50 Best Songs of 2013

It's that time of the year again to look back and reminisce on the year that has passed. Oh, what a year it has been and boy, did time fly by real fast. Now that Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, and Stereogum have all released their Best-Of lists, I decided to join in on the fun.

2013 has been a year of bands coming back from long breaks like Daft Punk, My Bloody Valentine, Mazzy Star, and Black Sabbath. There were also amazing second and third albums from The Dubs (Vampire Weekend), MGMT, Local Natives, Surfer Blood, Grouplove, Best Coast, M.I.A., and many more. There's so many great music produced this year and I'm so glad I was able to absorb at least a percentage of it. I have so many albums that I wish I'd given more time to listen to like Laura Marling's Once I Was An Eagle that barely got playtime on my iTunes, or Noah and the Whale's Heart Of Nowhere that has probably only plays for There Will Come A Time, or Blood Orange(aka Dev Hynes)'s Cupid Deluxe, which I haven't even gotten myself to pressing that play button yet. There's so many things I want to listen to but sometimes my mood just tells me to play that Bastille record one more time. So, I'm saying sorry now for not having any of the aforementioned artists on my list but it's still a pretty good list.

But before that, I have to mention that my babies, Vampire Weekend, were given the number one spot on Rolling Stone's Best Album of 2013. I can't help but be all proud and happy for them because I know it has been a real journey for the completion of this masterpiece called Modern Vampires of the City. These young lions really took their time and it shows because of the deep and mature tone the lyrics have become since talking about oxford commas five years ago. They definitely deserve this spot and I'm hoping they win a Grammy for this because, as biased as this may sound,  I strongly believe this is Vampire Weekend's year.

Now, on to the list.

Read More.

A Very Ambitious Wish List Vol. II

Listen to Joy To The World by Citizens

Read More.

Tegan and Sara: Live in Manila

November 25, 2013 - 7PM

NBC Tent, Fort Bonifacio, Global City

If there's one thing you should know about me, it's that I love music. 

So obviously, I must love concerts and I do. I always jump on the chance to see an artist perform whenever I can, especially if I really, really like them. The plan was to watch TDCC on the 26th but then sadly they had to cancel a few shows and Manila was one of them. Truthfully, it was a little bit of a sigh of relief because, being the huge fan that I am, I was planning on purchasing tickets for the concert the day before and also, I didn't have the money yet for said tickets so it was somewhat okay for me. I know, it's a self-centered reason but hey, I'm staying positive that they will come back. If I learned anything from previous cancelled shows, I'm guessing they will be back in 3 years, just like The Killers. 

The next best thing to that debacle was to see Tegan and Sara. I knew my friend, Yana, had free tickets from her company and I basically begged her to take me. It wasn't a sure thing until the morning of the concert and that sheer good news was enough to take me to my happy (and weird) place. I was listening to their songs all afternoon and every time their song Closer came on play, I got even more excited. 

Up Dharma Down was their opening act and they were amazing. I had seen them before at Wanderland but only from a distance but then seeing them at this show was so much better. I felt their music and I have grown to appreciate more of their music. 

Then Tegan and Sara came on stage and everything was amazing.

Read More. 

In The Open

"Statistically speaking, you will die having missed almost everything." This is the sad truth in life. 

I came across this article from NPR from two years ago and it kind of hit a nerve. We all know the days we have in this lifetime are short and precious thus, some of us live it meaningfully while others go batshit crazy and start saying 'YOLO' in attempts to make life more adventurous.

Though the article doesn't actually go that route. It focused more on being well-read and knowledgeable about books, music, and films and how it is physically impossible to know everything especially since new content is being made every second of every minute of every hour. Now that everything is practically handed to us, it is our choice to decide what we'd want to be well-versed in. This is a problem for me because sometimes I feel like I want to watch all episodes of the The Office and Arrested Development or watch all of the classic Doctor Who which is about 695 episodes or know all the words to every Black Keys song and there's at least a hundred of those or watch all of my dad's dvd collection which I can calculate as 200+++. There's so much to be taken in when there's only one of me and 24 hours in a day. That's why sometimes I end up falling asleep at four in the morning while listening to some podcast that I probably wouldn't be conscious by the time it finishes.

