Evuhleen's Downtown for Music

After work I went out with the girls and Ck for dinner last night. All I could think about was my new friend. I imagined the face of my intended, embracing me in his arms- uh! I didn’t know I could be so theatrical. I don’t think my self-esteem could handle it if it actually happened. My hyper state of existence has thrown me into a tangle of uncertainty and over dramatics.


My addiction to shopping is getting out of hand. I told Ck and Ruan to go ahead and order food while I took Runa to my favorite shopping place so she could get something for Tony’s upcoming birthday. I was famished but that didn’t stop me from spending a good amount of time buying some clothes. I worry that my priorities are misplaced.

I was all ready for it to be a horrible, hellish experience at work without Shreyas around to check on us. When the day came for him to leave to Goa for a holiday I kept asking him neurotic questions about the process and couldn’t take comfort in the fact that he was leaving the team to fend for itself but it’s been pretty painless and we’ve been able to do just about a good job on our own.

Last night, I was in a pretty good mood because I’ve got two new readers, who happen to be colleagues of mine. Both of them started reading my blog after hearing about it from friends of mine and one of them sent me a message online to tell me that she was a fan. I had heard that the other reader maintained a blog on LiveJournal, I decided to visit his page after the flurry of activity at work had died down. Sometimes I really just love the world. Fabulousness from this blog. Take a gander and see what you think.

In my mind whenever I think of the word ‘Guitar Hero’ I’m probably thinking Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Santana, Slash…way before I’d ever think of the video game. So, by now most of you guys might’ve heard about Guitar Hero. Personally, I wasn’t brought up on video games. So I don’t see what the big hoot about it is. The news related to the game is about some 16 year old that has dropped out of school to practice and compete in the game. Is that ridiculous or what? I mean, if you’re spending all that time perfecting the push of buttons why don’t you just learn the damn guitar. I’m hoping folks out there get it in their heads that there’s a difference between the two- buttons and strings.

Chan photographed by Jean Baptiste Mondino for Jalouse '05

Years down the lifeline of rock, entire uniqueness is tremendously uncommon. Everything is an offshoot of something. So when I listen to an artist or a song and it doesn’t remind me of anything I’ve heard before I’m real curious. Chan Marshall is at a point where, like it or not… is going to be included in my blog for more than a post. She’s here with ‘He War’ and she’s proved that she’s worth checking out. Go Cat Power!

Bluesy Tuesday

Today was just OKAY. Apologies for the moody-me everyone, sometimes life just gets in the way. True to form, I was not able to get through a day at work without acting stupid at least once.

I love this picture of CK at Orange Peel with the 1 litre mug of beer.

And now it’s time for some random facts about me! So here goes:

• I have a secret love of reading fashion magazines and imagining myself in like an Oscar de la Renta creation.
• I have a habit of buying clothes and then never getting round to wearing them.
• I am obsessed with my pink mobile. Yeah, you heard that. It’s PINK!! CK calls it ‘the Paris Hilton phone’. Others have called it the ‘transformer phone’. I only bought it in that colour because it stood out.

The sofa and TV are calling to me, so that’s where I’m heading to in awhile. I just wanted to let you know that….. I’m in love.

It’s official.

The signs have been there for a couple of days now - lack of appetite, daydreaming about my affection, sweaty palms, racing heartbeat…

And now the object of my desire is in my possession.

It was Wednesday, July 31st, in an act of unabashed conformity; I fell in love with Jeff Buckley much after the rest of the world had fallen in love with him. ‘Grace’ was the first Buckley song I ever heard. And let me tell you folks that one song is enough to give you a permit to lust after Buckley. I couldn’t get this musician’s haunting voice off my mind. His voice personified soul, joy, being and pain. So when I read that Jeff Buckley had drowned at the age of thirty just as his fame was rising, you can only imagine my astonishment. What I’m happy about is that I did discovered Jeff Buckley on my own and like a bazillion others, I thought “Grace” was written for me and only me. Maybe not, but it's still one of the best songs I’ve ever heard. His music seems so steady and flawless and I’m sure I’m not the only one who supremely admires Jeff Buckley and categorizes ‘Grace’ as one of the greatest songs ever created. If you’re only going to listen to one track today this should be your choice. This single takes music to a new level. The layers in this song are brilliantly well done.

