La la la…

-Big O

Mute Math (L to R: Greg Hill, Paul Meany, Darren King, Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas)

On Friday night, Mute Math performed their last show on the Armistice Tour at The Nokia Theatre Times Square. I cannot divulge too much information, all of the juicy details must be saved for my AQ review. What I must say, is that they continue to become better, more inspirational, and more inventive, in leaps and bounds. I’ll leave you with a short and vague pro/con list. As you will see, the con list is very short. I’ll post my photos and my review when they are done.

PROS
• Front man Paul Meany did a fantastic Sting impression – whether or not he meant to, will remain a mystery.
• Bassist Roy Mitchell-Cárdenas played a stand-up bass with pure perfection.
• Drummer Darren King – as I was aware he would – crowd surved via standing on one of his drums, then leaned back, and let go.
• Guitarist Greg Hill’s melody is still unwavering and gorgeous.
• Their ability to jam, rearrange songs, and play them completely unlike their recording is something I will NEVER tire of hearing and watching. They do it unlike any other band I have ever seen and have definitely trademarked their style.

CONS
• It felt like there were 200 other photographers in the pit with me, and there was not much room to move. I hate it when that happens.
• So many of the lights on stage were pointed AT us, and not down on the band. That can sometimes make for not-so-great photos.
• The band played my favorite song as of late, “Armistice,” the title track off their current album – but without the horns. You have no idea how upset I was.

http://www.myspace.com/mutemath
http://www.mutemath.com

xoxo
Olivia

Lions by Sarah Gray-Perez

I woke up at 6:30 on Tuesday morning, got a bunch of things done, then hopped in my car, drove across the GW, and picked up my buddy Sarah and her two-year-old son Julian so that we could go to the Bronx Zoo. I spent a good percentage of my childhood years there, marveling at the elephants. Unfortunately the elephants were not out, but we got to see all the big cats, which excites me almost as much. On one hand, the zoo makes me sad, but on the other, relieved that the animals are safe. I often wish that lions were not carnivorous or at all interested in sometimes hurting humans who get too close, because all I want to do is cuddle with one. They are magnificently gorgeous creatures, who I often compare Rusty, my orange/blonde striped Domestic Long Hair cat to – not only because of his color, but also because of his attitude, saunter, and very large paws. I also say he yawns like a lion, and received confirmation as I walked over to the Bronx Zoo lions and witnessed one yawn twice. An exact replica of what I witness on a daily basis.

Jesse Blaze Snider at Highline Ballroom © Olivia Taubner/Rockin' Roll Photography

After I dropped them home, I parked my car and took the A train downtown to 14th with my friend Sara(without an h). It was time to head over to Highline Ballroom to interview Jesse Blaze Snider – who yes, is the son of Twisted Sister’s Dee Snider, one of the best frontmen in the history of music, but more than anything a huge talent in his own right. I think we’ve talked about doing an interview for at least two years now. So at long last, we had 15 minutes to sit down backstage and talk amongst the members of seven bands beginning to change and prepare for the show. Once we finished, the doors weren’t opening for another half hour, and the show wasn’t starting for an hour after that, so Sara and I decided to go get dinner and regroup before heading back to Highline once again.

Snider headlined a showcase of local bands titled “All Things Rock” put together by Break’n Through, to benefit VH1′s Save The Music Foundation, which is one of my absolute favorite charities in existence. I spotted Paulie Z. (according to Paulie’s Twitter, his brother David Z. was there as well) from rock band ZO2, who have their own show Z Rock on IFC (Sundays @11/10c), as well as Kevin Christiana from season 4 of Bravo’s Project Runway, although I didn’t know it at the time. Sara and I knew we knew him – but not from where. He appeared to be a chick magnet, and later an excited drunk in front of the stage, with his friend constantly yelling in my ear about who he was – “He’s Kevin Christiana! Uh, Jesse just thanked him onstage! Didn’t you hear?! Do you want to take his photo?!” – while I was photographing Snider’s set. Interesting, to say the least. As we walked down west 16th after leaving the venue Sara shouted “Project Runway!” and an episode with Christiana flashed by in my memory. DUH.

After grabbing a Dunkaccino to heal my exhausted mind and my ailing back and shoulder region due to a half broken camera bag that weighs more than I do, we collapsed on the A train and then drove back home to “Dirty Jerz.”

FYI, only a selection of exits along the Turnpike are ACTUALLY dirty, but thanks for such a swell nickname.

VH1′s Save The Music Foundation: http://www.vh1savethemusic.com/
Break’n Through: http://www.breaknthrough.com
Jesse Blaze Snider: http://www.facebook.com/JesseSniderMusic
Fibromyalgia Research: http://www.nfra.net/

xoxo
Olivia

Mariano Rivera & Derek Jeter

Tonight, the New York Yankees won their 27th World Series Championship.

