Anita Mui Forever

So when I was looking for that Andy Lau song for a recent post, I of course fell into the YouTube rabbit hole yet again. This time I rifled through adolescent memories of 1990's cantopop. Anita Mui was my favorite. I loved her like no other female singer previous and since. Watching video from her final concert still moves me to tears. This was one of my favorite songs:



It's extremely dramatic and I love it still.

*The video still paused on Michele Yeoh, not Anita. This song was in a movie they were both in.

Sunday Smiles

Found via Apartment Therapy.

Alabama Shakes

Really, really diggin' this. Soulful Alabama Shakes. They're blowin' up. Gonna be everywhere in a second.

Groove:


K. Off to buy ALL their music.

The Satellite, Silver Lake - 9.16.2011

Warships


Our friend John on bass.


During Eastern Conference Champions


Our ears were ringing for hours after. In a good way.

breakfast with billie

8:56 AM

We were supposed attend a rain barrel setup class in Silver Lake this morning. Instead, I let Sergio sleep in and I enjoyed some me time.



Green Jeans Range Eggs purchased from the Egg Man himself.
Chrysanthemum/Green tea.
Apple pie made impromptu at 10PM two nights ago.
Billie Holiday on the radio.


What I wore.



The apron was Mom's present from her previous trip to China. Gorgeous right?

Adele, be still my heart.

I finally purchased the album. Just an hour ago. I'm entranced.

This song in particular makes my heart get all achy and fluttery. You know, kinda like falling in love.

The Way I Am

Wanted to share a little leftover Valentine sweetness. This song makes me smile.

Aloe Blacc on Conan

Aloe Blacc performed on Conan yesterday. We don't have TBS but luckily, Conan put performance up on the website:



My old college roommate introduced me to Farmer last month. He's the dude rocking out on keyboards.

Aloe Blacc

While Marti was visiting, we invited her cousin, Farmer, over for dinner. He lives in L.A. and is a musician. He is currently on keyboards for eponymous band, Aloe Blacc, (E. Nathanial Dawkins). Soul. Funk. Awesome. I am a fan.

His current album is available on eMusic and iTunes. Some may recognize "I Need a Dollar" as the theme song to HBO's How to Make It In America.

I also love this video:.


Read more about him here.

Adele 21

Oh. Oh. Oh.


cover photo via

That face. Those lips. The adorable chin. She's a freakin' Botticelli.

And her voice. *sigh*

Her new album, 21, is releasing in February. I'm excited!

Adele's debut album, 19, was on repeat for weeks at my house. Crazy for You is one of my faves off that album.

This video is from way back in 2007 -- before 19 was release. Just guitar strings. No additional adornment required.

Pick Your Own Adventure with Andy Grammer!

Big ups to Amy and Omar for introducing me to Andy's music. I've seen him at the Roxy, at the El Rey, at A&O's, at A&O's wedding and can't wait to see him perform again. Now he's released his first video (Keep Your Head Up)!! I cannot believe how super fun this is. I've watched about four times now.

Sit tight and wait for the load. It's worth it!




P.S. I was supposed to be an extra in this video. Me and Ermin. But we both had to work. POUT.

Nina Zilli

Just got back from a relaxing couple of nights in Vegas. Can't believe it had been so long since we've been back there. It has changed so much already!

While I catch up from our little trip, upload photos etc., please gaze at my new style muse: Nina Zilli.


via grazia porqueddu


via

The following three photos are fan photos from her facebook page.




She looks tough and sweet at the same time. Like hard candy.

Now listen to her amazing voice in this gorgeous song (50mila). I kind of want to be her right now. Turn on your sound and click on the image below to link out to YouTube.



image via

New Camera Fun!

Just figuring things out.







David Choe Munko Whales. Giant Robot Big Boss Robots. (Thanks Lauri!)
Bedside table (My side of the bed.)
My cake's last stand. Taco Truck Run: Leo's.
Evidence of a good night. Is it the Mandarin orange slices what qualify a salad to be called "Asian"?
Darla. S.Pas.

Jovanotti

Just got back from an evening spent on the Santa Monica Pier surrounded by deliriously happy, dancing, singing Italians. They (and we) were all gathered for Jovanotti! Sergio was excited when he found out this guy was in town -- apparently Jovanotti is a superstar in the home country. And, judging by the crazy, funk-delicious set he put on earlier tonight, for good reason. We sat through the first two acts but were up and dancing the moment he came on stage.

My shriveled geriatric camera did its very, very best tonight...but was overcome by the dark and distance. So, I've posted his performance from the 2005 Live 8 Rome concert via YouTube instead. He's a little scruffy and the sound isn't the greatest, but damn that energy and beat is infectious.






He looks more like this now.



via

The pics on the right are from the Baciami Ancora video, a song he made for a Gabriele Muccino film of the same name. I've never heard of this movie but the video makes me want to see it now. Even if only for the gorgeous Italy scenery.




Psssstt! Here is a short video I got earlier tonight with my camera. (Sorry camera. I didn't mean to call you geriatric.)

Andy Grammer rox!

Private concert at Amy and Omar's. Andy Grammer. Food. Friends. Drink. What better way to spend a Monday evening?




Andy is super talented and we can't wait to see him perform at the El Rey at the end of the month!

