Soundtrack of 2011

So, I guess this may be a bit overdue but I've been kinda slacking off in the blogging department. I originally planned to post about this last month but I just didn't have the time. Anyways here are a few tracks that summed up my 2011. Check it out! (Warning: These are addictive.)

January

I got really into Two Door Cinema Club. I would play them all day for a month or two...I'm not really sure how I got hooked to them but I'm guessing it's because of the Tap Tap game for iPhone? Their song "What You Know" was one of the default songs on the app.

"This Is The Life" was one of my favorites, followed by "Cigarettes in the Theatre" and "Come Back Home".

February

Since the Deftones concert was nearing, I had to listen to a few tracks off their new album "Diamond Eyes" and yes it got glued to my ears! Everything on the album was an instant fave but according to my iTunes, "976 Evil" was the most played. I also liked the other tracks like "Sextape" (who wouldn't?), "Risk", "Beauty School" and a couple of old tracks like "Change" and "Digital Bath" but I won't include those singles for my 2011 soundtrack since I've been listening to those a few years back. I just had to rekindle some old feelings...

March

One song. "Forever And Ever Amen" by The Drums. 'Nuff said.

April

I pretty much loved everything on Incubus' new album "If Not Now, When?" and it is still on loop as of today. I still haven't digested "Tomorrow's Food" and "Defiance" though...

"The Original" was the first song I fell in love with and I don't think I will ever fall OUT of love for it. Of course "Adolescents" was released tad early than the album itself and it was magic in my ears when I first heard it. "Switchblade" and "Thieves" were favorites too! And the list continues... (oh, and if you're a real Incubus fan, you'd notice something wrong here. Please forgive me.)

May

Okay, May was a mix between a lot of songs. The Temper Trap's "Sweet Disposition", Katchafire's "Seek Ye", White Lies' "Unfinished Business" and Wilabaliw's "Illuminate 1" for local music cravings. What a strange mix of songs huh? But I remember playing "Unfinished Business" over and over again, it even gave me a push to go to the gym just so I could listen to it while running around the track. God I miss this song...

June

It was pre-Incubus month. The anticipation for their concert next month has begun...

Malay did a pretty cool rendition of Incubus' "Promises, Promises"! I actually even thought it was better than the original. Views changed through time of course but a statement like that coming from me is a huge thing! Hah! And I love how Pochoy Labog does an Incubus cover WITHOUT doing a Brandon Boyd rip-off. They had their own style and it was awesome.

July

Ay...July is fangirl month. Incubus is set to perform on the 28th and of course I had to listen to a few of their new tracks! The B-Sides just got released and yes you guessed it, hooked! "Rebel Girls" was my favorite. I liked it so much I had to analyze the message and came up with a surprising conclusion! The play of words suddenly made sense. Hah! Oh Mr. Lyricist, why must you be so experimental and clever? I love it.

"Hold Me Down" and "Surface To Air" were two of the other B-Sides.

August

I had to distract myself from the post concert depression and RHCP's new song "The Adventures Of Rain Dance Maggie" came in perfect timing! And the music video shot in Venice, California gave more impact to this song. Although no more John Frusciante in this album, another John, Klinghoffer is as awesome.

September

September is definitely Young The Giant month! I discovered them when I saw they were touring with Incubus. "Guns Out" was the first song I got obsessed with. Literally, the first click on the play button was magic. I also liked "My Body" and "Islands" (which I'm planning to include in my first fashion show playlist in the near future...wow, I just spoiled that.)

October

October is Oh Land month! Don't even get me started. This is real talent....she's pop but not garbage! I fell in love with her when I first saw the video for "White Nights". I literally play raped it for the next couple of the days. Nanna continues to be an inspiration to me now. She's making me want to start a trio! Loved all her songs in the latest album actually. "Wolf & I", "Break The Chain" and "Rainbow" to name a few...

November

I found myself listening to two songs on repeat for a month. It was Lana Del Ray's "Video Games" and Brigitte's "La Vengeance D'une Louve". These are amazing songs from two different artists! Brigitte is a folk musical duo from France. Seriously, I get so much inspiration from their music, it's crazy! I am willing to fly to France just to attend one of their shows.

