Fantastic Fantasmagoria

Last night I saw Fantasmagoria live. They were presenting a new album, El Rio. I recall hearing the title track for the first time quite a while ago -one afternoon they played w/ Dime Miami- & loving it immediately. It just got 2 me. ♫ Cuando el río desbordó y el agua empezó a llegar, aprendimos a nadar ♫ . When the river overflowed & the water started coming, we learnt to swim.

Fantasmagoria’s one of my very fav argentine bands & they’ve been Important In My Life throughout the past 7 years or so. I feel like I always knew their name but only started listening in 2003. “Bananas” was the 1st song I heard. It gave me That Faraway Feeling, which I need 2 make a post explaining sometime soon. But basically it’s good & it comes (only?) from music. Back then I didn’t really have friends off the internet who shared my musical taste so I went 2 concerts alone (still do sometimes). So the very 1st time I saw them was by myself. Rainy Saturday, gig was @ Club X (now Makena?). I think this is the band I’ve seen live the most times.

Cali & I later saw them one night they played Cemento together w/ Expulsados. Between sets she got in2 a debate w/ someone over whether the punk movement had been started by The Clash, The Ramones or The Sex Pistols. I can’t remember who she was backing (Ramones, probably) but this guy who had been listening jumped in2 the discussion defending one of the other bands. It was LOLz. Then another guy gave us home made cookies. & there was a girl who looked like Meg White. I bought my Strokes pin that night. Anyways we also saw them @ Bocephus w/ with King Size Candy which later became Los Alamos, another excellent local bands which doesn’t exist anymore (*) bc the frontman got married & moved 2 France.
I saw them w/ Pool @ FM La Tribu. W/ Paco, Bruno & Santi Bisi @ the Bauen Hotel, etc etc etc. So many memories. Here’s one: @ a couple of gigs I attended in 2005 or so, during the silence-between-songs, you’d hear a voice (always the same one) loud & clear coming from the back. It said: FANTASMAGORIA ESTÁ RE BUENO (Fantasmagoria is really awesome). Totally brought the LOLz. You had 2 be there : ) After that, Cali & I started saying “___ ESTA RE BUENO”.

So many memories. So many songs have been stuck in my head (THEY R QUITE CATCHY!), attached 2 ppl (BOYS mostly, 2 especially), moments, lyrics I can relate 2 soOoO well. I love Gori’s voice bc it sounds so child-like. To me, anyways. I love the lyrics bc they’re so to-the-point. One of my favorite new tunes has got to be “Medias de nylon” ♫ Se arrodilla y me mira y me da taquicardia, cuando cruza las piernas llamá a la ambulancia ♫ (She kneels down & looks at me & I get tachycardia, when she crosses her legs call the ambulance)...rrarrr : D



Fantasmagoria has always been notorious, I think, as has the guy behind it. Gori used to play guitar in the legendary hardcore band Fun People. Then he started his own project (the subject of this post), which was completely different: acoustic guitars, feathered fluffy hair, platform shoes, leopard print & such. For as long as I’ve been going out he’s been DJing under names such as Gorian Gray, Gorrissey, Gori Wan Kenobi & Gori Be Goode. He’s also one of the ppl who organizes Sympathy For The Party, where you can dance to some of the coolest music in town & has become a classic in Buenos Aires rock n roll nightlife.

About halfway through my University studies I made a documentary about the local indie band scene & didn’t think twice about featuring this band. Out of all the musicians we interviewed, Gori was the biggest yet the nicest, chillest & most helpful. I mean, he welcomed us (plus filming equipment) into his house on a Saturday night. He’s awesome. & he’s got KITTIES, too!

So yeah, last night I saw them live for the 1st time in ages & I got a little EMOTIONAL (in a good way) bc it brought back so many memories. & you know what the cherry on the ice cream was? All of a sudden, years later, between songs...

FANTASMAGORIA ESTA RE BUENO. FANTASMAGORIA ESTA CADA VEZ MAS BUENO.

Agreed!

