good friends / better friends

last weekend we had a visit from a couple we knew in Chicago. Two folks we would improvise with here and there, but we weren't the type of friends that would ever hang out together. Chicago's improv community has so many people in it you get associated with people and recognize people because of your common interests, but you only have room for so many close friends. Everyone's busy, most everyone is nice - there are a lot of casual conversations and you keep track of the shows everyone is doing and/or the groups people are a part of, etc. etc.
Joe and Shelby were two people I have known for almost 8 years, but I don't know that I ever had a conversation outside of the improv world. I remember running into Joe at a bus stop and finding out he was a teacher and being surprised. I always imagined him as being more of a sports fan type guy who would work at a bar or at a law firm during the day. I had him pegged all wrong. He is a hilarious guy with a reserved sense of self. Very kind and totally bizzaro (in the best possible way). Shelby I knew from the Playground. Her team and the team I coached would often play together, so I got to have improv conversations with her and became pretty close friends with a few of her teammates. She and I would say hello when we saw each other, but we weren't the type of friends who would invite each other over for a slumber party.
Well the four of us had a slumber party when Joe & Shelby passed through Portland on their honeymoon. It was nice getting to know them a little better and to play with them at our theater. Good luck on your two month journey around the country on your honeymoon, guys. Please come back again!

AWIOYLC Competition - Joe Burton from Curious Comedy on Vimeo.

the High School years revisited

Life is a complex thing. People make different connections everyday. How you deal with those connections effects your life and the way you live it every step of the way. I try to do my best with each step, but sometimes I slip up. I don't think I've ever make an overtly evil decision in my life. I try to be the best person I can be. I try to respect everyone I come in contact with. I like to keep my friends close and informed of my happenings. I think I'm doing alright - then I get some clarification questions about things I've done and I realize I can make myself a little more clear. Things get out of focus and I make a wrong assumption, then I have to clear it up.
Nevertheless, here is my second post in my new mixtape series of influences. One major influence on me was The Stafford family, particularly Melissa Lee and her parents Chuck and Dee.
I have no idea what type of terrible person I would be if I hadn't met Melissa at Oak Forest High School. My home life was rocky. I had recently moved to a new state and had very few friends. I spent all my time skateboarding, but I now went to a high school where I was the only one who rode a skateboard. It was jock city and I didn't know how to fit in.
I found the place I did fit in with Melissa. We spent 8 years together, from High School to living together with a dog and two cats in a one bedroom apartment in Chicago. Our relationship had a lot of ups and downs (but what relationship doesn't over an 8 year period?) I learned so much about everything from the Stafford family and I'm not sure I was ever able to thank them for it.
All of these songs have little stories that go along with them, or specific reasons for being included.
I look back at this time in my life and I'm grateful for how wonderful it was, when it could have been so terrible. Thanks to Brian Stuart for awkwardly introducing me to Melissa oh so long ago.
This is my compilation for Melissa Lee Stafford:
cabbage mix
Nat King Cole - straighten up & fly right
Bjork - aeroplane
Catherine Wheel - show me mary
Dada - surround
Lemonheads - rest assured
Cranberries - pretty
Kostars - don't know why
Weezer - in the garage
Fleming & John - ugly girl
Sonic Youth - superstar
J Church - yellow, blue and green
Dashboard Confessional - saints & sailors
Jawbreaker - do you still hate me?
Bad Religion - stranger than fiction
Secret Stars - some sinatra
Portishead - only you
Jets to Brazil - sweet avenue
Tilt - berkeley pier
Cranberries - daffodil lament
Bjork - the anchor song
Lemonheads - you can take it with you

Early Influences : Dad

I'm starting something new. Mixtape posts about those who have influenced me and the music I have come to enjoy - and what better place to start than the beginning? on Fathers day, my Dad.
A big influence on my early development of music appreciation and humor. He's always been a great, supportive influence on my life. I can remember raiding his tape collection and listening to all sorts of great music on his giant boombox. I have put together a collection of songs I remember listening to on that boombox. Some of the stuff he had that I got into. My early influences.
download here: Dad's Influence
David Lee Roth - just a gigolo
J Geils Band - freeze frame
the Beatles - think for yourself
the Police - roxanne
Led Zeppelin - d'yer maker
ZZ Top - la grange
Van Halen - you really got me
the Fabulous Thunderbirds - wrap it up
Led Zeppelin - trampled under foot
the Beatles - yesterday
Cutting Crew - I just died in your arms tonight (this one is only on here because he used to make up his own lyrics to popular music, and this one was "I just puked in your arms tonight. It must have been something I ate" - there's a big part of my comedy influence)
Led Zeppelin - moby dick
the Who - baba o'riley

Dad, Happy Fathers Day! I hope to see you more often in the rest of '09.

