2010 is (probably) gonna kick some ass

2009's been a pretty interesting ride. it started off hellaciously bumpy and bleak, but i gotta say it's ending in a super rad way. last year at this time i was a broken mess. completely fake on the outside, miserable on the inside - just rotting and pining, waiting for some shed of happiness or reintroduction to the jodi i had lost 4 years prior. well - it may have taken me a year to find her, but i'm back, kids. and i gots to say, i haven't been smiling like this in yeeeeyers.

best of 09:
dara benno - the bestest girly in the werld
ashley meeker - baby meeks, keepin it real
angel pelipada - holler at yer boi
drew burns - my future hubby, duh
juliet tarantino - probz the sweetest person everrrr
nicole hensch - girl's got love for the juggalos

these mutha fuckas my homies. they'z others too, but in all reality, i met all my friends this year (with exception of carol & court knee who be keepin it real since 07 even when i sucked and was a soulless droid zombie who just wasted away, depressed and locked up as a homebody).  i forgot that sometimes time with yourself, as much as it rules and is necessary it can go bad too - and this year i yinned that yang noise out and met my homiez. it's good shit.

i also saw a lot of good music. went on some trips. saw old friends. thought about shit. tried to get back in the writing swing of things. realized that all isn't over if a day goes not as planned. stepped back. got a cat skull tattoo. regained my independence. pretty fantastic, really.

2010 is going to rule.

i will get a new job (or at least a new attitude about my current gig so i dont feel so pegged down).
i will remain optimistic.
i will continue to laugh. (and smile).
i will continue to pursue new music.
i will work on my writing in new outlets.
maybe even take a swing at this rap game.
i will learn new things.
meet new people.
go on some trips.
i will let my guard down.
i will have more dance parties.
 i will appreciate all that is well.
i will spend time with my friends, and (hopefully) this new boy.

36 hours, 9 minutes. then this shit will be bananas. can you hear it?

git ready, bitches.

Top Shows of 09

What a rollercoaster year 2009 has proven itself to be, both musically and of the reality sort. So much has (and hasn't) happened. I still haven't found that cashmoney career or dreamboat hunky boyfriend, but I did sure meet a lot of new radical people and have finally landed my tight crew of homiez, got to travel, embrace my inner cat womanness and tap into my hidden hip hop talents. Oh yeah, I also caught a shit ton of new music - both live and hidden in the midst of the blogosphere.

So while I've already battled myself off and on for top albums of 09, (which has probably already flip flopped since I last scribbled it down), I'm pretty sure I can brainstorm some pretty concrete radical live music experiences. I'm going to just start free rambling, consecutive order's for squares with nothing better to do than alphabetizing their cd collection. . . But here it is. . .

1. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Aragon Theater, May 26, 2009
Muzzle of Bees Review
This may be the only concert I remember the precise calendar date and that's because it's the day I was born, g's. I may have only been able to drag one pal with me, but this show was seriously one of the most memorable shows I've seen in my lifetime. Karen O screeched, growled, shimmied and shook. She seduced us all with her riot girl antics, lively strut action and incredible musicianship. With Brian Chase and Nick Zinner backing her up, there was no doubt heads rolled. Tracks from Fever to Tell, Show Your Bones and of course, Its Blitz! were accounted for - highlights included raw oldie "Art Star," the acoustic singalong "Maps," the dancetastic seizure anthem "Zero," "Cheated Hearts" (hearing this 2 days after getting "Bigger than the Sound" inked on my shoulder blade def ruled), and several others. So good, so so so good. I heart Karen O. She gave me the best birthday present any kid could ask for.

