Thursday, 15 October 2009

Let's all skip to In The City

In standard uncouth american fashion I have woefully neglected my blog for the summer, preferring instead to do things like talk to people in person. And perhaps get a drink. And go on vacation to Scotland with my parents. I even managed to have regular contact with, let's call him, a 'man', and now am happily skipping along in what is commonly referred to as a 'relationship'. Look at me being all mature!

Remember when I used to write about music? I did. In fact I had a vision this blog would focus on the Mancunian scene when I started it, but many stumbling blocks, sidetracks and speedbumps later, and I'm still working it out. That's ok. Because my 'I really must do this because I want to do this so badly' gene is kicking again and soon I will have a newer betterer blogsite ... so stay tuned. If you can be asked.

Let's get the party restarted: it's October and it's In The City time again. I think I'm a bit late to be handing out recommendations, but the line-up for In The Mill (above) intrigues so I'll likely bob around, particularly as my loves Run Toto Run (and below) are playing on Saturday at 5pm. For a full line-up of all the unsigned bands you can see this weekend, try here. There is a weekend wristband available, assuming you want to see 200 half-hour sets in 72 hours. Who will win the Next Big Thing prize?? You tell me!

Friday, 10 July 2009

sleepyhead

I managed to catch the brilliant Run Toto Run last night as part of the Manchester International Festival. Check out their gorgeous version of Passion Pit's Sleepyhead!




Last night they had a whole string section joining in for this song and others, I really can't describe how good it was, and: party poppers were involved. Also. I want more bands dressed as fairies. Bands, please make a note.

Run Toto Run are playing Whatfest next weekend, along with my good friends Moral Soul and many other tasty bands. Yay! Come along!

Wednesday, 8 July 2009

A birthday present

Diana, she lies
uncouth and superfoxy
soft curves, my altar

Wednesday, 29 April 2009

new beginnings

I have finished a story. And submitted it to a place. A literary type journal thing. Stay tuned. I'm sure it will be rejected any day now.

I'm going to Portmeirion this weekend. I'm very excited to see the place where The Prisoner was filmed. I think everyone has been to Portmeirion except me.

Lately I have been very adept at offending people. If you would like to be offended and therefore not have to speak to me anymore, please let me know. I would be happy to send you an offensive email, text and/or letter by post. A 140-character tweet is also do-able and will certainly be 'punchy'. Please could you specify whether you would like to be inadvertently offended by an off-color remark most likely intended as a joke, or would prefer an explosive rant full of expletives and vile commentary about your being.

Thank you.

Wednesday, 11 March 2009

manchester moon


, originally uploaded by uncouth american.

Sunday, 8 March 2009

Mmmm Alex with no trousers....

Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand fame has weakened the knees of ladies everywhere by admitting to a group trouser peeling-off session after every gig [check the comments]. Tight trousers and the resulting perspiration from jumping around under hot stage lights can't possibly be an appetizing combination, but I'm a giver. Alex: if you ever need help peeling off your trousers, do give me a call.

I thought it rather big of him to bother responding to one short girl's pissy complaints about sound quality when the 11,870,987 other fans at the gig were having such a good time and thought they sounded fine [but she knows, she's been to enough gigs to know better than all of us!]. She seems doubtful as to whether the real Alex has provided this comment. I think yes. I'm going to trust Alex, his conscience, the band, the universe, the goodness of humans everywhere and actively choose to believe that Alex really is that nice.

For a more balanced but predictably dull review of the gig, check out city life.

Saturday, 7 March 2009

DONK

A blurb before I tackle the Kitchen of Doom. There's a really interesting documentary series about DONK posted on vbs.tv -- click here my peeps.

If you don't know, DONK is '150 bpm hardcore rave music', originating from Bolton*. I would rather eat my hair than listen to it for more than 20 seconds, but the documentary is really interesting in terms of how music scenes originate.

I love how the kidz call everything 'sick'. Or is it 'sic'. Cracks me up.

*Americans-only geography lesson: Bolton is 10 miles northwest of Manchester.

Monday, 2 March 2009

night of the ting

Friends, on my latest manotastrope:

You need to block this asshole. Wash him out of your hair. Just tell him to fuck off.

I'm not sure to give points for straightforward honesty or just kick him in the tenders on general principle. I think kicking is in order. A 4am text is not even a Z game. Do you have a boot preference? Steel-toe, spiked, ... etc?

Men are rubbish. Texting is rubbish. Men + texting = landfill.

(Two of those three are from guys. Just saying.)

I appreciate the (successful) attempts to make me laugh. Another story is notched on the bedpost.

++++++++++++++++

Thanks to a lazy perfectionist, I was given free tickets to the ting tings. I believe it's currently uncool to like the ting tongs. Fuck you backlashers! The ting things make me smile! I have a crush on Katie!




Martin and I had seats in the second row of the Apollo balcony. Perfect, I'm too old to stand downstairs with the kidz. The twing bings are a dream duet. High energy, charming, adorable. But I think maybe we had more fun watching the audience. You know, children who dragged along their parents.

This 10-year-old boy was in front of me. His mother had not one bone of rhythm in her body. I felt his anguish when she danced.


These girls behind us were stood up dancing the whole time. Go girlies!


Yeah I'm at the ting tings with my daughters. God help me.

Sunday, 1 March 2009

The neighborhood


Has gone downhill

Monday, 23 February 2009

would you like me to take your picture, hmmmm?

I need to shoot a series for my photography class. I would like to do a set of portraits of bloggers. In my head they will be styled....perhaps Leibowitzy-like, but much sillier. I have some bloggers in mind to approach, but if you are a blogger and wouldn't mind helping me out then please do get in touch:

dsteinway (at) yahoo.com

Don't be shy now! I promise it will be a fun experience and you'll end up with a wicked picture.

Blogging is such an interesting community and yet, as bloggers, we hide behind screens and computers. I know I do. And I hate having my picture taken. Which is why I'd like to do this, I think.