Nostalgic for Nothing

I guess I'm getting to the age (32) where I have things to look back on a bit enviously. I suppose you're always told to cherish what you have, and that you don't know what it's like when you grow up - so enjoy being a kid. How can anyone actually do either of those things? Of course, if I could go back and do it again I would have done many things differently (17 Again), but I can't. All I have now is the memories and (thankfully) the music that works as the soundtrack to those memories. I've done a lot of growing up in the past three years and I've realized this ain't easy. I've taken a lot of things for granted and have lived a fairly easy life. I'm grateful for everyone who has been there for me over the years.
This mix (and stories) range from 1994 - 1998ish. I graduated High School in 95 and left college in 1998, so I was pretty young. All this music helped shaped who I am today. Ahh, the nostalgia... only pleasant for me.
the College Years
Catherine - songs about girls
my first college roommate (and friend in High School) Joe Cassan introduced me to this band. He liked them because Billy Corgan did. He was a big Smashing Pumpkins fan.
Texas is the Reason - dressing cold
I remember listening to this EP in the cd player of my girlfriends parents car in Chicago one summer... '96? Could be...
Archers of Loaf - web in front
I really wanted this to be the song for my part in a skate video. When my friends finally put a skate video together (after our trip to San Francisco) I got the song "California Dreamin'" covered by some Japanese Punk band. Thanks Randy.
Gods Reflex - musings on an otherwise anniversary
I still have no idea why Gods Reflex never got big. I listened to this album thousands of times. I still go back to it every once in a while. They apparently got back together and recorded a new album. I have it, but can't get through it.
Tuesday - another disco party?
After Slapstick, but before Alkaline Trio, Dan Andriano formed his version of an Emo band, Tuesday. I saw them a couple times and listed to their album and EP way too much for a college boy getting his heart broken over and over again.
Mephiskapheles - eskamoes
Yeah, I went through a ska phase. Didn't everyone? I still enjoy this song and album. Mephiskapheles was cool.
Braid - a dozen roses
EMO. This is one of best emo songs ever written. I loved this album. It helped me survive the transition from college to the real world/big city of Chicago.
Sunny Day Real Estate - theo b
At one of my first big parties in college, a senior played this song and I said "that sounds like Sunny Day Real Estate" - and he told me it was, they just released a new album that doesn't have a title. It's pink!
Pegboy - strong reaction
This song will always remind me of skateboarding in Chicago.
Blur - parklife
Another band Joe Cassan forced me into liking. Blur is talented and this album is great.
Jawbreaker - sluttering (may 4th)
My freshman year of college. Dear You came out (Jawbreaker's major label debut) and I lived by it. I wanted them to be the biggest band in the world. They broke up.
Screeching Weasel - cindy's on methadone
Another band that transitioned me from high school to college. I loved Ben Weasel's sense of humor in his song writing.
Oblivion - actress
The greatest Chicago punk band - Oblivion. I probably saw them play live 25 times. Their second album was released while I was a freshman at EIU and I was upset I had to miss the record release shows in Chicago. boo.
Dinosaur Jr - sideways
This song will forever remind me of my good friend Jason Thomas Brown. I wish I could track him down... the last time we saw each other we saw American Movie at the Music Box in Chicago. Where'd you go, Jason?
Sicko - sprinkler
This song is on the soundtrack from my trip from Chicago to SF and back with three good friends (Randy, Brian and Matt). What a great trip. Summer '96.
J Church - nostalgic for nothing
J Church made me want to start paying attention to social and political issues. Thank you Lance Hahn. RIP.
Not Rebecca - fall again away
A band that only a handful of people in Chicago know about. I listened to this album waaaaay to much my freshman year of college
Sebadoh - skull
I was a member of the J Mascis / Dinosaur Jr fanclub over the Lou Barlow / Sebadoh club, but when a girl gave me this song on a mixtape, it changed my mind.
Jawbox - cornflake girl
If anyone could make me enjoy Tori Amos, it would be Jawbox. I saw these guys play at the Metro and was stunned and how great a live band they were.
Pink Lincolns - I got you
Nothing good comes out of Florida. Except for the Pink Lincolns and the first pair of E's Eric Koston shoes I ever got. They were blue and rad.
Superchunk - hyper enough
I will always remember the Sunday night ritual in my freshman dorm room. Papa John's pizza / dukes of hazzard / blades of steal / 120 minutes. This video premiered that year.
Zoinks! - ugly side
Zack left the band before I got a chance to see these guys live. Funny thing is, Squirtgun came two weeks after Zoinks! and Zack was in that band. I don't know why I was such a big Squirtgun fan...
Alkaline Trio - 97
This song came out in 1995. Why was it called 97? Matt Skiba confused me. This was my favorite song on that Johann's face compilation. I'm glad Dan joined this band and they released a few good albums.
the Vindictives - I'm in trouble now
This one stayed with me from High School. Chicago punk rock at its snottiest and best.

