Current music:

malajube - Montreal -40C

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Life has been good.

Saw my beloved Habs in action (despite the crappiness of the match). Will post my own pictures soon! Not very impressed by the hyper-commercialization of hockey though. Why do I have to put up with commercials on the big screen in the arena during TV commercial breaks, when I already spent close to $100 on the ticket? And the incessant songs from the local gym chain whenever there's a small break in the game?

On the other hand, also saw the Decemberists for the fourth time, who were still miles better than their contemporaries even when they weren't at their very best (a la the show at Webster Hall NY last October). Other bands come and go, and my interest on them fluctuate. But the Decemberists never fail to put a big grin on my face days after witnessing their complete awesome-ness in person.

It was also during this show that I realize I should start learning how to play guitar. I still have Alex's guitar that he gave to me when he left Montreal!

Saw another band which I've been taking a great interest in lately, Montreal's own Malajube. The show was loud, heavy, pop-y, and punk-y all at once; it was sweaty and exhilarating. Everyone was really, really into it, and I started thinking if I were a francophone indie-rock fan, it must feel particularly intimate and personal seeing bands like Malajube, who sings completely in French. I wouldn't even be able to imagine seeing a Chinese band playing in exactly the type of music style that I love, singing completely in Chinese and having the same upbringing as I do.

Went to one of those "loft party" things that were quite popular in New York a while ago, i.e. people hosting shows in their own house, serving beer that they bought from the depanneur etc. It was to see the new girl at work (who I talked about before) and her Rock Star Boyfriend playing together. The loft was a cool place adored with obligatory art works and eccentric objects, although I can never in a million years live in a place with exposed pipes and unpainted walls.
Their music, unfortunately, completely sucked. It was amateurish, out-of-sync and has nothing in it whatsoever. It was basically like they only started learning their instruments and playing together last week.

At one point I felt a bit of pity for the RSB, who surely had played for way bigger crowd when he was one of the first Montreal band to break into the major "pitchfork" scene. And it was only two years ago! now he's toiling away in obscurity, having no other viable skills, and playing to 50 people while pathetically attempting stage antics meant for a crowd 10 times that size.

Also, the previous band was also a "Asian Girlfriend White Boyfriend" duo. It really made me realize how lame it is for the girl if you don't actually play a real instrument. Standing there looking pretty, sometimes dabbling in percussion, xylophone, accordian or other similar pseudo-instruments, isn't really the best way to earn you respect and credibility, no? I'm against forming a so-called "band" with your boyfriend and going around performing your six-song repertoire in those band nights that feature five acts if you have nothing original to contribute to.

If I'm ever in a band, I'll work very hard on mastering guitar.