The ever lovely/quirky Tanya (& her band, VulpesVulpes) and the slightly odd A-Live (& his Green Street gang) will be performing at Webster Hall this coming Friday night. They'll be playing with The Wellness Exchange, which may or may not relate to NYU's Wellness program...someone can clarify that for me.
After a long and stressful work day, I left my client's apartment and headed straight back to Manhattan on the 5 train. About 2 or 3 stops in, these two men got on the train, set up 2 congas and a guitar in the middle of the car, and started shouting some things at the passengers. With the exception of the man across from me (who was far too excited), everyone rolled their eyes, looked away, continued their conversations with one another. Because I'm a fan of the conga (and other like percussion instruments), they kept my attention. The man across from me kept jittering and saying to his neighbor, "When are they going to stop talking and start playing?!?!?"
And finally they did. As soon as they started, I couldn't help but smile -- and neither could the woman next to me or the couple across from her. Clearly, these men had chosen a very good song: Three Little Birds (the inspiration for this blog's title!).
By the end of the first verse, more than half the car was singing, humming, swaying, or tapping along. By the end of the chorus, everyone was grooving. One little boy even took a plastic maraca and played along. And as we hit the following stops it got more crowded but definitely more cheery. I swear when I say that people were smiling and laughing and singing, I really mean it was like a scene from a movie. I loved it.
At one point, the guitarist went around to grab the bills from people (he didn't even have to ask!). One woman just stepped on the train from the Wall Street stop and he said to her, "Excuse me, miss. You dropped something." She looked down and back up at him, confused and clearly unhappy with his presence. He smiled and said, "You dropped your smile! I saw it on the floor there and...there you go! It looks good on you. Don't lose that again, okay!" Haha, awesome.
Before they got off the train, they thanked New York and said, "Every little thing's gonna be alright, folks! Keep smiling and let's all try to make this world a better place with some love and happiness!"
Just earlier, I heard my music-buff roommate playing this music video from her computer. She plays a lot of music and a lot of videos so I normally don't notice or inquire, but this time around the first verse of the song made my ears perk up. I heard some Christian-sounding lyrics, which is interesting since my roommate isn't a Christian, so after she finished I asked her about it.
The group is called The Nehemiah Band and were recently featured on MTV Iggy. I was really surprised and intrigued to see that they were an all-Asian group...I always think it's a big deal when Asian-Americans are visible in the movie/music industry. And I was even more impressed that they're a Christian band too. That's like a double minority in the industry!
I woke up this morning at 7:00am to go to work but discovered a ton of texts (followed by a call from my director) about work being closed due to the blizzarding weather.
This is the first time pretty much ever that I have a free Friday (except for holiday and summer breaks). I've never bummed so much before. I spent the morning looking for internships and doing some reading. Around 11:00am, Mallory woke up and we just bummed together. Then darling Esther Lee dropped by (surprise!) and made lunch for us with Jeannie. Figs stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped with onions and bacon? DELISH.
After being a true fatty-at-heart, I spent the entire afternoon not reading my African history book. Instead, I watched YouTube videos. But they're so good! I promise.
Long overdue post on the amazing VulpesVulpes, Tanya's band that has been around for quite some time now and are doing phenomenally well. You might have caught them featured on MTV, introduced by Alexa Chung during the Woodie Awards this past semester.
Recently migrated from Tallahassee, FL, VulpesVulpes is now residing in Brooklyn, NY and taking over the Manhattan music scene at CMJ and places like Santos Party House and Bowery Electric. Tonight, however, they'll be revisiting Long Island and performing at the Crazy Donkey. If you're down for good times and good music, I'll see you there.
Get to know VulpesVulpes a bit:
This video is one of my favorite songs (you know how I love angst) and actually the last time I saw VulpesVulpes live -- moons ago at Blaggard's in midtown:
T, if you're reading this, I know I've said this before but...super proud of you!
In the middle of my weekly supervision meeting with the director of my agency, she stopped, told me to hold on, called all interns and workers into her office via intercom, and showed us this:
We finished our meeting after everyone laughed and left.
This kid is so insanely adorable, I can't get over it. The above video is him playing Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. And below is another video -- rendition of the Beatles -- that I'm putting up simply because his outfit is amazing. (His outfit + performance give off a Joseph Gordon-Levitt feel)
EDIT: Sorry, Douglas, but...
M: if sam has a son in the future this will be him. he just SCREAMS sometimes with his eyes widening G: HAHAH! YES!
They come in different colors (A-live showed up at my apartment tonight -- to pick up a blow-dryer, mind you -- wearing an orange faced shirt) but as far as I can tell, their online store only has the green face. But yeah, you get a free, yet-to-be-released CD with your purchase too. So shop Green Street for new clothes & music.
For those of you who missed it Thursday night, there were indeed glowsticks and cupcakes. The cupcakes were pretty delicious too. I almost didn't go but fortunately my roommate dragged me downtown to the LES. Not only were the performances fresh and the people chill, but the venue (Gallery Bar) is definitely a spot to hit up. Art gallery by day, lounge by night.
Once I have time (& patience) to upload my own pictures, I definitely will. But in the meantime, I'll leave you with some stolen photos from Green Street Records, courtesy of CMCstyles photography.
at the end of each day we should be one step closer to what we should be - javan
do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. - phil. 2:3-4
there's a bright, brand new day in store let me out so this dream's unfurled i'll eat some breakfast then change the world - hairspray
