The Mystery of the One Drumstick

I’ve gotten a lot of comments about the line in my bio that says, “She lives outside of Manhattan with her three guitars, two keyboards, and one drumstick.”

One drumstick? You only have one drumstick? What’s up with that?

Yes. I only have one drumstick. Since I don’t have any pets or children, I thought it would be funny to include the musical instruments I own (although I neglected to include my clarinet since I haven’t played that thing in years). I also like to say that I’m one drumstick short of being a one-woman band.

Okay, okay, but why do you only have one drumstick?

Funny you should ask. Over a year ago, my friend Natalie and I went to a private taping of the Sirius Satellite show “Artist Confidential” featuring Snow Patrol (one of my favorite bands). There were only 40 of us in the audience, so it was a very intimate show. The band played six songs and answered questions from the audience. While answering my question, Gary Lightbody, the lead singer who I sorta have a crush on (understatement of the year), said something like, “and that goes for all bands. I don’t think you sit around and just listen to us.” Now for those of you who haven’t realized this yet, I can be a little sarcastic. So I replied. “No, no. I only listen to you guys.” To which Gary responded, “Aw, that’s sweet of you. YOU LIAR!” Everybody got a good chuckle out of that. Ah, Irish boys…

After the taping, the host of the program gave me the drumsticks from the concert. I got really excited and gave my friend Natalie the other one. Here's the photo of me with my drumstick.

After I already wrote the bio and had a few people comment on the mystery of the one drumstick, I got to meet Snow Patrol again. They played in New York City last September and after the show, I got to hang out with them backstage. We were in their private room so I didn’t say anything to them at the time because I wanted to respect their privacy. However, Gary was sitting two seats away from me and we were both having a drink, so I consider that a date…

When we headed outside, I went up to drummer Jonny Quinn to tell him the whole bio/drumstick story. First off, Jonny is perhaps the nicest rock star I’ve ever met. He was so sweet. After I told him the story, his face lit up and he said, “I’m in a book! That’s so cool! I’m in a book!” I didn’t want to correct him since he technically isn’t IN the book, but still, he was very cute about it. I asked for a picture so I could include it when I finally got around to blogging about it and he was more than happy to oblige.

So that’s the story of the one drumstick. But because I try to use any excuse to tell this other story, I’m not done yet. After talking with Jonny, Gary came over. I didn’t mention the whole “YOU LIAR” comment because a) I doubt he would remember and b) why embarrass myself again. We were talking about their new single “Just Say Yes” (which is AMAZING!) and I made a comparison about it being a cross between Phoenix and LCD Soundsystem. Gary looked at me and said, “That’s exactly what we are going for. I love you. I’m going to kiss you on the face.” I laughed because I thought he was joking, but then he kissed me. So in just two meetings, I’ve gone from a liar to somebody he loves. Not bad, not bad at all…

Needless to say, I can’t wait for our next meeting. Maybe I’ll finally get another drumstick to keep the other one company!

Friday's Favorite: Please Don't Stop the Music

My friend David does a music poll every year looking for people's Essential Albums.  I've already written about my love for K. Clark (that would be Kelly Clarkson) and Glee, so I thought I would share my list of other favorite CDs from last year. Phoenix, Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix – I was counting down the days for this album to come out and love every song on it.  Out of any release in 2009, it still holds up for me every time I listen to it.  (I will have to admit that I was disappointed in their live show, they didn’t really add anything in person, but I’m willing to give them another chance live.  I’m generous like that.)

The Temper Trap, Conditions – I only got this CD right before Christmas, but I’ve been listening to it non-stop.

Passion Pit, Manners – If you ever want to see me dance around like a maniac, put on “Little Secrets.”  Plus, they are pretty amazing live – seen them twice in two months!

The Swell Season, Strict Joy

Empire of the Sun, Walking on a Dream

Animal Collective, Merriweather Post Pavilion

La Roux, La Roux

Metric, Fantasies

Green Day, 21^st Century Breakdown – American Idiot is one of my favorite albums of all time, so this had huge expectations for me.  It had some great moments.  Didn’t match AI, but still pretty dang good.

