ONLY ANGEL (Harry Styles Album, +Secret Show)

(i never finished this post but it's here going strong) (this is obviously from may) (im sorry)

catch the back of my head 

For all those unaware, this Monday, the consistent love of my life, Harry Styles hosted a secret (invite only) show at Rough Trade in Brooklyn and due to my lovely friend Jules' aunt, we were able to witness the boy band messiah himself! I have far too much to say about the show itself, from the incredible intimacy, to the infamous stage dive (I was one of the lucky few to be completely body slammed! cool!), but alas have already sold my soul (piece) to Mad Sounds so check in super soon for that gem. Anyways, along with being pressed against a stage at a 50 person Harry Styles show (absolutely wild. wild.), I actually ended up being one of the even fewer attendees who got to meet him, which was a complete and total emotional roller coaster itself, amassing to being one of my most surreal experiences. I want to go more in depth than this but have been real anxious about writing at the moment and don't believe whatever I can produce will do this moment justice.

But yeah I've actually been feeling real nervous when it comes to writing as it seems whatever I create isn't as "legitimate" as I feel it should be which is quite silly since if this blog was based off professionalism, it'd be long dead. Going off this idea, I decided the only way to truly honor Harry's self titled was to do the least poetic way of a review and literally just go song by song with my every disconnected thought.

-MEET ME IN THE HALLWAY
really beautiful harmonies and just an overall ace opener. I've been really living for this re branding and this song is just so calming and slightly ambiguous that it really just sets the mood for the rest- I also am really big fan of the simple lyrics that's kind of Front Bottoms-eque. Good stuff. Also that repetition of "gotta get better" is real catchy.

-SIGN OF THE TIMES
I've said this previously, but this sophomore track is the exact power ballad needed at the moment. Just a huge fan of the Bowie aspects put into production and I hate to be "that guy" but this one is absolutely breathtaking live. Just gorgeous.

-CAROLINA
So fun!! This was one of the four songs played at the Brooklyn show (Ever Since New York, Two Ghosts, and Sign of The Times being the others)- it was his first time doing it live and from the first second, it was a bop. First off, one of those ear worm-gets-stuck-in-your-head-forever ones but also includes some real interesting pieces like that high repeat of "situation" in the second verse that reminds me of The Beatles for some reason?? Also that "LA/LA/LA" part at the end? So good.

-TWO GHOSTS
Without a doubt my favorite off the album- really easily gets stuck in your head but is just so pretty and lilting that it's enjoyable. Just such poetic lyrics and is one of those slow songs I can bop to.
Kind of sounds like a song I've head before that I don't think exists but still feels familiar.

-SWEET CREATURE
Not a super fan of this one honestly- compared it to the "Little Things" of the album- boring yet kind of heartfelt enough. Not particularly interesting.

Try to Play It Cool But I Still Love You (PWR BTTM)

After months of waiting (since August precisely), Anh, Ben, and I finally saw PWR BTTM at Villain in Brooklyn on Friday (outfit post here) and with complete confidence, I'd have to say it was one of the best shows I've seen (a close second to The Front Bottoms duh)- it was honestly slightly odd since I hadn't been to a concert since last December, when I saw Frank Iero and The Celebration (one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a show), and after going through that phase in my freshman (and early sophomore) year of basically seeing a band every week, not seeing anything for nearly a year was a wild break.

Photo taken by Anh right after we got in- I remember being fourteen and fifteen and me and my friends would camp out for hours (like the time I waited in line for NINE hours to see All Time Low) outside the venue just to get the golden barricade. Just because I *must* sound pretentious and reflective at some point within this, this show was such a contrast from most of the emo shit I saw previously- for one there were was a lack of pushing teenagers trying to get to the front (that will not be missed). ANYWAYS, even though the three of us arrived fifteen minutes before doors opened, we ended up being right up against the stage (and lucky for me, right in front of the speaker- the ringing has still not left my ears).

                                        My loves, Ben and Anh, minutes before Lisa Prank.

The hypeman of the night was the "IM CIS" box- another really wonderful and beautiful point of Friday night was how gay everything was. I hadn't really been to a concert that was so reflective and made me so thoughtful about myself (whoa that sounds tacky and pretentious). In other words, I love my gay self and I love my gay friends.

Lisa Prank went on first and closed on a cover of "Dammit" by Blink-182- no matter what show I go to, I'll never be able to escape that middle school emo phase and that's partly because no one has fully escaped their emo phase either.

