Month: January 2014

In case you were still buying popcorn when the credits rolled, we are counting down the days to December 2, which will mark 30 years of YLT.  Today is the silver anniversary of our opening for the Feelies at New York’s Bottom Line.  I’ve done my best to block out the memory of those four shows (also January 21, two per night).  Consequently all I can tell you is that Jonathan Demme was in the audience (because I remember that) and that the Feelies were great (because they have never been anything else).

On January 18, 2012 we finished mixing “I Saw the Light” for Michael Shelley‘s Superhits of the Seventies (later included in various editions of Fade).  Six years ago we performed in Memphis, last year we were in Seattle, and yesterday I forgot to post.  Today is the anniversary of shows in Springfield MO (2008) and San Francisco (2013).   And not that this is a competition, but nevertheless best of all, Katie from Northampton writes: January 19, 2013 – I’m 7 months pregnant and it’s the night before our movers come to move us to our new 2-bedroom apartment. I’ve spent the last week packing and listening to all of ‘Fade’ over and over, excited and terrified about the ways our lives are about to change. . . .

Freewheeling around the south on this date in 2008, we arrive in Nashville, hometown of our partner in travel, Kurt Wagner, and among our very favorite cities.  Kurt sang “Theöne” and we sang “A Satisfied Mind” for a little local color.   Last year, we were in Hollywood, at Amoeba Records–we played “Time Fades Away” and “I’m a Bug” for a little local color, and I picked up the Miles Davis 65-68 box and an Amboy Dukes 45.

One year ago today, James, Georgia and I made like the Clampetts and headed to California, beginning our swing of west coast record store appearances at the fantastic Fingerprints shop in Long Beach.   James sang “I Can Hear Music” so we’d remember where we were.  I got a guitar strap and a Merry-Go-Round 45.

It was one year ago today that Fade was released.   We were guests on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, performing “Ohm” with guest drummers Fred Armisen, Kid Millions, and Charlie Sheen.  And Chris from Newtown CT was there too:  “My girlfriend and I entered the lottery to be on the band bench behind Yo La Tengo. A little under 24 hours before the show, I got a call informing me that we had won the tickets. We showed up hours ahead of time out of excitement. Of course, we had already phoned ahead to family and friends to tune in for a brief glimpse of us dancing like goofs behind our favorite band.   I don’t remember much of the show, but I do remember getting ushered from my seat in the audience, walking across the stage, and taking a place directly behind Yo La Tengo. Fred Armisen stopped by to play drums with Georgia. The entire experience felt like a dream.   Later that evening I watched the broadcast and saw the band from the other side. I also saw myself, my girlfriend, and a crew of other Yo La Tengo fans dancing their hearts out behind the band. Then I watched it again, and again, reliving that fabulous night in January with Yo La Tengo on national television.”

No post yesterday, as we couldn’t find any mentions of January 13 in the Yo La Tengo datebook.  Today’s another story.   I have yet to reference Yo La Tengo’s Freewheeling ramble through the south with Kurt Wagner of 2008–January 14’s show was a very enjoyable one in Athens, Georgia; Vanessa Hay was in attendance, and we backed Kurt on “Or Thousands of Prizes.”  Last year, we spent Fade eve with one of favorite writers, Dana Spiotta, at Barnes & Noble.   Meanwhile, on the other side of the world, Daniel from Melbourne was turning 21.  He tells us: “My  girlfriend Ilia bought off eBay the ‘Tom Courtenay‘ single with ‘Bisexual Boogie‘ on the b side (along with some ylt poster). Not only was it the best gift ever, but it meant so much because of the thought she put into the gift. I truly ‘lost my bananas’ from excitement.”