remembering jeff buckley

Ten years ago almost to the day, I was living with my friend Michelle just down the street from where I live today. She was staying over at her boyfriend's house. I woke up about 10 minutes before my alarm went off -- I hate when that happens; I feel so cheated. Knowing that MTV News, in that decade at least, was broadcast at about 10 minutes to the hour, I decided to get up and go into our living room and turn on the TV. I still have no idea why I did this. I don't know what made me get out of bed to turn the TV on.

Kurt Loder appears on my screen and tells me that Jeff Buckley has been missing for a couple of days after going swimming in the Wolf River, and his body has been found. He was in Memphis, Tennessee, and he was dead.

It was like getting hit by a Mac Tools truck. I had no words. And of course, there was only about one minute devoted to the story, as fewer people knew about him then. It wasn't like the day Kurt Cobain was found dead in his house. There wasn't even a computer in my apartment, so I couldn't go online and try to find more information or visit a MySpace page.

Without sounding too melodramatic, my life changed a bit that day. Later, I would join the staff of JBIN, the official Jeff Buckley International Newsletter and interview musician Holcombe Waller, travel to Cleveland all by myself to the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame for a fan gathering, meet Jeff's mom and go to dinner with her, Jeff's half brother and other Jeff fans from around the country and Canada.

I used to feel guilty that I cried more about the death of a musician who I didn't even know than some of my own relatives who I loved dearly. I think now that it's partly because of the tragic nature of Jeff's death at such a young age -- he was only 30. And it's partly because I feel like I know Jeff in a way that's more intimate than the kinds of relationships we have with people we know.

It's art and its honesty, nakedness and truth. The openness that artists allow themselves is so attractive to me. I know that I can be naive, but I do, in fact, know that just because a musician or a painter can create a feeling in someone doesn't make it real or true. But it does tell me something about themselves.

Mike sent me an article last week about Trent Reznor, and his truths are brutal and free-flowing. The man does not hold back. He's content to share his viewpoints, his disappointments and his struggles with depression and addiction. That's more than some of my own friends and relatives, so I relate to him in a way that I may not with someone I see everyday. Weird, huh?

Anyway, I miss Jeff Buckley. My heart gets so heavy thinking about how unfair it is that he's gone. If there's a Heaven, and God sees to it that I find my way there someday, I will be reunited with my grandparents, friends and family members who have died. And Jeff will be singing. That's my Heaven.

By the way, if you're a fan of Jeff's, Merri Cyr's collection of photos, A Wished-For Song is a must have. And there's a new CD of his music, So Real, the Music of Jeff Buckley available now on Columbia Records.

Listen to NPR's take on the 10th anniversary of Jeff's death.

This electronic press kit could make anyone a fan. It always makes me cry. I actually first bought a DVD player in 2000 because Jeff Buckley - Live in Chicago was being released, and the DVD version included special extras -- especially this electronic press kit. I found it recently on MySpace.
Jeff Buckley epk

bright eyes at hard rock live

There may be no better feeling on Earth than unexpected delight and surprise. Those OMG moments when you don't even care that the silly grin on your face is giving it all away.

I had a ticket to osee Bright Eyes at Hard Rock Live on May 17, and I was going solo. It was one of those days where I could easily have bowed out because there was no one to disappoint, the money was already spent a couple of months ago, I still had to pack my suitcase for a long-weekend jaunt to Houston to watch my niece be baptized, I was battling explosive digestive conflicts and it was raining for the first time in seven months.

But it was Bright Eyes. So I went. We're talking about one of my favorite bands, so I have no idea why I was so indifferent about it.

Oh my God, I am so glad I went.

First, as the band took the stage, all dressed in white -- suits, dresses, skirts, scarves, tights, what have you -- I caught a glimpse of the drummer. It was Janet Weiss from Sleater-Kinney. Holy crap! I knew she helped out on the new album Cassadaga, but I had no idea she was touring. Who knows how long this Sleater-Kinney hiatus will be? I was thrilled to see her, Janet, the woman who made me want to learn to play the drums. She's just amazing.

OMG Moment #2 -- There was a huge screen behind the stage where images were projected. Two songs in, I realized that a guy just six feet away from mr near the sound board was putting on this little show live with a bunch of little props he had within arm's length and a powerful overhead projector. It was simply fascinating to watch; other concertgoers were straining to see the live art unfold, and some were even recording it on their cell phones.

