Track of the Day: Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl
Track of the Day: Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl
It is that time of year again when the exodus from Los Angeles to Indio takes hold of us. Those close to me know how near and dear to my heart Coachella is. I was sitting here contemplating what to write about today and I got to thinking about a major moment in my life where a song impacted me to a point where I can honestly say the memory is so prominent for me I actually teared up a little when I put this on. The video itself is obviously from Woodstock in '99 and basically the same tour they were on when they came to Coachella later that year (the first year Coachella happened it was in October). They started out almost exactly the same way so its solid representation of what I got to experience. Mind you this was Main Stage in 1999.This was my first real big time concert experience. One that I will not forget as it has basically shaped the beginning of my music career. I was in my first year at UCLA and a couple of friends and I basically payed like $150 for a 2 day ticket and jumped in the car on Saturday morning and headed out. It was an eye popping experience walking onto the polo grounds for the first time. The set up was completely different that year. The Main Stage was where the entrance is now and the entrance was over by the Sahara tent. Walking onto that green grass on the first day and kicking of my shoes was the best. It is a sensation that I have carried with me every year since. The openness and free to do whatever and go wherever you like vibe is unmatched in any other festival I have been to. Besides the blinding heat and howling winds from time to time everything else is incredible.The magic of Coachella really begins once sunset comes and the lights and sounds really take over. That night I got to see two of my all time favorites for the first of what would eventually be many times, Underworld & Chemical Brothers. On top of that the rest of the line up was out of control from Richie Hawtin to Kevin Saunderson, Amon Tobin, J-5 and Roni Size bring the Drum & Bass and a little Beck in his prime. That was just Saturday. Thank god I wasnt driving that weekend but damn did we not have a clue what we were getting ourselves into. Not only did we drive all the way back to UCLA Saturday after the show, we then got up the next morning and drove back out there for Sunday. Needless to say we were zombies but it was still an incredible day. I cant remember who drove us the entire weekend but he is a saint for doing it and keeping us all safe and alive! Never did that again that's for sure.
I can still see it in my head and take myself back to the exact moment. The long drawn out intro thumping softly like a heartbeat, and the whining synth teasing while the Hey Boy Hey Girl vocal is building making me want more, more, more. Then when it drops I was just floored at how incredible the sound is and the energy that moves through the crowd of thousands of people is so tangible. I haven't had that feeling on many other occasions since then. That was the first time in my life that I got to feel first hand and understand what an incredible movement was happening in music and I knew in that moment that this was something I wanted to be a part of who I am and what I do. My feet stayed firmly planted for their entire set and my mouth agape in awe as I soaked in all of the visual and auditory stimulation one might handle for an evening. Seen them play many more times since then and even got the chance to speak with them for a quick moment after one of their Hollywood Bowl shows at Chateau Marmont. Extremely kind and humble individuals that I hope continue to do what they have for as long as they continue to have the love for it.It is a bit bitter sweet day today. As I write this I am also readying myself for another weekend in the desert. Alas this will be the first year since that most memorable experience that I will most likely not set foot on those wonderful blades of grass. I have been lucky enough to secure tickets every year but this year it just wasn't in the cards I guess. What I am most looking forward to though is seeing friends that I sometimes only get to see once a year. Hanging out at our Coachella house by the pool which has over the years become my favorite thing to do after the festival itself obviously. I am also looking forward to experiencing a different side of Coachella this year... The parties. If you will be headed out there have fun and be safe. Who knows maybe the Coachella gods will smile upon me and you'll see my happy smiling barefoot self dancing through the polo fields.