Things I love:

The Thermals - Canada by killrockstars

Gay Monday.

Three words::: VV II AA

When I met Daralee Fallin, (aka VIA) about a year and a half ago, we had been pulled together by our mutual friend and fellow Titwrencher Alejandro Archuleta as part of the Slight Harp Orchestra for a performance of Terry Riley's "In C"—and as the opener for perhaps one of the most awesome bills I've ever been a part of: Slight Harp Orchestra, Teeth Mountain, Future Islands, and Dan Deacon. (Fucking epic, right?) Daralee's energy was perplexing; I couldn't read her right away, and it attracted me to her even more. As time passed, we got to know eachother as part of the core Titwrench collective, and this is when I first saw her perform as Via.

Holy shit. To use some lame music journalistic metaphor, Via sounds like Kate Bush running through an Ursula K. Le Guin novel. Now that I've seen her numerous times, I have become very particular about my surroundings. If other people are talking while Via is casting her spells, I shush them. Her ghostly Joy Division on an airport landing strip sound is fucking powerful, and I can't get enough of it. If you weren't lucky enough to catch Via, Hideous Men,Hollagramz, (Uh, who did a face melting remix of HEALTH'S "IN VIOLET"!!!!!) and the rest of the madness that was last night's Laser Palace Cassette release + round robin, below are a few videos of Via. But also, be sure to catch her live March 19th at Old Curtis Street. She will blow you away.

Turn up my symphony, man.

EPIC GYM WORK OUT TODAY SPONSORED BY////////


WYCLEF::::::




THE FAINT:::




95 SOUTH:::



Does your day ever feel too fantastic to be real? That's what today is feeling like and it's barely 10am.

Fever Ray Davies.

Gaga rules, but Karen does it in warp speed.




Also, in RADICAL news, my birth father, Ray Davies, will be at the Paramount theatre March 20th. HAPPY HOLY SHIT MONDAY!

Peeling back.

TONIGHT// TITWRENCH PRESENTS:::SURFACING






Each month, Titwrench (a collective of artists/musicians/writers/performers) puts on a showcase to give (mostly lady) artists an open environment to share their work. As Titwrench, we strive to create an environment that is comfortable, inviting, and supportive for everyone involved, from the performers to the audience. We want anybody who walks through the door to feel welcome and excited about the music/art/performance happening, and hopefully be inspired to make something of their own.

And on that note, if you would like to participate in Surfacing or another Titwrench event, either as a performer or volunteer, here are some ways to contact us!:

www.titwrench.com
titwrench@gmail.com
twitter.com/titwrench
http://www.youtube.com/user/TitwrenchFest


:::look//listen//know:::

Married in Berdichev






The Manxx




Both videos courtesy of our friend/inspiration/supporter Tom Murphy!

Shit I heard today that I like. A lot.

Video effects. (stolen from Better Than Sex!)



Total hair-do-it inspiration.



B n' B's version RULEZ.



I'm on Vampy Drugs.


At least they've moved on from singing about fucking dowdy college girls and leaving them in their dorms the morning after to fucking socialite girls uptown.

I disappoint myself

when I am honest about liking music that sounds like vomit in a paper cup.





Also, I refuse to take a stand on the Ke$ha debate.


That is all.

An ode to John Familgietti. Er, Mookie, rather.

Why we should all be in bands, not writing about them:::




p.s.-SICK ASS Pictureplane shirt, BJ.

We're about taking control.

My friend Robin (one half of the Lust-Cats of the Gutters!) showed me this. The way popular culture interprets music always seems so dad-ish, so out of touch. Here especially, when the bands name-dropped (minus Bikini Kill) weren't associated with the riot grrrl movement—they just had girls in them. Regardless, its funny to watch Jenna Elfman A) act like she's supposed to be 20, and B) say L7 C) relay a silly, forced declaration about "riot grrrl."

With care, and concern.