2. Kanye West & Crew (Common, Erykah Badu, Kid Cudi, Consequence, Mr. Hudson, Really Doe, etc) - Fader Fort, Austin TX, SXSW 2009
Muzzle of Bees Review
Ummmmm. You guys know I like Kanye, right? If not, you must have mistakenly stumbled onto this blog having no idea who the hell I am. I still proudly sport my Kanye shades t-shirt, post Taylor Swift, whatever. I love this dude. He created one of the top albums of the decade (Jodi's countdown soon to follow, in my head "The College Dropout" is currently battling 2/3 rank between the Postal Service's "Give Up"). All love aside, I proudly made the journey to the dusty Fader Fort tent in Austin this past March solo, with friends more encouraged by the depths of Scandonavian heavy metal and sensitive indie pop flavors. I didn't know if I'd get in or if Ye was even definitely showing up or not, but per the rumor mill, Ye would indeed be the special guest showcasing Good Music, and that he did. It was a collaborative effort, and he gave his fellow proteges just as much time to shine in the limelight as he gave himself, offering the crowd what they really wanted. I got to see Common/Erykah Badu duet There is a Light. I got to see Kid Cudi back up Ye on Welcome to Heartbreak, and then Cudi strut to the Crookers' remix of Day N Nite. I got to see (multiple!) College Dropout tracks - Spaceship. Get Em High. 808 tracks, Love Lockdown tore that shit up. I was standing directly beside, dancing elbow to elbow with YACHT. I mean, how fresh is that? I met new peeps and danced my fucking ass off. I remember walking out of that tent feeling more exhilirated and high on adrenaline from such an amazing show that words couldn't do justice to what I had just experienced - pure positivity. An amazing night, one not to be forgotten. I'm still smiling ear to ear thinking about what went down in that dirty ass tent, while I caught Ye at Lolla in 08, that performance didn't come close to SXSW. Incredible.

3. YACHT - Schuba's, Chicago - one week before SXSW in March
5 Questions with YACHT
Muzzle of Bees Review
While I caught YACHT months later at the Empty Bottle and missed a 3rd shot at NYC by minutes, Schuba's was still the illest night of all. Having little knowledge of the electronic now duo outfit, I was familiar with their background and DFA affiliation, realized they were dope with labelmates LCD Soundsystem and had spun The Summer Song a handful of times in efforts of familiarizing myself with their content pre-show. A friend from Madison had come to the city and this seemed like the ideal meet up. Dancing out my ears. The audiovisual backdrop, illuminated with various artsy graphics, triangles, contrast of light/darkness and wicked ass dance moves courtesy of Jonah and Claire got the small, intimate, yet intensely lively crowd doin' tha stanky leg. (Literally, this was my first exposure to that horrendous track, yet thanks to the duo's smiling, ironic dance interpretation, I can't help but feel fondly towards this obscenity.) This show was only a preview of one of my top albums of 09, "See Mystery Lights," and I again, walked away from this set, forever grateful for checking it out. I also bought my first t-shirt from a merch stand since probably freshman year of college, just to introduce myself to Claire and Jonah and to thank them for such a kickass night. Seriously do yourself a favor and never pass up a chance to check this duo, I hear they're about to hit the road with Bobby Birdman soon. . .

4. Metric - Metro, Chicago - sometime in June
Muzzle of Bees Review
This show I think may have more sentimental memories than performance wise, and that's because it happened to be the first time I hung out with Dara. Thanks to a creepy dude who all but chased me out of Club Foot, I stumbled upon my new bff and loudly (drunkenly) commented on her fake gecko tattoo and haircut. Slurring out, "Hay do you like Metric?" (She did), I found my plus one to take my extra comped ticket off my hands and together we bonded over the likes of "Monster Hospital," "Help I'm Alive," "Soft Rockstar," "Twilight Galaxy" and several others. We danced like the V.I.P. princesses we is and the only hotter lady in the house was of course, Miss Emily Haines. One of the most enjoyable evenings I recollect in Chicago, and a real damned treat to find new friendships.