The first show within the show that i watched was the guy gently moving a small purple flower under the lens, twisting its stems and pulling off each petal one by one. It looked simply beautiful on stage, and I felt like I had a seat backstage. For the next song, the guy just used different colored markers, drawing aimlessly, it appeared. But when you looked up to the performers, you could see it wasn't so spontaneous. That's why they are wearing white! Conor's suit was yellow in a color-outside-of-the-lines kind of way.

It was fun to watch all the different setups, and it gave me lots of ideas for potential photo sessions.

OMG Moment #3 -- Conor is often ridiculed for his setlists and the lack of variety. With such a strong, prolific repertoire, Conor has hundreds of songs to choose from, he rarely strays from the band's current release. Not tonight.

Early in the set, Bright Eyes launched into "First Day of My Life," then later "Gold Mine Gutted" and then "The Calendar Hung Itself," "I Believe in Symmetry" and "Lua." The crowd, of course, went wild with each song that was more recognizable than anything on Cassadaga.

Always one to bring his friends with him on tour, there were 10-12 musicians on stage throughout the show. For the closer, "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning," which is truly the best closing song on any musician's setlist, there were 19, count them 19 people on stage.

All in all, the band hasn't veered too far from its earlier, more intimate shows. Sure, there were synchronized lights and formal attire, but it still had a very DIY feel, Nate still looked bored, Conor was still very quiet between songs and fans were still yelling asinine things like "I wanna have your baby, Conor."

Some things will never change.

Góðan daginn!

That's "hi" in Icelandic, in honor of Bjork's show in New York tonight. James is there, and I am jealous. I can't wait to hear about it in his own words. I can just picture his smile already! Luckily, NPR is planning to stream the show live tonight at 8 p.m. Read more at npr.org, and while you're there, download a complete show from Peter Bjorn and John. Awesome!

coachella - day two

My Coachella adventure, part 2

After learning our lesson the hard way, we arrived to the polo fields before any of the bands even started their sets!

We caught Fields first. I love this time of day because the crowds are pretty sparse and there's room to sit or lay down in the performance tents and listen to the bands -- very relaxing. I remember thinking that the band sounded good, but I don't remember any of the songs or what they sounded like, or what they looked like.

You would infer then that they were less than spectacular. Maybe. But I think I miss a lot at Coachella performances because I am easily distracted by concertgers walking around in their Underoos, checking out all the tattoos, reading witty T-shirts, admiring all the beautiful people, gazing at the gorgeous scenery, reviewing my schedule over and over and over, etc.... It's the most relaxing time of my year, but it also tends to be the craziest because I don't want to miss anything.

And undoubtedly, I do. Everyone does. There are more than 100 bands. There are 60,000 people walking around. And I want to catch as many songs from as many artists as possible, so I am always contemplating my next move. Will it be to the Mojave or Gobi tent? Is the blister on the inner arch of my foot getting worse? Do I have enough sun block on? Did I miss a call from a fellow Coachie? Do I have any more Life Savers?

Next up was Fountains of Wayne at the Coachella Stage. They went on at 2:30, and the sweat was literally rolling down my face, my neck, my back. I started to feel a bit woozy and needed water. I'm not sure why, but this year's setup seemed to lack a few tents. To get water, you had to go all the way into one of the food areas. And by the way, where were the merch tents? Everyone in our group has purchased fun shirts, purses, barrettes, skirts, pins, etc. at a booth or two. Hell, we even stopped at an Herbalife vendor last year. This year, the indie commerce was minimal.

Fountains of Wayne, I can't neglect to say, put on a solid performance with songs from their new CD and old favorites like "Radiation Vibe." Devan, Kristen and I enjoyed the performance from the grassy knoll, while Christy found shade next to the sound booth and worked on her embroidered burpcloths. I wonder if the baby whose spit-up is wiped with the cute elephant burpcloth will know it was made in the middle of the desert while people danced to indie pop.

After the set, I grabbed some water, and we joined Christy in the shade, which proved a great spot to watch Regina Spektor, who really won over the crowd. I will refrain from falling into the trap of comparing her to Tori Amos because she's a singer-songwriter with a very distinctive voice who writhes on a piano bench. But really, she does remind me of Tori because she appears kind of fragile until you listen to the lyrics she's belting out. Amazing performance!

