I left my heart in San Francisco

I flew up to SF with my best friends to see Jarvis Cocker this past weekend. He's been a major part of my musical education and when Pulp played the West Coast last, I was living in Vietnam. Coachella was out of the question; I wanted a proper show, one with bells and whistles and all of Jarvis' charm that I've only heard, read about or seen on the tv.

Anticipation was high and I was hoping that I hadn't over-hype the experience. It didn't lessen when Bob Lind's "Cool Summer" and Bonnie Dobson's "Winter's Going" were playing right before he went on. These two heartbreaking songs are from a compilation Jarvis made last year with Steve Mackey called "The Trip." These songs (about how love fades with the seasons) made everything come together for me right then.

Now listen to Bob Lind's "Cool Summer."

Another song I love from this comp is Dory Previn's "The Lady with the Braid." Dory is Andre Previn's first wife before he left her for Mia Farrow. She sings about finding meaning in mystical otherworlds, astrology, stars, tarot cards... all with the charm of an insecure yet seasoned girl. You see, it all came together then. Ever since last week's enlightening encounter with the Clairvoyant at Vietsoy (by chance of course), these songs, the show, it was almost too much... (but in a very good way). Wonder comes to you when you least expect it and it just blows your mind.

I digress. How was the show? It was extraordinary and you could hear every single word Jarvis was singing and saying. He's so funny! LOL!!! There was interpretive dance, self-deprecating jokes, and of course, brilliant songs... he covered a Doors song, "Crystal Ships"!!! Jarvis totally represented the West Coast! Unbelievable!

Jarvis...

The view from my sister's where we had the pleasure and luxury of staying at... Thanks Thuy Ha!

w/ Jungle Rock and TED at my favorite shop in SF. The Painted Bird is made for me; almost everything has been edited according to my taste and size! What more can you ask for?

Soon to be newlyweds, Atherton and Lin. Jeremy showed me his new tattoo which he got done to cover over his old squidly sun tattoo. Jamie drew it. It's kinda pretty for a tattoo I guess. Better than a squidly sun!

We brought the LA heat and sunshine to SF; it was 80 degrees this past Saturday! Ti Couz is one of my fave places to eat in SF. I call this my "Sex and the City" photo. It's absolutely cliche and really cheesy... but cute right? I'm thinking that I'm Charlotte?

Met up with Yoshi and Big Red at the Latin American Club after the show. They have not aged since high school. Seriously, it's pretty rad that they still look this young and innocent.

I don't know why Jeannie was holding hands with this San Francisco pink freak on a unicycle.

The next morning, we visited the De Young Museum to catch the Vivienne Westwood show. This is TED in front of some of the beautiful California murals created by Gottardo Piazzoni.


The best thing about the De Young was going up to the observation deck where you had 360 degree views of SF ...like you were on the tallest and awesomest tree house.

A meta moment: TED and Gunst checking out the Owley Patrol blog! They are true fans!!!

To the left, to the left

Another fun dublab set. I know it was last month, but hey it's never too late to celebrate International Women's Day. So this set goes out to all my female compatriots and how utterly rad we all are :) If you're not going to respect yourself, who will?

Click here to listen to the set.



1. FRANCE GALL - DON'T MAKE WAR CAPTAIN, MAKE LOVE - 7"
One of her very few songs sung in English. I love the guitar tone. Sweet happy candy pop.


2. TAMMYS - EGYPTIAN SHUMBA - 7"
Pure giddy excitement. A total feast of girls growling and howling. Totally insane. It's like a Phil Spector production going out of control; totally raw. Dance, Dance, Dance!


3. COCO ROSIE - NOT FOR SALE - LA MAISON DE MON REVE
Some have been a bit much for my senses, but this track is composed, restraint and good. Their live show is captivating; one of my favorite current girl groups.


4. MARY J BLIGE - ENOUGH CRYING - THE BREAKTHROUGH
The "Queen of Hip-Hop Soul." Enough is enough... you gotta love her.


5. LUIZ ECA Y LA FAMILIA SAGRADA - SA MARINA - LA NUEVA ONDA DEL BRASIL
Supposedly the current most wanted Brazilian Popular Music (MPB) record, this is a rare Nelson Angelo song with the beautiful Joyce in one of her earliest recordings.


6. MARCIA GRIFFITHS - WORKING TO THE TOP (MY AMBITION) (PART I) - PLAY ME SWEET & NICE
The "Queen of Reggae"


7. AMY WINEHOUSE - BACK TO BLACK - s/t
I'm really into Amy these days. She's like the ultimate modern day female singer, in the spirit of those great 60s chanteuses. In one of her other songs, "Rehab," I think she is channeling M. Griffiths. Even though I'm not into tattoos at all, I'm weirdly attracted to hers.


8. SUSANNA & THE MAGICAL ORCHESTRA - CRAZY, CRAZY NIGHTS - MELODY MOUNTAIN
A gorgeous covers album, this track (a KISS song!) just kills me. The quietness of this version is contrasted by the beefcake lyrics and it works!


9. LADY & BIRD - SUICIDE IS PAINLESS - s/t
Dutch-Indo Keren Ann as Lady and Icelandic Bardi as Bird. This M.A.S.H. cover is as ethereal & emotional as the last track. Also refer to this and this.


