Monday, April 20, 2009

COACHELLA 2009


So I survived, and I live to tell the tale of another music festival experience. What an amazing trip! First of all, I love the desert since there are endless horizons and room for so much weirdness. Lauren and I started the weekend off by ditching the office get up's and driving to Borrego to stay at our friend's Grandma's house for the night. Back roads, no traffic, 4 pump up CD's... so great. Once we got in, we kicked off the weekend by jumping in the pool and getting settled in. We raced on the golf course, had guitar jam sessions, cooked and feasted on a delicious dinner, and danced under the stars all night. **Big shout out to Grandma: thanks for the sweet digs!** In the morning, we woke up to Strawberry Macadamia Waffles and Sausage to nourish our bodies before our intense day of festival festivities. We hit the road around 11 am to head to Indio to meet with friends before heading to the actual festival.

Once we pulled into La Quinta, we couldn't contain our excitement any more. We met up with the 91X staff at their pad for some daytime fun. Reunion's with old friends, beer on tap, BBQ, Rock Band, air conditioning, and an awesome crew made for a day full of sunshine and laughs. Because 91X was broadcasting live from their house, we got to watch interviews and meet some of the Coachella artists, indlucing Ida Maria, Michael Franti, & Spearhead. After a few hours, we packed our lunches, filled the coolers, and hopped in the car. It took us an hour to get to the festival, although it was only a couple miles away, but once we got there the party really started.


On our way in, we heard TV on the Radio, which sounded pretty chill. We opted to split our time between the main stage and the Sahara tent, where most of the big electronic acts were playing. We started our set with TRV$/DJAM, who played an incredible set of house/rock/rap mash up's, and featured special guest WARREN G! Afterwards, we explored the visual stimuli around the grounds, and enjoyed the Thievery Corporation show from the Heineken Beer Garden. From there, we perused around a bit more until we watched the SPECTACULAR M.I.A. show on the main stage. Concert goers rushed the stage at the artists request, and the visuals and dancers and M.I.A.'s outfits were all colorful and cool. After M.I.A. we decided to lay in the grass and meet some friends until we returned to the main stage area for The Killers. Although it was somewhat boring, the lead vocals were flawless. Halfway through we switched gears and headed back to the Sahara tent for my big highlight, MSTRKRFT. This show was mindblowing, filled with tight music and interesting characters. Large groups of hippies participating in group meditation, ravers clad in light up pacifiers and glow in the dark clothing, and phenomenal laser sets made for the perfect setting for this unbelievable finish to a great day. Post show, some late night munchies, golf ball hitting, and streaking ensued around the 91X house, concluding in a sea of about 20 bodies sleeping on the floor in one house.


Notable moments of the weekend: laying on the star lit golf course in a drum circle, the light box at the Sahara tent, the purple light display between tents at the festival- which we crawled inside of and got kicked out of, M.I.A. trash talking Amy Winehouse- rightfully so, but thanks for the main stage slot Amy!, the delicious PB&J's I survived off all weekend, and the 20 Jack in the Boxes in the desert that provided road nourishment. Next year: SAME TIME, SAME PLACE.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Calling All Night Owls


Any known non-medicated cures for insomnia out there?

Coachella is less than a day away and I can't sleep.  In 14 hours, our caravan will be departing on an epic adventure, into the wasteland of California desert that will engulf us in fiery vibrations for the duration of the weekend.  What's on the menu for us?  Paolo Nutini, James Morrison, Band of Horses, TV on the Radio, the Killers, Atmosphere, Bloody Beetroots, M.I.A., TRV$DJAM, The Chemical Brothers, Crookers, MSTRKRFT, & much much more.

DL the following for a taste of what I will be jamming to on Saturday:

"Radio Fireworks (Surkin 909 Edit)" Surkin
"Galvanize" Chemical Brothers
"Clubhoppn" Para One
"Magic Bus" Crookers
"D.A.N.C.E. (MSTRKRFT Remix)" Justice
"Il Brutto" Crookers
"warp 7.7" Bloody Beetroots & Steve Aoki
"Sunshine" Atmosphere
"Galang" M.I.A.
"In the Morning" Junior Boys
"Should Have Known" Atmosphere
"Paper Planes" M.I.A.

