Birthday Chow Down

I'm not dead. At least, I don't think so. But I'm worn out, elated and deliriously pleased from a week of all around enjoyment.
I had the most excellent time at my birthday dinner on Thursday. 10 of the best friends in the world, amazing food, ass-kicking alcohol, music and laughing...I couldn't have asked for a better celebration. I’m lucky enough to be continually encircled by friends who care for me and who are absolutely witty, except for when I want to be myself and do my serial season marathon in bed, I constantly change my look, and I kick ass at Foosball. If I ever grumble, I want you to stare angrily and wordlessly point at me until I behave myself.

I woke up with only the smallest amount of an annoyance on Friday and was proud of myself for not having a hangover. It took turning twenty six for me to finally become a responsible partier and not overindulge. Go Eve!

On Saturday night, I saw a play titled ‘Proof’ by David Auburn (based on the Anthony Hopkins-Gwyneth Paltrow movie), starring my best friend, Runa. The piece was flawless. I think the piece rises above the even the smallest of flaws to become highly gratifying theater. I may or may not post a review about this later, but by far my favorite actors were the older gentleman who played Anthony Hopkins’ role and my best friend Runa who played Gwyneth Paltrow’s. It was the first time I had seen her onstage and I was completely blown away by her performance. It was exquisite.

Thank you all for your birthday messages! You're the bestest readers ever!

And lest we forget, thank you to my parents for getting busy one evening in 1982 and having the bestest gametes ever!

And that's the lowdown on why I'm so run down. But for a change, I'm run down in a nice way. And very soon I'll be even more nicely run down. On Saturday night, I will fly across the pond and spend 2 weeks in the north-east with some of my best (or worst) partners in crime. Stay tuned.

For those of you who just found my blog take a minute to peruse other posts here at Evuhleen’s Corner. I hope you enjoyed yourself this so far, the rest of 2009 is sure to bring something amazing to everyone.

And, yes, this still is a music blog so let’s get down to the tune for today. Legendary band Mr. Big is going to take the stage at Palace Grounds on October 10 in B’lore which means I won’t be able to see them here which also means that I get to catch them at Shillong and Dimapur on 12th and 14th. You didn’t think I was actually gonna miss their show, did ya? You cannot deny the awesomeness of an Eric Martin song. I could spend an hour describing the overpowering, thrilling experience of listening to or watching a Mr. Big show live, but nothing compares to actually witnessing it and that is exactly what I’m going to do. If you ever get the chance, see the band live, I can guarantee that you’ll never forget it.

'Lucky this time', my lovely readers.

Bluesy Thursdays

Now it’s time for another episode of ‘Conversations With God’

Dear God,

Remember our last conversation? It was Sunday night, when I was terrified of closing my eyes and waking up on Monday. I prayed to you to give me the power to deal with the toads that I work with and in exchange I was never going to drink alcohol ever again.
Well, we both dropped the ball on that one.

Love,
Eve

Apparently there’s was this little music gathering in some corner of B’lore, which happens occasionally. Apparently at said gathering of music fans there was this big band that played a killer set and set off the revelers.
For those of you who are still unaware, Soulmate played a show last night at B Flat, Indiranagar. By my account - it was an epic show {but what Soulmate show isn’t?}. Apparently the band ‘Soulmate’ has played a few sets in B’lore over the years. And also, apparently, someone thought it would be a good idea to go and take a look at their act last night and write then about them. And yes, introducing you to great music is the ploy to get you coming back over and over and over again. Eat it.
If you’re looking to listen to their music you can check out each individual post at these links.

Set Me Free

Stay Away

Soulmate might be the best band to ever play the blues. Period. Granted Tipriti ‘Tips’ Kharbangar (the vocalist) might not be the most skilled guitarist, but when she takes the stage, everyone just shuts up. Everyone.

I’ve had the amazing luck to catch the band play an amazing live set and they left me wowed. The tracks were masterful and I recall being blown away by the songs I hadn’t had the pleasure of hearing. Another important note is that Soulmate is performing again this month on the 20th at the Opus. Call for tickets now, or risk missing what is sure to be a sell-out performance! This is going to be a great show, kids. Anybody who doesn't go is just a loser, plain and simple. Also, if you’ve have planned to make it to this event make sure you book a table well in advance cos a Solmate show is always packed. I was definitely looking forward to hearing their somewhat legendary live sound. For all the hype I was not even close to disappointed. The channeling of Tipriti ‘Tips’ Kharbangar continued on and off throughout their show and oh my is it brilliant live. She simply exudes a type of rock star cool that permeates the depths of the cool B’lore moon. Simply put, they killed it hard for the full two hours. They just sound great live. And for anyone still interested below is the entire touring list for Soulmate in this current year.

