#softsoundsfromanotherplanet

Japanese Breakfast September 18, 2017 at the Valley Bar, Phoenix AZ [Touring for her Soft Sounds From Another Planet album]

Michelle Zauner is inspiring. I wish I had read up on her more prior to the show, but as an Asian American woman, she inspires me. Throughout the show I heard of publishing works, stressing about directorial deadlines and of course she’s on tour for her second “official” solo album. If that’s not creativity overload I don’t know what is! BUT, I just ended up going last minute after acquainting myself to a few of her top songs and the recommendations from many a friend that I should go... and I’m so glad I did!

I stepped down the stairwell into the basement venue that is Valley Bar and it was pretty full and with a 21 and under side. Would I be able to get front row since it’s not fair and square? Yes, I spied Dream pop Jesse and he was my partner in crime for the night, letting me stand right next to him left of center when I noticed him from the Under 21 side (sometimes the views are better from there). It helps that I’m short, too, that I didn’t annoy anyone too much.

What I heard of the first opening band, The Spirit of the Beehive, I liked, sometimes they got a wee bit more raucous then I prefer, but overall I dug their sound outputs. Next up was Mannequin Pussy, who were even louder. It was the band that had people that looked like other people. The guitarist looked like a friend and the singer had a look similar to Sarah Michelle Gellar in some regards, but obviously a better singing voice from soft to guttural. And then... Japanese Breakfast! Michelle was so petite and cute in her white outfit, awesome tattoos and fun lit up “Millenial Sneakers” that tripped her up on occasion.

I joked on my Instagram that I was having Japanese Breakfast for dinner that night and that it was quite tasty if concerts were meals. The band opened with “Diving Woman,” which was a dreamy chill start I enjoyed as an appetizer.

She mentioned a song that Phoenix inspired as she and her band drove through on their last tour... and how the wheel to their Honda Odyssey Tour Van kept pulling to the right something fierce and how Phoenix’s hot summer melted the tires of the van leading to an $800 re-tire.

She kept it real and stayed on stage and said no encore on off stage crap and started with one of my favorites: “Everybody Wants to Love You,” with her drummer adding vocals. 

Michelle introduced “Machinist” as a song about being in love with a Robot. It’s the song that made me think at times her outputs sound like Polica.

Dreampop Jesse got the setlist, and then when the bassist passed by at the shows end we motioned setlist setlist with our hands and he handed us 2 from behind the drum kit. I gave one to another fan garnering good set list karma and headed to the merch booth. When I got to the table I was ecstatic about weird but fitting merch, this time, Chopsticks. I let out a yelp and said it’d be my second set of music merch chopsticks. Michelle asked which band, and I replied Shonen Knife, which we agreed were fitting. I did note that her chopsticks were correctly shapped in Japanese style whereas Shonen’s was Chinese style. Maybe next time she’ll do a Korean metal spoon and chopstick set.

After reading up a bit, I had ah moments with regards to the drum kit artwork being a Korean woman in traditional outfit but then why Japanese Breakfast? Ah, she put two words together that are one part Asian and one part American. Asian American, not specifically which Asian. After readying her Essay on her mom and Korean food, I so could’ve chatted Maangchi and Jatjuk with her! Hopefully she and her band swings by again!