Well another month has come and gone. Another thirty or so odd days will bring to my attention enough new tracks to write about and complement my personal life. For those of you who are new here- Every week I write about one new band, unheard of by many. Sometimes it’s just about artists that have been undiscovered by me.

That is all kids. I’ll make sure to upload and write about some new tracks for your listening pleasure. Enjoy the music and tell your friends.

A New Honour

Planning to throw a party for a friend who happens to also be Dex’s friend. Hmm... We know whose name makes it first on the list, don’t we?
I’ve been so incredibly charmed and delighted that I know I am in for some real trouble. I am not sure how to deal with the fact that he might be reading this. (If you are Dex- then bugger off!). Even so I’m going to still keep writing about him because I don’t want to have to censor myself and it would just be oh-so-boring if I can’t give a pitiably irrational account of my pitiably irrational existence. I promise to give more details soon about my complicated life with him. Of course, I'll have to think about the likelihood that this chase might actually end in success and won’t really spare me the time to write. Then what is to become of my blog? With any luck I’ll be greatly displeased with him in an amusing way (like I always am with Dex). That way I’ll be always free to post about music I’m crazy about and throw in details of my mind-numbing life. Thank god I make my choices on what will make people happy.

I’ll be spending the weekend at CK’s. It’s movie night and then something illegal. Due to these good times I most likely will not have access to the internet for a couple of days but don’t fret, I’ll be back on Monday with some fresh new music and details for you kids to gobble up.

Emerging alternative rock band, ‘A New Honour’ comprises of William Prince on vocals, Dann ‘Mars’ Mitchell on the lead, Chris de Monye on bass and Jeremy Yuen on drums. They may sound like the standard alternative rock bands out there but what stands out are their rousing lyrics. Here’s a band to keep an eye out for and the album ‘The Untitled Truce’ is sure to make fans of alternative rock music beg for more.

I’m so glad I have this space to write about music on my own terms and put it out here for other people to read. I started this blog with the way music made me feel and the things I love about it and have since waded through artists- famous and unheard of, hit singles, new discoveries, old discoveries, love and life that I’ve found in my search for music. I never thought I’d have people comment, write to me and tell me that they like this blog let alone read it. The best news is that this spring is far from dry. Thanks for reading y’all.

Here's A New Honour with 'Close the Ocean'

I meant to post this yesterday but I was caught up with so many calls. The post was supposed to start something like this-‘Today was boring. Nothing new. Boring….’ (well, you kinda get where I’m going with this.) But yesterday wasn’t just one of those typical days at work. The day had begun with pregnant clouds and the dark sky pressing hard on the city and it had ended very cruelly.
Restlessness and tension built in the air. Something felt wrong. I could see it on the face of my colleagues. They tried to be really subtle about it but it didn’t work. Ck came out of the training room and his face looked rather ghostly. The next thing I heard out of my colleague’s mouth was, ‘there’s been a bomb blast!’ (Get outta here! In Bangalore?) And the news covered it all, 8 bomb blasts. A blast had occurred close to our office and we were told to leave as soon as possible. I had called friends and family incase the phone line got jammed later on. Everyone I knew was ok. During my wait for calls to connect I thought of how this had shaken our little life in paradise. It was chaos on the road and the commute back home was hell. It seemed like the traffic was far deadlier than any bomb.

Meeting my best friend tonight who was in the same area the blast occurred. He saw the whole thing. The city is getting back to normal and everybody is trying to forget yesterday as a bad dream and I wish none of us would experience any such thing ever again.

Hoping the smoke clears. Till then stay cool.

This just reminds me how fragile life is. ‘Breakable’ by Ingrid Michaelson:

The time on my computer screen reads 3:00 pm. It's still peaceful at the office where I'm writing this. Guess everybody’s suffering from a bad case of Monday blues. Matt Nathanson’s ‘Wedding Dress’ plays and the day outside is cool from last night’s rain. Washed my face and walked around the cubicle to help wake my muscles up!

