The Pilot

Real Emo Is… Whatever the heck we want it to be. I subscribe to the idea that “emo” has become one of those encompassing umbrella terms like “80’s music” or “action movies.” But if you wanna sound like an snob, here’s your script.

I will use the term “emo” broadly within this newsletter, if that’s a problem for ya, then the unsubscribe button is at the bottom of this email. 😆 

As far as validating my emo street cred - I spent a lot of weekends during high school (Class of ‘09!) sneaking around to go to shows, and Warped Tour was an annual pilgrimage for several years running. My life motto’s become “Live Every Day Like It’s Warped Tour 2005.”

In my day job, I’m at the mercy of other people’s creative vision, and after a while that has become less and less fulfilling. This project is my remedy as an outlet that falls under my total creative control. It exists as my place to share the things I like, thoughts & experiences, and my original writing. I hope to find a small readership that jams with what I have to say.

In addition to “the emo newsletter” I am also working on my first book! I’ll be sharing bits and pieces of it here, exclusively, when my manuscript starts to shape up.

 🖤 Elisa

IT’S NOT A PHASE

From the interwebz this week:

• Hayley Williams joined The Foo Fighters for “My Hero” during their Bonaroo set and I’m not crying, you’re crying → Twitter 

• Dolly Parton dropped a track with Rob Halford from Judas Priest. Her new album remains one of my most anticipated releases of the year → YouTube

• One of the best drummers in the scene, Atom Willard, is joining Alkaline Trio. The band goes on tour next week to support Fall Out Boy → Brooklyn Vegan

FROM THE PIT

This past weekend, Saosin celebrated their 20th anniversary with a set of shows at The Garden Amp in Southern California. I was lucky to snag a ticket to the first night, and what a special night it turned out to be. The show was a celebration of the band’s full history, with both vocalists sharing the stage.

And as a mile marker in my personal fandom timeline, Saosin was my introduction to Anthony Green, who I’ve followed closely as a major fan of ever since. Like many other fans in the crowd, I first saw Saosin all the way back in the Warped Tour days.

Cove Reber fronted for the first half of the night, playing hits including ‘Voices’ & ‘Bury Your Head’. I lost my shit when they went into ‘Zero’ by The Smashing Pumpkins, one of the many cover songs of the set that were all inspirations for the band.

After a few rounds of guests on guitar and bass, Anthony Green took over vocals for the second half. Their At The Drive-In cover was another unexpected surprise. (One of my biggest laments is that I never saw ATDI, so this was the next best thing.)

The two-hour set rounded out with the band performing their Translating the Name EP in full from top to bottom. And a few more guests dropped in, including Donovan from Hail the Sun and founding bassist Zack Kennedy.

Check out the full setlist → Setlist.fm

NOSTALGIA BLAST

This week I’ve been jamming to Fall Out Boy’s Take This To Your Grave to get hyped for flying out to see the start of their tour in Chicago.

Last month the album celebrated its 20th anniversary, and ‘Dead On Arrival’ still hits a little too close to home as an accurate description of a (non)relationship I had with someone in high school.

CHEER UP EMO KID

This is one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time:

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