Daedelus @ Nectar

When Daedelus came through town last year, on tour with Caural, he ended up playing a pretty sparsely attended show on a Sunday night at Chop Suey, and despite the lack of bodies in the room, he turned out an excellent, high energy set. I wasn’t sure how this show would turn out; the day before Thanksgiving, one of the worst travel days of the year, bitterly cold. There were plenty of reasons for people to skip out on this show, and it would’ve been pretty shitty for an artist as talented as Daedelus to play two consecutively undersold shows in Seattle.

I was pleasantly surprised when the main floor at Nectar started to fill up during the opening DJ set. I didn’t catch the name of the DJ, but his set of quirky hip-hop and electro was a nice intro to the evening. By the time AntiMC took the stage, the venue was getting to be well filled out. Sadly, AntiMC didn’t really keep the momentum of the evening going, with an uninspiring but mercifully short set of aimless hip-hop instrumentals

But the room was packed when Daedelus took the stage, armed with a  laptop, a controller keyboard, and his famous Monome prototype, a “machine that runs on good will, so make some noise, as the hip-hop kids say.”

Noise was certainly made. He kicked his set of with a reinterpretation of “Pure Imagination,” from the Charlie & the Chocolate Factory soundtrack, and then proceeded to burn through 45 minutes of loopy hip-hop built around samples from old movie scores, samba beats, acid bass, and assorted sonic detritus. It was a similar set to the one he played last year, but way more refined and confident. He’s got his Monome set-up down cold, and plays it like an old familiar instrument. It’s great seeing live electronic music performed with such gusto, and in a way that’s somewhat accessible, exposing some degree of the inner workings to the audience. Definitely cuts down on the “he’s just checking his e-mail up there” jeering from the rock kids.

We didn’t even bother sticking around for Busdriver. He’s good, but I don’t think he could have topped Daedelus that night (as one audience member yelled, before Daedelus’ encore: “I came for Busdriver, but I was wrong!”). And I wasn’t looking forward to hearing AntiMC doing the backing beats. Oh well, it was definitely a worthwhile show, even without seeing the supposed headliner.

Maui, Bitches

That’s where I’m heading. Flight leaves at 10:30. Got In Rainbows all up on my iPod and a bag full of swim trunks and beach towels. You can find me on the beach with a Mai Tai in my hand for the next 5 days. Peace out playas.

Discontent

It feels like Seattle again suddenly. Meaning, of course, that the slightly damp, often gray film of precipitation that we live with for 2/3 of the year has made it’s return, almost immediately after a run of abnormally high temperatures. We’ve gone from sleeping with the sheets thrown off and the windows open, to huddled under a comforter in a matter of days. But on the upside, that means more excuse for afternoon tea and comfy sweaters. And scarves, soon enough.

So this winter has been dubbed the Winter of Discontent, for reasons I’ll leave alone. Though I will say that it involves a lot of tumult and discord and struggle, mostly in immediate social circles, but seemingly in the world at large as well. If I were into astrology, I’m sure I could point to celestial evidence of some great unraveling, puring entropy down upon us. I’m not, so I can’t.

Before we hunker down for a dark winter, there are some bright spots. Decibel Festival is this weekend. I’m not sure if I’ll end up as a volunteer again or if I’ll have to shell out for the festival pass, but either way it’ll be worth it. A little escapism will be nice, and the four on the floor beats and ambient soundscapes should provide plenty. Then there’s Maui. Soon, just a short little hop over and a how-you-doing, drinking Mai Tais on the beach before returning to the Seattle gloom.

Naturally, all of this is just preparation for an even colder and more far flung New Year. But more about that later. Layer up and keep your kettle ready, kids.

Labourious

Despite missing Bumbershoot entirely this year (and thus missing out on festival crowds and overpriced food, at the cost of missing the Wu-Tang Clan), I actually had a pretty good Labour Day weekend.

Friday started off on a tense foot, with our Southwestern friends going through an extended labour before bringing a beautiful baby girl into the world. And what better way to relieve the tension of waiting for those short little Twitter updates from the delivery room than to catch some improv comedy? And what goes better with improv comedy than PBR? Well, I can probably think of several things, actually. And I did hear two of the absolute worst pick-up lines ever. Thankfully, they were part of the show, and not directed at anyone in any seriousness.

Saturday found us picnicking at Discovery Park with some friends before heading out to Ballard for good Mexican food (a coveted rarity here in Cascadia) and cocktails. I have to say that the Hazlewood is one of the coolest bars to visit when you’re in the classy but not stuck up mood, and I’m sure I’ll be back there soon.

And then, for something completely different, Sunday was  the third birthday of one of the most adorable and fiercely independent girls I’ve ever met. Naturally, we followed up that wholesome cake-and-ice-cream affair with our second viewing of the decidedly unwholesome Superbad. Highly recommended. That and Knocked Up (from the same creative team) are the only movies I’ve seen twice in the theater in recent memory.

The extra day of weekend afforded to us in celebration of the American worker (and their ability to organize) was mostly squandered, at least by me. Although I did manage to finish up a remix I’ve been working on for way too long. But now the final file is off for mastering and should be out as part of a remix compilation soon.

Is it the working week again? Already? Well fuck me.

Week in Review

Monday: Jarvis at the Showbox. Oh my fuck. At a remarkably spry 43, Jarvis Cocker can still gyrate and rock the house like no one else. He’s not just sarcastic, he’s quick-witted as well (during the show, a crowd member yelled out a request for “Cunts Are Still Running The World,” to which Jarvis replied “I’ve heard that as well…”). Every minute of this show was engaging, all the way to the surprisingly faithful cover of “Purple Haze” at the end of the encore. Faithful except for slight lyrical alterations (”Excuse me, whilst I kiss the sky”) at least.

