Single of the Week: “Queen Of Ears” by Quasi

Since Sleater-Kinney released an album of other artists covering Dig Me Out, it only seems right to spotlight this new Quasi single. Janet Weiss sounds like her car accident never happend. Her drumming is as forceful and melodic as ever. Sam Coomes’ keyboard playing is consderably more ferocious that in the past. This song is a gem. It really is a good time to jump back on the Quasi train. Assuming you ever got off.

“Queen Of Ears” is the lead single from Breaking The Balls Of History, due out on SubPop on Febuary 10th. Pre-Everythinging can be done here. Of course, you should also give this 2020 track that I missed a listen, too. 

Album Review: “Dig Me In: A Dig Me Out Covers Record” by Various Artists

Dig Me Out is a classic record. In many ways, it opened up the worlds of both Riot Grrl and Indie Rock to bigger, more mainstream audiences. It’s also nearly perfect as it is. When it was first announced, Dig Me In left me with mixed feelings… There could be some truly great interpretations of these songs on this record. But why mess with a good thing? I mean, other than to raise money for SMYRC, an organization that provides queer and trans youth a safe place to make art, 25% of the proceeds from this release go to. 

Anyways you can check this out yourself here, but my thoughts on it are below: Continue reading “Album Review: “Dig Me In: A Dig Me Out Covers Record” by Various Artists”

Spinning Platters presents “How Did I Get Here?” Season 4, Episode 2 with Zella Day

Zella Day is a singer songwriter that signed to Hollywood Records when she was merely 17, and has been putting out a steady stream of material since then, enough to be considered a “veteran” at the young age of 27. We had a lovely opportunity to talk about what it’s like to be making decidely non-Disney music on a label owned by Disney, producing music as a teenager. The conversation ran through early tours, navigating the major label system, finding an off-ramp to the major label system, nourishing a community during the pandemic, and so much more. She may be one of the wisest humans I’ve ever had the pleasure of talking to. And, apologies- we both have pets that interrupt some pretty pivotal moments, so bear with that.
Zella Day’s most recent record is called Sunday In Heaven, and is available now from Concord Records in all the usual places, included some lovely vinyl variants!
 

Show Review: Aftershock Festival 2022

 Aftershock 2022 was a fantastic memory that will be hungered to repeat next year.  Allowing over 40,000+ people each day to chill during a sweltering 99 degrees (Fahrenheit) with large mist blowers and delicious (health or comfort) eats choices were plentiful. The stage layouts were designed with both mainstages almost back to back with alternating performances with viewing screens of each other’s performance.  Then the 3 smaller stages rotated with incredible talent that are under the mass media radar.  As with all great experiences, I will always be missing something; thus, I did miss the first day of all my personal favorite bands.  In addition, I am sure I missed out on others on the days I attended.  Yet, the ones mentioned were phenomenal, and hope to see comments on your experiences. Continue reading “Show Review: Aftershock Festival 2022”

Single of the Week: “After I Go” by Roanoke

It’s a downright intimidating new release day. New Carly Rae Jepsen and Taylor Swift and Arctic Monkeys and a-ha (Did you know a-ha are still together?) and Archers Of Loaf (even more surprising?!?) and I’m kinda drowning so much that I almost MISSED giving you a single of the week this week. So here is some blissful, Fleetwood Mac-inspired country from Roanoke. The band, not the city. This song is the perfect antidote to the epic amount of stress that has been burning through the world. “After I Go” is, simply put, pleasant. And, yes, I know it’s uncool to enjoy pleasant things, but sometimes it’s nice to just have something nice. 

“After I Go” is the lead single from Wolf Motel, coming to you November 11th on… (checks notes) Kill Rock Stars Nashville? Yes. The legendary Olympia punk label now has a Nashville imprint. 

Film Review: “The Good Nurse”

A bad nurse rising: Horrifying true story becomes chilling thriller

ICU night shift nursing colleagues Charlie (Eddie Redmayne) and Amy (Jessica Chastain) become close friends.

Anyone who has ever spent any significant time in a hospital knows how much blind faith patients put in the medical staff. You’re sick or injured and helpless and scared: you not only trust the doctors and nurses caring for you, but you’re beyond grateful to them for helping you get healthy and back to your life. But what if a nurse didn’t have your best interest at heart, but the exact opposite? Suddenly the hospital would no longer be a safe space of healing and comfort, but a house of horrors. Such is the chilling premise of the terrific new film The Good Nurse.

Continue reading “Film Review: “The Good Nurse””

Film Review: “Tár”

Blanchett delivers award-worthy performance in imperfect classical music drama

Cate Blanchett as world famous conductor Lydia Tár.

Cate Blanchett can play icy cool confidence like nobody’s business (see Carol and Nightmare Alley), but she won an Oscar for having an emotional breakdown in Blue Jasmine. That skill at playing a woman on the edge of madness just may yield her another trophy for her stellar work in writer/director Todd Field’s problematic new film Tár.

Continue reading “Film Review: “Tár””

Single Of The Week: “Flip It” by Bleached

I am ALWAYS ready for a new Bleached track. This one is a big, classic power-pop number. Heavy in the riffage, and colors of Bangles-esque minor key harmonies… A catchy, optimistic number from a band from Jennifer Clavin, a songwriter that, somehow, always knows exactly what I need right when I need it. 

You can buy/stream “Flip It” in all the usual places. Bleached are also playing a handful of dates this November, including a 5th Anniversary show for the Lodge Room in LA on November 9th and a 10th Anniversary show for The Chapel on November 15th. They put on a fantastic show. So get your Omicron booster and party with us! 

Picks Six: Six Defining Tracks from 5RC Records

The pandemic has put is knee-deep into MySpace-era nostalgia. Bands like My Chemical Romance, Limp Bizkit, and The Strokes play bigger venues than in their heyday. So, obviously, it’s time for the weirdest of the 00’s to get a chance to return, too! Kill Rock Stars have resurrected 5RC (5 Rue Christine), a home for more experimental works. The video above is their first release of the 2020’s, “Glass from Sand” by MV Carbon + Charlemagne Palestine (Full Length out Nov 4th)/ I spent A LOT of time with 5RC bands in the early ’00s, as I wanted desperately to be welcomed by the noise community. 

Continue reading “Picks Six: Six Defining Tracks from 5RC Records”

Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2022 Journal

At the Hardly Strictly Bluegrass music festival, you may arrive as an orphan, but you will leave with a close adopted family of one million.   Hosted within the iconic Golden Gate Park, an all-inclusive backyard. 

Each stage appeared to have a theme of strict bluegrass, Americana, funk, rock, or soul.   It didn’t matter where you were all the stages hosted extremely talented artists with bookshelves of Grammy awards.  Even when Marcus Mumford was introducing his guests and missed one; the trust was evident.  If you were playing at Hardly Strictly, your talent is recognized, and you are welcome to collaborate.   Wondering with discovery was encouraged.  My least favorite part of the festival was making decisions, and my favorite was all decisions were good decisions. Continue reading “Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Festival 2022 Journal”