If you don't know, now you know.

I would like to join the Magic World Christian Kingdom Church.

Monday: Tell me something good.

Do you ever hear a song that you've heard a million times, but at that particular moment it strikes you? I heard this yesterday coming through assorted restaurant noises as I had brunch, and I was immediately turned on. It got some wheels turning in a new direction, and made me realize I need to study jazz bass more.




My sluggish, yoga-less morning was turned around by this song. Sometimes forgetting what's on your iPod is a good thing.




And subsequently, my morning drive was revived into greatness by these dreams of summer uncomfortableness.




And lastly, a song I currently love—but only because he says "thirst-ay."

You wear too much eye make-up. My sister wears too much. People think she's a whore.

One of my New Year's resolutions for 2010 was to talk to more dudes. In my mind, I'm harnessing what I call the "Pantera Mojo." (If you know my friend Pantera, then you know what I'm talking about. If you don't know her, just imagine Kylie Minogue dressed as a ranchero doing TV On The Radio covers with Enrique Iglesias.) In reality, I'm pretty sure my Pantera Mojo just comes off like Charlie Sheen.



Eh, whatever. I think its working for me. Monday inspirational videos to come.

xo b

Housewives with loose grips.

From the last Titwrench:::Surfacing event at Meadowlark///my band, NIGHT OF JOY + SACRED BRAIN + LUST-CATS OF THE GUTTERS + HIDEOUS MEN + VIA:::::::::














Check out more videos by Titwrenchers, plus the gooey stuff that inspires us on our Youtube channel + follow us on Twitter!!!!!

Seriously, if you haven't checked out a Titwrench showcase/dance party/love fest PLEASE JOIN US! It's a really radical thing happening in Denver/Boulder right now, and we want you to be a part of it. In a band and want to play a showcase? Looking to volunteer? Have a rad idea for a party, have a talent you want to share, want to join in helping plan a music festival? Just want more info? Check out Titwrench.com, email us at titwrench@gmail.com, or email me directly at breecdavies@gmail.com.


p.s.- Have you checked out Hot White yet? Someone finally took some appropriate photos of these kids. God, they rule. I can't wait until they explode. Check them out Jan 16th at Rhino:::

Transparent inspirations.

Duran Duran Come Undone




Pictureplane


Deee-Lite - Good Beat

Forgive me, 2009: This is my best of you.

I love lists. I love compiling words in an order, quantifying tasks, processes, songs, colors, fruit flavors, etc. Anything that can be put on a legal pad with a pen, I'm into. I look forward to the end of the year when we as music writers are asked to place the songs/albums/artists we liked the best into a nice and neat order for others to see. Somehow, this year, there wasn't an particular album that grabbed my attention, but I managed to put some lists of records and events and shows I experienced that meant a lot to me. Below are the links to three local websites I (along with a bunch of my other Colorado writer/photog friends) contributed our opinions to. Enjoy!

I am a strong believer: Pure Fun And Total Love.

I've never for a moment thought Andrew W.K. was a brainwasher. A little culty, maybe, but not someone sent or created by a label/Svengali/PR person to tell me how to party harder. I've also not followed his career that extensively, but through the eyes of Twitter, I can see that he's hurting, and he has been for a long time. Rumors that his career is a sham seem to be infiltrating his New Year. If I'm wrong, and he's not legit, then I will be surprised. But frankly, anyone sharing a message of positivity (that isn't religious) is pretty okay in my book. It takes so much more energy to be negative, but somehow, so many people I know are consumed with anger, vindication, and a desire for drama and hurt over happiness. I think much of it has to do with our own growing pains, but the answer is simple: You get back from the universe what you put out there. It took me a long time to realize this myself, but once I figured it out, shit got easier, happier, brighter, and well, a lot more fun.

Below is a message Andrew put out in defense of himself—the video quality makes him seem creepy, but I think his message is clear: PARTY HARD FOREVER.