Note to self: $2 well drinks at the Noc Noc does not mean you can have twice as many. Especially not on a Monday night. But they also have the best $2 tater tots…

Tuesday: Sick day (see above).

Wednesday & Thursday: Dinner and reality television at V-Ray’s. Sometimes I can’t believe what passes entertainment these days (Shear Genius? The Flavor of Love Girls: Charm School?), and yet I can’t look away. It makes me want to yell at the TV like when Bill O’Reilly is on.

Friday: Cocorosie, Tez, and Busdriver (with Caural) at Neumo’s. Didn’t even stay for Cocorosie (too tired, damn work schedule) but Tez was awesome. His all-beatbox set was incredible, the highlight was absolutely his spot-on rendition of Prince’s “Kiss,” from vocals to beats, with nothing but his mouth and a microphone. Not bad for a  white French boy. Busdriver was pretty incredible too, with Caural laying down the MPC beats (I caught some Super Furry Animals samples in there) while Busdriver went off in his super-quick flow, tossing in shout-outs to Seattle the whole time. Apparently, he knows the difference between Pike and Pine. Way to play to the locals.

This weekend promises to be at least as busy as the rest of the week, if not more so. More later, natch.

Summeresque

Is it at all possible for there to have been better weather in Seattle in April than we had last night? I think not.It was definitely happy-hour-on-a-patio weather. Sadly the War Room was closed, and service at Bill’s Off Broadway was surly to say the least (we can’t sit outside because you don’t want to walk outside to take our order? Even though there are already four tables seated there? You’re kidding me…). Luckily, King’s Hardware in Ballard came to the rescue, and while we couldn’t fight our way to a seat on the patio, we got a nice corner table near the door, complete with breeze.

And there’s certainly no lack of things to do for the rest of the weekend. Sakura Con is happening as I type this, so we’ll be going out to people watch at some point this evening I’m sure. We missed Lightning Bolt at Vera last night, after hearing discouraging rumours about a line forming at 7:00 for the 150-capacity venue, but finding out that the Americas are playing at Atlas Clothing on Sunday almost makes up for it. I’ll see an insane rock duo at some point this weekend!

Oh, and I just bought my plane ticket to San Francisco for APE later this month. Should be a good palette cleanser after the tights-and-capes fest that was Emerald City Comicon. APE is the only reason I’ve been back to California for two years in a row, and this year Bryan Lee O’Malley and Hope Larson will be in attendance, making it especially enticing.

I think that’s about it for now. Time for a trip to the library, perhaps. More later…

A Brief Re-Cap

Thursday: Yelp Elite party, at the Made In Kitchen in the International District. Many people were met, several diminutive Mojitos were consumed, and several faux-sumo matches were observed. Lackluster DJ notwithstanding, a good time was had by all.

Friday: Finish a rough version of a new Miniature Airlines track before 4:00 job interview. More hanging out with the Yelp crew, at Havana. More Mojitos consumed, along with some scrumptious Via Tribunali pizza, before a sojourn down to Chapel. More drinking, more conversation, more good times. Decided not to attend the midnight showing of a 3-D porn movie from the 70s at the Egyptian Theater. Although there is another showing tonight….hmmm.

Saturday: Tried to install Wordpress 2.1 before realizing that PanicNow runs an older version of MySQL, had to backtrack and install 2.0.7 instead. Disaster averted. Lunch at Than Bros. and a trip to the Capitol Hill library (found Smog’s Knock Knock in the music section!). Then a trip downtown for some comic books, a quick trip to the waterfront to admire the setting sun over Elliott Bay, and some coffee before a hair appointment (not mine) at Vain.

Good times, good times.

How Do You Spell “Fun”?

Final Spelling Bee I, the last round of the Seattle Spelling Bee’s inaugural season, was held at Re-Bar last night, with 9 spelling bee finalists facing off in a knock-down, drag-out, total spelling brawl. With booze. It was definitely up to the high standards of the other bees during the season, and surprisingly, the almost inhuman Randy didn’t walk away with the grand prize, instead being beaten by Gavin, in a sort of dark horse victory that included an impressive streak of correct words in the final round.

I have to say though, that the highlight of the evening was the mini-game that happened between the second and third rounds of the actual final bee: a Pokemon spelling bee. 5 contestants faced off, and had the unenviable task of spelling 30 Pokemon names in 90 seconds (the highest score was 16). Watching a bunch of grown men and women attempt to rattle off the oddball names in quick succession was a lot of fun, and the crowd response was great.

Seattle Spelling Bee Season 2 starts in February, and I highly recommend it. I’ve participated in one bee so far, and I’m planning on trying my hand at some spelling in Season 2. Come on down to Re-Bar on the first Monday of February and give it a shot. What do you have to lose, other than your dignity?

Au Revoir, MMVI

Oonce, oonce oonce. Schoolhouse Rawk is tonight, over in West Seattle. Time to ring in Aught Seven with four bars, three rooms of music, including Thomas Fehlmann, Lusine, Synth Club, Jerry Abstract, and more. It all takes place in a converted schoolhouse. Should be a better New Year’s celebration than last year, which found us sitting at a corner table in the Cha Cha Lounge, somehow getting skipped when the free champagne came around before midnight.

See you in the New Year!

New! Improved!

Welcome to Successless 4.0.

I’m not sure if that version number is entirely accurate, as this site has gone through quite a few changes, both in design and concept, over the last few years, but it’s close enough. Take a poke around for now, kick the tires and see how it handles. I’ll be back tomorrow to talk a little bit about the redesign and get you up to speed on things. For now, I’m gonna go watch some Queer As Folk and relax with a Soy Nog & Brandy.