Fun. @ The Wiltern - 8/17

I was a little concerned about auto-tuning occurring at the show thanks to the overuse of it on Fun.'s latest album Some Nights (it's hard to tell if they did that to to be entertaining or if they were trying to be artistic).  Luckily, there was no need to worry because the only time I heard it was when the crowd continued singing it at the end of a song, which was amusing. 

The Wiltern provided a great environment for tracks that encourage group singalongs, such as Carry On, One Foot, and We are Young (which was a dream to hear live.  I was hoping Janelle Monáe would be a surprise guest, but the song still sounded amazing.  Surprisingly, I discovered this song on a blog and later began noticing it was being played everywhere.  Shows how little I listen to the radio).  The Gambler was sweetly dedicated to the parents of Jack Antonoff (guitarist).  Other notable tracks included whimsical Walking the Dog and At Least I'm Not as Sad (As I Used to Be), Queen-inspired All the Pretty Girls, and one of my favorites, Light a Roman Candle with Me (It sounds like a cute date...that I would like to be on...with the singer, Nate Ruess, who is rather attractive in person.  He looks like a younger Guy Pearce).  

I've never really seen a band black out all the lights after each song.  It was rather theatrical, like each song was a new act, and their intermission was a short cover of Oh What a Night, befitting of Ruess' voice.  Adding to the drama was more confetti than I've ever seen in my life during 60s rockish Bar Lights (which was never one of my favorites, but after hearing them cover You Can't Always Get What You Want, it made sense) and a balloon drop, ending the night with the epic Some Nights.  People were still singing the chorus on the way out.


High Note: 
Everyone there were hardcore fans.  They knew all the lyrics to songs off Fun.'s last two albums.  

Low Note:
Okay, not really that low.  Although, I got to hear most of my favorites, they didn't play Out on the Town, I Wanna Be the One, and All Alright.   

More: 
Set List (out of order)
Photos from

• Bored4Music
• BuzzNet

Reviews from

• OC Weekly
• Billboard
• Mxdwn 

“Somebody” Music Video - Jukebox the Ghost

Love the flash mob-iness of the video.  Great, catchy tune from Jukebox the Ghost.

Favorite Line:
"I don't want any heartbreak. I'm tired of the sound it makes"

Sound Bites 13.1: 1886 Bar @ The Raymond - Summer Cocktails

Since my last post, 1886 has become my favorite Pasadena bar and my go-to whenever a wedding ends early (there are A LOT of weddings in the spring and summer.  Also, why waste a good outfit?).  I love the food, cocktails, bartenders, atmosphere, and ease of parking.  So naturally, I was thrilled to reunite with HC and Fiona to try 1886's new summer cocktails.

Vacation Cocktails: 

• La Brigada - spicy chicharrón, smokey mezcal, homemade agave liquer, fresh pineapple and lime served over crushed ice with a shard of frozen coconut water. 
  When Lacey vividly described the inspiration behind this drink (a family trip to La Paz), I was instantly transported to Hawaii and all I could think was "this tastes like a luau..." and extra chicharrón please! 

  

  La Brigada / Tranquilizer (this cup is larger than it appears)

• Tranquilizer - overproof rum and Batavia Arrack with coconut and pineapple. 
  HC calls it a boozier piña colada.

Not for Kids:

• Strawberry Paleta - "pop shot" made using -300°F liquid nitrogen, fresh CA strawberries, cream and rum.
  I love this alcoholic dessert.  I'm glad we each got our own.  
• BBC - Bols Genever Basil Collins. 
  Reminds me of a soda...with my one of my favorite spirits.

Drinks on the Porch:

• Rosebud -  homemade hibiscus liqueur, Benedictine, fresh lime juice and Reposado tequila, topped with Fever Tree’s lite tonic water. 
  Everyone likes a pink cocktail, says Brady.  After having this and his version of a Cosmo (with hibiscus liqueur, people!), I concur. 
• Pimm's #6 - Karlsson's potato vodka and their summer Pimm's recipe topped with homemade sparkling lemonade.

