tornado bait

I would like to have enough money to not constantly be stressed about it. Whatever amount that is. I would like to go back in time. And forward. I would like to be in a car with the windows down on my way to Nashville to play shows there. I would like a new pair of boots. It's okay to wish for things sometimes. Especially if you're working hard, right?

Lately I've started playing guitar again. Like most things in my life it just hits me like a wave and it didn't take much trying it just started when I decided it ought to. I'm not good but I'm playing daily and learning some of the Lorna covers. I'm playing my mother's 3/4 Guild guitar - she got it in high school I think - maybe college. As I've been playing it's sort of reconnected a nerve to my past and forced me to revisit the person I used to be. I kind of abandoned myself in Chicago in some ways. There wasn't a super solid girl to leave behind there but there was most definitely something lost. Like I said before about the waves once I came back to KC I holed up and cried my tears and boiled with shame and then one day I just hit the ground running and The Grisly Hand began. I have been repeating "Venture to impress yourself" lately. Words of wisdom from Amanda Seales - from a longer form IG video in which she mused on why we are af...

Well my bold foray into firing my blog back up has been both delightful and filled me with a sense of shame as I've "slacked" off. But then, who is counting? Blog God. I'm so happy I'm not sitting at a desk anymore and not again in the foreseeable future. My musical discovery lately has been more organic - listening to what others are psyched about, going to shows and even, gasp - creating music with new people! I tried and failed to see the Y La Bamba and Dana Louise & The Glorious Birds show at Uptown Arts Bar last Monday (I was late.) But I got to hang out with and trade some songs with Dana and her current touring band (a bunch of homies) later that evening. If you haven't heard Dana sing in person from her teeth to your ears you need to make it happen. The next morning after hearing her sing with Noah, Fritz and Zac I was still like, "DAMN!" Here's some wom focused stuff I've been jammin' to. As a dear friend said lately it...

Well hey there. It's a good thing that keeping a blog doesn't actually matter because I just kinda spaced there for awhile. Spring is in the air. Outdoor concert season has arrived. The trees are pink and green and the temperatures are jarringly perfect. Sometimes I try to remember to celebrate since the weather is complained about ad nauseum in the Midwest. Celebration is more complicated, isn't it? I've been cataloging my records, beginning with my country collection. It's been very nerdy and fun. It's interesting to see what's worth something and what's not. It's funny how the dissemination or past demand for a record drives down it's value. Like, chill everyone and their mom has that record now. I'm hoping this will help guide my future searches. I often stand and try to remember if I have a song on vinyl, etc. You know, real first world problem shit. Musically - I saw The ACB's (one of my favorite bands evar) and Natural Man at a...

Didn't turn over many new musical stones this weekend. I did enjoy listening to El Coyote's just released full length album . It's pretty tender and earnest so make sure you're not in your feelings as the youth say. Also, maybe give 'em a like on Facebook. Since they are a new band they could use the love. What I'm really here to humblebrag about is seeing SLEEP last night at Liberty Hall. It was heavy as fuck and rad. (Duh.) The crowd was predominantly white men which should make just about anyone but white men uncomfortable, but everything was "chill". A guy puked in the lobby trashcan after the openers finished- so that was kinda funny. Poor fella. Master your high lil buddy. Once the band started there was some sporadic moshing but mostly just a lot of head banging. #bangover I swear Al Cisneros looked right into my eyes but I was in a boomer balcony seat so I also might have just been really high. Oh the other thing worth mentioning is that be...

This morning while waiting somewhat awkwardly for my co worker to return to her desk (she uses the front desk for 15-30 minutes as she arrives first at 8) I said, well at least it's sunny out. She whirled around and said, "It's over tomorrow. It's not gonna last. It's gonna snow." I was like. Ok you're a lot of fun thanks tell me more about the world. What difference does tomorrow make to today's sun? I didn't discover much music this week as work has been busier than usual and my evenings have been spent seeing music or rehearsing. I have a couple wedding gigs this season and used those as an excuse to incorporate some happier songs into my book. I don't know why I'm so drawn to the melancholy ones, and they certainly go over beautifully from time to time but in general I feel like I'm kind of a bummer. I learned this song at Robert Castillo's request, but also because my sister, Melinda, used to LOVE Frank Sinatra and wore out...

