KBBBLOG MIX FOUR
Swedish Pop OH MY, Perfect Karaoke Songs, What the Heck is a Slipper Tree, Why I Love the NYT Obits, KBBBLOG It's Going to Get You!
The only through-line for this week’s mix is that these are the songs that I listened to the most as I was working at my desk. BOOM. THAT’S IT. However, if I were really ambitious I might craft a mix featuring songs from the “Stockholm Syndrome” episode of POP on Netflix. I knew that Sweden was neck deep in pop song writers and performers, but I don’t think I realized HOW freaking deep it went. Sweden is the unofficial capital of pop music (FOR REAL IT’S WILD WATCH THIS EPISODE).
Also, I need to turn in my 43 almost 44 year old human being badge because how come I didn’t realize that Roxette was from Sweden until just a few days ago? Sigh. I think I was too busy awkwardly slow dancing to “It Must Have Been Love” at my junior high dance to have worried about their country of origin. But yeah, watch this episode. It’s a great dive into the last 50 years of the Swedish influence in pop music. This 2013 Atlantic article is a good read too if you are building a Swedish pop bibliography. PS: IT HAS A LOT OF ACE OF BASE IN IT.
Also, Phone by Lizzo has been stuck in my head since I watched this week’s episode of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars. What a great freaking song. What a great freaking Lip Sync for your Legacy. Way to go Ginger Minj. Way to go Mayhem Miller. Way to go Lizzo. Also, I am back on my soapbox about how all karaoke songs should be only 2 minutes long (THREE TOPS) and this one totally fits the bill. PS: Mayhem Miller got her drag name from watching the Tommy Lee and Pamela Anderson 1995 sex tape which oddly enough I read a pretty fascinating article about in this week’s New York magazine.
I also have included one of my music-I-like-to-draw-to faves William Onyeabor in this mix. This won’t be the last inclusion of William, but I do want to point towards this 30 minute Noisey doc called Fantastic Man as a primer if you haven’t heard of him before. Also, my friend Taryn showed up to our twice a week weight training session wearing a badass ONYEABOR t-shirt this morning. Also, please, do not mess with either of us, we are very strong. Listen to William Onyearbor! Create to the beauty of his magical synths! Sidenote: Damon Albarn is a talking head in this doc. He’s been on my mind this week more than normal because I watched the “Hail Brit Pop” episode of the above mentioned POP and, well, that one is worth the watch too (boy, I love a good musical rivalry! MEOW).
And my new discovery of the week is “Michael and The Slipper Tree” by The Equals. It’s a song from 1969 that the Spotify algorithm delivered up to me and it’s catchy as hell. On first listen, I thought it felt very 80s ska vibes, but 1969! London! What is a slipper tree? Who cares!
RIP to Biz Markie! Instagram was flooded with some dynamite images of the legend this week upon news of his passing. This above pink sweater was one that I saved and I made it a point to track down where it came from and I found it! Check out the rock and roll knitwear stylings of Amimono Horinouchi. You are welcome. Also, thank you Biz for giving me the fantastic memory of my mom Sherry roller skating to “Just a Friend” at the Rolla, Mo Skate World when she chaperoned my 6th grade field trip. She is a great roller skater by the way. Like, she can skate backwards and everything.
Also, fun fact: the NYT obit section is the first section I read every Sunday morning because of the freaking care that is put into the obits. I have learned about so many amazing people through the NYT obits. It’s a space that celebrates life. Watch the 2016 doc Obit for a deep dive. Also, there is some choice vintage newsroom footage and dang, do I love a vintage newsroom. My friend Briar sent me an image of the newsroom from All the President’s Men this week. So sexy. Get yourself a friend who will text you images of newsrooms from the 1970s. Also, it was Briar’s birthday on the 15th. And it was my mom birthday on the 15th. It was also Linda Rondstat’s birthday on the 15th. Speaking of Linda, I would be a fool to not mention that Different Drum by The Stone Poneys is another perfect karaoke song and it clocks in at 2:39. NO NEED TO DRAG IT OUT FRIENDS.
Hank and I visited our favorite photo booth at Cargo yesterday. It’s a legit one. It smells like sulfur and everything. We had a pandemic pause, but our cheeseball smiles are back, baby! Also, I used this opportunity to shoot some new headshots and then I drew one of the photos, so of course I wrote this purchase off. Hit like and subscribe for more tax tips.
PS: I am sorry if you end up listening to Ace of Base because of this newsletter. Don’t click this link!!!
:)
KBB