The Long Forgotten Bonnaroo Experience

As I drove from Manchester to Nashville on the evening of Thursday, June 10th (the first night of Bonnaroo), I began to think of all the witty, snarky comments I wanted to make when I sat down to write this post. That day, over two months ago now, I was bitter with disappointment and my stomach churned with hunger. Most of my snark has died and now I'm just left with some, hopefully helpful, insight tinged just slightly with frustration. This post isn't even barely funny. Still, a long time ago I promised a blog on Bonnaroo...and tonight I shall deliver.

Things I learned by NOT going to Bonnaroo

1) Don't Go Alone.
It’s not being pillaged or plundered that has me concerned. Festivals mostly evoke a community vibe and people look out for each other. The real reason you need a friend with you is because you’re going to need someone to watch your back while you pee in the woods. After seven hours of waiting in my car, I was still 16 miles from the entrance gate. There was no guarantee that I wouldn’t be in my car waiting for another seven, possibly fourteen. As a matter of fact, I had a sheriff tell me that waiting 14 more hours was actually extremely likely. The movement was sporadic and both the car in front of me and behind me held people who were just as antisocial as I was. I had to pee, but there was no way I’d trust my car to a complete stranger while I ran off into the woods like so many other people. I also knew that if I abandoned my car long enough to pee, there was a good chance that if the traffic began to move again, people would go around me. I was too stubborn to let that happen. A friend could have covered me if I wanted to pee closer to the car or could have been in charge of rolling the car a quarter mile down the road while I ventured into a cow pasture. By myself, I was miserable and soon delirious. It was not a pretty sight.

2) Go Early
I’d read on a message board that people who showed up before the opening time would be turned away. For this reason, I planned out my journey so I would arrive exactly at 7 a.m. Except tens of thousands of people didn’t read that message board and had gotten there hours before I did. If I ever go again, I will go early.

3) Putting Your Cooler in the Back of Your Trunk=Not as Smart as You Think.
In an effort to save gas on my 6 hour drive down to Manchester, TN, I pushed my massive cooler to the back of my trunk, over my rear wheel axle. I took Physics…I know a thing or two about weight distribution and I knew this was the best move for the long journey.

What I didn’t consider was the hours-long wait once I got to the line at the entrance. It took me three tries and one eighth of a mile to clean out the rest of my trunk enough so that I could pull my cooler forward and get out a cold Dr. Pepper and a package of crackers. Not only did this make me more irritable, but it also turned my once organized car into a disaster zone of epic proportions. I’m still finding stuff that I tossed carelessly out of my trunk and through my sunroof. Things rolled all over the place and hid from me…only to reappear each time I slam on my breaks.

4) Don't Tweet About Your Horrible Experiences
At the time, ranting to the entire world about the unpreparedness of the Bonnaroo staff seemed like a great idea. But coming back home to a dozen “It’s worth it!” replies made me want to gouge my eyes out. Was it worth it? I’ll never know. But I do know this: Twitching (Bitching + Tweeting) didn’t accomplish anything. No one from Bonnaroo apologized and sent me any of my money back. All that really came to be was a bunch of replies that made me homicidal. Not cool.

5) Don't be Afraid to Change Your Plans
Those seven hours were the worst seven hours of my life. Far worse than the 18 I spent on a train from New York to Ohio. Even worse than the 3 hour plane ride from New York to Ohio when my mother was in the hospital. I’d been promised amazingness! I’d been promised that if I showed up early, I would get turned away. So I showed up on time and was punished for that, as well. I was hot and my blood sugar was low. The more time I spent on line, the more shows I missed. It was an awful way to start my first ever festival experience and I knew it would taint the rest of the weekend. I sold my ticket for about half the price, got off at the nearest exit to get some McDonalds and then spent the night hanging out in Nashville. It was definitely the right choice for me.

That's all I've got for you tonight! Don't ever say I don't keep my promises!

How Scientists Created Alan Pownall & Why I Love Him

I think I’m in love.

I’ve had a rough time deciding if I wanted to write this entry or not. Blogging isn’t exactly top-rate journalism, but I still like to approach my reviews with an open-minded and objective mind. When the Alan Pownall album finally arrived, I didn’t even consider blogging about it-I knew I was already partial to loving him. After all, he’s good friends with one of my most favorite bands. Now that I’ve listened to this album approximately a million times in the last few weeks, I know…I KNOW that I must share it (with a very tiny audience, sure. But still.).

Say some amazing scientist could figure out a way to mix the less douche-y and uncomplicated parts of John Mayer with the tweaking chillness of Jack Johnson to create the perfect musician. Are you with me? You’d probably get a guy with a great hairstyle and a tweed coat, leaning against a brick wall and strumming a guitar. He’d play the sorts of songs that are two parts toe-tapping and three parts finger snapping. Since he’d be half the amazingness of John Mayer, he’d have far more reach and variation than Jack Johnson. But since he’d also be half the surfer God chic of Jack Johnson, he wouldn’t take himself too seriously, his lines wouldn’t seem as cliché and his vibe would be much less pretentious. He’d be…perfect. He’d be Alan Pownall. Also, he’d be English. Swoon.

True Love Stories, Alan Pownall’s debut album, is filled with songs that make you move. Whether you’re listening to the lamenting “Turn Me Down” and nodding your head in solemn understanding or kicking your feet to “Take Me,” you’re never standing still, never bored. Tom Hobden (Noah & The Whale) makes a couple appearances throughout the album-My favorite on the waltzing “The Others.”

The only time I cringed was on the Jack Johnson-esque “Life Worth Living.” However, just like with Jack’s songs, I can’t help loving it in spite of itself. It makes me swish my hips, beat my head and smile. I think I could have a life worth living with Alan Pownall…or any of his friends, really. How can I not like it?

Still, his two more popular singles: “Chasing Time” & “Colourful Day.” Are both popular for a reason: They’re catchy, fun, and understandable. Why he’s not as popular as his mates from Mumford & Sons is beyond me. I’m certain, though, that it’s only a matter of time.

Despite my making him half-Jack, "True Love Stories" has been getting some serious spinning time in my car. Only a privileged few make into onto my visor and this album is worth it's space.

Definitely take a listen and then buy the goods.

-AD x

PS-As an added bonus, check out Pownall's awesome cover of "Love Lockdown."

Don't Worry, David Gray-I Still Love You

This a placeholder for a blog in which I will do nothing but dote on David Gray. That blog with not happen tonight, though, as there is a migraine currently wreaking havoc on my thought process. I will say THIS, though:

Foundlings, the new album by David Gray, comes out in about 30 minutes. It's just as beautiful as anything else he's done. Buy it, Bathe with it, Soak it in. You won't be disappointed.

This time I dare you to disagree.