The most recent writing playlist features an indie/folk band from L.A. who’s now in Austin, Texas, a mecca for indie artists. Under The Rug showed up in my Instagram feed once. I liked what I heard, subscribed to their newsletter, which is by turns informative and entertaining. And I began buying their CDs instead of streaming them, which was cool because I got a few free gifts here and there and a lot of interesting stories they share with their fans. Plus they’ve signed all their CDs. (I do have a fourth one on the way to complete my collection.)
Under The Rug: Pale King
Under The Rug: Dear Adeline
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Under The Rug: Homesick For Another World
Below is the song that introduced me to the band (in a different video they shot in their living room) on Instagram. The commentary going up the left side of this one (part of the video) makes me laugh: pretty much the trajectory of all comment threads everywhere. Strangers running the gamut from I love you./You suck./DM me for this product I sell./This is the worst song./This is the best song./You’re still doing this?/Check out my site./I met you once./You guys are sell-outs./I want to date you./I think I dated you./I have a friend who dated you.
I’ve finished the “U” section in the CD binders. DO YOU KNOW WHO’S NEXT? (That’s excited uppercase.) I’m about to pull their CDs and see if I can get them in some kind of chronological order (some are in the binder; some in cardboard sleeves that go in the box under the binders) and then get back to writing Chapter 3.
ETA on 2/11/24: I’ve now acquired and listened to Under The Rug’s second CD Too Far Away, so my collection of four is complete.
I was thinking a little while ago that I can’t remember when I last bought a CD? It must be years. I have never streamed music either. I am definitely a Philistine when it comes to music.
I’m nowhere near current. I try to stay open to hearing and appreciating new artists, and I lack the automatic “I hate that” reaction I hear toward someone who enjoys success or tries something different or new. Sad to say, it’s often more like “I hate empowered, successful women,” and it doesn’t only come from men.
I have nothing against empowered, successful women, but I do hope that people like Taylor Swift are doing some good with their money.
I can definitely say that in the cases of Taylor Swift and Annie Lennox, for just two examples, the first does a lot with her money, both in taking care of the people she employs and philanthropy, and the second has consistently brought focus by lending her voice to issues that improve lives and prompt changes for good.