Andrew WK, in finer form:





PURE FUN AND TOTAL LOVE.

xo b

What a book she writes.

EPIC::::

EPIC BUMMER::::

SATURDAY DEC. 12:::: ZEROMILE MAGAZINE RELEASE PARTY!

Come to our next show, tomorrow night at 82 Broadway! Info:::

Dude. Last night's Titwrench showcase at Meadowlark was a total success! We (Night Of Joy) played our best set to date, I think. It felt good. Although our the core of our Titwrench collective has shrunk considerably, there is still an undeniable energy present when a handful of us are in a room together, and when so many of us are performing. Kristi Schaefer of Hideous Men has recently joined us in the planning and organizing of future events too— its so exciting to see new people who want to be involved coming forward for Titwrench. 2010 is going to rule!

TITWRENCH PRESENTS: SURFACING

After the success of our last showcase at the Meadowlark in October, Titwrench Presents is bringing our next installment of great bands/performers to light this Thursday, December 10th. My band, Night of Joy, will be playing (and we have a new song, and maybe a new cover too! We're retiring The Breeders cover. I know, its about time), plus our friends Lust-Cats Of The Gutters! and Via! And Tit For Tat! And Val's other band, Sacred Brain! Oh, and this rad band I haven't had the pleasure of seeing yet, Hideous Men! Which also rules, because we're playing with them Saturday too. More info on that to come. Also, my friend and former editor John Wenzel wrote this nice bit about the our showcase for Reverb. COME DOWN, SUPPORT, SEE RAD BANDS, MEET NEW PEOPLE, AND HANG OUT!!!

Know your boyfriend, unlike other guys.

As a song writer, fiction writer, article writer, and whatever writer since the age of four, I have been in search my own handful of words that are perfect. In the millions of things I've put to paper, nothing has struck me yet—not in the way others' simple phrases have. It's like the ideal set-up of words has eluded me and all I can do is keep writing filler until they appear. I thought about this idea of linguistic perfection today as I stood in the shower and sang to Vampire Weekend's "Oxford Comma"—as I have been doing every day for the past few weeks.



The simple phrase that brought me here was this: Crack a smile, adjust my tie.

It's nothing groundbreaking, controversial, or even thought-provoking. But the vision of a self-assured East Coast kid like Ezra Koenig tilting his neck to the side and smirking like a crisp, white Law & Order defendant came through with just those six words. Six words so strong I mimic his imagined action every time I hear "Oxford Comma." Thank god no one can see me when I'm singing to it in my shower stall. Or see the dance I do to "Bad Romance" by Lady Gaga or the foolish white bread act I put on when mimicking Kid Sister's "Right Hand Hi."

Guilty...


as charged.

However, if you ever pass me on the road, you'll catch my ponytail flinging and simultaneous lip-synching. It's a habit I'm public about and don't see breaking anytime soon.

I'm an honorary gay man.

There is no secret about where I work on the weekends, and where I have worked since 2005. I am a proud employee of Gap Inc., and sometimes its sick how much I love my job. Anyway, we had to create a video for a cheer-off competition for this holiday season, and below is our entry. Working in retail off and on since 1996, I have become one of those crazy people that LOVES the mall during Christmas time. It's no secret how fascinated I am with mall culture, but it seems amplified during the holidays.

The blues are still blue.

Night Of Joy is playing this Saturday, Nov. 21st, at 9:30pm SHARP for our crush/lady friend Baily Rose's fashion show/gathering/auction at 82 Broadway. It's free! Come see us play! Kiss our cheeks! Be our new best friends!

INFO////




+++

"Said Once" by Hawnay Troof is currently wiggling through my bones.

Enjoy:::

Take a break.

Just for a second.






That is all.

xo b

It's alright, just leave the light on.