Top tunes
- La Laguna <--- OMG MY FAV!!! - Suerte Rara
- Yo nunca tengo razon
- Gori llamando a Rio

- Listen to "El Rio" online for free
- Myspace

(*) although the spirit lives on in Los Palos Borrachos, Spring Lizard & others

There's a hornets nest in my head someone save me

Last night I dreamt about being in NYC & hanging out with a girl that was a combination of my friends Maggie & Mori. She also happened to be the daughter of Chris Robinson. If you haven't heard of him through his band The Black Crowes, you may know he was married to Kate Hudson (Penny Lane from "Almost Famous") & fathered their bb.



When my friend introduced us, I couldn’t avoid saying how much I loved the songs “P 25 London” (♫ There's a hornets nest in my head someone save me...saaave meee ♫) & “Wiser time”. He said the latter had been written during a deep bout of sadness. I could see that. Because sometimes I am very clumsy, I proceeded to knock over one of Mr Robinson’s guitars. EPIC FAIL.

The albums “The southern harmony & musical companion”, “Amorica” & “Shake your money maker” totally take me back to 2005-2006. Also I cannot think of this band without Paco (La compañía sureña y armonía musical) coming to mind. & that once Ezequiel posted the cover of Amorica on his fotolog. I also really like the song “Remedy”.

Anyways, my friend lived in an Upper East Side Gossip Girl-style apartment. It somehow had like, an indoor tennis court. & we were gonna get drunk on her dad's expensive whiskey & coke. Then my other friend Jacin appeared with CHOCOLATE COOKIES. Whiskey + coke + sweets...my favorite X_X

We were talking about the DSN, the last Art of Living course I took (in real life) with both Maggie & Mori. Martin & Micha too. It was full of M, as you can see. & Bawa & Dinesh via Skype from the Bangalore Ashram. Dinesh is a hottie BTW (although pictures do him no justice), all the girls had a crush on him. His facial bone structure is to die for. He & Swamiji must be the most attractive people in the entire AOL.

ANYWAYS! In the dream I was gonna go partying w/ my friend...Maggie &/or Mori. But I think it was more Maggie, bc I remember the fact that her name was Maggie May like the Rod Stewart song, although she was physically Mori @ one point, & her tiny computer. After drinking whiskey & coke, we were gonna go partying in this city that was New York... &/or a bit of Berlin. Fux, I wish I could go back to Berlin, those were good times.

In another part of the dream, I was @ a recording studio with my cousin Sebastian Escofet & somehow was simultaneously listening to his music, the Spice Girls, the Manic Street Preachers, the Lion King OST & I dunno what else, all on different tracks in one room, & he was in another. & I was on the phone with Jacin, I think. There was also this British band called The Red Hot Spiders who just wanted to do music about animals, or for animated films, about animals. OOOK.

Some songs from these times
- “Noone loves me & neither do I”, Them crooked vultures
- “Gallery piece”, Of Montreal (rediscovered it)
- “Dead martyrs”, Manic Street Preachers
- “Lost souls”, Guru feat. Jay Kay from Jamiroquai (thx 2 my new friend Nacho)
- “Sonhei que viajava com você”, Cassia Eller (thx Mary Fields)
- “Mary”, Supergrass
- “Jealous again (cover)”, The Black Crowes

Albums:
- Mirah: You think it's like this but really it's like this (thx Olivia)
- Brian Eno: Before & After Science
- Suarez (legends of the Argentine indie scene of the 90s): Horrible, Galope, Hora de no ver, Excursiones
- The mix CDs Eliot made 4 me

"Gallery piece", Of Montreal

I want to be your love
I want to make you cry
And sweep you off your feet
I want to hurt your pride
I want to slap your face
I want to paint your nails
I want to make you scream
I want to braid your hair
I want to kiss your friends
I want to make you laugh
I want to dress the same
I want to defend you
I want to squeeze your thighs
I want to kiss your eyelids
And corrupt your dreams
I want to crash your car
I want to scratch your cheeks
I want to make you sick
I want to sell you out
Want to expose your flaws
I want to steal your things
I want to show you off
I want to tell you lies
I want to write you books
I want to turn you on
I want to make you come
200 times a day
I want to dry your tears
Every time you're sad
I want to be your what's happening
I want to be your only friend

