October 31, 2005Hipster Halloween Costume There's no way to tell, but I'd bet my first child that he's drinking PBR. Ya'll have fun tonight and don't do anything I wouldn't do. Which, I guess isn't much. October 28, 2005All The News That's UselessI have a whole lot going on right now. I am not sure how well I will be able to keep this blog updated over the next couple of months, but I am damn well gonna try. Last night I checked out the Indie Memphis Film Festival in anticipation of seeing Act One, which won Best Narrative, and Dreaming In America. ActOne was sold out. I planned on sneaking in to the showing once it started, but I changed my mind after seeing some friends waiting to see Dollars & Signs, Brandon Hutchinson's film starring Memphis' favorite filmmaker/activist, Morgan Jon Fox. I recieved a cordial invitation to Act One via Myspace, but alas, the invitarion did not include a ticket. Anywho, after Dollars and Signs, I met up with a bnch of hipster kids to take in the new Lucero dcocumentary Dreaming in America. While for the most part I really enjoyed the film, I thought it was not successful in translating the overwhelming electricity that you feel at a Lucero show. And the fans that they interviewed were idiots. I think that their shows are such an integral part of who they are, if I had never been to one, I don't think the film would have communicated to me what it's like to be in the audience. The shows they filmed all seemed pretty small and it didn't express to me that Lucero is a band on the verge, which I truly think they are. But what the hell do I know? I started a new production gig this week coordinating a feature film. I've been on the job three days and I'm already exhausted. Does anyone know where I can rent a furninshed house for the director or know of a houseboat we can use for shooting? These two things are causing me sleepless nights. In other news, did you know The Memphis Flyer has started a blog? It looks like the site is part of this. Why haven't they asked me to write for them? I'm hurt, really I am. In even more blog news, if you haven't been reading The Pesky Fly - The Chris Davis helmed blog on lefty politics, well, you're missing out on some good stuff. And I am not just dsaying that because I redesigned the site. Finally, my new favorite thing is when people ask me what I am doing on a certain night. I ususally answer with something along the lines of, "Well, what did you have in mind?" To which they reply, "Oh, well I just figured you knew what was going on." I am not a walking entertainment 411! As usual, if you wanna know what's going on, you can always check here. But, I guess if you wanna know what I'll be doing - I'll be downtown checking out the free bands on Beale, and blogging about them for The Commercial Appeal's Voodoo Experience Blog. Friday night I'll be moseying over to Mikey B's for Greg Faison's Birthday. Then Saturday night, I might make it down to the Bucanneer for the Antique Curtains, to Earnestine and Hazel's for Hell on Earth, over to Murphy's to check out Halfacre Gunroom, or over to The Hi-tone for The Rockening. It seems people don't really care if I come to their show as long as I mention it on the old blog. But I will definitely be at this - the hipster version of the Stonewall party: P.S. Whoever bought my lunch today at the Deli, many many thanks! October 27, 2005October 25, 2005Big NewsI've been tapped to write for the Memphis portal of a new national city-centric blog- Memphis CityScene, not to be confused with the original and irreplaceable Commercial Appeal's The Memphis Scene which is sometimes confused with Memphis Scene. Can no one come up with another word to descibe a local collective other than scene? What about The Memphis Milieu? Ah, but I digress. Anywho, on The Memphis CityScene Blog I will be focusing on a much broader collection of events than on this blog. What I have always told people that differentiates this site from a lot of other nightlife blogs is basically that since it's called Rachel and the City - I only write about things that I might actually attend instead of listing every possiblity. So now if you have an event happening, a play, a concert, a class, an art exhibition or even a private gala, feel free to email me about it. Flyers are always welcomed! I reserve the right to tell people that your event is happening, but to poke as much fun as I want at it. If you invite me, I might even come, take some pictures and write about the evening. Fun times ahead! Rachel @ rachelandthecity.com P.S. More big blog news coming soon! October 24, 2005Who Watches The O.C.?I don't, I rented the first season on DVD and thought it was pretty ridiculous. Plus now I feel lame for liking Death Cab. Anyyawn, morning internet trolling brought me across this: $13.98 (26% off) In a recent episode of TV show "The O.C." Peter Gallagher showed off his amazing vocal talent when he sung a stirring version of a soul classic. In fact, singing is a lifelong passion of Peter Gallagher and he has showcased this talent fervently throughout his extensive film and stage career. To record 7 Days in Memphis, Peter Gallagher embarked to Ardent Studios in Memphis, Tennessee - dubbed Soulsville USA in the storied Stax era when it cranked out artists like Isaac Hayes, Otis Redding, the Staple Singers, Wilson Pickett, Luther Ingram, Booker T. & the MG's and more. Over the course of these seven days in the studio, Gallagher was joined by a mix of young players who are Memphis soul fans as well as some legends who wrote and played on the originals soul classic. 