Then came one of my major conflicts of the festival. Travis and Peter Bjorn and John were playing at the same time. I love Travis. The Man Who is one of my all-time favorite albums. But Peter Bjorn and John's Writer's Block is one of my favorite albums of the year. I went for PB&J. Because I got to the Mojave Tent in time to see the end of Hot Chip -- Excellent! -- I was able to grab a good spot when the crowd turned between sets.

I loved the Swedes! They played an acoustic version of "Amsterdam," and when the woman from The Shout Out Louds joined the band onstage to sing "Young Folks," the place went absolutely crazy. The song usually begins with whistling, but not this time. It was almost as if everyone was smiling too hard to be able to whistle. So by the time the next "whistle interlude" came in, you could literally feel the excitement and anticipation of the crowd.

Our whole group met up again for The Decemberists at the Outdoor Stage. We were way in the back just relaxing on the lawn and enjoying the music. If I stood, I could see the crazy whale on stage during the final song.

It's funny because usually, I'd be focused completely on the music and antics going on between bandmates on the stage, but sitting around with my friends is something I can't typically do at a Decemberists show, so I guess you go with the flow.


Next up, CocoRosie at the Gobi Tent. I was really excited about this show because their sound and style is so unique. A young guy at my office said my CD sounded like cats crying, but I just think they are an acquired taste. Unfortunately, it wasn't their night. The ladies seemed to be having problem with their equipment and were yelling to people off stage. The odd images displayed on the screen behind them were enough to keep fans enthralled for a bit, but the band seemed to lose some steam in their frustration, and we reluctantly left a bit early to catch the second half of Arcade Fire on the Coachella Stage.

I saw the Arcade Fire at Coachella in 2005, when their stellar performance in all its controlled chaos became the darlings of that year's festival. Once I was even in earshot of the stage, I questioned why I allowed myself to miss any of the show. The band is truly fantastic live -- maybe even more impressive than in the studio. They really do define the Coachella experience. You become almost oblivious to the thousands of people around you and the fact that you smell bad, look worse and are nursing aching feet. You just dance. Swing your arms around like no one can see you, sing a little too loudly and hope that your feelings of freedom and contentment never end. Then, you realize you have to pee, and remember that means another visit to the portable, non-flushable pot o' gold.

I caught some of Blonde Redhead after that. They sounded great, and the vintage image of the four-legged woman playing tennis on their CD shone on the screen behind them. Even from afar, they looked and sounded like indie rock gods.

Red Hot Chili Peppers played the Coachella Stage next. The first time I saw the Peppers live was at the Municipal Auditorium in New Orleans in 1991. Pearl Jam and Smashing Pumpkins opened. Yep, killer show. The show was electric and kind of changed my life. Sixteen years later, the band still rocks. But when I first saw them, they seemed dangerous and sexy, funky and edgy like nothing I'd heard before. Today, not so much. I was kind of disappointed that I missed experiencing something new, like Sparklehorse or LCD Soundsystem during the set time.

The Good, The Bad and The Queen closed out my Day 2 on the Outdoor Stage. It marked the first time seeing Damon Albarn live, and he sounded just like he does in my earphones. He has such a gorgeous voice. Mike is such a huge fan of his, it was fun just seeing him so excited. Just like being around James when he talks about Bjork -- I think we all love music so much that we understand the crazy anticipation of seeing your favorite band, and it's just as fun when it's you or your Coachie friend.

c o a c h e l l a 2 0 0 7

I don't have clue where to begin. There's so much I want to, need to and hope to express, but I know that a lot of it has been said before -- by me and my Coachie friends over the last three years.

Of course, I am talking about the religious experience that is the Coachella Music and Art Festival. It's so much more than just this year's hottest indie bands, art installations and celeb sightings. It's one time each year that people come together to enjoy life in a way you may not have thought possible. I mean, who thinks standing in 103-degree heat in the middle of the desert, waiting in line for dirty portable toilets, and trekking 2 miles back to your dusty car at the end of very long day is an ideal vacation?

Um. I know eight people who do.


Of course, if you're not pictured above, you may not give a pile of poop. So, let's start where everyone does.

Day 1
After spending two miserable hours in traffic --- except for about five minutes of silly insanity involving the dispensing of breast mik -- I caught the end of Tokyo Police Club. It wasn't really enough to make a good judgment call. Betamike sent me a message via Blackberry (those work way better than cell phones on the Empire Polo Fields) that Satellite Party, Perry Farrell's new band with Nuno Bettancourt, was playing a set full of Jane's Addiction tunes. So, Mike, Kristen and I headed over to the main stage. I love Perry's voice, so I enjoyed the two songs we heard, but they were not Jane's Addiction songs. I heard they played "Stop!" Damn.

