it were possible, it would be a foolish trip. I'd be living well beyond my means. Life in grad school living off an assistantship ($300/mo.), I couldn't afford to just throw my money away.
Well, that would have been a sure response from my former, logical self. The self that existed a mere week or two ago. Luckily, in the wake of such a decision I had just finished a book that swayed me to do the inevitable (funny how life works isn't it?).
I quickly reopened the book I had just days ago devoured--Sterling Hayden's Wanderer. The following passage sealed the deal:
"To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea...cruising, it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about. 'I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it.' What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of security. And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end upin a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?"
And so it was.
I picked up the phone. Within moments my proposal had traveled via airwaves from the middle of the country to the edge of the world and all of modern civilization. The voice on the other end--a minute's walk from the Pacific Ocean--had no choice but to succomb to the wish of the universe. It was my destiny to see this show. To waunder 'the City of Rose.'
All of the above leads me to tonight's purchase. $211 roundtrip. Columbus to Portland. Free lodging and transportation courtesy of B-Kimp. Tix for the show? $24. That's right, I spent 70% of my entire earnings for January twenty days prior to the funds being direct-deposited to my Wachovia account. How do I sleep at night? Simple. I remind myself that money is what it is--leaves from a tree. So I'll have to drink water if I ever decide to give in to the constant beckonings of my fellow GA's to hit up the local "hot spots." I'll look like a douche. Certainly. But I'll smile in knowing that no one could take Portland away from me.
Ahhhhhh, then there's tonight's revelation. Department of Eagles will be in Columbus on the 16th of January. At the Wex, no less. The venue that provided me my first live Animal Collective encounter courtesy of Michael T. Unforgettable.
Department of Eagles--Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear and former NYU roomate Fred Nicolaus. The duo from which I stole the sounds ("Balmy Night") coming from one of my original creations.
The first month of 2009 certainly looks to be a "lively" one (notice the witty play on words...please). I'm going to have to be greedy. Bankrupt or not, I can't justify missing the duo responsible for releasing what I consider to be a top-five album of '08. And for a dozen bucks?
Shit. I'll have a garage sale or something. Sell some old baseball cards.
*****
the Walkmen playing one of my favorite tracks of 2008: "In the New Year." Fitting, because that's precisely when I'll be standing within arms reach of their guitars.
Only problem was, they were only entertaining the left coast. They had both already passed the midwest earlier in the year. I had missed my chance. Game over.
But wait! The Portland date jumped off the page (it damn-near winked).
Self, you don't suppose your long lost friend/mentor/former coach and (most importantly) Oregonian, Bret Kimple, could play host?
BK--my former head coach at Heidelberg. Bend native and current resident of Portland.
Even if it were possible, it would be a foolish trip. I'd be living well beyond my means. Life in grad school living off an assistantship ($300/mo.), I couldn't afford to just throw my money away.
Well, that would have been a sure response from my former, logical self. The self that existed a mere week or two ago. Luckily, in the wake of such a decision I had just finished a book that swayed me to do the inevitable (funny how life works isn't it?).
I quickly reopened the book I had just days ago devoured--Sterling Hayden's Wanderer. The following passage sealed the deal:
"To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea...cruising, it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about. 'I've always wanted to sail to the south seas, but I can't afford it.' What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of security. And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone. What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end upin a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade. The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?"
And so it was.
I picked up the phone. Within moments my proposal had traveled via airwaves from the middle of the country to the edge of the world and all of modern civilization. The voice on the other end--a minute's walk from the Pacific Ocean--had no choice but to succomb to the wish of the universe. It was my destiny to see this show. To waunder 'the City of Rose.'
All of the above leads me to tonight's purchase. $211 roundtrip. Columbus to Portland. Free lodging and transportation courtesy of B-Kimp. Tix for the show? $24. That's right, I spent 70% of my entire earnings for January twenty days prior to the funds being direct-deposited to my Wachovia account. How do I sleep at night? Simple. I remind myself that money is what it is--leaves from a tree. So I'll have to drink water if I ever decide to give in to the constant beckonings of my fellow GA's to hit up the local "hot spots." I'll look like a douche. Certainly. But I'll smile in knowing that no one could take Portland away from me.
Ahhhhhh, then there's tonight's revelation. Department of Eagles will be in Columbus on the 16th of January. At the Wex, no less. The venue that provided me my first live Animal Collective encounter courtesy of Michael T. Unforgettable.
Department of Eagles--Daniel Rossen of Grizzly Bear and former NYU roomate Fred Nicolaus. The duo from which I stole the sounds ("Balmy Night") coming from one of my original creations.
The first month of 2009 certainly looks to be a "lively" one (notice the witty play on words...please). I'm going to have to be greedy. Bankrupt or not, I can't justify missing the duo responsible for releasing what I consider to be a top-five album of '08. And for a dozen bucks?
Shit. I'll have a garage sale or something. Sell some old baseball cards.
*****
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
TTT 1: "Around the Lion Legs"
track courtesy Pop Tarts Suck Toasted
DM Stith released his debut EP, Curtain Speech, today. Check out this track, featuring label-mates Sufjan Stevens and Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond).
Chops sound a bit like Daniel Rossen. No?
"My Girls" Leak
Animal Collective
It seems as if it's only a matter of time until Animal Collective's entire forthcoming album Merriweather Post Pavilion spills over the interweb. In the meantime studio tracks seem to be popping up fast and leaving just as quickly ("it passes right by me/it's behind me/now it's gone"). A couple weeks ago it came in the form of a somewhat dissapointing (my personal opinion) studio version of what I believe to be the creme de la crop of AC's new material--"Brother Sport." That track has since vanished from the 'www' thanks to the almighty web sheriff's.
The latest? A beautifully-polished "My Girls" courtesy of some random dude with amazing taste in music.
If we're going to have to digest this stuff track-by-track, my Christmas wish is that "In the Flowers" (below) leaks next.
Monday, December 8, 2008
Weapen of Choice
Death, taxes and Saucony.
The Grid Fusion will take the brunt of the trials of miles as I forge into the new year.
week of...
12/8 - 60?
12/15 - 70?
12/22 to 1/26 - plateau @ 80 for awhile?
consider this a pre resolution.
payday is May 8th.
*****
The Grid Fusion will take the brunt of the trials of miles as I forge into the new year.
week of...
12/8 - 60?
12/15 - 70?
12/22 to 1/26 - plateau @ 80 for awhile?
consider this a pre resolution.
payday is May 8th.
*****
Saturday, December 6, 2008
For No One's Better Sake
via Pitchfork TV:
The single from the self titled Little Joy LP has the former Stroke in a time warp, with charming split-screen effects from the heyday of 1960s TV, and even a cameo by Devendra Banhart!
The single from the self titled Little Joy LP has the former Stroke in a time warp, with charming split-screen effects from the heyday of 1960s TV, and even a cameo by Devendra Banhart!
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