Thursday, May 29, 2014

Behold, Frosty the Snow Goat

Frosty & Penguin at Edgar's Mission in Australia.
Sometimes life gets heavy. Not always is it easy to lighten that load. So for the sake of positivity, and my belief that animals are better than humans, here's a story to behold. As you watch this little guy motor around I cannot help but think of how happy he is. He's elated to be out and about, scrapping it up. I love watching his tail wag in an abundance of jubilation. And how 'bout those kisses he keeps doling out? Thanks Frosty, for giving us a bit more to think about and a whole lot to be inspired by. His mannerisms, and that wee voice, just melt me. I hope it does the same for you. Thanks to all the people out there who help, nurture and care for our wild kingdom. Edgar's Mission is a not for profit sanctuary aiding rescued farm animals. Their mission is kindness. This wonderful place is nestled onto 60 acres in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range in the state of Victoria, Australia. For more insanely uplifting animal goodness check out Edgar's Blog. To steal a quote from them, "If we could live happy and healthy lives without harming others... why wouldn't we?" Touché.

Frosty the Snow Goat | Edgar's Mission | Victoria, Australia



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Sunday, May 25, 2014

Impressed by Impressionism

The Yellow Curtain | Edouard Vuillard | 1893
Currently the Legion of Honor in San Francisco is presenting impressionism and post-impressionism work by some of the masters within those realms of painting. The exhibit is titled, Intimate Impressionism, and is on loan from the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. There are 70 pieces, considered to be small artworks, think of them as adorning the walls of private homes. The genius of Manet, Monet, Van Gogh, CĂ©zanne, and Renoir are housed in the first wondrous gallery. In the second you will find the works of Vuillard and Bonnard, two incredibly gifted painters who skillfully juxtaposed flat yet colorful creations, thus establishing their own artistic dialogue (Nabis). This outstanding exhibit runs through August 3rd.

eightychoices.

Thursday, May 22, 2014

Hollow Wood

Their moniker uses a word that elicits a nothingness. Hollow Wood (Boise's own) provides listeners access to creations of substance, capable of enduring. Regardless of youth, we all experience. Hollow Wood has the ability to press the beauty out of folk and the cleanliness from a choir, while still being able to strike at you, reminiscent of when rock and roll was new. They're intellectual and the everyman simultaneously. Their quality obscures the fact that most fail at what they're finding success in. They've acquired a pure sound, turning work into emotional energy. The unbridled chant of, we all got bored, is what the modern hashtag is predicated on. Instead of buying in, Hollow Wood became the commodity. Songs that make us feel something is the addictive drug in music. Thanks for reminding us that this world is just way too strong.

Hollow Wood | "Little Bird" | In Studio Session



Catch them at the Monterey Americana Festival on June 28th, or at High Sierra on July 3rd.

eightychoices.

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

1+1=8

Happy Anniversary Agent M.

Anniversary time, and this year's gifts are suppose to involve bronze or ceramics. Coincidentally we received a set of beautiful handcrafted mugs. There's a bit more in the works for our big day, and the best date ever. What do you say we get some dinner? I love you Agent M, you're the best. Happy Anniversary, I Love You so damn much.

He who binds himself to a joy
does the winged life destroy;
but he who kisses the joy as it flies
lives in eternity's sunrise.

 - William Blake






eightychoices.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Jack White, Lazaretto & the Future of Storytelling?

Jack White | Lazaretto
Jack's back with an ultra new solo record. On June 10th White will release Lazaretto via his Third Man label. For those of us who love to hear someone rocking out, there aren't too many shredding harder than this hyper-talented innovator. The first offering from the album is, "High Ball Stepper." This latest LP is the result of Jack digging even deeper into his bag of tricks. The "Ultra" version will be pressed on 180 gram vinyl and will include two hidden tracks beneath the center labels. No need to peel away in order to listen — genius. One of the hidden gems will play at 78 rpm, while the other will perform at 45rpm, creating a three-speed record. There will be dual-groove technology implemented on the track, "Just One Drink", allowing for the dichotomy of an acoustic and electric track, depending on where the needle is dropped. As it continues to spin the grooves eventually meet, thus meshing the two sounds into one for the duration of the song. Both sides are pressed in a flat-edge format and will end in locked grooves for continual play. Side A will offer up the first ever Dead Wax area, which will house a hand-etched hologram by artist Tristan Duke. The vinyl addition also has a varied running order and implements some different mixes. As a Vault member I am over the moon excited to unearth this treasure. Jack White is the man, thanks for taking care of the music and the listener. Long live Third Man.

High Ball Stepper | Jack White | Lazaretto



The Lazaretto Ultra LP | Third Man Records | Jack White



eightychoices.

