Category: Phoenix
Phoenix isn’t as bad as you may have heard…here is proof.
0 On to New Adventures
If you think that its been deathly quiet the last month or so on the site, you’d be right. The truth is, that after 150 posts, nearly 40 podcasts, and literally hundreds of songs, Brandon and I have come to a crossroads of sorts.
Two years ago, Brandon and I hadn’t even met let alone produced a podcast together. At the time, we were just two new, overwhelmed teachers wondering what the hell we had gotten ourselves into joining Teach for America. Back then, seeing our way through the week was difficult enough let alone trying to predict what we would be doing at the completion of our two-year mission! Staying sane, keeping our heads above water, and making sure we were doing everything we possibly could for our students was the beginning, middle, and end of our daily existence. And so it went.
Jump ahead 24 months and I can’t tell you where the time has gone. Sure, I can point to our shinny new master degrees, incredible student relationships, and this blog of course, but it still seems odd to think that Brandon and I wont be teaching in Phoenix come August. The two years have seemed to just fly by.
I has certainly been a rewarding endeavor and one that I wouldn’t have traded for the world. The students we have met, friendships we have made, and the challenges we have faced have made our time in Phoenix some of the best of our lives. To those of you who have spent time with us here in Phoenix, supported our endeavors, and followed us online, we thank you. Those relationships have made all the difference.
But as our time in Phoenix draws to a close, new adventures beckon. Brandon and I have accepted teaching positions in the United Arab Emirates and will be relocating to our new home this August. In the end, we had several opportunities but decided that the challenge and potential travel opportunities of being located in the Middle East were just too great to pass up. Obviously, this will mean yet another period of change as we transition to life in new classrooms, new homes, and new customs.
What that means for the website, I cannot exactly say. Flowerhousepodcast grew out of a mutual love of music, but was grounded in the persona and lifeblood of the growing indie scene here in Phoenix. Hell, we got the name for the podcast from the street we live on, West Flower, and spent as much time at local music venues as we have at home. Over the last two years we have somehow managed to take in almost 150 shows and a few hundred bands. We hit music festivals (Press passes you all), stood next to ?uestlove (he is huge!), and hugged Darren Weis of Papa (actually, several times). We made the linear notes on two albums, had bands such as Cayucos and Hi Ho Silver Oh spend the night, had a theme song written for us by Absofacto (Thank you again Jonathan!), and even had a private skype show with TV Girl amongst other great times to numerous to mention. More importantly, we have made some great friends, both on the road and here in Phoenix. It has been a blast and we intend to keep the ride going.
Brandon and I will continue the podcast and blog, as we can manage, albeit from a different time zone, half way around the world. While we won’t be attending as many indie shows (read: none), we will still be searching out good music and bringing you the five songs you need to hear each week. Or every other week. Or, lets be honest, when we can…In return, we hope you will continue to tune in and give us your feedback. We always said that we would do this even if nobody listened and we would…the fact that we don’t have to just makes it all the better.
- A
0 Waiting for Superman (father john misty)
Father John Misty? Saturday Night? Should be a great show!
0 Polica!
Given the number of shows going on tonight, I was glad to see a decent turnout for Polica. The Rhythm Room is a small venue so we knew the show would be an intimate one. They certainly didn’t disappoint and when that Keith Sweat cover dropped, I just about lost it.
0 Sunday Fun Day with Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse in a small outdoor venue? Check. A warm 80 degree desert night? Check. 500 of our closest friends? Check. Really, what’s not to like?
MM has played just about every hit they’ve had over the last 20 years and, two hours in, seem far from finished. There were times tonight when I could’ve sworn it was 2002 and I was sitting under the stars at Bumpershoot. It was that familiar. That uncanny. That wonderful. To the folks 4 hours west in Indio, I say keep your Daft Punk commercials and tupac holograms…quality will always trump quantity in the end. Peace. -A
0 Modest Mouse
They sound so good people.
0 New Event Calendar
Saturday and another update to the site.
“hey guys, we are local and wondered what shows you planned on seeing this month…” – Anonymous
We often get asked about the shows Brandon and I are planning on catching. We’d like to think that it’s because people want to come out and party with us but it could be maybe that just me being naive (Pulp Fiction anyone?)…if so, this is going to be a really bad idea.
Last week we added an events page to the site listing many of the shows that we’ll be attending over the next few months. I say most because there’s always the possibility that something else will come up like parent-teacher meetings (what do you say about a student who whips his winky out in class?), chaperoning school dances (hilarious!), passing out exhausted after a long week (hey, it happens), etc.
Each listing includes a link to the venue and a brief band bio courtesy of Stateside Presents. When possible (because we love you in all your laziness), we’ve also included a track allowing you to quickly get a feel for the band without having to leave the site.
If you do get out, please come say, “Hi”. We don’t bite and really are not the music snobs you might envision. No, seriously. If fact, you might be surprised at the subjects we can converse on. Try us.
- A
