Once (the recap)

OHMYGOD, yo. Last night's event made me so happy, I thought I would jump out of my skin. I'm going to tackle this post in parts, lest I faint from joy.

The Movie:
It's being pitched as a "musical," but I can't think of a more inappropriate word to describe it. Musicals conjure images of Grease or West Side Story, which is far from what this movie is. The director--John Carney, former bassist of The Frames--likes to call it an "album on film," which is the perfect phrase. I don't want to give away too much from the movie since I know some of you are going to see it when it's in wider release. Carney made a brilliant portrait of Dublin, love, and longing, and you MUST SEE IT.

The Q&A:
Foresters, I made you all proud last night. I asked a question without sounding like a fangirl gushing inaudible, incomprehensible sounds. In fact, I managed to sound semi-normal, verging on intelligent. My question (more or less): (to Glen and Marketa) did you write The Swell Season with this movie in mind? If not, how did the movie and that album come together? Glen answered my question thoughtfully while staring straight at me for about 3 minutes, during which I managed to not crack under the pressure of celebrity interaction. Good progress!

Performance:
Marketa played "If You Want Me" and they both played "Falling Slowly" with Glen's beat up guitar with the hole in it. Need I say they were amazing? It was so intimate and I just kept thinking about how lucky I was to be there.

Regrets:
1. Why the fuck did I leave my camera at home? I was terrified of the "Anti-Piracy" warning on the email confirmation I received that I intentionally left my camera at home. Bollocks, bullshit, bitches, butt. Wouldn't you be scared if you read this:

ANTI-PIRACY ENFORCEMENT

The screening will be monitored for unauthorized recordings. By attending, you agree not to bring any recording devices into the theatre and consent to a physical search of your belongings and person for recording devices. If you attempt to enter with a recording device, you will be denied admission. If you attempt to use a recording device, you consent to your immediate removal from the theatre and forfeiture of the device. Unauthorized recordings will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability.

2. I wish HB were with me. It wasn't the happiest of endings. Thank goodness for dark theaters. You have a few minutes during the credits to mop up your face when you're crying like you're pregnant.

Summary:

What a perfect night! Moonie was great enough to come with me after someone flaked. Boys are so unreliable. After the show, I got to shake hands with Glen, introduce myself, and--I swear this is exactly what he said--"C-----? That's a great name. I'm going to name one of my children that one day." After an autograph and a photo, I was on Cloud 9.

Please, go see this movie. It's on a short tour right now at a few major cities, but then it'll be released in NY and LA on May 18th. The soundtrack comes out on the 22nd, and I know you'll buy it after you see the movie.

P.S. If I HAD MY CAMERA, these photos would be so much better. Sigh.

Once

So excited! If all goes well, I'm going to see a free screening of Once at NYU tomorrow night. Here's the quick and dirty movie summary:

A modern day musical set on the streets of Dublin. Featuring Glen Hansard from the Irish band "The Frames," the film tells the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story.

After the movie, there'll be a Q&A, and a live performance by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (Czech immigrant). Sweet! But, what do I ask? I always like to prepare questions ahead of time, but it's so hard when you're too big of fan. What should I ask?

Q: "Hi, Glen and Marketa. I'm a huge fan of The Frames and of The Swell Season. I was in Dublin with you guys, y'know, ringing in the New Year! I was the Asian girl near the stage...probably a little hard to miss with all the vanilla people around me. Y'know, the one with the camera in your face the whole night? Anyway, I saw you last week when you were in NY. You guys were great! I even got a set list, which was way cool. Anyway, umm, yeah. I didn't really have a question, I guess. It was just a public opportunity to squeal, make inaudible shrill noises, and gush. So, umm, thanks guys!"

No, I can't say that. Someone help me not sound like an ass because without a rehearsal I will say those things above.

The Frames (the recap)

Needless to say, the show was amazing and I loved every minute of it. They played a whopping 21 songs in 2 hours and they would have played another song or two if the venue didn't kick the band out.

HB and I had seats in the far right wing of orchestra (aka-obstructed view) while the first two rows in the theater remained relatively empty. (Either for AMEX gold card holders or the owner's brother). We hemmed and hawed about moving, but were unsure about getting in trouble, worried that the people who had those ticketed seats would show up, blah, blah, but after two songs, Glen Hansard (aka-Irish Jeremy Banks) offered the seats to the first takers. After kicking, shoving, and stepping over bodies, HB and I secured two second row seats in center orchestra. Upgrade!

After the show, I ran to the stage and snagged my very first set list! Wooot!

For the few (if any) Frames fans out there who read this blog, here's the real set list they played:

1. Song for Someone
2. Seven Day Mile
3. The Cost
4. God Bless Mom
5. Stars Are Underground
6. Happy
7. Sad Songs
8. When Your Mind's Made Up
9. What Happens When the Heart Just Stops
10. Rent Day Blues
11. Pavement Tune
12. Fake
13. Your Face
14. Santa Maria
15. Blue Shoes (Colm solo)
16. Leave
17. Finally
18. Revelate
19. Fitzcarraldo
20. Star Star
21. Heyday

The Frames at Town Hall

Love 'em! More details of the awesome show coming soon! Here's a video of "Fake" for your visual and auditory enjoyment.

Tickets

So excited! Got tickets to see The Decemberists at Avalon in Boston (March) and The Frames at Town Hall in New York (April). I may not be able to record any video of either shows, first because the bouncers at Avalon will throw my yellow ass out of the place if they see me with a camera and second because they'll probably be even stricter at Town Hall. Sigh.

That doesn't mean that I won't try.

The Frames-Finally (December 31, 2006) @ Vicar St.

Wooo! My very first video posted on YouTube, and one of my favorite Frames songs to boot. This is from the New Year's Eve show I went to at Vicar St., Dublin, with my better half and my sister. These tickets were worth every inflated Euro I paid on eBay. The Frames rocked the house down!

Sorry for the moments of shaky cam, but I think it's pretty good considering the multitasking (holding camera as steady as possible while keeping drunken Irish fans surrounding me at bay).

I've got more to post as soon as I can figure out how to edit my video down to 100MB. If anyone has advice on doing this, please holler in the comments. Much obliged!

Glen Hansard vs. Jeremy Banks

The first time I ever saw The Frames perform, they were opening for Damien Rice at Avalon in Boston. When lead singer Glen Hansard walked out on the stage, my better half turned to me and quizzically said, "Is that Jeremy?" Since then we've been convinced that Jeremy's been hiding his alternate life as a rocker.

First of all, we've never actually seen these two people together in the same room. The one time we were all supposed to go to a Frames concert together, I conveniently ended up in the hospital and missed the concert. Ya lucked out, Jeremy! I heard you had a great show that night. Wish I didn't miss it.

Second of all, Jeremy scored a 98% on "Bark at the Moon" on Guitar Hero....on the expert level. Hello? That's, like, virtually impossible, unless you have a secret life as a rock god!

Third, take a look at these photos. These two people look exactly alike. Or, more to the point, they're the SAME person. (Sorry for the b/w photo, but they BOTH have red hair.)

Jeremy, why are you hiding your alterego from us? Wouldn't it make life a whole lot easier if you just admitted it? We know you're a hot lead singer of a band and your fans are legion around the world. Embrace your fame!