Monday, May 12, 2014

California Festivals


All across the Country we look forward to spring and summer for many reasons. I feel blessed to call California home. Something that brings out the masses quite literally, is the plethora of music-driven festivals dotting our Nation throughout the year. This post focuses on the array of happenings that will take place right here in beautiful California. The Golden State is boundless in its ability to captivate. Below is just a small sample of the festivals catching my eyes, and ears, with a handful of selections. Click the links for full lineups and details. Whether or not we all attend is another story. Spring has been gorgeous thus far, here's to summer's steady approach, and its chance to up the ante.

Enjoy the warm months,

Bottle Rock | May 30-June 1 | Napa Valley CA
*TV On the Radio, *The Black Angels, Weezer, De La Soul, Ben Sollee, Thee Oh Sees, & Outkast (I'm not so sure after Coachella)

Sierra Nevada World Music | June 20-22 | Boonville CA
*Seun Kuti, Sly & *Robbie, Barrington Levy, Ozomatli

Kate Wolf | June 27-29 | Laytonville CA
*Garth Hudson w/ his sister Maud, *The Wood Brothers, Playing for Change Band, Poor Man's Whiskey (Allman Brothers & Old and In the Way), Patchy Sanders, Anne & Pete Sibley

High Sierra | July 3-6 | Quincy CA
*STS9, *Darkwave, *Thao & the Get Down Stay Down, *Carolina Chocolate Drops, Lord Huron, Trampled By Turtles, Hard Working Americans, The Budos Band, Widespread Panic, The Del McCoury Band & the Travelin' McCoury's

Reggae on the River | July 31-August 3 | Humboldt Co. CA
*Alpha Blondy & the Solar System, *Third World, Jimmy Cliff, Israel Vibration

Outside Lands | August 8-10 | Golden Gate Park | SF
*Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, *Ray Lamontagne, *Lykke Li, *Jenny Lewis, *Phosphorescent, The Killers, Macklemore, Death Cab for Cutie, *Flaming Lips, Spoon, Atmosphere, Tegan & Sara, Haim, Chromeo, Local Natives, Tycho, Nicki Bluhm, Dum Dum Girls

First City | August 23-24 | Monterey CA
*Best Coast, *Beck, The National, Phantogram, Tokyo Police Club, Unknown Mortal Orchestra, Dawes

Russian River Jazz & Blues | September 20-21 | Guernville CA
Gary Clark Jr., Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Roy Rogers & the Delta Rhythm Kings,

Treasure Island | October 18-19 | San Francisco Bay
Save the date, the line up has yet to be revealed. Those with an * are my must sees.

eightychoices.

Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Lagunitas Concert Series

Lagunitas Live Music | 2014 
The Lagunitas Brewing Company recently released their live concert series schedule and it has some hot dates. I for one will definitely try to grab tickets to a few; The Wood Brothers on June 30th, J. Roddy Walston & the Business is a can't miss on July 14th, and the Foxygen show on August 4th should be awesome. There's nothing better than a beautiful northern California early evening, spent outdoors listening to live music, and sipping on a cold draught from a mighty fine brewery. I'll do my best to acquire the free tickets. Give yourself a better chance of securing tickets by checking each band's social media outlets, as well as, the Lagunitas Brewery, for any advanced information. Knowing when tickets are released is your best shot at attending due to the intimate capacity of this beer/music hybrid venue.

For a better look at the list: 5.26 The Revivalists | 6.2 Pimps of Joytime | 6.16 Tumbleweed Wanderers | 6.30 The Wood Brothers | 7.1 Allen Stone | 7.8 David Mayfield Parade | 7.14 J. Roddy Walston & the Business | 8.4 Foxygen | 8.11 TBA | 9.1 Blues Fest TBA | 9.8 Shakey Graves | 9.16 James McMurtry | 9.23 TBA


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Saturday, May 3, 2014

Atomic Bomb Band

Atomic Bomb Band | The Warfield | May 6
David Byrne and the Atomic Bomb Band will be playing the music of William Onyeabor. This concert should be otherworldly, considering the lusciously rhythmic and interesting landscape of music William created. Recently this new ensemble played The Tonight Show, treating the audiences to A Fantastic Man. On Tuesday, May 6th they will transform The Warfield with their take on Onyeabor's tunes. What a great night to grace an iconic San Francisco concert theater. Showtime is 8 pm and tickets range in price from $35-$45, not bad considering one living legend will be playing another legend's music. The band has some elite talent from other vivid scenes too (see image). Below is a video of their Tonight Show performance. If this is any indication of things to come, those attending the NY, SF & LA shows are in for a spectacular display. Boom goes the Bomb.



David Byrne & the Atomic Bomb Band | The Tonight Show | aired: 04.29.14



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