Remembering the Encores

Who: Journey with Foreigner and Night Ranger When: August 10, 2011 Where: Darien Lake Performing Arts Center/ Darien Center, NY With: Wendy Of Note: truly terrifying fashion, JOURNEY!!!! One of the great things about me, I think, is that I have no sense of irony. Like, I can't even begin to understand what the hipster nonsense of, "Well, I only like that ironically," or, "Well, this is just my ironic mustache," means. Why would you have a mustache unless you wanted to have a mustache? Why would you "like" something (or say you like something) if you didn't actually, you know, like it? I've always been more of a "embrace the things you enjoy wholeheartedly and make a big stink out of it" kind of girl. All that to say, I have always loved Journey. I didn't watch the Sopranos, but I remember saying when it ended that it was the best thing that ever happened because 'Don't Stop Believin'' was constantly ...

Philip Phillips/ Home Oh American Idol, I should probably quit you.  But, I don't.  And this year's winner, Philip Phillips, has arguably the best "winners single" of any Idol.  I know the winners haven't had a ton of success in the last bunch of years, but this song is so radio ready....I hope this kid goes far. John Mayer/ Age of Worry John Mayer's new album is incredible and I cannot stop listening to 'Age of Worry' - such a fantastic  song, with its vague sea shanty lilt and John hitting the lower notes in his rage.  Plus I feel like the lyrics are supposed to be sending me a very specific message...though I haven't figured out what it is yet: 'Close your eyes and clone yourself/ Build your heart an army/ To defend your innocence/ While you do everything wrong/ Don't be scared to walk alone/ Don't be scared to like it' Greg Laswell featuring Sara Bareilles/ Come Back Down Two of my very favorites on o...

Who: Sara Bareilles with Elizabeth and the Catapult When: April 17, 2011 Where: Koessler Athletic Center, Canisius College/ Buffalo, NY With: Sarah, Gretchen Of Note: Sara B unknowingly providing the soundtrack to my impending heartbreak One Friday afternoon, I was sitting at my desk at work and Sarah came up to say hello. When I asked her what she was doing that week-end, she said that she was going to see Sara Bareilles at Canisius Sunday night. I thought to myself, "How did you not know that was happening?" and bought tickets online while one of the company's VPs talked to Sarah and I from the other side of my desk. Sunday night, I drove the 8 minutes from my house to Canisius and found the girls inside. I always find it hilarious when they cover gym floors with plastic. I also thought it was adorable that "concessions" was a folding table in the back of the gym. I don't remember too much about Elizabeth and the Catapult, except that I thou...

Who: Young the Giant When: April 20, 2012 Where: Stage AE/ Pittsburgh, PA With: Hillary Of Note: an 80 degree night in Pittsburgh in April, a venue sponsored by a clothing chain, awesome music The first time I heard 'My Body' on the radio, I stopped the running conversation I have with myself while I'm driving and listened intently. It was amazing. I bought Young the Giant's self-titled debut and put it on steady rotation. I was bummed when I was in Europe when they were in Toronto. I got the email that they added a few dates, one of them Pittsburgh. I decided that a 7 hour round-trip drive was perfectly reasonable to see a great band. Luckily, Hillary was willing to play along with my ridiculousness. We rolled into Pittsburgh and was shocked to find that it was 80 degrees. I know we were going south, but I didn't realize it was going to be so unseasonably, tropically warm. We were also surprised to see that 'Stage AE' was actually a venue ...