BYSTANDER: A Shout Out to Led Zeppelin’s “Communication Breakdown”
Thursday, October 29th, 2009 Posted in Bystander, Music, the writing process | 3 Comments »Eric Hayes, the main character in Bystander, plays guitar. He's also missing an absent father, who occasionally sends CDs in the mail. Here's a brief excerpt from Chapter 4, the first time that subplot is explored. To set up the ...
This Week’s Greatest Things (yes, plural!) Ever
Friday, October 16th, 2009 Posted in Around the Web, Fun Clips, Music | 4 Comments »You know those annoying, pestering people who have to share everything? Every great experience they ever had, they want you to have. They are constantly pressing books into your hands, making you stop to look at some stupid lake, insisting ...
Music Video Weekend: Ben Sidran, “You Can’t Judge a Book”
Saturday, October 10th, 2009 Posted in Music | No Comments »In keeping with our theme for the week, here's cool cat Ben Sidran with a little advice. "You've got to read! That's what you need. Open the book, baby!" [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzwqeX6JsvE&feature=related] Below, you might appreciate this brief Bo Diddley performance of the same ...
Music Video Weekend: Ryan Adams, “When the Stars Go Blue”
Saturday, September 26th, 2009 Posted in Music | 2 Comments »"Where do you go when you're lonely? Where do you go when you're blue?" I think about music all the time. Always have. Listen to it, read about it, close my eyes and feel it. I hate to say this, but ...
What’s Going On?
Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009 Posted in Around the Web, Music, Readings, the writing process | 1 Comment »Some quick hits today: * "Ritual" would be too big a word for it, too religious; "tradition" doesn't feel quite right either. But when I begin a new book, I go to my local CVS and buy one of these bad ...
Loudon Wainwright III, “History,” Revisited: Music Video Friday
Thursday, August 27th, 2009 Posted in Interviews & Appreciations, Music | No Comments »Hopefully this will keep you entertained while I'm away for a week . . . hiking, sitting by fires, kayaking, reading, playing with my kids, reconnecting with Lisa, writing on a yellow legal pad by Rainbow Lake in the Adirondacks, ...
Around the Horn: 6 Things & Music Video Friday
Friday, August 14th, 2009 Posted in Around the Web, Music | No Comments »1) I thought this was very cool. Six word stories, illustrated! 2) Curious about this book. 3) This helped me rethink the opening of a new story. Nothing new under the sun, but there's so much under the sun, it helps to ...
100 Concerts
Monday, August 10th, 2009 Posted in Music | 2 Comments »Busy these days, and intentionally laying low until I finish this thing I'm working on. It's a manuscript and it's been an unholy struggle. It's not Coal Mining, I know, but there are days when it feels like I'm in ...
Music Video Friday: Perpetuum Jazzile, “Africa”
Friday, August 7th, 2009 Posted in Fun Clips, Music | No Comments »This is cool. An a capella choir named Perpetuum Jazzile, "still the only Slovenian jazz choir," simulates a thunderstorm. Play it LOUD for best results. Though the clip goes on for over six minutes, as far as I'm concerned you're free ...
Music Video Weekend: The Jayhawks, “Blue”
Friday, July 31st, 2009 Posted in Music | 3 Comments »"Where have all my friends gone/they've all disappeared." A favorite band, the mighty Jayhawks. Have a great weekend. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9rFR2Jll1I]