10. FRANCOISE HARDY - ONLY FRIENDS - 7"
What can I say? Love her.


11. CLAUDINE LONGET - LET'S SPEND THE NIGHT TOGETHER - CUDDLE UP WITH CLAUDINE
Pls refer to this blog entry.


12. GEMINIS - A FRIEND OF MINE - ONE KISS CAN LEAD TO ANOTHER: GIRL GROUP SOUNDS LOST & FOUND
Another awesome track by another awesome gang of girls.


13. QUIXOTIC - SITTING IN THE PARK - MORTAL MIRROR
This song is for emo+beer = busted career. Thanks bro.


14. BETTY DAVIS - YOU & I - THIS IS IT!
Miles Davis' 2nd wife, she is one bad-ass seductive lady (which scares me).


15. HOPE SANDOVAL & THE WARM INVENTIONS - CHARLOTTE - BAVARIAN FRUIT BREAD
Released in 2001, this is a bewitching, elegant yet overlooked gem. Bert Jansch bequeaths his masterful guitar skills to this track.


16. DNTEL (FT. JENNY LEWIS) - ROLL ON - DUMB LUCK
Prolific and inspirational, Ms. Lewis adds her own charm to Jimmy's already charming album.


17. DIANE RAY - PLEASE DON'T TALK TO THE LIFEGUARD - BOYD RICE PRESENTS MUSIC FOR PUSSYCATS
Hilarious and adorable. I should start surfing again.


18. EMILY'S SASSY LIME - PINEAPPLE BOYS NEED NOT APPLY. - RIGHT IS HERE
No really. I really mean it - pineapple boys need not apply.


19. CHANTAL GOYA - COMMENT LE REVOIR - MASCULIN-FEMININ
Most famous as the femme in the Godard film "Masculin, féminin," this yé-yé girl was born in Saigon (!)


20. GLENDA COLLINS - FIND ANOTHER FOOL - THE LITTLE GIRL'S GONE ROCKIN'
I really feelin' the lyrics to this track lately. The greasiest song of this set.


21. KAREN DALTON - SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND - IN MY OWN TIME
Oh gosh, pls refer to this blog entry.


22. CATHERINE HOWE - NOTHING MORE THAN STRANGERS - WHAT A BEAUTIFUL PLACE
Don't know much about this lady, but Catherine is the female equivalent to Nick Drake's pastoral pop.


23. DAUGHTERS OF ALBION - GOOD TO HAVE YOU - s/t
Produced by Leon Russell. OMG! I realized just now that I should've played Russell's "Superstar" covered by the female duo, Spring! Damn it! That would have been a really good one.


24. NINA SIMONE - DO WHAT YOU GOTTA DO - THE BEST OF NINA SIMONE
This song speaks for this set...

Life don't get stranger than this...

Been meaning to share this with you Owley fans this past month or so. Please please listen to it. Your heart will melt towards the end... "Only fools rush in..."
Acoustic Mainlines.mp3

TED turned me on to this... The video is sleazy, totally offensive & nauseating but still tongue-in-cheek, just ridiculous. I'm into this version though. Bardi is one messed-up dude.

Goo

On my day off, LA encountered a windstorm which caused havoc throughout the city. In my hood, EP, power was out for a good 10 hours. Geez, all I wanted to do today was chill at home, play Gtr Hero II, and enjoy all my electrical currents.

A tree fell on top of a car on Scott Street in the afternoon.

Then I saw a burning car on Sunset.

Since I couldn't do much at home once it got dark, TED & I went to Amoeba. Ran into Michael and his gf in the Brazilian section which was a rewarding category for me today. I found Wanda de Sah of Brasil '65 (so good), a Jobim record I hadn't seen ever (which is helping me complete his catalog), and a rad looking cover of the recently reissued, "La nueva onda del Brasil" which promised to be “The White Album Sergio Mendes & Brasil 66 never recorded." Wow. Sounded too good to be true. Had to get it. Then TED found Geoff & Maria's "Sweet Potatoes" which we didn't know much about but it had all the right clues: the artwork cover looked awesome, seeing that Joe Boyd was the producer was awesome, and that it was recorded at Bearsville Sound Studios in the early 70s was awesome. It was a good time at Amoeba (Thanks YP). Today's purchased gems have gotten me listening to records again and taking a break from iTunes. You can only to listen to Brazilian music on vinyl I think. Somehow this makes sense to me.

A tree fell and basically crushed the metal fence at the Echo Park Lake. If this is the first day of the end of the world, I say, "bring it on."

OC LA

Inebriation, the best way to get ready the night before the big dance party...

Wiggles & Cho

The dinner party

Wendy, who catered the delicious food, directs her staff.

Cho, DeGraw and Spanky



Relph as the 4th mannequin



Ezra & Brian

Carol & Jenny



Mrs. Sprinkles Cupcakes

It's Chotime

Scott & Marc



Kevin & Eric

When Barr meets Tamborello

Happy Birthday Isabel

Olivia, killing it...

Trisha & Kevin. Disclaimer: They are not together...

Maddy & Nicole on Spring Break

The posse

This is what happens after two beers.

The two soundtracks for this entry is the new Dntel album, Dumb Luck, whose title track is just so awesome. Actually, the entire album so awesome, in every possible way. The other new album for tonight is the new Brett Anderson which is less than okay even though I really want to like it. I know, it's almost impossible to match Suede, right? That must explain why the captions are a bit blah today. I can't be funny every single time you know...