December

Another tie-up between two songs! Jeffertitti's Nile "Sleep Tonight" and Gotye's "Somebody That I Used To Know". I actually knew these songs a month earlier but really paid attention to it's beauty a month after. "Sleep Tonight" is a good meditation and zen time song, I recommend. I've been seeing Gotye's songs everywhere now and I'm glad musicians like him are getting attention. It's about time people stopped listening to crap.

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Enjoy Incubus

I think it's about time I blog about the concert last July. It's nearly a month overdue but better late than never, yes? This would be my fourth Incubus related blog post in 2 months…hello, 15-year old psycho fangirl self, unleashed and missed. Haha

It's almost a month but all the memories are still fresh. I can still recall all the joys, tears, shaking, disbelief and all the parade of emotions I felt that day and I'm not really sure how I can translate all those into words but I'm gonna try...

July 28 is a date I would cherish in my mental treasure box. It was the day I met 5 people who (as silly and cliche as it sounds) somehow inspired me in life...it is a story worth telling my grandchildren.

After our pre-concert mantasmagorical moment (click here), we went to our spots at the moshpit and we were so amazed (our faces looked like as if we saw God), some of us didn't really care about our concert spots.

I went with Ais, Kato, and Angelo. After a whole lot of reflecting, chit chatting, lights went off and "Tetrahydrochloridedub" by Franco played.

"How high can you go?....Embrace the natural."

I swear, it was the best intro. That song was one of my favorites off their album. It had minimal lyrics, more of spoken words but it was beautiful. They sang a couple of famous singles and I sang along to every song. It was like a double whammy for me. Franco x Incubus? What more can you ask for...

They ended their set with "Castaway". Shortly after they left, one by one the boys came out...Brandon, Mike, Ben, Jose, and Kil.

It was nonstop screaming. I even remembered being deaf for a few minutes right there. They started off with "Megalomaniac" and the crowd went wild! Moshpit section (where I was) was even wilder. Mike had a little incident with his guitar that made him smash it and push the amps. Too bad I didn't see that rockstar moment. I was totally unaware until after the concert when all the videos surfaced.

I decided to minimize my documenting especially the songs they already sang in 2008 since I wanted to enjoy the concert and not watch through the lens. Although I know I will regret it for my personal viewing/reflecting sessions at home.

Next songs were "Wish You Were Here" and "Consequence". I was really giddy to hear "Idiot Box" or "Glass" since I saw those two songs in Jakarta/Malaysia's setlist and assumed they would play it here too. Sadly, they didn't play "Idiot Box" but they did play "Glass"!

4th song was "Pardon Me"....

Next up was "Anna Molly"...

I took just snippets of videos not like the last time in '08 where I would film every song in full without getting cramps. I guess we grew old...haha

"Love Hurts" came in next which I wish they cut off the set and replaced with something else. I wouldn't say I hate that song, it's probably just my least favorite.

"Circles"

I was really surprised and happy they played "Look Alive"! It was totally unexpected! I felt like me and Ais were the only ones singing along. Dead silence surrounded us...

I wanted to hear new songs for a change...like "Switch Blade" or "The Original" but neither was played. But it's all good...they played "Promises, Promises".

To balance it out, they played good 'ol "The Warmth" for the Make Yourself junkies.

Of course, "Drive" was present as always. Everyone sang along to that infamous chorus "Whatever tomorrow brings I'll be there..."

"Sick, Sad, Little World" definitely took me back to the '08 concert as it was played exactly like the last time. Lovely as always. I remembered closing my eyes to Mike's tear jerking solo...

I didn't really feel the song "Isadore" until I heard it live! It has been on loop ever since...

I never would've realized how beautiful it was.

"There's just one parachute..."

Finally, one of the songs I've been waiting to hear..."Glass"! I remember going wild and singing my lungs out! Hence this shaky video...

It's crazy how they can sound the same from about 13 years ago.

"Talk Shows On Mute" was also a concert default. It's not a complete set without this song...

Last two songs were "Adolescents" and "A Crow Left Of The Murder".

