ARCTIC MONKEYS @FOX THEATRE, OAKLAND

September 26. 2013
FINALLY. I have been a long time listener and fan of Arctic Monkeys for over seven years and let me just say that it is about damn time that I was finally able see them live at the Fox Theatre in Oakland. It's been a while since I've been completely mystified over seeing a band perform live and I think that having never seen them before definitely helped with that. They played new songs off their most recent album AM like 'Knee Socks' and 'Arabella' but I also appreciated the fact that they didn't forget about their stellar oldies like 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and 'Pretty Visitors'. Honestly though, I was so impressed with how tight their performance was. They definitely live up to the hype that surrounds them, they know what they're doing, and they're incredible musicians who are well versed in the art of crowd entertainment. 

The fact that they had me screaming like the girl that I am and basically yelling out the words to each song (you can't call what I was doing, singing) says two things: 1. yes I am a fangirl... but 2. they are just that damn good.

DOWN MEMORY LANE

I love spending time with my Grandpa, so when he came to visit in October, I decided to take him to breakfast at a place I had never been but had heard so much about. We went to The Girl's Restaurant which is a diner type style place where he used to work as a busboy many years ago. It was really nice for him to be able to see some old friends and for me to learn a bit more about his history. And I mean, come on... There's no way you can go wrong with coffee and french toast!

ARCTIC MONKEYS - AM

Arctic Monkeys have never disappointed me - continuously evolving in the best way possible - and their new album 'AM' is no different.

Leave it to Arctic Monkeys to get me out of a musical funk as I longed for a band to get me excited and make me feel like I was seventeen again. This album makes me want to take my neglected leather jacket from my closet, put it on and never take it off ...And then get into my car and drive at night for hours with the album on repeat at an inexplicably loud volume. 

It's sexy, sultry and in-your-face with a hard rock and roll edge. Everything a night out full of regrets should be like. Except deep down inside you know you enjoyed every second of it. Yeah. This album is that good.

Add to that some hints of R&B and The Velvet Underground vibes and you've got yourself a great sounding juxtaposition that works in all of the right ways. 

Strong favorites include: 
Do I Wanna Know?
R U Mine?
Arabella
Knee Socks

Also, the folks over at one of my favorite music sites, We All Want Someone To Shout For, wrote an excellent review of this album. Check it out HERE.

UNFINISHED

There's something so incredibly transformative that comes after getting a haircut. Every time I get an idea for a new hairstyle, my style seems to somehow evolve right along with it. I don't know how it happens, but I've learned to go with flow and enjoy wherever it takes me. 

This is me feeling the boho / boy george vibe while still trying to keep my edge.

SANTA CRUZ

 

In May, I took trip up to Santa Cruz to meet up with my friend Susie and go see Devendra Banhart perform at the Rio Theatre.

Before the show started, we were able to explore some places that I had never been to like the Santa Cruz boardwalk, went into Streetlight Records which is quickly becoming a favorite already from the few times I've been there, and eating some yummy Thai food.

The Rio Theatre isn't too far from the downtown area and is lovely and unique in its own way. The anticipation for the show to begin in itself was so exciting, and it proved to be full of wonderful surprises. 

Rodrigo Amarante opened up the show with a very sweet and pure set, which included the song 'Evaporar' which was breathtaking to hear live. Next was Devendra's set and being a The Strokes fan, it was so exciting to see Fabrizio Moretti was on the drums! His most recent album, Mala, is so wonderfully crafted with many layers that I was interested to see how it was going to be performed live, but I wasn't disappointed because it sounded even better in a live setting. The set was wonderful and full of Devendra's charming presence: he spoke in between songs with such serenity and his dancing is almost like he's simultaneously wiggling and floating. Basically, the entire show was incredible.

FLORAL ROCK

Every once in a while, I thrift some absolute gems. This Led Zeppelin shirt is one of them, so I paired it with these floral high-waisted jeans to juxtapose the hard edge with a bit of femininity.

Blue Hawaii

When life presents you with an opportunity and says, "Hey, wanna go to Hawaii?" 
The answer is yes. Always yes.