Val and I went to Becci's (AKA Tha Chiller Wale) 23rd birthday/90's/Kurt and Courtney party Friday, and she snapped this picture of us, looking like two wayward tweens—Outfits courtesy of Becci and Chrissy's epic chest of fancy stuff. Oh, and our band, Night of Joy, plays tomorrow night, Sat. Nov 14th, at The Outpost in Boulder with OMFG The Lust-Cats of the Gutters and HOLY SHIT Thee Goochi Boiz, two of our most favorite bands in Denver and everywhere NOW. We play around 10. I have no clue where this place is. I suck.

We have some other shows coming up too, including one on Nov. 21st at 82 Broadway for Baily Rose's fashion show, and a celebration of her lines from past and present. Then the next one is, I believe, at Bar Bar on Nov. 25th with Thee Goochi Boiz and maybe the Lust-Cats again too? I am so terrible with information, but I will get more about these shows ASAP because I want you to come, I promise I do. This weekend, we're also going on a massive merch-making binge with my really-uber-super-talented sister Kelley, so that Night of Joy night gown/beer koozie/tie-dye towel you've always wanted can soon be yours. We're making all kinds of fun stuff!

Other things wandering in and out of my brain...How come you can hear a song a million times over, and it won't strike you until the 1,000,001th time you hear it? I love Vivian Girls. Love them. I've been screaming their name since I fell upon them in New York. But it wasn't until yesterday that this song stuck to me. I think it might have been the Black Angels/Jesus Lizard haze I was in as I was knee-deep in A.V. Club-related work, but Something caught my ear in "Where Do You Run To?" that I haven't heard before. I don't know. Maybe you can figure it out.






P.S.- My other new favorite thing: Surfer Blood. Where have I been?

This week: Computer-to-life suckage and emotional glory holes.

Brain////




Heart////




Emotional life////

Who wants honey?

Freak out, give in. Doesn't matter what you believe in. Stay cool, and be somebody's fool this year. Because they know: Who is righteous, what is bold.
So I'm told.

Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money—
Who wants that honey?

Hipsters unite. Come align for the big fight to rock, for you. But beware, all those angels with their wings glued on. Because deep down, we are frightened and we're scared. If you don't stare.

Who wants honey?
As long as there's some money—
Who wants that honey?

Let me out.
Let me out.
Let me out.
Let me out.

Tell me all of your secrets. Cannot help but believe this—is true. Tell me all of your secrets. I know, I know, I know; I should have listened when I was told.

Who wants honey?
As long as there is some money—
Who wants that honey?

Let me out.
Let me out.
Let me out.
Let me out.

FOUND! Boyfriend Ryan Ross has been hiding out in...

his new band, The Young Veins. And from what I can tell, its not a step up from Panic! at the Disco (<---and they're back to the exclamation! point! after the punctuation's brief hiatus between 2008 and 2009, according to the most accurate source in modern news, Wikipedia.) It's like one step deeper into the luke warm wading pool of boring, wishy-washy Beatles-esque layered vocal pop. But hey, you take what you can get, you know? Like TYV first and only single proclaims, "Some people never change, they just stay the same." Stay cute, Ryan Ross. Because it's like I tell my best friend Rosita: God gives you one thing. You got "being pretty" as your one thing. So don't try too hard at singing or dancing, because chances are people will be offended and/or laugh at you. Got it, Ryan?

I had this journal once, with a built-in mirror in the cover. On the front it said "Hello Gorgeous," and when you opened it up, it said, "You Look Marvelous." I don't know why I thought of that, other than I think that's exactly what I said when I saw that picture of RR. Meow. Too bad P!ATD is still trying to make records without him. Because the band's one thing it was good at was being pretty, until he left the band.

Friday turn-ons: She wants love, and I still wanna fuck.

Baby, you be sweet.

A song from my teenagerhood that I still can't believe my prude self loved so much. Whatever they say about Catholic school girls is true.

And then there's always drugs, and of course, dancing::::

+++

John, I'm only dancing.