Directions
Last night I saw Death Cab for Cutie at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. It was great for a number of reasons:
1. Death Cab is an incredible band, and it's cool to see them pack increasingly larger venues and add things like fancy lights and space-jam freakouts to their live show. The band totally deserves every iota of success that it is enjoying.
Yes, there were a lot of old dudes trying to prove their hipness to their young dates (or their kids) and frat guys giving high-fives when "Soul Meets Body" played, but there was also a girl waiting outside the main entrance more than an hour afterwards, hoping to give an oil painting of Ben Gibbard to the sweaty, hard-working singer himself.
2. I hadn't seen Mates of State or Spoon before, and both played great opening sets. Each of the three groups plays a different type of music, and they all complemented each other really well. It was practically like a curated show. I talked to our friend Nick, DCFC's bass player, and said that they'll probably be doomed with a crappy band next time. Nope. Looks like they're hooking up with Ted Leo + Pharmacists for their fall/winter tour.
3. Nick hooked us up with killer seats. He also gave us access to a VIP lounge where there was free snacks and drinks! I'm not sure who the VIPs were, but they seemed to include the promoter, venue people, their kids, industry folks, birthday parties, etc. I have to say that the plates of fruit, cheese, and crackers were replenished at an amazing rate. I wish I had a camera to shoot the VIPs fiending over the free food and drink. (Although Michelle is probably glad I didn't have a camera.)
***
Today we had lunch with Nick and our friend Anne, who was also in town. We met them at a hotel, and got to enjoy its lobby while we waited for them. Here's Eric, lounging like Giant Robot spy with Dianna in the other chair.
Dianna's been spending the summer at the GR compound, and is going out in a blaze of glory, hanging out with artists and musicians before moving up north to help out at GRSF. Is being an intern at GR sweet or what? (Not really!)
After we dicked around the GR shops on Sawtelle where Nick grabbed a copy of the new mag, he had to go back to the hotel to do an interview with the band. Death Cab plays one more show in L.A. tonight, then moves on to San Diego. Check them out if you can--they play different sets every night.
Anne had to leave, too. Work called, and we gave her a ride to LAX. We thought the airport would be crazy with all the security measures, but it was eerily empty. Did everyone cancel their travel plans or something?
By now you're probably wondering, "Why the heck is he putting up these regular friendster pics, and holding out on the concert and backstage photos?" I had my T4 with me last night because it's smaller than the digital camera. Also, when people from all over the place happen to be in one location, I know I'll want prints--something that just doesn't happen when I shoot digitally.
1. Death Cab is an incredible band, and it's cool to see them pack increasingly larger venues and add things like fancy lights and space-jam freakouts to their live show. The band totally deserves every iota of success that it is enjoying.
Yes, there were a lot of old dudes trying to prove their hipness to their young dates (or their kids) and frat guys giving high-fives when "Soul Meets Body" played, but there was also a girl waiting outside the main entrance more than an hour afterwards, hoping to give an oil painting of Ben Gibbard to the sweaty, hard-working singer himself.
2. I hadn't seen Mates of State or Spoon before, and both played great opening sets. Each of the three groups plays a different type of music, and they all complemented each other really well. It was practically like a curated show. I talked to our friend Nick, DCFC's bass player, and said that they'll probably be doomed with a crappy band next time. Nope. Looks like they're hooking up with Ted Leo + Pharmacists for their fall/winter tour.
3. Nick hooked us up with killer seats. He also gave us access to a VIP lounge where there was free snacks and drinks! I'm not sure who the VIPs were, but they seemed to include the promoter, venue people, their kids, industry folks, birthday parties, etc. I have to say that the plates of fruit, cheese, and crackers were replenished at an amazing rate. I wish I had a camera to shoot the VIPs fiending over the free food and drink. (Although Michelle is probably glad I didn't have a camera.)
***
Today we had lunch with Nick and our friend Anne, who was also in town. We met them at a hotel, and got to enjoy its lobby while we waited for them. Here's Eric, lounging like Giant Robot spy with Dianna in the other chair.
Dianna's been spending the summer at the GR compound, and is going out in a blaze of glory, hanging out with artists and musicians before moving up north to help out at GRSF. Is being an intern at GR sweet or what? (Not really!)
After we dicked around the GR shops on Sawtelle where Nick grabbed a copy of the new mag, he had to go back to the hotel to do an interview with the band. Death Cab plays one more show in L.A. tonight, then moves on to San Diego. Check them out if you can--they play different sets every night.
Anne had to leave, too. Work called, and we gave her a ride to LAX. We thought the airport would be crazy with all the security measures, but it was eerily empty. Did everyone cancel their travel plans or something?
By now you're probably wondering, "Why the heck is he putting up these regular friendster pics, and holding out on the concert and backstage photos?" I had my T4 with me last night because it's smaller than the digital camera. Also, when people from all over the place happen to be in one location, I know I'll want prints--something that just doesn't happen when I shoot digitally.
posted by gr at
3:58 PM
going to see dcfc tonight and so excited. I figure my friend and I will be the oldest ones to attend like last time they were here aside from the fathers accompanying their daughters.
I love Nick-you are very lucky to have met him. I admire him so much. He is so talented.
LUCKY!!
Juli
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