4:15 p.m. is not early enough to leave New Haven to get to Brooklyn by 5 p.m. and I knew this. I accepted the fact that I wasn’t going to get to McCarren Pool when the door opened then, AND I slowly accepted the fact that I’d miss the opening act at 6:15 p.m. and not get my usual spot close to the stage. (I still don’t understand why the opening act was so early. I mean, I guess if you lived/worked in Brooklyn or Manhattan that would be a fine time, but I feel like there were people coming from outside that area — and it’s on a weeknight so a lot of people have work or school or whatever — BUT I can’t expect for show times to cater to my needs or anyone else’s.) After about 3 hours of traveling time (that includes trip to train station, the train ride itself, and subway and transfer) I got to the park for the end of the Broken Social Scene (presents Kevin Drew, whatever) set. I saw a total of 3 songs, 2 of which were just regular BSS songs that I’ve seen live already (huff) but still, I didn’t miss them completely. Even though, they were a big part of the reason that I came, and I was a little disappointed for being lame and not just taking off earlier and in general, for not living in New York. To make up for my feelings, I made fun of the hipsters (in my mind, I was by myself) and grumbled something about trust-funds and not having to work and therefore get to McCarren Pool on time. But seriously, do “scene” people work?
A few people in the crowd seemed to be into Broken Social Scene presents Kevin Drew’s Spirit If (that’s totally too long to type, btw — and even though I do like the album quite a bit, I’m still skeptical about the whole “presents….blahblahblah” title. I think it has quite a few people confused, too. Why bother with putting BSS’s name on it? Don’t most people know who Kevin Drew is… who are also familiar with BSS? I’m always stuck next to some fucking know it all at a BSS show who knows EVERYONE who has ever played with BSS and all their side projects and side projects of side projects and they drone on about it totally boring their listener to death. I’ve been to a few BSS shows, so I’m going to make a conclusion that either it’s the same guy I always get stuck hearing OR that more than a few people know this info. THEREFORE, Kevin Drew, don’t be lame and take a chance. If your promoter is ANYTHING like Feist’s you’ll do just fine.) (Sorry.) In any case, they sounded fine — not with the same energy I’m used to seeing them have and it seemed they were a little rushed with the small amount of time they had on stage, but they’re gonna be back in NY at some point for their own show, I’m sure. That way I can hear the same show again? Maybe I just like BSS as it was. I miss Andrew Whiteman, I think he’s an integral part of the band, but he’s got his own thing going on, and it’s not REALLY BSS. Or is it? Perhaps I’ll skip out on the next show. Especially if it’s in Brooklyn.
Seriously, I happen to love Broken Social Scene, but I also happen to REALLY love the Broken Social Scene from a few years back when I first saw them live and there were like, a billionty people on the stage and there was this great energy (and really, it was a great feeling and vibe and I know I’m talking like a hippy, but that’s just how it was) and they were happy to be what they’re doing and it all hadn’t gone to Kevin Drew’s head and he was a lot more humble and modest. I like that in a performer. I know it’s asking a lot, though.
The show was sold out. Whether it was for Feist or for BSS or for both, that in itself was amazing. There were a lot of people. Feist, herself, couldn’t get over it, and the entire audience witnessed a humble moment when she mentioned it… “It only took….” she looks at her watch “10 years!” saying something to the effect that it’s taken her 10 years for her to get to this point. I witnessed something similar when I saw Sloan (not last time, but the one before that? It’s a blur, I’ve seen them so many times) perform and Chris Murphy remarked how well their album was selling and wished that selling that many albums would have come earlier in their career. I wonder if this will be a trend with Canadian artists, finally making it in the U.S. — whatever that means — long long long after they thought it would happen. I dunno, I feel bad, because bands like Sloan and BSS and Feist mean so much to me and they “made it” a while ago with me and it’s like, “DUH, people are slow in AMURIKAH! You gotta give them time.”
But Feist was excellent. I admit I like her live performance WAY better than just sitting at home and listening to her album (is that wrong?) But she’s so captivating. I read a few entires about the show and one review stuck out: Feist knows exactly how to command the attention of a huge crowd but still make you feel like she’s singing for you and you alone. - Darcy James Argue Yes, that’s it exactly. She really has a great sense of humor and doesn’t ever forget about the crowd and it’s so fun to see her rock out cuz her guitar is bigger than her. ha.
I left, early, because I had lots of traveling and didn’t want to get home too late (and waiting for 5000 some odd people to shuffle out of the pool would be too fucking long to wait for). Last song I heard as I turned the corner was “Mushaboom”, but I saw the setlist later, and she played a song after that and 3 for the encore. I left happy, though, and less bitter about everything. Aw, thanks, Feist!
Right now, I’m reading Nathaniel Hawthorne’s Twice Told Tales… there are a few short stories in there that I’ve read before, but some I’ve missed (although, I don’t know how). I’m reading them online, actually, because I had some time at work to read. I was reading this story, The Minister’s Black Veil, (it’s one of my favorites) and wondered if any church has touched upon Hawthorne’s works in their religious studies. No matter how you read the stories, there is a strong religious theme (although, maybe not something that a traditional church would want to bring up? I mean, I read some of his short stories in my Literature of the Supernatural class. That wasn’t Christian at all 
)
Watched Picnic at Hanging Rock the other night. I really need to buy that movie and watch it many more times.
And, I’m listening to a lot of CBC Radio 3 at work. As well as some “The Sound of Young America” podcasts — mostly because Michael Cera and Paul F. Tompkins were featured recently and they had me giggling at my desk, for sure. Lots of Inbreds, lots of BSS presents… the longest most boring and annoying title for a band ever that I want to die every time I mention it because I feel like I have to say the name right because that’s how I am but I can’t just for spite, lots of bands from Canada that I can never see because I don’t live in Toronto (LLIONS I HATE YOU), and an obscene amount of the Avalanches and Chemical Brothers. So there.
I’m really tired.