5. P.O.S. - Reggie's, Chicago - sometime in February?
Muzzle of Bees Review
The timeline for this particular set is foggy, although I'm 99% certain it was post Never Better's release but pre-SXSW. I couldn't find any fellow Rhymesayers/Doomtree fans to join me on my long, frightening journey to the southside, but it didn't matter. Another one of my fave releases of 09, I knew from past experience that Stef is one helluva performer and this set just blew me away. It certainly didn't help that fellow Doomtree partners in crime, Mike Mictlan, Sims and Lazerbeak were backing P.O.S. up, but overall the live energy and positive vibes, combined with some independent hip hop was just one hell of a night. Hearing the pulsing, immediate beats of "Goodbye" and "Drumsticks" rocked my face off and was totally worth nearly getting stabbed and molested on the redline back post midnight. Next time, though, I may wait with the rest of the crowd before manning the subway back solo. . . I caught P.O.S. two more times this past year, once at Rhymesayers' SXSW tent, prior to Brother Ali post Eyedea and Abilities and I swear he gave me a look and a wave as he saw me side stage, getting the fuck down in line for the never ending porta potty lines, although that may have been merely wishful thinking. . . Seeing him open up for Cursive at the Bottom Lounge was a total trip, though, and maybe not his ideal demographic, "How many of you are at your first rap show?" (2/3rds of the hands go up in unison. . . )

6. Final Fantasy - Metro, November sometime?
Muzzle of Bees Review
Owen Pallett is my dream boat. I am in lurv. He is playing Schubas's this january and it will quite frankly be mind bending to witness such a magical musician perform in such a small intimate club. I highly highly highly recommend it. My friend Nicole can attest that I was flat out hypnotized during his set opening for Mountain Goats this past month. His Andrew Bird-ish violin gliding. The loops. The way he sexily shouted in his instrument. How he plucked. How he sang like honey, dripping off the comb. Live energy, intense instrumentation, one man. MY MAN. Aggghh. "This is the Dream of Win and Regine," is probably one of my favorite songs ever. New album comes out next month, let's just say I'm excited. . . There's a reason this guy has recorded/toured with The Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Patrick Wolf, Stars, The Mountain Goats and anyone else that matters, it's because he rules.

7. The Pixies - November 20, Aragon Chicago
Muzzle of Bees Review
Did you really think I'd forget about my dahlings???? Like I said before, this shit ain't chronological. I just so happened to see A LOT of live music this past year and I'm having a hard time differentiating between 2009, 2008 and what I've just dreamt up. Scoring a double date with my broseph and Caroline, post gay sports bar dinner and seeeeeveral martinis, we trotted as the world's most unlikely trio to catch some badass 90's alternarock. I caught the Pixies 5 years prior, almost to the date (11/17/04 and 11/20/09) at the exact same venue - but this time I hopped a 5 minute bus ride compared to a 4.5 hour long drive from northern Wisco. I've officially made it! Ahhhhh. Doolittle was played in completion, following a handful of b-sides including Manta Ray and Weird at My School. I LOVE doolittle so this made me very happy. They closed things off with Velouria and U-Mass and while Jame was bummed about the absence of Where is My Mind, I think he got over it. The show was incredible and I was a hit with the lesbians (3 different girlfriends, what what). I sweated, danced, screamed, shook and just boogied. My bro got drunk. Caroline laughed. Best night ever and I can't wait for the next time this quartet gets hard for cash and comes up with an excuse for a Surfer Rosa concept tour. . . Here's to fingers crossed for Aragon, 2014.

8. Amanda Palmer - SXSW, Austin TX
Muzzle of Bees Review
Yep, I'm just as surprised as you are to see this name on the list. But I gots to give credit where credit's due, and this female frontier of avant garde cult faves Dresden Dolls blew my mind this past March. I can't recall if it was Paste, The Onion or who's day showcase party Palmer was rocking, but she did it right. Sweat rolling off her face, seemingly half intoxicated on sleep deprivation (she had just gotten off a Redeye from Australia), Palmer crooned, rocked and seduced this day crowd with several numbers from her debut solo effort, Who Killed Amanda Palmer. I got some incredible vids on my youtube page, which instantly got thousands of hits. Highlights included the tongue in cheek, "Oasis," "Astronaut," "Ampersand" and an incredible ukelelee rendition of Radiohead's "Creep." Girl can rock it, hard, hairy armpits, melting eyeliner and underpants exposed. Keys, mic and ukelelee, I kind of want to marry her.

