The end of the month

The Decemberists played last month; another fantastic show by them, opened by Loch Lomond. El squared will never be, contrary to some hype, the next big thing out of Portland. In their current incarnation, they are too mannered and quiet. I say this recognizing how close it is to the faint praise heaped on Colin Meloy, back when he was a meloncholy unknown. And look what he's become:



Just a big ball of ham with an orphan's voice. What I find most fascinating about Mr.Meloy is the way he's evolved his onstage persona, toying with the fine line between hilarious pomp and bastardry. And, you know, if the songs weren't so good, he wouldn't be able to get away with as much as he does; a fact I'm sure he's aware of.

Anyway, halfway through the show, some kid yells Colin, can I ask you a question? That question turns out to be: will you videotape yourselves for me, since security won't allow me to do it? This is the answer:



Aw. Adorable. And look at those hamhock chops!

Singer, Song, Shows

On the first day of this year, walking off the drunk and towards the truck I'd convienently parked at an elementary school, I found a note tucked beneath my windshield wiper. It read: "Fuck 2007. 2008 is going to be awesome! xo, Louise"

(Louise, it should be noted, is currently staging Othello at Balagan Theater. I'm a jerk and haven't made it out and probably won't be able to, but I'm sure YOU can.)

For all sorts of reasons, for me and others, 2007 was a tough year. I wanted 2008 to be better. Needed it to be. You could argue the reason Louise's note turned out so prophetic is because I fought to make it so; I prefer to believe that Louise has magical powers--strange, mystical forces she cannot necessarily control, only summon. Either way, I know better than to touch her magic wand.

Whatever the reason, though, things got good this year: steady and successful employment, rewarding friend and relation ships (with reinforced timber hulls and everything), more writing, better health (and related choices), crates upon crates of music, and the re-emergence of The End Times.

On the 18th of this month, at local fave The Blue Moon, we'll play live for the first time since March, and for the first time ever with our new singer Abigail.



After that, you can catch us at the Skylark Cafe on December 23rd at 9p.m., and at Tacoma's Java Jive on January 30th. We'll also be hopping back into the studio to record some new tracks (some of which you can already hear on our MySpace).

Not only that, but our EP These Are The End Times is up for consideration on KEXP's Top 90.3 of 2008. If you like our style, you can vote for us (and nine others; may I suggest Hey Marseilles and The Moondoggies?) by clicking here.

Of course, for all the triumph, I was sailing in the eye. Many others had the dubious pleasure of testing their resolve, health, and security under unfavorable conditions. I'm proud and relieved to report many made it. And for those who are still in the midst of a tough year, I'll tell you this: Fuck 2008. 2009 is gonna be awesome!

xot