(skip to 0:48 for better audio quality)

17 songs? That's it? Of course not, there was an encore!

They went back with a very sensual "I Miss You", another crowd favorite.

When one of my favorite songs off the new album "In The Company Of Wolves" was played, I seriously felt like I was hearing the hallelujah chorus. It was pure magic, I just had to take it all on video...and a pretty decent one. Check it out.

(Can you hear my friend, Ais sing during the whole song? Haha!)

I felt like I was taken to another dimension with that sick bridge! It really was "The longest night of my life".

They ended the set with "Nice To Know You" and a surprise shoutout by Brandon to the Street Team in the midst of the song's intro.

(video from 1welcome)

Brandon: "We had so much fun, Manila."

"Thank you so much once again."

"Thank you to the Incubus Street Team too. We love you guys."

In that moment, I said to myself, "Okay it's official, we are LEGIT."

Also, in the midst of "Nice To Know You", all the women swoon when THIS happened…

...but for me, that smile was what made my heart melt.

They bid us goodbye...but for some of us, it did not end there. (wink)

Setlist:
Megalomaniac
Wish You Were Here
Consequence
Pardon Me
Anna Molly
Love Hurts
Circles
Look Alive
Promises, Promises
The Warmth
Drive
Sick Sad Little World
Isadore
Glass
Talk Shows on Mute
Adolescents
A Crow Left of the Murder

Encore:
I Miss You
In the Company of Wolves
Nice To Know You

(Click the photo for my Incubus live in Manila photo set!)

Share your Incubus experience, yes? Comments and feedback are highly appreciated. Cheers!

∞B

If Not Now, When?

Last week was a crazy week. I still can't believe my dream came true. My dream of meeting my music heroes that has inspired me in life especially the man behind those words...
It's crazy how I was just blogging about this 3 months ago (click here) how last time was an utter fail and I need to meet them this time.

If we're friends you'd probably know that I'm a huge Incubus fan/groupie whatever you wanna call it. To give you a brief history, I first heard about Incubus during grade five (2003), I was 11, but "Are You In?" was the only song I knew then and I didn't even know who sang it, I just liked the song. Is that considered? Haha. It was only mid 2006 that I got really into them, dissecting every old album, songs, etc. I've been a follower ever since....

I'm so glad I found fellow friends who share the same passion as me. Just recently, I've become an active Street Team member. Well actually I was a member back in 2008 but was never really active.

These people are really dedicated. I'm probably the least productive person in the team. Hah. And they are hardcore fans. Some of them are even Incubus fans since Fungus days. Wish I was but only problem is, I was 4 years old back in '96. Do the math.

Now for the good part...

we were given a token of appreciation as I may call it for all the hard work we've been doing for this little band.

What is it?

Just an intimate meet and greet with Incubus. No biggie.

 We were escorted to the backstage holding area to prepare...and keep our composure maybe. Haha


When we got there, I could here Franco's soundcheck and all the shaningans with the crew. I also saw some Incubus staff, roadies, and familiar faces I've seen in Incubus videos. Somehow, I felt like an important person upon seeing all that, I'm not really sure why. Haha

The Ovation people came in and gave us a little briefing...next thing I know I felt like it was one of the scenes in my many dreams. I didn't know what was gonna happen actually. Until I saw them in the flesh...

We went in by groups...I felt like it was a big party and Mike Einziger was the host. He was so accommodating! I swear.

I couldn't keep myself together because this was the first time I'm meeting them. Everything was prepared except for the things I have to say...yey. I handed them the gifts I bought. Jose was the first one and I felt a bit awkward. Seems like he wants to get it over with. But no worries, maybe he was just tired. I forgive you, Jose. Ben came in before Brandon so I was rushing him a bit. I know, I'm such a dumbass.

When I got to Brandon, I seriously did not know what to do with myself.

(There's Brandon talking to me...)
Next thing I know, I was getting teary eyed. (sucks)

Tears fell and everyone went "awww...". Brandon called it "happy tears".
I couldn't say anything but my name and "yeah". I tried so hard to keep my face decent while crying. It was a struggle, I must say.
I handed him my gift and I'm pretty sure our conversation went like this...
(I have a video to prove it as well. Ha!)