Vundabar was incredible as expected- Brandon was in front of me the whole time (god is he beautiful) and I fell a lil in love.

PWR BTTM !!! They opened with "West Texas" and I haven't felt so happy and hype and wonderful all at the same time- though my past concert experiences have definitely varied, there's definitely that same feeling of appreciation and love for whoever is on the stage and that's pretty golden.

                                       Love of my life, Liv Bruce, during "I Wanna Boi"

While Ben and Liv were switching instruments, Ben ending up falling literally behind the stage- all quite surreal and slapstick.

Nicholas being super beautiful and pretty- I ended up standing right in front of him and he snuck us smiles and side comments throughout the night.

The night closed off with a chant of "NO MAN WILL EVER LOVE ME THE WAY I NEED HIM TO" and encore with "House in Virginia"- all of PWR BTTM is so talented and I am literally in awe after seeing such an incredible band goddamn. '

*side note concert story: this entire night got me thinking of all the ridiculous things that have happened at concerts (which are especially funny since all of these take place with emo Ann from 2-3 years ago) and for some reason, the most comical and surreal and horribly emo memory I could come up with was the time I saw Pierce The Veil and Sleeping With Sirens on Valentine's Day 2015 (which is just a complete joke within itself) and Kellin fucking Quinn tells us the reason why he couldn't fully open his eyes was because he'd "just smoked a fuckton of weed" due to his valentine not being present. I'm not sure why that's what immediately came to mind but...

I've got them bad boy blues baby

Ugh wow quite a lot has happened. I feel as though that will continue to be a common opening sentence. I need to write more one here. 

♥I saw The Front Bottoms!! It was hands down one of the best nights ever my god. Seeing my favorite band ever couldn't actually be any better- I was pressed right up against the barricade, Brian Sella nodded at me multiple times, and I ended up crowd surfing for the first time ever to my favorite song off Back On Top, "Plastic Flowers". They're incredible live like Brian is adorable and so fun and they sound just like they do (if not better) in recordings. God damn I'm kind of tearing up thinking about it. 

Elvis Depressedly also opened which was A+++ 

I actually ended up seeing in them in Upstate New York funny enough (my friend's grandmother lives there) and my god is it gorgeous there. 

your local nature loving gay boi 

♥I became a staff member of Ando! Everyone there is super duper sweet and we just published our November issue! If you want to hear about me sitting in an empty apartment with two of my lovely friends, I'd highly recommend it (also watch out for my cool picks on music this month because I'm a cool music kid)

♥So this has become a How Fitting tradition on any of these diary posts but here is the CRUSH CORNER!! 

♥Brian Sella: my god does this one need an explanation?? He's just so adorable and sweet and I love focusing on him and The Front Bottoms.

♥Drake: Not even current Drake but like young actor wheelchair Drake. I've been watching quite a lot of Degrassi lately.

♥Banks: All I've been listening to. Her voice is beautiful and the lyrics are SO fucking good- 10/10 would recommend.

♥Matthew Gray Gubler: When is he not on my crush list? With Halloween being a thing at the moment, he's even more important.

♥Evan Peters: Yet another Halloween one but he's always up there.

♥Buffy: Not even Sarah Michelle. Buffy. 

Have a $uper cool Halloween,

you're my favorite lie

Wow where do I even start with this one- On April 2, I saw one of my favorite bands ever, As It Is, at Webster Hall in New York. Being part of their Street Team has its serious perks such as exclusive hang outs with the band so me and six other girls ended up having the opportunity to meet up with them a half hour before doors opened and by the time I got to the venue I could barely contain how nervous and excited I was. Since I was like an hour early, only two other team members were there and they were super cool and we took this lovely squad picture. (Also, we ran into Cody, all of Against The Current, and Ben Biss while waiting in line!!)

About a half hour later, the rest of the members came in and we made our way to the outer part of the venue (we were on the corner because the line wrapped around) and waited for their tour manager, Alex, to get us. Since this wasn't an official VIP, such as Against The Current and Set It Off's, we were low priority with the venue and had to wait awhile for the main band's actual VIP to come in. After that though, we got nothing from Alex and was half an hour late until Elliott, their photographer came out to get us because apparently Alex went out to dinner. I think the part where I really felt the coolest was when we were going past security and Elliott said, "They're with me." I felt like the non drug addicted, depressed, complete mess, Penny Lane. Since the main band meet and greet was going on inside the Marlin Room (where the show would be), we ended up in the hallway. I don't even know how to describe how excited and nervous and happy was when I first began talking to the band. Patty and I had a conversation first and we talked about Straightedge (since we're both) and Mystery Science Theatre and his day in New York and he was so sweet and considerate and genuine throughout the whole time (he gives the best hugs ever by the way) and when we took a picture he rubbed my back and oh my.

