J Lind’s “Oxford Sweater” & Simple Joy
This is what J Lind writes on his instagram about his newest single: “Oxford Sweater” is about turning off your phone and noticing the world but here are some things I’ve noticed with my phone on, no regrets” What follows is a photo carousel of the quirky, the heartwarming, the mundane—an action figure on a […]
Rachel Newnham Gently Calls to the Weary Soul in “Nobody Loves You Like I Do”
A little house down my suburban street, when I was a kid, had peeling paint, and curled up shingles, and an overgrown yard. There was a formerly white wooden fence, about 3 feet high, with a gate that was falling off. Cats wandered in and out of the foliage. Trees, which had grown on their […]
Elizabeth Hume’s “August” Unveils a Different Side to Summer
Well. How about we get honest? Like a lot of people in this world, I struggle with depression. Severe for awhile, now it’s just severe anxiety and moderate depression (woohoo!). It’s super… well, not fun, a lot of the time. Even now I’m about three minutes away from a beach and I struggle to get […]
Bad Tiger’s “Enough” and Timing
Bad Tiger is a story about timing. I was impressed beyond belief when I read that San Fran-based Bad Tiger debuted the week lockdown started. Because that one fact tells a story of its own: of pure resilience. I can’t think of much else that would so fully overshadow or outdo something so precious, so […]
Bernie and Kaycie Satterfield want you to “Stay”
Bernie (Sarah Bernstein) and Kaycie Satterfield’s recent collaboration, “Stay,” alternates between creating moments of timelessness and evoking the march of days. Appropriately, it’s a love song. Somewhat unusually, it’s a love song focused on ordinary times. The lyrics contrast love’s way of measuring time with standard measurements. The singer observes “People on the corner selling […]
The Questions of Seba Safe’s “I Wonder”
The title of Seba Safe’s “I Wonder” doesn’t promise any answers. And indeed the song begins with questions: “What the hell is wrong with people? / What the hell is wrong with me?” Good questions; I wonder about that too. But instead of answers, the rest of verse one gives instructions: “Twist the hurt into […]
Steve Earle Dismantles Capital Punishment on “Ellis Unit One”
“I object to my government killing people because my government is meant to be me and I object to me killing people.” This is simply one of many damning quotes by legendary American folk artist Steve Earle regarding America’s arguably archaic capital punishment laws. It’s 1995 and famed actor/producer/director Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption, Jacob’s […]
“1979” – The Smashing Pumpkins’ best song
There’s three things I love about The Smashing Pumpkins. First, Billy Corgan’s look – watch the videos for “Ava Adore” or “Stand Inside Your Love” – he’s mesmerizing, a modern rock Nosferatu. Second, their name – it’s hilarious! And third, “1979” – their best song. There are other songs I like but “1979” has this […]
Bridget Rian’s Single “Milk” is Saccharine Sweet
Saccharine love songs are always a bit of a hit or miss. And by that I mean, it’s totally contextual to the exact moment you find it, not its inherent worth. When Bridget Rian intros into her newest single, “Milk” with, “If my skin were milk, you would drink it,” there are those of us […]
Boyscout’s “Done” Leaves the Past Where It Is
In golf, they call it a Mulligan. Your original shot didn’t work out, and you get the consent of your golfing buddies to try again, from the same spot. A do-over, if you will. In relationships, it doesn’t feel quite the same. It’s like a rebound relationship, but with the same person. Sometimes, over and […]
