My evening began with Susan Sarandon sitting four seats away from me at Town Hall (actually, it began with tater tots and milkshakes, but whatever). Soon thereafter her “life mate” Tim Robbins (he who likes to sing songs about William Rehnquist - I’ve seen it happen!) joined her in row M. I sound like such a stalker right now, but I care only to bring you the full experience of the show!

Once Tom and the rest of MMJ joined us I began to wonder if this was going to turn into an htown reunion as there was someone who looked suspiciously like Paul Schneider a few rows ahead.

I was excited to hear Flight of the Conchords again as the last time I saw them they were wooing and wowing the crowd at the SXSW Welcome Dinner, which you can see bits of on YouTube with their Flight of the Conchords : A Texan Odyssey (if you look closely you can even see Tom and me eating or something).

They are some funny boys, those kiwis. The audience thought they were pretty funny, too. And by that I mean the audience thought they were as funny as the band, yelling out song requests (including, of course, “Freebird”) and clapping along out of time to various songs (one of my pet peeves, I admit. I didn’t pay to hear your lack of rhythm, people. Okay, I didn’t pay at all, but if I had… and yes, I am an insufferable snot).

I don’t know how many times Jemaine shushed the audience, which I totally loved. I heard at one show he held up their set list and said “See, it does not include ‘conversation with FOTC.’” Brilliant. JC has a really lovely actual singing voice, I discovered, and hope to hear again quite soon. Tom liked the Hip Hop Hippopotamus song. My favorite is the classic one about Jenny. This post would probably benefit from some knowledge of actual titles, I suppose.

The after party afforded me the opportunity to once again be at a function with Eugene Mirman and once again be too shy to say hi. I am such a goober. I did get to catch up with my friend Sean Eden (I really miss Luna) and talk politics and conspiracy theories. Todd Barry walked away when I walked up (I have cooties?), but I thought he was a good opener and a fair bongo player. Maybe he will do my LP Questionnaire if I ask politely…

My night ended with, appropriately probably, SAUSAGE HEAD!! I was on Houston about to grab a cab when he walked up and tried to sell us his manifesto. My friend bought one. I can’t wait to read it. I bet it’s going to change the world.

Okay, I hope I’ve made the evening seem as real to you (through the power of name droppage) as it was surreal to me.

Thanks for stopping by. Send email type things to musicblog@sxsw.com.

SNL rehearsal tomorrow. I can’t wait to see the magic happen! Again!

I heart NY, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: May 7th, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none

Before I head off into the city (okay, before I head off to H&M), here’s a few bits and pieces that have made their way into my Google Reader (and a MBV vid I found on YouTube).

Hugo Burnham and Dave Allen have left the semi-recently reformed Gang of Four. The story from Dave’s blog. Hugo, aka DGS BLX, and Dave were SXSW regulars and always good fun.

My Bloody Valentine will tour this fall after curating ATP New York. But where’s the new record?!! Also, now that we’ve got Swervedriver and MBV, does that mean Chapterhouse might reunite, too? I still have great memories of seeing them at the Marquee in London in ‘91 (crap, I’ve just admitted to total geezerdom).

And lastly, my old faves, Tindersticks, have a new record. How I long to hear the dulcet tones of Stuart Staples once again.

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I hear it’s nice outside, lp

Original post by LP

Posted: May 7th, 2008 under Linda Park, Latest News.
Comments: none