Beloved Children’s Author Chats About New Book by Steve Stav Children’s author/illustrator Nancy Tillman may work with a keyboard and tablet in this digital age, but her true medium is less tangible: love. From book to book, themes may range from self-esteem and reassurance to holidays and an afterlife for animals. However, the longtime Tualatin resident’s …
One of my favorite singers is gone. Moya Brennan, solo artist and former frontwoman of legendary family band Clannad, died at her County Donegal home on April 13. She had been successfully managing pulmonary fibrosis for about nine years, and had last toured in 2024. I’ve always thought of Ms. Brennan as “Maire,” her birth …
Jazz, whether hard-bop or free, is not some arcane art form nor is it reserved only for the cognoscenti. Jazz seems to have always lacked outlets to the mainstream that Britney Spears, Bach, and the Beatles have enjoyed. My father-in-law played saxophone in high school, formed his own jazz band, and thoroughly enjoys this musical …
Approximately 30 years ago, while working at home and listening to WNUR (Northwestern University radio at 89.3), I heard a tune that changed my static musical palette. During this jazz segment, the DJ played “Two Car Garage” by Caffeine (Okkadisk, 1994). What did I just hear!? I have pegged this moment as the beginning of …
KLAC did a remote broadcast at Disneyland on a Saturday back in the late 1970’s. It was “KLAC Country Music Day” at Disneyland and there was Barbara Mandrell, Freddy Fender, Lynn Anderson, etc., bunch of great country acts. We broadcast from the Main Street train station all day starting at 7:00 am. I was there …
Catherine O’Hara was born to play Kevin’s mom. In every film and television production in which she appeared, O’Hara seemed born to play her part. The Toronto native was also born with a rare condition in which her internal organs were reversed in her body – a condition which may or may not have contributed …
During my primary school years, I dressed in a red tomtë outfit, sang Nu Är Det Jul Igen* (It Is Christmas Again) with tomtën in a church basement, and danced around the Christmas tree to celebrate St. Lucia.Day (or Sankta Lucia). “Lucia,” an older female dressed in a white gown, would then appear, wearing a crown …
I heard Midnight Oil before I saw them. Not everyone had cable in those early days of MTV – and Midnight Oil music videos didn’t often appear on that channel, anyway. Not then. I heard Midnight Oil before I saw them, in early 1983. “The Oils” were played on local college radio and “New Wave” …
I write about this song every year – and I’ll share it once more this season. A “lost” classic that I rediscovered about a dozen years ago – and I’m sure I hadn’t heard it since 1986 or so. Why don’t you remember it, perhaps? Probably because you might’ve never heard it to begin with. …
The other day I received an email from the EPB Admin who advised, “The Farhad spike is still going on…It’s an 11-year-old post buried in a minor blog site, but it’s getting 1000 views every 30 days. Some people out there are obviously very curious about Farhad.” I then realized I needed to provide an …
In October 1968, the Viking football team fielded by North Park College (Chicago, IL) highlighted its season with a Homecoming pasting of the North Central College Cardinals (Naperville, IL) by a final score of 104-32!! The Vikings finished the season with a winning record of 6-3, and three players from the team got selected during …
Cymande are a British Funk group that was originally active in the early ‘70’s. The band name derives from a Calypso word for “Dove,” which symbolises peace and love. Cymande were noted for an eclectic mix of Funk, Soul, Reggae, Rock, Calypso, and African music that they called “Nyah-Rock.” The band formed in 1971 and released …
Skåne-born guitarist Filippa Nässil laid the foundation for Thundermother in the Autumn of 2009. While originally based in Växjö where she was pursuing her studies, she later relocated to Stockholm in her quest to assemble a band. In the early years the band had a number of lineup changes, but from 2012 the band solidified …
Since well before the pandemic, Reggies has served as Chicago’s base for live metal (all kinds), post-punk, grindcore, etc., and offers metalheads bus transportation to and from Chicago Black Hawk games. I’ve attended concerts at both of Reggies’ settings. (Kinda like First Avenue and 7th Street Entry in Mpls.) I have also seen a “local” band, Burned in …
By America’s National Parks™ In 2026, the United States will celebrate a significant milestone: 250 years since declaring its independence. Since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, America has endured high points, low points, and everything in between. Today, our nation’s national parks have been stewards of the American story, preserving important locations and …