9. Department of Eagles - Schubas, January when it was very, very very cold in Chicago (-37 degrees)
Muzzle of Bees Review
I had a horrible winter last year. I was in the midst of getting over a difficult break-up, had fewer friends than what I could count on one hand, hated my job and despised the cold weather. As a result, I was a hermit - a bitter, very difficult and pissy hermit. Free tickets to Schuba's or not, there was no way I was going to man up to the finger biting frigid conditions outside, despite the rave reviews of Grizzly Bear's Daniel Rossen's side project. But then my roommate went on some date with some dude or another and I was sad/mad at not having my own life. So then I kicked myself in the ass, threw on the eskimo parka/mittens and multiple scarves and surprised myself by toughing it out. My reward: the most intimate, incredibly delicate and touching live performance I had witnessed in some time. In Ear Park was one of my fave releases of 08 and Schuba's was the ideal venue to showcase this ridiculously incredible soundtrack. Despite the old drunk dude behind me who kept asking if this was the Eagles, I had a chance to grow up and be a big girl, baby steps to my newfound independence of 09 and enjoy one hell of a show. 37 degrees below zero or not, fuck you mother nature, I did done had myself a swell time.

10. Animal Collective - The Metro, Chicago - January 20?
I had read blog post and beyond about this troupe's latest effort, Merriweather Post Pavillion and was hesitant to jump onboard. Sometimes the hip new trick of the week isn't quite my fortay, but when my friend Ryan asked me if I cared to take his extra ticket off his hand, I figured I had nothing to lose. Picked up the disc that very afternoon and needless to say, I took an instant liking (it's kind of only my number one album of 2009, guys). The hazy, experimental and vibrant electronic pop magic exuded from everywhere the night of this show. It was as if the floors, walls and ceilings of the Metro vibrated with power as my fave trio of dudes went all crazy on their synths, getting the kids and drugged out hipsters dancing and moving. I don't really know, I was so mesmerized by the lights/sounds, it was as if every sensation and sense I had was in overdrive. It was an incredible first date to my courtship with AC. Def translated better live indoors vs what I had briefly caught at P4K the previous summer.

I've been pounding out ramblings for a while now, if I was to type up excerpts for every show that wowed me this past year, it'd take me weeks. (and put you into a coma of boredom). Instead, I'm stoppin this shit riiiiight heeeeyer. Some other shit I checked this past year that deserves a shout-out, (note, no Lady Sovereign, dumb biiiiiiitch). . . .

Cursive - Bottom Lounge - MoB Review
The XX/Friendly Fires - Bottom Lounge - MoB Review
Dirty Projectors - Milennium Park
The Thermals - Bottom Lounge - MoB Review & 5 Questions w/MoB
Peter Bjorn and John - Metro - MoB Review
Conor Oberst and the Mystic Valley Band - Metro - MoB Review
Dan Deacon - Metro & Halloween in Bridgeport (just say no to mystery cupcakes, kids) - MoB Review
Mirah - Schuba's
Handsome Furs - Empty Bottle, Do the Division - 5 Questions w/MoB, MoB Review & SXSW Vid
Junior Boys - Do the Division
Crocodiles/Holy Fuck - Empty Bottle
Girls - Empty Bottle - MoB Review
Deer Tick - Empty Bottle - MoB Review
Franz Ferdinand - Riviera Theatre - MoB Review
Phoenix - Aragon
Ladytron - Metro - MoB Review & 5 Questions w/MoB
Wavves - Empty Bottle - MoB Review & SXSW Vid
Janelle Monae - SXSW
The Whigs - Bottom Lounge - MoB Review

Siccccck

So on my free vacation day, I was at a Starbuck's to kill 20 minutes before an important meeting down the street. After I awkwardly changed out of my ronald mcdonald red galoshes and slipped on the high heels, I ran out of objects to distract myself. So naturally, I couldn't help but eavsdrop on this pair of gel greased, slicked back wanna be smooth dudes straight across from me.

Their conversation went a little something like this. (Mind you, they were both on the larger side, pushing mid forties, just overall pathetic looking - but true, their suits probably cost equivalent to my annual salary each).

