Colleen (aka Cécile Schott) makes beautiful music. How so? Uh. Loopy layered soft twinkly-ness? Most horrible description ever? Yes. So just listen yourself, or watch this video:

It’s…sad. It’s not quite as life-threatening as having a food-less existence (a situation that probably leads to death), but you don’t realize how much you miss something until you don’t have it anymore. I only went to concerts sparingly this past year, but I always enjoyed the experience. I seriously need more calorie-free satisfaction in my life. While I don’t sorely miss the CMJ marathon in NYC, I’m pretty sure I would’ve gone to a few shows this year (as opposed to last year where I huddled in my room, alooone, wallowing in…loneliness). OH WELL!

Here’s the only Grizzly Bear song that I have [thanks John!]:

Grizzly Bear – Marla

You can listen to more on their website. Their music can be quite soothing. Like valium. If that’s your thing. (SURE IS!) Or it can be fun, a capella style:

Brooklyn is a band from Paris who sings songs in English. Of course, if you were from Brooklyn you probably wouldn’t call your band Brooklyn. But. I find it amusing anyway. A bunch of people in Brooklyn should form a band called Paris and sing in French to complete the circle.

[via blogotheque]

Paris knows how to be awesome in many ways. Baguettes. Doggie poo all over the streets. More baguettes. And a PARADE OF TECHNO this Saturday at noon starting at Place de la Bastille. Paris Info says:

About 30 floats equipped with huge speakers, with one float devoted to music from French-speaking countries, will make their way in a loop from the Bastille and back through the heart of the city. Over 300,000 people are expected to turn up to enjoy the street party.

I’ll try to check it out while hoping I don’t get crushed by 300,000 dancing people. No dancing for me; I’ll just observe.

The Peter Bjorn and John show went off my radar after hearing too much about the sketchiness of the 20th arrondissement. Poot! But I’d rather spend my Friday night having a carefree dinner than worrying about being mugged.

While it’s not the intention of everyone I’ve spoken to about safety in Paris to make me feel paranoid, I kind of feel…paranoid. “Paris is perfectly safe…until midnight when it becomes a hotbed of petty theft and drugs and DEATH.” Ohh. …Okay. I’m not quoting anyone in particular, but you know what I mean. Maybe. After two years in NYC, I always felt pretty safe in the city at any time of day (not that I’d wander around at 4 AM, but I’ve roamed around by myself at 1 AM and felt fine). Knowing that the Paris Metro stops around 12:30 doesn’t make me want to go anywhere too late (yeah, I know there’s a thing called a taxi…but whatever). And I haven’t in the past five days that I’ve been here since I’m too tired anyway. I’ve already been advised how to carry backpacks and bags on the metro to prevent people from opening zippers or slashing the bags open. Good to know! I guess.

If anyone has concert recommendations in Paris until December, let me know. Maybe I will just save my money for food.

croissant innards

Mm…yes…