  

  Pimm's #6 / Southern Belle Whistle

• Southern Belle Whistle - hand-crafted soda pop with fresh yellow peaches, floral, sweet black tea and 1886 Buffalo Trace bourbon. Sealed with bubbles in a bottle and served with a wedge of lemon.
  There's a time and a place for this and it's a warm late afternoon on 1886's patio.  

Something a Little Stronger:

• Xocolate - Reposado tequila, Italian vermouth, crème de cacao and a hit of Mexican mole bitters. 
  I was impressed by how chocolatey it tasted even though I knew it was all alcohol.
• Dutch Kills - Bols Barrel-Aged Genever, Italian vermouth, bitters and a dash of apricot liqueur.

Bites:

• Yellowtail Collar "Hamachi Kama" - miso glazed, soy sauce to dip, roasted shisito peppers. 
  We've had this before, but I don't know what they changed because this time it was downright addictive.  We were trying to pick every last piece of meat off the bone.  
  
• Crisfield Bay Soft Shell Crab - crispy blue crab with jerk sauce and seasoning.  

Song Pairing: 
Lilikoi - Paula Fuga


More: 
Better photos in Caroline on Crack's post

Mixtape 2.0: Ni Hao Hawaii

These are the songs we heard every day on Oahu's top 40 island station Island 98.5.  I have to say, island music is instantly relaxing.  This mix always puts me in a good mood. 

Ni Hao Hawaii Mix

1. I Feel So Good - Collie Buddz
2. It Will Rain (reggae remix) - Bruno Mars 
   So he usually sounds like he's crying when he's singing, and the chorus sounds like Adele's Chasing Pavements, but for some reason I never get tired of this remix.  He should really put out a reggae remix of his greatest hits.  I would buy that. 
3. Wade in Your Water - Common Kings
   Love the shoutouts to landmarks in Oahu.
4. Pumped Up Kicks (cover) - Cris Cab
   Just when I thought this song was overplayed, Cab put a twist on it and I actually like this version better.  I wish he would release an album of cover songs.  
5. Not Too Fast - Teki
   He's the island John Legend
6. Set Fire to the Rain (reggae version) - Adele
7. Give it Up - CRSB
8. Gotta Be - The Green
9. Get to Know You - Teki
   I love his silky voice so much I sprinkled the mix with his songs
10. Higher than the Clouds - Anuhea
11. Young Wild Free (reggae remix) - Inner Circle ft. I-Octane Bizerk
12. Somebody that I Used to Know (Jr Blender reggae remix) - Gotye
    WAY better than the original
13. All - Teki
14. Falling - Iration
15. All of the Lights (cover) - Cris Cab
16. You Da One - Rihanna
17. Waiting for You - Teki 

Food Pairing:
Soundbites 14.0: Oahu, Hawaii

Sound Bites 14.0: Oahu, Hawaii

My first time in Hawaii was filled with eating, beaching, and exploring.  I was surprised by the Japanese influence on architecture (some of those apartments and houses looked like they were imported from Tokyo), the lush vegetation (Oahu felt like buildings and streets were just plopped down into plant life, whereas LA has always felt like greenery was struggling to survive in the city), the strong sunshine (I got sunburned sitting in traffic on the way to North Shore), and the beautiful, blue, smog-free skies. 

Here are some of my fond memories of full bellies:

Breakfast: 

• Coco Puff  (Lilha Bakery) - I'm not usually a fan of coconut, but my friend said this bakery was famous for coconut cream puffs and, I have to say, they were deliciously sweet with a chocolate surprise in the center.  

