Making “The” Band

Note: this post isn’t about the MTV show credited for bringing us such quality acts as O-TOWN and Danity Kane.

If you were like me in elementary school and went through a phase of wanting to start a band (let’s face it, my roommate and I thought about in college too), then you’ve definitely brainstormed potential band names at some point in your life. My first experience with this was on the playground during recess. My friends and I found a spot on the pavement that had a splotch of tar in a star shape. That was our stage and we were the stars. I believe our band name was Triple A (yes, like the insurance company) because all of our names started with the letter “a” and we thought it was a clever play on words.  Triple A never signed a record deal or had a number one hit, but that “band” gave us a sense of belonging and purpose; something that made us feel more important than three 10-year-old girls.

I wonder if people in actual bands get the same feeling. I’ve always thought there was something romantic and nostalgic about being in a band. The combination of being a part of an entity bigger than yourself and collectively creating music that inspires people. But as good as your music is, you can’t ignore that first impressions do exist. And for a band, that first impression is your band name.

I started thinking about how a band gets its name to stand out among thousands of other bands out there. I can relate because growing up there was always more than one Amanda in my class. Triple A could have been Octuple A. So is there a way to make your band name stick out more? Is that why do so many bands call themselves “The               “? Does the initial “The” give a band more credibility or somehow strengthen ownership of the name?

Whatever the reasoning behind it, the “The” band trend has stood the test of time and crosses all genres: the Beatles, the Beach Boys, the Four Seasons, the Carpenters, the Cure, the Flaming Lips, the Strokes, the Game, the Pussycat Dolls, the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. Just to name a few.

But I’ve noticed an emerging trend that’s taking a run at title for the best-formula-for-a-band-name since the “The               ” band trend. Or maybe I just notice insignificant things. It’s really not that much different, it’s just about where you put the word “The”. Maybe you’ve noticed this too. Instead of putting “The” at the beginning of a band name, you put it in the middle à la Foster the People, Young the Giant, Pedro the Lion, Portugal. The Man, Minus the Bear, Dry the River. (My theory is that Toad the Wet Sprocket was way ahead of its time and unknowingly started this trend in the late eighties)

While I’m inclined to latch onto the trend because I like all the bands I know that have adopted this template, I’m not sure that these names will make the same first impression a “The               ” band would. I also have a hard time understanding the meaning behind the band names. But maybe that’s the point. I’m left to wonder what the name means, therefore, remembering the band. Ah I see what you did, sneaky clever bands.

Who knows, maybe I’ll discover a band out there called Triple the A.

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Music Magic

Sight, smell, touch. These are all senses that can help remind us of fond memories, bringing us right back to the places and people we remember. But every now and then, you encounter music that evokes nostalgia in a way that no other vehicle can. There’s that magical moment when voices and instruments combine seamlessly in a way that isn’t just something you hear, it’s something you feel. It’s rare enough to encounter a song that gives you that feeling. But last night, I found an entire album! Shallow Bed is the latest album from Dry the River, an English folk-rock band who, in my mind, are absolute geniuses.

As if I wasn’t already head over heels for this band, they did a live concert. On a riverboat. In Amsterdam. Need I say more?

To top it off, I just found out that they’re coming to a cafe in Arlington, VA on May 19th. The bad news is that you can’t buy tickets in advance, so you better believe I will fight for a spot in that concert if I have to. What can I say, their music just gives me a lot of feelings!

Cool Suits, Dope Boots

This has been stuck in my head for DAYS and now it will be stuck in your head too.

You’re welcome.

Cool suits, dope boots.

It’s Epic Friday

I apologize. It’s been quite a while since I’ve posted a Friday music video. Then I came across this gem today, and it was just too epic not to share. Christopher Columbus would be proud that you started your long weekend in style. Stephen Colbert, Jimmy Fallon, Taylor Hicks, a dance team, aliens, and what looks to be the abominable snowman? Seems like a holiday weekend to me. Don’t worry, the Friday Friday postings are back with a bang. Enjoy!