Although the reality that I'll die having not known about some film that could've changed my life is a little bit haunting, I guess, the flip slide to all of this is that this just makes life more interesting and giving you something to look forward to. There'll always be something new to discover, new records to excite you, new films that will inspire you, and new books that will bring you to another universe. If I had finished my list of everything I want to see, read, hear, and everything else, then I'll probably end up being bored to death. But then again, I'm pretty sure my list will never stop growing.

Linda Holmes concluded the article well saying,

It's sad, but it's also ... great, really. Imagine if you'd seen everything good, or if you knew about everything good. Imagine if you really got to all the recordings and books and movies you're "supposed to see." Imagine you got through everybody's list, until everything you hadn't read didn't really need reading. That would imply that all the cultural value the world has managed to produce since a glob of primordial ooze first picked up a violin is so tiny and insignificant that a single human being can gobble all of it in one lifetime. That would make us failures, I think.  

If "well-read" means "not missing anything," then nobody has a chance. If "well-read" means "making a genuine effort to explore thoughtfully," then yes, we can all be well-read. But what we've seen is always going to be a very small cup dipped out of a very big ocean, and turning your back on the ocean to stare into the cup can't change that.

Read More. 

Thinkin' Ahead

"A storm is coming, Frank says. A storm that will swallow the children and I will deliver them from the kingdom of pain. I will deliver the children back to their doorsteps and send the monsters back to the underground. I'll send them back to the place where no one else can see them except for me."

Listen to Thinkin' Ahead by Bastille (feat. Ric Elsworth & O.N.E)

Darkness of the Dawn

 First, let's talk about James Blake.

Recently, I've been listening to some podcasts and in this one station that I tune in called All Songs Considered, they briefly talked about James Blake and from then on I became interested in his artistry and virtuosity. I've listened to his song Retrograde multiple times before but I've never really gotten to know him as an artist. And going back to that podcast, the hosts, Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton, caught up with him after a show and spoke about possibly having a song that has changed his life. He was quick to say that it was Trouble Blues by Sam Cooke, which came out back in 1963. He said, "It's the hum. In some subconscious way, I filtered that into Retrograde." When you listen to Cooke's track, you'll definitely understand what he was talking about. What actually drew me to Retrograde was the humming. I remember first hearing it and couldn't get it out of my head, which is not at all a bad thing.

Trouble Blues by Sam Cooke

There's a touch of a soulful vibrato when he sings showcased especially in his cover of Feist's Limit To Your Love. But don't call him a soul singer because he doesn't see himself falling into that category. In an interview with Pitchfork, Blake said, "I've never felt like I was a soul singer. It's not really who I am." He goes on about how he feels when people call him "soulful" in the interview, which you can read here. Whatever genre he may lie, it doesn't hide the fact that he's got an amazing voice. 

His take on songwriting has always been about being true to himself, as cliche as that may sound. He says, "When I'm writing a track, I feel like I have to produce something that totally represents me and, if it doesn't, then it's stopped immediately. There's not even a second thought -- I'll close it and do something else. Being honest is an individual thing. It's not something that other people judge you on, although they can smell it. "  

I've fallen in love with his song, The Wilhem Scream. The lyrics go, " I don't know about my dreams. I don't know about my dreaming anymore. All that I know is I'm falling. Might as well fall in. I don't know about my love. I don't know about my loving anymore. All that I know is I'm falling. Might as well fall in." and that's it all through out the 4:36 duration of the song. It's so simple yet when he sings it, it feels like it has so much weight to it and meaning to every word he says. With every verse he sings, it feels like he's asking me a question about life and where it is headed to or rather, succumbed to.  Although, I might just be thinking way too deep into this and it's probably because I'm writing this into the wee hours of the night. And so, I am really excited to see him perform live next year at Laneway Singapore because all I've heard are amazing things about his live performances. They're making live electronic music and he and his band do not have pre-taped samples or sequences with them. The looping is all done live. I can't wait to see it for myself. 

Watch him perform The Wilhem Scream live on Later With Jools Holland. (Watch)

Read More.

Harvest of Gold

This week it's all about the indie music, Baby. (Yes, I did just call you baby.) There's some rock and dance vibes plus a little bit of folk to keep it interesting. We talk about the 3 As: Avocados, Afterlife, and Alt-J.

