Cosmic Dancer

Best New Music |

Valerie June | "Cosmic Dancer" |

Songwriting that cuts deep into the pieces that make us feel familiar. Nostalgia. Maybe it just registers with me. Thanks Valerie June, keep doing what you do.

80choices

The BESTY's 2018

Tis the season to be BESTY, the longest running snapshot of live entertain that's worth noting is back by lack of popular demand. I really dig thinking back on good times, lucky I guess. Participating in public settings and shared experiences can exhilarate. I've said many times that I want music to make me think, make me dance or inspire me. Witnessing art can often make you feel part of it; creative power has endurance. 

I'm surprised by artists that I'm familiar with who continue to impress, other times I realize I've moved on. Whereas artists or performances that are new-to-me have that unique, first opportunity to impress. I'm not sure which form of expectation is the tougher to fill. What I do know is, it's awesome to be wowed by anybody. So that's where I've come to reside in terms of opinion; I want to be impressed, wowed, inspired, allowed to feel free and dance uninhibited. To all the fun and culturally relevant events, thank you. The BESTY's are...

STS9 | 12.31.17 | The Warfield

Kimock & Mathis * | 02.03.18 | Sweetwater | A Love Supreme & Meditations

Built to Spill * | 02.20.18 | The Fillmore | Keep It Like A Secret | Noise Pop

Jeff Tweedy * | St. Paul & The Broken Bones | 04.21.18|  High Water | Charleston, SC

Valerie June * | Tank & The Bangas * | 04.22.18 | High Water | Charleston, SC

LCD Soundsystem * | TV on the Radio | 04.29.18 | The Greek

Kimock & Leslie Mendelson | 06.17.18 | The Reel | Sonoma

Rocket vs. Warriors | Game 4 Western Conference Finals  | 05.22.18 | Oracle 

Best Restaurant Meals of the Year: The Rarebit in Charleston | Little Jacks in Charleston | Red Fish in Port Orford (x2) | Diavola in Geyserville (x2)

Happy Holidays | eightychoices.

******

Shakedown

Current Mood | 

Valerie June | "Shakedown" | The Order of Time

Change remains the only constant while life provides the moving and shaking. Change can also trigger hope, inspiration, positive thought and productivity. And sometimes change can be the stick—I want change to be the carrot.

Shakedown Breakdown Showdown 

eightychoices.

Astral Plane

Current Mood

Valerie June | "Astral Plane" | The Order of Time

Is there a light?

You have inside you

Can't touch

A looking glass 

Can only show you

So much

Follow the signs

Slowly but steady

Don't rush

The day will come

When you are ready

Just trust

...

Is there a way?

For you to shine

Without fear

From other worlds 

But you can't say

What keeps you here

...

Is there a way?

For you to give it

Your all

Dreaming a dream

Of sweeter things great 

Or Small

Dancing on the astral plane 

Holy water, cleansing rain

Floating through the stratosphere

Blind, but yet you see so clear
...

There is a light
You have inside you
Can touch

Valerie's words are hymnal-like. Her poetic positivity makes me feel more than expected. "Astral Plane" registers with me. I would like to thank her for making me feel, and for telling me that I have a light. Thank you Valerie June. Here's to dancing on the Astral Plane and striving to shine our light. 

eightychoices.