My blog is 10 years old!

Ten years ago today, I started this blog.  I just wanted a creative outlet, and it was.  I was able to share with you some illustrations, and play doh/ clay art.  But it became more of a documentation of my gig life in the indie rock days.  Always in love with music and rock and roll, going to gigs was a huge stress reliever for me.  I studied fashion design and was starting out in the industry, but it was stressful, and I was feeling frustrated most of the time, but when I listened to music and went to go see bands, I felt so alive.  Even if the crowd got wild sometimes, I just needed to dance and mosh and enjoy the music.  I also had my share of post-show blues, which is completely normal.  Anyways, I am thankful for all the amazing memories from that time in my life.  Especially because it feels like everything has changed now, such as venues, bands.  After all, ten years is a pretty long time.

10 Year Anniversary: My Top Ten Bands/Moments/Shows

 Youngest Indie is celebrating 10 years of gig life blogging.  Here, in no particular order, is my top ten bands/moments/shows that really capture what Youngest Indie was all about (2006~2016).

1.  THE HIVES
No intro needed.  Forever and always.  So many great memories.  I am thankful.

2. JET

Again, no intro needed.  Always and forever.  So many great memories.  I am thankful.

3. THE HORRORS

The first time I saw The Horrors was around the same time I started this blog.  It was at the now defunct Safari Sam's.  They performed at Franki Chan's Tuesday night thing.  Oh yeah, I went to a ton of those.  Thanks to their awesome touring dates, I made sure to check out every one that was in Southern California, every time they came.  I did that because I knew moments like these wouldn't last forever and they would become great memories.  By that, I mean me.  You're only young once and crazy enough to drive to San Diego just to see a band.

4. FRANZ FERDINAND

Their sound defines the indie 2000s, but never sounds dated, always such a great dance party at their shows, and I love every single song.  And Alex has perfect front man swag for days.

5. OK GO

Once I went shopping to Paul Smith (yes, that pink building), back in 2006 before all the bloggers started using it as their backdrop, with my coworkers for research, and I saw OK GO shopping for their suits.  Saw them as many times I could, and many times I did.  I even finally caught a tambourine that Timothy threw.

6. HOT HOT HEAT

Also an essential band to define the indie sound.  I even made it in one of their music videos, where I first met Steve and he was super nice.  Saw them many times. 

7. KASABIAN

So rock and roll and so much style.  I just love their music and their stage presence.  When I saw them at Coachella, I miraculously made it to front and center.  I even got a glow baton thing.  It was at the tent, in the evening.  There was a cool breeze.  Everything was going to be okay (after suffering in triple digit heat).

8. MYSPACE / NYLON

I mean, what is the mid 2000s without Myspace and Nylon.  Sometimes they would have a Myspace/Nylon music issue.  Here I went to the magazine party in 2008where The Like and newno2 performed.  I just have this memory where newno2 were on stage about to start their set, Blur's Girls and Boys were blasting and we were all kind of dancing to it, including Dhani Harrison.  Also, Brent Bolthouse was at this party.

9. SPACELAND

My old stomping grounds.  Sometimes, when a band had a residency, I tried to go to every single show.  I went to this place pretty often.  Everything felt so familiar and right.

10. COACHELLA 2012

My first Coachella ever.  You know I don't like big festivals, but that year was my dream lineup.  It was basically all the bands you would see on Youngest Indie, all on one bill.  So crazy.  I had to go.  Plus, it was the Refused reunion.  And I saw Buzzcocks, Pulp, The Horrors, The Hives, Noel Gallagher, Squeeze (I heard Up The Junction live and in the flesh), Black Lips, Kasabian, The Vaccines, Justice, the list goes on.

Photos by Anny Yi.  All rights reserved.

10 Year Anniversary:Top Ten Portraits

4.20.2012

I was watching Pulp at Coachella, then I spotted The Horrors watching Pulp at Coachella.  I was able to chat with Tom for a little bit and take his photo.  It was not my first time meeting him (this must be obvious if you've followed this blog, I have lost count of how many times I have seen The Horrors).  Anyways, Tom is the best and always so polite.  This was a good memory I keep from my first Coachella ever.

5.23.2009

This was during the Kills/Horrors tour.  I was in line in front of the Fonda Theater in Hollywood, and I literally had to sprint down the street to catch up to them.  Alison Mosshart was freaking awesome and let me take this picture.  There's another photo I took where she is posing more, but this photo is the best.  She is laughing at me for sprinting down the street and totally fangirling.  It's ok.  She is one of my favorite style icons and true rock and roll swag master.  Oh, hey, it's Faris, Josh, and Emily in the background.

4.18.2013

I drove to Pioneertown from LA and back the same night for one show.  Crazy, right?  I don't think I'd do it again, but this night I did it for Franz Ferdinand.  Crazier thing is that earlier that week, I saw FF and Palma Violets at the Fonda, and saw Palma Violets again at the Echo.  Here's Chili at Pappy and Harriet's post show.

6.12.2010

This wasn't the first time I met Steve Bays.  (Again, very obvious if you've followed this blog for the past ten years).  But this photo came out awesome.  I love everything about this photo.  The bike, the band in the background, Steve looking stylish.  Taken at the free summer concert night at One Colorado in Pasadena.

6.19.2007

I've seen this picture reblogged on various Tumblrs.  Yes, I took this photo way back in 2007 when The Horrors were playing El Rey.  Before the show, some of the band members were hanging out outside and taking pictures with fans.  Yes, that is Freddie, pre-Vaccines.

3.12.2011

There was a pre-SXSW show at the Echoplex.  We went to see Chapel Club (sadly split and no more), but we were lucky enough to see them perform that night.  Not only that, we got to meet them afterwards and chat.  Here's a photo I took of Liam and Lewis.  Lewis is posing for the photo.

10.10.2010

White Lies.  They look so sweet in this picture.  Looking at this picture makes you forget that on stage, they play some epic songs that give you goosebumps and all kinds of feels.  Met them after their set at the Culture Collide block party, but I had also seen them the night before at the Echoplex.  

10.10.2010

Greg Alsop of Tokyo Police Club, holding up a Youngest Indie card at the Culture Collide Block Party in Echo Park.  Post-show.

2.4.2009

One of the most quintessential indie bands is Razorlight.  I met Johnny Borrell in front of the Troubadour before the show.  He was super charming and even let me take this photo of him.

2.16.2013

Here is hands down one of the best days of my life and exaggerating, I am not.  A huge part of Youngest Indie's 10 years, and even before that.  This was the day I finally met Pelle and Niklas of The Hives.  Staples Center Los Angeles, CA.  

*Photos by Anny Yi.  All Rights Reserved.