Wow.

Tuesday Mixtape Frrrriends: Edison Girard

Edison Girard. What can I say? I've known him for a long time. Coached him on International Stinger for a long time, had a lot of great summer parties at his beautiful home and just got to know him as one heck of a talented and creative fellow.
A wonderful father of two, musician, toy maker and all around great guy.
He's been wanting to do a mixtape exchange for a while now, so here you go. I'll kick it off with this:
Edison number 1
Zoos of Berlin - the old house
Beirut - La Llorona
Archers of Loaf - let the loser melt
the Shaky Hands - no say
the National - secret meeting
the Builders & the Butchers - black dresses
Unicorns - sea ghost
Built to Spill - by the way
the Apples in Stereo - king of carrot flowers pt 3
Q and not U - we heart our hive
Parenthetical Girls - the windmills of your mind
Bon Iver - blood bank
the Kills - last day of magic
Dangermouse & Sparklehorse - insane lullabye
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - you were alone
Beulah - if we can land a man on the moon, surely I can win your heart
Three Mile Pilot - the year of no light
the Teeth - so long
R.Crumb & his Cheap Suit Serenaders - see you in my dreams
Bound Stems - winston

a couple Chicago jerks

We were lucky enough to have a couple of our dear friends from Chicago spend some time with us here in Portland and at the theater. The lovely Natalie and Sarah (who, along with Stacey make up the girl group FIRECRACKER) spent a fun, busy and stressful weekend with us here in the Rose City. I got the chance to spend a delightful thursday with the two of them and was kinda busy the rest of the weekend. As far as I could tell they had a fun time. Firecracker did three great shows and the ladies did one heck of a bang up job at the Open Court. Thanks, Sarah and Natalie. please come back soon! Firecracker Reunion!

Firecracker at Curious Comedy Theater from Curious Comedy on Vimeo.

Tuesday Mixtape Frrrriends: Mr. Matt Larsen

I have known Matt for a long time. He was in my first improv class at the Annoyance theater in the summer of '97. I was in college on my summer break between my sophomore and junior year. I learned a lot that year and had a great time. I joined ComedySportz (where Matt was already a member) a few years later - then was added to one of the best teams ever at iO, SPACE MOUNTAIN (which Matt was also already a member of)... Our lives always seem to come together. I'm pretty sure the main reason is because we're friends and we enjoy each others company. I respect Matt a great deal and I'm very happy I have had the chance to get to know him and keep him as a close friend. Making a mixtape for Matt is nothing new. I think I've shared more music with him than anyone, but it has been a while. So this one is for you, Mr. Larsen. Please enjoy this mixtape. ALSO - HE'S GONNA BE HAVING A BABY SOON AND THAT IS CRAZY! Congratulations to you and Brandi!!!
download: Mr. Larsen's Mixtape
My preferred order to listen to this mixtape:
Foreign Born - blood oranges
Christopher Francis - one
the Welcome Wagon - half a person
Viva Voce - the center of the universe
the National - lit up
Zeus - I know
the Builders & the Butchers - slowed down trip to hell
Zee Avi - bitter heart
Pinback - concrete seconds
Woody Allen - the great renaldo
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - killers
the Phenomenal Handclap Band - dim the lights
They Might Be Giants - hot dog
Thao & the Get Down, Stay Down - big kids table
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly - the chronicles of a bohemian teenager
the Dodos - men
Frightened Rabbit - old old fashioned
the Sound of Sea Animals - room for two
Bon Iver - Brackett, WI
the Bony King of Nowhere - losing gravity

(the picture above is from when Matt and his lovely wife Brandi came to Portland while we were still building the theater. They left their marks on the wall behind the bar, so they're a part of the theater permanently.)

Halfway through 2009

My top 10 albums of the year at the halfway point of 2009... seeing as how we're into June now, I figure I can start putting this together. We'll see how many of these albums hang in their over the course of the rest of the year. I have no idea what else is coming out either, so I might get pleasantly surprised by a lot of stuff. Who knows?

10) the Phenomenal Handclap Band - S/T
For a dance band, these guys have made one heck of a fun album. I've been listening to this a lot lately. I have no idea if it will stick with me for 6 more months, so we'll see. I think it's got a decent chance.

09) the Bony King of Nowhere - Alas My Love

He sounds like the minor league Thom Yorke, but the young Belgian, Bram Vanparys has created a fantastic album under the name The Bony King of Nowhere. Creative Pop music with a singer that doesn't quite grasp the English language... now that's charm.