By Claude Iosso After a heavy dose of heavy indie, delivered at full volume over the weekend, the first Psychic Salamander Festival looks like a keeper. Healthy crowds converged on Remlinger Farms in Carnation, Washington to see a parade of electric guitar mavens, headlined both nights by the Flaming Lips and Modest Mouse. The Lips …
All photos by Zach Putnam All the way from Sweden, Arc de Soleil turned Portland’s Wonder Ballroom into a danceable dreamscape on Monday night. With an electric guitar, a constellation of effects pedals, and a well-oiled full band, Daniel Kadawatha conjured vast, shimmering soundscapes that felt equal parts intimate confession and cosmic voyage. Notes bent …
Over the Labor Day weekend, I attended my fourth SYSTEM OF A DOWN concert! This represented my first concert at Daley’s Bathtub aka Soldier’s Field, home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, and I have yet to watch a football game in the remodeled financial boondoggle. I selected Section 309 – upper deck and looking west …
When I was a kid, JAN & DEAN made a personal appearance at the opening (if you can believe it) of a new WHITE FRONT store and it was broadcast locally on KTTV.. The KTTV cameras looked just like this. I was a happy kid that day, saw Jan & Dean and I was on …
Pexels Image – CC0 Licence Are you a musician? If you said yes to that question, how serious are you about turning your love of music into a career? Because if you’re very serious, you’re going to want to get involved with your local music scene. In doing so, you can set yourself up for …
Photo Credit: Natalie Sakstrup With characteristic honesty, Geffen Records artist Laci Kaye Booth captures the bewildering moments when everything seems to be crumbling on her poignant new single, “Luck Of The Draw.” Emerging with a clear-eyed acceptance of whatever fate may bring, she sings, “Blame it on the luck of the draw.” She wrote the song with Ryman Wooten, who …
I listen to music nearly everyday. Morning, afternoon, evening, after midnight! I’ve often wondered about what moves us to listen to music. Obv you got yer favs, right? Songs that bring back memories, recollections, danceable crap (🙀), and sentiments that echo the life you lived through (even if it grinds on and on). They’re not …
White Stripes photo by Wikipedia Potentially Questionable Band Names That May Be Deemed Politically Incorrect* Over the past several years I’ve watched iconic statues that stood for many decades in our cities and parks be removed. Even worse, I’ve watched bands/artists adjust their names to avoid the edge of Occam’s razor because of outside pressure from …
August 29, 2025 — Atlanta, GA — Just ahead of the long weekend, Platinum selling artist J.I.D and legendary rap duo Clipse have released the official music video for track “Community” — watch below or via HERE. Directed and edited by Omar Jones, the video is a visually striking production mirroring the mastery displayed by three of hip-hop’s most skilled wordsmiths. The track is …
Today, LA-based songwriter and producer Jordan Patterson announces her latest project, The Hermit, set to drop independently on September 19. The Hermit, Patterson’s most realized body of work to date, casts a light into the spaces where grief, self-inquiry, and spiritual longing meet. Entirely self-written and co-produced alongside JEHU and Eric Van Thyne, the project is a gentle force—a composite of hushed folk, ambient textures, …
Tristen is set to release her 5th studio album, Unpopular Music, on November 7 via Well Kept Secret / Secretly Distribution. The Nashville-based recording artist has built a reputation for crafting melody-driven songs rooted in clever, story-forward lyricism. As she explains, “I don’t write by genre — I write honest songs. I want listeners to feel something: the sting of heartbreak, …
Nashville, TN (August 22, 2025) – International country-pop sensation Twinnie recently partnered with Musicians On Call (MOC) to bring joy and healing through music to patients at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The singer, songwriter, and actress performed a live set at Seacrest Studios, treating patients and their families to an intimate performance, Q&A session, and meet-and-greet. Twinnie performed some …
Credit: Acacia Evans August 22, 2025: Today, the Indiana-born, Nashville-based rising star Stephen Wilson Jr. announced a new EP Blankets and released his moving interpretation of Nirvana’s “Something In The Way.” Arriving on August 29 via Big Loud Records, the four song EP will also feature covers of Temple of the Dog’s “Hunger Strike,” The …
August 22, 2025 – Today, the Nashville-by-way-of-Texas country artist Tommy Acker releases his new single “10 & 2” via River House Artists. With arena-ready guitar and an effortless vocal delivery, “10 & 2” finds Acker using driving metaphors as a way to express his dedication to keeping a relationship on track. This follows a busy …