Ahead Of The Curve Covers Outside Lands Fest

mtvU journeyed to San Francisco for the Outside Lands Festival and produced killer spots for Ahead of the Curve yet again. I've posted my favorites; all artists I have been listening to non-stop ever since. It was a great week in one of my favorite city's, and we were even able to catch Pearl Jam and Dave Matthew's performances. It was freezing, but worth it just to see Eddie Veddor walk by me on stage from backstage, enjoy the VIP lounge, and some of the greatest 90s music--such a blast from the past. And how sweet were Matt & Kim? They had the best energy by far, and even gave us details about their infamous naked music videos.

See you at SXSW 2010!

A Whole Lot Of Ben Gibbard, Death Cab

The Twilight obsession has been insanity. I read the books in like a week but have yet to see the movies...not the most stellar writing but enjoyed highly nonetheless. And I have the utmost respect for the New Moon soundtrack, featuring artists such as Thom Yorke, Lykke Li, The Killers, Muse, Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear and Death Cab. It's filled with melancholy and yearning and I'm sure will pair with the film nicely. I've posted Death Cab's "Meet Me On the Equinox" video above, although I'm not too thrilled with the video--it's basically just cheesy clips from the new film (Twilight fans don't hate!). Their "Grapevine Fires" video below, in comparison, is noticeably much more original and beautifully done.  Their Open Door EP from earlier this year is also pretty solid, so if you need your fix don't pass this one over.  

I was also lucky enough to shoot with Death Cab in 2008 to promote their excellent Narrow Stairs album and enjoyed a day of whirleyball in their hometown, Seattle. 

And because I like Ben Gibbard (newly married to Zoey Deschanel) so much, I'm going to note his excellent tracks "Train Song" with Feist on Dark Was The Night, and "Joga" with Ben Barnett on 2004's Interpreting Bjork.  The album itself is interesting yet still enjoyable.  Now I say interesting because huge Bjork fans might not even like this (and I believe most did not) because it's not danceable or Bjork-sounding at all, yet enjoyable because it's a completely different take on a mastermind.  And last but certainly not least, if you can't get enough of Gibbard's side projects, his much anticipated One Fast Move or I'm Gone: Kerouac's Big Sur, with Jay Farrar of Son Volt, releases October 20th alongside the documentary.  An album influenced by Jack Kerouac's '62 novel Big Sur?  Genius.

Phish To Exceed My Halloween Expectations

Halloween is still my favorite holiday.  The pumpkins, hay rides, hot apple cider, chocolate, costumes, crisp fall weather, ghost stories, face painting, dry ice and haunted houses still brings me back to my childhood like nothing else.  This year is going to be one of the best, because I'm heading out west and frolicking in my moon goddess costume at the Phish Festival in sunny Indio, California.  Out of the eight sets, not only will they be doing an acoustic set, they will be covering an entire yet-to-be-announced album (my vote is for MGMT).  Debauchery will ensue just the way I like it, with poolside lounging and BBQing a plenty.

A look at past phish festivals and what we have to look forward to...

Phish - 08/03 - It from Phish on Vimeo.