So, the new Mandy Moore song is co-written by Ryan Adams.  I wasn’t sure.  She said she had written it with a friend, but she didn’t mention his name and I didn’t think it would be appropriate to ask.

For those of you anxious for new Ryan Adams material, there’s a video of her singing it last Friday here.  According to this blog from one of Mandy’s band members, they first performed it last year, so I wouldn’t read too much into the lyrics.  I like it a lot, though.

I have had the best luck choosing concerts lately.  I’ve been inundated with amazing music from all directions.  It’s a wonderful feeling and so inspiring.  There are so many incredible people in this world.  It motivates me to want to do more, create more, live more … or something.

I am a pretty new fan to The National.  I bought their CD Boxer last year after hearing so much well-deserved praise from Pitchfork, Stereogum, et al, but I didn’t really start listening to it until recently.  It’s quickly become a favorite of mine, and it goes very well with late nights, good wine, and thunderstorms. 

They played last night at the House of Blues in San Diego and were phenomenal.  One of the band members (whose name I don’t know) played violin, keyboards, and maybe other instruments as well.  His violin playing was incredible, and he switched between instruments effortlessly.  He was as entertaining to watch as Matt, the lead singer, whose performance was infused with energy, his vocals gorgeous and intense. 

We stayed a bit after the show, and Matt came out to talk to people.  I never pass up the opportunity to tell incredible people they are incredible, so I introduced myself.  I was a little embarrassed, because I honestly knew nothing about the band until the concert last night.  I had never even looked at their myspace page or googled them, and any reviews I read of Boxer I read last year and I don’t remember biographical details.  I didn’t even know his name until he told me and since he seemed more than happy to talk with people, I proceeded to ask a series of questions that revealed how little I knew about him or the band.  So yes, a little embarrassing, but oh well.

He talked a bit about the last time he was in San Diego.  He mentioned that there were some tensions within the band during the show, and he brought it up again while we were talking.  He said he was grateful for the opportunity to “do it right,” because the last time they played in SD it wasn’t the best experience.  I asked him if things were okay with the band now, and he said that yeah, they were great, but they have their problems every now and again like in any relationship.  The last time they played in SD was at the Casbah, which is my favorite venue here.  I told him that, but when I thought about our conversation later I realized I probably should have mentioned the size.  I counted 8 people on stage at one point at the House of Blues last night and the Casbah is tiny.  If they tried to fit that many people on the stage at the Casbah, it’s no wonder there were tensions.

I asked how long they had been touring with Boxer, and he said pretty much non-stop since it came out.  I asked if they were working on new material and he said they don’t really write on the road.  Mostly, they write separately “in their bedrooms” and then come together and craft songs out of the bits and pieces they write separately.

I think that may have been it.  I also got a picture with him.  It’s cute.  I wish I had known more after the band before the concert so that I could have asked more intelligent questions.  Oh well.  Next time. 

So, in sum, buy Boxer, go see The National.  They are great.  That is all.

xoxo

She was incredible.  

She seemed so comfortable and happy to be performing.  Her voice was amazing and she had great stage presence.  She played a short set (around 40 minutes), but it was solid throughout.

I’ve always respected Mandy Moore (she’s brilliant in Saved and I like that she hasn’t succumbed to the pressure to be a size 0), but last night was the first time I’ve seen her live.  I am now pretty much a fan for life.  

Also, anyone who names their dog after Joni Mitchell is a hero in my book.

My friend Krishna look lots of photos, a few of which I’ve posted here.  I also got to meet her after the show.  She was lovely.  I asked if I could take a photo with her and she said that it was fine as long as I didn’t mind that she was sweaty and gross.  I think she she looks beautiful.  Me, on the other hand … well, I look like a midget, even though I’m actually 5’6”.  Mandy was wearing these kick-ass 4” heels though, so that didn’t help.  Seriously though, if anyone knows where I can find a less-expensive version of those shoes, please let me know.