For the Love of Lists — Get A Life Fest

I've been trying to reclaim my social life, but I must say that over the past year, things have been dragging. This is, chiefly, because I don't have a dedicated party posse like in the Austin Days of Yore (sniff). The last few weeks, though, have signaled a return to form. The iCal has filled with more than just first graders' birthday parties, school volunteering obligations and dental appointments.

Just what have I been doing? To the lists!

Shows/gigs that were well worth the cost of the babysitter:
1. Lianne La Havas at Bootleg Theater — She's charming, a solid songwriter, has great stage presence, and comes across as a less treacly version of Corinne Bailey Rae. The packed crowd — from where I stood, an odd blend of alterna-black girls and middle-aged white dudes in business attire — was spellbound. And, though, I refuse to chalk this up to anything more than urban legend, for the sake of my fragile constitution, Stevie Wonder was reportedly one of the admiring onlookers. I NEED to disbelieve these reports; surely, if my idol was in the building, my radar would've gone off.


Check out La Havas serenading Parisian shoppers:



Lianne La Havas | No Room For Doubt | A Take Away Show from La Blogotheque on Vimeo.



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2. Little Dragon's DJ set at The Spare Room — 
It was actually just Yukimi and Fredrik spinning dance tracks, rather than the whole band. But isn't that more than enough? Thanks to my kinda-too-cool-for-me friend, Andy Valdez, I got into this private party where the bartenders were like this, the attendants included Kid Cudi and an assortment of TV and movie sidekicks (McLovin', Señor Chang, etc.), and I randomly found myself playing Scrabble in a cushy banquette. Oh, and I sort of made an ass of myself in front of Big Boi...butthat'sneitherherenorthere.

BTW, over on the LD site, you can be a part of their upcoming movie project. I love, love the band, but don't really see myself going that far. You do it, so I can say I know someone who did.

Shows/gigs I can't believe I put on clothes from the good side of my closet for:
1. Questlove at The Sonos Studio
Thanks to KCRW, I won passes to see Questlove play at some random spot on La Brea. I love winning free stuff (duh), I love free drinks (double-duh) and I love the concept of Questlove — I mean, he's a great drummer, comes across as a witty guy, he's a foodie and is a treasure trove of musical knowledge. I went in feeling giddy and privileged, but the only thing that panned out was the free drinks (and even those you had to wait in a hellish line for). Despite all the crates he's no doubt dug in, he decided to pepper the audience with theme songs ("Fresh Prince of Bel Air," "Super Mario Bros."), "Rollin' in the Deep" ([Tina Fey voice] REALLY, Questlove?!? ) and swing music. My head hurt, my feet hurt and I wasted gas driving all the way over there. Adding insult to this germaphobe's injury, he picked his 'fro out right in my face as he exited the stage. Grody! Sigh. Maybe Quest just saves the good stuff for the East Coast.

Shows I got to share with my music junkie kid because they happened outside in the middle of a Saturday:
1. Electric Guest at Make Music Pasadena — It's funny to listen to this guy doing '80s-reminiscent R&B/pop, mainly because his slinky voice doesn't sound like it would come out of a pint-sized tennis court ball boy.

2. Cults, also at MMP — They played the hits. Heads bobbed. Fun was had.


Shows I have tickets and high hopes for:
1. The one-night-only premiere of Shut Up and Play the Hits — Not a show, but a documentary about a show I wish I'd seen, which counts.


2. The Dirty Projectors at The Wiltern — I still have to wait another month to enjoy the show I received as my Mother's Day present.
3. Conor Oberst & The Mystic Valley Band at Royce Hall — In truth, I have little patience for this guy — save for "The First Day of My Life," — but my man's a super fan, so I'm going along to keep him from looking like a solo weirdo.
4. Grizzly Bear at The Greek Theater — Birthday present!!! Soo excited about this one! It's a band a love. Plus, it's a do-over. Matt bought me tix to see them with Beach House at The Belly Up a while back, but he missed the show because he was traveling for work. This time, we're gonna make it happen! I got even more excited after I heard one of the new tracks they'll likely be playing.

Shows I may actually end up going to at the last minute; you'll just have to check back to find out:
1. TheeSatisfaction at The Echo


2. Van Hunt at Levitt Pavilion — He seemed hell bent on eschewing a ladies' man image when I saw him at The Troubador last fall, but I'm willing to give him another try because this is show is close by and FREE!