Music, Lasers, and Animal Heads

I like my Music Mondays. It’s a necessary part of starting the work week. Listening to music at my desk; I find myself escaping to another place, and for a second I actually forget that it isn’t the weekend anymore. I may not be what you would call a die-hard music person that’s able to do a weekend-long event like Lollapalooza or Bonnaroo, but I did manage to go to the Virgin Mobile FreeFest this past Saturday. It’s September, and I’m totally okay with continuing to go to outdoor concerts and extend summer just a little bit longer.

Being an outdoor concert, it’s expected that there would be trees and animals. Freefest had both, except the animals were performing on stage and the trees were filled with lasers. Ah the great outdoors. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t understand what the deal is with music groups wearing animal mascot heads in their performances. Freefest was no exception to the furry-headed trend with performances by the Teddybears and Deadmau5. I just think my head would get hot and I’d probably topple over. I would much prefer glitter, face paint, and light shows.

Speaking of light shows, I ended FreeFest in the dance forest with Ghostland Observatory. I wish I could recreate the laser show they had during their performance. Since I can’t do it through words, here’s a clip of the show from Saturday. Enjoy!

It’s Instrumental Friday

I feel bad about skipping last week, so I’m back on the search for the best covers of Rebecca Black’s Friday. Today I found this super chill instrumental version for your listening pleasure. Sit back and enjoy. Happy Friday everyone!

It’s Friday, Friday

Since this song is unfortunately going to be stuck in my head every Friday for the rest of my life, I’m now determined to find a better version so I won’t feel quite as embarrassed listening to it at work. In order for me to not get sick of it, I might have to alternate between this song and Katy Perry’s TGIF. I honestly can’t decide which one is worse. As I started my search on Youtube, I found an endless list of video covers. I guess I’m not the only one who can’t get this song out of their head. (Sung to the tune of the song, obviously) Which one should I piiiick? Then I thought, why choose when I can listen to a different one every Friday. Get excited. It’s Friday, Friday!

Kicking things off is this brother duo and their folksy rendition of Friday. This version is sure to get your toes tapping. Also, check out their version of Katy Perry’s E.T. (here)

Monday Morning Breakfast

This is definitely my favorite performance of this season’s So You Think You Can Dance. Contestant Sasha and all-star Twitch performed a heartfelt hip-hop routine about a couple sitting down to breakfast. They’ve done this same morning routine for years, and it’s slowly taken a toll on their relationship. Sasha finally gets up, kicks back her chair, and jumps on the table. Twitch puts aside his newspaper, and the stage ignites. It’s about a couple rediscovering their love for each other. Watching the performance, I found myself overlooking the individual dance moves. I got lost in the story.

Beating the Heat with Cool Tunes

As they say in Boston, “It’s gunna be a scorcha!”

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

I’ve walked by several community gardens in D.C. and every time I do, I get the urge to start growing my own food. I’ve killed a lot of plants in my day, but being the Wellesley Woman that I am, I will never stop trying. Like many people, I try my best to buy local and organic when I can, but sometimes it isn’t that easy or inexpensive to do. Slowly but surely, the local food movement is growing and one local food campaign is trying to make it more accessible for D.C. residents

The Eat Local First campaign is working to promote the benefits of eating locally grown food, foster a true sense of community through residential gardens, and make local food more accessible in the D.C. area. The campaign was started by the D.C. non-profit Think Local First DC as a way to promote growing a sustainable local economy. You can participate in Eat Local First Week by going to your local farmers market, making a pledge to eat local foods, or attending one of their events.

Explore community gardens in the Shaw area at tomorrow’s Edible Garden Tour, starting at Old City Green garden shop. On Saturday there’s a fun-filled Farm-to-Street Party, where you’ll sample local food and drink. There’s also a pie eating contest and dunking booth to keep you entertained. If you want to make your entire weekend focused on local food, be sure to check out the several farmer’s markets in the D.C. area (here). I enjoy spending many summer Sundays at the one in Dupont Circle. I also go to the one by the White House after work on Thursdays.

Several restaurants are also participating in the local food campaign by having a Farm-to-Table Restaurant Week. The week consists of specials and discounts on locally grown menu items. Click here to see a list of participating restaurants.