Tag: Shows

Hello September

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Most of my favorite shows will begin airing new episodes starting this September. South Park, an American institution and one of my favorite shows ever, will begin it’s 20th season on the 14th. Donald Trump, the coming NFL season, and the Zika virus will provide a dispensary of ammunition. What unforeseen topic Matt and Trey will exploit next intrigues me most. Along with Colorado’s favorite crazed town this month promises great new seasons and recommencing of weekly news satires.

Real Time with Bill Maher returns September 16th on HBO. Maher will resume getting sued by Donald Trump and jabbing towards the general election this November. I expect “New Rules” when both candidates finally debate. With polls fluctuating frequently, Hillary’s Bengazi emails released, and boiling government situations Maher has plenty on his plate. Sharing in the buffet, John Oliver continues to educate us and crush Trump. Once Oliver and the Last Week Tonight team research your schemes the butthurt shrieks for all to hear.  The program resumes on the 25th.

Any Given Wednesday with Bill Simmons finishes the last half of its debut season this week. It’s the first season but it’s been underwhelming so far. Ratings wise it’s not doing well but the content has improved every episode. Simmons’ take on PSLs, Personal Seat Licenses, made me aware of an old issue that’s still around but hardly discussed. Learning Jonah Hill got bronchitis from doing too much fake coke or Michael Rapaport and Bill going to court with Judge Joe Brown about Deflate Gate were two of the best bits on the show so far. Hopefully HBO gives the show enough time to mature and build an audience. It’s not a great show yet but it’s steadily improving. The Ringer network and podcasts have been great too.

I’ve already watched the new season of Narcos and the fall of Pablo Escobar. His death doesn’t end the show for me though. The last episode leaves a nice rope for the show to continue which I’m hammering for. Star Wars Rebels will continue its third season on the 24th with a one hour premiere. I look forward to the foreshadowed decent of Ezra to the Dark side. Hopefully Darth Maul’s role continues to expand. I’m also excited about Danish actor Lars Mikkelsen as new villain Grand Admiral Thrawn. Mikkelsen has been great as Russian President Viktor Petrov in House of Cards. That’s another show I’m looking forward to next year.

Soft Animal

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Photo by Chloe Muro

I hadn’t been to the Che Cafe in almost 3 years or so. The venue survived a near shutdown from the University of California San Diego and stayed opened just of campus. Coming back refreshed my memories as a concert goer as a teenager and young adult. It doesn’t feel tarnished by times past with my ex or old friends. The Che, after all this time, still stands and hosts bands I want to see in a tight space. I went with some good friends to see The Hotelier last night. I wasn’t too familiar with them other than their Home, Like Noplace is There and briefly browsing them on YouTube. They’re on tour promoting their new record Goodness which the press has praised thoroughly.

The band didn’t seem too energized but performed a great setlist of new and old songs. They ran through a strong portion of Home playing “Your Deep Rest”, “Among The Wildflowers”, and “Life in Drag” early. I had hoped for these listening to their discography and got my wish. It’s pretty rare for bands, in my experience, to play songs off their records in order, unless they’re playing a full record. I felt myself falling into the Wildflowers singing the words I knew. The mixed crowd of kids and adults murmured as well. After they quieted down, Hotelier broke into “Life in Drag” inciting their ferocity into the front stage crowd. Finally some motion, some energy, some connect from band to audience, fans to artists. I knew this was what I missed about going to shows.

Hotelier’s best moments came during a new song “Soft Animal” in middle of the set. It’s a beautiful song and to experience it live validates my affection for the lyrics and pulse. Going through all my tragedies over the past year, especially recently, “Soft Animal” helps me put myself into perspective. Life is beautiful when you look outside of yourself. There’s more to existence than our own. The lyrics speak about encountering fawn in the winter, probably in Massachusetts where Hotelier is from. When I think about the wonder of earth, and all it homes, the words “make me believe that I don’t have to die” heals the wound in my chest. Like two hands rubbing warm water on my body. It was therapeutic. The Hotelier had a solid performance. As a new fan I can see they’re building on a connection with their scene. Goodness will serve well them well for the next two years or so on tours. This is a group I will look to see again on bigger stages with bigger crowds.