Greaser Sick Dude #1 (I liked him the least of the two): "Hey man, no I'm serious. Set this meeting up for me and you will get laaaaaid! It was just like last time, when I took these two girls out and was like - you bitches wait!!!"
Greaser Sick Dude #2 (Slightly uncomfortable): "Heh. Didn't they get upset when you called them bitches?"
GSD#1: "Not at all! They loved it! Couldn't stop laughing their asses off. So what about this meeting, I can get the tickets. . . "
GSD#2: "Well, I'm just not sure I can arrange it. . . "
GSD#1: "Truuuuust me!! These tickets are $1500 a piece!!!! You'll be front row, get in to the fierce after party with me and my boys and hang out in VIP, she'll be in the palm of your hand! I'm in sales, gimme a break here and meet me half way, its' just one meeting!!! How old again did you say she is?"
GSD#2: "Uhhh, she's 26."
GSD#1: "Oooh, that's kind of older, isn't it? Oh well, just imagine! She'll be eating it up and alll over you, you said she's cute right?"
GSD#2: "Uh, yeah. What kind of tickets are these again? I'm not sure I can do this."
GSD#1: "You can do this! You will do this! Just one fifteen minute meeting. Trust me, it'll be so worth it. If she's a looker, just imagine! My actress friend and my sister's friend who's in the band - oh it will be so hot! $1500 tickets! You can't let me down, man."
GSD#2 (starting to get a little excited now, disappointing me across the room): "Yeah, that will be something. Good tickets huh? VIP? Wow. I think I might be able to work something up, this girl is pretty special."
GSD#1: "So you really like her? It's nice to see if I'm still macho, got it with the ladies, you know what I mean? You know what I mean. . . Just impressing these ladies, they turn into putty in your hands! So let's have you get this meeting set up and I'll take a look into the ticket situation, win win really."
GSD#2: "I'll see what I can do. . ."

Jodi dumps out the remaining 3/4's of her $2 small coffee, picks up the plastic bag containing her wet rainboots and exits left - sicked out of her mind. This ancient 26-year old bitch is having none of it. Mid life crisis much? GROSS.

a little late, eh?

Dear friends,

I have a confession to make. I am a fool. I passed the buzz wagon on the wrong bands and gleefully hopped on at the wrong times. Wavves? Yeah. . .genious, right? (HA!) Girls, they're really something right?? (Ummm. . . )

King Khan? Camera Obscura? I THINK I'LL PASS BECAUSE I HAVE NO REASON TO WHATSOEVER AND IT'S ONLY MEDIUM-HYPE, I JUMP AT HYPE HYPE NOT PSEUDO HYPE.

and as a result, i was at a loss. for way too long. turns out king khan & bbq's "invisible girl" and camera obscura's "my maudlin career" are both impeccable records that i discovered a bit too late in the 2009 best of contender race. it is safe to say, however, that neither wavves nor girls will be making cameo appearances on this list.

my condensed last minute forced version which probably isn't numerically accurate (but ryan needed it and if i would have beaten myself up over everything it would have taken months to complete). it's diff than my previous post, but for the remainder of tonight at least, i will stick by it.

voila! jodi's 2009 beats
(honorable mentions: neko case - middle cyclone, dirty projectors - bitte orca, andrew bird - noble creatures, kid cudi - man on moon, camera obscura - my maudlin career, etc)

01 Animal Collective | Merriweather Post Pavillion
02 YACHT | See Mystery Lights
03 Yeah Yeah Yeahs | It's Blitz!
04 P.O.S. | Never Better
05 Metric | Fantasies
06 Handsome Furs | Face Control
07 Passion Pit | Manners
08 The XX | The XX
09 Grizzly Bear | Veckatimest
10 Tegan and Sara | Sainthood

nightmare on argyle street

About 2-3 weeks ago, I had this horrible, crippling dream.

It was one of those that starts off normal enough, maybe the content is a little sensitive/sad (re: ex - relationships), and say, suppose, you dream the pillow you are hugging is an ex-partner. Okay, whatever.

Say next, even though in your dream you are in some sick state of undeniable bliss and all is right with the world, you suddenly snap out of said sequence and realize, no, just kidding, this is just a dumb dream. Alright. But theeen, you hear your bedroom door open. Like in real life. And you hear an unfamiliar female voice gasp in fear, "oh my god," and nearly tear up in concern/fright, "oh god, no no no."

