i think it's time for an update

I'm really bad at this whole blog-that's-not-a-livejournal thing, but I really am trying to update this more … except that I'm not sure anyone even reads it (anyone out there? no? didn't think so)

Anyway …

Chicago is still awesome, minus a little bit of stupid drama (which may or may not include me not getting along with one of my roommates), and the fact that I still don't have a paying job (don't ask, I don't want to talk about it).

Venus is great. I'm learning a lot, and taking advantage of the fact that I have people available to me who can help me with my writing — especially my review writing, which needs a bit of work (can you say understatement?).

I have a ton of stories coming up, and I love that I have a lot of freedom when it comes to pitching ideas. As far as the fall issue goes, though, I only have a CD review or two so far, which is better than nothing, but it could end up being more.

Today I pretty much just had a free day to work on my stuff because Amy is in New York, so I spent a long time researching Eisley, then interviewed two of the girls in the band, which I think went really well. I was a little nervous, partially because I love the band but mostly because last time I interviewed a band of people near my age (the girls I talked to from Eisley are 18 and 25), it wasn't as easy as I expected and I had to pry answers out of them (Meg & Dia). They were really nice people, just not as talkative as I had hoped. Today, on the other hand, left me with five typed pages of notes from the interview. I'm excited to write the story.

Last weekend I saw and reviewed the Noisettes, a GREAT band from the UK. A band called The Maccabees opened from them and they were great — also from the UK, and both definitely worth checking out.

Monday I saw Architecture in Helsinki, one of the best shows I've been to recently. They're an Australian indie pop band with really upbeat, fun, danceable music. They were great to watch because everyone in the band changed instruments a bunch of times, and the band as a whole is adorable. All four of the Venus editorial interns were there, so that made it a lot of fun. Architecture has an album coming out in August, Places Like This, and I highly recommend picking it up. If you go to their MySpace, listen to "Heart it Races." Fun(ky) song, it'll be stuck in your head and you'll want to listen to it 24/7.

Then last night I saw Matt & Kim at Subterranean, a tiny venue in Wicker Park. Not a good experience. The guys letting people in were douchebags, and the two opening bands were horrendous. I was expecting cute indie pop or something and got like, thrash punk shit. Lesson learned: always check out bands online before going to see them. Matt & Kim were good, except that I couldn't see because half of the fans were onstage. Highlight of the night: the guy and girl who were DJing in between bands. I had never seen people DJ up close like that and it was so fascinating, mostly because of the way they moved while doing it, but it was really sweet to watch.

Tomorrow I think I'm going to see the Walkmen at a free festival downtown, and then Feist/Grizzly Bear on Tuesday (so excited!).

Hmm I guess maybe I'll use this blog for music stuff? Meh, who knows.