Chip Taylor, The Iliad, and Happy Birthday Jon B. - Today's Tea and Three
Three things that have my attention on December 7, 2023.
Tea and Three with Mike B. - December 7, 2023
Here’s what I’m enjoying today with my cup of tea:
Remembering a night at the Saxon Pub. Listening to Chip Taylor’s new song, “The Other Side of the Moon,” brought back memories of the Hill Country Live’s March 16, 2012, SXSW Showcase at the Saxon Pub in Austin, Texas, with my friend Kevin. The dream lineup included Chip Taylor, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Roger Alan Wade, Lukas Nelson and the Promise of the Real, Shooter Jennings, and Billy Joe Shaver. A great evening of music. And if you’re looking for an achingly beautiful, sentimental song, listen to “The Other Side of the Moon.”
Listening to “3,000 Years of the Iliad.” Emily Wilson discusses her translation of The Iliad with guest host Constance Grady on The Gray Area (Vox). Wilson’s translation of The Iliad is one of my favorite books of the year and one I’ll return to often in the future.
Celebrating the birthday of the amazing Jonathan Barzacchini. You may know him as Jon B. One of my favorite people, one of my three favorite storytellers, and oh yeah, my son. Happy birthday, Jonathan.
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Flashback: Crowd Control at the Broken Spoke
This found sound from the Broken Spoke in Austin, Texas, makes me smile every time I listen to it. This is from March 17, 2016, during SXSW week. Remember, “you cannot block the walkways.”
Experiencing "Sleep" by Max Richter
Remembering how I first experienced my favorite meditative playlist.
Today, I published a piece on Vocal about my favorite Zen playlist, the composition Sleep by Max Richter. And I shared how Susan and I first experienced this relaxing, meditative music at SXSW 2018.
How Did You Come Up With Your Band's Name?
In 2010, I worked as a freelancer for a now-defunct music website. One assignment was to interview bands heading to Austin for SXSW. The editors provided 10 questions for the interview, the first four they deemed as “critical” for the story. Those questions were:
Describe your sound in your own words.
How did your band form?
What/Who are your musical influences?
How did you come up with your band name?
Pretty good questions. I especially like number four. If you have a band, how did you come up with its name? And if you started a band, what would you name it? I think I’d call my band “Glad to See You.”
Photo by Museums Victoria on Unsplash