October has been treating us well, wouldn't you agree? Although, it isn't over yet. This week, Jagwar Ma's Let Her Go gets a remix by Jagwar Yew. This Australian trio out of Sydney is already stirring up some waves from down under. Their new remix EP is out now. Check it out. (Here)

Kurt Vile also released a new song, Feel My Pain and it's available for free download. Download by clicking the link.

The new Los Campesinos! video for Avocado, Baby is here. The line: "I feel like I'm the host of a terrible game show" inspired the whole video, which is directed by Craig Roberts. (Watch)

Pitchfork did an interview with frontman, Gareth Campesinos!, and talked about the kind of music they'd turn to when faced with different circumstances for their feature called Situation Critical. Here's an excerpt: (Read)

Pitchfork: You're picking out songs for your own funeral...

Gareth: One song I definitely want played is “Three Lions”, which was England's official European Championship song in 1996 and the World Cup song in 1998. It’s properly euphoric and arguably my favorite ever song. I'd also want “Here” by Pavement, because it’s a really beautiful song and obviously very appropriate with its “everything’s ending here” coda. 

And I can’t do this interview and not talk about the Beautiful South, because they are like my Beatles. If it wasn’t for Morrissey, I think Beautiful South frontman Paul Heaton would have been Morrissey. I love the Smiths, don’t get me wrong, but I think he’s 10 times the lyricist that Morrissey is. But he’s never been attractive or played the game or been cool or dressed well or anything like that. The Beautiful South are what I’d bring my kids up on.  

There’s a track off their first album called “Love Is”, and toward the end it deals with how, when you’re in a band, people think they care about you but in reality you’re just somebody who writes songs and they don’t really care about you as a person. So it goes, “Here’s the invitation to this caring nation/ Twenty-five years from now, will you come to my cremation?” It’s an appropriate sentiment. It’d be a nice send off if I was lowered into the grave or thrown into the sea.

Read More.

Better In The Dark

On The Radar: Issue #2 is all about the synths, funk, and a little bit of pop. This week we talk about sexy socialites, explorers, and being afraid. 

Charli XCX is tired of getting requests to write another 'I Love It' because it's not going to happen. She said: "We’ll never write a song like that ever again. I just kind of want to get out of that for a bit and do my thing." But she doesn't regret giving away the song to Icona Pop in the first place because they are "totally owning it". 

Now, she's focused on her second album and already released its lead single, SuperLove, to which Yeasayer just did a remix of.

Stereogum recently did a Q&A with her and I'd like to share this bit about their shared feelings towards pop music.

STEREOGUM: I think sometimes people want to imprint too much meaning on pop music when a lot of it is about that kind of simple, release. 

CHARLI XCX: Exactly. And I think it can still be meaningful, but I don’t think it has to be overly clever and ridiculously meaningful. I think stuff can be dumb and easy and be really important.

They also talk about the ultimate karaoke songs and the biker gang that tried to run off with her while shooting her music video for SuperLove in Japan. (Read the full article here)

Tha Funk Lordz are back with Sexy Socialite. Chromeo are at it again and bringing the funk back for their third studio album, White Women, which has yet to be given a release date. This 6-minute single has Pat Mahoney (LCD Soundsystem, Museum of Love) playing drums for Dave 1 and P-Thugg. It's been said that the new album also includes appearances from Ezra Koenig of Vampire Weekend, Solange Knowles, and Toro Y Moi. But for now, you can look back and reminisce on the Reddit AMA they did a month ago. (Listen)

Read More.

Beautiful Rewind

Welcome to the first issue of On The Radar, a weekly round-up of pretty much all things music related. Plus, a playlist to boot. 

This week, we talk about the mother*ckers who never loved us, taking chances with James Blake, what Chvrches is doing right and everything in between.

~

Drake's album, Nothing Was The Same, has been getting high praises and even gets a "10 outta 10" from Vampire Weekend's frontman, Ezra Koenig. He's written a review for The Talkhouse and somewhere along the way it took an odd turn. At one point, he reveals he's colorblind. (But not really.)

