Estella Ramirez

I was interested in finding out more about the band that opened for Radiohead in Houston this month. They were entertaining and good, but during the show there was no mention of who they were. To be honest, at times they were unimpressive because their songs didn’t feel developed, but rather repetitive. Their strengths, on the other hand, included two drum sets for two great drummers, and a great front man in Angus Andrew, with a chameleon voice that ranges from the almost pubescent-sounding and at once urgent and cool style of Blur’s Damon Albarn, to the dark, rich, but deadpan style of say Joy Division’s Ian Curtis or Interpol’s Paul Banks. Andrew was also not a bad dancer. Like I said, they were interesting (hey, if they’re good enough for Radiohead…), and I was intrigued that I couldn’t figure out who they were. So, I found out. They are called Liars.

I went to their website and found this fantastic commentary on their experience with Radiohead.

I knew from Thom Yorke’s solo album, The Eraser, and from what little I know about him in general, that he is concerned for the environment and governments’ lack of action over the matter. So, it really reaffirmed my admiration of Radiohead to read that they are taking action themselves, that they are “purveyors of truth, beauty and a moral responsibility to the planet.”

I too am continuing to reduce my waste or “footprint” as it is so commonly called. And I have found not so much an inconvenience, but a great relief and freedom. No one can force me to contribute to the frighteningly humongous dumps of the world.

An ultra-busy and enormously famous group might have a great big excuse not to make an effort like this, but I believe that what such a group, with their world-wide tours and blindingly wonderful productions, actually has is a big impact on the environment, and therefore, an equally large responsibility. I’m really glad to hear Radiohead takes on their responsibility so nobly. And I’m grateful to the Liars for their eloquent commentary on this subject.

My first Radiohead concert was a tour date in Columbia, Maryland for the Hail to the Thief tour. I don’t remember the name of the venue, but I remember I had lawn tickets, and it was beautiful to hear them play live for the first time, even if I couldn’t really see them. I had a small step up this time for the In Rainbows tour, seats right in front of the lawn, on the 17th of May 2008, at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion in Houston.

According to this comment on an article in the Austinist, when Radiohead opened for R.E.M on tour, the Houston audience was so enthralled that it moved Thom Yorke to promise always to come back. The comment’s author says he heard Thom say it. Well, true or not, Radiohead did come back for two encores!

The Set List
15 Step
Bodysnatchers
Lucky
Morning Bell
Nude
Pyramid Song
Weird Fishes/Arpeggi
The Gloaming
The National Anthem
Faust Arp
Videotape
Optimistic
Where I End and You Begin
Reckoner
Everything In Its Right Place
All I Need
There There

1st Encore
Jigsaw Falling Into Place
House of Cards
Climbing Up the Walls
Planet Telex
Street Spirit (Fade Out)

2nd Encore
You and Whose Army?
Idioteque

Overhanging pipes arranged across the stage made an alcove for the band set up. These made for a brilliantly colorful light show. My fiancé observed that at times song titles scrolled across the pipes, as can be seen in this video by “blakeeb”:

Let’s be honest, I am completely biased. If Radiohead did not do the most magnificent show in the world, I wouldn’t know it. For me, of course it was. Nonetheless, judging from the other show of theirs I witnessed, and by the quality of their light show, this one was a particularly spectacular one. Radiohead fans won’t go wrong catching a show of theirs this tour.

This show started strong, with two high-energy tracks from In Rainbows. Performance highlights from the set list include “Morning Bell,” “Nude,” “Pyramid Song,” “Optimistic,” and “Everything in its Right Place.”

And then, for the 1st encore, things got even better, as though the band was expecting to encore (justifiably confident fellows that they are) and had saved their biggest, more shattering performances for that. “Climbing Up the Walls” was gritty and good, and “Planet Telex” was a big production, with great big sound and psychedelic rainbow colors (appropo to the tour) pulsing through the afore mentioned pipes. That should have been the show ender, actually, but they ended with a fantastic “Street Spirit.” Not terribly anti-climactic. And then of course there was the 2nd encore. Can’t go wrong with that.

Found:

Beautiful female calico.

If she is yours, or if you are interested in providing a loving home to her, please e-mail found-kitten [at] estellaramirez.com

This precious thing wandered into our lives, but we already have 3 cats–absolutely no room for more. We’re feeding her because she’s so skinny! And she’s a sweetie who will make someone a great friend. Please give her a home! Look how cute she is!!!!!

Ceremony wasn’t all too exciting—in fact, I have a great disgust for graduations/award ceremonies (a great, great disgust), but it was good to take a day to acknowledge my accomplishment in some way.

It was especially wonderful to see the support I have surrounding me as I look to the next right thing to do. My sweet family: mom, dad, brother, sister all came to San Marcos to join Carlos and me for my graduation. I was very touched.

Thanks dear everyone in my life!

See more progress on: Earn MFA in poetry

I took my exams, had my thesis defense, got responses from Gerald Stern, and turned in a copy of my thesis to the graduate college for review purposes.

Gerald Stern was really tough, but that meant a lot to me. There were words he circled and just wrote, “no.” Ha ha. That’s why I chose him. I thought he’d be that direct. Anyway, because he’s so unafraid to write down what he really thinks, when he complimented me on successful poems, I felt it was genuine.

Oh, also, I got my regalia last Thursday, and graduation is May 9th! I’m sure I’ll have separation anxiety soon!

See more progress on: Earn MFA in poetry

Someone from our apartment building responded to our flier, saying her sister had lost the kitten when she was in the area.  Thomas, if that’s his real name, has been returned.  The woman’s father, who answered the door, could not tell us what his name is :p