The Importance of being social

For all of my wondrous concert going this summer, it seems like I've been going through the motions. It reminds me of when I was in high school and because I was so badass and 'independent' (god help us) I always went to see bands alone, because I could and only had to hop on a train, and because I had to, as no one I knew liked the bands I did. I've met people who couldn't believe that I went to shows alone as for them concerts were more of an event (DAVE) than necessarily an "I love this band and MUST seem them by hook or by crook" near spiritual experience. And alone, I could do all my crazy band things, like show up way early, gun for spots up front, and reach my lil hand through people to grab a set list without feeling like an idiot.

Since I met people in college who actually like the music I do, I've found it's also difficult to go to shows with people who aren't as crazy for the band as I am. So I'd go to shows, be absolutely nuts about getting up front and shit and realize I was sort of leaving people behind in my obsessiveness. The ugly "band Angela" came out, but I didn't give a shit as long I achieved my concert goals.

Older, and wiser, and without anything to do but think, I've for that to a great extent my best memories about shows revolve around the people I went with. I can't remember the details as well when I went alone to Irving Plaza or whereever as when I went to Niagra Falls with Courtney and Gabe to see Interpol and kind of dismal, ice on the sidewalks, but beautiful inside (Carlos D!). Or the Ithaca trip with Greg, Andrew and Russell and it was beautiful and almost spring and I went crazy to Franz, lucky to have Greg protecting me from the throngs o' teenagers and took a sit-out with Andrew and Greg during Death Cab. The ride home was fantastic. Belle and Sebastian with Becca, Greg, and my bro could've been hairy as we were so far back and this chick with a cowboy had was way in my way, but I've honestly learned to care less about front row if I can have a good time with mes potes, my pals at these shows. And indie kids wag as many fingers as you want, every time I've seen Guster, it has been fabulous because I've gone with my best friends, Laura and Jake. I love them better than I love indie finger wagging and street cred with the cool kids.

This week is Bloc Party + road trip with Courtney to Asbury Park, and soon enough will be Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Sonic Youth with Greg, plus Touch and Go in Chicago, if I'm not working then.

In a roundabout way, does anyone want to come down to the city and see Of Montreal? I might be able to get you on the list, which would be a lot of fun. They're playing at the pool, three olympic sizes big. It will be wonderful