.

The latest New American Writing (number 42) showed up in the mail today, and I'm honored to have two poems included alongside work from some of my favorite writers such as Maxine Chernoff, Chris Stroffolino, Norman Fischer, Yongbo Ma, Mark DuCharme, and Elizabeth Robinson. Many thanks to editor Paul Hoover. You can order a copy from https://madhat-press.com/ #poetry

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/vAXrfTMyr94
5. Kaleo – "Rock N Roller". Kaleo is an Icelandic band inspired by the blues rock prevalent in the 1970s. If you miss guitar-heavy songs with wailin' harmonica and lyrics about snortin' whisky, drinkin' cocaine, hoochie-koo and similarly wacky stuff, this one's for you. #music

https://youtu.be/Xc2BS-5erpw
4. Geneva Jacuzzi – "Dry". This tune could go on your early '80s playlist and hardly anyone would notice, thanks to its arty synthpop arrangement and Geneva's coolly ironic voice repeating the fun lyrics. #music

https://youtu.be/V3qU5rHWlyk
3. Caroline Says – "Faded and Golden". Wistful, melancholy indie folk with a touch of dream pop and a stack of gorgeous close harmonies. This one's a gem. #music

https://youtu.be/a2PAcMREq7A
2. Being Dead – "Nightvision". Psychedelic jangle pop from Austin, Texas. This takes so many unexpected twists and turns in its two minutes and forty-five seconds your head will spin, but all are welcome, adding up to a song that will haunt your ears for days. #music

My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 34):
https://youtu.be/bwNDSAuDACc
1. Sofi Tukker featuring Kah-Lo – "Woof". Sofi Tukker are back with their custom blend of club beats, global grooves and irresistible melodies. They're joined here by Nigerian singer-songwriter Kah-Lo. #music

.

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/2r0PBv68j7I
5. Deadletter – "More Heat". Yorkshire band with a track from their upcoming debut album that reminds me most immediately of New Model Army (remember them?), but a little funkier, and with saxophone. #music

https://youtu.be/Vc5dVjEoO5E
4. Dora Jar – "Ragdoll". Dora Jar's second appearance in my top songs list this year, "Ragdoll" is a compelling hybrid of contemporary pop and indie rock that keeps introducing new sonic elements all the way through. #music

https://youtu.be/nTxvvpSZokU
3. The Howl & The Hum – "Echo". Starts off as a fingerpicked ballad. Then at 0:45 the band enters, lifting the song to another level while keeping the focus on the lyrics. "I'm not afraid to die, I'm afraid of the terms and conditions." #music

https://youtu.be/5IXc0x3T-cQ
2. Say She She – "I Believe In Miracles". This is a pretty straight re-creation of The Jackson Sisters' (not that Jackson Sisters) rare 1973 disco funk single (not that Hot Chocolate song with the same phrase in the lyrics) by Brooklyn's Say She She. A lost banger brought to thrilling life. #music

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

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/oh18RWb2vFU
5. Video Age with Esther Rose – "Out in the Country". Sweet 'n simple country-folk duet featuring intertwined acoustic guitars and vocal harmonies from Rose and Video Age's Ross Farbe. #music

https://youtu.be/8TOFw04uZTA
4. Fontaines D.C. – "Here's The Thing". One of my favorite young Irish indie rock bands, Fontaines D.C.'s latest pairs Pixies-esque guitars with falsetto vocals for a 2:44 blast of adrenaline. #music

https://youtu.be/vOEyFpFidEU
3. Jarrow – "Birthmark". Melbourne's Dan Oke, a.k.a. Jarrow's new release is the kind of garage pop they seem to excel at down under. Is it the jangly guitars? The melodic basslines? Vocal harmonies? Whatever it is, I can't get enough of it. #music

https://youtu.be/o1eQvJOp5ww
2. Chase & Status with Stormzy – "Backbone". On this hard-hitting grime track with jungle breaks thrown in, London's Chase & Status lay down a runway and rapper Stormzy takes off from it. #music