Week 26: The Midtown Dickens

Also included: the conclusion of the first cycle of The Book of Fables.

To the NAP writers – 26 weeks, half a year, and no one has quit.

The Midtown Dickens are really taking cute to a whole new level. Their new record will be released on 307 Knox Recoirds on May 12 at 305 South in [...]

Week 25: Julieta Venegas

Also included: Part 9 of The Book of Fables.

To the NAP writers – 25 weeks, a quarter of a century if centuries were counted in weeks, and no one has quit.

The right vocal delivery can be sweet nectar for the soul. Add an accordion and you really have something special. Remember when you fell [...]

Week 21: The Spinns (AKA Week 23: A Twist in Time)

Also included: Part 8 of The Book of Fables.

To Ed Boomslanger.

A couple of weeks back I wrote about The Spinns and one of their live shows. I contacted Todd Spinn to get some live recordings of the Spinns for the NAPcast, but he didn’t get back to me on time. But better late than [...]

Week 21: The Spinns

Also included: Part 7 of The Book of Fables.

To Bo Venom.

What makes a great rock and roll show? We all know when we’ve seen a great show, but trying to convey that feeling to someone who wasn’t there usually comes across in a way similar to that cop in the Lenny Bruce trial testifying from notes [...]

Week 18: The Mancinis

Also included: Part 6 of The Book of Fables.

To the whole Snake Gang. One for one and all for all.

We all know Henry Mancini as the great Hollywood film composer, but did you know that he was also the head of an extensive family that had its foot in almost every facet of the [...]

Week 17: Atahualpa Yupanqui

Also included: Part 5 of The Book of Fables.

To Supay, Lord of the Ucu Pacha.

As much as music may be a universal language, and even without taking into account any lyrics it might have in an unknown language, it is surprisingly difficult for people to get into music that doesn’t have a certain degree [...]

Week 16: Devendra Banhart

Also included: Part 4 of The Book of Fables.

To Sebastian Moccasin Sinfin, illustrator extraordinaire.

I don’t know exactly why, but I feel like I must defend this week’s entry. From the little I know about Mr. Banhart, I get the feeling that he is quite conceited, and a lot of his persona communicates a sort of [...]

Week 15: Valient Thorr

Also included: Part 3 of The Book of Fables.

To Cornsnake Commander, who may be from Venus.

Valient Thorr are from the three rivers inside of Venus and are stranded on earth. For a while they lived in North Carolina where Valient Himself worked the door at the Local 506. These days they tour around with the [...]

Week 13: Jerzy Kosiński’s Pinball

Also included: Part 2 of The Book of Fables.

To Tits McVenom, my favorite metalhead.

I guess by now you’ve figured out a bit about the Avett Brothers if you heard one of their songs on the last NAPcast. Still, I’m gonna put them off yet another week. This week, breaking with tradition, I am going [...]

Week 12: CrazyHearse

Also included: Part 1 of The Book of Fables.

To Pit Viper Pete

I’m postponing the Avett Brothers yet again. I do this hoping to further build your expectations, so that when I let you down in the end, the fall will be like Satan’s fall from grace, just cause I know you would like that. [...]