Thank God For Trains

Looks like some people are having a bit of trouble making it to NYC for the Phish run... Thank god for trains! 

Best of 2010: Pop Edition

So you know all those catch sons on the radio that get stuck in your head after only one listen. 

Check it out. Its a mash-up of all those wonderful songs.

Here is the best that 2010 had to offer...Pop Edition.

Not A Good Idea

Example of what not to do at a zoo. 

Boy pisses tiger off with a paper horn. No good.

Just saying...

Glow Stick Wars Go!

Bringing with me a whole bunch of these for the NYE run! yaaaay!

Its Here!

Its here! Its here! And someone listened to my plea yesterday and hooked Beth and I up with some sick seats to the 30th. So its official. Tomorrow night around 6pm we will be boarding a train headed north to New York City!! 

While there we will not only enjoy the sights and sounds of the greatest city in the world but we have the pleasure of seeing my favorite band for three straight nights including an epic new years eve show and a new thing this year.... a new years day show! (We will see how this all works out...)

Either way I'm stoked. I'm excited. I'm ready. 

I've worked entirely way too hard over the last month so now I can sit back and relax. 

If you need me you know where to find me...

Phishin for NYE

The time is near. The missions clear. Its later than you think.

Wednesday will be here soon enough and I will be off to see my favorite band for what (hopefully) will be a 3 night run. Will someone please hook me up with a 12-30 ticket....PLEASE! 

In celebration of this week I will revisit my visit to madison square garden last year, when Phish blew the roof off the place. Check out one of the most ripping First Tubes I have had the pleasure to hear.

She & Him Visit Conan

Love this. So simple. So easy. 

Santa!!! (I Know Him)

Its almost here! Tomorrow morning kids across the world will be banging on their doors, waiting for their parents to let them out and begin what is appropriately named "The Best Morning Ever". 

I hope that Santa brings you all you wished for and that you and your families have a happy and healthy holiday!

See you Monday.

Oh and a short clip before I go. Yesterday I posted from The Grinch one of my favorite old school Christmas movies... now to my favorite new school Christmas movie. Elf. Its amazing. 

Never Gets Old

Last night I found myself watching "How The Grinch Stole Christmas" and I remember thinking.... "This will never get old...ever". 

The Promised Land

Need proof that there is a lot of life out there to live? Check out Bruce in all his glory with his band still rocking. This man has still got it, and still proves that no matter your age, music matters. 

Great song and performance. 

Wake Up

Did you see the latest Spike Jonze movie "Where The Wild Things Are?" if you have you will most likely remember this song as the central feature of the movie. 

Its a great song by a great band. Oh and guess what? This is filmed at MSG. See you in one week!

Christmas Commercials

I bring you a special late night post to tell you about Target. Yes the Target store. They are killing it this year with their Christmas commercials and I'm loving it! They have two of my favorite so far and its no surprise that what makes both of these commercials the best is the music. And the sheer joy. 

Warning this first song will get stuck in your head all night.

and now my favorite properly named "is it time yet?"

are you excited for Christmas yet?

Don't Ask Don't Tell Destroyed

Okay I know this is a music blog but this is just too huge not to re-post.

Something has always bothered me about our United States Military and it was their stance on "Don't Ask; Don't Tell" which I believed was just wrong in every sense of the word. And when asked about why I refer to this picture. Yeah its this simple.

Well today our government took a step towards equality when they repealed "Don't Ask; Don't Tell" in front of a huge crowd. 

Thank you Obama for finishing what Clinton started and what Bush ignored. 

We made a huge step today people. Huge. 

R.E.M. "It Happened Today"

I saw R.E.M. back at MSG in the early 90s and it goes down as one of my favorite concert experiences ever. They completely blew my socks off and I have had mad respect for the band ever since. 

This is why I'm extremely excited for the new music they are releasing. Their new album Collapse into Now is getting ready to drop (pre-order it today) and their second single off the album is this song "It Happened Today". Its pretty stellar. Especially because Eddie Vedder and Joel Gibb are providing the background vocals. 

Great song.

Silent Night Basketball Game

This is just ridiculous. But I love it.

