Amplifying Alternative Music
(Image credit: CNET) In an era where everyone uses music streaming services, I found solace in old technology. In spring of 2021, I had a revelation: I do not need to be tethered to social media, streaming services, and the internet 24/7. With music as my main interest, and Spotify being my primary way of … Read moreLearning to love the iPod in the 2020s
Image: Walker Art Center Nostalgia for the vibrant sounds featured at Rock the Garden, where indie melodies intertwined with family bonds in the heart of Minneapolis My parents were there for My Morning Jacket, and I was there for my parents. The alternative/indie band from Louisiana had my parents’ iPod in a chokehold. “Outta my … Read moreRock the Garden: A Love Letter to Family, Music, and Minneapolis
Cringe-worthy contemplations on the pop-country radio station that raised me. Every coming of age needs its soundtrack, and growing up in Fargo, N.D., I had few options on the radio. All the while, I craved precious moments behind the wheel of my sister’s Honda. I felt the profound rush of personal freedom at each speeding … Read moreBeer Bottles and Big Trucks
How do you keep a small Midwest music festival special when it blows up on TikTok? While some may lament traveling to the desolate fields of our neighbor to the south, I have always been excited when the car’s GPS heads to Iowa. In my childhood, it was the place to visit my cousins. Then … Read moreYou Can’t Gatekeep the State of Iowa