coachellaweekend2rs

[coachellaweekend2rs]

White Arrows - Day Three

One of the few bands in my life that I can proudly state that "I've known since before they were big". And they're not even big yet! I found out about them about 4 years ago and they're still only on the very last line of the Coachella line up. Of course, I had some help in their discovery. 

Sometimes in my sophomore history class the teacher would allow us to play music out loud while we quietly worked. Obviously we had to vote on a single person to DJ and for some reason the class would vote me in. I could not begin to tell you why I was chosen, I was certainly one of the LEAST popular kids in school. Anyway, one day, someone asked me to look up a band called "White Arrows" so I found their myspace page (because that was something people used back then) and played their tracks. I was pleasantly surprised at what I heard. White Arrows is fun to dance to yet they're not "dancey". The Voyeur is a very interesting song in both it's music and lyrics. It depicts a pretty interesting story.. Have a listen, and if so inclined, catch em  on Sunday, Day Three of Coachella Festival 2013!

P.S. Later on, when I visited the myspace again, I saw a picture of my classmate in the "heroes" section. I found this to be a bit odd and did a bit of research. Turns out, he's the lead singer's younger brother! I think he ended up joining later on... I'm still not quite sure.

[coachellaweekend2rs]

Soberchella, Vol 1. - Nicolai D.

     My name is Nicolai Dorian and I love music. I was asked to write about my sober Coachella experience. I thought I’d share it with you all. I am not one for smoking, drinking or anything of the sort. I do partake in sugar but that is about as hard as it gets. As I have not gone to Coachella under the influence before, I will not be a great authority on the comparison. I think I am writing this more to show that if you can’t get a hold of some drank from the beer garden, or you can’t find any good ganja, then you can still have a fuck of a time!

     I loved practically every minute of Coachella 2012. From the headliners like the Black Keys, Radiohead, Girl Talk, Arctic Monkeys and Florence + the Machine to the fine print of Thundercat, SBTRKT, tUnE-yArDs, SebastiAn, GIRLS and so many choice others. At the heart of the Coachella Valley Music Festival, there is music.

     I didn’t know what to expect from Coachella. Before the festival I was actually intimidated by how many people would be there, the fashion competition, the long weekend ahead of me, and plenty of thoughts of “am I going to lose my friends in the first second?”, “am I going to pass out from the heat!?”. As soon as I stepped off the shuttle on the way to the security checkpoint I couldn’t wait to run to the tents to see GIVERS and Breakbot (my first picks of day one). I walked into the festival unbelievably excited, with butterflies partying in my stomach. I was so full of energy and anticipation. I knew I had to be in the right state of mind this weekend. I needed to be willing to experience anything. I couldn’t have that rigid of a schedule as far as the bands I wanted to see. I needed to adopt a level of carelessness. I knew there was going to be some bands that I missed and that was ok. I believe to have fun at Coachella you have to have a level of selfishness. You can’t try to please your friends or you will miss out on what you want to do, if they don’t want to do the same things. Because of this, whenever I wanted to go see a band or hang with other people, I would just go. I didn’t worry about staying with the people I came with. Side note: I went with my best friend and his girlfriend. If you are single, go with other single people. Do not go with a couple. It will put a big downer on the whole weekend. Don’t be the third wheel.

     I felt a part of this big group that was all here together. Existing as one giant consciousness. Every crowd I walked into, I felt welcome. Even the smells of sweat, grass, alcohol, cigarette and weed smoke made me feel comfortable. I was alone about half of the time and it was great. I just roamed around listening to bands I wanted to listen to. Getting to the very front of the crowd to see Girl Talk and dancing my ass of with random people, meeting some people from Mexico who love Radiohead more than I do, dancing to Dada Life with hot chicks that I had no chance with, getting dust in all crevices of my body while the Mosh Pit I entered raged to the Hives; these were all incredible experiences that I will never forget.

     The blazing hot days and the freezing cold nights of the Coachella Valley contribute to the overall attitude of the weekend. It’s a story about defeating the weather of this earth to party all day and night long. There is literally never a dull moment. Even when I was simply sitting in the grass waiting for The Growlers to start, I was in a pure state of mind. I was in a trance the entire weekend, induced by the fact that I was in the utmost present time and space. Living in one collectively temporary zone. I would trade that weekend for nothing. I can honestly say it was the greatest weekend of my entire life. I can’t wait to have even more fun this time in 2013!

~Nicolai

[coachellaweekend2rs]

Wolfgang Gartner, although an alias, lends itself as a proper title to this prolific producer (or composer, as I would describe him). Joey Youngman is the man behind the whole call and demand style of progressive house that has taken over dance floors all over the world. Using classical sounds and composures, Wolfgang really wears his knowledge of music comprehension on his sleeve. In a saturated scene that sees many carbon copies of true art this musician has set himself apart from many acts this day and age of electronic art. Simply put, this guy has eclectic intelligent tracks that always deliver for the avid electro listener or the newbie to the party. At this point in his career, I only expect to see the best from this dude. Definitely one of the biggest electro acts on the bill this year. 

