Idol
The fuse was lit at tryouts, though I didn’t realize it then. Two thousand hopefuls turned out! Two thousand, on our tiny island, and energy sparked from every one. Even government officials were in a holiday mood, their faces wreathed in smiles. Preliminary cuts occurred with Singapore’s usual, remarkable efficiency. That afternoon we lucky chosen ones performed in the jam-packed Singapore Arena. Each voice had to sing out bravely, and alone. I crooned “Every Step You Take” to the accompaniment of my guitar only, and heard in the gasp...
Read MoreStern Grove
We are all women of a certain age— at seventy, mine more certain than others’. I’ve been somewhere much like this eons ago: Love-ins, Be-ins, we called them then, but the young girls in short skirts or long, the couples, the children, the music: almost the same. We filed down a steep, shady path, orange nasturtiums lacing through dark ferns on either side as if lighting our way to where musicians are setting up on a stage under tall redwoods. On either side of us the earth angles up, terraced to the west for seating on the ground. We’re early, but every space is full, blanket to...
Read MoreUpcoming Depeche Mode Concert
Our roaming film and music journalist, Radmilla Djurica, will be covering an upcoming concert of Depeche Mode, who are on European Tour and will perform in Belgrade on Saturday, May 19.
Read MoreLennon
(based on Keith Richards’ memoir, “Life)” A silly sod in many ways, John was. I liked to tease him for the way he wore his Fender high, under his chin. “Try a longer strap, John, for Christ’s sake; it’s not a violin. No wonder you lugs only rock, can’t roll.” But they thought it was cool. Maybe you had to be from Liverpool. He wasn’t one to mince opinions; said my “It’s All Over Now” solo sucked, and he was right. He was my...
Read MoreReview: Trophy Wife, “Sing What Scares You”
Countless albums sit on history’s shelf, but exceedingly few create their own place in time. A place where we can revisit, enriched each time. While I will doubtless miss out on many albums that will carve their places after I am gone, I am fortunate to be alive today to visit the timeless place created by Trophy Wife‘s sophomore effort, Sing What Scares You. Have you ever felt as if language lacked the power and nuance to express a feeling as it sprouted inside you? Like the feeling of spotting a young girl at a charity auction reading a comic strip titled Bizarre Gender-Swapping...
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