I did nothing all weekend except watch a bunch of movies. My parents were quiet as they went about their own duties. My sis and bro-in-law were busy preparing for the upcoming event. I didn’t go for the practices as I wasn’t in the mood but I heard the new lead guitarist is amazing. He apparently played some great little fills here and there and provided an astounding instrumental break for one of the songs. Can’t wait to see this guy everyone’s talking about.

Someone broke into CK’s house and the thought of watching the Dark Knight didn’t enter our minds. Last week I was insanely busy with work. I just hope the work load doesn’t repeat this week. I'm counting down the number of days that’ll end July. I hate July… Perhaps, in August I'll finally be able to read those books that have been lying around in my room for over a couple of months (watching movies be damned, I want my reading time).

Dinner tonight with a bunch of friends from Ohio. I’m not cooking, so I suppose the night should turn out all right. I should start using the straightening iron more often then I’d stop looking like Medusa. My trusty bag has started wearing out, which means, I’ll have to go shopping for another. Maybe I could get the same spacious white leather bag. It's big enough to put all my usual crap in (wallet, phone, keys, notebook, pens, chocolate stash, camera, chargers, miniature toiletries - of which, the hand lotion is all I use; why I keep the rest (assorted papers and receipts) is a mystery.

Daniel Moses. I haven't thought of him in years, but he has been a hard-to-remove memory. He was my dad’s best friend’s son. We had grown quite close when he came down to B’lore. Then came college. He had his friends, his girlfriend and his life. Months passed by with no word from him. Until one day, he asked me over to his place. I didn’t go because I was so angry at him for not keeping in touch. A week later, his body was found. Washed up on the shores of Goa. How my heart hurt every time I thought of his face. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t make it to the funeral. I felt so guilty. I miss you Dan.’ Gone, but never forgotten.

I shall speak no more. Here’s the music.

“But I need you to know that I care,

And I miss you.”

- ‘I miss you’ by Incubus.

What Am I, Chopped Liver?

So many things bothered me when I was much younger, especially the way I looked. It constantly made me burst out in self-pity. Now, I feel sorry for my boyfriends of the past who had to put up with my anger and self- loathing. I can’t really say that I’ve gotten over all the insecurities and vulnerabilities. But now I feel like I’m in a much better place. Parts of my heart have been fractured, not by others but by my own choices and my own inability to make good choices.

Last night, I went to the Opus to watch Tony play. I don’t remember any of the songs sung, but I do remember Tony strumming the place red. Before I got to the venue I had a major brawl with my folks. Bad news, I’m not moving out. Now, I won’t have to reach into my savings or dream about the blinds and décor I want to pick out for the new place.

Anyways, back to the show. So I went to Opus with the intention of getting myself piss drunk. I get there and say a little prayer- ‘puh-leez let me not see the crooner tonight, NOT TONIGHT!’ God apparently had plans of his own because as soon as I realized that the coast was clear, HE walks in….and what a walk that was. I keep playing the moment in my head. Each time slower and slower. Okay, I need to snap out of it. So, he walks in and…and… Lord! I need to stop doing this. Moving on… he meets all his buddies and then sits at our table. That boy had some testicular fortitude to sit at my table after all the shit he’s given me. I spared myself no mercy and downed the screwdrivers as fast as I could. Things went hazy. My mind felt light and the guys on stage were like a movie playing on mute. CK asked me to sit next to him, so I did. The crooner sat next to him. We got into a conversation. After 6 months we actually talked. Somewhere during our banter CK disappeared and it was just the two of us. Conversation turned to flirting- involuntary on my part! And before we knew it, I was wiping sauce off his skin and he spoke of our dates. We fought to pay the bill. He paid it, but it was stupendously sensational when he held my hand for that brief moment. Look at me, I sure sound like one love struck puppy. It was time to go and I was so drunk, I couldn’t stand so I was escorted out of the place with the help of my crew. I hugged my crooner and left. I don’t remember what happened after that. My mind kinda went into shut down mode.

Checked my messages in the morning. One from the crooner. Ignored it. There’s no way I’m putting behind the hours and days of hurt and giving into him this easy. Spent the rest of the day with my niece. I never thought I would love anyone else, other than me, so much. I don’t really intend to have kids of my own so this one will always be my treasure.



