My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 39):
https://youtu.be/eOjZ9A3TGfs
1. Rudimental with Mystic Marley and Flowdan – "Ram Pam". London's Rudimental are keeping drum and bass alive with this crucial dancehall banger featuring Bob Marley granddaughter Mystic on vocals and rapping from grime MC Flowdan. #music

https://youtu.be/0fE4TG4RADg
So grateful to my friend Marina Lazzara for inviting me to her autumn equinox celebration and allowing me to share work from my book *Hypnopompic Diaries* and from my collaboration with Chris Stroffolino titled *Dreaming to a Click*, and to Brian Lucas, who took this video of the first half of my reading.

My best of 2024 (so far) playlist is updated regularly and can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaIn2mN9hFpBK1szGAA07d8pq&si=ZVqklnxTIwkgAQKq
#music

https://youtu.be/SnCToK4Jw7w
5. Suzanne Vega – "Rats". If you had told me back in 1984 that in 30 years' time, Suzanne Vega would be writing post-apocalyptic punk songs about vermin, I'd have said, "Who's Suzanne Vega?" since I didn't start listening to her sophisticated folk/pop until about 1987. #music

https://oldmillioneye.bandcamp.com/track/sister-rock
4. Old Million Eye – "Sister Rock". Old Million Eye's music is as uncanny and enigmatic as a dream. It all makes perfect sense as you float along through it, yet when it's over, it becomes elusive, ungraspable to the conscious mind. Luckily, unlike a dream, you can listen to it again (and again). #music

https://youtu.be/b4uOvP-sqBY
3. Haley Heynderickx – "Foxglove". Second single from her new album is another '60s-inflected folk/pop gem. #music

https://youtu.be/poO4oicbPw8
2. Blossoms – "I Like Your Look". Mod disco from Manchester band's fifth album "Gary". "I'm suiting insouciant finery". #music

My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 38):
https://youtu.be/tQjcGbaABgE
1. The Soundcarriers – "The City Was". A sonic portal opened up to suck you directly back to 1966 or '7: fuzzed-out guitars, trippy organ and druggy lyrics like "the days only go to one place: to the place where the city was". #music

Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, July 2024.

@floryloughead I believe you're right, thanks for the correction!

Shell ginger, Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, July 2024.

@feloneouscat I agree. Thank you for bearing with my shorthand description.

Neoregelia, Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, July 2024.

https://www.politico.com/news/2024/09/17/donald-trump-michigan-rally-00179741
Know who else survived two assassination attempts? Gerald Ford. It ain’t a sign of a political future.

My best of 2024 (so far) playlist is updated regularly and can be found here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaIn2mN9hFpBK1szGAA07d8pq&si=ZVqklnxTIwkgAQKq
#music

https://youtu.be/352TSvVyjqg
5. (Honorable mention) Hugo Largo – "Blue Blanket". Hugo Largo were one of my favorite bands of the late '80s and early '90s, featuring a drumless configuration (two bassists and a violinist) and the angelic voice and childlike openness of Mimi Goese. There's a new set out collecting the two albums and previously unreleased miracles like this one they recorded before disbanding in 1991. #music

https://youtu.be/ljI7vtKrMOI
4. R. Missing – "Jane Four". a darkwave chiller from New York's R. Missing, "Jane Four" features a busy, anxious synth riff and the detached vocals of Sharon Shy. #music

https://youtu.be/-xtq4Qek0Uo
3. Disintegration – "Hideaway". Fellow Ohioans Devo live in the processed guitar shrapnel and stuttering drums of "Hideaway", creating the perfect foil for Haley Himiko's urgent vocal. #music

https://youtu.be/VXe_9IxsAvY
2. Clementine Douglas – "Slippin' ". A near-perfect pairing of '80s-'90s dance club sounds and peaks soul horns and singing from Birmingham, England's Douglas. #music

My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 37):
https://youtu.be/XLgmuj-Gnuo
1. Naima Bock – "Feed My Release". Ex-Goat Girl Bock has a new solo album out which includes this jazzy (saxophone!) folk-pop gem. She uses the full range of her voice and amazing harmonies to great effect. #music