Brandon: "Oh, what's this?"
Me: "It's my gift for you."
Brandon: "I love you."
(hug)

He initiated the hug and I couldn't distinguish reality from fantasy in that moment.

I kept analyzing the video, playing it over and over again just to get it right. Yes, Brandon Boyd just told me he loves me.
I should've asked him to wear it on stage - the necklace/bracelet I gave that was inside the pouch...but no.
Aaah...would've, could've, should've.

When I got to Mike I was still crying and apologizing he said no problem and I told him he's so cute he replied with a

"You're so cute as well. I like your Guns 'N Roses shirt".

See how nonsense I can get when I am in shock?

Finally, last one was Kil. I am still in awe about the Brandon thing I couldn't hear what Kilmore was saying.

We had a quick photo op. Mike was calling my name "Bev!" 'coz I didn't know where I should position myself and I looked really confused as seen in the picture below. Haha...

After everyone was done, I looked for Brandon hoping I could speak to him not in the language of cry. Lei and Kat were already there talking to him so I waited but our time was up and the bouncers were already escorting the others outside. He gave free hugs to everyone!

He bid us goodbye "bye guys!" followed with a "bye Bev!"

I died.

I hugged Mikey goodbye but didn't say anything once again. Just hugged him...he was so soft.

Brandon and Mike playing with the gifts I gave them...

They opened it right after we left! Those are mini flutes Brandon and Mike are blowing, that red thing is a surfboard keychain with 'Philippines' written on it, the other one is a wood pen with 'Philippines' written on it as well. And you see that native thing? That is where my long ass letter for Brandon is kept. It's crazy how I was just buying these stuff and now it's all in their hands (and mouths).

One of my regrets was not speaking to Ben how much I adore him and his solo work. "Beard of Bees" is my favorite. It has already been play raped by my iPod, Kilmore and how he inspired me to get dj lessons, Mike and his ridiculous intellect about music theory and science hence the successful End.>Vacuum. Oh, and him just being a 'Jewfro' is plain awesome.

You know, I love them all but Brandon has my heart. I know it's cliche, don't judge. I have my valid reasons.

I still couldn't get over what just happened...still teary-eyed. I don't even know why I was such a puss throughout the whole thing.

 Brandon and Kil holding my gift...
(Photo from Charm Gamboa)

(Photo from Sir Renen De Guia)

Backstage an hour before the concert with Sir Renen De Guia of Ovation Productions. The man we all owe our lives to. Well, at least I do.

Here's a video to put life to my horrible narration...

I'm glad some friends took it all on video (Thanks Ais and Lei!)…at least I have something to remind myself that IT IS real and it did happen.

Me: "Hi Brandon."

Brandon: "Hi Bev, how are you?"

Me: "Do you remember me?"

Brandon: "Yeah…"

(You know when rockstars forget the people they meet a DAY after? Not in this case…)

He just said my name before I could even introduce myself again then I ask him if he remembers me?! That's me when I'm nervous...I don't pay attention and say stupid things. He probably read my novel...I mean letter for him the night before since they opened the gifts already (as seen in picture above).
 I’m happy to say that now that I’ve met him, I look at him like a real normal person just like everyone else…no celebrity fame light shining around him. I even kinda forgot that he was an international rockstar. He just happened to touch a lot of hearts with his God given talents making him #1 on everyone’s list. The feeling was very...endearing.


One of my dreams was to meet him…but meeting him twice was so much better. I don't think any other man has ever intrigued me as Brandon Boyd has. 

To wrap it up, I can say that this was probably one of the best days of my life. I don't know how I will get over this...probably never.

I've never in a million years thought that I would actually meet Incubus face-to-face, human to human. I thought it only existed in my many dreams...
I want to thank a few people who made this happen. Ovation Productions, Katrina Sales, Steve Rennie, and of course Brandon, Mike, Ben, Jose, and Kilmore.


(Sorry if this turned out to be a Brandon appreciation post. I just...can't help it.)

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"I've waited all my life...if not now, when will I...?

Meet and greet photos from Mong Pintolo and Magic Liwanag of Ovation Productions 

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