Dancing Shoes

I need me a pair of those reverse saddlebag oxfords like I need a hole in my head. But, you think they would make me move like Ms. Janelle Monáe? YOU try and sit still through this song. Methings I am sooooo giving iTunes some money for a little JM today.



Thanks Door Sixteen.

Seawolf!

I found this post in draft form from last week that I never posted. whoops!
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last weekend, B came over for a pre-concert backyard salad&vino party. And then we met up with some old buddies at the Autry Museum. Patrick Park opened and then Seawolf. Great music all around. Like evenings of childhood past, we wound up at House of Pies at the end of the night.

Testing out a new slideshow thingamajig.




The venue was really cool. Lighting cast some great shadows in the courtyard.

Kinky vs. One Hope Wine & Mr. Bubbles

Ok. So I totally meant to see this beloved band o' mine tonight. Free concert no less!! But, I didn't. I'm gettin' old methinks. I've seen them a few times and each time I love them more and more. Kinky is definitely a band to see in person. Recordings do not do them justice. But after a very pleasant Sunday, I was just a bit, dare I say, tired? And the prospect of elbow defending my little spot at the concert was just too much for me. So what did we do today?

We stopped by a yard sale where Sergio met someone who also trained in Muay Thai. He got the name of the gym and he's considering looking into it. I shudder a bit to imagine him sparring or in a match. :(

Then we went to the cafeteria at India Sweets & Spices for the first time. It is all vegetarian and ALL GOOD. yummers. The samosas are particularly mouthwatering. (Oh dear. I think we need to go back there soon. Who wants to join us?!?) Then we stopped into Pot-ted next door. So I've never had a favorite plant and pottery shop before. Now I do. Even Sergio loved it! They carry a vast rainbow array of gorgeous pottery and fountains in all sizes. Specialized in juicy succulents, they do custom plantings and were running a sale this past weekend! We came home with a bright green pot and a decorative ginkgo leaf wall sculpture. (pics later!)

After a quick visit to Fresh and Easy, I sort of conked out on the couch for a rare nap. It was pretty warm today and I awoke feeling odd.....

{'scuse me. the prettiest song came on kcrw just now...wow, who IS that? Detour to kcrw.com for a sec....bear with me.

It's Fiona Apple!!! I haven't heard her in ages!! Song: Why Try to Change Me Now. It's jazzy and beautiful. Find it and hear it. wow. I listened to her first album over and over and over back in the day... Anyway, what was I rambling about earlier? Right.}

I woke up, repotted a plant in my new green pot, hung up my cool ceramic windchime....and then made caprese with the lush basil we have potted out front. And then, Sergio and I shared a bottle of One Hope Sauvignon Blanc. This is new to F&E and it was not bad. It's an intriguing concept. They donate 50% of all profit to a partner charity. The cause depends on the varietal:

• Cabernet Sauvignon: Autism - ACT! Today
• Chardonnay: Breast Cancer - Susan G. Komen
• Merlot: AIDS - AIDS/LifeCycle
• Sauvignon Blanc: The Planet - American Forest
• Zinfandel: Our Troops - Snowball Express

I'm eager to try the others.

So...after that bottle of wine, I DEFINITELY didn't feel like the kinky crowd. I was a bit sad but then, I set up a date with Mr. Bubbles.

This was the first bubble bath I've had a chance to enjoy since moving into our house. Divine. Sergio lit candles for me and brought in the radio before retiring to his office to work on projects he'd been neglecting all weekend. I soaked while discovering possibly the best music show on kcrw ever. I'm still enjoying it (the music show) now.

Sigh. What a wonderful cap to a really nice weekend. I hope yours was equally lovely, if not more so.

P.S. Late last night, I spent some time drawing while Sergio was sleeping. The doodles are a bit cartoony but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I think I'll try to do that more often.

Santo ... er... Santigold rocks the Bowl!!

Going to the Hollywood Bowl means that Summer is finally here!!!



Santigold (formerly Santogold) is a funky Brooklyn-ite who's been rocking out my iPod since July/2008. Her fresh, genre-bending music is truly a treat. I L-O-V-E it!! If you haven't heard her yet (I'm surprised) go to YouTube/iTunes/eMusic and find her. NOW. Then turn it up and dance!!

There were two, maybe three bowl concerts I felt super compelled to attend this year. Sergio said I was allowed one this year. Santigold and Adele (w/Etta James no less!) were toss ups but since Santigold was up first, that's the one I went to. Betsy and Justin came over to the new place to chow pre-concert. Though picnicking at the bowl is de riguer, I thought this would be more convenient and free up our hands to carry more vino in. I agree with Justin though -- we should have brought another bottle! (never mind we finished two bottles of bubbly with dinner...)



Opening was Raphael Saadiq. Unfortunately we missed most of that set. (Due to us being busy finishing the champagne no doubt.) What we caught was good though.

The moment Santi came on stage and the first few beats blasted through the speakers, we were up on our feet and dancing the night away! Every song was amazing. Highlights: She gave a shoutout to us fans in the cheap seats, covered a Cure song, and Creator had everyone bouncing.



I caught her at a calmer moment, but this girl was INTO the music! Unbeknown to her, she had an enthusiastic shadow partner:



Surprising to us but perhaps in deference to a more established artist, Femi Kuti, son of legendary Fela Kuti, headlined. Nice but too mellow for our taste after the high energy of Santigold. We left early and beat the traffic. Bonus!

See great review of concert here.