When I Went To Go See Jeff Mangum (Neutral Milk Hotel)

Neutral Milk Hotel has always been a classic in the indie music collection of people such as I. They are the weirdest of the weird when it comes to music and style. They broke up in about 1998 because of Jeff Mangum their singer. This was his first time on tour since the band split up. He hates fame. I could just see it in him when I saw him live. 

He played all Neutral Milk Hotel's songs acoustic, which is a lot different than the quirky instruments added into the recordings. I liked it a lot actually.

He wouldn't let anyone record or take pictures. He was just paranoid of fame. At the Depot there are projector screens and TV's on the walls so you can see even if people are in the way. Jeff freaked out when he saw them. He pretty much stopped the concert until they turned them all off.

He usually looks like this.

Jeff Mangum is Gandalf. (Stole this one from instagram @teresaflowers)

This was probably a once in a lifetime experience. I think seeing Jeff tour again is about as likely as seeing Elliot Smith or Kurt Cobain tour again.

It was a great concert and I loved it.

Sufjan (Soof-yawn) Stephens

So this week I have decided to share with you my new music obsession. I have rediscovered the sweet sweet sounds of Sufjan Stephens.

He even knits.

If you haven't noticed already, I have a really quirky taste in a lot of things. Sufjan is gloriously weird in every way and the best part of it is he gets basically no media attention for it. He isn't like the gross pop artists of today that bathe in the media shock that they get from the clothes that they wear. Sufjan is dead serious about being weird. It pleases his soul.

My favorite album has got to be Enjoy Your Rabbit.

The best part is his music. He makes really quirky song ideas into really great music. This man made two five disk Christmas albums. He's pretty dead serious about what he does.

So you should go check him out.

Have a nice day.

Some of My Favorite People

As you may know, I'm not a very mysterious person. I'm proud of who I am. Today I want to share with you something that makes me, me. Enjoy!

I love being around Pacific Islanders.

Like a big happy family.

No, it's really true. When I played rugby, it was like I was adopted into their big happy family. I have never felt so welcomed by anyone before. They're all just so friendly and happy. They're also really generous with their food. Here's how the family that I stayed with our tournament trip was:

"Hey John, you hungry?"

"No I'm Still full from all those pancakes."

"Alright, well I cut up a whole watermelon in case you change your mind brother." 

Like I said, coolest people ever. Anyway, I've always loved being warm and tan. I mean, who doesn't? I am seriously considering applying to BYU Hawaii as soon as I graduate. I just feel at home around these people more than I do in Utah. When I'm in Utah Valley, I feel like I'm in a giant pit surrounded by mountains, snow, and white people. I was actually sad when I had to move away from these people in Orem and I will miss them like family.

Radical Face: Ghost

Today I will share with you one of my favorite albums of all time. Ghost, by Radical Face.

Ugh the album art is just so pretty.

When men with beards make music, it's just beautiful. I mean, just look at Bon Iver. Allow me to introduce you to Ben Cooper!

I just love how Ben is himself.

Ben made the album about memories that houses can have. Old houses are one of my favorite things ever but Ben puts a really eerie spin on them. This album is really eerily happy in places which adds to the haunting effect that his music contains. He just helps me connect with the darker side of my life through his lo-fi vintage instruments and unique voice. Right now I'm really digging Along The Road and Homesick. Ben just knows what it's like to be a real person if that makes sense. Artists that are always happy in their music just seem fake to me. Ben is just himself.

One of my favorites from Ghost, but you have to listen to the whole album to get a feel for it.


So go check him out!

Is Your Father More Stylish Than Mine? I Think Not...

I have never realized how stylish the parent who did not give birth to me is until just recently! So, Today I would like to show with you some of the highlights of Papa Trent. Enjoy!

My father has always been quite a musical one. I'm proud to say his taste is even more obscure than mine. (Quite hard to come by these days) Apparently he was the president of the BYU men's chorus which I did not know until recently.

Some quality 60's music.

One must always be happy to wear a bow tie.

He has great style. (Which he obtained honestly from his birth in the days of Nixon, Star Trek, and hair grease)

He is in possession of some great sweaters, including this beauty.

He has great taste in literature which I am proud to continue.

Also he had a KILLER beard in the 90's but, I have been forbidden to show you by my mother.

And.. yeah! Those are some of the things I respect about my father. Hope you got to know him a little better like I did.

Jack Johnson, One of My Role Models

This is supposed to be a photography blog, right? Right! Well I said the same thing to myself. But! While my film has still not yet been developed, (I'm so lazy. Grr..) my friend Madi tells me that I must post! Well today I have decided to share with you my love for this man right here:

Oh man, that voice.

My man crush you ask? Nope. It's just Jack Johnson, the greatest man in all of... Hawaii? Yeah, that's it. (I was going to say Western Hemisphere but I'm afraid he has competition like Ben Gibbard and Scott Shepard)

People come for miles to hear this man.

I am a great fan of his music, and not just the ones that everyone knows. Even though I love them just as much as all his other music. His voice just takes me back to my favorite place: The Beach. His relaxing voice, guitar riffs, and sometimes bluesy chord patterns just agree with my soul. I love all his albums, but if I had to recommend one, it would be Sleep Through the Static.

Yes, I am a fan of his style.

Although he is a great musician, I am a great fan of his style. He just reminds me of myself in the way he shares my passion for film and being in the waves.

He just seems like a normal guy.

One of the things I really respect about Jack is that he just seems like just an average guy. I have a lot of respect for icons like him who can keep a family as well as express themselves as creatively as he does. Jack, you're a babe. Thanks for getting me through middle school and now high school.