I only go all the way
This time I'm not pretending
I can't take the trash
Your trashy friends are spreading about us
They got like V.D. personalities
Oh girl, that's so messed up
You see that sculpture on the hill?
That's where she queered me out forever
They're monitoring my subconscious massacres, I know
Bringing it closer to the surface so it's easily pervertable

I want to be a beast
I want to make you proud
And play with your head
I want to take you out
Make you feel adored
And buy you everything
I want to hurt you bad
Make you paranoid
And say the sweetest things
I want to help you grow
And for eternity
I want to be your what's happening
What's happening

I see car bombs in your eyes
(clap your hands, clap clap)
(can you sing it?)
I hear angels apologize

LISTEN

Out of gas & still burning

I haven’t been writing : ( There’s always so much 2 do & the days just fly by ♫ Watch what you say as time ticks away; tick, tick, tick, tick; tick, time delay; time delay; bend away ♫ … “Bendable poseable”, Hot chip. But there’s tons of things I could & would have posted about. “Ahhh, couldda wouldda shouldda”, quipped Samantha during an episode of Sex & the City, once. BTW, I haven’t seen the 2nd movie yet. In fact, I haven’t been 2 the cinema @ all this year. Last year I just saw Harry Potter @ the IMAX with Cali. But I did watch the entire SATC series & I’d watch it again.

Anyways a song I recently rediscovered: “Tas de tôle” by Stereo Total. It’s in French. I had no idea what it was about since I’d never paid attention 2 the lyrics. I just knew there were a bunch of insults. The line “SALAUD, MERDEUX, COMMUNISTE” particularly stuck in my head. But the other day I actually read them. On the band website it says the song “was written to illustrate Godard's movie «Weekend»: Chaos on the Autobahn. Car accidents, blood, people screaming and insulting each other...”

A fav part

* - Mon pare-choc est foutu, je te tue
Je sors de ma bagnole, on va voir si tu rigoles encore
Et je vais te foutre sur la gueule
Ton tas de tôle, ton tas de ferraille

- Hey, n'insulte pas ma bagnole, Connard !
- Ta tire, ton tape-cul
Espèce de cocu, Je t'emmerde
- Salaud, merdeux, communiste!
- Petit voyou, tu veux une claque ?

They say stuff like "My bumper is fucked, I'll kill you, hey asshole don't insult my car, I'm getting out now, we'll see if you're still laughing" etc. Then I remembered “Mashing on the motorway” by DJ Shadow, also about fighting while driving.

* See like you I push the bucket
I like to burn big
Like you I've gotta cut all the bullshit out of my life to live
So I tell them move over, this road ain't big enough for you

* So much hostility...
Y'all just keep checking your rear windows
Maybe you'll catch me passing...Mashed

DJ Shadow was recommended by my cousin Sebastian Escofet, who has introduced me 2 a lot of good artists. Last night I saw him & his brother Federico playing live as Mussa Phelps & it was FULL OF ~WIN~. I was like OMGzZz!!!11 : D : D : D

Same thing happened a couple of weeks ago when I saw The What The Fucks, who are friends with my friend Martin. Their lyrics are so LOL. Check "Planta de faso y lima". & you can download all the Mussa Phelps stuff but I'm currently digging the most recent release, "Now Here...Nowhere" esp the songs "Rhythm" & "Bring the summer".