Known as the Silent Night Basketball game; everyone shows up but nobody speaks until after 10 points are scored. Awesome and Awkward at the same time. 

Christmas in 4 Days!!!

Its almost here! Its almost here!

Last night I hung out with Santa at a holiday party. It was pretty awesome. 

Today I bring you another holiday song... but this time with jokes!

Enjoy!

Live Avett Brothers

No matter how many times I hear this song it never ever gets old. 

Here is a live version of the song that dare I say is my song of the year....

Yeah I said it.

"Decide what to be.... and go be it"

Santa Snapshots!

Okay, not a ton of time today to post so I'll be short and sweet.

Christmas is Saturday and I'm super excited.... to show this excitement I'm showing you some classic Santa photos that were submitted to tmz.com. These are great....

Oh Santa.. put the cig down. 

Don't worry kids Santa isn't too happy either... 

Just adorable

Ahhhhh! Who is this man mom! 

and just because this lady is having a little too much fun at her job...

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight! 

Letters From The Sky

"One of these days the skys going to break...."

This is the song that was stuck in my head all weekend long... I finally found you!

Peter Jennings Talking Phish...

Yes you just read that correctly. Take out this old footage from Big Cypress back in 1999. The show that played live on ABC hahaha. 

Just great...  NYE countdown at 11 days!

Conan & Hunter

This never ever gets old, no matter how many times you see it. 

Two of my favorite people out for an afternoon of hunting....and drinking. 

Happy Holidays

Next time anybody wonders why I'm so happy....check it out. 

Here is the difference with my week compared to the alternative. 

Later Larry King!

Watched his final show last night. It was kind of sad. But then again I really don't think that he is real. He is like imagined.... a robot covered in skin. The man will never go away....

The Band

The following is my favorite song from these iconic musicians that called themselves "The Band". Their last live performance appropriately called "The Last Waltz" will go down in history as one of my favorite musical concert videos of all time. I have been into this band for almost as long as I can remember. Something about them just works with me. I love the melodies, the lyrics the way that this entire band laid it out. Love it. 

The following is a song about the very sad way that the Brits ran the Acadians away from their homes. 

"What a way to ride... oh what a way to go"

Christmas Is One Week Away!!!

Yay! Its almost here. The week countdown as begun. Christmas Eve is officially one week from today! Which means....yup you guessed it New Years Eve is in less than two! Ahhhhh!

So in hopes to stay in the xmas mood all day I have this cd on repeat. If you don't have it. Um... what are you waiting for. Easily the best holiday album out there....

Holiday Party Tonight

Tonight is my office holiday party.... in honor of this very special occasion I am giving the top 20 things you should not do at a holiday party. Not set by me...

(Again remember you should NOT do this....)

1. Enforce the mistletoe rule: Make out with your boss, intern or significant other of either.

2. Interpret "dress festive" to include anything that could be worn as lingerie.

3. Split a bottle of anything with your assistant.

4. Wear reindeer ears and antlers.

5. Shovel shrimp from the buffet table onto your plate like it's your last meal.

6. Use a lull in conversation to force your table to watch you try to tie a cherry stem into a knot. This should especially be avoided if it takes you 25 minutes to do it.

7. Dance on anything other than the floor.

8. Use the open bar as an opportunity to get your boss- or yourself - plastered and ask for a promotion.

9. Sit on Santa's (aka Eduardo from IT) lap.

10. Wear a holiday sweater.

11. Spend all night schmoozing with the interns.

12. Drink too much and share how you really feel about everyone in your department. 

13. Wear a mistletoe headband.

14. Talk about work the whole time. Its not the time or place for a heated discussion about network security. 

15. Hit on a coworker's spouse.

16. Hit on a coworkers very mature-looking teenage son. 

17. Stand next to Ellen from Accounting, who gets amorous when she drinks.

18. Anything in the presence of a camera that you wouldn't want photographic evidence of in the company newsletter.

19. Raid the open bar like it's an ex's wedding reception.

And probably the most important one....

20. Invite the boss to the after-party.

Follow these easy rules and your sure not to be that girl...anytime soon.

