It Was Her Recording Herself Whisper

I'm a pretty lucky lady.
I realize that I should make note of this far more often than I do.
I'm surrounded by amazing people and, on a regular basis, get to do amazing things.

Miriam is one of those people.
This weekend was her birthday and we went out to brunch to celebrate.

We went to Parallel 17!
$12 all you can drink guava mimosas and lychee bellinis!

They also have an insane french toast...

And they brought it out all lit up!

We agreed, because we were both so tired and filthy, to wear our sunglasses indoors.

We met these guys.
They were precisely what you might think they are.
The one on the right had a European man purse.

Best graffiti I've seen in a while.

So, later that day, I had a date with Baby S to see Xiu Xiu at the Hi-Dive.
I've had a long standing love of Xiu Xiu - Jamie Stewart has created a lovely catalog of breathtaking music and I was excited to see them again - I hadn't seen them since I lived in Missoula.

TUNE YARDS opened up for Xiu Xiu!

I'd read a few articles about Tune Yards - the Westword featured them here.

And Jessica Hopper talks about her here.

But you don't know what you're getting into until you see her - and I encourage you, if she's coming to your town, to get your ass to her show.

The music is complex and bright. She loops her voice, harmonizing with herself, and her spirited singing creeps into you.
You find yourself dancing, laughing, and falling in love with her.
Her sense of humor coupled with the ease of her talent just makes it joy to hear her.

I would have bought her album...if the cash machine at the Hi-Dive hadn't been broken.
But I can guarantee you, Tune Yards is about to be my summer jam.

Xiu Xiu is something that one must be present to experience.
Yeah, if you were to listen to it, you'd get that it's intense, but live is something different.

Jamie Stewart has a presence...it's quiet and fierce and scary.
His lyrics explore dark corners and make you nervous and uncomfortable, but his delivery is breathy and delicate and you're drawn in without being able to help yourself.

He's pretty handsome too.

Xiu Xiu has had more components, but lately it's been stripped down to he and this lovely girl Angela.

Their set up is complicated - with electronic gadgets, lots of percussion, keyboards, guitar, and a plastic box filled with noise makers and bird calls.

And when they take off, you're immediately engaged not only in the sound, the subject matter of the music, or the composition, but you take in the process too.

A wild combination of restraint and volatile expulsion.

There's been a great deal of talk about their most recent video for their title track song, 'Dear God, I Hate Myself'.
In the video, Angela forces herself to vomit while the song seems to narrate her violent purging. It's gross, terrible, and lovely too.
Here's the link, if you're interested...

When they finished...I didn't really know what to do with myself.
The sound is unreal. You can dance to it, but you probably don't want to.

You probably should just find some place warm and comfortable to internalize what is happening to you.
Check it out. It's worth it...
And it will make your music collection look pretentious!

Later, I met up with JBrick, locked my keys in my car, hugged the locksmith Geico sent out to me, and then fell into bed knowing that I'm living the awesome life for reals.