Here's an excerpt:

"I have heard SOME of it. I heard that one called “Worst Behaviour,” the “motherfuckers never loved us” one – it really struck a chord. There are SO many motherfuckers out there. I’ve been making music since I was seven years old (started with piano) so I’ve been betrayed more times than I can count. You know how many people talk shit behind your back and then try to be your best friend over the course of 22 years in the industry?? Drake only got into music like five years ago, so if you see how angry he is — IMAGINE HOW I FEEL. 

Now, usually I can forgive but I won’t forget. However, there are some cases where I can forgive but I won’t forget OR forgive." 
Read the whole article here. 

While we're still on the subject of Drake, check out this hilarious list of his worst behavior by the Pitchfork staff. 
     "Made fun of friend for crying at the end of The Butler before silently crying to himself in the bathroom afterwards. - Larry Fitzmaurice" Surely, this happened, right?

Read More.

My Yoga Story

An open letter to future me (theme: yoga)

Dear Leica,

It's been two and half years since I started my journey with yoga and I can tell you that it hasn't been easy, to say the least. That first week of ever doing yoga was the hardest workout I've ever experienced since the only exercise I did before that was run the treadmill. But it felt so good to turn in those running shoes and step into the studio barefoot. I've never felt so in tune with my body. I only availed the one week beginners package and by the end of that week I didn't want to leave the mat. That's when I knew I fell in love with yoga.

I clicked with yoga instantly and I guess a major contributor to that is because of Yoga+. It's only a 7-minute walk from where I live and 5 minutes if I'm running late. Everything is there already, all I need to bring is my water bottle and myself. It's true what they say that the hardest part of yoga is going to the class because sometimes, your mind tells you to skip today and take a rest day instead - to let your body recover for a day... or two. Good thing I have my sister as my yoga buddy to push me to go practice and vice versa.

Read More.

Music On My Mind

This week's music highlights:

The 1975 performs a Tiny Desk Concert and it is beautiful, sweet, and endearing. Matthew Healy's on his own in the NPR office with only his guitars to accompany him but this just makes it a little more heartfelt and personal. Check out the video. 

Kings of Leon does Robyn's Dancing On My Own. There's something about Caleb's voice that makes everything he sings so sensual. Check out the video. 

Bastille does Miley's We Can't Stop. It's quite genius of them to sneak in Achy Breaky Heart in their cover. You're missing out if you haven't heard it yet.  Check out the video.

London Grammar is most likely going to win this year's Mercury Prize award, says almost everybody. With the success Alt-j has received upon winning last year's award, it's safe to say London Grammar is going places too. Listen to this amazing song, Hey Now, off their debut album, If You Wait. Listen to the song. 

The Take Away show we've all been waiting for, Take Away Phoenix. The first time they were on, it was 2009 and a random couple on their wedding day just happily stumbled upon Phoenix playing 1901 at the Trocadero in Paris, France. It was pretty epic. Now, we get a 21-minute movie from La Blogotheque. There's Thomas singing on a PA system to a plane full of sleeping passengers, the band performing by the Museum and National Estate of Versailles, then doing so on a rowboat, and an acoustic of Countdown while on a stroll at a park. It's everything you wished to see for yourself. Check out the video.

So french fries, anyway... I mean, this performance of The Neighbourhood's Afraid is pretty funny, right? [You'll get the fries reference after watching.] Check out the video.


Check out these legs... or are they hotdogs? It's quite hard to tell sometimes but it sure is a laugh. Hot-dog-legs

A Fineshrine in Palawan

[First off, this is a month and a half month overdue. I take full responsibility of my laziness and it is ending now.]

A little bit of context too, my sister's boyfriend was in town so they generously took me along their trip.

So obviously, I was majorly third-wheelin' but it's all good. This just means I could wander off more and take photos. 

We ventured off to Coron, Palawan and we were welcomed with sunshine and bliss that was then taken over by gloomy skies. I guess it wasn't the best time to go to the beach because it was drizzling most times but thankfully, the sun came out once in a while. 

Listen to Fineshrine by Purity Ring

Read More.

The Escape: Coron, Palawan

  This is a visual diary. 

Suggested music while viewing: In The Darkness by Foxygen

Up in the air once again. This time the destination is Coron, Palawan. 

Read More.

Happy (late) 4th of July

Lana Del Rey feeling a little patriotic. 

