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.rapt is reawakening....

Have a freshly released Empire of the Sun music video set to Ice on the Dune's second single DNA......

 
 DNA is quite literally my favorite track out of both EOTS records. Seeing it come alive in a production is amazingly thrilling for me, to say the least. I wasn't sure what to expect. Although unmindful of other Empire music videos (i.e. not set in different cultures or strange lands, teaming with outer-worldly creatures), it didn't fail in sending the viewer on a unique part of Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore's journey. It was almost refreshing to see the duo paired with modern-day party kids in the heart of San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles. When I first saw the promo for the video, I was worried that the band might be trying to appeal to a more narrow-minded crowd, as it has a feel to it reminiscent of the every day poppy-trash music videos we see on the regular. A small part of me still feels that that's what DNA's film is doing; appealing to more mainstream culture. But there are also elements that any Empyrean can pick out to denote any negatives the production might have. For example, seeing Steele behave as he would in an unfamiliar land, innocently fascinated with common things did it for me. I found myself desperately loving the story the film told and the majesty it brought, highlighting the trials Steele and Littlemore face as they enter a world more familiar to us than to them.

All in all, the production won me over. I wouldn't be a very devoted member of the empire if it hadn't, right?

I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be meeting EOTS for the second time this year on October 31st at the Shrine Auditorium in LA. I'll be dressed to impress (I've yet to figure out as what) for possibly the greatest Halloween I'll have to date. I'll keep .rapt updated as the day draws near!

It's gotten hellishly late. I need to sleep.

It's good to be back, everyone!

x 

Who's this chick? Where'd she come from?

Whoa, hello!

I realized the other day how much I miss blogging about my musical muses and that I should probably devote some time to my beloved .rapt instead of venturing off into boredom land like I normally do in my down time lately.

How has everyone been? Is there anyone even still out there? I've been preoccupying myself with tumblr (aka my secondary real life) and fandoms here and there. Music, as always, remains a major part of my everyday somber, and although I always intend to write down and remember everything I want to say about certain songs and bands, I never seem to bring myself to do it. No more of that! I'm putting a stop to it now. I have way too many feels and there's only so much room inside my little head to keep them all.

But where do I even begin?

Empire of the Sun has become one of my most favorite bands as of late. I find myself wondering how glorious it would be to meet Emperor Steele and Lord Littlemore in person. Of course, this is purely the fan-girl in me. To give you a dose of how bad my love for them is, I've often been dreaming of what my face would look like smothered in Native American war paint, dancing under the sun alongside EOTS's leading imagineers. It would be great, right? I'm smitten, needless to say. Which is why I took a leap of faith and (with the little money I have) purchased a GA pass for myself to the Hard Summer Music Festival held in Los Angeles this August to see Empire of the Sun preform live. The festival as a whole is going to be worth while, I'm sure. But I've wanted to see EOTS for a couple of years now and L.A. was the closest venue near me that they'll be visiting. I'm more than enthralled. I can't wait to witness them in powerful, translucent, and true force. Oh yes ~

On September 25th, I plan to pay a visit to The House of Blues here in San Diego to finally see The Naked and Famous live. The boy and I have been quite fond of them for a couple of years now (they were featured as one of my Band's of the Week in 2012), and we missed their tour date in Seattle by an inch back in April of 2012 due to flying home from Coachella on the same day (insert sad face). So when I received word that they would be playing downtown, I jumped on tickets faster than a cat on a dot of light....(Ouch, bad metaphor.) The band hasn't released anything new since Passive Me, Aggessive You Remix and B-sides record, which dropped this past May. Somewhat of a refresher to their debut album of the same title, which was released back in 2010. There are however some newer songs showcased on the B-sides, which include Sow, Wild, Bright Lights, and Crazy? Yes! Dumb? No! Let's not forget about their two EP's which came out in 2011, This Machine and No Light, both of which are wonderful in their own right. I'm looking forward to hearing all of these at The House of Blues, but nothing beats their hit single Punching in a Dream from their debut, which I'm pining to dance to as they serenade SD this September. Any of you lot from the So-Cal region should really join me. Tickets are still available on TicketMaster.

I suppose the only other music-related news I have to offer you, loyal .rapt readers, is my biting the bullet and jumping on the payment plan wagon that is Coachella-bound in April 2014. After not attending this year's festival, I really felt like I had betrayed myself. I feel that it's crucial that I attend at least one more year of messy Coach madness before hunkering down into hardcore student life in the Fall of 2014. SO.....I'm slowly but surely paying my debt for two Weekend 2 passes for next year's Coachella Music and Arts Festival. Joy is felt within my broke and happy heart.

As far as my personal life goes, I can't complain. Working hard and planning out an extraordinary summer. I've got a pool down the road, the ocean 5 miles west, tequila in the freezer, the desert sun directly above, and a flower crown tangled in my hair. What more could a girl want?

x

Sasquatch! 2011's Most Colorful Array...

Albeit missing 2011's BigFoot Fest yet again, these fellow youth-initiators did not!
Check out an assortment of photos of Sasquatch Music Festival's most colorful array of Homo Sapiens.
(Images courtesy and (c) Seattle Weekly.)








(More HERE.)