~Joe

[coachellaweekend2rs]

La Roux - Day Three

I like this video because it really demonstrates what I think my state of mind would be like if I were to embark on a DMT trip. I've always thought La Roux was fun, ever since I heard Skream's remix of In For the Kill. There was definitely a point in my life where I was more into the band than I am now but seeing as how I've never had a chance to see them, I'm really excited to check them out at Coachella!

Here I am dressed up as the front woman, Elly Jackson, at Hard Haunted Mansion (a music festival during Halloween weekend) in 2010. Gotta give it up to the madre for slaving over that awesome jacket she procured. Pictured next to some random gay dude who was a vampire…

~Stella

[coachellaweekend2rs]

Metric. Where do I even start? Deciding on a single mp3 to post was difficult. I figured I had better pick a song that was easily likable, however I didn’t want to pick one of their bigger hits. If I hadn’t created that little clause in my decision making I probably would’ve decided on Monster Hospital (MSTRKRFT Remix), because it was the first song I ever heard by them. Back in the day, when I still bought all my music on iTunes, I used the “suggested songs” section to discover more music for myself and this was one I fell in love with at first listen. But obviously, that’s not even fair to the purpose of this blog post, which is to educate a non-Metric listener, because it showcases the sounds of MSTRKRFT, not Metric! 

So I discovered them summer of ‘08, at the ripe young age of 14. Truthfully, my birthday’s in July, so I was almost 15 at this point, but let’s not get hung up on the details. I spent the next year away at arts-boarding school where my good friends Madi and Amelia thrived on our mutual love for the band.

That year Metric released their fourth album, Fantasies. It was then I began to notice a consistent theme in the premise of their songs: not wanting to live. My friend MeKinley, a huge fan, helped me discover this by pointing out the lyrics in the song Blindness. It says “What it is and where it starts, nobody knows. You gave me a life I never chose. I wanna leave, but the world won’t let me go.” Their number one hit from that album, Help I’m Alive, pretty much says it all in the title alone. “Help I’m alive, my heart keeps beating like a hammer. Hard to be tough, tough to be tender (love that line!). Come take my pulse, the pace is on a runaway train.” Then there’s Grow Up from Grow Up and Blow Away. “If this is the life, why does it feel so good to die today? Blue to gray, grow up and blow away.” I know Emily Haines writes the songs for another one her bands, Emily Haines and the Soft Skeletons, however, I have had some difficulty finding out who actually writes the songs for Metric. I’m assuming she does. Damn that girl is emo!

Either way, I’m excited for this band! Friday’s looking good this year… Had a chance to see them once before at the Wiltern here in LA. I think I was 15 and getting silly drunk. What a rager they threw!

[coachellaweekend2rs]

So I begin with Dog Blood, the DJ/Producer duo that consists of Boys Noize and Skrillex; a supergroup in their own selective sub genres of Dubstep and Techno (true techno, in my opinion). Both artists usually helm the reigns of headliners at raves and festivals. Combined they make a fierce and rabid sound. It's a primarily heavy bass driven sound that still holds true to the robotic noises of Alex Ridha and the futuristic landscape that Sonny Moore has trademarked. While the music seems to lean toward a violent outlet to Boys Noize's style and the Dubstep rhythm is completely absent, Dog Blood still manages to take on a whole new guise and feeling of it's own. Definitely one of the electro acts to catch on Friday; two professional party igniters at the crest of their wave.

~Joe

[coachellaweekend2rs]

SEX APPEAL

You know this one, guys. You know the tune. Thankfully, Joe knew a lot more than the tune and was able to show me. This song, this video, had a huge impact on the electronic dance scene when it came out on the scene in '04. Eric Prydz, an LA based DJ from Sweden, will no doubt bust out Call On Me at either one of his Coachella sets. Catch him on day three, whichever weekend you plan on attending. 

~Stella

[coachellaweekend2rs]

What We're About

I created this blog as a research tool for myself, primarily. I thought, if I force myself to look up all the information for the blog, I'm going to have a better chance of getting it done. I also thought it'd be nice to share what I find with the rest of those attending the festival this year.

In this blog you will find: artist breakdowns with mp3's, bios and videos, tips on what to bring, wear, avoid and expect as well as a series of stories about people who had a fun, enjoyable experience at Coachella while managing to stay sober through it all. 

I highly encourage submissions in any way, shape or form.

For any more information on Coachella, such as how to get tickets, you're out of luck, bitch. Coachella is sold out!

This blog is written by Stella and Joe, as well as by all of you.