Imogen Heap’s new album has just been released in the UK, and as I was tooling around her blog, I was reminded that the album photography was done by a guy she found on Flickr. Imogen has her own Flickr account, as well. This picture is so gorgeous. And this one is particularly hilarious to me because not only did she just buy her own album, but she bought it from the HMV at Oxford Circus where I almost got a job in 1998.
Category: Music
Thursdays with Ross
Memphibian-turned-Yankee Ross Rice has been back in Memphis these last several weeks settling up, playing gigs and finalizing the mix on his second album, Dwight. So far the record sounds amazing and will definitely be a worthy follow-up to his first effort, Umpteen (it should be, given that it has taken 8 years to make). So while Ross has been in town, he has played several gigs at his old haunt, the Blue Monkey. I knew that this week and next week would probably be my last time to see him for a very long time, so I drove to Memphis last night after band rehearsal to catch the show. I can’t tell you how insanely talented this guy is, and what a great show he puts on. I’m such a big fan, I made him a website for free and set him up on myspace. Check him out.
A Thursday night trip to Memphis will wear a man down, though. Ross finished up at 1:30, we were hanging out until after 2, talking about everything and catching up (with me drinking lots of coffee). I got on the road around 2:30 and got home at 4:30. So I’m running on two hours of sleep right now. Hopefully I can stay awake today.
Unlikely Developments on the Marconi
Jason added a comment to one of my older entries about the format of FM101.1 here in town. He gave a link to an MSN story entitled, “Increasingly, stations move toward variety.”
There’s an unlikely headline. Everything I know about radio is seemingly refuted by this development. It’s a paradox, a conundrum, and I am flummoxed. Radio stations are experimenting with…diversity. Not the same old homogenous, bland formatting of the most chart-topping pablum, but a gloriously random mishmash of lesser-known favorites and hits. You say you want a revolution? Corporate radio, in a panic to compete with iPods and satellite radio, seems ready to deliver.
What are some other similarly unlikely headlines? “MTV Plays Video,” “Pope Promotes Prophylactics,” “Republicans Balance Budget,” “Michael Jackson Dates a Black Woman.” If you’re bored, make up some of your own and post them as comments.
Please Shop at Anthro-Pop
If you live in Little Rock[1] and you need a CD, then please just get it at Anthro-pop. Rod can special order anything in the world and usually have it in faster than Amazon.com. Sure Amazon is cheaper, but then there’s that whole shipping charge, isn’t there? Sure you could shop at Best Buy, but you must realize that if you do so, you are effectively crushing music stores everywhere. Remember music stores? Remember High Fidelity? These places are getting fewer and further between because Best Buy loses money on every disc they sell. They just want to get you in the store to buy an appliance or a computer. It’s a shrewd business model, but if you care about music then you’re not necessarily concerned with business excellence are you? Do you want to watch a movie about John Cusack and Jack Black working at Best Buy? I would hope not.
The sad state of music retail aside, I say all this because Anthro-pop is a fabulous place to spend an hour or two and because Rod is an exceptionally knowledgeable and generous guy. I bought a couple of CDs and he gave me Season 3 of Land of the Lost on DVD for FREE. It was a promo thing he got for free, but still. Fun excerpt from the back of the box:
“Behold the fire-breathing dinosaur Torchy – menace to Human, Pakuni, and Sleestak alike!”
I have no idea what that means but how can it not be awesome!? Thanks, Rod!
1.) If you live in North Little Rock, then please buy from Bill at Arkansas Record/CD Exchange.
I am Lane Meyer
You know that scene in Better Off Dead where John Cusack has been dumped and he’s driving along and every song on the radio is a breakup song? That happened to me this morning, except that every song came from the same album, in this case one of my all-time favorites, Sugarbomb’s Bully. I had never noticed that the record is populated almost exclusively by breakup songs. Witness:
“Waiting”
Waiting for the phone to ring (refrain x 3)
and I hope it will be you
“Hello”
One thing’s for sure
What I would give to simply open my door
And see your smiling face
“Mail Order Girlfriend”
It’s over I feel it
She’ll never come visit
“What a Drag”
What a drag how people change
Once you really get to know them
It gets even worse when you get into “Poster Child for Tragedy” so I’ll spare you that one. Suffice it to say that the defunct Dallas band made one of the great one-album wonder classics. If you can find a copy, it has my highest recommendation.
WordPress World Domination
The Churchills have now joined the growing legion of WordPress users.
The Continuing Saga of 101.1 FM
Remember awhile back when I complained that my favorite radio station was gone? Well it changed again. For a few months it was a modern rock/pop station, but over the weeked, a rather bizarre transition occured. For about 24 hours straight, the station played Marvin Gaye’s “I Heard It Through the Grapevine.”
Definitely the weirdest format change I’ve ever witnessed in this town. Especially after giving the previous format such a short span to in which to work.
I still haven’t heard any DJ’s on the air, just the FCC-mandated call letters and city. I also can’t get a fix on their format. You tell me what kind of station has this playlist:
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons – Big Girls Don’t Cry
Dexy’s Midnight Runners – Come on Eileen
Sweet – Ballroom Blitz
Michael Jackson – Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough
Chic – Le Freak
David Bowie – Let’s Dance
Everything else I’ve heard has been mostly 70’s disco tunes with names I can’t recall. Weird.
Spiraling: Pictures
Here are some pictures via Jessica. Can you believe I left my camera at home? I’ve been getting lax on that since I got my new camera phone, which I quickly discovered is useless in a dark venue with lots of really bright lights.
Spiraling: Out of Control
Last night I went to see a gig I helped hook up: Spiraling at Sticky Fingerz. Tom, Marty, Bob and Paul are all so insanely talented, humble, fun guys. They gave me several CDs and I bought as much as I could. After the show I led them to the nearest Motel 6, conveniently located next to my office. Then I led them to a party over Sherman St. where the Localist boys were having their last big hurrah before Davey departs for superstardom. I talked at length with Tom about his tenure in Yes, wherein he made a big splash by getting a reluctant Steve Howe to perform “Owner of a Lonely Heart” for the Yes Symphonic Live DVD and tour. Tom played the Trevor Rabin guitar solo so Steve wouldn’t have to. That’s what a great guy Tom is – not only can he play the keyboard like a maniac, but he’s also a diplomatic, thoughtful guy (unlike some people). Best part for me was getting to talk music with him, Bob and Marty. Turns out Bob is an insane guitar player as well, with some shred-monkey roots like mine. Marty is a fellow Jellyfish freak. Later on, we took them to Heather’s porch where they showed me the chords to “Girl on Top of the Piano” and I impressed them with hatchet-job versions of “Mediterranean Sundance” and random Steve Morse tunes on Heather’s neighbor’s 12 string guitar (minus 1). Good times.
Saturday Happiness
Saturday one of my favoritest bands of the last couple of years is coming to town for the first time, Spiraling. 9PM at Sticky Fingerz. Only $5. Plus American Princes and The Boswells. Opening acts that don’t suck.
Before that I think I’ll try another grill out in the backyard. Maybe around 3 or 4PM until it’s time to head to the show. Bring food and friends.