Sweet November, In Which I Will Get a Very Expensive Birthday Present Two Months Late

I am so excited for next month. In reverse order, what I am excited about:

5. The time change. Long evenings mean more UNO, more films, more holiday lights, and more good reasons for not exercising.

4. One month closer to the 2016 Olympics, though I still need to get a press pass and plane ticket. I am fully prepared, except for also needing a comped hotel in Rio. News organizations: I am available for hire to cover this event. Seriously. 

3. Jonny and I will be partway through scripting our first sci-fi film: a very short love story that we are readying for June 2014.

Also, I never saw the Keanu Reeve movie about November, but I heard it was horrid and I totally trust people's recommendations about movies.

5. My birthday usually rolls around in September.
In November, one of my favourite people in the solar system will be here. Which is cause for joy, partially because I miss him and am looking forward to watching Down by Law with him, but MOSTLY because he promised me on the phone,
on my birthday,
that when he comes up,
he is going to buy me a coffee.
For my birthday.

I quickly exploited this statement, 
and ensured that it turned into a promise, and from there guaranteed him that I will do everything in my
power to make it the most expensive cup of coffee I have ever drunk. Drank? Drinken? Anyway.

The point is that in the spirit of CrossFit, which I do not do, but in the same spirit of accountability, I would like to publicly help my brother Jeremy honor his commitment to me. And I would also like any suggestions for places to get very, very expensive coffee in Portland.
It doesn't even have to be very good. Just very expensive. I'm so excited about my birthday!

Thank you, and Jeremy, I am so excited to see you!! Work hard this week!

____

...What are you listening to this week?
I asked the Brennan the barista.

"Dom Kennedy,"
he said. "You know him?"

- "I do not."
I said.

"He's pretty new. Hip hop, L.A., really good."

- "Hmm,"
I said.
"I am rather particular with my hip hop. It all comes back to Public Enemy for me. But I like some newer stuff...Das Racist, Roots, the Streets."

"Then I think you'll definitely like Dom Kennedy. 'Get Home Safely' is the album you wanna hear. Just came out. And I hear the new Arcade Fire is pretty good."

- "Yeah,"
I said.
"I should probably buy that for my wife today, 'cause she really loves Arcade Fire."

CONVERSATIONS With Art - Haim, Cults, Quasi

I just spoke briefly to my buddy Art. His listening picks for the weekend are:

Haim (all girl L.A. group)
Cults (NYC)
Quasi (Portland's own)

I will post links later. Happy weekend begin, everyone!

CONVERSATIONS WITH ART AT JACKPOT RECORDS: Wild Nothing, Radiation City, Sun Angle, Cleaners From Venus

Hi, is Art there?

I asked the guy who answered the phone at Jackpot Records, even though I was fairly sure the soft-spoken gentleman I was speaking to was Art. 

- "Umm...this is Art."

Cool! 
I said. I'm Joseph, the guy who called last Friday. You recommended Goat and Luxury Liners, and I have especially enjoyed Goat's "World Music." Any recommendations today?

- "Oh, let's see...have I mentioned...Wild Nothing?"

No,
I replied.

- "Oh! I've been listening to their EP Empty Estate. It's pop. Dreamy, lot of effects on the guitars, like Radiohead...but not so experimental."

Sounds up my alley.
I said.

- "Did I mention Radiation City?"

No, but they are great. I love a bunch of the Tender Loving Empire artists.

- "Okay, good...have I mentioned Sun Angle?"

No,
I said.
Tell me.

- "They're...crazy. Really fast guitars, almost Latin-like drums. They're a crazy three-piece from Portland. Really good.*"

Nice.
I said. 
Have not heard OF them, let alone heard them.

- "Have I mentioned...Federale? Also local, really atmospheric, sound like a spaghetti western soundtrack. A little folky-blues.

Love Morricone,
I said.
So I'll definitely check them out.

- "Just checking out the wall here to see what else I've been listening to...let's see...have I mentioned The Cleaners from Venus?"

No! 
I laughed.
I guarantee I would have remembered!

- "Okay. It's actually older from the early '80s. English. Volume II. Really great. I want to say it's a little Guided by Voices, a little bit of Joy Division in there, lo-fi, really interesting vocal approach. I just have Volume II, which is several CDs...a box set sort of thing."

I am excited.
I said honestly.
Thanks so much. Again!

- "No problem."