//.rapt Tues News 5-31-11//

Crazy Band; Making the Most of It

Loved this Music News update at theFADER reguarding LA-bred group Crazy Band. With a vivacious sound and attitude, members Jesse, Deana, twins Jazmin and Jennifer, Jenna and Anthony have been said to be one of the best things to happen to Los Angeles indie rock this year.
Crazy Band Does Not Give a Fuck



//.rapt Tuesday News 5-17-11//

Ellie At Royal Wedding // New Material from Pixies?

Elena Jane, I can't get enough of you.
British singer/songwriter Ellie Goulding performed at one of the most coveted events of the year; the royal wedding, this past Friday. The songbird expressed that singing for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge "Was a very surreal, incredible experience. I'll never forget it. It was amazing."
Meeting William and Kate at a festival in 2010, Ellie was shocked when asked to perform at the reception almost a year later. Such a feat for the ever-brilliant UK-bred phenomena.

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Are Pixies back at it?
While their reunion tour "Doolittle" has created an uproar of nostalgia amongst fans, for many the tour has uprooted the desire for fresh material...one most notably Bono of U2 yearns for something new as well!
After nearly two decades, the band says that it is definitely a possibility. However, it must be cleverly thought out. Drummer David Lovering states: "The thing is, we want to protect the legacy. If we do something, it better be good. And as we go along - it's been seven years now - it gets more difficult to make that decision."
In reaction to Bono's calling for new jams, Lovering humorously replies, "He's like, 'Please make a record!' Goddamn, we can't leave that unturned. That would frustrate me. It would."
No matter the outcome, Pixies lives on as a rock band legend.
I'm all for some new stuff. How great would it be to be thrown fresh songs that fit in with their monumental originals?
Let the music thrive on!

//.rapt Tuesday News 5-3-11//

Wavves Announces 'Negative Dad' comic // Gorillaz' The Fall Reviews

Wavves' Nathan Williams has recently given word of a 12 Issue Comic/Cassette Project, namely Negative Dad, constructed with friend Matt Barajas. The comic is described as an "extra retarded X-Men" with a focus mainly driven towards individuals who enjoy smoking weed. This strangely interesting Wavves development holds nothing out of the ordinary for the indie surf band, who have already proven to be odder than the average musicians.

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Gorillaz' record 'The Fall' has been released to hard-copy album and vinyl. Topping #12 on the UK charts, some intriguing reviews have surfaced.
Among them, Clashmusic has given the tracks an 8/10, expressing that the ipad-manufactured record is a delight, as well as a "Delicate Beauty." Within the soulful review, one bold quote stands out:
"By the time it reaches the end of its fifteen tracks you’ll have forgotten that it was made in such a basic fashion and, whisper it now, you might actually prefer it to ‘Plastic Beach’." - Clashmusic.
Read the full review here.
For me, the record is a lulling ambiance of raw electric instrumental, with the florescence of Albarn's melodic vocals echoing in a more ghostly and mellow side to Gorillaz' music. I can't wait to get my hands on the vinyl.

//.rapt Tuesday News 4-26-11//

Radiohead Vinyl Released for Record Store Day // COACHELLA 2011 Review

Following their fresh record The King of Limbs (released Feb 18th, 2011) Radiohead promoted 2 new tracks of Thom and co.'s recent work during notable Record Store Day (April 16th, 2011.)
Supercollider and The Butcher are now available on 12" vinyl through participating stores in the U.K.. According to Radiohead's Dead Air Space, some of the vinyls' labels were placed the wrong way around....therefore, they offer printable right way 'round labels for free download on the site, linked previously and again here.
For those of us on the other side of the big puddle, new vinyl will be available June 14th, 2011 in the States and Canada.
Love the 2 new tracks and waiting anxiously to get my hands on The King of Limbs and Record Store Days' vinyl SOON.
Here's a lovely offer you can't refuse.

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Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival 2011 took place this past weekend, with headliners ranging from Kings of Leon and The Strokes, to Arcade Fire and Mumford & Sons. The lucky few who fought and triumphed over the rest for their valued passes journeyed to the desert to experience yet another glorious year of sun, stars, and sound. I was among the sad lot who missed out on 2011, but to improve our situation slightly, youtube and 5 Gum teamed up to webcast live stream of select artists throughout the festival weekend. I tuned in for such performances as Bright Eyes, Empire of the Sun, Ellie Goulding, Mumford & Sons, and much more....

Among these, I was drawn the most by Empire of the Sun's unique display of metallic feathers, futuristic visuals, and ghostly echos to the night. Luke Steele's vocals captured a hue to the evening that was unmatched by the majority of other bands. What I wouldn't have done to be there in person!
I was also impressed greatly by Arcade Fire's performance, specifically their set towards the end. I waited for a Wake Up call and I got it.

Though seeing her Seattle gig less than a week before, I went online to catch Ellie Goulding's set and cheered her on as she bellowed out in her vibrant voice to the sweaty crowds on Sunday. It looked hotter than sin, but she endeavored brilliantly and delivered a show worthy of an encore.

However badly I would have loved to have attended 2011's fest, watching the webcasts and reading reviews has empowered me and made me realize that I really have no choice but to begin planning my venture down to Southern California for Coachella 2012.

For those of you festival attendees, I hope the experience treated you just as amazingly as I remember it :] Certainly something you never forget.

Plans and savings began already for myself; and I'll wait eagerly to catch a glimpse of that first fake lineup to emerge on the web and bring me hope of the impending future.
Until next year, Coachella!

//.rapt Tuesday News 4-19-11//