Pass It Around

Okay yes, yesterdays snow day was a welcome surprise. But now I'm back at work, its cold, wet and messy outside and well I want to be on a beach. Which is why I will be listening to a lot of this man today. Donavon Frankenreiter is from the Jack Johnson school of music. You can tell he belongs on a beach somewhere with a surfboard; which is why his music sounds pretty effortless. I love listening to him on days like today where I can close me eyes and for a moment feel the warmth of the sand.....

Spring will be here soon enough...

Snow Day!

I'm going out to make one of these......

We Ain't Going To Sleep Tonight

I haven't talked about Amy McDonald in quite a while. Yet since I'm on this folk kick today, I should include her. She is not really a folk artist, little more rock then folk but her slower songs can surely fall into the folk category! 

Love her....

"And we singing a song thinking this the life...we ain't going to sleep tonight"

NYE Almost Here!

So I must admit not having the greatest of days down here in Virginia. Its very very cold. I'm working very very hard. And well... just nothing seems to be going my way today. So I needed a quick no nonsense pick-me-up. 

Thank god I have this in a little bit more than two weeks. 

Me, my home venue MSG, and my band. 

Suddenly the sun just came out.

Let Love Grow

Love this poster for the Mumford & Sons song....

Ducked and Covered

Just in case you find yourself in Australia during the post apocalypse this video may be helpful. 

haha. Funny thing is its completely serious....

Ducked and Covered: A Survival Guide to the Post Apocalypse from Nathaniel Lindsay on Vimeo.

I Love Folk Music

Yes thats right. My name is Katie. I'm from New Jersey. And I love folk music. Love it.

So far today I've listened to a good amount of it too.... making a day of it. A lot of the following band called Black Prairie. If you like folk music, their latest album is not to be missed. 

Best Little League Player In The Country

This post is going to be a little different, just because when I finished this next video I was almost in tears. Not bad tears but tears of pride. This post is dedicated to my father. When I was little he (and mad respect to my mother) never ever put any limits on me when it came to sports. They never said I couldn't do something because I was a girl, in fact they especially my father would push me to be as competitive as my brothers were. 

There was not a better example then when I played Little League. I started on a team full of both girls and boys. As the years went by and we moved from tee-ball to real baseball, the girls started to drop like flies. Yet I remained. The boys got bigger. I remained. I don't think I know what I was doing at the time, but before we knew it I was one of the only girls left in the league. I was ten. I was still hanging in there. Still supported on the sidelines. 

The next two years will go down as two of the most special years I will ever remember. You see once you turn ten you are eligible for the All-Star Team that played after the regular season through the summer. Up to that point there had never been a girl from my league that had made the team. That all changed. Somehow I landed on the roster and somehow continued to stay on that roster for the last two years of my baseball career. I was astonished. Parents were too. Opposing players didn't know what to do with me. I remember I had to change behind the dug out during one practice when we got our new uniforms. We were making the rules as we went along.  And in the most lasting memories I will ever have in my life in my last at bat during my final season, I hit what a (this generation) of DeMaio kids had yet to do ever before.... I hit a home run. You couldn't make it up. It was magic. 

I left Little League and moved onto softball after that final year. Unlike Chelsea the league had a specific "no girls" rule for the "Babe Ruth League". But to me it was fine. To me I proved everything I had ever wanted to. To me my baseball days were over and that was fine. Yet looking at this video it just makes me so happy to think... "look how far they have come now....my mother had a choice of cheerleading and volleyball, I played little league and Chelsea may make it to the majors..." Amazing. 

So thanks Dad for spending so many hours on the sidelines of my game. Thanks for setting up the throwing nets in our backyard. Thanks for buying me baseball gloves for Christmas when Mom I'm sure wanted bows for my hair. Thanks for letting me be different....and letting me know that it was okay. 

Paul is Everywhere!

Last night he played a gig at the Apollo theatre, last week he did a tribute to Lennon on Jimmy Fallon's show and now Saturday Night Live! When this man comes to the states he knows that everyone wants a piece.