7 Days in Memphis is a collection of Peter's interpretations of some of his favorites songs he listened to. Steve Cropper, the renowned guitarist of Booker T & the MG's and writer of Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay, In The Midnight Hour, etc. graces the entire album. "Peter is a great actor on screen but he's not acting in the studio," comments Steve Cropper. "He has real soul and sings with great passion. I'm sure Peter and this project will enjoy much success and I hope we get to work together again in the future." Produced by Mike Mangini (Joss Stone), 7 Days in Memphis seeps in authenticity with performances from legendary soul singer Betty Wright who contributes vocals, and the drummer, keyboardist, and bassist from Joss Stone's band. The CD Audio Side of the DualDisc includes the entire studio album. October 22, 2005Blogging Is BoringI'm kind of ashamed these days to call myself a blogger. It's like the new reality tv, so bottom of the barrel. People with their opinions. Just because you have one doesn't mean it's worth sharing. Who cares what anyone thinks anyway? And it's really lame that all you have to do to be super popular and actually make a living from blogging is steal a bunch of photos of celebrities and make snarky comments about them. So boring. Not to mention that the misuse of irony by these effing students is like nails on a chalkboard. People, there is a difference between irony and coincidence. If you can't define it, please don't try to use it. Have you not seen Reality Bites? Lelaina: I mean, these job interviews, Troy... The word “vivesection” a staggering understatement. I mean, can you define irony? I've said it a thousand times: a black fly in your chardonnay isn't ironic - it just sucks, and if you don't understand why then you should go back to community college. I'm usually much more forgiving, and I don't want to sound like a jaded hipster, but I guess I'm kind of over - everything. We're fed such mass quantites of tech, politics, gadgets, gossip, music, movies, television - the excitement of anything new seems to wear off almost instantaneously. Why even watch a movie or a tv show? Clip shows give us all of the highlights without us having to commit to actually focusing on one thing for more than 5 minutes. And with that, I'm so bored with this post. Isn't that - a coincidence? I Just Connected With The Friends Theme
It's like you're always stuck in second gear blah blah blah blah blah You're still in bed at ten, though work began at eight blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah blah It's like you're always stuck in second gear blah blah blah blah blah Download the Theme: October 21, 2005Trading Spaces Coming to MemphisTLC’s TRADING SPACES IS FILMING UPCOMING EPISODES IN THE MEMPHIS AREA, AND WANTS YOU TO APPLY FOR A SPOT ON THE SHOW! TRADING SPACES, produced by Banyan Productions, provides two pairs of friends with a $1000 budget, a professional designer, a carpenter, and 48 hours to redo a room of their choice. But there’s a catch - they have to switch houses, and they have no say in how their own room will look! We’re seeking brave and vibrant homeowners to represent the Memphis area on these upcoming episodes! The rules are simple: To apply, e-mail dmcguigan@banyan.com. A full application will immediately be sent to you. All Applications must be submitted no later than November 14th (the sooner the better!) We will be shooting in January. * Compensation: $1,000 budget per room East Memphians UniteFRIDAY 80's MADNESS @ SWANKY's Every Friday from 10-2am Kirby & Poplar (in Macaroni Grill Shopping Center) DJ's John Clark and Justin Hand Hot Chicks / Double Loaded Shots / Cheap Drinks What more can you ask for? October 17, 2005Events in Memphis you don't want to miss...Cat Power October 18 Hi-Tone Neighborhood Texture Jam October 21 Hi-Tone Annual Shangri-La Records Fall Record Swap! Sunday October 23 Live music from Jeffrey Evans & Ross Johnson, Harlan T. Bobo & The Glass! Buy, Sell & Trade Dealers...tables are still only $10 call to reserve yours today! Black Sunday October 23 Hi-Tone The Rockening October 28-29 Hi-Tone Central Standard Sunday, November 6th Shangri-La Records FREE in-store performance Ted Leo & The Pharmacists November 14 Hi-Tone Branan/Combest/Nichols/HulettSo a couple of