good evening! so last night i was so lucky to attend pj harvey's (join her on myspace) only show here in los angeles - in fact it was only one of two shows she had planned for the states to showcase her new haunting album white chalk (she played NYC last week) i've been a fan of ms. harvey's for over ten years now - i originally discovered her through a friend who convinced me that i needed to listen to her album to bring you my love - i was instantly sold upon first listen on the british girl who could be kicking it one minute - howling the next - then possibly reducing to a sexy whisper or growl - her 'take no prisoners' rock element was always there - that's probably why her latest 8th studio album actually threw me for a total loop! it's stripped down - bare - quiet & intimate - it wasn't what i was expecting at all but after last night's show and a number of listens today - i'm very impressed and quite like her latest outing - it just takes a little getting into!
she played completely solo - no backup band - employing a myriad of instruments including electric & acoustic guitar, piano, a cymbal, a harmonica, a mini-harp, plus she had drum loops! she was dressed in this white victorian style dress - which seemed straight of of wuthering heights (the same one on the cover of her latest album - probably not the most comfortable thing to wear while rocking out) lyrics to her songs were scrawled all over it which she joked about - through the evening she came across as confident, friendly but shy & timid as well - she ran through a bunch of new & old material playing about an hour and thirty minutes - her voice was stunning - and the vintage feel of the orpheum theater (built back in the 1920s) helped add to the overall classy - and a drop creepy feel - but creepy in a very good way - if that makes any sense at all!
pj reminded me of a lonely (but not sad) semi-mad scientist cooking up musical spells & potions on stage decorated with various odd knick-knacks (which would make the perfect diorama) yes she's a little kooky but gosh what a talent - i could go on & on about her! at age 37 - she's still in her prime - i know we'll be hearing much more from ms. polly jean! many thanks go out to popbytes' pals sam & penny for helping me secure an amazing seat to witness pj harvey's sheer musical brilliance in person! (special shout outs to euan & angel as well) below i've posted two pictures from the show - a video of her 'down by the water' performance - as well as a live performance of 'white chalk' from last month - an incredible track from her latest album! i've been loving going to all these shows recently and this friday i'll be attending the ultimate guilty pleasure show...marc anthony & jennifer lopez - i'm so stoked! popbytes over & out for tonight...xxoo! (oh my gosh i almost forgot - when i left the venue i purchased this awesome hand silk screened poster made by 'vox pop press' commemorating the night for $10 bucks - which i'm so getting framed!)
setlist -
to bring you my love
send his love to me
when under ether
the devil
white chalk
man-size
angelene
my beautiful leah
nina in ecstasy
electric light
shame
snake
big exit
down by the water
grow grow grow
the mountain
silence
JAMES MCAVOY IS MEAN! Tuesday May 13 2008 @ 8:25PM FILED UNDER ACTORS + MAGAZINES COMMENTS (2) | PERMALINK | STUMBLE
hey hey! is anybody else besides me excited for the upcoming film wanted (releasing june 27th) starring angelina jolie and cutie scot james mcavoy? (i posted the trailer back in march) i love seeing ms. jolie starring in action flicks and i became a huge fan of mr. mcavoy's after
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A SPICE GIRLS BABY BOOM? Tuesday May 13 2008 @ 7:53AM FILED UNDER GOSSIP COMMENTS (1) | PERMALINK | STUMBLE
good morning everyone! last week uk tabloid magazine closer had victoria beckham pegged as being pregnant with her fourth child - and this week two of her fellow spice girls join her on the cover this week with the forecast of a 'spice baby boom' - again they're claiming posh
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GNARLS BARKLEY - GOING ON - VIDEO! Sunday May 11 2008 @ 2:27PM FILED UNDER WATCH COMMENTS (0) | PERMALINK | STUMBLE
hi guys! here's the latest gnarls barkley video (shot down in jamaica) for their second single going on off the duo's brand new album the odd couple which i would highly recommend picking up if you haven't already - it's a perfect album to toss on at your summer barbecue!
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THE WORLD'S UGLIEST DOG... Friday May 9 2008 @ 7:50PM FILED UNDER RANDOM COMMENTS (0) | PERMALINK | STUMBLE
hey hey! next month the 20th annual world's ugliest dog contest will be held at the sonoma-marin fair located in petaluma, ca (on june 20th) although there really is no such thing as an ugly dog...beauty is in the eye of the owner and although some of the candidates pictured
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PJ HARVEY DOES LOS ANGELES IN STYLE!