Then what the fuck do you do? You try to scream. You try to move, roll over. Motion in some way that everything's all right - this is your bed in your bedroom, you are unharmed and just taking a nap in the middle of the afternoon.

Except you can't. You can't moan, grunt, roll over, scream - nothing. You just lay there, painfully aware that you are hugging an old, stuffed feather, not the former love of your life. It's a Saturday around 5:00 PM and you are in your bed, fully dressed, contacts plucking your eyeballs of all moisture, sticking in your mascara clumped, closed eyelashes. You want to indicate you are okay, to this stranger - how they entered your apartment and why they're in your room is unknown. But the fear and concern in their voice startles you, and once you struggle to move/silently scream, you realize you are a prisoner in your own body and become suddenly terrified.

WAKE. UP.

But you can't. After about 10 long hours (or in reality, maybe 45 seconds), of complete torture, you are finally able to make a sound. And lift your head from the coccoon of "safety blankets" you have surrounded yourself with. Look around. Realize that noone has entered your aparrment, let alone your room. You are all alone. Completely, 100% alone. And it's time to reapply the smeared mascara and get ready for another night of empty, forced social activity in bars with equally lethargic peers. This part, sadly, is not a dream.

One Month Hiatus? SAY WHAT

Whoa Jodi, did you like up and die or something in the past month? What. Is. Up.

No excuse, really, for lack of rambling input. It's not like I found some wondrous new spectacular social life, joined a club, met the man of my dreams or anything of that sort. . .Just you know, this and that. Here and there. And here I am. Now. 3 glasses of post craft night merlot haze, so forgive me if the ranting and raving is a bit incohesive, I'm all Every Woman'd out and have a slight hand cramp from my feverish baby blanket crochet action (not mine, mind you).

Caught the XX and Friendly Fires last night. Enjoyed myself very very much. But you can read about how much here. Thanksgiving was what it was, I guess come to think of it the majority of my time has been focused on my familial situation. Those of you who know me get what I'm referencing, those of you who don't, well obvs. . . .It is what it is. I love my mom. I love my brother. But you know what? I'm goddamn sick of being "the rock". The strong, resilient, never cracking determined and positive one. Because really, I'm the one who's got the most instability, I'm 26 years old, drinking myself into oblivion so I can ignore the fact that I'm destined to the life of a cat lady working a job she despises--but fuck man, I'm not about to hop on the self loathing pity train either. I make my ends meet. I pay my bills. I love the shit out of my friends. So it's all good - it evens out. Point being, I shouldn't have to worry about taking care of my 58 year old mom or my 41 year old brother being a dick to her. They are both big adults and should be able to fend for themselves or AT LEAST possess common sense to know what's right/wrong, etc. without me having to be there to hold their hands and tell them it'll all be okay.

Whatever. Let's just say I'm glad to be back in the city on my own and am really hoping for a friends xmas in the city vs another family gathering. Cold hearted much? Maybe. I choose apathy. Erggg.

Other than that. . . Job is job. Friends rule. Craft night and book club = both regular events. Love them much. Makes me feel like I fit in finally with a group of likeminded individuals who appreciate my nerdy recreational activities just as much as me. Got a bunch of free art/music events approaching within the next week and next week I have two freebie vacation days, so yes, there's stuff to look forward to.

Just started another one of my unhealthy crash diet kicks. Special K cereal, lean cuisines and severely loud growling stomachs. You know how I do. I'll torture myself for the next 2-3 weeks until I shed 5 or so pounds and then get comfortable, dive into the holidays and gain it all back. SUCCESS.

I think I'm on a new record of rambling. I need to pick some subjects and ramble about those instead. . . .

(final sidenote: i tried to google image my name in quotes and was going to post the most unflattering image of me that populated - there used to be this funny pic of my tramp stamp tattoo and another of me by my space heater in college from my school paper, but now after 8 pages there is not a single image of me, but articles i've written for MoB and then just cool bands I've never written about. "Jodi Root" = arcade fire. makes sense, yes? So in conclusion, funny cats trump all else.)