We Shall Overcome
An interesting piece by Jeff Chang in the San Francisco Bay Guardian on the Da Capo Best Music Writing series. For me, it was nice to see the selection process explained. I'm still not quite sure how my essay made it into the 2003 anthology. Paul Bresnick, the series editor, emailed me last summer to congratulate me and to ask me to sign a release form. I did so, then kept my mouth shut - partly convinced if I drew attention to myself they'd have second thoughts.
Chang also boldly addresses the types of music written about and the gender/racial makeup of contributing writers in the series. But these sentences on the 2003 book leaped out at me:
Sixteen of the 20 essays were by males, 3 by women (1 was from the Onion). Half the essays were about rock. Only 2 were about hip-hop. None of the writers were of color.
Huh? My race has always been an ambiguous matter, starting with my last name. A typical situation: a waiter at the Bryant-Lake Bowl Monday night looked at my credit card and asked: "Are you Hawaiian?"
Plus I'm 100% Finnish; which makes me 25% Siberian, i.e. Asian. Some studies show this Siberian portion in Finns to be up to 35%. So why did I get lumped in with all the white folks?
Thursday, March 11, 2004
Wednesday, March 10, 2004
New Issue Out
Exiled on Main Street #38 is now posted.
and
Posters are for sale. Update: Jim Walsh mentions the Poster Offensive opening reception in this week's column. He was also lucky enough to see "A band with a singer dressed in a rooster suit (playing) Velvets-y riff-rock."
Exiled on Main Street #38 is now posted.
and
Posters are for sale. Update: Jim Walsh mentions the Poster Offensive opening reception in this week's column. He was also lucky enough to see "A band with a singer dressed in a rooster suit (playing) Velvets-y riff-rock."
Sunday, March 07, 2004
Saturday, March 06, 2004
TV Party
"Arrested Development" is my new favorite show on TV. It's as hilarious as "Pardon the Interruption". And tomorrow night Heather Graham (sigh) makes an appearance. Sunday, March 7th, 8:30 p.m. central time on Fox.
"Arrested Development" is my new favorite show on TV. It's as hilarious as "Pardon the Interruption". And tomorrow night Heather Graham (sigh) makes an appearance. Sunday, March 7th, 8:30 p.m. central time on Fox.
Union Yes
(or)
Caught A Buzz? Catch The Bus!
Yesterday I twice drove by Metro Transit pickets. I honked and gave them a thumbs-up. They are the people who have repeatedly driven me home to and from the bar on those nights when one drink just doesn't cut it. They are the people who drove me to and from the CC Club on the most recent (and oh-so-awesome) Christmas Eve afternoon when I sat by myself with a pitcher of Leiny and wrote page after page. They are the people who drove me to and from the Poster Offensive show in Northeast Minneapolis last Friday.
And I'm a guy who only rides the bus for fun. There are thousands of workers and students who use the busses daily to ... ahhhhh, I'm not exactly talking about the Pawlenty contingent here, am I?
The Metro Transit workers do a superb job and deserve what they're asking for. Go strikers!
(or)
Caught A Buzz? Catch The Bus!
Yesterday I twice drove by Metro Transit pickets. I honked and gave them a thumbs-up. They are the people who have repeatedly driven me home to and from the bar on those nights when one drink just doesn't cut it. They are the people who drove me to and from the CC Club on the most recent (and oh-so-awesome) Christmas Eve afternoon when I sat by myself with a pitcher of Leiny and wrote page after page. They are the people who drove me to and from the Poster Offensive show in Northeast Minneapolis last Friday.
And I'm a guy who only rides the bus for fun. There are thousands of workers and students who use the busses daily to ... ahhhhh, I'm not exactly talking about the Pawlenty contingent here, am I?
The Metro Transit workers do a superb job and deserve what they're asking for. Go strikers!
Friday, March 05, 2004
Sipping From The MacNaughton Cup
Congrats to my (and yours too, of course) University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, for winning the WCHA regular season and capturing the MacNaughton Cup. My math is unofficial, but I believe this is UND's 13th regular season title which puts them at the top of current WCHA members. (Again unofficial - I think Minnesota and Denver both have 10.) The Sioux have also won 5 of the last 8 MacNaughtons. Nice.