Oppenheimer, Oppenheimer (great Belfast duo who opened up for OkGo a few months ago – really unique and fun band)

Owl City, Ocean Eyes

Gomez, A New Tide

Franz Ferdinand, Tonight

With a Little Help From My Friends

To celebrate the start of my mini-tour (NJ, MA, NY, PA, CT, TX, MD - here I come!), I thought I'd talk about my very first event.

I’ve gone to countless author events as a publicist. But on January 8, 2010, I attended one as an AUTHOR. Crazy, huh?

Books of Wonder, a wonderful independent bookstore in Manhattan, hosted my very first event. They host fantastic publications parties with yummy treats (hello, cupcakes!).

I was a little nervous, but mostly I was embarrassed. People who know me find that hard to believe because I am NOT a shy person. As my editor, David Levithan, introduced me, I quickly realized that I’m much more comfortable at the side of the event instead of in front of the crowd.

It was also surreal to be standing in front of so many people in my life, many who played a huge part in the publication of my book: from providing stories of boys gone stupid to being my early readers, from doing my hair and make-up for my author photo to designing my website. I had friends from my childhood, college, post-college, work, even my friends from the gym came. My friend Sarah flew from Minnesota to attend! In college, Sarah and I studied abroad in London. While there, we took a Beatles walking tour and posed for a photo that might look familiar to some of you.

I also made some new friends at the event. Yes, there were even people who didn’t personally know me who came as, um, fans? It’s weird to think that I might have fans. I prefer to think of people who attend my events as friends. And I was so happy to make some new friends that night.

I did a brief talk, read an excerpt and then signed some books. One of my authors told me that I need contact all the authors I’ve worked with and apologize to them because now I’ve experienced all of the things I forced upon them. I would push so many books on my authors and never paid attention to whether or not all the signing hurt their hand. So I felt incredibly guilty when my hand started hurting. Then I got over it – having your hand hurt because you signed so many books is a GOOD thing!

After the event, my friends and I went to a karaoke place. I got a private room and we had a blast. And for those of you who have read the book, David and I kicked off the night by singing (what else?) “A Little Help From My Friends."

Thanks so much to everybody who turned out. And for those of you in the Northeast and Texas, be sure to check out my upcoming events listed under the EVENTS tab. I hope to see you there and make even more new friends!

XOXO, Elizabeth

Friday’s Favorite: The Swell Season

Since I listen to music pretty much 24/7 (seriously, I fall asleep to music, listen to it when I’m working, when I’m walking – the only time I don’t listen to music is when I’m reading), most of my Friday’s Favorites will be talking about bands that excite me.  First up: The Swell Season. I first noticed Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová in the movie Once.  If you haven’t seen this brilliant independent Irish movie, you should go watch it.  NOW.  Once follows the relationship of two strangers who meet and bond over music.  The Once soundtrack is on constant rotation on my iPod.  Glen and Markéta won an Oscar for Best Original Song for “Falling Slowly.”  Their acceptance speech was, to me, one of the most memorable in recent years. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx8yLvb0gZM

Glen and Markéta have a band, The Swell Season, with members of The Frames (Glen’s earlier band).  Their latest CD, Strict Joy, was one of my favorite albums of last year.  The songs are full of honest lyrics and beautiful melodies.  “Fantasy Man,” “High Horses” and “Low Rising” are three of my favorite songs.  (Check out the brilliant video for “Low Rising” at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5KV1Lf2NkY)

I recently got to see The Swell Season perform at Radio City Music Hall.  I see a lot of concerts, but this was one of my favorites.  The members of Swell Season are true musicians who perform with their hearts on their sleeves and evoke countless emotions from their audience.  As someone who plays the guitar and piano, seeing masters of their craft up close was very inspiring.  It was a truly magical evening.