eu⋅pho⋅nie
/ˈyufəni/
[yoo-fuh-nee]
–noun, plural -nies.
agreeableness of sound; pleasing effect to the ear, esp. a pleasant sounding or harmonious combination or succession of words: the majestic euphony of Milton's poetry.
Origin:
1615–25; < LL euphōnia < Gk euphōnía.
Sounds like: A moody and tattooed boy band from the
wrong side of the tracks
They hail from: Newbury Park, California
What to expect: Atmospheric and angsty rock with Hip
Hop and R&B influences. These songs have the sun drenched quality that
comes with living in suburbia amongst palm trees and eternal sunshine, but with
enough attitude to turn it all on its head.
Fun Fact: The band describes their genre as
“black and white”. Their demo was initially written with rap verses, but the
lead singer, Jesse Rutherford, decided he’d rather sing and they were removed.
Standout Tracks: Sweater Weather, Female Robbery
Lyrics ”The goosebumps start to raise/ The minute that my
left hand meets your waist/ And then I watch your face/ Put my finger on your
tongue/ ‘Cause you love the taste.”
Brand New's Deja Entendu came out 10 years ago today. This album continues to be one of my favorite. It had a darkness not seen in Your Favorite Weapon. All 10 tracks were memorable. I loved how Jesse Lacey channeled Morissey. There were layers to the lyrics and the melodies. All of the themes of leaving home and yearning for something more really resonated with me.
They took the dual vocals to the next level. It was beyond pop-punk. It was grown-up.
Unfortunately, this was also the last Brand New album that I really loved. But it will always be one of my favorites.
I appreciate Zooey Deschanel. I watch New Girl religious. I love her quirky mannerisms and sense of humor and her clothes and her bangs. But I know a lot of people think she is too much, especially after this Siri commercial.
Yes, Zooey, it's rain. Duh.
A corresponding Twitter parody account has finally surfaced, called Zooey Asks Siri.
Some amusing ones include:
Siri, find me directions to that place with the ducks.
— Zooey Asks Siri (@ZooeySiri) April 28, 2013
Siri, do clocks work backwards below the equator?
— Zooey Asks Siri (@ZooeySiri) April 23, 2013
Siri, how many scarves is too many scarves?
— Zooey Asks Siri (@ZooeySiri) May 22, 2013
Every day, it seems blogs like Gothamist report that a Lower East Side or NYC institution is closing. Former greatdive bars and now changing into condos for the wealthy. Other great bars are being pushed out to Brooklyn.
NJ.com reported that Maxwell's will be closing at the end of July. When I first read this story yesterday, I was very upset. It is just like another victim of change.
As a resident of New Jersey, I've really come to appreciate this place. It is located about 6 miles from my apartment. The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail can take me there in about 10 minutes. They have good food, cheap beer, friendly bartenders, and have hosted some great shows. It is like an oasis from the rest of Hoboken. It was only a matter of time that this venue that has been open since the late 1970s would shut it doors.
+ + +
I first went to Maxwell's in 2007 to see Jesse Lacey (of Brand New) and Kevin Devine play an acoustic show. I had never been to Hoboken. I hated New Jersey. But a friend of mine had an extra ticket to this show so I jumped at the chance. I traveled from my house in Queens, through to the tunnel to this unknown location. 30 minutes later, I was in New Jersey.
Probably for the only time ever, I easily pulled into a parking spot right on Washington Street. When I got to the venue, I was immediately struck by how unique this place was. The front felt like an old restaurant. The walls had exposed brick and they were lined with interesting artwork. There was no stage in sight.
After our dinner and cocktails, we traveled to the backroom. I was shocked with how tiny the venue was. It was smaller than any NYC venue I had never been to. It had a different feel. It felt like people really wanted to be there.
We stood on the bleachers near the sound booth and strapped in for what was one of the best acoustic shows I had ever seen. Even now, I remember how personal the vibe of the room felt. People yelled out questions during lulls in the set. Everyone was attentive and sang along. I felt like I was experiencing something truly memorable with 200 of my closest friends. As I write this, I am shocked that I remember it so well.
Suddenly, I didn't mind New Jersey.
+ + +
Since that show in 2007, I've probably been to about a half a dozen shows there. There was Ted Leo on New Years Eve, Dum Dum Girls, and a lot more I can't remember. I will never forget those 3 Yo La Tengo Hanukkah shows, which were all a cornucopia of surprise special guests and covers. Where else could I have seen a lecture about fake Beatles bands (by WFMU DJ Gaylord Fields) opening for underrated indie band Yo La Tengo.
In a scene where everything seems to be mostly the same, Maxwell's was something else.
Here is a video from that show in 2007 when I really fell in love with Maxwell's.
I will miss it dearly.
If you're interested, Wikipedia has a history of Maxwell's.And if you have not had a chance to go there yet, please do. It is a gem of a place. And soon it will be gone forever (or until it relocates).