And to my surprise SNL totally gave in to his demands and let him play three songs and then a closing song during the credits. I've never seen any musical act do this. It was amazing. And non of the performances disappointed.... at all!

Especially the following! Cut to about 2 a.m. Saturday night and me dancing around in my living room while watching the recording! 

LOVE THIS SONG! 

Best Films of 2010

Movie fanatics rejoice! 

Check out the very best that 2010 had to offer in this fantastic video.

(and yes its bad that I know I've seen 90% of these)

Charlie Brown Christmas

Watched this last night and was reminded why I like this holiday so much...

Stumblin'

My favorite clip from SNL this past weekend. As tribute to Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" they do a pretty fantastic digital short... did I mention Paul McCartney's tiny harmonica solo!

NY Jets

The way I feel about them is pretty much summed up in this card.

How classy was that game?

Dylan's Lyrics Sold at Auction

The famous original lyrics for one of the greatest written songs in history "Times They Are-A Changing" will soon be.... get this changing hands. 

On Friday this sheet of paper was sold at auction for $422,500 to a collector. 

I never understood why artists would let this happen, have such famous work just be sold to the highest bidder. To each their own.... but I would rather have seen this one stay with Dylan. 

On The Road

“What is that feeling when you’re driving away from people and they recede on the plain till you see their specks dispersing? — it’s the too-huge world vaulting us, and it’s good-by. But we lean forward to the next crazy venture beneath the skies.”

Wow. What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said. Back in 1951 Mr. Jack Kerouac sat at his type writer loaded in 120 page sheet (so he wouldn't ever have to change pages) and wrote in three weeks this American masterpiece. 

I read this book my freshman year in college and it changed my life. I think I read it four times that year. Maybe it was because I was experiencing my own personal freedom like Kerouac celebrating the time I was given in college to live a wild and crazy life. But there is something about this book that has always stuck with me. I read it at least once a year as a reminder on what I'm looking for in this life. What it is that I find so appealing about my lifestyle, and it always comes back to one word. Freedom. That is what the characters in this classic book were after and that is what I believe we are all after. Freedom from a world of judgment. Freedom from the way things are supposed to be. Freedom to live creatively. Freedom to exist. Freedom to be you. Personal Freedom. 

You can say I pretty much love every word of this book. Which is why I was floored when I saw this video below of Jack reading the last page of "On the Road". Its pretty magical. 

Almost as magical as these words written earlier on in the book. The words that pretty much have defined my last 10 years. 

“I shambled after as I’ve been doing all my life after people who interest me, because the only people for me are the mad ones, the ones who are mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones that never yawn or say a commonplace thing, but burn, burn, burn like fabulous yellow roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue centerlight pop and everybody goes ‘Awww!’”

If Only You Could See Me Now

"Listen just a little bit harder
The hearts tell the truth
Isn't just a piston in an engine
To keep you moving
You're looking like you're looking for something
And now, you're surrounded by silence, whoa."

I'm Obsessed

Hi my name is Katie. And I'm completely obsessed with the following band and well I don't really care what you all think. Its just so frigging refreshing to hear this girl sing. Last night I downloaded her entire 4 album catalog and well, the early albums are absolutely incredible. I listened to one album in its entirety twice. 

And there is nothing like that feeling. Discovering new music to your ears.

"If there is a heaven, I know some people who would like to hear her sing"

Paul McCartney on Fallon!

Last night my insomnia rewarded me with a special appearance by Paul McCartney on Jimmy Fallon's late night show. He was there in part to pay tribute to his old friend John Lennon and performed "Here Today" as a tribute to him. And while I sat there on my couch and watched this living legend perform all I thought was wow. This man has still got it. Thank god. :)

Grace Potter

I talked about this chick and her band a few days ago and well I just stumbled upon this picture of her during that performance. I love rock photography. 

NYE at MSG is Soon!

Celebrate Life

Today is a big day for me at work. I'm throwing a "Thank You" brunch for all of my volunteers to thank them for making my job so awesome. But really they are the best, and it got me to thinking last night about people who volunteer. They say giving to others is the best thing you can do for yourself...and well these people have that lesson down. 

