Whomever said “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,” must have been a human, living on Earth. Ah, Dickens, of course Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities. Published in 1859 in England. 1859, six years before the end of the USA’s Civil War, one hundred and six years before I was born in Berkeley, California, in the very best and worst of times.
I won’t talk about the horrible things here today because you know them already, we all do. The worst of times bits, well, I’ll just leave those “as read” for now.
I do have a few things to talk about which I will file under the general heading of Good. Subcategories: Fun, Entertaining, Joyful, perhaps Enlightening, maybe Beautiful, or if we’re very fortunate, Cuddly!
Items.
I’m finishing up this lyric video for Charlotte in the Garden of the New Futility this weekend. Here’s a still -
Charlotte and the marmot continue their fabulous run on a bevy of Radio Indie Alliance stations around the world, and just this week the song was delivered to hundreds of college and community radio stations throughout North America. We are thrilled, and Shannon Wheeler celebrated these exciting developments by giving Charlotte a skateboard. She rides it in the video. Most deftly.
Also in the best of times, The FAVES continue to enjoy MOUNTAINS of indie rock radio spins, with their awesome Higher and Higher cover, including this number one spot at AltRadioRocks in Connecticut.
How much do we love this? (altogether now, Berkeley Cats..)
WE LOVE THIS A LOT!!
Huge shout-outs of gratitude to everyone passing those singles along and spinning them and rocking them. Our catnip tank runneth over.
Dave Seabury! Luminous luminary of stage, screen and pineapple, shared this marvelous news on his FB, and I quote him:
Totally stoked, and super proud to announce that my recent album:
"With a Little Help from My Friends" has been selected for inclusion in the
Bay Beats platform created by the San Francisco Public Library
Big THANKS to Jay Rosen for turning me on to the idea
The platform goes live tomorrow, and they are having a launch party in S.F. at the Fulton Plaza Main Library.
We just think that’s totally badass, and what is more, the party is NOW, Caturday the 28th, as I write. WHERE’s the PARTY?! I dunno, you can follow the link above, or ask.. Psycotic Pineapple!! Someone will get that..
IN THE MEANTIME! (now I will be mysterious and cryptic..)
Last night I had a meeting with several veteran Berkeley cats of the highest order, to discuss a project which has been brewing in concept for a number of years. Now it’s getting real, and I could not be more excited. The temptation to spill the beans is overwhelming - think Stimpy trying to resist the urge to push the shiny red button (someone will get that) - but nay! I’ma hold off on spilling this til the appropriate moment. For now I’ll just keep my cool and calmly state THIS IS REALLY FREAKING COOL AND AMAZING!! WOW!! HOLY DANGBUSTERS, WHAT!?! REALLY?? YES!!! OMFGAWD!!! um.. ok so, not calm and collected. Ahem. More on this later.
OK now I turn my Caturday focus to finishing up my Charlotte lyric vid.
Wishing you all a joyous and peaceful weekend,
Eric Roy Dinwiddie