My horoscope called me out for being all fired up about everything but work. The audacity. Me making plans and not considering any other factors. Anyway here's some things I'm excited about! Friday, March 30th - CS Luxem /Fullbloods/ Jim Button & The Beholders (The Brick) If you're not hip to Fullbloods  - stop what you're doing, sorry boss, and listen to "Mild West" their 2015 release on High Dive Records. You can also give them your money and download it here .  Fun fact, I played in an ELO cover band with Ross Brown the lead songwriter for Fullbloods. He also recorded Fritz Hutchison and I doing a few folkie songs last year in his basement complete with trippy LED lighting. ::rips bong:: Saturday, March 31st - " Eat Local & Organic Expo " at Johnson County Community College  10am - 3pm, "In the Gym" and no entrance fee! Saturday, March 31st - " Oddities & Curiosities Expo 2018 " at KC...

Well would you look at that! Look at those cuties. Local champions of bedroom pop and lo fi feelings rock, Shy Boys announced today that they are signed to Polyvinyl Records (out of Illinois) and fixin' to tour all over this great nation. Just remember, even if Pitchfork calls you amateurish there's still hope.  Check out tour dates here  or wait patiently for their triumphant mid summer return. If you've been living under a (butt) rock here's their last full length releas e on KC's High Dive Records.  GO SHYS!

I have a new song obsession. Ah, the rush. I hit replay 3x on my way to work this morning, making myself shed a tear (or two) in the process. This song just seeps into my chest and presses on me. A.K.A. sorry band, we're learning another new one. ha! From his 2nd LP release on Mercury, "The Ballad of Forty Dollars - And His Other Great Songs". I'm trying to figure out if I want to leave the lyrics alone and sing about a lady love or flip them and enjoy the chance to sing about rescuing a man. Because let's face it ya'll need way more rescuing. Here's the discogs info if you wanna go full metal nerd. https://www.discogs.com/Tom-T-Hall-Ballad-Of-Forty-Dollars-And-His-Other-Great-Songs/master/955666 Look at this regular ass guy. Gotta love the power of great writing and a good voice. I could say more about this - how women don't get the same pass and certainly not people of color, etc. But that's another post.  I owe this song discovery a...

https://basabasa.bandcamp.com/album/homowo Once a rare collector's item this Afrobeat/Disco masterpiece can now be found via the Vintage Voudou label out of the Netherlands. Released in 1979 (Originally known as the "Basa Basa Experience"- Together We Win") this album announces it's deviation from traditional Ghanian music and afrobeat with synthesizers, disco elements and production choices that are about a decade ahead of themselves. If you can't get the fancy album (with poster) you can still shake your tail feather and stream it above. Original LP Cover including alternative title. Homowo is actually a festival in Ghana that starts in May before the rainy season begins. The word itself means "To hoot (or jeer) at hunger" in reference to periods of famine brought on by lack of rain. You can read more about it below.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homowo Here are some pictures from a couple different Homowo Festivals in Ghana. ...

That's me shredding guitar up there. If you know me you're familiar with my abilities. I'm shredding because my monthly gig at Cleaver & Cork ISN'T cancelled. Let me tell you why I'm excited. It's a really beautiful restaurant that feels comfortable and home-y but also elegant. I love the rustic touches that avoided falling into wood walls and exposed wiring territory. They also have a huge, gorgeous bar which usually has a spot for my friends. The above photo is roughly my view from where we set up to play.  In addition to their expansive and classy interior they have a large patio complete with a fire pit and some grade A people watching if you're captivated by normies. Recently I went up to some dudes entering P&L and was like, "So, where do you go here?" Just curious. I was hoping they'd say shark bar but they recommended Howl at the Moon. #pass They also have the best sweet potato soup I've ever had in my life. Doe...

