If you remember, I blogged about The Grim Repat a few months ago (read over here), and I still mean it when I say that a lot of thought goes into Mara’s videos. Tomorrow, it’s a full production for the New Year’s episode, and having seen just a peek of the entire process has left me pretty speechless.

(It’s way funner to watch the video, but—) Come over and wear a one-color shirt (that is not red or white) and be on time (11 am)! Stripes, small patterns, and rain are not welcome. Jackstones, pogs, and games are. More details over here, which you should read.

I am so excited for this.

Once upon a time, I didn’t really get The National. Those were very dark times.

A friend of a friend (hi Kaks! hi Kat!) said “Slow Show” was her favorite song. So, I listened to Boxer again—listened, this time, very carefully—and something life-changing happened.

There’s just no other way to describe it.

Maybe it’s all about timing, but on that second try, I fell in love, and I hurt, and then I fell in love again. Peter Silberman of The Antlers said:

“The National isn’t so much “a band” as it’s a piece of another person’s life that helps yours make sense.”

That’s exactly what it is, and I feel really lucky to have this, so I can fold it over and tuck in a space in my heart that’s probably in the shape of Ohio. It’s not just that Matt Berninger is so dreamy (he totally is, though), or that “Bloodbuzz Ohio” is so frakking catchy, or that Bryan looks a little bit like Jesus.

The National makes me feel at home. I know that’s corny and way overused, but it’s the only way I can ever describe this kind of closeness. There’s no possible way I can ever describe it in full, but to borrow something a stranger said about something else, The National “heal[s] every bit of you, even the ones you didn’t realize were hurting.”

When they canceled their Singapore show a few days before it was to happen, it was a devastating blow to the heart. I had been having a rough year, and it was the only thing I was looking forward to. I felt ripped open.

And then, suddenly, I had something to look forward to again.

Continue reading MR. NOVEMBER: THE NATIONAL IN SINGAPORE….

In a few days, I’ll be watching The National play in Singapore. I was supposed to see them in March, but they postponed the show to November. Which turned out to be pretty okay, because I can make all the “Mr. November” jokes I want.

Here’s a sampler of songs, which was difficult to pare down to these sixteen songs. First of all, I am a huge fan of The National. I might as well have uploaded their entire discography, if not for some moral faculties that are still in check. Secondly, I found The National after they had already released Boxer, so I didn’t get to bond with the earlier albums, except for Alligator, which ended up being my favorite.

Anyway—these songs. These are a couple of my favorites. Some of these, they don’t even play live all that often, but I wish they would (cough, “All the Wine,” cough). I hope you enjoy. It’s far from comprehensive, but I’d like to think it’s a pretty good list.

Matt Berninger’s voice takes a bit of time to get used to, but once you do, it’s difficult to imagine listening to anything else.

TRACKLIST:

1. “Fake Empire” from Boxer
2. “Looking for Astronauts” from Alligator
3. “Lit Up” from Alligator
4. “Mistaken For Strangers” from Boxer
5. “Abel” from Alligator
6. “Bloodbuzz Ohio” from High Violet
7. “Apartment Story” from Boxer
8. “Terrible Love” from High Violet
9. “Slow Show” from Boxer
10. “Daughters of the Soho Riots” from Alligator
11. “Sorrow” from High Violet
12. “England” from High Violet
13. “Start A War” from Boxer
14. “About Today” from Cherry Tree EP
15. “Mr. November” from Alligator
16. “All the Wine” from Alligator

download the .zip file

I’m not very good at social situations in general. I’m the kind of person who likes staying in to read and have movie marathons. I prefer dinner dates and stories shared over coffee to nights of dancing. I don’t know why, but these things never really felt comfortable to me. Which is probably why I really like going to gigs. You can show up, stand around, and listen to music without having to worry about small talk or withering looks of judgment (mostly because they usually happen in poorly-lit bars, har har).

Sometimes, though, I like having people to talk to and say “hello” to. I like being there for a reason, which in this case, was to support the musical efforts of a friend. Sometimes, it’s nice to have your silences punctuated with laughter, and music, and synchronized singing.

Sometimes, there are fireworks, too.

In response to this mix.

There’s a Wicket in my Pocket:

1. Sunlight in a Jar by The Lucksmiths
2. Low Shoulder by Toro y Moi (Daytrotter session)
3. Shook Down by Yuck (Daytrotter session)
4. Not Even Jail by Interpol
5. Honestly by Zwan
6. The Quiz by Hello Saferide
7. I Love How You Love Me (Live) by Neutral Milk Hotel
8. Thirteen by Elliott Smith (Big Star cover)
9. Girl From the North Country by Dear Nora (Bob Dylan cover)
10. Sleep Tonight by Stars
11. Put Your Hands On Me My Love by Owen
12. Christmas TV by Slow Club
13. This Heart’s On Fire by Wolf Parade

Please enjoy! Download link is here.

It’s been a while, so I’m posting a pretty mix someone made for me. I’ll be posting an accompanying mix I made in return in a few days. Here’s the download link.

1. Oboes Bleat and Triangles Tink by Say Hi
2. With Every Light by Smashing Pumpkins
3. Bored Games by Wild Nothing
4. I’ll Build You A Fire by Seabear
5. This is the Dream of Win & Regine by Final Fantasy
6. Face It by Beach Fossils
7. This Orient by Foals
8. Superconnected by Broken Social Scene
9. The Greater Times by Electrelane
10. Are You On My Side? by Rogue Wave
11. Cigarettes in the Theatre (Daytrotter session) by Two Door Cinema Club
12. On Melancholy Hill by Gorillaz
13. In An Aeroplane Over the Sea (Neutral Milk Hotel cover) by Matt Pond PA
14. Honestly by Zwan

Hope you enjoy! Feel free to let me in the comments know what you think of this mix. I personally love a couple of tracks, and a bulk of them are new to me. I like being introduced to new music, especially if it’s music that I’d like to hear more of.

Sharing music you like is one of the main functions of a mix. Another reason for the existence of the art of making a mixtape is letting people know how you feel about them. I bet you’ve done this, more than once, for feelings other than the romantic sort. Sometimes, nothing drives the point home better than a selection of carefully chosen songs, arranged in a fitting sequence.

Anyway, this mix. I love it. I hope you love it, too.