We then took pictures with the full band and I ended up on the Alt Press instagram because As It Is was doing a takeover that day!!

I seriously felt like Penny Lane (because of course I need to choose the most problematic Almost Famous character to compare myself to)

I then ended up talking to Ali, Andy, and Foley who were the nicest guys- our conversation mainly revolved around tourist traps, New Jersey, Warped Tour, and how a subway works. I loved talking with them because it didn't seem like there was a barrier between us. When I asked them if they could sign my docs, Ben turned around and said,

"Did you just ask them to sign your dogs?" and I had to explain that I didn't just ask three guys to sign a live animal and Ben joined in talking with us. Doors opened then and more people wanted to meet the band so I backed off a bit and waited for Samantha and Madison. Once they got in, they both met Patty and we got spots in the crowd. 

me and Madison being a cute, edgy, couple 

   Roam was on first and even though I didn't really know their music, they had such awesome energy (I think Alex did a backflip at one point) and had an overall fun set- I even joined in a circle pit for the first time! 

As It Is was up next and holy shit I'd been waiting years for this and it was exactly what I hoped for. The entire band was fun to watch and they did such a good job of getting the entire crowd involved. They played, "Dial Tones", "Concrete", "Horoscopes", "Bitter Broken Me", "Can't Save Myself", and two new songs that are off their album that's coming out soon. I was screaming so much and jumping and no matter how much I try and explain what was going on, it can never do these emotions justice. 

After their set, Sam, Madison and I hung back at Roam and As It Is' merch tables because the bands were hanging out there (I love that they sell all their own merch). We met two members of Roam and had a lovely conversation with their lead singer, Alex, about New York , the underground, pizza, and their ukulele cover. He was so sweet (and really really tiny) and I just love how laid back the entire show was. I mean Cody from the main band playing, Set It Off, walked by me multiple times and every time I waved, he always smile or wave back. 

The As It Is guys came back out and I said hey to Ben again and he was like, "Oh yeah! You're the dog girl!" I told him how good the set was and he talked about touring and eating a lot of pizza so there was no confusion this was a pop punk show. We also took this photo where I look slightly disgusting. 

Foley then came out and we also took this 

Before this, the best show I'd seen was Say We Can Fly's tour with Kingsfoil just because of how tiny the venue was and how the members would just be walking around and you could actually have a conversation with them. I brought this up with Alex and he was saying that he loves things like this just because there isn't a barrier between fans and bands. All in all, I met one of my most favorite bands ever and have horrible post concert depression. 

Jingle Ball 2014

      Three days before the show, I was invited by a friend who's dad works for Z100 to go to Jingle Ball 2014- this show has been one of my all time favorites for multiple reasons and I learned some valuable lesson such as:

1. music is music even though every single artist there was considered "mainstream" and most people (including 7th grade Ann) were commenting on how artists on the radio are stupid and untalented and yeah I'm not going to fight that like all music in the world, some of it is ridiculous but as I've said in about every other concert post, there's something about seeing an artist live that makes you feel different. Seeing a group of singers and bands that were giving their all and having the time of their lives on the stage had me gain a bundle of respect for everyone that played that night. Music is music and music is fun no matter how "mainstream" or pointless it is. These are songs that I've known the lyrics to forever and have been shoved into my brain through parties and long drives with my mom and just completely letting go of everything and flailing around like crazy gave me a new found appreciation for these songs
2. Charlie XCX is a complete babe. Not only did she look stunning, but I found it on a new level of cool that her band was made up of completely women- everyone looked super bad ass and I loved every minute of her set.
3. There is no way not to cry when Taylor Swift is in the same place as you. 
4. Rita Ora is incredible.
5. Nick Jonas' one song set is a mix between insulting and disappointing. 
6. Everything is better with a full choir behind you (connecting back to Nick)
7. 5 Seconds of Summer really know how to kill it.
8. Z100 and Pharrel still consider "Blurred Lines" an acceptable song.
9. Everything is better if it has Gwen Steffani involved (connecting back to Pharrel).
10. Jessie J is a beautiful person.
11. Don't get so excited by Jessie J that you accidentally throw your phone into the isle in front of you.
12. People can be complete dicks and spill beer all over your hair and the back of your sweater and not apologize 
13. 
    
