Category Archives: Blog

11.05.10
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Buenos Aires

I’ve just returned from a trip to Buenos Aires and you know, I think I’m possibly the first person on the planet (except for Chileans) to have said this, but I much prefer Santiago. Don’t get me wrong, Buenos Aires is cool and I had a great time there but I don’t get why TODO EL MUNDO is so insistent that it’s “da best place evaa” and Santiago is “lyk soo lame” in comparison. I accept that there are certain things that Santiago would benefit from; yes the rumours are true, Argentines are indeed beautiful and very stylish, which was actually a bit of a culture shock for me having been in Santiago for 3 months where no one gives a shit about what they wear…  The food is also delicious and cheap – lots of Italian, lots of steak, etc. But it’s only marginally better and I’m not exactly suffering in Santiago – I’ve just had to adapt my tastes a tad.

So yes, there are beautiful people, the food is a bit nicer and I guess the nightlife is “crazy”, though I’ve never had any problem staying out all night and having fun in Santiago so I don’t see what the big deal is… And Santiago is so beautiful, in spite of all the skyscrapers (which I think may be what people object to.) It has lots of lovely green spaces and quiet, pretty little streets hidden away, though just off the main street, and wherever you are in the city you can always see the mountains (except on those few pesky days when the smog is too thick to see a thing..)

People ask me if I’m joking when I say I prefer Santiago but I really do mean it. Buenos Aires is a very cool place to visit, but it’s a big horrible city if truth be told and I felt a little lost there. Santiago is a big city but it has a small, homey feel to it and is divided up into lots of nice little neighbourhoods. Plus everyone loves an underdog. I think it’s a shame Santiago has such a shitty rep but then again, it’s nice having it to myself.

Perhaps Buenos Aires is a cooler placer to visit for a few days but I really think it’s lacking – what’s it got on Santiago? We have the mountains surrounding us, the beach an hour away, hundreds of quality vineyards, amazing national parks only a stones throw away AND the city is pretty and lovely and fun. So yeah, bring it Buenos Aires. To clarify, I don’t hate Buenos Aires, I thought it was nice, but I have a lot more love for ma hometown of Santiago!

11.03.10
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Link – Bruce Springsteen loved MY work

My mother sent me this link. She’s the second biggest Springsteen fan in the world. My uncle is the first biggest – he takes a day off work every time Springsteen releases an album so he can go and buy it and listen to it all day.

Anyway, it’s a lovely article, made me smile. One day I’ll have an awesome book published and made into a film about one of my heroes.

Link – Bruce Springsteen loved MY work

10.14.10
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Pixies 13/10/10 Santiago de Chile

So… last week I was lucky enough to dine with two members of Pixies (drummer and guitarist) and a few of their “entourage” thanks to a fortunate coincidence/friend of a friend type situation. Big thanks to Light Man Myles who made sure we got free entry to the gig in Santiago last night – it was a truly spectacular affair! They are undoubtedly as cool as ever (fucking cool).

Myles, legend, found us before the band went on and let us stand with him in the lighting box where he and the sound guy were doing their stuff. The band waited for the last miner to get out alive before starting the show – respect! Was great that the band wanted to celebrate the occasion and definitely appreciated by the fans. Black Francis kicked off the set, telling us (in pretty alright Spanish) that they’d be playing 33 songs, one for every freed miner! The atmosphere was buzzing, perhaps heightened by the fact it was Pixies first time in Chile, in spite of their popularity here – and with 33 songs we were really spoilt!

They eased their way through the set: after so many years the songs are still fresh, yet familiar, 3 minute slices of fucking awesomeness. The heavier grungy stuff got the crowd going but my personal highlight had to be the encore the audience lights came on for “Where is my mind?” It’s actually not my favourite Pixies song, but both times I’ve seen them live, it’s the one that really stood out for me. Perfect contentment. And all the more enjoyable to see they were having a good time too. After every song in the first half of the set Kim would coyly say “Gracias”, followed by a nervous laugh! But eventually she bantered more with the audience (in English) and would turn around to joke with Dave. We could see her big grin from right at the back! Radiant!

Set List:

“Cecilia Ann”
“Rock Music”
“Bone Machine”
“Crackity Jones”
“River Euphrates”
“Debaser”
“Wave of Mutilation”
“Monkey Gone to Heaven”
“I Bleed”
“Caribou”
“Cactus”
“Broken Face”
“Something Against You”
“Isla de Encanta”
“Tame”
“Sad Punk”
“Hey”
“#13 Baby”
“Gouge Away”
“Is She Weird”
“Dead”
“U Mass”
“Break My Body”
“Velouria”
“Dig For Fire”
“Allison”
“Ed is Dead”
“Mr. Grieves”
“Winter Long”
“Here Comes Your Man”
“Head On”
“Holiday Song”
“Vamos”
–
“Where Is My Mind”
“Gigantic”