I recently moved to Chicago. I'm going to try to keep everyone updated on my life and what I'm doing, what music I'm listening to and what movies I'm watching. Please keep me updated on yourselves, too. I enjoy knowing about everyone.
I've been busy with the move and work and settling in, so not much to say yet except about my excitement to be somewhere new and around new people and opportunities. Everything in my life is kind of up in the air, as it has been, which is both exciting and annoying at times. Sometimes you just want to know what's coming next.
I've been getting to know my neighborhood a little bit, there's good food and some music venues. Some really cool stuff to check out. I look forward to checking more out as I settle in.
I'm planning on making this blog primarily about music I'm listening to, so here's where that starts.
A live version of Paul McCartney playing "Let It Be" at The Concert for New York City after 9/11 came on the radio on my drive home this morning. It seemed to fit well. I hadn't connected to a Beatles' song like that in a long time. I listened to a lot of a Beatles back in the day, and kind of got burnt out, I guess. Then they were everywhere for awhile after their catalog sold and families were connecting over some music they all liked. Maybe now enough time has passed since The Beatles: Rock Band came out for me to enjoy them again. Also, Paul McCartney is set to get the rights back soon.
Haim has been in my music rotation for a long time, especially since their album came out. Frightened Rabbit and Childish Gambino are constants. Other than that, She & Him, The Rolling Stones, Kanye West, J. Cole and 2 Chainz have been popping up a lot. If you haven't heard "Crooked Smile" by J. Cole featuring TLC yet (it's been out a while now), get with it. Best song on the Born Sinner album, I was glad when I found out it was a single.
There are 2 albums I'm anticipating right now. I'm really excited about the new Childish Gambino album. He made some news last week by writing down some of his thoughts and insecurities and posting them on Instagram. He announced on twitter that he finished the album and has posted a song in July that's supposed to be on it. Also, If you didn't know, Fall Out Boy recorded a new album that Ryan Adams produced. They recorded it at Adams' studio in 2 days. I'm super excited about this. I enjoy the single they put out. It's super punk. All of the songs on the album are listed as under 2 minutes except 1.
I'm always looking for new music and enjoy knowing what other people are listening to, feel free to let me know what bands/artists I should check out.
Stay fresh,
KK
Kickin' it with Kel
Showing posts with label Ryan Adams. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ryan Adams. Show all posts
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Remembering 9/11
On September 11, 2001, I was at school when the first plane hit.
I was waiting in the sophomore hallway at my high school before classes began. One friend walked in and said "Someone just flew a plane into the World Trade Center." and another friend asked "Like, they opened the windows or something?" and we all laughed, not knowing exactly what was going on yet.
As classes started, it was realized things were serious. The other tower was hit, and the Pentagon, and there was another plane somewhere, and who knew what else. I was in an art class first period, and ended up watching news coverage in the library right across the hall.
When second period came around, I went to Chemistry, where we still had class. My teacher said "everyone's going to forget about this in 2 weeks, anyway". He was/is a very wise man, but I think he was wrong about that. Either that, or he just wanted to get through the lesson and not fall behind.
As a 15 year old kid, I probably didn't take it as seriously as I should have. Singing "It's The End of The World As We Know It" in the halls, but it really was. Things changed that day, for better or worse. People were being more patriotic and more alert. Everyone was scared of similar things happening, even in small communities like mine.
As the day went on, you could tell things were weird. When I finally got home, after waiting in line for gas with my older brother (word on the street was prices were going to rocket), the third WTC building fell, which I still think is really weird since it got hit by nothing. They say underground tunnels are the reason, or something like that.
I'm still affected by 9/11 today. It introduced me to one of my favorite musical artists. Ryan Adams shot a video for his single "New York, New York" just 4 days before the attack. When the video was completed, I remember it being played on CNN, at least a clip, which led to me checking it out and enjoying it and he has become one of my favorite artists over the years.
I also can't help but think of the attack whenever I see images of the Twin Towers or the Pentagon. The scene in Home Alone 2, when Kevin is on top of the WTC is still a bit chilling.
Looking back, that day really was the end of the world as we knew it. The people of the United States have gotten either more or less patriotic, it's hard to tell sometimes. We grew together for awhile, and seem to be getting more divided nowadays, being election season and all. I hope you all remember in your own way and try to do good in the world, because September 11 reminds us that there is plenty of evil.
