Happy Monday, and a warm welcome to everyone who joined us over the weekend. It’s great to have you here!
My playlist was heavily influenced by a cross-state trip I took this past week.
More importantly, what have you been listening to? What-or who- should we all be checking out? Any new releases you’re excited about? Share your picks!
Amanda Shires has a new album out — "Take It Like a Man" — that is excellent. I saw and photographed her show Friday night. Also this weekend, I saw and shot Reckless Kelly — a fun Red Dirt Texas band — at a local club in Virginia. Last year, they released 9/11 Demos, a set they recorded on that fateful day in 2001. Many of the tracks landed on subsequent albums, but this is how they were done in order. Have been listening to that one too, for obvious reasons.
And finally, I'm revisiting a lot of Dave Alvin's solo output. I interviewed him for an upcoming piece I'm writing that willl come out when his lyric/essay collection is released later this month. I always tell people to check him out.
I saw that! Great review & pics, btw. "Take It Like A Man" is not my usual speed, but it's growing on me. Listening to Alvin's "King of California" as I type this. Just started, but so far, so good.
As some of you know, I've dedicated the rest of this year largely to women in music, of all genres. To give myself some context, I've been bingeing some classic female rock, punk and new-wave acts from the golden age of such things. Here is one of my posts from last year's International Women's Week, featuring some of the best of those bands. https://zapatosjam.substack.com/p/international-womens-week-2-21-03-12
I've been listening to so many things this week, but most recently, I needed a King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard fix and put on their newest album (geez, unless they released another one today which is very possible) Omnium Gatherum. At 80 minutes it is a bit long, but it is also inspired and hits all the Gizzard buttons (psychedelic freakouts, pentatonic scales, frenetic drumming, lovely melodies and the tightest/loosest jamming without sounding like the Dead). Starting it off with the 18 minute epic "The Dripping Tap" is brilliant lunacy.
Went back to one of my top 5: “Echoes” by Pink Floyd. It’s a transcendent songs and I already have a line tattooed on my ribs. I got inspired to do a whole verse now.
The other song is “Everybody Wants to Love You” by Japanese Breakfast which you suggested. The lead singer, Michelle Zauner, wrote Crying in H Mart, which I just finished. Going through the book led me back to that song.
It’s a beautifully written book about the impact of her mother’s death and connection to her heritage through food. I listened on audible and it was good to hear the Korean spoken by the author. Heavy on the grief and nostalgia, if that’s what you’re into.
Austin Kleon posted 10 things (https://austinkleon.substack.com/p/not-knowing-whats-impossible), and #8 was a fabulous ambient playlist he’s been listening to. I’m loving it!
Definitely bookmarking that one! I've got a few projects I've got to get done, and I need something that won't distract me.
Listening to the Killed podcast...about stories that have been "killed" - the journo kissing cousin to Abandoned Albums. :)
Lots of female vocalists.
Pulling together the latest chapter playlist for my music themed novel https://challenge69.substack.com I ended up with the attached great playlist. https://open.spotify.com/playlist/41MtFlplUKPQu79HwvPPVF?si=cdebfe3d0c474190
Anybody who enjoys this playlist should love my story (which Kevin kindly described as 'serialised mystery meets High Fidelity') so give it a try.
Amanda Shires has a new album out — "Take It Like a Man" — that is excellent. I saw and photographed her show Friday night. Also this weekend, I saw and shot Reckless Kelly — a fun Red Dirt Texas band — at a local club in Virginia. Last year, they released 9/11 Demos, a set they recorded on that fateful day in 2001. Many of the tracks landed on subsequent albums, but this is how they were done in order. Have been listening to that one too, for obvious reasons.
And finally, I'm revisiting a lot of Dave Alvin's solo output. I interviewed him for an upcoming piece I'm writing that willl come out when his lyric/essay collection is released later this month. I always tell people to check him out.
I saw that! Great review & pics, btw. "Take It Like A Man" is not my usual speed, but it's growing on me. Listening to Alvin's "King of California" as I type this. Just started, but so far, so good.
Went back to high school days with a spin of Coldplay's Rush of Blood to the Head. A classic.
Nice!
Oh man. Good one.
Skream is on the menu
https://open.spotify.com/track/6u4B0SFfhYXL5LGMyLKa54?si=14Ulle0cR-y7Im5txenmLw&utm_source=copy-link
As some of you know, I've dedicated the rest of this year largely to women in music, of all genres. To give myself some context, I've been bingeing some classic female rock, punk and new-wave acts from the golden age of such things. Here is one of my posts from last year's International Women's Week, featuring some of the best of those bands. https://zapatosjam.substack.com/p/international-womens-week-2-21-03-12
I've been listening to so many things this week, but most recently, I needed a King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard fix and put on their newest album (geez, unless they released another one today which is very possible) Omnium Gatherum. At 80 minutes it is a bit long, but it is also inspired and hits all the Gizzard buttons (psychedelic freakouts, pentatonic scales, frenetic drumming, lovely melodies and the tightest/loosest jamming without sounding like the Dead). Starting it off with the 18 minute epic "The Dripping Tap" is brilliant lunacy.
Hey Kev, good to see your love of good music is spreading to the webz.
Tim! This is a nice surprise! 😀
Went back to one of my top 5: “Echoes” by Pink Floyd. It’s a transcendent songs and I already have a line tattooed on my ribs. I got inspired to do a whole verse now.
The other song is “Everybody Wants to Love You” by Japanese Breakfast which you suggested. The lead singer, Michelle Zauner, wrote Crying in H Mart, which I just finished. Going through the book led me back to that song.
Crying in H Mart has been on my reading list for far too long. What'd you think of it?
It’s a beautifully written book about the impact of her mother’s death and connection to her heritage through food. I listened on audible and it was good to hear the Korean spoken by the author. Heavy on the grief and nostalgia, if that’s what you’re into.