I only own his first three albums. I last paid for a concert of his in 1993. Then I got a free ticket to see him this last May in Japan, where I met and talked with him extensively at a meet and greet and got the candid play-by-play on the implosion of my beloved but uber-crotchety Bauhaus (his tourmates in 2006) and their finished-since-2006-but-as-yet-unreleased new album. Straight shooter, he is. I thought then (and told him so), "still don't like your current music yo, but you are one amazing person."

Now, one more reason I heart Trent Reznor.

I'm baaaaa-aaack! Flew out at 4 pm on Thursday from Narita Airport, and arrived in San Francisco at 9 am the same day. Trevor and I powered through 35 hours of wakeyness and then slept for 15 hours. It was worth it, because I feel great today.

So Japan was awesome, as per usual, and as per usual the most awesome things are best described visually rather than by me rambling on, so without further ado -- the best of my trip:

1. Getting out of the spectacular but sometimes overwhelming lights and noise and people that is Tokyo and hiking Mt. Takao (our second time!)





































































2. The food! Eating out is a religion in Japan, and I've never had anything there that wasn't superb (well, except Lotteria). Here we feasted on mackerel and seaweed salad with bonito flakes (and copious amounts of sake and beer) at an izakaya in Shimokitazawa, where our friends Hiroko and Satoru surprised Trevor with a ginormous birthday sundae















3. And, speaking of friends, it was fun to meet up with folks who had never been to Japan before and go see NIN. Also met some really wonderful people who I know I will see next time I'm there! Still not a huge NIN fan, but the show was crazy fun, and since my ticket was purchased by a fan club member, I met Trent Reznor at the meet and greet before the show. Being an English speaker, I got a chance to speak with him at length. Top notch guy.















(I was just out of arms reach of Trent during the show, and am just out of the frame to the right. There were times I literally couldn't move, it was so packed in the pit. I realized halfway through the concert I would enjoy it more if I got out if the pit, so I slithered, literally -- sweaty skin to sweaty skin -- to about the 15th row.)

4. Visited a couple new areas near the little inn we usually stay at in Noda. One was the Omiya area of Saitama City, where we found one of the things that makes Japan's urban areas so charming -- a little shrine in an alley between two buildings.
























5. Took in an antique faire (kimonos for 1000 yen!) in the impressive Saitama Super Arena housed the "future city" area of Saitama, Saitama Shintoshin -- so named because of the open architecture and, as our friend Hiroko put it, the way it makes you feel "more free" than the stifling and oppressive crush of Tokyo. It really is a beautiful city that looks well-planned, with gorgeous architecture and artistic urban greenery. Here, the Saitama Super Arena:
























6. Met Dean Rostohar, the founder of Bujinkan Dojo Croatia who was staying in the same inn as us and training with Trevor. What an amazing man. As a Croatian police officer, he fought in the Bosnian War, and lost a leg in the process. The personal stories he told us of the brutalities of the war were horrifying, yet were also infused with testaments to the power of humanity. He completely embodied that "warrior spirit" that Bujinkan promotes. It was an honor to simply sit on the patio at our inn and talk with him.

--

There is so much more to relate, but the pics would crash your browser! More pics can be found on "my"space. But suffice to say -- Japan, despite your sometimes freaky weirdness, institutionalized sexism and xenophobia, and consumer madness, you once again have stolen my heart.

Today, tragedy and truth.

Compounding the absolute tragedy of a fairly rural county, even one with a university within its borders, losing its entire public library system is the fact that on a personal level, this county is the one Trevor and I were numero uno shortlisting for relocation after he gets his LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCES DEGREE. Goo times infinity.

So, as I loathe to dwell on tragedy, on to truth: the speech by Courtney Love on the crooks that are major label record companies is old, but I was just made aware of its existence courtesy of Bil.

While I am totally on board with her on record companies, contracts, and, relatedly, the ulterior motives behind the Digital Millenium Copyright Act, many of you who read this blog also know that I am fierce about the reality of artist flexibility in the 21st century, artist/fan connections in the internet age, and how much that bond is important to the survival of quality music. This is what speaks to me most in her speech:

I live on tips. Occasionally, I'm going to get stiffed, but that's OK. If I work hard and I'm doing good work, I believe that the people who enjoy it are going to want to come directly to me and get my music because it sounds better, since it's mastered and packaged by me personally. I'm providing an honest, real experience. Period.