weekends ago I went to see Cory Branan, Ben Nichols, Blair Combest and Jeff Hulett do a show together at the Hi-tone. Even though I had friends in from out-of-town that chose to go to the Reverend Horton Heat show over at The Deli, I went alone and sat on the front row and snapped a ton of pictures. It was a really great show. When you get these guys together and add a little whiskey, how could it not be? Many thanks to Blair for playing that song I like. Boo to Cory for not singing that other song I like. they know what I'm talking about. Anywho, I didn't want to be totally annoying so I tried not to use my flash - but of course, that made all of the pictures come out really dark. So, I pretty much thought they weren't worth posting. However, a lot of people have asked me about them and so I went back and looked through them again and tweaked the colors a little and there ended up being a couple of good ones. I tried to post all of the ones that were not a blurry mess. Here's a couple that I liked:
I ended up liking the pictures much more than I thought I would. I kind of hate these high res pics everyone has been taking at shows where it looks like the lights are on. The darker ones actually translate the feel of the show better. You can find the rest of the pictures I took here. Oh, and here is where I stuck the pictures of Erin and Sam's birthday party and some various other late night meeting of the minds. Oh, and I did end up going to that other show too:
I have a lot of pictures from the Katrina Benefit at Dish on Friday night, I'll post those some time this week. Carry On. October 12, 2005Voodoo Music Experience Returns To New OrleansFrom Billboard.com: By Jonathan Cohen, N.Y. After being moved to Memphis in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the Voodoo Music Experience will return to its original home of New Orleans for the first of its two-night duration. The Oct. 29 show at New Orleans' Riverview Park behind Audobon Zoo will be the first full-scale entertainment event to be held within the city limits since Katrina struck in late August. The next night, Voodoo will continue at Memphis' AutoZone Park. Exempting prior ticketholders, the New Orleans show will be an invitation-only event for local police, firefighters and rescue personnel. Although the lineups for each event have yet to be announced, among the acts confirmed to appear at at least one show are Nine Inch Nails, Queens Of The Stone Age, New York Dolls, North Mississippi All Stars, Secret Machines, the Neville Brothers, Dr. John and DJ Tiesto. "In the course of the past few weeks, the outpouring of support from not only the music industry, but from people from all walks of life, who want to come together to celebrate New Orleans has been tremendous," says Voodoo producer Stephen Rehage. "The ability to move forward in two cities -- with so much music history -- is overwhelming to everyone involved with this year's event." Tickets for the Memphis show will go on sale today (Oct. 12) at 5 p.m. ET via Ticketmaster and the Voodoo Music Experience Web site. Voodoo organizers are also planning a free concert series in downtown Memphis beginning Oct. 27 and continuing into the Halloween weekend. Proceeds from the Voodoo Music Experience will benefit a host of Katrina-related charities, including the New Orleans Restoration Fund, Habitat for Humanity and Bring New Orleans Back. October 11, 2005Movie and Tv Folks: Check This OutFrom my buddy Jon Sparks: Two big goings-on in the local film community: First of all, congratulations to all who are in the Indie Memphis Soul of Southern Film 2005. The schedule is on the Indie Memphis site The other significant event is the Tennessee Film Production Advisory Committee public hearing being held in Memphis tomorrow. If you want more movies shot in town, then you should make every effort to attend. These discussions will address offering incentives to TV and movie productions much as Louisiana has been successfully doing. It would mean money for the state of Tennessee and jobs for actors, crew and others. It's Oct. 12 at the Memphis Botanic Gardens, 750 Cherry Road, from 2-4 p.m. A reception with committee members will be held right after. There is background information on my blog Best, Jon October 10, 2005Reliving the PartyI must give a shout out to my friend Cort who has been doing a wonderful job of documenting the local party scene the last few months on his cool photoblog Memphis Parties. I also have to say that after the shenanigans that went on Saturday night, I think we are finally getting close to Jason Sims' dream of attending parties like the ones that you find on Last Night's Party. We're a little behind NYC, but we're getting there. I also want to thank Cort for sticking to our new "no taking pictures of me when I'm inebriated, wearing glasses, or showing my boobs rule." I may run for office one day. Oh, and if you're looking for some of the photos I've taken