https://elcoyote1.bandcamp.com/album/el-coyote There's only one song available for streaming here but it's enough to make me wanna throw money upon them. ha! Montreal desert country? It's like Carl Sagan's explaining genres upon genres to me and I'm falling backwards Spongebob style. OK not quite but I was surprised. Apparently the band formed just hanging out in a kitchen playing new material with one another to get through the long Montreal winter. I wish I had been half as productive this past winter. ha! My Cleaver & Cork gig might be no mas - gonna find out today. Either way I've got a great show on April 7th at EJ's Urban Eatery. They had me at breakfast ribs tbh.

I just wanted to never forget what an absolute goddess Xtina is. Now everyone should dress how they want, do as they please, etc - but I'd be lying if I said my heart doesn't sing for this "Stripped" down look. Maybe makeup becomes even more of a thing when you're world famous.  Style goals though. The bangs, the curls. Can freckles be a style? I had them when I was little and now I just have them on my shoulders and back. Not as kewl.  Here's one of my favorite tunes from Christina.

I like how I've been "off" facebook in some capacity for a couple days and already feel a deeper sense of meaning and purpose in life. Or perhaps I'm just paying attention to what I love and what inspires me and it turns out that feels good.  Anyhow - while tippity tapping through Bandcamp (who's app I recommend highly) on Friday afternoon I discovered Esther Rose and what at first seemed likeable has turned into a highly lovable record that I've now listened to several times. https://estherrosemusic.bandcamp.com/releases Here is her page on Bandcamp which provides a lot of information and allows you to listen to her first full length release, "This Time Last Night" which was recorded in April 2017 at Mashed Potato Studios. The band sounds incredible here both in their modest arrangements and restraint as well as their obvious devotion to Hank Williams-era sound. This was recorded to tape like a motherfucker as I'd say in person.  The record ...

I almost read an article titled, "What's the Difference Between a Frat and a Gang". Then I realised I know. I'm trapped at home waiting for Nebraska Furniture Mart's team of able bodied professionals to install my new range. I'm excited if not a bit irritated for lack of coffee. It was a failure of planning on my part. I'm relaxing to this record. It sounds like your really nice friend from college who wore sandals and you didn't really want to look at his feet but you knew he was pure of heart so you just kind of let it go. The stove dudes just showed up. Nice fuckin' cop knock. OK I'm gonna go deal with this and then make it rain at ALDI. Have a great wknd, you.

Things to Know https://www.gq.com/story/on-conservatism https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/03/16/feminism-glossary-lexicon-language/99120600 https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/well/eat/how-the-sugar-industry-shifted-blame-to-fat https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/11/rats-of-new-york/546959 https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2016/07/racist-history-portland/492035 www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/04/the-illusion-of-reality/479559 https://noisey.vice.com/en_uk/article/rp7zk6/38-hours-of-playlists-that-trace-the-evolution-of-modern-hip-hop http://atlantablackstar.com/2014/11/14/10-horrifying-facts-sexual-exploitation-enslaved-black-men-may-know https://www.ranker.com/list/insane-sole-survivor-stories/jacob-shelton http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-compact-discs-20180302-story.html https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/18/well/tips-engaging-conversation.html https://www.vox.com/science-and-health/...

Here I am again. Have I come full circle? Time is a flat circle so it's likely. I've been pulling the tentacles of Facebook off of my life sucker by sucker. Having some conversations with others lately about the role of social media in our lives has been interesting. I love to see my friends' children and animals - and I certainly like to keep up with local shows, but I wonder if I'm even accomplishing that little. I deleted almost 900 people in the past couple days and have "Un-liked" more bands, restaurants, schools (Lean Lab related) and small businesses than I can count. What struck me was how little I had connected with them in light of that. When you "like" 1000 businesses how will you sift through and find what is relevant? How will they reach you without feeding the giant that is facebook, A.K.A. paying to get seen. I want to be more intentional and more active supporting music, places and people that I respect. I also have this sort of Etern...