Experiences, observations of a Cajun living in NYC
Last year's snazzy logo
Honestly, this post could have been titled “Two Musicfest NW Acts I’m Excited About” because when the Portland festival’s lineup dropped Wednesday two names rose above all others.
But writing a two performer list kind of struck me as lazy. So I tacked on three more names, and here’s what I came up with. PS: You can view Musicfest NW’s lineup here.
Cover your eyes!
NOTE: The Timbers Army chants juvenile, R-rated things from time to time. If you are offended by such expressions then I recommend A) you not stand with the Timbers Army and B) read one of my hundreds of other posts. Thanks!
I stood with the Timbers Army Saturday night when the Portland side hosted the Vancouver Whitecaps inside Jeld-Wen Stadium. The match marked my first time in a year seeing Portland’s Major League Soccer team play.
For the record: I don’t consider myself a Timbers fan or an MLS fan, in general. I couldn’t tell you the Timbers record. I do, however, enjoy the rowdy nature of their crowds. The Timbers Army reminds me of a more harmonious, less plastered New Orleans Saints crowd.
I forgot over the past 12 months the Timbers Army could make a sailor in a whorehouse blush with its inventive use of profanities in song.
Here are some of the Timbers Army songs I heard Saturday, plus photos I took while there. The match ended in a 1-all draw. Both teams scored in the second half.
You gotta hold on!
When Alabama Shakes frontwoman Brittany Howard goes for it, her mocha-colored face contorts into a pained, scrunched-up mass of lines, and her glasses hang on for dear life from the edge of her nose. Her massive tongue shows. And out … out explodes this booming, smoky howl that recalls an old soul dressed in a 23-year-old southerner’s skin.
Howard doesn’t care what she looks like when she’s singing. I respect her willingness to “get ugly with it.” All that matters is the sound, the emotion, the feeling.
My friend Matt and I had the pleasure of standing two rows from the stage Sunday when Howard and Co. blessed the Tom McCall Waterfront Park stage in Portland. I’ll be posting a review of the show shortly, but for now here are pictures I took while at the show.
Toby Keith and his favorite cup
The race for Summer Jam 2012 is a wide-open affair at the moment. But if I had to select a song now, it would be Icona Pop’s “I Love It”, with its ear-grabbing lyric, “You’re from the 70′s but I’m a 90′s bitch.”
I also love love love Japandroids’ “Younger Us”, a song that initially came out in 2010, but is on the duo’s fantastic new record, Celebration Rock.
My dad, Ray Jr., has already discovered his 2012 summer jam.
Meagan Grandall and Kendra Cox (via kexp.org)
Seattle duo Lemolo capture a slice of the Pacific Northwest filled with wonder, longing, and allure – one where even gray skies seem appealing. When they mention rain, as on “Whale Song”, it is a serene experience, not one to begrudge.
On Thursday night, Lemolo singer Meagan Grandall revealed to the Alberta Rose crowd that “Whale Song” is about her 6-year-old “neighbor girl.” This made sense, given the song’s endearing, childlike quality.
Grandall and drummer/keyboardist Kendra Cox’s shimmering tunes swaddled me in a kind of warm and fuzzy, morphine-like cocoon as I sat inside the Alberta Rose for the first time. I loved every minute of it. My only regret was they didn’t sell copies of their debut album, Kaleidoscope, out July 3, so I could make the feeling last longer.
I started Wednesday morning reading an online article addressing concerns over a New Orleans institution possibly being sullied. Reports of a Confederacy of Dunces film adaptation starring Zach Galifianakis caused red alerts among the book’s legion of fans, not because of the actor attached, but the possibility the project could cheapen the Crescent City artistic landmark.
Tonight I read about another New Orleans institution being not only sullied but possibly decimated. The likelihood of major cuts to the New Orleans Times-Picayune’s staff and print product represents a far greater blow to the Crescent City than even the most disastrous Confederacy of Dunces adaptation. Ignatius Reilly, himself, would rail against the Newhouse Family, owners of the Times-Picayune, for even entertaining the idea of gutting the proud paper. It would be a grave injustice to his constitution, no doubt.
Make no mistake, if the details of the New York Times’ report come to fruition a major American city will lose a significant voice.
Carr’s report saddens me, in particular, because one of my first memories is of reading the Times-Picayune’s sports page. I sat in the back seat of my parent’s Ford Escort reciting Major League Baseball box scores. From there, my dreams of becoming a sportswriter were birthed, in no small part due to the Times-Picayune.
Every marathon needs cheerleaders
I woke to the kind of whooping and hollering you would expect to hear at a Justin “Swaggy Adult” Bieber concert. I could tell it was from a distance, but it was too loud for me to go back to sleep. Little did I know this was happening.
Outside, a stampede of runners (and walkers) passed my house amid wet, chilly conditions that recalled a late January day. They passed in silence. Where did the noise come from then?
Beasts opens June 27
In my attempt to improve my ratio of good Terrebonne (La.) stories to bad Terrebonne (La.) stories, this morning I am sharing the trailer of Beasts of the Southern Wild. In case you missed it, Friday I called for Terrebonne’s sheriff to resign.
I admit I have not followed film offerings closely this year. I plan on seeing The Dictator and whatever actor Ryan Gosling comes out with next.
Beasts of the Southern Wild is my most highly anticipated film. Not just because it was shot in Terrebonne, a bayou parish where I once lived, but because of the fairy tale sense of wonder the trailer showcases. The visuals look dreamy and the bayou scenery feels like home. And little 6-year-old Quvenzhane Willis, from what I gather, is a force to be reckoned with.
King Vernon Bourgeois
Three weeks from now, millions of Americans will be introduced to “Cajun Justice” on A&E. I encourage you to read my post on why this TV show is/was/will forever be a terrible idea.
The Cajun culture has already been raped enough by outsiders looking to make a quick buck. A&E’s show promises to be no different, with its laughable references to treacherous swamplands and “Rougarous” and bloated comparisons of Terrebonne Sheriff Vernon Bourgeois to a king.
The cable channel’s likening of Bourgeois to a king seemed oddly fitting today after my old newspaper broke a story that he intervened during a DWI arrest involving an alleged drunk man driving a golf cart. It turned out the suspect’s family donated to Bourgeois’ election campaign four years ago.
My prized Coachella possession
Coachella 2013′s advanced ticket sale came and went today without yours truly securing tickets. The advanced tickets for Weekend 1 sold out before my lunch break. Weekend 2 didn’t last much longer.
You won’t catch me crying about not having tickets. Not yet, at least.
Here’s why:
I am a 27-year-old journalist living in NYC. Prior to that I lived in south Louisiana and Portland. I blog about music, New Orleans Saints and LSU football, and what it's like to be a Cajun living in the fast-paced world of NYC.
Feel free to send any questions, comments, music submissions, etc. to my email below. Also, check me out on social media!
Facebook: CajunTomato
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Email: raybaybay3@gmail.com