So the St Jeromes Laneway Festival was pretty cool.

It wasn't too hot and while a long laneway may not be the ideal band-viewing environment, they pulled it off well.




Faker were one of the funnest bands of the day. They have some great songs, many of which I was familiar with before I knew of the band itself, thanks to Triple J. Nathan was his usual monkey-like self, climbing above the roof of the stage at one point.




Canada's Broken Social Scene were pretty good too. I can't tell you that much about their set as I was quite far back in the laneway and distracted by the multitude of people and the security guards trying to create some sense of order amidst the chaos.




New Buffalo, a.k.a. Sally Seltmann, was a treat. She played inside the Lounge and everyone at the front sat down to watch her. It was a nice change from outside. I think she's quite an individual performer, in that she just does her own thing. I like it.




Les Savy Fav more than lived up to the hype. Memorable, hyperactive, individual... they had it all. Everyone was smiling during their set. Highly recommended.




Pretty Girls Make Graves. Meh. I'm over the emo-ness. A bit too 'trendy' for my liking.




Wolf and Cub were impressive. Very impressive considering they all looked about 12 years old. I liked the two drums; I liked the rock and or roll. Watch out for these guys.




I liked The Hold Steady a lot too. (They need a new website designer though!) The lead guy reminded me a bit of Dilbert, but, geekiness notwithstanding, they were really good. There were only about four people in the audience really getting into it, but I can totally see the 'college crowd' going off for them.

All in all it was a fun day, and a good way to end the summer.




In response to my last post, last week was a bit of a killer for a few reasons. Work was really busy and annoying for a while and there was some 'boy trouble' that has now been resolved. I'm much happier this week, especially now that I'm back at uni again.

My 50th post

Click here for a fascinating article on the blog-boom.

It all makes so much more sense now.



I'm off to this on the weekend.

I'm looking forward to it. I could use some fun after the week I've had.*















*Don't ask.

Post Valentine's Day Wrap-Up

Ok, so the optimistic 'details to follow tomorrow' from my last post became 'details to follow almost a week later'.

My apologies.

Valentine's Day saw me and the boy experiencing the titilation that is Man's Ruin and Hi Ball Burlesque; both of whom appeared at the Prince of Wales for Burlesque D'Amour.

The Prince was close to full, and the crowd was both well-dressed and appreciative.

Here are a few photos of the night I stole found at Tim Chuma's website. He has dozens more photos and a review of the night here.



Hi Ball Burlesque



Lola Cherry Cola



Guy 'So Bad He's Good' Le Guy



Man's Ruin



Lola Cherry Cola and The Honeymoon Sweet



End of the Show

My only complaint about the show was the feeling of burlesque overkill. How many times can you watch a girl get most of her kit off without getting bored? I think a band in the middle would have really helped break it up a bit.

Also, having just read Ariel Levy's wonderful book, I'm a little concerned that I am becoming a Female Chauvinist Pig. Is it really 'liberating' to ogle semi-naked women like a guy would? Is the burlesque revival and the wider growth of raunch culture the end of feminism, or merely a new kind of feminism?



...

In response to a couple of questions I got from my last post, yes, Tracey-Leigh, the card from the last post is from The Simpsons. And not just any Simpson's episode, but my Favourite. Episode. Ever. 'I Love Lisa'.



What other episode can match such lines as:

Ralph: So... do you like... stuff?

Moe: To Moe... from your secret admirer.
Barney: Yoo Hooooo!
Moe: Oh god no!

Abe: Bah. This is just another Hallmark holiday cooked up to sell cards.
Jasper: Aww... a Valentine from my daughter!
Abe: Can I have the envelope?

Homer: I've heard 'em all. I like you as a friend... I think we should see other people... I no speak English...
Lisa: I get the idea.
Homer: I'm married to the sea... I don't want to kill you, but I will.

Homer: Six simple words, I'm not gay, but I'll learn.

Bart: I'll go, disguised as you.
Lisa: What if he wants to hold hands?
Bart: I'm prepared to make that sacrifice.
Lisa: What if he wants a kiss?
Bart: I'm prepared to make that sacrifice.
Lisa: What if he...
Bart: You don't want to know how far I'll go.

