Debaser - Pixies
Float On - Modest Mouse
Take Me Out - Franz Ferdinand
Reptilia - The Strokes
Somewhere Only We Know - Keane
How do I even start this post?
I had the night of my life last night. Where was I, you may ask, that I had such a wild, life-changing evening? Why, the Much Music Video Awards, of course!
Was I invited to the after parties I attended? Absolutely not, but I think from now on, I’ll be on the list. I schmoozed with all my favourite musicians, got to tell them in person how much their music means to me, and was featured in just about every after-party photo gallery I’ve seen so far. You know the ones I’m talking about.
If you would have asked the little Yulia of ten years old, heartbroken and messy as she was, if she ever saw herself rubbing elbows with her musical heroes, I don’t think she would believe you, but here we are. We’ve made it.
But don’t worry, I’m still the same Chuck, just a little bit shinier. And no, I’m not going to spill anything from any of those parties. A lady doesn’t kiss and tell ;)
Musically, we’re having a year, aren’t we? Every new album released in 2004 seems deeper and dreamier and more bombastic than the last. I don’t know how I’m even going to cover it all.
Actually, before I get into the music, can we just talk for a minute about Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind? If you haven’t seen this movie yet, GO SEE IT. It’s the story of a guy named Joel (played by Jim Carrey, interestingly enough), who discovers his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) had him erased from her memory, because that’s a thing in this world, and then he decides to get her erased, too. Then, while experiencing their relationship in reverse, he changes his mind and has to try to stop the process.
!!!
I just can’t with this movie. It might be my favourite of all time. The romance, the shots, the music… It makes you believe in love again, even if you thought you’d given up on it once and for all. Maybe one of these days I’ll find someone who makes me feel like how I felt watching this film…
Okay, now that’s out of the way, let’s talk tunes. I’ve been in a nostalgic mood lately, so of course, I’ve been listening to Pixies. Debaser is one of those songs that always makes me want to dance. I also love how the lyrics are a bit surreal, like the Dali film they reference (Un Chien Andalou), and if you don’t dig a bit deeper into the song, you might miss it altogether.
We’ve had some anthems released this year, in both Float On by Modest Mouse and Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand. I hear both these songs on the radio constantly, but I never mind because they’re both so catchy and dynamic. Lucy and I play them when we’re getting ready to go out, along with This Charming Man by The Smiths, and we sing:
I would go out tonight
But I haven't got a stitch to wear
This whole garage band revival is speaking to my soul, and I hope we get more. There’s something about a distressed guitar that just pumps me up. There’s no better example of this than Reptilia by The Strokes, just another addition to their great catalogue. The grit in Julian Casablancas’s voice gets me every time.
Now every time that I look at myself
"I thought I told you, this world is not for you"
The room is on fire as she's fixing her hair
"You sound so angry, just calm down you found me"
I said: "Please don't slow me down if I'm going too fast"
You're in a strange part of our town
It’s been an exciting start to the year, but we’ve got a strong mellow song cutting through the pack. Somewhere Only We Know by British band Keane. I wasn’t sure about this song at first, but I have to admit it’s grown on me the more I hear it.
Oh, simple thing, where have you gone?
I'm getting old, and I need something to rely on
So, tell me when you're gonna let me in
I'm getting tired, and I need somewhere to begin
I’m so grateful for the lyricism we’re seeing from the musicians in this era. The songs are almost cinematic in feel, like the words reach out and grab me by the throat. It might still be the middle of summer, but I kind of can’t wait for autumn again so I can go for walks and feel the leaves crunch under my feet while listening to a band like Keane.
I can honestly say that I have no idea what my future is going to hold right now. I haven’t been able to make as many classes lately (please don’t lecture me, I KNOW), because I’ve been so busy working on campaigns. It’s starting to feel like maybe this modelling thing could be an actual career for me, and that scares the hell out of me.
Because I already know there’s only so long it can last. There will only be so many years people will want to take pictures of me until my skin begins to wrinkle and I age out. Until I’m no longer young enough, or pretty enough, or interesting enough. What will I do then? Should I keep going down this road to see where it takes me, or should I let my fears take over and close the door completely?
I guess I’ll let you know when I figure it out. For now, I’m thinking I should keep going down the path, just to see where it’s going to take me. It seems like the possibilities are endless right now, and even if it’s not where I saw myself, I kind of want to see what it looks like. Who Chuck can become.
Don’t worry, I’ll be taking all of you with me.
P.S. Want to read them all? Sign Up to the mailing list and get a PDF of XOXO Chuck!
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