So what I take from these volunteers of all ages is that you need to live and celebrate your life. You have to be thankful to be here, and you have to give back when you can. Follow those rules and I see everyday how you can be happy well into your 70s....

This also reminded me of a video I saw a few days ago that has stuck with me. 

It was of a holocaust survivor and his kids and grandkids literally dancing at Auschwitz. At first you may look at it funny but if you look closer you see the real message of this video. Celebrating life. Celebrating surviving it all. Dancing for all those who can't anymore. Dancing because you are free. 

So amazing. So go. Today be free. What are you waiting for?

Rolling In The Deep - Adele

I love Adele.

She is dope. I mean really dope. 

Her first album went huge in the US and UK charts, with hits like "Hometown Glory", "Make You Feel My Love" and the ever popular "Chasing Pavements". Her new album titled 21 is set to hit stores soon and she is now on the talk show circuit promoting this gem. And what a gem it is. 

This girl brings the soul. Big time. And I love this first single because it takes the soul to a whole new level. It has kind of a bluegrass feel to it. But you can still feel her shine through. Can't wait for this album!

Check out the neat video for this song which shows a lot of behind the scenes footage of Adele's studio time.

17 Days Till Christmas...

In remembrance of John Lennon who passed away 30 years ago today I will play one of my favorite Christmas songs of all time. I can only imagine if someone wasn't so selfish and took this great man down the impact he would have had on the world. I mean look at what he did in the little time he had here... just incredible.

He will always be remembered by the young and old. Always. 

"Happy Xmas....War is Over"

Ipad Christmas

Although I prefer real instruments.... this is pretty neat.

30 Years Later.... Still As Important As Ever

Richmond Fail : Rudolph Balloon Parade Tragedy

Last night I was watching the news when something familiar came across.... a Christmas parade. In Richmond. Only it was the nation laughing at us... why? Because we had an epic Rudolph fail. 

Epic. 

Watch.

Boo

Jets Lost. I'm in no mood today.

Be back tomorrow. 

Damnit Jets. 

Lawn Boy

Yet another reason to love Phish....

Mr. Page McConnell. 

Phish - Alpine Valley 2010 DVD - "Lawn Boy" from Phish on Vimeo.

The Most Random "Let It Be" Ever

Shout out to my little brother for sending me this video link last night.

Its been almost 24 hours and I still don't understand. 

Its the most random group of celebrities singing "Let It Be" in promotion for a Norwegian talk show? Really? Yes really!

I Love Richmond

There are many reasons I have chosen to live my life in Richmond Va. A big part is the arts. Everywhere you turn you see a band, an artist, someone trying to bring their work to life. Its really inspiring.

Friday night when I was downtown at the Holiday Illumination my friend Beth and I were walking down some side streets when we stumbled upon a pretty kick ass marching band. After watching them for a little, everyone left but the drums. I'm really glad I had my camera on me.

Welcome to Richmond.

Richmond Downtown Surprise from Katie DeMaio on Vimeo.

Grace Potter... Know This Name!

Holy Crap.

That was all that I could say last night after I watched the following performance. A few months ago I was turned onto Grace Potter and the Nocturnals from a friend of mine and I knew that one day I would talk about them again.... that day has come. 

Last night, I found myself watching VH1's Salute to the Troops because lets face it, who doesn't like the troops? And while there were some pretty great performances there was three things that I took away from the evening. Katy Perry pretty much looks good in anything (she wore like six outfits), Rapper Nikki Minaj looks like a Simpsons character and finally Grace Potter is my new hero.

Talk about Rock and Roll, first she comes out and plays an amazing version of her song "Paris", and then invites members of the band Heart on stage to perform one of my favorites "Crazy on You". If you were not a fan of hers before today... you will be. 

I really don't have much else to say about this video but....if I was a rock star I hope I would be as cool as this chick. 

First her song "Paris". 

Divas |Divas Photos |Divas Video |Celebrity News

And if you weren't impressed yet.... Check out "Crazy on You"

Divas |Divas Photos |Divas Video |Celebrity News