But. We Sioux fans don't measure success by regular seasons. The boys in white and green need to go on and win the NCAA title ... where we also lead Minnesota and Denver and Wisconsin - they have five titles, we have seven. Go Sioux!
Oh - and a couple of weeks ago I was quizzed as to the Sioux name. I was asked whether I thought the name should be changed. "I say keep it," I said. Why, I was asked. "I'm afraid if they changed it, I would then have to surrender all of my Neil Young & Crazy Horse albums," I said.
Congrats to my (and yours too, of course) University of North Dakota Fighting Sioux, for winning the WCHA regular season and capturing the MacNaughton Cup. My math is unofficial, but I believe this is UND's 13th regular season title which puts them at the top of current WCHA members. (Again unofficial - I think Minnesota and Denver both have 10.) The Sioux have also won 5 of the last 8 MacNaughtons. Nice.
But. We Sioux fans don't measure success by regular seasons. The boys in white and green need to go on and win the NCAA title ... where we also lead Minnesota and Denver and Wisconsin - they have five titles, we have seven. Go Sioux!
Oh - and a couple of weeks ago I was quizzed as to the Sioux name. I was asked whether I thought the name should be changed. "I say keep it," I said. Why, I was asked. "I'm afraid if they changed it, I would then have to surrender all of my Neil Young & Crazy Horse albums," I said.
Thursday, March 04, 2004
From The Desk Of Joel McElhany:
The new nickel celebrates the Replacements' Pleased To Meet Me album.
The new nickel celebrates the Replacements' Pleased To Meet Me album.
Saturday, February 28, 2004
Friday, February 27, 2004
This Was Fun
A big ol' music list. I found out about this by reading the Cheek blog.
1. Your favorite song with the name of a city in the title or text.
The Standells - "Dirty Water"
2. A song you've listened to repeatedly when you were depressed at some point in your life.
The Verve - "So It Goes"
3. Ever bought an entire album just for one song and winded up disliking everything but that song? Gimme that song.
The Waterboys - "A Life Of Sundays"
4. A song whose lyrics you thought you knew in the past, but about which you later learned you were incorrect.
Aerosmith - "Mama Kin"
5. Your least favorite song on one of your favorite albums of all time.
Black Sabbath - "Am I Going Insane"
6. A song you like by someone you find physically unattractive or otherwise repellent.
Billy Idol - "Sweet Sixteen"
7. Your favorite song that has expletives in it that's not by Liz Phair.
Guns n' Roses - "You're Crazy" (Lies acoustic version)
8. A song that sounds as if it's by someone British but isn't.
The Knickerbockers - "Lies"
9. A song you like (possibly from your past) that took you forever to finally
locate a copy of.
Angel City - "Face The Day"
10. A song that reminds you of spring but doesn't mention spring at all.
The Ohio Players - "Fire"
11. A song that sounds to you like being happy feels.
Sly & The Family Stone - "Life"
12. Your favorite song from a non-soundtrack compilation album.
Soul Asylum - "Summer Of Drugs"
13. A song from your past that would be considered politically incorrect now
(and possibly was then).
Mott the Hoople - "All The Way From Memphis"
14. A song sung by an overweight person.
Steve Earle - "Everyone's In Love With You"
15. A song you actually like by an artist you otherwise hate.
Radiohead - "Optimistic"
16. A song by a band that features three or more female members.
Sleater-Kinney - "Milkshake n' Honey"
17. One of the earliest songs that you can remember listening to.
Johnny Cash - "Ring Of Fire"
18. A song you've been mocked by friends for liking.
Prince - "Let's Go Crazy"
19. A really good cover version you think no one else has heard.
Faster Pussycat - "You're So Vain"
20. A song that has helped cheer you up (or empowered you somehow) after a breakup or otherwise difficult situation.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "When The Time Comes"
22. A song not in English—preferably a foreign-language version of an English-language hit.
David Lee Roth - "Yankee Rose" (Spanish version)
A big ol' music list. I found out about this by reading the Cheek blog.
