Concert Poster of My Dreams

I had another rock dream with Andrew Bird AND The Shins... read about it (and see my awesome visual) here.

CK

The Great Idea, the Bad Idea: The Universe Evens Itself Out

This is a three-party blog post which I typed throughout the day... enjoy.

The Great Idea came to be after all.

Saw The Shins… loved The Shins… did not love the 7am flight to NY… nor the 6pm flight back to Atlanta… nor the large man seated next to me who snored and couldn’t keep his hands to himself…

It’s 9:29am and I’m back at the airport. This will be my fourth flight and third airport in 36 hours. The Great Idea now seems like the Bad Idea.

I believe that what goes around comes around. So I figured that by doing my coworker Jason a favor (dropping him at North Terminal, though Leila and I were at South Terminal) I would earn some good karma. Wrong. Screw you, Karma… you and your empty promises.... I missed my flight to Houston. Did you know you have to check bags 45 minutes, not 30 minutes, before a flight? Leila and I both thought it was 30 minutes – her mom worked for Delta, for heavens sake… she should know.

Now, I am not a public crier… but I allowed myself a little breakdown today as the unhelpful man at the Delta kiosk smiled at my situation. Even crying couldn’t get my bag onto the flight. I cried while walking through the security line, too. Not for theatrics, but because I was genuinely upset. People looked at me with empathy, probably thinking I had just said goodbye to the love of my life. But truth be told, I just didn’t want to take off my shoes to go through another security line.

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It’s 2:22pm in Texas. I am in a car with Jason, Jared and Leila, driving from Houston airport to downtown Austin. Leila and I made it out of Atlanta just fine, only because we had hard drinks at Chili’s... at 10:05am... because they stopped serving breakfast at 10am and who wants a quesidilla at 10am without a margarita to compliment it?

We are now in the midst of what Jason would like to call “a satanic car wash.” There is so much rain against our windshield that we can’t see where the road stops and the shoulder starts. Thunder is cracking above our heads. The only sites we have seen so far are: an oil ranch, a Diesel factory, Chappell Hill Grille, and Rowdy’s Icehouse and Grill (Leila would go in and ask, “Who’s Rowdy??"... the crowd would say, "We're rowdy!!"). Deep in the heart of Texas, alright.

(PS – my colleagues Joe and Palmer also missed their flights because Delta wouldn’t let them check bags 30 minutes before departure… it’s a conspiracy, I tell you.)

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It's 1:36am. Why am I awake??? I'm not sure... maybe the adrenaline?... or new time zone?... regardless, it's time to put this relatively awful day behind me. Not to say it didn't have its strong points. I did get to see The Rapture again, and it was a cool cool show. Also got dinner with Palmer No. 2 and Andy's friends from Sewanee/Nashville. And my mom and dad were lovely and had "Congratulations!" wine and cheese delivered to our hotel room. (Thanks, Mom and Dad!)

But as a lesson for the day, I will say this: not all Great Ideas are Smart Ideas, but at least the Bad Ideas give us good stories to tell.

More from Austin, TX, tomorrow, including Peter Bjorn & John, GSD&M, Waterloo Records, and Shiner Bock... mmm, Shiner Bock...

CK

The Great Idea: Never Say Never

As you may recall, I had The Great Idea to see two concerts from The Shins in 24 hours (in two different cities that I don't live in)... but both shows were sold out.

Well, I'm happy to report that I will be at the DC show on Monday (I owe a big thank you to Sub Pop) during my 6 hour trip to the District. I will then take an early morning flight to my conference in NYC, wave goodbye to the Big Apple, and head off to Austin for SXSW. But being able to sing-a-long to "Australia" in DAR Constitution Hall, where my high school graduation ceremony was held, will be well worth the travels...

Never say never. Dreams do come true.

And speaking of The Shins, we will be having WINE & CHEESE HOUR today courtesy of The Shins, who were nice enough to send wine in thanks for Paste's support. Jason was right... indie rockers are thoughtful.

The Great Idea: Too Popular for My Own Good...

Word must've gotten out about The Great Idea... because both Shins shows sold out... and now I will be Shinless for the spring... maybe I can use my charm to find some tickets. Sad times, friends... sad times...

The Great Idea: Shins Squared, East Coast Tour Part 3?

I have a great idea... and when I have a great idea, that usually means it is 1) crazy, 2) unobtainable, and 3) something I will pursue anyway.

Here's my latest great idea:

I have to go to NYC for a conference in a few weeks. The next day I am supposed to leave from Atlanta for SXSW in Austin.

Pollstar tells me that The Shins are playing only Northern shows on their tour (why you gotta hate on Atlanta, Shins? We're city full of transplant people...). Being that I am a huge Shins fan and have worn their new album down already, this is completely unacceptable.

I will combat this with the following POA ("Plan of Action")

Monday March 12 - Depart Atlanta for DC; see The Shins play at DAR Constitution Hall
Tuesday March 13 - Depart DC for NYC at 6am; go to conference from 9am-4pm; take 5pm train to Philadelphia; visit Chris and Grant; see The Shins play Electric Factory
Wednesday March 14 - Depart Philadelphia for Atlanta at 6am; meet coworkers at the airport at 8:28am; depart Atlanta for Houston at 9:04am; arrive in Houston, rent a car, and drive to Austin for SXSW; rock for five days straight...

The Great Idea / POA FAQ:

Q: Why see The Shins play twice in 24 hours? Won't they play the same set?
A: The last time I saw the same band play twice in 24 hours it was Modest Mouse, and it was kind of awesome. And I like The Shins more than I like Modest Mouse. Therefore, it can be assumed that seeing The Shins twice in 24 hours will be awesome, too (unless their live show is not up to par). Q.E.D.

Q: That's a lot of 6am flights... aren't you going to be tired?
A: Yes, I will probably be very tired and cranky. But that is why I rarely drink caffeine, so when I need it it really works. Plus, I fall asleep everytime I even step foot on a plane.

Q: What if you miss any of your flights?
A: I'll be stranded in the north... which wouldn't be an awful thing...

Q: Isn't this an expensive plan?
A: Actually, it is no more expensive than a round trip to NYC, which I'd have to buy anyway. Amazing, right? Right.

So let's correct the Great Idea model... 1) crazy, 2) unobtainable, 3) something I will pursue anyway, 4) potentially amazing.

I'll keep you posted.

CK

New issue of Paste: "It'll change your life. I swear."

I'm so excited that I just can't hide it. The new issue of Paste will hit newsstands at the end of the month, but here's a sneak peak...



This one's got features on The Shins and Bloc Party, two of my favorite 'if-I-were-on-a-stranded-island-I-would-want-their-music' bands. Also, the list of Paste's top albums and films of 2006... let's discuss and dispute some time.

Get a free issue if you haven't read the mag before.

I can't wait for 2007's music... new albums from The Shins, Bloc Party, Of Montreal, Arcade Fire, Andrew Bird, Brandi Carlile, Eisley, and Apollo Sunshine. My iPod will get some good lovin' this year...