Lately, it kind of feels like pulling teeth in order to think of something to blog about. I’ve reached the point in my summer at which I no longer want it to be summer anymore. I know…serious biz.
As a result, it seems natural that I clue you in on the most exciting that has gone on in my life in the past weeks: PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL.
As you may remember, I blogged a little bit about hip kids a couple of weeks ago. You can probably consider this post, part deux of that.
Ironically, as I write this, I sit in the studio of WPGU, across from the newly erected but not yet hipped out Urban Outfitters, wearing my bright blue American Apparel hoodie and black skinny jeans. Needless to say, I seem the proverbial pot calling the kettle black.
Albeit strange, this exact situation would place me in the “blah” category of Pitchfork-ians.
More than a music festival, bigger than a bread box, Pitchfork Music Festival is not a gathering of minds. Instead, it’s a gathering of clothes.
You know those outfits that you see in the Urban Outfitters catalogue but just don’t have the balls to buy?…someone at Pitchfork did.
Fortunately for you, it may or may not (lean towards may) look just as ridiculous as it did in the catalogue.
Fortunately for me, I dressed for function and not fashion. Don’t get me wrong, I like to spiff up sometimes, throw on a little make up, a cute summer dress. However, a music festival is not the time for a Bryant Park runway show.
Reason numero uno for avoiding the Sunday’s best portion of my closet : The Hold Mahfuckin Steady.
I had been waiting months for this moment. I sat (and inevitably rocked) to Craig ‘double whiskey coke, no ice’ Finn and the boys of summer for nearly 2 months straight. I fiiiiiiinally (again-to be fair) got to see them last Saturday. I think my right bicep may have increased in circumference due to fist pumping that evening.
I saw two friends out on the town last night. One is a huge Hold Steady fan already and was wearing their t-shirt. The other walked up to the Finn fan and said…”Man, I just saw The Hold Steady for the first time this weekend. They were amazing.” That pretty much sums up all virgin Hold Steady experiences. Instead of awkward and painful, The Hold Steady brings the pleasure from day one of seeing them live. The most confusing part is that most people who haven’t ever seen The Hold Steady before seem very surprised that they enjoyed them so much.
In the paraphrased words of Ferris Bueller, “They’re so choice. If you have the means, I’d highly recommend picking them up.” Instead of a red sports car, you get songs about drugs, alcohol and sex sung by a tongue-in-cheek man who probably looks a little like your dad’s best friend.
I just saw The Hold Steady this weekend and I’m already looking forward to the hypothetical ‘next time.’ For now, I’m wanted in the party pit.
Sarah Clemmons: I'm not really a little bit country but I'm a fair amount rock and roll. This summer I'm hanging in Urbana in order to stay out of the less hip version of C-U: Bloomington-Normal. Come on over and sit a spell...
Comments
Abby (Abby) says:
(Posted July 29th, 2008 at 6:56 pm)
What are the implications of the fact that a music festival has become less about the music and more about the clothing? And that a couple particular brand names have become synonymous with being “hip”? Perhaps these are further examples of superficiality and consumerism, although packaged differently than the more obvious trends.
Not that there’s anything wrong with the “alternative” style, but let’s not pretend that it’s rooted in something vastly different from the more mainstream. Especially when judgment is passed both directions.
Sarah (Sarah) says:
(Posted July 30th, 2008 at 2:04 am)
I completely agree. There’s always something to be said that being “nonconformist” is conforming to nonconformity. As circular as that seems, it’s also pretty true. At Pitchfork, I started to wonder if people really dressed like they did at the festival or if that was their version of dressing up for church.
Everyone (Everyone) says:
(Posted August 18th, 2008 at 10:49 am)
Hey, write another fuckin’ blog.
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Sarah Clemmons
I'm not really a little bit country but I'm a fair amount rock and roll. This summer I'm hanging in Urbana in order to stay out of the less hip version of C-U: Bloomington-Normal. Come on over and sit a spell...
Mary Z. (Mary Z.) says:
(Posted July 27th, 2008 at 6:41 pm)
I can’t seem to get hooked on their music, but perhaps a live show would have a different effect on me.