Coming to Anchorage This Summer?

Maybe you are or maybe you aren't, but here are a few people who are:

June 5th Moose's Tooth First Tap (but at Beartooth Theatre) - Son Volt (more info)

June 21st Moose's Tooth Solstice Show - Third Eye Blind (more info)

July 26th Moose's Tooth 12th Anniversary Show - Wilco (more info)

Wilco at the Edgefield

Wilco is playing the Edgefield in Troutdale, OR on Aug 22 (a Wednesday) and the Greek Theater in Berkeley on Aug 24 (a Friday)...a whirlwind trip might be in order. Anyone planning to go to either show? Two great venues for Wilco!

Randomness or What I Can Learn From Traffic Stats

It's pretty standard in the blog world that if your posting frequency drops off, so goes your traffic. Life's been pretty busy the last couple of weeks, but I really have no excuse for not posting. I'm adjusting to life in Alaska, but that's no excuse. I've moved into my new apartment (as sparse as the furnishings might be) and have spent considerable time unpacking and assembling furniture, but that's no excuse. I've been putting in longer hours at work to play some catchup, but that's no excuse. The catch-22 of blogging is that traffic can drive inspiration, but traffic requires content, content only comes by inspiration...and therein lies the rub.

Here are a few things that I can tell you from looking at traffic stats...

This post is likely to be read tomorrow (Tuesday), because there are very few visitors late in the evening. Alaska is an hour earlier than Pacific time, so I might as well be posting as you're drinking your morning coffee...or tea or Nescafe judging by the Chinese, Indian and Euro traffic. For some reason traffic hasn't dipped much internationally, just my perhaps finicky US readers have taken a hit. There are several hits that suggest some readers might be enjoying some Kaladi brothers while reading, which is encouraging as I'm a big fan of Alaskan traffic. There's something to be said for twittering or blogging about a pretty sweet overturned semi on the southbound Seward Hwy tonight or the cashier at Kaladi who never charges me the extra quarter for Vanilla in my 20 oz. SL. Or you might notice the events added to the sidebar are much different from Eric Clapton in San Jose or Son Volt at the Fillmore...instead you see Colin Hay and David Sedaris. Perhaps more on Colin Hay soon...

How about those Red Sox!?! Swept the Yanks in Fenway for the first time in 17 years or something like that. Sure the argument can be made that Boston had their best pitchers and New York's best pitchers are injured. Pettite's no slouch, and that's the way it works. Last year in the big sweep the Yanks put together I think the Sox threw Charlie Hough out there due to injuries.

I'm planning to get out this week or weekend to shoot some pictures, because let me tell you...there have been some beautiful days up here the last couple of weeks.

Upcoming: An Exciting Announcement

Coming later this week, an exciting announcement from MKinMotion.com. I ask if you're already "in the know" to hold off on commenting until I make the announcement myself...

Upcoming Music: Can't Hardly Wait

2007 has more than enough potential to be another great year for music. Here are a few releases that have me more than excited for the coming months.

• The Shins will release Wincing the Night Away on January 23rd.
• As mentioned a few posts back, The Arcade Fire will be releasing Neon Bible in March.
• Coldplay are set to release a highly anticipated album late in the year, probably November.
• Wilco will release a new album in May.
• Modest Mouse have a new record that is already being passed around the internets with former Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr on the ticket.
• Will new albums from Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Rush, Duran Duran, The Eagles, Metallica matter in today's day and age? Will Metallica insist on some crazy DRM to prevent their music from being ripped?
• Buzz about a 7th Radiohead album are floating around (it's been since 2003 since Hail to the Thief)...if it happens, expect it mid year, and expect it to be their last full length studio album for a long time, if not ever.
• Alice in Chains will release an album with a new singer (obviously).
• The Cure are always rumored to release a huge CD, maybe a double disc, maybe utilizing a new media format.
• Rob Thomas is busy writing new material but no one seem sure (maybe not even himself) if it's for another solo record or for Matchbox Twenty.
• The Thrills will have a new release this year.
• Chinese Democracy might finally come out. It's the long rumored release from Gun's 'n Roses (sorta). I saw a firm date of March 5, which is the first time I've seen a firm date in years.
• Not to be outdone, Velvet Revolver will release their album for sure.
• Iggy Pop has a record coming out produced by alt.legend Steve Albini.
• Bloc Party, Kaiser Chiefs, and Stereophonics will make an impact on the scene.
• Bright Eyes might release a full length album and an EP.
• Rumors have Howie Day releasing an album in 2nd quarter '07.
• The Bravery will follow up their self-titled debut with The Sun and The Moon in February.
• For the indie kids, Clap Your Hands and Say Yeah!, Of Montreal, Menomena, Deerhoof, and Air make the list of upcoming releases.

Glen Phillips Hits the Road

Glen Phillips, of Toad the Wet Sprocket fame, will be taking his solo acoustic material on the road in the spring. With a couple of solid solo albums under his belt, he's a must see live. He kicks off his tour in his birthplace of Santa Barbara, CA on 2/7/07, Los Angeles on 2/8/07, and you better believe I'll be at Great American Music Hall on Feb 9 in San Francisco. After SF, he heads to Portland and Seattle. You can check him out on Mypace and of course iTunes.

Glen Phillips solo acoustic tour stops in the following cities:

February 7 SANTA BARBARA, CA Lobero Theater
February 8 LOS ANGELES, CA Hotel Cafe
February 9 SAN FRANCISCO, CA Great American Music Hall
February 10 PORTLAND, OR Aladdin Theater
February 11 SEATTLE, WA Chop Suey
February 13 DENVER, CO Soiled Dove
February 15 MINNEAPOLIS, MN The Varsity Theater
February 16 MADISON, WI Majestic Theater
February 17 CHICAGO, IL The Black Orchid
February 18 ANN ARBOR, MI The Ark
February 20 NASHVILLE, TN 3rd & Lindsley
February 21 DECATUR, GA Eddie's Attic
February 23 LONDONDERRY, NH Tupelo Music Hall
February 24 BOSTON, MA Club Passim
February 25 PHILADELPHIA, PA World Cafe Live
February 26 PITTSBURGH, PA Club Cafe
February 28 NEW YORK, NY Joe's Pub
March 1 NEW YORK, NY Joe's Pub
March 2 MONTCLAIR, NJ Outpost In The Burbs
March 3 VIENNA, VA Jammin Java
March 4 ANNAPOLIS, MD Ram's Head