If we hurried, we could catch the first few songs from Of Montreal's set at the Outdoor Stage and then run back to the main stage to see Silversun Pickups. Of Montreal sounded good, but I couldn't get the new version of their Outback Steakhouse song about Mother's Day out of my head. Something about that just bothers me. Although, I am glad it turned more people on to their unique sound. But still, I always see weird Egyptian cavemen-looking drawings dancing around my head when I hear that song.

On the other hand, Silversun Pickups rocked. I really liked their set, and they seemed to get a great response from the crowd. The band members were humble and visibly excited by the magnitude of the show. The lead singer thanked fellow main stage acts The Jesus and Mary Chain, Interpol and Bjork for closing out the show and encouraged us to catch their sets -- as well as Blonde Redhead -- because they were going to be big someday. Hee hee. Very genuine and talented.

Time for food! Everyone complains that the food is overpriced. Perhaps I am getting too used to paying high prices in a tourist town, but I think it's actually a pretty good bargain. I spent $7.57 at a Wendy's in Lake Buena Vista today. And honestly, everything I've purchased at a Coachella food tent has been delicious. Seriously, even the veggie corndog. There are tons of organic and vegetarian options, as well as blocks of vendors separated by food type -- Mexican, Pan Asian, American and Europe. Although I am not sure why the cookie pie (I LOVE COOKIE CAKE!) was sold in the "European" area.

Mike, Kristen and I grabbed our food and sat on the pillow-soft grass outside the Gobi tent, where Amy Winehouse was drawing a HUGE crowd. She sounded impressive, but someone get that girl a sandwich -- she's a waif, and I think that beehive on top of her head may weigh more than the lower half of her body.

Somehow, all of us girls met up in time for Rufus Wainwright in the Mojave tent. He sounded like an angel, until he started the between-song banter. He's a stereotypically fabulous queen! And I love him. Each time I see him in concert, he makes the audience laugh out loud. We left in the middle of "The Art Teacher" so we could catch some real debauchery -- Peaches at the outdoor stage. She has an overwhelming stage presence, but it got a bit lost among the tens of thousands of people gathered around. Why don't they have video screens at the outdoor stage? The only time I could see her was when she scaled the scaffolding in an Arcade Fire-esque display of crazy. I love her.

I caught the tail end of The Jesus and Mary Chain and kicked myself for not getting there earlier for the whole set. Mike said they played a lot of old stuff, including "Head On" and "Just Like Honey," the latter of which I did get to hear. Yeah, yeah, I heard that Scarlett Johanssen sang back-up vocals, but that was happening way too far away for me to notice.

For some reason, I cannot specifically recall (Ha! I sound like a politician!) what I did next. I think I picked up some dinner, hit the merch tent again and took pictures of some of the art installations.


Then, it was time for Sonic Youth. I love, love, love the latest release from these ultracool kids, so this was one I definitely did not want to miss. The only other time I've seen them was as an opening act for Pearl Jam. I wish I coud catch an entire, full-length set, but I am thankful for anything. I didn't stay for the entire set because I wanted to meet up with my friends for Bjork. So, I missed "100%," which is one of my favorite songs. Alas, those are the consequences of trying to experience everything at Coachella.



Bjork. She closed the show and stole the hearts of everyone in attendance. I'm serious. Each time she said, "Thank you," at the end of a song, the audience let out a sweet coo. She opened with "Earth Intruders," and closed her encore with "Declare Independence" -- and kept everyone enthralled the entire time. The woman is simply amazing, and I feel like I must see her in a proper venue. Although, sometimes the acoustics at Coachella are better than some Orlando venues!

My only disappointment with Bjork's set was that I couldn't see her. All day, the screens surrounding the main stage were like works of art. The camera work was amazing -- and it almost looked like it was already shot, edited and on DVD store shelves. But when it was time for Bjork, the person directing the camerawork was far more interested in the Star Wars-style musical instruments. They were cool. But come on!!! We want to see our favorite Icelandic nymph! It was incredibly frustrating.

The heavenly highlight of the evening was a shooting star, falling into view right over the stage Bjork was commanding. The audience collectively gasped and pointed up toward the dark sky just a couple seconds too late to point it out to anyone who was looking away. It was the perfect way to end the first day of Coachella 2007.

exhale

Day 2 ... coming soon!