Another related tune I thought of was “Road rage” by Catatonia, obviously. Probably their biggest hit although not among my favs. I don’t drive & have no desire 2 learn, 4 the moment. 4 one, I think that 2 drive in a huge city like Buenos Aires you need huge balls. Driving just seems like such a big thing, responsibility, etc. I can’t believe that in the USA, kids drive @ 16. SIXTEEN! So young! The idea of 16 year old me behind the wheel = disaster. Hell, the idea of me driving TODAY = also a disaster : P On another note I don’t find it would be very practical @ all given my lifestyle. I’m just fine taking the bus, or a cab when necessary (but walking is my #1 choice : ) You don’t have 2 worry about finding a place 2 leave your car, paying expensive fees @ parking lots, running the risk of an accident if you’re sleepy/ distracted/ in a bad mood/ trashed. Not 2 mention all the maintenance costs. Etc etc etc.

Anyways, I have work 2 do…so I end this with a pic of Tegan, one of the poor unfortunate souls who I have unlimited cellphone credit with & therefore receives a intermittent plethora of sms messages from me on a daily basis.

Planet of Sound (The Pixies)

Word has been out for a while now, but…THE PIXIES ARE COMING 2 BUENOS AIRES, OMFG! They’re one of my fav bands. I love Kim Deal. I’ve been lucky enough 2 see her live w/ The Breeders twice already : ) But this is a post about THE PiXiES. I remember asking Raf about them when I was 15 or 16, probably having heard their name on the official Silverchair forum, which is where a lot of my early musical education took place. Along with the Ataris. Probably bc their names sounded alike, I grouped them together. I asked Raf about the Pixies & the Ataris. He said Pixies > Ataris. Don’t remember the 1st song I heard, but I loved them immediately. I think Debaser was my favorite song from the start. I don’t know what it is about that song, but it just does something to me. It gives me that feeling, you know? I even wrote the word on my wall & had Louise make me a tshirt which says it across the chest, in blue letters, the way it appears in the music video (*).

Their songs are so catchy. I have so many memories with so many of them. “Wave of mutilation” playing @ Mechi’s birthday in 2004. Singing “Monkey gone to heaven” with Sean on my last night in Boston right after New Year’s Eve 2005. Singing “Where is my mind” at the hotel in Bariloche. There was also a club there called Q-White…& I would sing “Into the white” when we went. I think “Winterlong” may have been the 1st song I heard. There’s “Allison”, their shortest & maybe cutest song. ♪ When the planet hit the sun I saw the face of Allison ♪ I put that one on a mix CD I made for a boy once. He ended up being kind of douchebaggy 2 me, but O WELL. “Levitate me” reminds me of Irana. Elevator lady. & HM too, cause once he had ♪ Come on pilgrim, you know he loves you ♪ as his Away message on ICQ. Missy Aggravation (from "Gouge Away") is Melissa P. “Gigantic” reminds me of the Dragon sisters, Cali & Viktor. “Ed is dead” reminds me of Viktor (ED HA MUERTO), "Break my body" of Cali. “Mr Grieves” of Paco, bc Frank Black sings Paco Pico Piedra @ the beginning. I love Kim Deal’s voice, she sounds so girlish…that song where in the beginning she says “There were rumors he was into field hockey players…& it was so hush hush”. Was it "Tony's theme"?

“Dig for fire”… ♪ You can often find her, kneeling inside of her hole ♪ “Head on” reminds me of Esteban. “Bam thwok” reminds me of Nyssa. & the boy I liked most in my life (& who never liked me back INTENSELY TRAGIC), the one I dreamt about on my bday. We talked about the Pixies sometimes in real life… Anyways, I sent him that song when it came out. Bc it’s the song they recorded in 2004 when they got back together & did a reunion tour. He liked.

Other songs by The Pixies that I enjoy…

- “Stormy weather”
- “Palace of the brine”
- “Subbacultcha”
- “The Navajo Know”
- “Hey” reminded me of that boy at one point.
- “La La Love” also reminds me of Irana
- “Nimrod’s son”
- "Planet of sound"

(*) Thanks to that tshirt, one night @ the Roxy, I met Esteban & it was really exciting bc back then, I didn’t know many ppl off the internet who liked the same music I did. I was like OMG U LIKE SUCH & SUCH BAND AS WELL? & U WERE ALSO @ THIS/THAT CONCERT? NO WAY, OMGZ!!!111