Category: music

Sharon Jones Got Her Start At 40 Years Old (And You Can Too)

Sharon Jones didn’t (really) get going until 40.  She grew up singing in church, playing talent shows, and even singing backups on songs here and there. But adulthood called and she went to work-work.  Prison jobs, security jobs, and the occasional bum studio session.  One day, one backup singing session, nobody else showed up.  Because … Continue reading Sharon Jones Got Her Start At 40 Years Old (And You Can Too) →

Sunday Music: Paper Planes (M.I.A. And The Wreckx And Effect Flippening)

I think I’m delirious. I stood up from working last Friday singing this song to myself. Still a great song.  Does it get any better than that gun sample? Here’s M.I.A. and her classic “Paper Planes” https://youtu.be/ewRjZoRtu0Y?si=WIgnSyxMFcralU80 And lest we forget, you can’t start there without ending up here (with complete admiration and respect for … Continue reading Sunday Music: Paper Planes (M.I.A. And The Wreckx And Effect Flippening) →

Alternative Data’s Alternative Music Moment

As a 90s teen, I grew up on the joke “Alternative ___ is so everywhere now. Alternative to what? Sure seems like mainstream to me.”  Alternative Data has been having one of those moments in the 2020s and music’s a good reminder of the way mainstream evolves is by alternating what’s hot and what’s not.  … Continue reading Alternative Data’s Alternative Music Moment →

Fred Armisen On How To Niche Down

All the marketing people will tell you to find your niche. Which is fine. It’s good advice and you should take it. I’ll find mine eventually. Maybe. But in the meantime, I’ll admire people who have already figured it out. Especially in a way that doesn’t feel so infinitely narrow. Like Fred Armisen. Here he … Continue reading Fred Armisen On How To Niche Down →

When Joan Rivers Met GWAR

Calling anyone who makes something they feel personally invested in. Not just for an anonymous corporate overlord. Something you put a little piece of your best effects into, at the soul level.  Musicians, artists, writers - craftspeople of all types. Athletes and business people count too.  Anyone who has spent an insane amount of time … Continue reading When Joan Rivers Met GWAR →

Sunday Music: The Vandals – Some Friday Night Party/Funeral Music Requests

You know those songs that just click? Where you don’t scream yes or have to do homework to unpack them, but you go, “Yeah. YEAH. Ok, that’s right.” Especially the one’s on your CD player from somewhere in the back of the family car. When you have the headphones turned up a little extra, avoiding … Continue reading Sunday Music: The Vandals – Some Friday Night Party/Funeral Music Requests →

Podcast Of The Week: Revisiting The Judgement Night Soundtrack

The Ringer’s Bandsplain with Yasi Salek podcast… how have I been missing these? Yasi, Sean Fennessy, and Rob Harvilla get together for a deep discussion on one of the most defining soundtracks (and worst movies) of 1993, Judgement Night.  This was one of those CDs somebody always had. It wasn’t exactly good, but it was … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Revisiting The Judgement Night Soundtrack →

Podcast Of The Week: The History of GWAR

GWAR being described as, "a punk rock Disney" is too good. They really are one of the great, under-covered business stories. I can't stop thinking about the This is Jericho podcast interview and this documentary (trailer below). Oh, and check out this Dr. Michael Bishop Ted Talk too. The shared vision, creative execution, and sense … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: The History of GWAR →