I miss u, 'murica. Hopefully I see you soon. 

Check this out! If you're ever having the trouble of what to have for dinner, just let the internet do the choosing for you with WTF Should I Make For Dinner?.

Listen to: No Faith In Brooklyn by Hoodie Allen

Read More.

Plastic Rain

Recommended music while reading: Smother by Daughter

    I look out my window and it's raining once more. I like this cool breeze the weather brings me. I'm more of a sweater weather, bury myself under the sheets, and stay in my pajamas all day kind of person. Today is one of those lucky days I get to do all these things. It's been awhile since I've been with myself lately. Most people are afraid to be alone and I don't get why. I like me. And I don't mean that in any vain way as possible. 

Read More.

Wanderland Festival 2013

I love music festivals. 

Coachella, Roo, Lolla, Glasto, SXSW, etc. I love it all. More like, I'd love to attend it all. I die a little every time a festival passes by and I'm miles away, probably watching the livestream if it's available. I've had a taste of it earlier this year but that just made me want it more. The day I finally get to be at either one of these festivals will be the pinnacle of my existence. 

So, generally, when I found out about Wanderland Festival, I got really excited. Nada Surf, Neon Trees, and The Temper Trap. These are bands that I listened to... about 3 years ago. That meant I was bound to be a bit rusty with the singing along. Being the cheapskates that we are, we opted on buying Gold tickets from groupon. Maybe next year if the line-up is better, then we might upgrade to the VIP section.

This festival wouldn't have been that much fun if it weren't for the great friends I was with. Well, that goes for everything else in life, I guess. But, I loved the vibes all through out the day. Chill with an inkling of a thrill. Also scorching hot and very clammy. Nonetheless, it was a great music-filled day. I really enjoyed Avalanche City's folk sound. Definitely going to be listening to more of their music, that's for sure. As for the "headliners", Neon Trees was absolutely amazing. The band was able to get the audience dancing to their tunes and @tylerinacoma is oozing with energy! But The Temper Trap's Sweet Disposition was a great way to end the night. [I couldn't help but find their music similar to Local Natives. Please tell me I'm not the only one. Speaking of Local Natives... That's a band I'm dying to watch live.]

Some thoughts on the festival:

• VIP and GA sections should've been separated at the middle or not at all, especially since it's a relatively small festival
• Start on time next time, not 2 hours later
• And more food choices/stalls please
• And if better bands will be in attendance next year, do not increase ticket prices (it already is a wee bit expensive)

Read More.

Let's Talk

So, I guess it's been awhile.

And it's quite obvious what we have to talk about first... Modern Vampires of the City! After 3 long years of waiting for the next Vampire Weekend album, it's finally here and it's their best yet. If you were like me and couldn't resist the temptation of the leak, then you've heard a masterpiece in itself. This lp shows how much they've matured as a band and as people. They're no longer kids who just graduated from Columbia; they're almost 30s who are pros at what they do. Plus, this band is so smart and a total smart-ass at the same time. I mean, they're clearly playing with us when they sing about Diane Young when they really mean Dying Young. And what about with their song, Ya Hey? Don't be disappointed when you realize it's not a response to OutKast's Hey Ya because they're actually calling out, Yahweh. Clever, right? And that's why I love them so much. It's still very much a Vampire Weekend tune and one that's worth "annoying" your neighbors with by blasting it through your speakers all day. I highly doubt anyone will be annoyed with the Dubs' music. But hey, look out your window sometime if you hear their music. You can never be too sure. They might just be there playing 'round your backyard.

I'm not here to bore you with the details of how MVOTC became a guessing game of what it meant and was dubbed as lp3 for the longest time and then called Lemon Sounds but was actually fake. And how they revealed what it meant thru a New York Times classified ad. Or details about how Unbelievers was New Song #2 at first upon playing Pitchfork last year. But I guess I already did. I mean, I could still bore you with some more but only if you want me to.

The truth is I just really want you to listen to their new album and vibe with me. Is that too much to ask?

