Let's go CD shopping

All New Zealand, all the time this afternoon. No big surprises here, but you know, if you're feeling generous:

Liam Finn - I'll Be Lightning
Can you believe I haven't flown my lazy ass to New Zealand already just to purchase this? I was holding out hope that it might be available for sale at the show. Live at Spaceland was (and I bought it), but this was not because it's technically not out in the U.S. until January. Meh, I've had to import every other release from the man, why should this be any different? By the by, I promise to post pictures of the autographed album when I get around to it.

Eagle Vs. Shark - Original Soundtrack
It's a Phoenix Foundation album masquerading as a soundtrack! (No, still haven't gotten around to seeing the movie. Pfft.) Oh yeah, and there are a couple of tracks by other folks as well (reminiscent of the Man on the Moon soundtrack some years ago which R.E.M. mostly did, only you know, The Phoenix Foundation are at the top of their game, and R.E.M. was... not).

The Phoenix Foundation - Pegasus
Ooh, speaking of The Phoenix Foundation, why do I not own this? This is the opposite of a new album. Some months ago when they did a brief U.S. tour, I sent Matt to see them do an in-store at Amoeba. He was kind enough to get Samuel Flynn Scott and Luke Buda's solo albums for me (directly from the men themselves and autographed to me, Annie!), but alas, they had no copies of Pegasus on them. Jerks. (Ok, not actual jerks but you know.)

Fur Patrol - The Long Distance Runner EP
It has been far too long since we've had anything new from Fur Patrol. Looks like they are still "putting the finishing touches" on their third album (a phrase which means little to nothing to me after years of following many bands who takes years and years and years to get anything out). Anyway, this is the new EP which they released a few months ago, so yay, positive signs!

So that's that. To import all three direct from NZ (including shipping), it should leave you short about $100, but you'll have excellent gift-giving karma. Oh, or you could buy them for yourselves, I suppose.

DONE!

I am finally signed up for classes this semester. This was way more trouble and stress than it had any right to be:

• English
• Plagues, People & Power (science for people who don't like science?)
• Western Civ to 1776
• Music Appreciation
• Intro Psychology

Now I have to buy books, and then let the financial aid department know the exact amount for my student loan. Glargh.

But seriously, how awesome is all this going to be? That music appreciation class is going to rule. I'm so freaking excited. Look out, world, here I come!

I saw Liam Finn!

Live!

He came out on stage, and I was all, "I love you!" And he looked in my general direction into the dark theater, smiled and said, "You haven't even heard me yet" into the mic.

During Crowded House's set I mostly ignored Neil (something I thought I'd never do) and craned my neck to watch Liam's lovely, lovely face and body. Don't judge me.

And I got his autograph! I waited an hour under the Pabst Theater awning, and when he finally came out, I was all, "Liam!" And he turned around and looked right at me like, "Yes? What can I do for you?" That was kind of weird because I wasn't expecting to actually have to say, "Can you sign this for me?" But I managed to find the words and did it.

He is hotter than hot is hot. He's about my height. The pen I borrowed from the lady next to me had issues, but he managed to sign the cd for me anyway. Wanted to find some kind of excuse to touch him but didn't. Wanted to tell him I love him in so many different ways but managed to keep my dignity and fade into the background while blondie next to me made a fool of herself. Ah well.

Briefly, on other people's opinions

They say you cannot change the way other people behavior, you can only change your reaction to it. Sort of a choose-your-battles kind of thing. Example:

Last year someone I know made a very generalized derogatory comment about my taste in music. We all know that to be the highest of falsities. In the two seconds before I responded, my brain managed to process the following retorts:

1. "Nuh-uh. Your music is stupid."
2. "Ok."

Option #1 is, for most people I think, the knee-jerk reaction. I really did/do think this person's taste in music is utterly horrendous. However, by going with #1, I would be validating his opinion - if what he said really hurt my feelings, it must be because I (a) respect him or (b) respect his taste in music. Which I don't.

I realized that stooping to his level with some vague sophomoric putdown would only add fuel to the fire, and I didn't really feel like getting into it especially since he wouldn't know good music if it knocked him upside the head with a brick.

What I'm trying to get at is by choosing Option #2, I stopped the would-be argument in its tracks and put him in his place. He didn't expect me to just... take it. I took it because I didn't care. I know that I have the awesomest awesome music collection in the history of awesome, and no matter what he said to me, that wasn't going to change. He believes he's got a lot of good music too, but that doesn't threaten me because it doesn't affect me. He's welcome to listen to his music so long as I don't have to listen to it and vice versa.

Crowded House Album Artwork!

According to the website, Time On Earth will be released July 2nd worldwide with the exception of (sigh) North America which will have to wait an extra eight days.

Also: single! "Don't Stop Now" to be released June 25 in bunches of different formats. I may or may not buy them all.

Don't forget Crowded House is playing Coachella this Sunday which you can see streaming (!) at 8:55 pm PDT.

Coachella Webcast

I had never even heard of Coachella before this year, but it just so happens that nearly every one of my most beloved bands and a good number of new favorites are going to be there. So. Short of abandoning my family and hitchhiking to Indio, what's a girl to do?

Watch online, of course! (*All times Pacific.)

April 27th Lineup*
03:00 PM Brother Ali
03:55 PM Noisettes
04:35 PM Tokyo Police Club
05:35 PM Tilly and the Wall
06:25 PM Of Montreal
07:15 PM Rufus Wainwright
08:10 PM Arctic Monkeys
09:05 PM Stephen Marley
09:55 PM Sonic Youth
10:45 PM Bjork

April 28th Lineup*
03:00 PM Gogol Bordello
04:00 PM Fields
04:40 PM The Cribs
05:25 PM the Frames
06:15 PM Jack's Mannequin
07:10 PM Andrew Bird
08:05 PM the Fratellis
09:00 PM Regina Spektor
09:50 PM Arcade Fire
11:00 PM Ozomatli

April 29th Lineup*
03:00 PM Anathallo
03:45 PM The Feeling
04:40 PM Junior Boys
05:30 PM Fair to Midland
06:05 PM Kaiser Chiefs
07:05 PM CSS
08:05 PM Klaxons
08:55 PM Crowded House
09:50 PM Damien Rice
10:40 PM TBD

Remember, if that doesn't look like the whole list of acts, that's because it's not. For the complete list of acts performing this weekend (including those AT&T has chosen not to stream), go to Coachella's site. I have some other plans tonight, so unfortunately I'll be busy when Rufus is onstage, but I saw somewhere that AT&T promises to archive the performances. Rawk.