Innocence and Cynicism

The Shins - Wincing the Night Away

Yes, I know this album has been out since 2007, but I just can't stop listening to it right now. For the last few weeks, it's been consistently not skipped on my iPod, which is saying something.

Particularly, A Comet Appears. That song. Wow. That song. Something about it gives me goosebumps. It's ethereal and grounded at the same time. It reminds me of slowly losing innocence and wonder in favour of adulthood and cynicism.

When I picked up Wincing the Night Away at the beginning of the 11th grade (god I feel old saying that), I didn't listen to it for a long, long time. I had, and still have, an odd quirk about me: I love physical CDs. Anything. If I don't know the band, whatever, I'll listen to it eventually, but even if I think it's garbage, I'll keep it forever. I'm glad I do that, now, because though I had no idea who these Shins people were, I picked up that album and I kept it around until I was actually cool enough to listen to it.

Thank god.

If you've picked up this months BeatRoute, check out my interview with OC band Young the Giant. If you haven't picked it up, what the hell is wrong with you? You should probably get on that. The article is on page 15 (not that I notice things like that...) so give it a look!

Also, I'm going to see if I can kidnap my good friends Jesse James and Tammy from Makeshift Innocence to talk about the huge number of tours they're working on, as well as what's next on the menu for the quickly-blooming band.

If you have any requests, I'll see what I can do, just send them in. I have my ways ;)

- Erin

Oh Hey Hannah!

Wow! Life has gotten hectic with a capital WHAT THE FUCK in the last few months! Those who know me well know what's going on, and those that don't... Well, it's easier if I summarize rather than detail it all.

Before September 1st, I need to:
- Move. This means packing, finding boxes, finding a place, and saving up (somehow!) enough for a damage deposit and first months rent.
- Continue to work 2+ full-time jobs. Between my day job, BeatRoute, freelancing, and several books, I've been working 20-ish hour days, 7 days a week. Yikes!
- Run my own business. My freelancing is technically my own business, and I need to treat it as such. This means start-up nonsense like stock spreadsheets, invoices, budgets, and expense tracking.
- Still manage to have some semblance of a social life! I'm not turning into (more) of a hermit, guys, I promise. I just have a whole lot on my plate tonight.

Like BPO and Mammoth Grove at the New Black tonight! Rumour has it, the beer is cheap, and it's only a $5 cover. Plus, it's Mammoth Grove and BPO. Who would miss that?!

I promise I'll get more on top of this thing one of these days, guys. Pinkie swear.

- Erin