Practical jokes

What else are you meant to do with a picture such as this, kindly left behind by the previous tenants?

We have erected it outside our house by our letterbox. Living near a primary school, I can't help wondering how many mothers/fathers had children wanting to go out and find the lost seal ...

(Smog) and Joanna Newsom

18th October, Indigo Bar, Wellington


Packed full with standing room only, which is quite unfortunate because you can't exactly rock out to Smog. Perhaps a more intimate setting with cushions and lamps would have been more appropriate? Still, perched on the edge of a couch with a view for most of the gig was good enough for me.

His voice perfectly matched his cds. Low and full. His manner towards the microphone was sometimes odd, with several moments of strange dancing - ducking and swaying. Highlight was Dress Sexy At My Funeral. His songs are sensitive and reflective, sometimes bizarre but definately worth checking out ...


http://www.alwaysontherun.net/smog.htm



Heard of Joanna Newsom?
Well, she and her harp travel around, singing extremely long songs that use a lot of pretty and emotive words. Following a line of thought through some of her songs was difficult, but each verse on it's own cut its own picture out of the imagination. Her voice is a little of Bjork-ish, unusual and quirky, but delicate.

http://www.dragcity.com/bands/newsom.html



She's played with Devendra Banhart, another guy worth checking out...

http://www.younggodrecords.com/prodtype.asp?PT_ID=71


ps, I'm not planning on giving up my day job to become a music reviewer - this one is terrible! but hey, at least you've got some more bands to check out, right?

Coz I know you'll be looking

Top 10 things to do while bored working at Vodafone Palmer- I mean, at work.

1. Bring a TV remote control to the office and try to 'change the channel' on people's computers. When it doesn't work, mumble something about 'cheap Japanese crap.'

2. Walk into people's offices, taking a careful look around. Talk into your shirt, saying 'No sign of him yet, Chief.'

3. When the phone rings, answer by saying 'ZM, you're on the air.'

4. Page yourself over the intercom. Don't disguise your voice

5. Send e-mail to the rest of the company telling them exactly what you're doing. For example: "If anyone needs me, I'll be in the bathroom."

6. Every time someone asks you to do something, anything, ask them if they want fries with that.

7. Get in the elevator and pretend to hold the door open for invisible people.

8. Secretly switch the coffee to decaf. Wait for 4 weeks and then, switch to espresso.

9. Put your trash can on your desk.Label it "IN."

10. When someone says "have a nice day", tell them you have other plans.

Gig Guide

Heading out tonight?

Connan and the Mockasins are playing Tupelo.

Never heard of them?

"This band is the most cheeky and exciting band to hit Wellington in years. Lead by Connan Hosford (of Grampa Moff fame), the heavily Hendrix influenced sound will have you smiling for days. They already have a reputation as the most fun band of all time, and everybody knows, fun rules. Keep an eye out for these dashing young lads!"

"Frontman Conan Hosford literally wears moccasins and the attraction doesn't just stop there. The trio continue to woo audiences across the country with their cutsie-pie cheeky, 60's pop-rock songs about naughty summer holidays and Conan's reputation for being one of the best live guitarists in the country."




Appetite for more bands?

OdESSA have just released their album Oak Park Avenue. The CD release party is on Saturday night but it's already in stores.

www.odessamusic.net

go on .. you know you want to.