So my life in May was pretty much on hold because I was switching jobs.  And as regular readers might be aware, any slight modification in my life results in massive neglect to excellent online (hey, we've been doing this for over ten years, that says something right?).  I was contacted by a recruiter for a Seattle-based company back in February and went through several phone interviews.  After each one, I'd wait a week then politely ask for the status.  Another week would go by then a response saying that I've advanced to the next step.  So persistence is their first test.  How badly do you want this job?  Bad enough for you to keep emailing us?

After four phone interviews (all with their appropriate delays), I get invited for the onsite.  I was pretty anxious this whole time but the onsite interview really kicks it into overdrive.  Now I'm plagued with thoughts like, "how am I going to find a place to live in Seattle" or "will I adjust to the lack of sunshine."  Truely first world problems because obviously I can adjust to anywhere.

While this is happening, I interview with a local company (I'm in southern California, btw) and they offer me the position but I tell them that I cannot accept until I interview in Seattle.  I'm not going to bore you with the details of the interview other then to say it was a full day (10:30am-5pm, also interviewed during lunch!) and was the most intense interview I've ever had.  They asked if I wanted to stay in Seattle an extra day to check out the city.  But I was a big bag of nerves and wanted to get home as soon as possible and get back to my wife and kid.  The weekend was more of the same, a nervous wreck.  They were going to notify me on Monday evening about the status so I was super pissed that I didn't get a response until Tuesday morning.  They declined.  Bummer.

So I accepted the position from the other local company and while I'm sad that I'm not moving to Seattle, I think staying down here is good for me for right now.  So that's why there hasn't been a post in a while.  ;)

Orbital has been a favorite of mine ever since I found electronic dance music.  I loved Duran Duran when I was a kid because of my older sister.  Then my brother introduced me to the Smiths and Stone Roses.  He and I found electronic music together in the mid-90's (we argue about it to this day, he bought Prodigy after seeing the video for Poison, I bought the Orb after seeing them on the cover of NME for UFOrb).

In 1996, there was no Glastonbury so several of the electronic acts came out to the US to support the new "electronica" movement.  I went for the Orb but soon discovered Orbital, Underworld and the Chemical Brothers.  Orbital was the big breakout act for me because of Organic and I've seen then a dozen times.  One of the highlights of my life was getting to see them at Glastonbury in 1999, a truely amazing experience. 

I skipped last week since it was a slow news week. Not actually slow since all the music blogs had tons of crap they were reporting. Just nothing new or interesting to me. (In a bad mood, sry)

The very first science fiction movie is a silence movie about a voyage to the moon.  Since it's french it's called "Le Voyage Dans La Lune".  And since it's French, Air wrote the soundtrack to it.  It was a coin flip between them and Daft Punk (HA, stupid americans!).  I find it interesting because it was made in black and white and hand colored versions back in the early 1900's.  The black and white version has long since been destroyed and the colored version was found in 1993 but had to be restored.  Naturally, wikipedia has more info on this film.

Also happening is Killing Joke's return, a bunch of tour announcements, and what the hell was Echo and the Bunnymen doing in a superbowl ad?

Nada Surf do "Enjoy the Silence".  All this reminds me of is Failure's version and after that I went on a huge google adventure trying to see what the bands are doing at the moment.  It also reminded me of the last versions of the touring Lollapalooza.  Tool were headlining and Failure were also on the bill.  Do to someone backing out, Failure opened up the main stage and then 4 or 5 hours later they headlined the second stage.  First and last time I have ever seen the same band play twice on the same day.

Lots of good tour news last week.  I bought tickets to see Godspeed but got my scheduling messed up because it's on the same day as Coachella.  Damn, would've loved to see Godspeed at Big Sur, CA.  If you ever get a chance to drive up the California coast, do it.  But remember, it's a LONG drive so make sure you plan accordingly.

Spin is celebrating their 25th anniversary with five nights of live music.  I've apparently been under a rock so I only found out about it this morning.  Tonight they will be streaming Spiritualized perform "Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space" album in it's entirety.  The stream starts at 8:30 EST (5:30 PST).  Unfortunately you have to sell your Facebook soul because it will force to log in via Facebook, then you have to "like" it before it'll let you watch the stream.  I'm starting to miss the days where companies would ask for your email address and you can provide a fake one.

UPDATE:  It looks like Spin is rebroadcasting the videos from last week so the Smashing Pumpkins are on tonight (August 2nd).  The Flaming Lips will be on tomorrow, then the National on Thursday and Spiritualized will wrap up the week on Friday, August 6th.

Spiritualized made one of the greatest albums of all time with 1997's, Ladies and Gentlemen We Are Floating in Space and will play the album in it's entirety at the ATP Festival in England on May 7th-9th.  The festival is currated by Matt Groening and also includes Iggy & the Stooges, The xx, Built to Spill and more. 

Late last year Sony reissued the album and it came in the usual variety of formats and special editions that Spiritualized is known for.  The reissue did include two bonus CD's with alternate versions and some outtakes that didn't make it on the original album.

Spirtualized are to play their classic 1997 album 'Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space' live in its entirety. - Source

Watch the full Q&A session with J Spaceman below.  - Source