7 Aug 2009, 20:00
ZEST BEACH HOUSE,PUDUCHERRY,PUBROCK FEST
PUDUCHERRY, Puducherry

9 Aug 2009, 20:00
10 DOWNING STREET,HYDERABAD,PUBROCK FEST 2009
Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

20 Aug 2009, 20:00
OPUS,Bangalore,PUBROCK FEST 2009
Bangalore, Karnataka

31 Aug 2009, 18:00
THE LADAKH CONFLUENCE 2009
Leh, Jammu & Kashmir

4 Sep 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

5 Sep 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

20 Sep 2009, 20:00
OPUS,PUNE,PUBROCK FEST,2009
PUNE, Maharashtra

25 Sep 2009, 20:00
KAMIKAZE,GUWAHATI,PUBROCK FEST 2009
GUWAHATI, Assam

26 Sep 2009, 20:00
POLO TOWERS,SHILLONG,PUB ROCK FEST
SHILLONG, Meghalaya

2 Oct 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

3 Oct 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

6 Nov 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

7 Nov 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

1 Dec 2009, 15:00
World Aids Day Venue TBA
Shillong, Meghalaya

4 Dec 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

5 Dec 2009, 21:30
The Haze Blues and Jazz Bar
New Delhi, Delhi

I have never had that much fun at a live concert before. It was non-stop energy from the opening beat to the closing of their sweat drenched show. The entire show was laced with infectious, no holds barred, beyond-awesome singing and there wasn’t a moment during which front woman Tips stood still or took a breather. If you’ve not had the chance - I recommend you see their show for a life altering change. Honestly, after watching that set I’ve come to realize that I will never need to do drugs, ever.
The concert is over, but there is still the 20th. What a brilliant show.

Soulmate with ‘Smile at me’.

Do you guys ever dream of being with someone in real life, someone you don’t really know, and then the next time you see them, you’re furtively thinking, Oh Man! You’d think people around me would notice if I blushed?

Well, my person like this is Adam Levine.

A couple of years ago, I had a dream where Adam Levine and I were both at this airport terminal, and he started flirting with me while we were waiting for our flights. At first I was like Oh my god! This is Adam Levine! He’d want nothing to do with me! But by the time we had to board the flight, he had charmed me so completely that he and I were practically engaged. And now every time I see Adam Levine on screen, I just have to smile, because he was so charming in that airport terminal, I couldn’t wait to introduce him to my mom. :-P

Plus, you know he’d know how to treat a girl in the sack. Is all I’m saying.

As a way of getting more exposure to more music gigs, I went to see the ‘METRO’ concert I wrote about earlier.

It was a wonderful concert in an intimate setting. The collection that the band chose to play was quite varied — from their absolutely melodic Rio Frio to the beautifully slow ‘The Standard’ to a tuneful Sandeep Chowta composition —all songs performed as brilliant as jazz interpretations can be. One of the highlights of the night was the band playing the song that drove me to their concert – Rio Frio. It was delicious to watch how enraptured the audience was and when Dave Weckl and Eric Marienthal lost themselves in the music and kept going on this great flurry of notes. Their parts were some kind of awesome that I can’t even begin to describe the emotions I went through.

Just thinking about it is making my stomach flutter.

At first I thought that the crowd was mostly made up of the same “type” of people, but now thinking about it I’ve never been to a show that was more diverse. Lots of differently aged people; there were people from my age to twice my age. It was odd to see a lot of guys old enough to be my father at the same concert as me.

Usually the sound and crowds of concerts make me especially awkward but with great company and even better music I feel over-stimulated.
Unfortunately, not many people I knew came for the event, and I wouldn’t force someone to listen to music they didn’t enjoy. But it was really good to see my friends faces light up as they sat through the show. The concert was quite amazing. The set lasted just over two hours and a half. Unfortunately, I forgot to get my digicam so that ruined the ultimately great shots I would’ve gotten.

I had to get the band’s album at the venue titled ‘METRO Express’. I’m still exploring the tracks, approaching each song with an open mind, but never analyzing too much.
It can be easily observed that the tracks introduce a unique and exceptional jazz style of this band. They achieve what is esthetic and intelligent. Ever since I’ve spent a great deal of time listening to music, I’ve been less enthusiastic by the fact that songs would never sound as good, until I heard these guys.

METRO has renewed my hope. Saved my life.

It goes beyond everything else to a completely spiritual experience, from stage presence to the notes and the key signatures. They have reached out with music that is unforgettable, moving and emotional.

Two guys stole the show that night.....

Dave Weckl
and

Eric Marienthal.
Below is one of the tracks they played on Feb 14 and my favorite! Get their music if you can. Their compositions speak to me, lifting, moving, and never crashing. Blissful listening!

MP3: 'Rio Frio' by METRO