Throughout my 22 years on this Earth thus far, a great amount of my memories have to do with this wonderful team – even while in the womb, I caused my mom to head for the bathroom at the old Yankee Stadium, and my parents got a foul ball on the way. I started going to games around the age of seven, knowing all about the game and the players on the team, telling everyone sitting around me – who would listen – about Paul O’Neill and Bernie Williams. Now, my heart goes to Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, two of the coolest guys in baseball. Love for this team has been passed down generation to generation on my father’s side, and I will of course continue the tradition. All they have ever done is bring me happiness and inspiration.

All of the Yanks are extremely talented team players who are nothing but human and constantly enjoy the game of baseball. You can always see Jeter giggling and playfully punching one of his fellow players, or – like during this series – talking to good friend and Philadelphia shortstop Jimmy Rollins while on first base.  They don’t take anything too seriously – just seriously enough. They know they’re good, and they use that confidence to play well, not flaunt it. They also find joy in seeing their friends on other teams play well and win.

The Phillies are an extremely talented team and a bunch of really good guys, which is why this series was so much fun; a challenge always is. I would have been happy for them if they had won.

Congrats to my Bronx Bombers and A-Rod for his first series – and win – ever! ♥

“No thinking – that comes later. You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head. The first key to writing is… to write, not to think! “

- FINDING FORRESTER

Michael Jackson

This year I spent my Halloween – aside from watching Game 3 of the World Series – seeing Michael Jackson’s This Is It.

Somehow Jackson’s death bred more ignorance than ever before – or at least I heard it more often. I truly believe to the depths of my soul that the allegations of child molestation are as true as President George W. Bush being intelligent.

Here was a man who had no childhood whatsoever, and was constantly abused by – and afraid of – his own father. He had no idea what it was like to sit at home and watch TV, or go outside and play with his friends; his freedom was taken away before it even began, and as an adult, all he wanted to do was regain some part of it. His genuine innocence and immaturity in the social areas of his life were clearly noticeable, as if he were still a child. So when he had children over all the time, and let them sleep in his bed with him, to him it was just a slumber party, and nothing more. He, himself, felt like a child, so he spent time with many of them, and made sure that their childhoods flourished and were fully enjoyable, unlike his own.

The portion of his life that was full of maturity and confidence, was linked simultaneously with his music. This Is Is showcases his perfectionism and attention to detail in making music, and performing it. He truly intended on giving his audiences what they paid for, and more, with detailed videos filmed in front of green screens, lights, fire, a cherry picker, and cinema-style costumes, just to name a few amazing aspects of the would-be performances. Nothing went without fine-tuning and perfecting, from dance steps, to melody, to tempo, to video and lights [someone very closed to me once worked with Jackson and said that he actually stopped rehearsal and had a light moved before continuing - he understood and paid attention to it all]. The show was not to go on with anything or anyone out of place. This documentary was an appropriate look into what lent a hand in keeping Jackson going, and the only facet of his life that contributed to any sanity, safety, and happiness that he may have held on to. It shows his character, credibility, talent, as well as his kindness and honesty toward those he worked with and loved, and the true dedication and love for the music he made. It was wonderful to see a glimpse of what would have become of those rehearsals. I’m deeply saddened that those shows did not come to fruition.

Michael Jackson was not a child molester. He was a man who loved children, as a friend and as a father. He was a man who loved our planet, and those who showed love, kindness, and respect for him as he did for them; a visibly gentle, creative, and empathetic soul, who will never cease to be missed on so many levels. The tears of appreciation alone, from the dancers in the beginning of This Is It, who flew from as far as Australia to audition for the dates in London, say it all. The impact Jackson had on people of all walks of life, is a huge part of his legacy, and always will be.

“I am absolutely devastated at this tragic and unexpected news. For Michael to be taken away from us so suddenly at such a young age, I just don’t have the words. Divinity brought our souls together on The Wiz and allowed us to do what we were able to throughout the ’80s. To this day, the music we created together on Off The Wall, Thriller and Bad is played in every corner of the world and the reason for that is because he had it all…talent, grace, professionalism and dedication. He was the consummate entertainer and his contributions and legacy will be felt upon the world forever. I’ve lost my little brother today, and part of my soul has gone with him.” — Quincy Jones

- Olivia Taubner

“Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony.”

- MOHANDAS GANDHI

Collective Soul/Rabbit

-Olivia Taubner

Armistice

Paul Meany once told me without a hint of egotism that Mute Math’s sophomore effort would be “all over the map” and “an amazing record.” He couldn’t have been more accurate. Armistice is a gigantic leap forward for the colorful New Orleans ensemble, who have the undemanding ability to slide into new and audacious territory with this addition to their catalog. A gorgeously eclectic combination of eerie strings and strapping horns grace this record, along with Mute Math’s signature seamless mix of electronic and traditional instrumentation. Their melodic and solid rhythm section and relatable lyrics haven’t left either, something a lot of contemporary artists unfortunately stray from. If you’d like to enroll in “groove therapy,” pop in the record, skip to the title track, and brace yourself. For a dose of sentiment with piano and strings, continue on with “Lost Year,” then start from the top. This entire record will no doubt send you reeling.

-Olivia Taubner