Bart: Watch this, Lis. You can actually pinpoint the second where his heart rips in half!


...

Also, Audrey asked, "Was Valentine's Day everything you dreamed of and more?"

Interesting question Audrey, thanks for asking.

However, I'm afraid that I'm just not the kind of girl who ever really dreamed of her white wedding or of the romance of Valentine's Day. Being single on every other Valentine's Day never bothered me, and I find the whole idea of being either forced to be romantic if you're in a relationship, or, alternatively, feeling bad for not being in a relationship to be kind of... lame.

So, while yes, I had a boyfriend this year, and yes, I got flowers and these CD's:





... both of which were much appreciated, "Was Valentine's Day everything you dreamed of and more?" just isn't that relevant a question for me.

I guess I'd prefer to act all romantic-like when I want to be, rather than just because it's a certain date in February.

-Susanne

...and there's a picture of a train!

Happy Valentine's Day Bitches!*



I'm off to this tonight with Mr. Better than Cheesecake, a.k.a. the boy, my boyfriend of *ahem* three months.

Details to follow tomorrow.








*'Bitches' being a Valentine's Day term of endearment to you my dear, dear reader.

Belated Big Day Out Oh Six Wrap-Up

Another year, another Big Day Out.

While I had a great time at this year's Big Day Out, I think that, for me at least, the day has lost some of its magic.

I'm not sure if this was due to the arguably poor line-up, or if it's just me getting older and more cynical and jaded to the point where it's hard for me to really enjoy music and a festival such as this one.

I'd like to think it was the former, but as Abe Simpson would say, it's probably 'a little of column a, and a little of column b'.

Anyhoo, while it may not have been the best Big Day Out ever, it was still pretty great. Where else can you be exposed to so much music and atmosphere in a single day?

My highlight of the day was the lovely Magic Numbers ...



...who impressed with their sweet voices and summary harmonies. It's been a long time since I've seen a band that actually sings really well.

Another highlight was the enigmatic Iggy Pop...



...who is an amazing entertainer and still oozes sex appeal despite being well into his fifties.

It's testament to his performance ability that I really enjoyed the set despite only really knowing 'I wanna be your dog'.

I also finally got to see Oregon's finest Riot Grrls Sleater-Kinney .



In truth, I found their set a little lacklustre, but post-BDO I've developed a new-found appreciation for the band and am listening to 'One Beat' with new ears. These girls rock.

Airbourne were fun, but do we really need another AC/DC in 2006? I expect them to go the way of The Vines and Jet before them.



Tell me Gerling, when did it all go wrong for you guys? You used to be so fun and dance-y. Forget this 'rock' thing, and go back to your natural colour.



Magic Dirt were cool as always...



... but not as cool as John 'Let's Rock!' So. He got a deserved rock star welcome from the crowd and his speech before Magic Dirt's set was short, sharp and to the point. Coolest Lord Mayor ever. He's like a cartoon character or something.



Henry Rollins, Faker and locals British India were good too. I had the intention of seeing lots of music I didn't know, but by mid-afternoon I was experiencing Amazing-Race-Style Killer Fatigue so I hung out [read: lay down close to comatose] and watched The Go Team and End of Fashion. I had planned to check out Soulwax and MIA but the Boiler Room seemed so far away in my heat-struck state and the whole 'Boiler' aspect didn't really appeal.




Franz Ferdinand were ok, as were headliners The White Stripes. Nothing to write home about.

All in all it was a pretty cool day. I discovered two new bands to get into- The Magic Numbers and British India- and enjoyed some old faves.

Yet, something was lacking for me this year- that one act that blows you away and makes you remember why you became a music fan to begin with.

Where was my Le Tigre-in-the-cow-shed of 2005?



My euphoric Flaming Lips of 2004?



My Jurassic 5 at twilight of 2002?




Ah well. If I'd actually paid to go, I think I might have been a little disappointed, but as I didn't, I wasn't.

The Silent Disco was way cool too. :)







P.S. My apologies for my infrequent posts. More to come soon!