This morning when I got in the car, the first thing Apple Radio played was “Lisztomania” by Phoenix. My initial thought was how my tastes had changed in the time since that record was released, because now I’m a huge fan of Franz Liszt. And, in the wake of Brian Wilson’s death, coupled with it being quite some time since I last wrote a blog post, I thought exploring how our tastes change would be a good topic for a post.
Read MoreI certainly don’t have all the answers, but I am endlessly thinking of how to be a better writer and a better man. Nobody gets anywhere in anything by thinking you have it all figured out.
Read MoreI hope you all have a fraction of the fun listening to it that I had making it. Truly a great moment in my life and I am pleased to share it with all who want to share in it.
Read MoreShe said it, not me.
Read MoreHoosiers have contributed at high levels to every genre of music in American popular music.
Read MoreThere were TONS of great music released in the 80s, these were just pivotal moments in my life before punk rock. While punk blew my doors off, you can’t go from “Mary Had a Little Lamb” to Black Flag, you have to ramp up.
Read MoreIn 2024, I learned to believe in myself.
Read MoreI know I’m old. I’m a young Gen X’er. I find myself, more and more, saying, “Man, things used to be so much better than they are now.” Some of that is just middle-age rearing its ugly head, but some of that is true. One place where I wholeheartedly believe it is true is when you compare mixtapes to playlists.
Read MoreI will say at the outset, I don’t think these things say much about you.
Read MoreThis record moves me in a way that few records continue to move me through the years. Often, a record will coincide with your life in such a way that it means everything to you in that moment. Then the moment changes. You can enjoy that record, it can make you nostalgic, but it’s not relevant to you anymore.
Read MoreLike most people, punk was a gateway into other genres and art forms outside the mainstream. Yes, I still love some punk music, but much like the 80s and 90s alternative I love so much, I’ve moved on.
Read MoreBecause of the aforementioned points, this feels like a very mature Superdrag record. All the important elements are still there, but it’s been filtered through the experiences of The Lees of Memory and the solo records that came before, and that makes it something altogether unique and wonderful.
Read MoreAs is often the case, when artists make brief appearances, either in life, or in the public spotlight, they become influential. Some get more than their due, some less, but we wonder about these folks either because of tragic ends (the 27 Club members) or because so few willing step away from the limelight.
Read MoreIn the immortal words of Cliff Burton, "Kill 'em all." Kidding, seriously... but bad jokes aside, I have no love for any politician. I'm interested in art and other things that unite us.
Read MoreAs I sit here and type this, I’ll admit to you dear reader that I am a bit demoralized.
Read MoreOn one hand, where do I begin? But on the other, I don’t want to give too much away about recording.
Read MoreWriters are born, not made. I don’t mean to say that a writer is not a slave to their craft, they are. What I am saying is that no one would ever choose to be a slave to this craft if they weren’t born to do so. See, when people say things to a musician or writer or whomever, “well you have a God-given talent”, it really is a “God-given ability and a God-given desire to work”.
Read MoreI just know that when I read whomever gushing about it, while at the same time discussing how Geffen didn’t want it, I needed to go get it.
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