My mother’s dog passed away and learning this made me incredibly homesick.
December 20th, 2014
Tag Archives: music
October 31st, 2014
Halloween was a rare night off. I spent it recharging batteries.
Thanks, Sir!
This was the oldest I ever felt in my entire life.
October 9th, 2014
It turns out that in the right context, I’m not so bad a dancer after all.
Happy one year anniversary, Portland.
September 28th, 2014
PAWS is one of my absolute favorite bands. They’re a three piece from Glasgow, Scotland that makes heartfelt, emotionally honest, frankly incredible music that I’ve been obsessed with since I first saw them at SXSW last year. I followed them all around the festival and saw them either five or six times while I was there. Then, I caught their first show in Chicago before moving to Portland last October.
This is my third time seeing them here in my new home and some of you may remember that I made a comic about the last show. And if you don’t remember, Phillip does.
Not only that, but he remembered my name when I talked to him afterwards. We talked about feminism, how their last album being a breakup record made it seem like it was written just for me, and how I hoped for both our sakes that if I was going to continue to live their music then the next album would be a bit more happy.
This is a fantastic band full of genuinely lovely people. And that’s why the post underneath today’s comic is so long.
A few days ago, the band’s van was broken into and a lot of money and really important gear (including a hard drive with all of their work on it – including new stuff that they were still putting together) was stolen. They’re currently stuck in Seattle and they could use your help.
So here they are talking about what you can do to help this little trio of guys from Glasgow get back on tour and back on track (which I would link to, but Facebook is being a pain in my ass):
“As you may already have heard, we have been stuck in Seattle the past few days after our van got broken into and a lot of valuables were taken from us.
Most importantly, the entire archived history of our band and many other projects including future works in the making on a laptop and external hard drive were taken. This has left us devastated. Many of you have been asking how you can help so we are suggesting that you kind souls head over to our Cath Records bandcamp page and pick up the available PAWS releases there. Luckily, we recently released an mp3 album of original demos containing early sketches for songs that ended up on our two full LPs – “Cokefloat!” And “Youth Culture Forever”. If we hadn’t, they’d also be gone forever as a result of the recent theft.
So, scope out what we have available at www.cathrecords.bandcamp.com of you fancy helping us with some gas in the tank.
Big love to everyone that has showed love so far, you know who you are. A very special thanks to Shannon Sauter and KEXP Radio for having us in last night to co host her show. That cheered us up a lot.”
If you enjoy their music at all, then go give them some money. They deserve every bit of love and cash you can send their way.
Keep the Mountain to your Right
Keep the Mountain to Your Right
Four days, three nights, roughly 41 miles, all of it with some sixty pounds of gear and food strapped to my back. While on the trail, I made a comic when I woke up, one when I stopped for lunch, one next to the fire in camp in the evening, and one during my normal time: at night, right before I fell asleep.
Day One began at the Timberline Lodge with 40 mile an hour winds making me seriously question some of my assumptions about the trail. I said my electronic goodbyes, pulled on the coat I thought was just for emergencies, and hiked the ten miles to Ramona Falls.
Day Two was probably the most solitary day, and certainly the one with the most forest to walk through. I climbed Bald Mountain, I walked about 10 miles, and I camped out at Coe Creek.
On Day Three I faced the difficult and dangerous crossing at Eliot Creek. Along the way I met Richard, a 20 year old who was also solo hiking the trail. We’d somehow started at the same time but not bumped into each other. He became my traveling companion until the last stretch of the hike on Sunday.
We talked about life, hiking, relationships, our childhoods, and a hundred other secret things that we only shared with the rocks and trees.
The final day was across long, open stretches with nothing but harsh sunlight to keep us company. I was tired, but the end was so close.
I’m writing this weeks later and could tell you a thousand details that I missed in these comics and in the stories I’ve told friends and loved ones, but the main thing I want you to know is:
I miss the mountain.
September 18th, 2014
Tonight I saw il sogno del marinaio with LITE opening for them and had a predictably great time. I had no idea what I was walking into other than listening to one song and having faith in my date’s taste (she hasn’t steered me wrong before).
Mike Watt is best known for being the bass player for Minutmen and being an extremely entertaining showman. I have seriously barely captured how elastic his expressions were.
A good night.
September 12th, 2014
I started singing it this way during my divorce. I think it’s appropriate.
June 2nd, 2014
Most of the people who have seen me perform know me for having a big, powerful voice but often when I sing for myself I take a different approach.
I think this started because I felt self-conscious in my last living arrangement, but it’s becoming another way for me to connect to music. Sometimes a song needs to be shouted, but sometimes it’s nice to just let it float.
May 29th, 2014
Tonight I saw Poncho Sanchez at Jimmy Mak’s here in Portland having very little idea what I was walking into.
I smiled, I danced (badly), I wondered why I didn’t do this more often.