Remembering the Encores

New Year, new music, right? Theo Katzman / Hard Work I've written about how charmed I was by Theo Katzman when I first saw him .  His new album, Heartbreak Hits, is outstanding from beginning to end - a full profile of what a broken heart feels like.  'Hard Work' is a stand-out for its spot on sentiment (I put in the work, why can't I reap the benefits?) and it's rocking chorus. Ben Phipps / I Don't Think So This is pure pop magic with a side of knowing when to call it quits. Adam Levine / No One Else Like You I have no idea how I'd never seen the movie 'Begin Again' but once I did, I listened to the soundtrack non-stop.  Though I didn't 100% believe Keira Knightley as a powerhouse of vocal talent, her acting was lovely and Mark Ruffalo was outstanding.  Adam Levine as as the recently douche-ified star boyfriend, James Corden as the dedicated friend, and Hailee Steinfeld as the sullen daughter round out an outstanding cast. ...

Usual disclaimers about how this is much less fun from the west coast and on DVR. I know I say this every time but I love Bruno Mars.  I like that he's traveling with a band of hpye men, though I miss his horn section.  Whoa - how did I miss that Bruno is the heir apparent to MJ?  This dance break is outstanding.  Is the use of pop and locking in reference to "pop, pop it's showtime?" Gigi Hadid is a model, right?  Has she ever had a speaking job before?  I'm not sure this would be the place to start?  I like that she's called out both the electoral college and Melania in the first four minutes.  Though that impression was kind of weak sauce.  Much like the VMAs, I feel like I still know things about music but if the presenters are what the children are into, I am out of touch.  Jay Pharaoh's Donald impression is hilarious though. These three look like they could orchestrate a complicated murder and get away with it, stage a hosti...

These shows are so much less fun to watch on the west coast.  With that statement out of the way, let's see how much of an old person I am; are the VMAs still relevant to me?  Let's find out. That is some intense shoulder choreography!  I am so confused by the butt flaps on the back of Rihanna's outfit.  What are those random things hanging off of her?  Also, what is the stage design here?  What are those big, white puffy things?  I love the dancers in all white and they are making some really cool shapes around her.  Is she supposed to be singing live or are we suspending disbelief?  Because sometimes she holds the microphone up and looks like she's singing and other times she ... doesn't. Man, Rihanna has a lot of hits!  Her story is a cool one - the way she got discovered, etc.  Or, at least the version in the book 'The Song Machine' is a really interesting "making of a star" story.  No 'Umbrella'?  Solid opening! ...

Ah, RTE.  Every time I say I'm not going to forsake you, I work 200 hours a week and do anyway.  No more empty promises!  Just words when I can. And more important than words, music! Waitress Original Cast Recording / When He Sees Me I saw 'Waitress' when I was in NY earlier this summer and was mesmerized.  It's outstanding and I've been listening to the album ever since.  This song is a treasure of staccato accents and real talk about virtual dating insecurity. Matt Hires / Restless Heart I saw this guy on my birthday and I love this song - a foot stomping kiss off. Seinabo Sey / Poetic I saw her open for X Ambassadors (eeks! so many concerts I need to write about!) and bawled.  Her voice is magic. The Trews / In the Morning "You push everyone away / But you don't want to be alone / You still don't know what you want / But you have to let that go / And trust that the sun will rise in the morning."  I'm just going...

Who: Shafty When: June 10, 2015 Where: Doc's Lab/ San Francisco, CA With: Rachel, Kellie, Matt, Phil, etc. Of Note: I'm pretty sure I'm a patron of the arts now! Okay, so, my first December in SF, I went to a run of moe. shows and made a friend, Rob who lives in Portland because I am was not allowed to have friends in San Francisco at that point in time. Rob and I became internet friends and then even realer friends when I headed to Portland for a work event and stayed the week-end. I'm pretty sure you become bff5eva when there's fondue involved. (And a hilarious bit by Natasha Leggaro where she calls and Applebees and tries to make a reservation. That is perhaps a different story though.) Anyway, Rob plays in a Phish tribute band called Shafty. I saw them when I was in Portland; they're fantastic. He said that they were putting together a northern California tour and would be stopping in San Francisco. I was excited to see them again! Being me...

Jaymes Young featuring Phoebe Ryan / We Won't Did you know that if you're enough of a narcissist, all songs can be about you?  "Don't call me up at 2 am tonight/ It feels so damn good and I wish you would..." This song is beautiful and I can't stop listening to it. 

Who: Tove Lo When: October 3, 2015 Where: The Fox Theater/ Oakland, CA With: Ange, Chelsea Of Note: Now I have two girl crushes! Once upon a time, I went to Australia. And when I was in Australia, what little time I spent in my hotel rooms/ Airbnb apartment, I spent with the TV turned to the, now defunct, FUSE network (essentially Australian MTV when MTV was still predominantly videos). Anyway, one of the videos that was on constantly was Tove Lo's 'Habit'. 'Habit' is one of those almost perfect pop songs. From the opening, slightly whiny, "Oh ohs," through the contrast of the lilting melody of the verses paired with their provocative lyrics, and onto the desperation of the, "forget I'm missing you," of the chorus... it's really just glorious. And that's before you get to the bridge that builds in stair steps, with additional instrumentation on each repetition of, "Can't go home alone again/ Need someone to numb t...