"Loving You" Paolo Nutini
"Winter White Hymnal" Fleet Foxes
"You Give Me Something" James Morrison
"Quattro (World drifts in)" Calexico
"Learned to Surf" Superchunk
"Pretty Bird" Jenny Lewis
"One Last Chance" James Morrison
"Last Request" Paolo Nutini
"Our Swords" Band of Horses
"Green Onions" Booker T. & the MG's
"Spaceman" The Killers
"Staring at the Sun" TV on the Radio


ENJOY :)

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

What did you Se?

This weekend, I was fortunate enough to join some friends for a night and day at the fabulous new Se Hotel (formerly the Setai) on Fifth Ave. and Broadway in San Diego's Gaslamp District. This beautiful hotel makes bold statements in everyway, whether its the innovative design of the hotel's face (including a 9,000 lb. bronze lobby door); the floor-to-ceiling blue suede headboards; the on-site recording studio; or the city's newest addition to fine dining, Suite & Tender. The pool deck in itself is reason to stop by... fully equipt with 8 cabanas, swank sofa sets, and modern lounge chairs, the prime tanning hours are between one and four o'clock, but after dark ain't so bad either. With bottle service, lounge music, and a bevvy of A-list guests, the nightlife at the Se is sure to make a splash this summer. If all that isn't enough, the Se is home to the West Coast's largest penthouse suite- which will feature floor-to-ceiling wine racks, a custom built pool table, and 180 degree views of downtown. Top that.

Monday, April 6, 2009

They're backkkkk


I am currently 46 minutes into the hour long rager that is the Hills premiere, and I am completely shocked.  I had given up on this godforsaken show and its supremely shitty actors, but tonight, some real shit went down and I'm totally hooked back on the Hills.  First of all, can I just start with Heidi's hair? It is even bigger, blonder, and makes her resemble a lion.  Second of all, she has the audacity to show up at LC's surprise party? What a middle school move... and the two of them crying at the end, so hilarious!  Shortly following was Spencer's super D list night at The Dime, an LA hotspot judging by the brawl that went down over a text message... he beat up his sister's ex for tattling on his sleazy ass while hitting on a bartender...real mature Spencer.  That is what most married men do, well done.  
Things couldn't get any worse, until the second half hour started.  Not only is Stephanie Pratt my least favorite reality TV star of all time, but she is the dumb bitch that invited Heidi to the party! Well, props to LC for putting her nosy little tush back in line with the rest of her followers.  To make things even more vintage, Spencer and Brody decide to have a bromantic lunch date while Heidi recluses back to Colorado only to be cornered by her mom and her high school ex.  Talk about awkwarddddd!  The show ends with Spencer's sleazy ass back at the bar hitting on the same bartender with the squeaky annoying voice.  REAL COOL.  All in all, I would say the show was semi realistic, with a lot of memorable moments.  Two thumbs up for LC (and earlier tonight, a wild Blair Waldorf) for their blood red pouts.  Now that's hot!

Friday, April 3, 2009

i heart Perez

After a long haiedus, I have returned my loyalty to Perez. Maybe its because I overdosed on the famed blog in college with my endless hours of free time, but I am back on the bandwagon and loving it. In recent Perez reports, there's news on New York's horrific hostage situation, updates on MK&A's new line Elizabeth & James, and photos of scantily clad drunken D listers. Quote of the week: "The best cure for a hangover is something one straight man can't do for another straight man." - Ben Affleck tells the new issue of Esquire

After watching an anxious, potentially effed up, Ben Affleck on Leno last night, I gotta say I am over Ben and remain loyal to the better half to his whole, Matt Damon.

For some real laughs at the office, check out this exclusive 90210 after party moment: http://perezhilton.com/2009-03-29-shes-our-kind-of-gal