over the past few weeks, they're posted in the Gallery section. Do I have to hold your hand? It's Not You, It's MeHere's a sad, sad tale for all of the people who feel like I blow them off. I don't return phone calls, I know. I flake and don't hang out, I know. I abruptly leave the party to go home and snuggle with my dog, I know. But I can say with a straight face, really it's not you, it's me. Take for instance Thursday night. I hadn't been out since the weekend and was ready to kick out the jams like a rockstar. I went to Dish just like I do every week and hung out with the kids. One of my friends introduced me to a really cute, nice guy and we chatted for about 20 minutes. She then invited me to go out with them Saturday night. I was kind of psyched. But then what do I do? I sabotage myself Friday night by going to a party at brad's and staying out way too late. At one point I thought to myself that I should go home so I would feel like going out Saturday, but then I just told myself that the guy that I wanted to hang out with probably wasn't into me anyway, and so I ended up over at Helen's until the early AM. Then when Saturday night rolled around I was in bed by 10PM. The point is, if I can diss going out to talk to a cute guy, then you really have no worries about me dissing you and not hanging out. I'm just retarded. You know how some people have that thing where they just don't know when to shut up? Well, I have a surefire cure for that - just stay home. Then you don't have to spend the next day reliving your conversations and cringing. October 6, 2005October 5, 2005My Car Is Beat DownYesterday started out pretty well. I went to Otherlands to be interviewed by a local publication, got jacked up on caffeine and then went and ran errands all morning. I was feeling pretty good about getting so much accomplished when I stopped to get some gas. It was around noon and the gas station, which also housed a Burger King, was packed. I went inside and paid for my gas and told the cashier, "Give me twenty on five.' Well the only problem was that I was at pump three, not five. Now, a sane person would have just walked back inside and told the person behind the register that they said the wrong pump. Instead I saw that somone else was about to pull in front of pump five and so I jumped into my car and tried to back up and beat them to it. It was a good plan, except for the curb that pulled the entire front bumper off my car. Yep, in the middle of like a thousand cars, I ripped the front bumper right off the front of my car. Awesome. So, then I get out and just started shouting, "Shiiiiiiiiiiiiit!' This man came over and tried to help me put it back on, but it was obviously beyond help. We rigged it and I went and had someone bang the dent out and reattach it, but I have a huge scratch on my bumper. I have insurance but my deductable is $500 - about the cost of a new bumber. I don't have the $500 either way, so I guess I'll just have to live with it for a while. I really wish Memphis had better public transportation. Some people are just not meant to drive. October 4, 2005Justin bids for Elvis's kingdomBoy band star plans huge Memphis record deal to beat city's blues Joanna Walters in Memphis The capital city of soul and rock'n'roll, which launched the careers of stars including Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and Jerry Lee Lewis, has hit hard times. In its heyday Elvis was its king in his Graceland mansion. Yet today the stardust of Memphis is gone, replaced by high unemployment, crime and grinding poverty. Now an unlikely figure, the former boy band member Justin Timberlake, has emerged as its would-be saviour. He is negotiating to build a huge recording studio complex and to buy up two of the city's world-renowned record labels, Sun, which gave the planet Elvis and rock'n'roll, and Otis Redding's Stax. The audacious plan would revive Memphis as a creative centre in a way not seen since BB King and Booker T and the MGs played Beale Street in the Sixties. Timberlake's move is not without controversy. Smaller studios and labels that have struggled in the city for years fear they could be ruined by such a powerful player signing up local talent. Senior figures behind the project said Timberlake, 24, could launch a new record label to go alongside the revival of Sun and Stax, or dramatically expand the company he started up this summer, JayTee Records, which signed hip hop's Joshua B as its first act. 'Right now it is something that is in the works, but it's not something that can really be spoken about. It would be great, wonderful for Memphis,' said Jon Hornyak, senior executive director of the Memphis chapter of the Recording Academy, the body behind the Grammys music awards. Timberlake has been in town recently for filming of Black Snake Moan, a movie about 'a Memphis nymphomaniac' in which he stars with Samuel L Jackson and Christina Ricci. The man who shot to fame with boy band *NSync and then as Britney Spears's first love held a party in Memphis 10 days ago at which he played guitar, sang and met local investors who are being lined up to back his project. News that such a big name as Timberlake wants to revive the local economy has led to fevered anticipation in Memphis. 