jamie ann

So I may have thought this was The Rapture people were talking about earlier this week.

The Rapture – “Whoo! Alright! Yeah! Uh-huh!” from ben dickinson on Vimeo.

And then everyone was like NO, JAMIE. MORE LIKE THE END OF THE WORLD.

And I was all, WHATEVER, BRO. LET’S DANCE.

I’m pretty sure that The National could probably provide the soundtrack to my life. I’m very partial to many songs from Boxer and a few off Alligator (like this particular song), but their latest release, High Violet, is probably one of the best albums in existence. It’s flawless from beginning to end. There’s no filler, just gorgeous melodies and lyrics and an effortless flow to the whole album. Trust.

There are certain songs that really hit you though. The Geese of Beverly Road is my favorite by The National and probably one of my favorite songs of all time. It’s kind of hard to put into words why. It just kind of feels like everything.

Everything you feel. Everything you want. Everything you need. It makes you feel sad, hopeful and infinite all at the same time.

It’s a little bit magic.

Every now and then, I come across a band that I just really can’t get enough of.

The Gaslight Anthem is one of those bands for me. Their three albums (and EP) are consistently part of my music rotation and like I said, I just really can’t get enough.

Tuesday night, I finally got to see them live. I pre-ordered tickets a million years ago and have been looking forward to the show for months. I invited Dani because she’s awesome and one of the only people I know and hang out with in Chicago who really digs the same kind of music that I do. I think she liked them even though she was having a Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.

The Gaslight Anthem didn’t disappoint. They put on an amazing show. They are really one of the best bands I’ve seen live (and that says a lot because I have been to A LOT of shows) and there was just an awesome energy the whole night. The crowd, the band, everything. I heard all my favorite songs (Miles Davis and The Cool and We Came to Dance and many more!) and they closed out with The Backseat, which was kind of perfect.

I really can’t wait until these boys hit Chicago again.

I have a hard time throwing things away. No, it’s not like Hoarders all up in my living space but I do hold on to some things for sentimental reasons.

These ticket stubs go back years. Some a faded to where you can’t even read the print. This pile probably represents less than 1/4 of the amount of shows I’ve been to since most of them were at the smaller, hole in the wall venues that didn’t require paper tickets. Walk up, throw some cash at the door guy, x’s on hands if you’re underage and enjoy the show.

A couple weeks ago I pulled them all off my bulletin board but still have them tucked away because I can’t bear to throw them away. Some of my best memories happened at these shows – the people, the music, the energy, all of it – and I’d like to hold on to them in a tangible way.

I guess it’s kind of like they are all little pieces that help make up me today.

Dear Zooey,

Can I just say how much I absolutely adore you?  And by absolutely adore, I really mean totally hate. But somehow, still absolutely adore.

How do you do it? I mean really. You’re making it hard for the rest of us girls here.

With your big blue eyes and hair that always manages to be perfectly ringleted. Your ridiculously, amazing collection of dresses. For most girls that would be enough. But no, not for you.

Then add in a lovely singing voice. Plus, you’re in my favorite movies like Almost Famous and get to make out with JGL. Oh and you’re one half of the super indie rock mega couple and shacking up with Ben Gibbard.

Seriously?

SERIOUSLY.

So instead of hating, I’d like to be your new best friend. Can we go shopping for pretty dresses? Can your hair stylist hook me up? Maybe some of your adorable glow will cast itself off onto those around you. I can use some adorable myself and you’re just being greedy.

Please share the love with the rest of us. Or at least me. Forget about all those other broads.

Your new BFF,

Jamie Lovely

P.S. She & Him Volume Two is fantastic. I managed to acquire it today.

P.P.S. You can listen to the album on NPR here.

Just because it’s Friday and it’s Gaga.

The video for Telephone featuring some broad named Beyonce dropped yesterday.

Definitely no Bad Romance but I still dig it.

How very Tarantino, right?

I woke up this morning feeling hungover. And when you didn’t have a drop of alcohol the night before, that’s clearly a problem.

You see, my weekend was filled with too much awesome. So much that I’m hungover from it.

(Or not enough water, whatever)

At first I was kinda sick and that was just not going to go well with my plans. I had to cancel dinner with Jessica Maria, who was in town, and Ang on Thursday night. And then missed Friday night’s Motion City Soundtrack show and one of the outside pockets of my Marc Jacobs bag got completely soaked on the outside and I had a three minute meltdown in the Target parking lot that included freaking out on Twitter and me being very close to tears because YOU JUST DON’T FUCK WITH A GIRL’S MARC JACOBS.

(Yeah, I’m talking to you, Target carts)

That night after a little bit of  a late start, I met up with an old acquaintance, who I haven’t seen in about four years. Personally, I’m a fan of spending my Friday night talking to a cute boy and eating soup until 2AM. So here’s to new friends!

