I am currently in the midst of a pleasant obsession with the band Kruangbin. I stumbled upon them while tumbling down a YouTube rabbit-hole. Their style – a mostly instrumental, funky-ass psychedelic groove-based international vibe type thing – is nothing like anything I’ve been into in the past. It’s just so smooth, so groovy, that I can’t get enough of it, especially in situations when my attention is occupied, like right now, while I’m typing these lines, or when I’m cleaning up the house. Music with a dominant vocal line often robs attention and focus needed for the task at hand, while Khruangbin’s grooves flow through me on a different, more unconscious level, which enhances whatever else I’m doing. Don’t take my word for it. Dig in.
HTG Podcast #32: Begin again
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I get back on the creative horse – i.e., “begin again” – by sharing some music I recently came across while tumbling down a YouTube rabbit-hole.
[p.s. I recorded this podcast three weeks ago and didn’t get around to posting it until now!]
Media referenced:
- Brown Bird – Patiently Awaiting
- Brown Bird – Bilgewater
- Black Pistol Fire – Speak of the Devil
- Black Pistol Fire – Storm cussin’
- Reignwolf – Electric Love (Jet City Stream Session)
- Kruangbin – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)
- The Waking Up Course, with Sam Harris
HTG Podcast #31: Dispelling illusions
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I verbally wander hither and thither through a forest of ideas tied together loosely (VERY loosely) with the theme of “dispelling illusions.” Meditation, identity, music, and the hacking of the human mind. Stuff like that.
Media referenced:
- The Waking Up Course, with Sam Harris
- George Carlin – It’s a big club and you ain’t in it
- Adrianne Lenker Of Big Thief On ‘abysskiss’ And How Songs Can Heal (via All Songs Considered)
- Adrianne Lenker – “Symbol” (Live at WFUV)
- Adrianne Lenker – “Cradle” (Live at WFUV)
- How Humans Get Hacked: Yuval Noah Harari & Tristan Harris Talk with WIRED
- You Say You Want To Fly Away (Song by My Dear Ella, performed by Isaac Dust)
HTG Podcast #30: The mosquito and the pot
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I come before the microphone with tail between legs to speak of long layoffs, mask-zone surgeries, creative quandaries, and some of the music I’ve enjoyed lately.
Media referenced:
HTG Podcast #29: Cross country cargo delivery
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I share clips of audio and nuggets of wisdom gleaned from my recent cross country road trip.
HTG Podcast #28: Hitting the road
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I stoke the summer flames of freedom as I ready myself for a road trip to North Carolina to visit some old friends and my former self.
HTG Podcast #27: A day in the life (of an elementary school counselor)
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I put my life and the lives of others in danger in order to record my random thoughts on the way to and from work.
HTG Podcast #26: Graveyard of unexpressed intentions
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I test out my new microphone while walking around my back yard attempting to resuscitate the dead and dormant intentions which have accumulated lo these many months.
Media referenced in this episode:
HTG Podcast #25: Connection
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I reflect on my recent holiday travels and come up with a theme for the new year: connection.
Media referenced in this episode:
HTG Podcast #24: This ride
In this episode of the Head The Gong Podcast, I continue to struggle to live a creative, meaningful life.