Facebook Stalker

I am a facebook stalker.

My trombone tutor moved to the other side of Auckland, and it was a bit far to travel for me, so no more lessons until I can find a local trombone tutor. I was gutted.

I had this nagging thought that she dropped me as a student because I don't practise that much and I sometimes cancelled lessons. Adult students are probably a bit harder to reign in as I have no mother driving me to lessons and nagging me to practise. So to get rid of the doubt I did a little internet stalking.

Okay not really. I just looked her up on facebook, to see if she was really moving. Smart cookie has her profile set to private, but I could still look at her friends list. I've had a feeling things were not right at the household where I went to have my lessons. She seemed tired, upset. Her husband wasn't around as much.

So I looked through her friends list and saw her husbands profile. I always thought she was too good for him. (but what can you tell about a person through weekly 1/2 instruction? not much but it was a hunch I had) I went to her husbands profile and he was listed as single. WTF and had written an update about what an "exciting night" he'd just had or some other bullshit. What a wanker. He had barely moved out!

Now I see hes in a relationship with someone else (its been less than two months since he left!). Thanks bastard. You lost me my trombone teacher. They had only been married for a short time too. So I feel bad for her. And that I turned into an internet stalker and surmised the private details of someones life. Bad me. But hey, you put it online and I will find it.

Hey I'm ALL over the internet.

Friday Favourite Album

My latest high rotate album (which I discovered through LastFM) is "Hissing Fauna". Its by a band called "Of Montreal" which is some sad emo-esque reference to a failed relationship. apparently. The band is not known for keeping its story straight on that one..

Its catchy Indie pop with super hooky choruses, this band is weird and accessible. Lots of beautiful harmonies that remind me of musicals or sixties pop groups. And only sometimes do they sink into that whiney high singing voice that all indie bands seem to use. (Okay actually they use it a lot, but still manage to be melodic). The music makes you wish you already knew the words as I yearn to be singing along right from the first verse of the first song - Suffer for Fashion). I can sense lots of late 70s influences and hear a few harmonies that remind me of Queen and the track "Fabergé falls for Shuggie" strangly reminds of the Number pinball song from Sesame st. You know with marble and some lady singing Seven! (Pointer sisters actually).

I'm sure anyone could find a track to like on this album. Even if its just the pretty one minute interlude after the first track.

Try something new, give it a listen.

Listening to music is a dying activity, not many people put on an album just to listen. Music has become something that is incidental, we listen while going to work, working out, while browsing the internet, driving or cooking dinner.No one seems to have the time to spare on just listening alone.

In truth only a few albums cant stand the scrutiny of the concentrated listen. It can also be an intense experience for the user too. Get comfy, get headphones and do nothing but listen to one of your favourite albums.

Nostalgia for the ol days

While I was at Grants place perusing his massive CD collection, I found the Inspector Moog CD - Wait!. Far out, quite possibly the most underated NZ pop band ever. I still remember most of the words, even the surreal ( but clever) lyrics to Milk biscut boy. I had to borrow it and have been listening to it for days now.

It reminds me of my band groupy days in Hamilton. Hanging out with Zed at Ward lane or JBC. Watching Rumpus room and Schrodingers cat play what seemed like every weekend. Staying till the venues closed because we had to pack out the P.A. system. And coming home stinking of cigarettes because you could still smoke in bars back then.

Well they were good times, and bloody amazing bands too. When I listen to some of the old songs I am amazed at how good they are. H-town certainly was producing quality sounds back then. Schrodinger's cat really kicked arse y'know!