The following day, I spent it mainly in bed with Barney Stinson and making out Christmas cards which was great until I got a paper cut on my lip. Who does that? Apparently, I do.

(I’m sorry if your Christmas card has blood on it)

But yesterday was a pretty fantastic way to round out an amazing weekend. I was just minding my own business when I see a tweet from Whitney (who has an excellent fashion blog you should check out) that Rodarte for Target was out and I was all HJASDLAK and ran out wearing leggings as pants and my ugly boots. All my clothes were in the laundry and it was CLEARLY A FASHION EMERGENCY so I made an exception to my rule.

Bad fashion for the sake of good fashion. Duh.

Here is my good fashion: crepe lace print dress and this cardigan. The cardigan (mine is grey) is amazing which is to be expected if you are familiar with Rodarte knits. AMAZING.

And then I found out that Brittany Murphy died. WAY HARSH, TAI. But seriously, I need to go buy Clueless and watch on repeat to honor her memory because it’s really one of the best movies ever. She was way too young to come to an end so soon.

My sister, Sara, is also home for the holidays so she was my partner in crime for the night. Then I got a text saying Jessica’s flight got canceled and Sarah flew in from Detroit for the night and we all hung out at the Motion City Soundtrack show! I haven’t really listened to them too much but after seeing them live, they definitely have a new fan.  After we got to run backstage and say hi to Jesse (Jessica’s husband) and it was pretty cool being able to meet one of the people I’ve read about for so long.

The show itself was fantastic even if it made me feel totally old. I use to be the one bouncing around in the crowd freaking out to my favorite songs and this time I was up in the side balcony checking everything out from up top. Regardless, I need more rock shows in my life.

There is only one way to wrap a night of good fashion, music and friends: GRILLED CHEESE. So the sister and I headed to The 44th Ward Dinner Party to grab a Belmont Harbor which is basically the sandwich dreams are made of. No joke, come to Chicago and I will take you there.

And the winner for most awesome weekend ever goes to me.

When I think back over the past few years, so many of my favorite memories are linked to music in some way.

My first and only year in the dorms, Story of the Year and 50 Cent. No joke. Pop punk and rap music were the soundtrack to our Thirsty Thursday. So college, it hurts.

Inking a dove on my shoulder when I turned 18. It happens to be a band logo as well but it means so much more.

There were many trips to various venues, my favorites being the beat up bowling alley on Fullerton whose bathroom stalls never locked and the lounge underneath the Belmont red line with Philly’s Best across the street that we would stumble in exhausted and sweaty, absolutely beat (literally) from the show ready for some pizza.

Being stuffed into a teeny tiny cafe listening to some stupid local grind band with the windows fogged up and kids pouring outside. Traffic often stopped to see what the hell was going on in the little coffee shop. But the bad music and the crowded spaces didn’t matter, it was all about who I was hanging out with.

Since I had an SUV, I was often the designated roadie for local bands I actually liked. I didn’t mind because I was probably going there anyway. Big huge cabs and bass guitars were often a staple in my car on weekends. The music that flowed from it was all that mattered.

Milwaukee. Some of the best bands came from there and since Chicago was so close, there were many road trips. I couldn’t tell you how many times I’ve seen sincebyman or even the things I would do to their lead singer but they were the best of Milwaukee hardcore.

Seeing the last show ever by Engine Down with Bella Lea. Lying in the middle of Grant Park on a blanket, head rested on his chest listening to Death Cab for Cutie. Being completely immersed in the beauty of Blonde Redhead when the girl in front of you stiffens, eyes roll back and she hits the floor with such a thud, you were sure her skull cracked open. She only fainted but it sure scared the hell out of me. I probably never would have forgotten that show but she forever cemented it in my mind. Another year at Lollapalooza, this time lying on the outskirts of a sea of people. Blanket spread out, eyes closed and soaking up all that Radiohead had to offer. It was like magic.

Packed in a sweaty, old man bar in Boystown while friends throw out mashup after mashup at the crowd getting out of the hood. Hanging out in various clubs and lounges and just being there for support. Lying on the couch listening to the scratch of records while he brushes up his skills. Occasionally, he throws in a silly song he would never play in the club just because he knows it will make me smile.

Right now? I’m listening to music that makes me think of better days. I’m pouring through 2003. There is nothing like pop punk when you’re not feeling your best.

Have you ever been in the middle of it all for one of your favorite bands?

There is nothing like it.

The pushing, the shoving, the screaming, the dancing. It brings out passion, fear, all kinds of emotion and pumps you so full of adrenaline. It’s just an amazing high.

I need more of that feeling right now.

Truly a legend who changed the face of music.

He will be missed.

Rest In Peace