*Totally avoiding writing about how I'm working now...*

Coachella: Step Up For The Cool Cats

April has crept upon us which means Coachella is right around the corner. Coachella has become one of the biggest festivals that draws in a huge crowd of people from all over the world. Tickets for the first weekend actually sold out in merely 15 minutes. That's crazy! But if you're one of the 80-85,000 (approx.) who will be attending, make sure you've got everything you're going to need prepared by now... if you're one of the overtly excited ones or maybe you just want to get things prepared early and be hassle-free the day itself. Hey, whatever floats your boat. It's important to have some essential things when you're going to music festivals. It's 3 days of live music under the sun, you're going to need a few things. Here are just a few that I feel the need for: comfortable shoes/booties, a hat, sunglasses, camera/s, and sunscreen. Last year, it actually rained on the first weekend and was extremely hot on the second weekend, so I guess it could go either way with the weather. But it looks like it's going to be a good one this summer. 

With over 170 performers in this year's line-up, it's hard to choose which bands you'll want to see. Here's the short list of who I'm excited to watch (via live stream). But be sure to check out up and coming bands as well like The Neighbourhood, Palma Violets, Divine Fits, Little Green Cars, Guards, DIIV, and many more. And check out the playlist I've made to get you pumped up for Coachella.

Coachella 2013 from leicamont on 8tracks Radio.

Thoughts on Coachella in a different post.

What's your vibe?

Lately, I've been all around the interwebs and reading a lot too, surprisingly. There's been reading of books, magazines, articles, and blogs - mainly some internet vibes. But I've been listening to a lot of new music too. I'm really liking Youth Lagoon's vibe. His music sounds dreamy, like an MGMT feel, but it also sounds quite vulnerable and sweet at the same time. Trevor Powers who goes by Youth Lagoon has described his musical venture as merely a part of himself and his music as somewhat like letting people read his journal. I love these kinds of musicians who are filled with passion and emotion. Check out this music video, Montana by Youth Lagoon, which is very emotional and powerful that people in this video's comments section are all crying, or almost. 

I've got a few more things to share too, like this short film entitled, The Queen, by Christina Choe. The video is described as such: Bobby works at his parents dry cleaners on prom weekend. When the prom queen and her boyfriend stop by with their dress and tuxedo, Bobby has his own prom to remember. 

This next one, The Scared is scared, ensued when Bianca Giaever asked a six year old on what her movie should be about. Don't let the title scare you away, it's not a horror flick. 

Flickering Lights is a project done by hitRECord, a collaborative production company headed by the great, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. It's a beautiful video and you should definitely check out more works on hitrecord.org. 

These next three music videos are my recent favorites. Cry Like A Ghost by Passion Pit is actually my favorite song off their album and then to have this masterpiece of a video to boot is nothing short of amazing. The directing duo Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert have produced great music videos much like this. They were the brains behind Foster the People's Houdini and The Shins' Simple Song. 

Jim Canty gives us four reasons why we should watch Whispers in the Dark by Mumford & Sons four times as much as we should. At one point, it features a cameo by Haim.

Matt & Kim's It's Alright video will leave you dancing along to their tune. I mean, they already are... dancing on their bed and more. Check out Kim twerking at around 2:39. 

BAND CRUSH. CAND BRUSH.

It's Monday again and what better way to start the week with new music. I've been crushing hard on Oberhofer so much. I love the whimsical tune to their music plus any band who uses a Suzuki Omnichord is worth listening to. Haim, on the other hand, is like a girl version of Hanson but better and less teeny boppy. Grizzly Bear and Tanlines are two amazing bands that you should also definitely start listening to. Enjoy!

Band Crush from leicamont on 8tracks Radio.

Tracklist:

I Could Go - Oberhofer
Away Frm U - Oberhofer
Haus - Oberhofer
Forever - Haim
Don't Save Me - Haim
Send Me Down - Haim
Two Weeks - Grizzly Bear
Knife - Grizzly Bear
All of Me - Tanlines
Brothers - Tanlines

Stubborn Love

Stelth Ulvang and Norah Hoover.
The reference photo I used was by Chloe Aftel from when Rolling Stone was with The Lumineers the whole day for their Grammy performance. I absolutely love the photo that's why I chose to draw it. I love this band, of course, and their music so much. Their album is just filled to the brim with songs about love. Their music is simple and yet there's so much emotion to it. You should definitely listen to them. [I highly recommend this for fans of Mumford & Sons.]