Well, talk to you next Friday. Have a great weekend, Art!

- "You too."

Click.
____

Convos with Art. He's such a cool cat. Just another reason to dig Fridays. 

Have a great weekend, universe.

...What have you been listening to? (Radiation City, Cass McCombs, Purity Ring, The National)

...What have you been enjoying this week?

I asked Ashley at Tender Loving Empire.
(Note: I have no objectivity with TLE. I LOVE them. Great roster of bands, great art, great store, great people. Next time you're at Powell's Books in Portland, skip a block over to TLE's little nook. You'll love it. At least I do.)

- "Oh boy," she said.
"Okay, I'll give you three recommendations!"

Okay!
I said with equal enthusiasm.

- "Radiation City -Animals in the Median. Cass McCombs - Wit's End. Purity Ring - Shrines.

Excellent.
I said.

- "Oh! I have to add one more! I just put on The National's new one. First spin."

I haven't heard it yet either.
I said.
I will have to call back next week and see what you think.
____

So friendly. Enthusiastic. And good taste. Off to check out Cass McCombs. And if you haven't heard TLE artists Radiation City, Typhoon, or Y La Bamba...you really should treat yourself to a listen now.

Happy Thorsday, people and creatures of the forests, cities, towns, and oceans!

...What are you listening to? (Def Leppard, Daft Punk, Giorgio Moroder)

...What are you enjoying these days?

I asked Steve, who answered the phone at Nob Hill Music on Route 66 in Albuquerque, N.M. (he also turned out to be the owner).

- "Uhh...right now? Def Leppard."

Oh.
I said.

- "And the new Daft Punk is really good. And I just saw the Giorgio Moroder show last week. Excellent."

Cool.
I said.
I'm calling from Portland, Oregon. So I wasn't there.

- "I have customers I have to help now,"
he said.

Okay. Bye. Happy Def Leppard listening.
I said.

____

I will always wonder what album he was playing. Hysteria? Pyromania? On Through the Night? If he is any sort of music aficionado, then there would be no other choices from the Def. 

Jolly Wodensday, world.

...What are you listening to? (Chris Brown, Rihanna, Sean Kingston)

...What do you listen to while you're driving to work? 

I asked the early-20s brunette cashier at True Value Hardware. 

- "Well...I listen to either the radio station, like Z100, or I have YouTube on my phone so I plug that in through my car stereo sometimes." 

Oh. I said. When you're listening to YouTube on your car stereo, what is something you might put on? 

- "Umm...Chris Brown. Rihanna. Sean Kingston sometimes." 

Cool. I said. 

- "I'm a dancer," she explained. "I like music that's uplifting. That makes you wanna dance, like hop hop." 

Okay. I said. So you're a dancer? 

- "Not professionally. I just like hop hop. I dance to hip hop for fun. It's more of a hobby." 

Right on. I said, and turned to go, with my box of 2" drywall screws in hand. Have a good one. 

I walked out into the sunshine, where it felt like I was walking on sunshine, or even dancing. On sunshine.

...What have you been listening to? (!!!, Luxury Liners, Goat)

...I have a question. A question that might be both strange and normal,

I asked the fellow who answered the phone at Jackpot Records in Portland.

- "Okay..."
He replied, with the gentle earnestness of the best music store workers.

What have you been enjoying lately music-wise? You personally?

- "Hmm...let's see,"
he replied, elongating his response in a way that let me know he was taking it seriously.
"The new Chk-Chk-Chk album is really good.

You're talking about the exclamation-point dance-punk band?*
I asked.

- "Yes. It's excellent. And Luxury Liners is good too. A little bit electronic, with a soft pop sound.

I have not heard them, or heard of them.
I said.

He picked up steam.
- "Have you heard Goat? Tribal, world music...sort of. A little Afropop in there."

Really appreciate the recommendations! 
I said.
Do you mind if I ask your first name?

- "Art."

Art. Thanks, Art. I'm Joseph. Have a good weekend!"

Click. 

Gonna go check out some Goat.

If you're in Jackpot Records anytime soon, talk to Art. Cool cat.
____

* the name of the band is !!!
It is pronounced Chk-Chk-Chk

...What have you been listening to? (Johnny Cash, Randy Travis, George Strait)

...What do you enjoy listening to when you're not at work?

I asked the credit union* teller, as Muzak dribbled out from speakers hidden behind a fake plant.

