There are 26 House races that are tossups all over the country. And even if there aren't any competitive national races where you live, there are undoubtedly local races and ballot issues that will affect your quality of life depending on which way they're decided. So please, no matter where you live, educate yourself on the candidates and issues, vote and get the people you care about to do the same.

The existential threat of Trump returning to power has us all focused on the presidential race, which may lead some of us to think our vote doesn't matter if we don't live in swing states like Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia or Arizona. But even if Harris wins, she'll need a Democratic Senate and House to accomplish anything worthwhile. Control of both chambers is also up for grabs; there are tossup Senate races in Nebraska, Ohio, Texas, Florida and Montana.

https://youtu.be/xdeHSW3Q17A?si=HKbY-r-21v2CWgGv
In case you've ever worried, "Am I drinking this milkshake in a manly enough way?" or "Will voting for a woman make my dick fall off

Tree gloxinia, Conservatory of Flowers, Golden Gate Park, July 2024

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNbwMrBMGgE
Howard Stern interviewed Kamala Harris earlier this week. Worth a look, especially if you're a middle-aged or older white dude (Howard's audience demo) who's still undecided. #VoteBlue

There is hard work ahead if we're going to bring about a world we can all live in together. But this? This part is easy. #VoteBlue

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/M71OmJgkj-w
5. Memorials – "Cut It Like A Diamond". Comes on like a '60s British spy movie soundtrack, all slinky bass, groovy organ and fuzzed out guitars. Think of Portishead, but more rock. #music

https://youtu.be/TFvQOjAOBQ0
4. Waxahatchee – "Much Ado About Nothing". Another simple yet irresistible indie country-folk song from Katie Crutchfield, but notice the way MJ Lenderman starts doubling some of the vocal notes on the electric guitar. #music

https://youtu.be/Zj3JALvSpBY
3. Florist – "This Was a Gift". New York group's indie folk meditation on love and loss is given emotional emphasis by its woozy backing track and weary vocal. #music

https://youtu.be/wU3AAlMs2hI
2. Kerchak x LeoStayTrill – "Jimi Hendrix". Grimy drill track featuring French rapper Kerchak and Zimbabwe-born, London-based rapper LeoStayTrill. A fast-paced thrill ride through cross-Channel hip hop. #music

My Top 5 Songs of the Week (2024 Week 40):
https://youtu.be/h2TJFaxOV7U
1. Ezra Collective – "Shaking Body". Once again drawing from jazz, samba and highlife, Ezra Collective whip up a funky celebration of global dance music. #music

Waiting for Godotpher

Trump wondering why all his high-profile supporters turn out to be clowns. Look in the mirror, Bozo!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDJeO4dNUaInq8iPKi8pmPGlAVpZMluMl
I created a YouTube playlist of all the songs referenced in my poem "Take The Mods Thrifting" from my collaboration with Chris Stroffolino titled "Dreaming to a Click".
The poem itself can be found in the April 25, 2024 issue of the North Coast Journal: https://www.northcoastjournal.com/arts-scene/take-the-mods-thrifting-29560438
#poetry #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/c7IORfq1UyA
5. Kit Sebastian – "Faust". Kit Sebastian's music, including "Faust", is a delicious stew cooked up in London mixing together Turkish psychedelia, Brazilian tropicalia, French ye-ye and more. #music

https://youtu.be/LAMWAzo_Y4k
4. The Hard Quartet – "Our Hometown Boy". The Hard Quartet is an alt-rock supergroup featuring members of Pavement, Chavez, The Cairo Gang and The Dirty Three. And "Our Hometown Boy" is a psychedelic supersong featuring Byrds-like chiming guitars and three-part harmonies with a loose-'n'-grungy feel. #music

https://youtu.be/ih8xfkayoUI
3. GloRilla – "Hollon". Cicada rhythm trap beat—check. Window-rattling bass—check. GloRilla spitting fierce bar after fierce bar—double and triple check. Slaps. #music

https://youtu.be/nxYadN0XSx4
2. Ezra Collective featuring Olivia Dean – "No One's Watching Me". The British jazz quintet pays tribute to Afrofunk with a strong horn melody and neo-soul singer Olivia Dean driving home the winning run. #music