08) Viva Voce - Rose City

This album is a rocker. From Duet to Quartet, Portland's own Viva Voce have recorded a simple rock record and should / will get a lot of praise for it.

07) St Vincent - Actor
If I hadn't seen her live a couple weeks ago this album would have probably not ended on my list. She (they) put(s) on a great live show and always sound amazing. The album is full of highs and lows and puts Annie Clark's great use of dynamics to work.

06) Cursive - Mama, I'm Swollen

Holy Crap. I am a huge Domestica fan. Ugly Organ is another decent Cursive album, but since (and before) those two albums Cursive does not do it for me... which is why I was shocked at how much I enjoyed this album the first few times I listened to it. I was expecting to dismiss it, but it has stuck with me and I think it will for a while from here.

05) Here We Go Magic - S/T Outside of Paul Simon, you can hear a fair amount of influences in Here We Go Magic, but Paul Simon is certainly the main one you will here when listening to this album. Very creative and a bit on the dark side... just how I like my music.

04) Post War Years - the Greats and the Happenings British, Mathrock, Dance music with complicated changes. Some sort of mix between Battles, Minus the Bear and Foals. I'll take it.

03) Malakai - the Ugly Side of Love Right time, right place is the only explanation I have for liking this band/album so much. It's retro sounding rap - as though Arthur Lee were fronting the Gorillaz or something.

02) Dirty Projectors - Bitte Orca This band has hit a stride and continues to grow and get better with every song they record. Everyone plays a perfect part in this band as a whole, where separately they could sound disastrous.

01) Grizzly Bear - Veckatimest No surprise here. It's perfect.

Guess who turns 3 today?!?

somebody who was born 6/6/06... Arlo! Happy birthday, little guy!

Wednesday Mixtape (?): Frrriends - Gena!

I met Gena online before I met her in person. We would both frequent the improv message boards. I finally met her in person during Impress These Apes where she volunteered her time to be the wonderful person in charge of keeping the show running smoothly and taking any tech requests the performers asked of her. I hope she got paid for that job... I'm not sure if she did. We became pretty good friends when I discovered we had similar tastes in music. In the summer of 2007 we both got the chance to interview and see !!! at the Metro, which was great fun. She's an extremely talented and creative person. If you don't know Gena, you should get to know her.
It was challenging making a mix for you, Gena... But I did my best:
For Gena, Forever Ago
Malakai - warriors
Dangermouse/Sparklehorse - revenge (w. coyne)
Get Well Soon - witches! witches! rest now in the fire
Bears - please don't
Post War Years - white lies
Cymbals Eat Guitars - wind phoenix
Scarlett Johansson - i wish i was in new orleans
Dead Man's Bones - in the room where you sleep
Grizzly Bear - all we ask
Pleasure Forever - draws an 8
the Sound of Sea Animals - the death of mr. thomas
the National - you've done it again, virginia
Parenthetical Girls - the former
the Dodos - horny hippies
Viva Voce - rose city
Free Blood - quick and painful
the Phenomenal Handclap Band - give it a rest

Tuesday Mixtape: Frrrriends vol. 2

Timmy Ryder!!! - Boy oh boy, what can I say about Timmy Ryder? I taught him at CSz about 5 years ago. He's a great guy and into music that is the neighbor to all the music I listen to... It's weird (that explanation), but true. We like similar styles of music, but don't really listen to the same bands. There's some cross over, but for the most part - every conversation I remember having with Tim about music we never really connected. So here's my shot at a mixtape for you, Timmy. It's mainly a lot of new bands I've been getting into. I have no idea if you'll enjoy it as a whole, but I'm certain you'll like parts of it. Let me know what you think!
download here: T.Ryder's Mixtape
Sweet Billy Pilgrim - here it begins
Telekinesis - calling all doctors
Foreign Born - blood oranges
Hotels - the maudlin
Post War Years - false starts
Dirty Projectors - no intention
Thao & the Get Down, Stay Down - swimming pools
Apostle of Hustle - Xerses
the Kills - getting down
the Phenomenal Handclap Band - baby
Jens Lekman - a little lost
Casiotone for the Painfully Alone - traveling salesman's young wife home alone on christmas in montepelier, VT
the Mummers - wake me up
the Builders & the Butchers - bottom of the lake
the Sound of the Sea - i don't know
Fergus Brown - john, she was never only dancing
Zee Avi - i am me once more
Vincent Minor - born in the wrong era
Rockabye Baby - let down (radiohead for babies)

Summer has smacked Portland in the face

Hey Look! I got new glasses. To the untrained eye you might not catch it. My eyes are untrained! That's why I got glasses.
My good friend Stephanie made me sugar-free Arlo cupcakes for my birthday party at the theater last week. Look how cute they are (were, before we ate them).

Speaking of cute, Who's the cutest little dumbo off-leash in the dog park???