Playlist of the Week: Rural Noir

Back in the old days when Illinoishighschoolsports.com was worth visiting, there was this man. Well, a legend of sorts. His screen name was Reggie Dunlop. If IHSS had a Hall of Fame, he would be first ballot. Truly some of the best message board posts you can find on a site dedicated to the athletic pursuits of the youth, that had nothing to do with the athletic pursuits of of the youth. Reggie was the IHSS Superman. In Clark Kent form, Reggie is Jeff. Jeff is a connoisseur of the rustic life, both the bucolic and the desolate. Especially the … Continue reading Playlist of the Week: Rural Noir

Happy Birthday Tom awaits

I call my Best Of list Interesting Air, based on a Tom Waits quote. Dude is just a cool cat. Even the stuff he puts out I don’t love, I appreciate. Well, Mr. Waits is 70 today. Born Dec. 7, 1949, Waits pairs an eclectic folk-blues van guarded with his gravel voice. And incredible song writing. I still say the best example of just how outside-the-box he is, is his 1978 performance on Austin City Limits. Yeah, the same year i was born. It is still one of my favorites, and i don’t need much of an excuse to watch … Continue reading Happy Birthday Tom awaits

Playlist of the Week: Acceptable Christmas Music

Now that we are through Thanksgiving, ya’ll are legally allowed to focus on Christmas. Those of you who jumped the gun, shame on you. Shame. And that now includes Christmas music. I’ll let you have the next few weeks, but just know I do this my own way. Frolicking through the snow, jingling of bells and blah, blah. All that ain’t me. As I was recently told, “it was a cute movie, you would hate it.”. I’ve been up front with depressing music consoling me in some sort of twisted way. So yeah, my Christmas music list might be a … Continue reading Playlist of the Week: Acceptable Christmas Music

Interesting Air: Playlist of the Week–Going Back To Cali

I’ve been kicking around the idea of posting one playlist a week to supplement the Friday music posts. With a trip to California on deck and my weekly Friday post in jeopardy due to that trip, I decided now is as good a time as ever. The playlist is the modern blogger’s version of the mixtape. And yeah, I was the kid with blank cassettes trying to time the record button to the radio, hoping the DJ didn’t talk over the intro. Most weeks will be a Spotify list. That is the majority of my music consumption. I may experiment … Continue reading Interesting Air: Playlist of the Week–Going Back To Cali

Concert Review: American Aquarium

American Aquarium returned to Off Broadway in St. Louis Monday night. Being a school night, the show did not sell out, but the room was full, and the energy on the stage was still high. A few years ago, I made the prediction lead singer BJ Barham was about to “Isbell the shit out of sobriety”. He just celebrated five years sober recently. And I am happy to report I was not wrong. The song writing has gone to another level, much like Jason’s did when he cleaned up. BJ can’t match Isbell’s vocals, what i call the soaring and … Continue reading Concert Review: American Aquarium

Interesting Air: Five Songs To Make You A Fan Of American Aquarium

American Aquarium is playing at Off Broadway in St. Louis tonight. One of my favorite bands in my favorite concert bar in St. Louis, so yeah, I’ll be there tonight. American Aquarium is a band I feel like I kind of grew up with. Not in childhood grew up, but in maturity and life phases grew up. Lead singer BJ Barnham has undergone a transformation of sorts in his career. When BJ the songwriter was partying, I was partying. And I say “as the songwriter” to not be too presumptive, but a good chunk of his music does come across … Continue reading Interesting Air: Five Songs To Make You A Fan Of American Aquarium

Interesting Air: Fab Five Friday

A local yokel columnist opined a while back there was no good music being made anymore. In an arena full of misinformation, that was somehow one of the more fatuous claims made in some time. There is plenty of great music still getting pumped out regularly. And with the plethora of mediums available these days, one could argue that more than ever. But like many times in the past, the best new music rarely makes it to the airwaves of whatever local station is in your area. Luckily, there is an entire world beyond those restrictions these days. The key … Continue reading Interesting Air: Fab Five Friday

Interesting Air: My Boy Has A New Album

Not my literal boy. I’m still too selfish for that. But, My Boy! Who? C’mon. If I’m going to sling tunes on this site, you know I’m starting with Tyler Childers. His live stuff has floated around for years. His 2017 album, Purgatory, was the best album of 2017, and I will probably fight you if you try to tell me otherwise. Seriously, protect your larynx if you come at me with that garbage. I kid, maybe. I mean, Feathered Indian was the couple’s first dance at my wedding, so, maybe not. On Friday, his second official studio album, Country … Continue reading Interesting Air: My Boy Has A New Album