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.  ;)

Lots of good stuff, especially the new Elbow track if you missed it.  Plus the clip of Noel talking about how influential the Stone Roeses' Spike Island gig is pretty cool.

Lots of odd items in the roundup today.  My favorite is the Neil Young story about his Hybrid car exploding.  That's just good/bad stuff right there.

Apparently I'm still not back on track but managed to go through my leads and pick out some interesting stories.  So if you've been AWOL like me for the last couple of weeks then this should help you get caught up, read on!

I have been listening to a lot of Suede lately, revisiting all those awesome b-sides when I saw the news that they will be releasing another 'best of' collection (track list below).  Suede reunited earlier this year for a one-off show, but have continued and will be playing their largest indoor gig ever at the London O2 Arena on December 7th.  Their best of collection, "The Best Of Suede", will be released on November 1st and has a bunch of remastered singles, album tracks and bsides.  Looking over the tracklist I'm happy that it focuses on their earlish career and not so much on their latter albums.  I'm also pleased that they consider, "Europe is our Playground" and "My Dark Star" among the best of Suede.

Last night Suede played their first show in seven years.  As reported earlier, the lineup was from the "Coming Up" era and did not include Bernard Butler.  Last night's performance was a warm up gig for their upcoming performance at the Teenage Cancer Trust Benefit on March 24th.  They played for about ninety minutes and included tracks from all of their albums including two b-sides.  The full setlist is below.

NME has confirmed that Sude will be getting back together for a one off charity gig at the London Royal Albert Hall.  The lineup will have Brett Anderson, Mat Osman, Simon Gilbert, keyboardist Neil Codling, and the guitarist that replaced Bernard Butler, Richard Oaks.  I'm not digging on Richard, he was a fantastic guitarist and they make a few more great records after Bernard Butler's departure.  It would just be great to see the "classic" lineup get back together and play classic Suede.  We've already seen what happens when Bernard and Brett make new music together.

Former Suede guitarist Bernard Butler was named Producer Of The Year at the inaugural Music Producers Guild Awards 2009 in London last night (February 12). - Source

Erstwhile Suede vocalist Brett Anderson has announced details of a new solo album and an upcoming London gig. - Source