1. Your favorite song with the name of a city in the title or text.
The Standells - "Dirty Water"
2. A song you've listened to repeatedly when you were depressed at some point in your life.
The Verve - "So It Goes"
3. Ever bought an entire album just for one song and winded up disliking everything but that song? Gimme that song.
The Waterboys - "A Life Of Sundays"
4. A song whose lyrics you thought you knew in the past, but about which you later learned you were incorrect.
Aerosmith - "Mama Kin"
5. Your least favorite song on one of your favorite albums of all time.
Black Sabbath - "Am I Going Insane"
6. A song you like by someone you find physically unattractive or otherwise repellent.
Billy Idol - "Sweet Sixteen"
7. Your favorite song that has expletives in it that's not by Liz Phair.
Guns n' Roses - "You're Crazy" (Lies acoustic version)
8. A song that sounds as if it's by someone British but isn't.
The Knickerbockers - "Lies"
9. A song you like (possibly from your past) that took you forever to finally
locate a copy of.
Angel City - "Face The Day"
10. A song that reminds you of spring but doesn't mention spring at all.
The Ohio Players - "Fire"
11. A song that sounds to you like being happy feels.
Sly & The Family Stone - "Life"
12. Your favorite song from a non-soundtrack compilation album.
Soul Asylum - "Summer Of Drugs"
13. A song from your past that would be considered politically incorrect now
(and possibly was then).
Mott the Hoople - "All The Way From Memphis"
14. A song sung by an overweight person.
Steve Earle - "Everyone's In Love With You"
15. A song you actually like by an artist you otherwise hate.
Radiohead - "Optimistic"
16. A song by a band that features three or more female members.
Sleater-Kinney - "Milkshake n' Honey"
17. One of the earliest songs that you can remember listening to.
Johnny Cash - "Ring Of Fire"
18. A song you've been mocked by friends for liking.
Prince - "Let's Go Crazy"
19. A really good cover version you think no one else has heard.
Faster Pussycat - "You're So Vain"
20. A song that has helped cheer you up (or empowered you somehow) after a breakup or otherwise difficult situation.
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - "When The Time Comes"
22. A song not in English—preferably a foreign-language version of an English-language hit.
David Lee Roth - "Yankee Rose" (Spanish version)
Saturday, February 21, 2004
Just Wait Until I Give You My Breathless Mp3 Player Assessment
The CD player for my home audio system has been on the blink. (Yes, I know "home audio system" sounds pretentious, but I also have a CD boombox in my writing room, a CD player in my car stereo, and a DiscMan-type CD player.)
As I'm in no hurry to get to Best Buy and face the pimply-faced kids who ask: "Have you considered getting a three-year warranty extension for this unit?", I've been without a functional CD player in my living room for a couple of weeks now.
Big deal! See, I have the SoundLink Wireless Audio Delivery System. I simply play discs or mp3s in my iMac, and it beams the sound via FM radio to my stereo receiver (and to the boombox in the writing room) (and to the FM radio in the bathroom if I had one - it's AM-only.)
The only reasons I'm even going to get a new CD player for my home audio system are: 1) The sound from the unit is a little better and more reliable than the FM radio signal, and 2) So I can sit on the floor in front of it playing deejay during late-night beer sessions under headphones. With technology going the way it is, I wonder if this will be the last home-unit CD player I buy.
The CD player for my home audio system has been on the blink. (Yes, I know "home audio system" sounds pretentious, but I also have a CD boombox in my writing room, a CD player in my car stereo, and a DiscMan-type CD player.)
As I'm in no hurry to get to Best Buy and face the pimply-faced kids who ask: "Have you considered getting a three-year warranty extension for this unit?", I've been without a functional CD player in my living room for a couple of weeks now.
Big deal! See, I have the SoundLink Wireless Audio Delivery System. I simply play discs or mp3s in my iMac, and it beams the sound via FM radio to my stereo receiver (and to the boombox in the writing room) (and to the FM radio in the bathroom if I had one - it's AM-only.)
