Things that lead to other things.

When a conversation has meandered a long way down a twisting path, far from its original point, I'm often the one to say, "How did we start talking about this?"  I enjoy the backtracking that follows, during which the conversaters list off the things that were said, until the original and often extremely unattached idea is recovered.  What does this have to do with anything?  Well, today I was going to sit down and write a bit about Zoetrope All Story.  But then I thought, "How did I find out about Zoetrope?"  I remembered it was because of Etgar Keret.  Then I thought, "How did I find out about Etgar Keret?"  I remembered it was because of PRI:  Selected Shorts.  Aha!  No guessing there, I know about Selected Shorts because I listen to NPR.

And so, now that I have uncovered the original inspiration of the post, let's put things in reverse.  NPR, meh.  Try it out, there are some real gems to be found.  For example, PRI:  Selected Shorts. YES!  People reading me great short stories while I drive in the car or clean the house or work out?  Awesome.  An incredible way to pass the time.  Well, on one such driving occasion, I found myself listening to B.D. Wong (extra enjoyable because of my affinity for S.V.U.) read the most amazing story about lies coming to life.  I was so enthralled that as soon as I returned home I ran inside and looked up the stories of the episode.  I discovered the story was titled "Lieland" and had been written by Etgar Keret.  I searched for the story for purchase, leading me to Zoetrope All Story.  At the time it was the only place I could find "Lieland" in published form.  Hmm...an award winning quarterly magazine with covers designed by guest famous people full of short stories?  Double yes!  Very soon after its discovery a subscription had been subscribed to.  Double no?  Well, issue fourteen was sold out (curse you Thurston Moore for being so popular!).  But never fear, the following issues have been a real pleasure.       

Well, things do have a way of working themselves out.  I forgot about this story for a while, and then out of nowhere it popped back into my head unannounced.  Just sort of started hanging around until I succumbed to the need to experience it again.  Issue fourteen?  Still sold out.  But, two pieces of good news.  The story can be heard here, beginning around the 15:35 mark.  It really is worth a listen.  And, the story can be purchased in Etgar Keret's book of short stories titled Suddenly, a Knock on the Door.  I'm excited for my copy to arrive!

And there you have it.  Whew!  That was a fun one.  Do you have a favorite short story program?  I want to know so I can listen in!

8'ch

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Cat Power. Sun.

Today I am excited. Because Chan Marshall has a new haircut and has written a new album. This was a reason, as if I ever need a reason, to head over to the record store so I could pre-order my copy of Cat Power's upcoming album, Sun. Here's her album announcement video with the song Ruin. I'm crossing my fingers this means she'll be back in these parts to perform sometime soon.

On the topic of Cat Power, this week I've been waking to a mental rendition of Good Woman more often than not. And I've been experiencing all that this song entails as it pertains to my past, and all the appropriate types and levels of agony that come flooding in when I really experience the song. So I figured I would share Good Woman with you as well. While looking around I stumbled across this video showing rare footage of Jack Kerouac and friends in New York circa 1959. Which is doubly appropriate because recently I've been working my way through The Dharma Bums. It's beautiful. (Sorry about the ads.)

Well, I may not be a Bodhisattva just yet, but hopefully this helped you get a tiny bit closer to Nirvana today.  

I'll be seeing you soonest,

H

UPDATE!  Cat Power interview.

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Revisiting | Mates of State. Girls Singing.

Today I found my brain overwhelmed by being on the computer and listening to NPR for too long.  So I turned everything off, made some food, and sat out in the backyard for a bit.  When I came back inside, I turned the radio on then promptly turned it off again.  OVERLOAD!  I needed something different to occupy my ears and mind while doing the dishes.  So I moseyed on over to my record collection.   

It's been far too long since I put a record on the player.  Nothing slows me down (in the best of ways) like playing a record.  While impatience addles my digital listening experience, laziness only enhances in the analog sense.  Once the record's on, it's on.  Flip it over once and the maintenance is done.  Those are just a few of the things I love about vinyl.

What to play?  Well, I was surprised to find myself pulling out Mates of State, Our Constant Concern.  Released back in 2002, listening to it instantly transported me back to my carefree youthful self.  Feeling a need to take a few more steps down memory lane, I decided to try to figure out the date of the show I saw them play live at Kilby Court.  I've narrowed it down, and believe it was this one.  But I could also be completely wrong about that.  It's been a loonnnngggg time, but the Downers and Bad Apple sound like a familiar combination and make me believe this was the one.  Here is the poster for the show by Leia Bell.   Original image found here.

Our Constant Concern is by far my favorite Mates of State album.  I say that, however, in full admittance of the fact that it's really the only album of theirs I've given a chance.  Normally the first two songs on the album are my favorite.  But today I found myself excited to be replaying 'Girls Singing.'  I hope you'll enjoy it as well!

Mates of State, thank you for your incredible offerings in the harmonizing department.  

Do you like Mates of State?  Do you have a favorite album/song?  Let me know!

Heather

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Safety Not Guaranteed AND Wye Oak, Civilian

Ok, I know I just recently posted about a movie I enjoyed, but I already have another one to share!

Arie and I didn't know much about Safety Not Guaranteed prior to heading out to the theater, but we both enjoyed this one very much. 

Also, this movie features a song that upon hearing for the first time (in a lonely hotel room in Ghana after being flooded out of our planned lodging last summer but that's another story entirely) nearly immediately made its way to the high end of my list of favorite songs of all time. The band, Wye Oak. The album, Civilian. The song, Civilian. The album is incredible, the song, transcendent. Have a listen.

So, check them both out!  Let me know what you think.

Toodley-do,

H

UPDATE!  I just read that Wye Oak has some new music coming out that will be available for free download from the Adult Swim website starting Monday (July 2nd 2012?).  Here is a link to a new song of theirs, Spiral.  It's very different from Civilian, but dear Lord, it's good!

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