I was waiting in the sophomore hallway at my high school before classes began. One friend walked in and said "Someone just flew a plane into the World Trade Center." and another friend asked "Like, they opened the windows or something?" and we all laughed, not knowing exactly what was going on yet.
As classes started, it was realized things were serious. The other tower was hit, and the Pentagon, and there was another plane somewhere, and who knew what else. I was in an art class first period, and ended up watching news coverage in the library right across the hall.
When second period came around, I went to Chemistry, where we still had class. My teacher said "everyone's going to forget about this in 2 weeks, anyway". He was/is a very wise man, but I think he was wrong about that. Either that, or he just wanted to get through the lesson and not fall behind.
As a 15 year old kid, I probably didn't take it as seriously as I should have. Singing "It's The End of The World As We Know It" in the halls, but it really was. Things changed that day, for better or worse. People were being more patriotic and more alert. Everyone was scared of similar things happening, even in small communities like mine.
As the day went on, you could tell things were weird. When I finally got home, after waiting in line for gas with my older brother (word on the street was prices were going to rocket), the third WTC building fell, which I still think is really weird since it got hit by nothing. They say underground tunnels are the reason, or something like that.
I'm still affected by 9/11 today. It introduced me to one of my favorite musical artists. Ryan Adams shot a video for his single "New York, New York" just 4 days before the attack. When the video was completed, I remember it being played on CNN, at least a clip, which led to me checking it out and enjoying it and he has become one of my favorite artists over the years.
I also can't help but think of the attack whenever I see images of the Twin Towers or the Pentagon. The scene in Home Alone 2, when Kevin is on top of the WTC is still a bit chilling.
Looking back, that day really was the end of the world as we knew it. The people of the United States have gotten either more or less patriotic, it's hard to tell sometimes. We grew together for awhile, and seem to be getting more divided nowadays, being election season and all. I hope you all remember in your own way and try to do good in the world, because September 11 reminds us that there is plenty of evil.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Winter is Coming.
It's been getting colder outdoors, and I've come to peace with it.
I've been finding enough things to pass the time with, here's some things I've recently heard, seen, experienced and some things I'm looking forward to that I think anyone I know should take note of.
MOVIES (In Theaters): I've seen Moneyball twice now, it's a great movie. I think anyone would enjoy this movie. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill star in it, it's about the business side of baseball. It's the story of the 2002 (correct me if I'm wrong on that) Oakland Athletics and their small bankroll competing with teams spending WAY more money than they did. It doesn't focus so much on baseball as the business. It also has a good enough and broad enough story to appeal to anyone, in my opinion, so check it out.
I also just saw 50/50 last night. It's the story of a 27-year-old guy getting cancer, and how he deals with it with some humor. It's funny, emotional and well done. It was loosely based on the writers actual experiences. Seth Rogen was a friend of the writer (they worked together on The Ali G Show) and produced it and played his friend in the movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt took the lead role. It also featured Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air) and Angelica Huston (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) as his grief counselor and mother. Bryce Dallas Howard is also in it, I hadn't seen her in anything expect Spider-man 3; she's more attractive as a redhead. The acting was great, the story was great. Solid film. It is sad and emotional, but also funny and enjoyable. I recommend this one, too. There is a lot of adult language and sexual reference, it's rated R, so not for the whole family, though.
MOVIES [and a TV Show] (On DVD/Blu-Ray): I wrote a blog about The Beaver with Mel Gibson. Go read it if you want to know more about it. I bought it on Blu-Ray. I love this movie.
Almost Famous: The Bootleg Cut will be released on Blu-Ray on October 4. It's a great movie, I haven't seen the bootleg version, but plan on owning this eventually. I own the DVD of the original version, so I'm not in a super hurry for it, but I do want it. The Bootleg Cut was previously released on DVD, and still goes for just under $50.
Community: Season 2 was recently released, as well. It's great, my favorite show on television.
MUSIC: If you haven't heard Watch The Throne by Kanye West and Jay-Z, I urge you to. It's a great album by two of the biggest names in music. Great all the way through.
Childish Gambino's new album, Camp, will be released on November 15. It was originally supposed to come out at the end of September, but he got put on a label (Glassnote, the same label as Mumford & Sons and Phoenix) so it got pushed back so they could do their stuff to it. The first single "Bonfire" is out and it's awesome.