Sheepish look on her late-20s countenance.
- "Believe it or not...country."

Cool.
I said.
Nothing wrong with that. What sort of country? Hank Williams country...new country...some other country?

- "It depends on my mood. I'm a total mood listener. I guess old country, but there's some good new stuff too."

So what would be an example of "old country" you really enjoy?
I asked, as she wrote out my deposit slip.

- "Let's see...Garth Brooks. My family raised me on country. 

Nice.
I said.
So as a "mood listener," what do you listen to when you're very happy?

- "Johnny Cash,"
she replied.

I LOVE Johnny Cash!
I exclaimed. 
It's kind of a bond with me and my dad. And I haven't heard much Garth Brooks, but I know my wife likes him.

- "Johnny Cash is great," she agreed. "Garth is too. My family listened to him a lot growing up."

What kind of country do you listen to when you're sad?
I asked.

- "Alan Jackson. Randy Travis. And George Strait. I love George Strait. I've seen him in concert. He's great."

I'll have to hear some more of him.
I said, and turned to go.

- "Hey!"
She said.
"You didn't say what you like!"

Thanks for asking!
I said.
As far as country, I love Johnny Cash. And I LOVE Lucinda Williams. And...have you heard of Clem Snide?

- "No."

Well...they're not strictly country. But you can definitely hear some Hank Williams** in there. I like them a lot.

- "Okay,"
she said.
"I will have to listen to them."

Yep.
I said, and turned to leave for the second time.
Thanks for chatting!

She was very nice. I love it when people get excited about things. Like country music.
____

*free tip for the day. Find a good credit union and say goodbye to banks forever.

**Clem Snide = Hank Williams + Sonic Youth

...What are you listening to? (Menomena, Typhoon, Radiation City)

…What do you enjoy listening to when your'e not on the job?

I asked the barista.

- "When I'm not at work?
She clarified.
Local music. Menomena.

I've heard they are excellent live,
I said.
I haven't seen them yet.

- "Yeah, they are. And also…Typhoon. They're great."

Yeah, they are.
I said.
Tender Loving Empire has a great roster of bands. I really enjoy Radiation City as well.

Her eyes lit up.
- "Aren't they great?! My friend does their hair sometimes. I've met them a few times. Really nice people."

Cool.
I said.
Nice people making good music. I like to hear that.

...WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN LISTENING TO, JEREMY?

...What are you going to listen to today?

I asked my brother Jeremy, via cellular telephone.

- "The song I'm going to be recording in a little bit. Again and again. And again."

Oh.
I said.
What's the song called?

- "Actress."

I asked:
If it were going to co-exist with a Beatles song, what Beatles song would it most resemble?

He thought briefly.
- "If you took every single Beatles song and put them together, then that's what it sounds like."


Okay.
I said.
You just defined the word 'hubris.' Like Alexander the Great.


This led to a further discussion about hubris and Alexander, and this in turn jarred his memory.

- "Oh yeah, I've also been listening to Machiavelli's 'The Prince.' On tape."

Nice.
I said.
He was not a very nice man.

- "In between, I've been listening to Mule Variations."

Let me get this straight.
I said:
You've been listening to Actress, the song you're getting ready to record. And you've been listening to Machiavelli on cassette. And you've been listening to Tom Waits in between the cracks.

- "Yes."
He said.


Cool.
I said.
I have a conference call in a little bit so I can't let my phone go dead.

- "Alright. But what have you been listening to?"

Thanks for asking, Jeremy.

I said.

 Umm...a lot of Classical. On record. Mozart. Liszt. After I'm done talking to you I'm going to put on System of a Down. I'm kind of in a phase with them right now.

- "I remember when you introduced me to them."
He reminisced.

Yep. I remember that too.
I said.

----

And now, he is going to record a song that sounds like every single Beatles song mashed together. I am looking forward to it. I wonder what it will sound like.

...What are you listening to these days? (Rita Coolidge, Debbie Boone, Elton John, Pitbull)

...What do you like to listen to?

I asked Allen, the fellow whose Ford Contour I had just given a jump to in the Safeway parking lot.

"Anything. Just about anything,"
He said, his Abe Lincoln frame, Ducks hat, and skinny mustache blowing in the rainy wind.

Okay. 
I said.
Anything lately you're especially enjoying?

-"Anything. My kid has me listening to 107.5. You know, Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Pitbull...all that stuff."

