Over the past week or so, I’ve been repackaging and releasing some vintage material on BandCamp. Here’s a rundown: 1. Catch-22 (single, 2008) I recorded this under the Alexandra Rising moniker in mid-2008. It was shortly before I moved to Charlottesville and put much-needed perspective-enhancing distance between myself and my hometown. Of course it was... Continue Reading →
The Drone’s Serendipitous Through Line.
I was talking to DP yesterday about an old friend/collaborator of mine who'd achieved modest renown over ten years ago touring his mix of Kirtan chanting and gothic/darkwave music up and down the East Coast. My DP, who can be a sort of witheringly incisive armchair business consultant, thought this seemed like a good trademark:... Continue Reading →
When Staycation’s Over
Well, it happened again. Another week off (I usually take two a year, one in the spring and one in the fall) passed in a surreal flash. Many would remind me how lucky I am to have a job that allows me to drop everything for a week and get paid anyway. I don’t disagree.... Continue Reading →
Because I Love A Challenge
I re-learned basic guitar after fifteen years AND collaborated with my Domestic Partner, all on the same project! This is a B-side by Philly shoegaze band Nothing. In my view it's about the failed attempt to hide or modify one's true self in an intimate relationship. I hope its creators will forgive my couple of... Continue Reading →
Structural Issues.
Culture I've imbibed lately: Saint Maud - A horror rooted in the caretaking industry, which is timely. Also, to a lesser degree, a study in terminal illness for the renegade craftsman female.A Marriage Story - Not as weighty and allegorical as the Bergman that clearly inspired it. But, nonetheless, a nuanced, messy human portrait and... Continue Reading →
Nothing I Love More Than a Vague, Multipurpose Line.
In the middle of the workday Friday, I tuned into my local indie radio station and heard an unfamiliar song by a band I’ve known for ages. Something about the sound grabbed me - probably the bluesy lilt and the attention-demanding smacks to the guitar in the intro - but what really sealed the deal... Continue Reading →
Have Some More Folderol.
Forgive me, y'all, but I seem to be fixated on these career-related musings lately. I think what happens sometimes is, I keep certain observations at a low simmer for awhile, and all of a sudden they bubble up and demand my attention. I seriously just thought about deleting my LinkedIn. It struck me how much... Continue Reading →
Well, I WAS Going to Write About…
...the specific point in career shift exercises that consistently tripped me up when working with my advisor and still does to this day. That being: the point at which I am tasked with brainstorming what industries I am interested in, and, from there, identifying companies of interest within those industries. Now, I will circle back... Continue Reading →
After-Midnight Story Hour, Inspired by Bright Eyes and Lucy Dacus at Ting Pavilion, Charlottesville, VA, August 2021
I quoted a Lucy Dacus lyric on my Facebook music page yesterday. The girl's got some wicked breakup lines that, though I cannot relate to them ATM (unless I direct them at my stagnant career, that is), still sting so good. In my post I also happened to mention NOT having tickets to see her... Continue Reading →
It’s a Thin Line… between Gratitude and Complacency.
Coming off a three-day weekend during which I (in addition to other household chores)..... -Did a deeper than usual cleaning (DP helped) and bought new pillows to combat recent allergy flares-Did a ton of stretching and other exercising to combat my chronic, undiagnosed-despite-x-ray-and-rheuma-visit back problems, which also alternate between being tailbone, trap, pec, elbow, and... Continue Reading →
The Sold Kingdom 