Cole World by J. Cole just came out. I haven't listened to it yet, but he's a great up and coming rapper, so if you're into it, check him out.
The next album I will for sure be purchasing will be Ryan Adams' Ashes And Fire, which is steaming at NPR.com (http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140640429/first-listen-ryan-adams-ashes-and-fire).
Also, She & Him are putting out a Christmas Album, which I will probably buy, I'll have to give it a listen first, though. Great band featuring M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel, if you've never heard of them.
RANDOM: Someone finally made a mask of Sloth, from the Goonies. This is something I've wanted for years, and plan on buying one eventually, but I don't want to drop sixty bones on it right now. Here's a link if you want to check it out. http://www.80stees.com/products/Goonies-Sloth-Mask.asp
My Halloween costume has been chosen. The Macho Man Randy Savage! Oh Yeah!
Oh...and for all the 90s VH1 Fans....
POP UP VIDEO IS RETURNING, SUCKAS!
Stay Fresh and Keep Calm,
KK
I've been finding enough things to pass the time with, here's some things I've recently heard, seen, experienced and some things I'm looking forward to that I think anyone I know should take note of.
MOVIES (In Theaters): I've seen Moneyball twice now, it's a great movie. I think anyone would enjoy this movie. Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill star in it, it's about the business side of baseball. It's the story of the 2002 (correct me if I'm wrong on that) Oakland Athletics and their small bankroll competing with teams spending WAY more money than they did. It doesn't focus so much on baseball as the business. It also has a good enough and broad enough story to appeal to anyone, in my opinion, so check it out.
I also just saw 50/50 last night. It's the story of a 27-year-old guy getting cancer, and how he deals with it with some humor. It's funny, emotional and well done. It was loosely based on the writers actual experiences. Seth Rogen was a friend of the writer (they worked together on The Ali G Show) and produced it and played his friend in the movie. Joseph Gordon-Levitt took the lead role. It also featured Anna Kendrick (Up In The Air) and Angelica Huston (The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou) as his grief counselor and mother. Bryce Dallas Howard is also in it, I hadn't seen her in anything expect Spider-man 3; she's more attractive as a redhead. The acting was great, the story was great. Solid film. It is sad and emotional, but also funny and enjoyable. I recommend this one, too. There is a lot of adult language and sexual reference, it's rated R, so not for the whole family, though.
MOVIES [and a TV Show] (On DVD/Blu-Ray): I wrote a blog about The Beaver with Mel Gibson. Go read it if you want to know more about it. I bought it on Blu-Ray. I love this movie.
Almost Famous: The Bootleg Cut will be released on Blu-Ray on October 4. It's a great movie, I haven't seen the bootleg version, but plan on owning this eventually. I own the DVD of the original version, so I'm not in a super hurry for it, but I do want it. The Bootleg Cut was previously released on DVD, and still goes for just under $50.
Community: Season 2 was recently released, as well. It's great, my favorite show on television.
MUSIC: If you haven't heard Watch The Throne by Kanye West and Jay-Z, I urge you to. It's a great album by two of the biggest names in music. Great all the way through.
Childish Gambino's new album, Camp, will be released on November 15. It was originally supposed to come out at the end of September, but he got put on a label (Glassnote, the same label as Mumford & Sons and Phoenix) so it got pushed back so they could do their stuff to it. The first single "Bonfire" is out and it's awesome.
Cole World by J. Cole just came out. I haven't listened to it yet, but he's a great up and coming rapper, so if you're into it, check him out.
The next album I will for sure be purchasing will be Ryan Adams' Ashes And Fire, which is steaming at NPR.com (http://www.npr.org/2011/09/25/140640429/first-listen-ryan-adams-ashes-and-fire).
Also, She & Him are putting out a Christmas Album, which I will probably buy, I'll have to give it a listen first, though. Great band featuring M. Ward and actress Zooey Deschanel, if you've never heard of them.
RANDOM: Someone finally made a mask of Sloth, from the Goonies. This is something I've wanted for years, and plan on buying one eventually, but I don't want to drop sixty bones on it right now. Here's a link if you want to check it out. http://www.80stees.com/products/Goonies-Sloth-Mask.asp
My Halloween costume has been chosen. The Macho Man Randy Savage! Oh Yeah!
Oh...and for all the 90s VH1 Fans....