Oh. 
I said.
What did you listen to before your kid got you into that?

His face brightened.
"Elton John, Bee Gees, all the real music from the '70s. Debbie Boone's 'You Light Up My Life.' They don't make music like that anymore."

A little different now.
I said.
My dad got me into The Carpenters.

- "Oh yeah, they were great too!" 
He said.
And I'll tell you who was just...
(He searched for the right word)
...just perfect: Rita Coolidge. I mean, that woman could SING. And she was beautiful. She was so good."

Yep.
I said.
I've got two of her records.

I paused. The rain was dropping as I gathered the jumper cables.

You having a good weekend?
I asked.

- "My weekend's just starting,"
He said, hands in pocket. "Three days off now."

You work around here?
I inquired.

- "Up in Ridgefield. Vitamin store. Not exactly glamorous. Not what I thought I'd be doing at my age. Making $9.80 an hour."

He shook my hand.

- "Thanks for the jump."

I'm Joseph.
I said.
Have a really good weekend, Allen. 

He smiled and drove away, and if there is any extra magic in the air today then I hope there is a radio station playing some Rita Coolidge.

...What are you listening to these days? (Twenty One Pilots, Modest Mouse)

...What do you listen to when you're not working?

I asked the barista.

- "Let's see...Twenty One Pilots. Have you heard them?"

No.
I said.

Enthusiastic, he continued:
"They're out of Ohio and on the same label, Fueled by Ramen, as Fun. Who I also like. Twenty One Pilots is hip hop...but it's also got like an electronic thing, a little similar to Macklemore. Who I also like. 

A CUSTOMER SEATED SEVERAL FEET AWAY JOINED THE CONVERSATION.

Girl:
"Twenty One Pilots are good, but I can't stand Fun. They're just trying to sound like Queen.

Me:
Well it pretty much all comes back to Queen and the Beatles, doesn't it?

Barista:
Queen's good too. Check out Twenty One Pilots though. They're so good.

Me: 
I'll do that.

Girl:
"Alt-J is really good too."

Cool. 
I said. 

"Modest Mouse is great too," she said. "You know them?"

Yep.
I said.
Big fan.

"You probably know Ugly Casanova too."

Yep.
I said.
Not a big fan.

"Oh."
She said.
"And Tom Petty is really good. I saw him at the Gorge."

I love the Gorge Ampitheater.
I said.
I'd like to see Modest Mouse out there.

"Definitely check out Twenty One Pilots,"
the barista said.

Thanks guys!
I said cheerfully, and left.

Music is a Thing. A Thing to talk about and open up great little mini-conversations with strangers. Mini-conversations that will soon be forgotten by everyone.

Except me. I scribble notes furiously on the ubiquitous 4x6
notecards always hanging out in my back pocket.

Twenty One Pilots, here I come.

Thanks for the good convo, people.

...What have you been listening to? (Bob Dylan)

...What Dylan album have you most been enjoying recently?

I asked the ticket-taker at NW Children Theatre's fantastic tap-dancing interpretation of Cinderella.

(He had previously and randomly wished me a 'happy Bob Dylan's birthday' when taking my ticket. I had not realized it was the Bard's birthday. We found ourselves in the same room at intermission.)

-"Probably...Blonde on Blonde. No, definitely Blonde on Blonde. Has to be Blonde."
He said.

Cool.
I said.
That's a great one. I'm enjoying Blood on the Tracks these days.

I washed my hands, and left to enjoy the second act.

They have gargantuan old porcelain in the gentleman's water closet there. Impressive.

Happy birthday, Bob.

...What are you listening to these days? (John Coltrane, Les McCann)

...What do you like to listen to on your way to work?

I asked Taylor the gas station attendant.

He smiled big.
- "Jazz. Smooth jazz."

Oh.
I said.
Coltrane?

Grin spread bigger.
- "Oh yeah. And I like some of the newer smooth jazz too. Les McCann. I like Les McCann."

Cool, man.
I said.

I dig Les too. Great jazzy soul pianist. Born in 1935...yep, he's a young one. 

Gas: $3.839 a gallon. Taylor, the jazz aficionado, got it pumped (guess which state I'm in) and I drove off, leaving my jazz buddy standing dry underneath a giant awning. 

With a giant smile, bobbing head to an internal beat.

Becca says I do that too.

...What are you listening to these days? (Thievery Corporation, Primus)

...What have you been listening to lately?