Check this out! BEFORE I DIE I WANT TO...

Listen to Stubborn Love by The Lumineers.

Fade Into You

I was feeling a bit too bored and wanted to do something productive for once. So, this happened. I did this in about 4-5 hours in Adobe Illustrator. Here's the picture I used...

Check this out! Rich Pellegrino's Illustrations.

Also, listen to this mixtape I did a couple of days ago.

Listen to Fade Into You by Mazzy Star.

Lomokino Test Shots

I've finally come around to getting my first roll of film using the Lomokino developed and edited the scans. I wasn't too sure about how everything worked out yet and how it would turn out. So, this was more of a test roll and me figuring out about the settings and everything else. Here are some of the stills.

 

I'm starting this thing on my blog wherein I recommend websites that I enjoy visiting. It's just a little something I'll be putting at the end of each blogpost. 

Today's recommended site is Jackson Pollock by Milton Manetas. Enjoy!

5 Bands You Should Be Listening To (La Blogotheque Edition)

La Blogotheque has been one of my favorite things in the world. It's a series of video sessions with musicians in unorthodox places. For almost 7 years, these Take Away Shows, Les Concerts à Emporter, have managed to have famous bands such as Arcade Fire, Vampire Weekend, Phoenix, Bon Iver, etc. It's my favorite thing to watch these popular bands perform in the strangest places. Vampire Weekend played in a deserted backyard with their drummer banging on trash cans as his drums, Mumford & Sons serenaded a random Parisian outside her window, while Noah and the Whale got on a train and started playing their songs. I love it. I love it all.

Here are 5 bands you should be listening to in their Take Away Shows. Trust me, you'll like them and maybe fall in love with them like I have already.

1. The Lumineers

2. Alabama Shakes

3. Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros

4. Alt-J (∆)

5. Yeasayer 

Vampire Weekend in Singapore

This was the day I have been waiting for... for four years. I was finally going to see Vampire Weekend perform live. It felt so surreal. I still can't believe it. I've been anticipating this moment ever since me and my friends arrived at Singapore and it was finally happening. It was incredible. I felt so happy to be alive. To see your favorite band play live is the best feeling ever. And to be in front and center of the crowd made it even more epic. For years, these guys have only ever been on my laptop and on my iPod. And then to see them there, in front of me, is truly unbelievable. I just wish I had the chance to meet them personally. Maybe next time. Hopefully...

Big Night Out featured Band of Horses, Vampire Weekend, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Unfortunately for us, we had to miss Yeah Yeah Yeahs to catch our midnight flight but I was more than fine with it because Vampire Weekend already made me the happiest girl that night. But yeah, nbd. C'est la vie... [It might have something to do with Ezra locking eyes with me for a second too.]

Here are some pictures. 

Disclaimer: It's a lot of Ezra and no Rostam because all my pictures of him turned out blurry. :(

More pictures below.

Laneway Festival Singapore 2013 Pt. 2

KINGS OF CONVENIENCE

POLIÇA

OF MONSTERS AND MEN

More photos below of Kimbra, Gotye, and more.

Laneway Festival Singapore 2013

It's my first music festival and my spirits are soaring!

    I flew to Singapore along with two of my friends on the 25th of January, just a day before Laneway Festival. It was our first Laneway and we were extremely excited. We took the train to Marina Bay and when we stepped out of the station, it was scorching hot. The sun was literally burning us. We did not expect the heat to be that scalding. Mental note #1: Bikini tops should've been worn instead. There was a long line to enter the festival grounds but it didn't really take too long to get inside. When we eventually made our way in, Kings of Convenience was already on stage. There were already people settled down on their mats and enjoying the music. Mental note #2: Bring a mat/towel or something to lay on the grass for you to sit on (if you don't want to sit on the grass itself). Since the sun decided to stay out until 7pm, there's always a long queue for refreshments. This brings me to my mental note #3: Buy water outside of the festival because they only serve Fiji water which costs 5 SGD. Nobody should be paying that much for a 500ml bottle of water. But you're left paying for it anyway because the heat is dehydrating you quickly. Don't let the heat get to you, you'll miss all the fun. One thing we were right in doing was taking note of set times of bands we wanted to see, thus sort of scheduling when we'll eat and when we'll head to the crowd for a good view. Which reminds me, mental note #4: Once you're in a good spot, if someone's trying to squeeze in to get in front of you, don't play nice next time. You were there first. And lastly, mental note #5: Sing and dance like nobody's watching. 

