ME GONE LONG TIME

It's been two weeks since my last blog. In that time I have, for better or worse finished my story I was writing. Now I plan on starting to write a little script with my little brother Chase and some of his friends for us to shoot this summer.

Bad news hit my family when all in one day my Grandmother, a great uncle and one of my little bros friends went into the hospital. My great uncle has checked out and is now back home. My little bros friend is in the hospital with a coma and my Grandmother or "Granny" as all us kids called her passed away two days later on May 17th.

Last week was all about family time so writing the blogspot was not foremost on my mind.

It now appears that I have a reason to buy a digital camera. Blogspot has made picture hosting available. It's tied in with windows and I have to download a version of messenger called "Hello". I'll get right on that...

Larry and Stevie should be showing their ugly mugs in town soon. Good times will be had. I imagine that some beer or something will be drank too.

Shoutout to my friend Brain Peterson who will be getting married this weekend in Chicago. All the best Buddy!

WHAT DAY IS IT?

Okay, it's May 12th, and it's snowing! A lot! What the hell? Visibility is bad, I can't see Kmart from the store. The snow is heavy wet snow which means slick roads and things on cars freezing up causing numerous accidents. I kind of like it. It's like being on an adventure, am I going to make it home in one piece? Man, am I really that desperate for excitement?

Answer: Yes

Here's a link to the Discover North Dakota web site. They have a map of road conditions, notice how all the roads surrounding Minot and white or yellow. I heard the Lansford may be without power for as long as a week because their power lines are snapping. Velva may face the same fate. I love North Dakota!

SOME MUSIC OF NOTE

Along with Kaki King, I've found a few other bands to check out.

Eagles Of Death Metal's Peace Love Death Metal, is nothing but pure fun. It's Josh Homme taking us on another stoner rock ride. Only this time he's singing with a falsetto voice on most tracks that actually adds to the songs. It has the flavor of Queens but is produced with ruff low-fi touches that add to the songs instead of serving to make them unlistenable. Enjoy boys and girls!


Next up is Carina Round, a Brit who will no doubt remind you of PJ Harvey. I really like PJ, but she hasn't been around for a few years. In her absence, Carina's album, The Disconnection, will do just fine. Lyrically she's introspective like PJ but aloof in the same way as Kate Bush or Tori Amos making you wonder just what planet she's from. A little edgy, a little romantic and a little fanciful:All in all it's a solid album to be listened to while smoking cigarettes by candle light and enjoying a cocktail or two.

Funny thing just happened, I had the next album I was going to review playing in the store and someone liked it and bought it. That band is Telefon Tel Aviv.Map Of What Is Effortless is their second album and they are on John Hughes III's label, Hefty Records.

With that said, some of the album is made up of lush soundtracks to movies that haven't been made yet and still you'll swear you have heard their songs somewhere before. Swirling and atmospheric the instrumentals conjure thoughts of Philip K. Dick novels, A bit of Sci-Fi mixed with Film Noir.

The other few songs I was fortunate enough to listen to reminded me of Curtis Mayfield's sexy soul output during the 70's. I suppose Marvin Gaye might fit in there to somewhere, maybe more so. Soulful singing and futuristic electronic music make for what is in my mind an interesting album that I will be sure to pick up next time we get it in the store.

KAKI KING

I don't know much about Kaki King but she's amazing! Very good guitarist apparently in the vein of early Leo Kottke(who I've never listened to, hence apparently). It's an acoustic album but somehow manages to rock. At other times it meanders, which makes for good ambiance.

MINDS PLAYIN' TRICKS ON ME

The above title is a great song by the Geto Boys. Remember them? Old school gangsta rap.

I hate dating, it seems so fake. Hanging out with someone is much cooler. If only girls could see it that way.

On July 5th, in the All Seasons Arena, an event called XJAM will be taking place. A bunch of bands from around the state will be showcasing their various talents.

Neal Peterson, a former employee and current friend has graduated from college with a graphic arts degree from Moorhead. He has set out on a tour around NoDak, with dates also in Montana and East Grand Forks as well as Moorhead. He's playing Ralph's this Friday. Stop by and check out his show. Stop by his site to learn about the individual know and Neal Peterson.