I asked the barista dude.

- "Actually...a lot of trance. Ambient trance with a Middle-Eastern vibe."
He said, his hair-filled head grooving as he cleaned a mug.
"Like Thievery Corporation."

Good stuff.
I said.
(it's true: they can throw down a groove)

- "Yeah, and I'm going to a Primus concert in Eugene tomorrow night."

Really?
I asked.
They're still together?

- "Oh yeah,"
he got excited.
"The whole original lineup back together. Finally."

Oh.
I said.
I'm not a big Primus fan, but that'll be a fun show, back together again and all.

He nodded vigorously.

I nodded in my own vigorous way, and left. He is such a cool guy, he really is. One of the friendliest baristas I have ever known. Got a '70s lanky, swaggery, chill sort of cool that makes me feel like I need to grow a moustache and watch Easy Rider. And maybe listen to some Primus. 

I headed out to my automobile and put on Cloud Cult.

...What are you listening to these days? (Blind Guardian, Lady Gaga)

...What do you like to listen to when you're driving into work?

I asked Heather the Taco Bell Team Member.

- "Well...I don't drive to work."
She said.

Oh. 
I said. 
Well what do you like to listen when you're...on your way to work?

- "Blind Guardian."
She replied immediately.
"Do you know them?"

I do not.
I said.
I recognize the name, but I have not heard them. 

- "They're good."
She said, and looked around, and dropped her voice.
"They used to play good music at work here, but we got a new manager or something and this" 
(gestured to the ceiling speakers) 
"...is what we have to listen to now. We used to listen to good music here."

What is good music?
I asked.

- I don't know...Lady Gaga, stuff like that. Blind Guardian. Now all the Taco Bells have to play this classical stuff."
Rolls her eyes again toward instrumental music coming from speakers.

Okay.
I said.
I will have to take a listen to Blind Guardian.

"Yeah,"
She said.
"That's who I listen to before I get to work."

Cool.
I said.
And left, to look up Blind Guardian on Wikipedia.

They appear to be a German heavy metal band that has been around since 1984 and whose lyrics are heavily inspired by fantasy authors such as Tolkien and Robert Jordan.

Off to Pandora I go.

...What are you listening to these days? (Fun. Of Monsters and Men)

...What did you listen to as you were cruising down I-5?

I asked Micael Serrano.

- Fun. And Of Monsters and Men.
He said.

Oh. What songs?

- Whatever the ones are they play on The End.
He replied.

We Are Young?
I inquired, though it was just a guess. A wild guess.

- Yeah.
He said.
That one.

Oh. 
I said.
Becca and I have some crazy dance moves to accompany that song. We'll have to show you.

- Alright.
He said (or something of the sort).

We forgot though, and started eating cookies instead, I think.

...What are you listening to these days? (Hunter Case, Jason Aldean)

...What do you enjoy listening to these days?

I asked the barista.

- Surprisingly...country.
She said.
I've been really into country music.

Oh.
I said.
Old school country, like Hank Williams, or the new stuff, like Shania Twain?

(Immediately after saying that, I realized that Ms. Twain is probably a decade or two past being 'new country,' so I had just tipped my hand as to level of ignorance)

- No,
she replied.
New stuff like...Hunter Case. 
Jason Aldean. That sort of new country. Really good.

Cool.
I said.
I will keep those folks in mind.

I walked out to my automobile and cranked up some Doris Day.

...What are you listening to these days? (Bob Dylan)

...What would you like to listen to while we're driving?

I asked my son.

- Bob Dylan.
He replied from car seat.

Nice. Do you have a favourite Bob Dylan song today?
I inquired.

Brief thinking.
- Blowin' in the Wind.

Okay, 
I said.
Timeless. What do you especially like about Bob Dylan?

More thinking.

- His voice.

I twirled some dials and hit some buttons and Bob's voice came croaking through as we blew down Highway 14 in observant reverie.

...What are you listening to these days? (Billie Holiday)

...What do you want to listen to today?

I asked my daughter.

- Billie Armstrong.
She said.

You mean Louie Armstrong?

- No...Billie Armstrong.

You mean Billie Holiday?
I asked.

Big smile.
- Oh yeah!...Billie Holiday.

Cool.
I said.
We will listen to Billie Holiday. She sounds a little different than Louis Armstrong, doesn't she?

Personally, I think their voices are rather dissimilar.