The only reasons I'm even going to get a new CD player for my home audio system are: 1) The sound from the unit is a little better and more reliable than the FM radio signal, and 2) So I can sit on the floor in front of it playing deejay during late-night beer sessions under headphones. With technology going the way it is, I wonder if this will be the last home-unit CD player I buy.
Friday, February 20, 2004
Alright!
Jeff Johnson of NFL picks fame has a blog called Fitted Sweats.
I once turned down an invite to join Jeff for pizza to watch the last period or two of a 2001 Maine vs. Minnesota NCAA hockey game. This was eerily reminiscent of a PJ Harvey dream I had only a few months earlier.
Jeff Johnson of NFL picks fame has a blog called Fitted Sweats.
I once turned down an invite to join Jeff for pizza to watch the last period or two of a 2001 Maine vs. Minnesota NCAA hockey game. This was eerily reminiscent of a PJ Harvey dream I had only a few months earlier.
Thursday, February 19, 2004
Note To Administration ... Just Say: "There Is A Sense Of Employment Under Our Watch"
Just ten days later, the White House is backing off from its claim that the economy will add 2.6 million jobs this year. Dubya - as a wise man once said: "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."
Just ten days later, the White House is backing off from its claim that the economy will add 2.6 million jobs this year. Dubya - as a wise man once said: "My advice to you is to start drinking heavily."
Wednesday, February 18, 2004
Everybody Has To Believe In Something ... I Believe I'll Have Another
A couple of weeks ago on the news I saw John Kerry in a bar, enjoying a bottle of beer. Tonight on the news I saw Howard Dean at a Wisconsin brewery, having a mug of beer.
Aside from his being a terrible president, there is another huge reason I could never vote for Dubya: He's a quitter.
A couple of weeks ago on the news I saw John Kerry in a bar, enjoying a bottle of beer. Tonight on the news I saw Howard Dean at a Wisconsin brewery, having a mug of beer.
Aside from his being a terrible president, there is another huge reason I could never vote for Dubya: He's a quitter.
Tuesday, February 17, 2004
I Was Only Joking
When I'm asked why I'm not married yet, a typical throw-'em-off-guard comeback I use is: "I'm married to my work."
But now I must have to say I'm sorry for the use of this remark. Marriage between man and woman is soooo sacrosanct to some folks that they're talking of changing constitutions and such. And I've been making wisecracks about being married to merely a thing, a task, an occupation that we do.
I truly truly apologize.
When I'm asked why I'm not married yet, a typical throw-'em-off-guard comeback I use is: "I'm married to my work."
But now I must have to say I'm sorry for the use of this remark. Marriage between man and woman is soooo sacrosanct to some folks that they're talking of changing constitutions and such. And I've been making wisecracks about being married to merely a thing, a task, an occupation that we do.
I truly truly apologize.
Monday, February 16, 2004
But Thankful We Have Both
Some friends and I have an ongoing debate about which station is better: Radio K here in Minneapolis or KEXP out of Seattle.
KEXP shares much of the same current college playlist that Radio K has. It divides its sets up into blocks that flow together - you'll hear three world music songs in a set, three garage-rock revival songs, three hip-hop tunes, etc. It's more professional, slicker.
But Radio K just played The Who's "Long Live Rock" (preceded by the K's whoa! prepare to rock! intro) and that reminded me why I prefer 770 AM. Not only are they unafraid to play such blasts from the past - they celebrate rock 'n' roll by playing a great rock 'n' roll song that celebrates rock 'n' roll. You don't get those kind of joyous moments on KEXP.
Some friends and I have an ongoing debate about which station is better: Radio K here in Minneapolis or KEXP out of Seattle.
KEXP shares much of the same current college playlist that Radio K has. It divides its sets up into blocks that flow together - you'll hear three world music songs in a set, three garage-rock revival songs, three hip-hop tunes, etc. It's more professional, slicker.
But Radio K just played The Who's "Long Live Rock" (preceded by the K's whoa! prepare to rock! intro) and that reminded me why I prefer 770 AM. Not only are they unafraid to play such blasts from the past - they celebrate rock 'n' roll by playing a great rock 'n' roll song that celebrates rock 'n' roll. You don't get those kind of joyous moments on KEXP.
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