POP UP VIDEO IS RETURNING, SUCKAS!
Stay Fresh and Keep Calm,
KK
Thursday, August 18, 2011
I wasn't sure where this was going or where it went, but it went where it needed to.
In 2005, I discovered a band called Lucero. They were featured on a compilation album I purchased on a whim and have loved ever since (Atticus: Dragging the Lake, Vol. 3). This album introduced me to a few new bands, and some new songs by bands I already loved, track six was one that stayed with me. The song was "Bikeriders" by Lucero. The raspy voice, the mixture of genres choosing none in particular, the words...this song was one I wished I had already known, but also wished I could hear it for a first time again.
I looked more into this band and could not find (and still have not found) a song of theirs that I didn't like. The more and more I heard from them, the more and more I liked them. Looking back I can tell that they fuse more of my life than I'd like to acknowledge. In my teen years I denied the country music I was exposed to as a child through my parents preferred radio stations. I see now that there are parts of this music that have stuck with me, the parts that Lucero and artists like Ryan Adams and Ben Kweller take from it, and add to rock, punk and whatever else influences them at the time of writing.
I choose not to have a favorite band or artist. I am open to any kind of music, but do have strong opinions sometimes. I'm not very fond of country music, although some of it I can stand, but prefer to avoid. I think the reason is that it lacks the dirt, grit, honesty and pain that it has held in past generations. Now it seems that country songs are written with things you expect to hear, then have a sheen applied to them. It's strange to think now that country music used to be for the rebellious kids.
I am drawn to musical artists who don't reside in genres. They bend and break them and make something more original. They keep the heart, honesty and emotions in them. I enjoy hearing the crack in a voice ridden with pain. Music brings about a wide array of emotion in us, whether it puts us in someone else's shoes, or shows us someone else has been in ours. Sometimes it cheers us up and gives us energy, sometimes it comforts us.
If I were to list my favorite artists right now, they would be all over the place because of my eclectic tastes. The thing that would be constant in most of them are the pain and honesty, whether sad or happy. The painful experiences we have make us stronger and build character; sometimes they make us better though they don't seem like it at the time.
We've all felt some pain in life, and sometimes it leads to great things like music, literature and art. A lot of artists seem to lose their edge when they get out of their funk; Ben Nichols seemed to keep his somehow with the latest Lucero album (it's been out since 2009).
I am in one of the positive points in my life right now, and I don't plan on it ending.
Strive for better. Enjoy the journey.
"He not busy living is busy dying." - Bob Dylan
I looked more into this band and could not find (and still have not found) a song of theirs that I didn't like. The more and more I heard from them, the more and more I liked them. Looking back I can tell that they fuse more of my life than I'd like to acknowledge. In my teen years I denied the country music I was exposed to as a child through my parents preferred radio stations. I see now that there are parts of this music that have stuck with me, the parts that Lucero and artists like Ryan Adams and Ben Kweller take from it, and add to rock, punk and whatever else influences them at the time of writing.
I choose not to have a favorite band or artist. I am open to any kind of music, but do have strong opinions sometimes. I'm not very fond of country music, although some of it I can stand, but prefer to avoid. I think the reason is that it lacks the dirt, grit, honesty and pain that it has held in past generations. Now it seems that country songs are written with things you expect to hear, then have a sheen applied to them. It's strange to think now that country music used to be for the rebellious kids.
I am drawn to musical artists who don't reside in genres. They bend and break them and make something more original. They keep the heart, honesty and emotions in them. I enjoy hearing the crack in a voice ridden with pain. Music brings about a wide array of emotion in us, whether it puts us in someone else's shoes, or shows us someone else has been in ours. Sometimes it cheers us up and gives us energy, sometimes it comforts us.
If I were to list my favorite artists right now, they would be all over the place because of my eclectic tastes. The thing that would be constant in most of them are the pain and honesty, whether sad or happy. The painful experiences we have make us stronger and build character; sometimes they make us better though they don't seem like it at the time.
We've all felt some pain in life, and sometimes it leads to great things like music, literature and art. A lot of artists seem to lose their edge when they get out of their funk; Ben Nichols seemed to keep his somehow with the latest Lucero album (it's been out since 2009).
I am in one of the positive points in my life right now, and I don't plan on it ending.
Strive for better. Enjoy the journey.
"He not busy living is busy dying." - Bob Dylan
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