Earlier this week I posted on social media that I was looking for any and all music related indie artists of any kind to share with me the best place on the net to show off their work and I would compile a list here that we could share with each other and beyond. I guess it was a bit of a social experiment? Anyways, I had hoped for more participation. Whatever the case may be, below is a list of rad artists doing their own thing. Whether they at some point may have been on a major label, toured the world, or just make records right out of their bedrooms, it’s a list of honest and good folks doing it for all the right reasons. So please, check them out, share, and support. Especially in a time like now where we are all struggling and being faced with finding different ways to support ourselves and still put positive vibes into the universe. MUSIC-SURVIVAL-GUIDE is all of us. Stay safe out there. xxx
Finally! A new episode. And I am ecstatic to say I had the honor to interview Spookey Ruben on his rare visit/tour to the East Coast. I linked up with him for his last 3 dates in NYC, NJ, and Long Island. I was also honored to participate in his experimental art pop VHS performance (NYC,NJ) and then to end our time together at a private house show (LI) performing two songs with him. We talked about a few of his different projects, his current show, what’s to come and a little bit of the in betweens here and there. On this trip he was also accompanied by his wife who showcased her artwork with her current show United Three Colors which was an incredible accompaniment to his show. So psyched to bring you this special episode. What a blast! Thanks so much Spookey! (Featured song, “Mr. Everywhere” off of the latest Spookey Ruben album, MODES III)
Happy New Year! 2019…holey moley! This is our first episode for the new year. I had the idea to do a bit of a “year in review” type episode for 2018. I wanted to acknowledge the fact that we had now been doing the Podcast for a year and just give a knod to all the great artists I interviewed or covered in some fashion. I figured this would be a great way to tie up one year and start another. So, as we brainstorm what is next please give this a listen and hear a cool and fun little wrap up of what I thought was a really great year for M-S-G. More guests on the way. Peace and love! And, a big thanks to my Monkey man đ
*ALL MUSIC USED WITHIN THIS PODCAST IS PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL WRITERS.*
This is the first of our Episodes so far that is guest free and the first “feature” episode. I dive deep into band, AAA Battery and singer Spookey Ruben. I had a blast doing this go round and it was also a big test for me as I had to make sure it was interesting enough to keep you guys listening to me! Aside from the great music here of course. LISTEN AND SHARE!
*ALL MUSIC USED WITHIN THIS PODCAST IS PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL WRITERS.*
Staring at this blank slate, trying to figure out where and how to start to describe the record that is Modes Of Transportation Vol. 1âŚIt wonât be an easy task and I have certainly been procrastinatingâŚ
Just a few weeks ago the 20th Anniversary of this wacky masterpiece landed in my mailbox. I was certainly ready, willing and able to consume. Spookey and his music have been a major part of my life for a very long time. Iâll never forget first hearing his sounds. I was sprawled out on the floor doing homework watching Much Music for the short time America had the Canadian music network, which at that point was far superior to MTV and brought a vast many bands into my life. Initially I wasnât quite sure what the hell I was hearing. It sounded like a cartoon about a boy going through puberty at first. But, it was a genius at work, yodeling like a crazy cat over an almost mechanical sounding bubblegum indie pop apocalypse. The song and video I am referencing is, âThese Days Are Oldâ. This was the lead single off the record. Some years had passed since the release of the album when I first caught wind of it, and I was very lucky to have done so. Shortly after that I had it in hand and played it for everyone, equally perplexed, but who also went on to claim it as one of their favorite recordings. Anyway, enough whimsy, letâs tackle this Anniversary Release!
Itâs beautiful, dense and very well crafted. This reissue is not some mediocre thing thrown out there to capitalize on an artistâs most successful venture. Itâs calculated and lovingly delivered. What you get here is a Remastered âModesâ with 4 bonus tracks and lots of expanded artwork including a very touching and inspirational forward by Canadian songstress, Esthero. After reading her words I found that her story was kind of similar to mine. Accidentally discovering Spookey and being, well, somewhat confused at first. But thenâŚobsessed. Seems textbook.
âWe all have records we like â love, evenâŚlots of themâŚbut there are only so many you can KNOW.â
And well, sheâs right. There has not been a single thing this guy has put out that I havenât loved. Not like, but love. Thatâs pretty rare with a big catalogue and rare still with artists you really dig. To me, Spookey is very consistent.
The nicely remastered âModesâ follows the same track order from the standard release opening up with the few foreboding seconds in âTerra Magnificaâ which sounds like your going to get something horrifying but then immediately turns into something beautiful with a cavalcade of instruments and a childrenâs choir only minutes in. It sets the bar pretty high and the theme only continues throughout. Next up is lead single âThese Days Are Oldâ which I already waxed poetic about earlier and probably includes one of the best and most eloquent nylon string guitar solos you may ever hear. âCrystal Cradleâ, colorful, fun, cuteâŚâRunning Awayâ, one of the most straight forward Alt Rock songs on the record. In whole itâs truly an adventure, and presented with more clarity than ever. Iâd love to do a track by track, but I gotta leave you with some mystery. Just remember this when you get up to the conceptual âLife Insuranceâ delivered in 3 parts.
It came out on TVT in 1995 and was hailed as Pet Sounds for a new generation. Itâs back and STILL from the future.
I didnât even get to the bonus tracks! The first of four is âKnife In The Waterâ. Itâs classic Spookey Ruben; itâs the bonus level, the 1-UpâŚthe heart container! An absolutely brilliant contribution and you wonder why it was initially left off of the original record. My only guess is that the lyrical content is somewhat dark; a murder mystery of sorts. Thatâs followed by âMachine Languageâ which at first could be likened to a lost Nine Inch Nails tune. Before Spookey went solo he was in a thrashy, experimental math rock kinda band called Transilience. This track leans more to that era of his work. Next up is âThis Truthâ which has a more cool jazzy on the beach kinda vibe. Finally putting the period on this edition is a live cover version of the Pilot classic, âMagicâ which lends itself greatly to Spookeyâs diverse vocal range.
SPOOKEY!
I personally cannot say enough about this artistâs installment of aural pleasure other than the fact that itâs thankfully getting another breath of fresh air. If I could complain about one thing, and I use the word complain lightly, is the fact that âThe Lonesome Muleâ was left off this version, which appeared on the Japanese release from â96. The fact that it also appears on Rubenâs Rarities collection Welsh Rarebits from a few years back makes it forgivable.
Anyways, art like Spookey Rubenâs is one of a kind. Much like Prince, Spook is that special, and his return has just begun. Look forward to a monster year from this very special songwriter.
(Also sink your teeth into Modes Of Transportation Vol. 2/Whatâs A Boy To Do? And Modes III, coming soon)
Finally! A new episode. And I am ecstatic to say I had the honor to interview Spookey Ruben on his rare visit/tour to the East Coast. I linked up with him for his last 3 dates in NYC, NJ, and Long Island. I was also honored to participate in his experimental art pop VHS performance (NYC,NJ) and then to end our time together at a private house show (LI) performing two songs with him. We talked about a few of his different projects, his current show, what’s to come and a little bit of the in betweens here and there. On this trip he was also accompanied by his wife who showcased her artwork with her current show United Three Colors which was an incredible accompaniment to his show. So psyched to bring you this special episode. What a blast! Thanks so much Spookey! (Featured song, “Mr. Everywhere” off of the latest Spookey Ruben album, MODES III)
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