Oct 21 : "O.K." - Mandy's Dreaming (Brooklyn)

Their rehearsal studio is just a few blocks from where I used to live in Brooklyn. Surprising coincidence I learned when I went to hear "Mandy's Dreaming" play at Little Big Planet on Friday night. Mandy's Dreaming was one of two touring bands on the bill that night.

The band grew! Looks like a change in personnel, growing to be a four-piece as compared to the pics they have on Bandcamp (shown above).

The instrumentals on the Bandcamp page are smoother and more laid-back than what we heard at the show. Arrangemens at the LBP showed more force and threw smooth edges to the wind. The bass pushed through being more aggressive and foundational, but still kept the total sound cohesive.

The band came out with their debut EP, also titled "Mandy's Dreaming", in November 2025. Here is the last track on that album, "O.K.".The lyrics leave the listener with a possible question as to how its story might turn out, but also gives time to reflect with some extended instrumentals at the end. That ending starts about 2:49 on the clock. Listen here :::

Mandy's Dreaming has another show coming up next week at pinkFROG Cafe. You can also check them out on Bandcamp here ::: Mandy's Dreaming on Bandcamp (CLICK HERE).

Jul 01 : "Guard Stick" - Golden Apples (Philly)

Philly Music!

Friday night I went to Ortlieb's and saw Philly band Golden Apples, playing to a packed house. It was my first time seeing them.

Here's a sample of some of their music. This is "Guard Stick" from their 2023 album "Bananasugarfire" :::

Golden Apples has a couple more shows coming up, on July 10 at White Eagle Hall and on August 14 at PhilaMOCA. In the meantime, here is the click to their Bandcamp page ::: Golden Apples on Bandcamp (CLICK HERE). (pic above is from band's Bandcamp page)

(I was lucky to see any of their show. After some SEPTA bus cancellations, I got to the show just in time for the band's last two songs.)

Jun 17 : "I'm Starting a Podcast" - Tea Eater (Brooklyn)

Is this a band? Or a comedy act? Something else? A few weeks ago I went to Silk City and saw art-punk outfit "Tea Eater". They're a three-piece from Brooklyn.

The band performs a variety of songs with over-the-top lyrics along with some outrageous stage props. Near the beginning of the show they asked us to imagine what it would be like if we were suddenly reincarnated as a "Little White Dog (in a Gated Community)". They sang about waffles, selling cars, "Fuck the DMV", and even wanted to start a podcast. Here is "I'm Starting A Podcast", a single released in July 2022 :::

Many of the songs are personal to lead singer, Tara Thiessen, who says in reference to the band's album, "I Don't Believe in Bad Luck", I Don’t Believe in Bad Luck, is the story of a hotline psychic who’s sick of everyone—including herself. Based on my own personal experiences as an online tarot card reader and exploration in meditation, occult studies, and the Gateway Tapes, the record explores my shadow self and what it means to be the villain in someone else’s story. With some self-aware humor baked into the songs, the record recontextualizes messy experiences, and shows how even the most chaotic holes we fall into can lead to the best possible outcomes.. Here is "The Waffle Song", which is the fourth track on that album :::

The most over-the-top moment at the show was when they started singing about "butter", They moved away from the stage and into the midst of the audience, as they brought out a huge stick-of-butter stage prop which they held like a limbo pole and invited audience members to come dance underneath.

Tea Eater has another show coming up on August 24th at TV Eye. And, in the meantime, to visit the band on Facebook, here is the click ::: Tea Eater on Facebook (CLICK HERE)

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(pic is from artist's Bandcamp page)

Jun 03 : "leave me the fuck alone" - Cowboygirl (Brooklyn)

I saw Brooklyn band "Cowboygirl" on my recent trip to Berlin Under A. They did a great show. Loud and intense, multiple instruments including BRASS.

Here is "leave me the fuck alone", second track on their 2023 album "give the dog a bone" :::

Stylings are a little bumpy in the best way. Here is a short video live excerpt from their Instagram page ::: Cowboygirl video clip. While Cowboygirl doesn't have any other shows coming up soon, you can keep up with what they're doing on their Instagram page (CLICK HERE). ... (Pic at top is from the band's Instagram page).

May 24 : "Unshakeable Things: Gen Z and the New Great Awakening" - James Talarico

Every 70 years or so there’s a major awakening in the country. These often come following a time of upheaval. The last one was in the 60’s, so we’re due for another soon.

That was one of the observations made in an inspiring commencement address given by James Talaraico a couple weeks ago at Paul Quinn College. He talked about our current state of affairs with a hopeful look towards the future.

James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate in Texas. No, I don't live in Texas, but a U.S. senator from another state would still be making decisions affecting life here in PA. I like his moral compass.