Music: Belle & Sebastian

Belle & Sebastian – Write About Love

I got my hands on the new Belle & Sebastian album that comes out on October 12 here in North America. Shhhhh…don’t tell, it’s not out yet. It’s lovely, like all other B&S albums, but surprising in parts. There is a song performed with Norah Jones which is also included on her unreleased album “Collaboration Record”. It definitely feels more like a smooth jazz inspired Norah Jones song than an indie-poppy Belle and Sebastian song and kind of sticks out like a sore thumb. However! The addition of sweet synths and the presence of singer Stuart Murdock’s sweet and shaky vocals makes every other track so worth the weird interruption in the middle. Maybe one day the Norah Jones track won’t feel like a mistake but I think I’m going to have to listen to the album many many times before that happens.

Overall, for me, it’s a solid Belle & Sebastian album and something I’ve been excitedly waiting for. B&S could be considered my favorite band, given the day. I mean come on, my cat’s name is Sebastian! I’ve been looking forward to this one more than anything else that’s come out recently. I’ve listened to it about 5 times through since yesterday and the songs are catchy and sweet. Just what I’ve come to expect and love from B&S. I’ll be seeing them for the first time in October at the Treasure Island Festival.  – sigh-

-Graceface

Alameda Flea – Collections

Santa! I can’t wait for X-mas. I know I know, it’s not even fall yet. These just make me ridiculously happy though. I want them all!

The $200 stuffed lion with a rotating head. I would have taken him home with me in a heartbeat…but $200? I don’t think so.

Hot Attack!!! 80′s Dance Party!

Weeks to come!

Hey guys!

So I’ve been a busy busy lady and I would love to give you a taste of all the fun things I have coming up! I work really hard at my job and in my personal time and, though I try to relax as much as possible in those private times away from work, I have so much happening in the next few weeks! I’ve really taken my goal setting  and really run with it! You’ll notice that I have a LOT of DJ’ing gigs this month. YAY! I also have tickets to some really great shows coming up as well as some really great events that I’m working/attending for my work. If you don’t know already I work for Amoeba Music. The BEST record store in the country as far as I am concerned! So I just want to give you a little taste of what I do and where I do it! Check it out!

Jenny & Johnny @ The Great American Music Hall – Sept 2 – Don’t forget that you can get a free download of the track “Animal” from Motley Stew here!

Jenny and Johnny

Museum of Craft & Folk Art – Craft Bar  with Etsy Labs – First Thursdays – Sept 2 – 6-9pm

Grinderman/Interpol Listening Party @ The Uptown Nightclub in Oakland presented by the East Bay Express and Amoeba Music – Sept 3 – 6-9pm

Audra & Brett’s Wedding! My friend and co-worker Audra will be getting married this weekend and the reception will be at Alameda’s famed Tiki Bar & Restaurant Forbidden Island. Island Attire is encouraged by the lovely retro couple! Sept 5

Hot Attack! 80′s Dance Party – The Uptown Nightclub In Oakland – featuring DJ’s Graceface and Wizard SSK – Sept 7 @ 9pm

Adventure! O-Zone at the Oakland Museum of California – Sept 10 – 5pm-midnight

Howlin’ Rain & Sic Alps @ The New Parish in Oakland – Presented by FOLKyeah – Sept 11

Sleep & Thrones at The Grand Regency Ballroom  in SF – Sept 12

Sleep

Dusty Fingers – Amoeba Music’s curated night of DJ’s inspired by our love of vinyl! I won’t be DJ’ing this one but will be there to support this months DJ’s for certain! Third Thursday’s – Sept 16 – 6pm-close

Eli’s Mile High Club – My favorite dive bar! I’m starting a monthly Dance Night on the Third Saturday of every month. So come get yer groove on! Sept 18 – 7pm-1am

Deakin (of Animal Collective) & Prince Rama @ The New Parish in Oakland  presented by FOLKyeah – Sept 27

Deakin

So much fun stuff happening! And this list doesn’t include antique shopping with my sweetie or dinners with friends and such. It’s such a reminder that my life is full of wonderful times and that I should take moments like these to really evaluate and appreciate the life I have made for myself, the people I’ve chosen to be a part of it and the work I’ve taken on. Because when it comes down to it, it’s all very very beautiful.

She’s Crafty – Renegade Craft Fair SF

I spent the weekend working at the Renegade Craft Fair for Amoeba Music and we all had a great time! Here are some photos my pal Emily and I took in the photobooth! Today’s Em’s birthday so I gotta shout out to my girl. Happy happy day Miss Emmy Ladykins!!!

Working the Amoeba booth was a lot of fun. I definitely underestimated the desire crafters (and their boyfriends – seriously, so many boyfriends) would have for records and cd’s at this Festival! We had a steady line of people waiting to go through the bins and spin our prize wheel! I love being able to give away tons of free stuff all day – which is exactly what we did! Check out some photos!

Our booth and my funky bra strap

Rekids

Emily's Uterus/Overies Pincushion - with its tubes tied! Just a little something she took home that day. I can't remember the vendor name! Prick Cushions or something. ugh.

Workin' hard or hardly working?

Our view from the top!

Thanks to everyone I met this weekend. Made so many great connections and met some really sweet people. Finally met sisters Elsie and Emma from Red Velvet Art – I follow their blogs religiously! Though I get hella nervous meeting new people and felt a little foolish. Ce la vie! I also got some hang time with my girl Taryn of Talking Squid and ran into an old friend from my Zinester days, Reba of Rar Rar Press where I picked up a couple amazing postcards. The favorite of which is:

I had so much fun this weekend. Thanks to everyone who came by the Amoeba Booth!