Sunday Music: Happy Horror Business Halloween (With The Misfits)

October is for Misfits. I’ve got one particular song on my mind this year - “Horror Business.”  There’s a weird, unsolved (re: not entirely worth solving) mysteriousness because the song references either/or the movie Psycho and the famous bathroom murder scene, and/or Sid Vicious’ girlfriend Nancy’s tragic bathroom stabbing and death.  We’re not here to … Continue reading Sunday Music: Happy Horror Business Halloween (With The Misfits)

Sunday Music: Maren Morris Burns It The F@$! Down

If it sounds a little self-reverential, it’s because it has to be. Maren Morris has been battling pigeon holes long enough, and she’s ready to scream phoenix. I’m always here for artists doing this.  The metaphors are all present. Take a read through the lyrics on her new EP The Bridge. Then check out the … Continue reading Sunday Music: Maren Morris Burns It The F@$! Down

Podcast Of The Week: Maren Morris Breaks Away From Country

Come for the conversation about finding yourself in the pressure of success, but stay for the snack discovery at the end.  Maren Morris is a role model. More riffing on “their labels are not your identity” in yesterday’s post. You can get even more non-musical but still on topic takes in this episode of Breaking … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Maren Morris Breaks Away From Country

Your Job Is Not Your Identity

Maren Morris has been distancing herself from the country music scene. Or at least the country music machine. Because she understands their labels do not define her identity. This is the funny thing about career building. You start by wanting a job. Getting onto a track, climbing a ladder, being accepted into a group.  The … Continue reading Your Job Is Not Your Identity

Sunday Music: Bad Religion’s 4th Turning Soundtrack – The Gray Race

Don’t you love the way books/ideas sequentially appear in your life?  I do. Even when they’re a little doomy with a side of optimism. I’ll plug the “Optimism” episode of Breaking News we just released where we wrestle with all this stuff if you’re interested, but I know you’re here on a Sunday because Sunday’s … Continue reading Sunday Music: Bad Religion’s 4th Turning Soundtrack – The Gray Race

Sunday Music: She Giggles Because I Sleep With A Body Pillow

Atmosphere’s Sad Clown Bad Dub II was pretty much impossible to find. In 2000 I ended up with a ripped copy on CD. Then, some folded flyer of a mail-order catalog had copies for sale and I sent in $20 cash and waited.  Pre-streaming. Pre-online ordering of everything. It’s wild to think about what we … Continue reading Sunday Music: She Giggles Because I Sleep With A Body Pillow

How To Never Have A Nemesis (Via Slug From Atmosphere)

Sean Daley, aka Slug, from the 90s/00s group Atmosphere, was asked if he ever had a nemesis.  Yasi Salek, your question game is… respect. I love this question. I’m envious I’ve never asked it, and mostly, I’m really excited with how “Mr. Slug” answered.  Given the time and era, it would make sense. In the … Continue reading How To Never Have A Nemesis (Via Slug From Atmosphere)

Sunday Music: Why Does Azealia Banks Still Hit So Hard

I remember having a 2012 conversation about how there was a noticeable lack of danger in pop music. I was ranting at the Billboard chart. I did a lot of ranting in those days (usually to myself, to be perfectly honest). My argument was centered around how you could see the edge people were willing … Continue reading Sunday Music: Why Does Azealia Banks Still Hit So Hard

How Mediums Make Culture (Hip Hop’s Vinyl Librarians Edition)

Language forms around common words. Anything that bottlenecks words into being “more common,” influences the language, and in turn, how we all communicate. Music history is full of examples. The lessons for marketing and basic communication strategies are nearly endless.  And we don’t talk about Breakbeat Lou nearly enough.  In the 80s, sampling was a … Continue reading How Mediums Make Culture (Hip Hop’s Vinyl Librarians Edition)

Sunday Music: Jawbreaker’s Limited Abilities On Unlimited Enthusiasm

Dan Ozzi’s book, SELLOUT: The Major Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994-2007), is so much more than a trip down memory lane for an 80’s/90’s alternative music fan.  There’s generational theory here, and I’m not sure which book I want to relate it too, but there is a parallel version of … Continue reading Sunday Music: Jawbreaker’s Limited Abilities On Unlimited Enthusiasm