They say smell is the sense most tied to memory. A whiff of some scent can send us years into the past, to an emotion long forgotten. But there’s another sense inextricably linked to memory — at least for me. The sense of music. Naysayers in the audience will object: “Music isn’t a sense, dummy! [...]
A few months ago, I saw The Hot Toddies perform at a local watering hole (figure of speech)[1]. The Oakland-based, all-girl quartet plays an ironic mix of twee surf-pop, girl-group beach party, retro-inspired philspectorism[2]. But the Splenda-sweet melodies and truly brilliant multi-part harmonies are belied by the absurdist and cynical lyrics, ranging in topic from [...]
In late February, an alarming bulletin appeared on my MySpace homepage. A MySpace “Secret Show” was to be held the following Tuesday, March 3, in San Diego. The performer? Neko Case. A free show, at a tiny club—first come, first served. “It was so clear to me that it was almost invisible” I love Neko [...]
When Neko Case says “blog”, you damn well better believe I blog. I would anyway, but especially so because I did not know she had a new album coming out on March 3. What kind of ass am I?[1] You don’t understand. Neko Case… Neko Case is amazing. Her music pierces my soul. Her voice [...]