    I had favorites that I was eager to watch which included Of Monsters and Men, Kimbra, Tame Impala, and Gotye. But I was really looking forward to seeing Alt-J (∆). They're my current band crush and to see them perform live would be absolutely amazing. 

    Photographs of the performances will be on the next blog post. 

Always ready with my Lomokino.

Our little spot at the shaded area by the curbside.

$40 for these bands shirts. No, thank you. Although I really wanted to buy Alt-J's shirt (not pictured above).

Listen to Money by The Drums.

   

How do I move on? (Thoughts After Laneway Festival and Big Night Out)

          It's been two days since I got back from Singapore a.k.a. my personal trip to indie music haven and I don't know how I could even move on from such a euphoric experience.

          From the moment I found out that Vampire Weekend are going to play at Fort Canning Park on January 30, without a shadow of a doubt, I said to myself that I am going to this concert. I've never felt so certain and so sure of anything. You have to know, Vampire Weekend is my favorite band, ever! I mean, I do love a lot of bands and artists but nothing else compares to my love for Vampire Weekend. I love their music. I love their sound. I love them as a band. And I love them individually. This band just means a lot to me. My blog's namesake is actually from one of their first songs. My point here is: I cannot for the life of me miss this concert.

          I don't know how but somehow, everything fell into place. I went with two of my friends to Singapore solely for the purpose of attending Laneway Festival 2013 and Big Night Out, which was the concert Vampire Weekend was going to play. It was just our luck that Laneway Festival was 4 days before the Vampire Weekend concert so we took advantage of it and decided to go to both. We flew on the 25th and left midnight of the 31st of January. In that span of six days, I've seen my favorite band play live, seen my current band crushes, and discovered amazing talents. I was on a high. I never thought I would actually be able to experience what I've been through in these past few days. I've always dreamt of going to music festivals and see great bands play live. To finally fulfill this longing is quite unbelievably wonderful. It's the best feeling ever. I remembering uttering, "I belong here. I love this scene!" What a cliche, I know. But 100% true. It was 12 hours of live music from 14 bands for Laneway Festival and 3 big bands for Big Night Out. It was so surreal. I'm glad nobody pinched me in case it was all but a dream.

          I can't stress enough about how incredible the trip was. I repeatedly said, "I'm so happy! I'm so happy!" and jumping up and down like a little girl whose been fed a ton of chocolates. I was elated. I was blissful. I was flying. At this point, I've reached my highest of highs. So how do I go on from being extremely ecstatic to an incredibly dull life the next day? Should I simply pretend that it was just a typical thing to do and really not that exciting as I make it to be when in reality, it's the best thing that's ever happened to me? Life's quite cruel sometimes. But I'm not complaining. I get life. Sometimes it's awesome. Sometimes it's difficult. But most of the time it's dull, repetitive, and mundane.

          Now that I'm back home, I'm still hungover and I feel like I will never recover. Is that bad or just completely childish? I have never been in a situation like this before and I'm stuck. Will this feeling go away in a couple of days? I guess sooner or later it will. But right now, I'm not ready to move on just yet. Let me sulk for a while because I know it will be quite a long time before something as marvelous as this comes along my way again.

Listen to Walcott by Vampire Weekend.

Tête-à-Tête

Somebody take the blender away from me! But seriously, I love this banana peanut butter smoothie I made. It's really easy to make. 

First, I froze the banana the night before so I wouldn't have to put ice cubes. So, I chopped it into chunks and placed them in the blender. Along with half a cup of milk, a heaping tablespoon of peanut butter and a tablespoon of agave. I used agave instead of honey because it's healthier and we didn't have any. And there you have it, a banana peanut butter smoothie. Perfect to start your day.

Listen to this brand new song, Tête-à-Tête, from Walk The Moon. I am absolutely loving it! It has such a great hook. I'm already singing along to it! I can't stop singing, "I want you just as bad. Why can't you see". They're so good, one of my favorite bands. Make sure to also check out their Tightrope EP coming out January 22nd. I'm excited!