Ah, Tori Amos. Her music sounds like an eclectic mix of intoxicating fervor. Ever seen her videos? It’s quite a sight. She can make any guy strip and every woman gay with the way she takes to the piano, legs placed quite seductively. While she sings she tosses her curly tresses- the movement magical, exquisite and slow. The world seems so beautiful.
In 2000 , Tori had been placed into the Rock n Pop Hall of Fame. She was one of the few women to be placed into this hall of fame so far.

The track below was without a doubt her biggest hit. It's not difficult to see why. It's a trip, it’s catchy and you can tune-out to it. She’s always given her fans something to slobber over. This is one of my favorites. If you don’t own a Tori Amos album I seriously suggest you go out and get it. It's well worth owning.

(You'd might want to turn up the volume on this track)

Enough of Nothing

I envy friends of mine who know exactly what they want to do and where they want to go in life. I envy their courage to risk it all. Like for instance, people who know that at a certain age they want to tie the knot or others who study for a certain course cause they know being a designer or a singer is all what they want to be. I wish I had a singular dream like theirs. For me, this week I’ll intensely believe that I can only work in a music related business and then next week, I’ll probably want to be a writer and then who knows, the week after that I’ll resolve to continue to refine what I’m already doing with hardly anything changed.

When I was in college, we had the book ‘The French Lieutenant’s Woman’ by John Fowles on our syllabus. Last night I watched the movie. The verdict? As usual, the book was better than the movie.

My sister and I were talking about the things we’ll need for our new place. We’ll have to make do with just the necessary stuff for the first few months and then slowly start buying furniture and other appliances. That’s the price I pay for living on my own, I guess. It’s a cool feeling in a way though. After all, isn’t growing up learning to take care of yourself?

Sometimes I tell myself that I’ve got to change but then I’ll be different. I feel like I already am. I’m just afraid that if I’m satisfied with the way I am right now then where’s the impetus to make it better? Feels like I’m all tied up in knots.
Are you going crazy reading this? Then you’re feeling what I’m feeling. Now I’m not sure what point I was trying to make.

CK, the new hotness, came into work today, in formals. Been working with him for a year now and I’ve never seen him formals. I can’t say enough about it. He looked pretty smart.

Yesterday, I turned on the television, just in time to see British rock band Athlete’s ‘Wires’. It’s the lead single from their second album, Tourist. The track sounds hauntingly beautiful. It’s been said that the song was written by lead singer Joel Potts, after his daughter was born prematurely.

‘Running, down corridoors through, automatic doors
Got to get to you, got to see this through
First night of your life, curled up on your own
Looking at you now, you would never know’

Dysfunctional Harmony

Enjoying clarity helps you discover certain things about the universe. Life has a way of leading you into other directions and all it requires you to do is focus your energies there.
I am glad that there are so many independent musicians out there making great music and sharing it with the world.

A Rule I try to live by - Listen to people that aren't played a hundred times an hour on the radio. Know about the local talent. Seek out new music.

I don't buy CDs every day. It’s not the albums that come out in big music stores that profoundly alter your life. It’s the type of music that you find of some not so famous guy who sings with soul that makes your heart feel heavy. I’d love to get involved with music, concerts and sounds from people I like. The more support the bands you love get, the more they are able to make music for art’s sake.

Last nite I met RJ and the new guy for dinner. We’re trying to squeeze in as many meetings before the week gets over. RJ leaves on sat and her farewell party proves to be drunken-fun-disaster! I didn’t plan on going out for dinner last night but then I need to get my mind off plenty of things. Like Mr. N, who thinks he was being honest but totally shattered my image of him possibly being my knight in shining armor. Apparently he believes that leaving everything he had in another place and coming down to the homeland will make my heart melt.

I wonder how my lost friend is doing now. I sorta feel sad for being too tough on him. But I’ve learnt that you’ve got to let something’s go when it doesn't make sense to hang on to it anymore.


CK thanks for the proposal. Getting down on your knees... Ooh.. that must have hurt! hehe

I wonder if I’m going to die alone. Probably!

Have a great evening. I enjoyed the ramble.