    
    
    
    
    

Kingsfoil, Say We Can Fly, Rookie Of The Year, and Red Letter Days

    Last Monday, I saw Kingsfoil's tour with Say We Can Fly, Rookie Of The Year, and Red Letter Days at The Knitting Factory in Brooklyn and I have to say, it was one of the best shows I have ever been to. As most of you know, all these bands aren't the most well known and therefor the crowd was extremely small (I swear there were 50 people in there at most) which I loved since the entire show was extremely intimate. With them being so unknown and not having to worry about crazy fans, the bands were just walking around the place. For starters, a girl I met in line wanted to bring her professional camera in but the venue wouldn't let her so Kingsfoil (the headlining band) came out of nowhere and invited her to take pictures of them, slapped a press pass on her wrist, and let her bring the camera in. Also, I am not kidding when I tell you that right when I walked into the room Braden fucking Barrie was just standing there. My sister and I had made sure to be in front of the line so we were one of the first inside and I instantly ran up to talk to him. The two of us ended up taking a photo (it is the first picture I have ever taken with a "famous"- I use that word loosely- person that I actually like how I look)

   Since the doors opened half and hour early, Rachel and I spent a lot of time just saving our spots by the stage (we were pressed up against it!) and "merching it up" (as Rach said). Since they were super cheap and it was Rachel's first concert, we ended up buying "Stay Cozy" tanks that Braden signed (he was standing by the merch table for a lot of the time) and a Say We Can Fly signed poster (I will need to find room for it on my wall). I also snapped a photo of Rachel and Braden- even though she was a little shy, I insisted.

    8:00 finally came along and the first opening act, Red Letter Days, got on. Though I'm not familiar with the band (I don't think anyone was), they were pretty rad. The set up was super interesting too- the lead singer was on bass, there was an insane guitarist, and the drummer basically ran the entire show. They played about seven songs (including an awesome mash up of classic rock songs) before making room for the next set, Rookie Of The Year. 

The guitarist was insanely good- after their set ended, my sister and I kept trying to get his attention for his pick.

(Let's not even mention how cute the lead singer was)

    Rookie Of The Year was extremely acoustic-y and though I knew zero of his songs, I took some kewl pictures and selfies with Rachel

   Though this was Kingfoil's tour, it seemed as though most of the audience was here for Say We Can Fly which is unbelievably better live. I loved the interaction Braden had with the crowd (we were basically all just pressed up around the stage so it was easy to talk to us) and how he explained that he didn't really have a set list so kind of just let us scream out songs we wanted to hear. He opened up with "Intoxicated I Love You" (I went through a phase in which that was all I listened to) then followed up with "Love Note For A Rainy Day" since everyone wanted to hear something off the Dandelion Necklace EP. After that, he played "Scars" which actually got me crying. Before the show when I met Braden, I told him that he was a big influence on my end to self harm and he ended up giving me a huge hug and telling me he felt honored to hear that so "Scars" was an insanely emotional song to hear live. He then asked if it was OK to play a cover (followed by a lot of screaming from the crowd) and ended up doing "Lego House" by Ed Sheeran. Braden then went on to taking a vote from the crowd for either "The Poet" or "Heaven Is Hell" and ended up doing the second one. Then after persuasion from the crowd, went for "Dandelion Necklace" (ugh don't even get me into how pretty it was live) and ended with "Bruise My Bones". He then said goodbye to us all (not really though since he walked around the venue for the rest of the night). 

"We are at the Knitting Factory so I guess we're making some sweaters tonight"

   Kingsfoil finally came on after that and though I have only been listening to them for about a month, I absolutely love them and was so excited to see the band live. Though I can't remember exactly how many songs they played, I do recall "What Your Mother Taught You", "Give It Up", and "Grapevine Valentine". OK I realize how stupid it is that I love their biggest hot so much but I had a serious obsession with it and hearing the song live meant a lot to me. 

   So as I said, the fifth song they played was "Grapevine Valentine" and I was over the moon when it came on to the point where I was screaming it really obnoxiously. Since there was barely anyone there, Kingsfoil could hear me pretty clearly and therefor I got Jordan Davis' attention and we locked eye contact for a good ten seconds. I'd like to think he looked over at me because I was one of the only people singing along but it probably was for he wanted me to shut the fuck up.

     All in all, this night really made me realize how much I appreciate small bands and venues like this for the kind of experience could have never happened with a big time band and large crowd.