'He is the biggest pop star in the world right now. It's like when Elvis was here 50 years ago, it shook a lot of things up and people paid attention,' said Hornyak. Timberlake started out as a teen pop vocalist, but as a solo artist has swung towards R&B and rap. His studio would probably record a variety of styles. The project was suggested to Timberlake by Ray Fleming, president of the Memphis Music Foundation, which sponsored Timberlake's party at the Gibson Lounge, near the factory where Gibson guitars have been made for a century. 'There will be a great story once it's complete but it's early,' said Fleming, although he did confirm that talks had taken place with Timberlake. 'We love Justin. He's a native and his family are based here. It's very exciting to have someone of his significance participate in the music scene here,' he said. Sun Studio is now primarily a tourist attraction, especially the room where in 1954 a young Elvis sang 'That's All Right (Mama)' and rock 'n'roll was born. It also hosted Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison and Johnny Cash; Carl Perkins recorded 'Blue Suede Shoes' there. Country music producer Shelby Singleton bought Sun in 1969, and ever since his family has owned a major stake in the valuable back catalogue of more than 7,000 songs. 'We have been talking to Ray Fleming about a group he is working with who might be interested in buying Sun. It depends if the price is right. I have also heard that they [the group of investors and Timberlake] may be trying to buy Stax too,' said company president John Singleton. Fleming said Stax was now worth more than $1 billion. 'Even Puff Daddy or Jay-Z's labels do not make that kind of money,' he said. Not everyone is thrilled at the prospect of Timberlake's homecoming. The city has about 20 independent recording studios and about 50 tiny record labels. 'The business leaders say Timberlake will bring wealth to the town for everyone but there are too many vested interests at the top of the industry, and we are worried that all the power and investment will be kept there,' said one small-label owner. 'All the new talent would probably want to sign with him, not us.' October 3, 2005Myspace HumorYou're on Myspace, right? You belong to this group, right? But you still get 500 requests a day from bands trying to befriend you. I usually just delete the request and move on. But lately I've started to get these personal requests from bands to check out their music. Well, I say personal, but they're really just form letters, like for instance this one: From: YES NO MAYBE Just sending a friendly reminder that we would like you to give our music a listen. If you like it, join our friends list. If not, then we still appreciate your time in checking us out. Wherever you are from, please support local music. We all dream big and hope to get there someday soon. Take care. Devan My reply: From: RachelandtheCity I should start a form letter just like this to send back to all of the bands that send one to me. Your music would make a good sound track to beer drinking at The Fox and Hound. Best of Luck. Rachel Well, I guess that pissed them off. I have no idea why. This is a band that plays at TJ Mulligans and Southbeach. I thought that The Fox and Hound was a step up. Am I missing something? Is there some sort of music venue hierarchy that I don't know about. Is Mulligans really cooler with the khaki and baseball hat set than The F & H? If so, please fill me in, I need to know these things. So here was their reply: From: YES NO MAYBE You should do it. Bands love a good roast. At least you took the time to write back which means it worked. Some band one day just might grab your attention which will be great for them. Oh, YNM Ohhhhhhhh, low blow. But as one stupid remark deserves another: I can always go on a diet but unfortunately they'll still sound like a poor man's Nickleback. Yes, No, Maybe? How 'bout definietly not!! har, har, har... Anyway, that was really just all a segway into something else I wanted to talk about. I always make people mad when I state the obvious, but unless you just wanna go out and chug some brewskies and be some kind of house cover band, I don't know why you would play music outside of the parkways. When I go to "pubs" and they have these shitty local bands play, it just pisses me off. If I want to hear live music, I will go to a live music venue. I go to those other places to drink and talk to my friends. I like to be able to hear them. It's too loud to have bands in these small venues and they always suck. Seriously. |
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Peter Gallagher