  

  Right: Coco Puffs. They are larger than they appear

• Portuguese Sausage Breakfast (McDonald's) - after my first time having Portuguese sausage, I instantly became

  

  Top: McDonald's. Bottom: Sunny Side Bakery

  a fan.  I still can't decide which I love more:  SPAM or Portuguese sausage. Unfortunately, I accidentally ordered the meal without SPAM, but it was still good.  I love how rice is offered almost everywhere on the island.  The included soy sauce was great on the eggs! 
• Fried Rice Special with Vienna Sausage, Portuguese Sausage, Scrambled Egg; Pear and Peach Combination Pie (Sunny Side Bakery) - 3 of us shared this.  I can't even imagine one person finishing the Fried Rice Special alone.  In hindsight, we should have ordered the egg fried instead, but the scrambled style didn't detract from the tasty fried rice.  Surprisingly, it was the first time we had seen a different preserved meat on the menu:  Vienna sausage.  The bakery is known for their pies and no surprise, we ate it all in its flaky goodness before I could snap a shot.  First time having Hawaiian Sun (I tried Passion Orange drink).  I'm officially addicted.  

Lunch:

• Udon with Okra, Curry Udon with Chicken & Eggs (Jimbo's Restaurant) - friend

  

  Top: Udon w/ Okra. Bottom: Curry Udon

  loved her cold thin udon (first time I had ever seen thin udon).  The simplicity of my Udon with Okra allowed me to appreciate the fresh noodles (made daily, says their sign) although it would have been nice if the okra pieces were cut bigger or left whole.  Jennio's Curry Udon was divine in scent and flavor. 
• Poke (Tamura's Fine Wine & Liquors) - not only do they have a good selection of wine, beers, and liquors, but they always have delicious poke!  Wish we had had more time (and stomach space.  This was pre-lunch) for a rice bowl. 
• Long Rice Chicken (Helena's Hawaiian Food) - one of my favorite Hawaiian dishes.  I could eat a huge bowl of it and have this as a replacement for chicken noodle soup. 
• Shrimp Scampi (Giovanni's Shrimp Truck) - best shrimp scampi I've ever had (so good we ate this at both locations) and loved how they topped the rice with garlic.  We could have scared off vampires after this meal.
  
   

Dinner:

• Steamed Ahi Belly (Sushi Ten) - never seen this on a menu in LA before.   I was unused to the
  
  oily sauce the fish was sitting in, but by the end, I wish I had more belly and sauce. 
• Hula Dog (Hula Dog, formerly Puka Dog) - they were very friendly there even though we rushed in 10 minutes before closing.  How did I order my dog? 
1. Taro and bacon bread:  this was a special.  I don't usually like taro, but for some reason I loved taro everything in Hawaii, especially this bread with bacon bits!
2. Polish sausage
3. Garlic lemon secret sauce - mild
4. Pineapple (love pineapple anything!) relish, lilikoi mustard:  sweet and tangy sauce that burst out with the first, and ensuing, indulgent bites
• "Award Winning" Side Style Famous Fried Rice, Pan Fried Island Pork Chops (Side Street Inn) - a mountain of delicious fried rice with char siu, Portuguese sausage, bacon, and veggies.  I regretted not ordering the "Works", which included lup cheong and kim chee.  Ketchup seemed out of place on the pork chops plate, but worked surprisingly well with the crispy chops.
  
   

Dessert: 

• Dole Whip (Dole Plantation) - wish Disneyland served whips with fresh pineapple pieces and in a pineapple cup / coin bank!
  
• Passion Fruit, Lychee, Raspberry with Dark Chocolate Chips Mochi (Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream) -
  
  great flavors and loved that some of them were dipped in chocolate.  Don't know why I haven't seen that here. 
• Pineapple, Coconut, Lemon Flavor with Azuki bean, Vanilla Ice Cream Shave Ice (Matsumoto Shave Ice) - cute shop (yes, we all bought something there. Great merchandise!) and featherlight shave ice with flavors you can actually distinguish, so it's not just coloring. 

Drink:

• Mai Tai (La Mariana Sailing Club) - lovely tiki hideaway that made a great Mai Tai.  Luckily, they start serving drinks early (11AM).  Unluckily, they close early (9PM).  
   
    

Song Pairings:
Mixtape 2.0: Ni Hao Hawaii