[...]

I'm looking for people to help connect me to more fans, because I believe fans will leave a tip based on the enjoyment and service I provide. I'm not scared of them getting a preview. It really is going to be a global village where a billion people have access to one artist and a billion people can leave a tip if they want to.

Amen sister. Artists who fully engage with their work and don't compromise their vision make good records. If those artists who engage with their work in this way then fully engage with their fans, they cultivate loyal fans of their good work. These fans, who, yes, have the option to download a song for free in 15 seconds, will also want to support the artist. These fans will leave a tip, encourage others to do so as well, and respect the artist as a human being. That is the responsibility of fans on the two-way street called musical appreciation.

This is why I love bands like The Decemberists, and artists like Trent Reznor, Neko Case, and, hola and surprise, David to the frikken J. The first band to release a video for download on BitTorrent, The Decemberists continue to give their fans perks and incentives to buy their incredible music. Leaking their singles from their last album, offering free mp3s of an album with a vinyl album purchase, and making kickball dates with their registered forum fans on stops on their US tour -- that is flexibility and creativity, and lasting connections that people respect. Neko Case continues to walk the walk with the homegrown DIY music tip, and I can tell you I've never met someone more honest and real and dedicated to her fanbase who also creates such astonishing music. I hear Trent Reznor offers his fans reasonable membership rates to a fan club that allows for presale ticketing, early entry to shows, and meet and greets where he does anything from previewing songs for fans to buying pizza for them and taking time to meet and shake hands with every single person who attends. Class.

And David J. Everyone knows I'm a fangirl so I'm biased, but the truth is he works like hell and hustles his beautiful and diverse work like nobody's business. Free previews and downloads of his songs are available on his MySpace and on his meticulously maintained website, and anything I've ever ordered from him comes with a little something extra or a personal note. He actively pursues varied projects, keeps his fans in the loop with unique personal anecdotes, and he takes time out to talk to fans at shows. I know, all this and he gives great backrubs, kisses babies, and performs exorcisms too. ;)

NP: Aoki Takamasa and Tujiko Noriko's 28. Ahhhhhh.

Oops, last thing -- more reasons to love Cali.

How about that Coachella lineup, eh? Reformed Jesus and Mary Chain and Rage Against the Machine, Stephen Marley and Jr Gong, Interpol, DJ Shadow, The Decemberists, Gogol Bordello, The Rapture, Andrew Bird, Willie Nelson. Seen the Red Hot Chili Peppers before, and it’s not so much a draw, though I have never seen co-headliner Bjork. Still shaking my fist at missing The Sugarcubes, PIL, and New Order on tour together when I was 15 and carless.

I know a lot of folks heading out into the desert for Coachella this year, but I just can’t fathom spending all that money to fight the traffic, dust, heat, and teenagers to stand in a ginormous throng. I guess I’m finally old too, because even the siren’s call of sex, drugs, and rock and roll just doesn’t appeal when its 110, SoCal, and dirty. Isn’t that sad?

But there are peeps I would do it for. If I’d been more of an internet presence in early 2005, I would’ve seen Bauhaus, like my friend Andrea who dragged her husband from the other side of the country to see the giants onstage. But then they toured, so yippee! Hoping the same for Jesus and Mary Chain. And we all know what a madhouse it would have been if things were different and Morrissey hadn’t turned down 5 mil to reform The Smiths for Coachella. But, I think that’s about it. Oh, I’d go for Love and Rockets too, but I have a feeling they’d tour if they got back together (hell, they’re almost there anyway, just Bauhaus sans one diva), so I might take my chances there.

Haha, in other musical news, my friend whom I may be seeing NIN with in Japan sent me what she asserts will be my one way ticket to becoming a rock and roll bitch for Trent Reznor (current rock and roll bitch level -- tepid bordering on cool, though I loved NIN as a high school student and Trent seems like a stand-up fellow). She said it’s one of his trademark things he does to the front row, and swears (facetiously...I think) that it was the best 1.65 seconds of her life. Yes, I’m talking about the most rock and roll thing in the world, mock ejaculation with a water bottle:



























I find this so unappealing that I may just jump up on stage and attempt murder if he does that to me. But then again, never let it be said I'm not a gal up for adventure. And it might be really hot in that venue, in which case I suppose I can call him gentleman for relieving my discomfort.

*waits for comments about Trent’s “stand-up fellow”*