I just captured this reaction GIF featuring Cynthia Nixon and I don't think that I'll ever not want to use it every day all the time for every thing. https://t.co/mKHgvoNDGY
Ya girl's got a new column!! Every other Wednesday I'll be @NashvilleScene talking about the best GD television out there, or whatever I want really, it's p cool https://t.co/kxbT2BAVrY
Happy to announce a brand new podcast joining the ranks of the We Own This Town network entitled San Dimas Today. The show, hosted by Kelly Bolick and Jason T. Meares, Esq.*, is a deep dive into all things Bill and Ted. Yes, that Bill & Ted, the Excellent Adventure and Bogus Journey ones.
It is a limited edition series that takes a look at the production of the films, the soundtracks, the cultural impact of it and even includes interviews with folks involved in its creation. While I imagine that a show about two ridiculous movies may not be for everyone, I can say that for those that do enjoy the movie, the podcast is going to be an entertaining and enlightening time. Here's a five minute clip from the first episode:
As the show is accepted by the various platforms I'll be adding the handy links over here but, as with most things, you can keep up with the latest on the social networks.
If you're a fan of Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, I recommend you carve 15 minutes out of your day to watch this Thomas McDonald short film - Tommy Wants His Mommy. The short was selected for the 2018 New York Television Festival and has that slow burn, suburban malaise, absurdity that Katz was so good at. I love how the vocal performance feels filled with a bit of laughter that you can't quite tell if it's scripted or if it's the actors on the verge of breaking.
We sat down with @BarmanJB for a lengthy discussion on pop-up bars, bartender etiquette and some Waterworld chat. Also, Mickey goes on a Burger Binge and we discover some great new spots:
https://t.co/USox9iPx3A https://t.co/zvAG6OQtd3
Over the weekend I read through this Verge article on The Oscar Wilde of YouTube, aka Natalie Wynn aka ContraPoints. It's a worthwhile read for some background on how her channel came to be, what the various characters are she represents and who she is trying to reach. Having that bit of insight before diving into the channel certainly aids in the understanding but it's not essential.
Basically, just give yourself 30 minutes and watch her piece on Incels, the subculture of individuals who define themselves by their celibacy, which often breeds a hatred for the opposite sex. This is, by and large, a toxic masculinity problem.
She makes the topics entertaining despite their troubling nature. The pieces are longer than most typical YouTube fair but these aren't topics that can be covered quickly or lightly.
Awhile back, a project by the name of Switched on SNES popped up on Bandcamp with a tribute album to A Link to the Past, songs from the Zelda classic all performed on analog synthesizers and drum machines. The conceit was simple:
The goal of the project is to expose listeners to the musical masterpieces that have been overlooked - mostly because of the 16bit instrumentation.
There are plans for future soundtracks that include Earthbound, Donkey Kong Country, Secret of Mana and plenty more. However, the latest release to surface from the project is The Lost Levels, Vol 1, a collection of songs where the "sounds and aesthetics are heavily inspired by 16bit video games, but the writing and arranging is all original."
You can hear the entire album on YouTube, Spotify, etc. or buy it on Bandcamp. It is, to say the least, a very pleasant listen.
Apocrypha is a zine published from 1997 to 2007 documented the universe of Law & Order and providing original fan fiction about the characters involved. I haven't indulged into the fan/fic portion yet but I am loving these character deep dives that include exhaustive documentation on known facts drawn from the show. Of course, the Jack McCoy entry is massive. I won't deny that read this for a good half hour, just soaking in nuggets like:
Has a model sailboat and photo of a dark-haired woman on the cabinets behind his desk (EADA office); in earlier episodes there is a cluttered billboard prominently shown, later ones feature a charcoal rubbing of a genealogical coat-of-arms framed and hanging.
Please take note that no part of me is sarcastically complimenting this. I am truly impressed at the dedication and preservation of the information from one of the best procedural's to grace the TV.
Time for another We Own This Town Music podcast, the bi-weekly show I curate of Nashville area music. I decided to focus on cover songs for this episode - not only because it's an easy gateway for enjoying a new band but because there's so many great covers by so many great local bands that need to be spotlighted. So, that being said...
It's a bit longer of an episode than I usually produce but I'm happy with how it turned out. If you know of any other Nashville area covers that need to be included in a second volume, get at me.
Great short film from Stella McCartney featuring David Lynch speaking on the art of film and the power of transcendental meditation. Curtains is slow paced and beautifully directed by Austin Lynch and Case Simmons (under the name Tete-a-Tete) and is a fitting visual aid to the contemplative words of the famed filmmaker.
Oh, and if you're still feeling cagey on Lynch because of that Trump quote that was floating around, fear not - it was out of context.