We've had a couple of requests for this, so now there's an "Add to My Excite Mix" button over in the the "Subscribe" box. If your favorite RSS-reader or subscription service isn't listed, drop us a line and we'll see what we can do. If you want to subscribe but don't know anything about that sort of thing, I recommend the FeedBlitz option at the top of the box; it's free, it's easy, and it comes straight to your e-mail without getting you on a lot of annoying mailing lists you don't want.

P.S. BlogTop Sites is in the process of merging with BlogFlux, so if you're seeing a blank button where that should be in the subscription area, that's probably why. They hope to have things completed this weekend.

Labels: Site Updates

29 April, 2007

"The world does not need another novel now, for God's sake, and I feel that I've done everything I can do. Please, can't I go home now?"

--author Kurt Vonnegut in an interview with J. Rentilly that appeared in Pages magazine just six months ago

Vonnegut also commented to the BBC News two months ago that he felt "embarrassed" to have lived to the age of 83, saying, "It's in terrible taste." He also joked, "I'm suing a cigarette company because on the package they promised to kill me, and yet here I am."

For more on Kurt Vonnegut, check out the very apt illustration at www.vonnegut.com/ and the excellent collection of all things Vonnegut at www.vonnegutweb.com/.

Labels: Literary Arts

22 April, 2007

They've just posted a new video of Barry McCabe doing an absolutely kick-ass version of "You Don't Love Me" from the Virginia gig in County Cavan, Ireland. That's Pat McManus on fiddle.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=f8f2yOhyNKQ

Also, Asheville, NC, musician/philosopher Christine Kane has just launched her brand-new website with a great new photo. Go browse around, and be sure to check out her blog. She's an intriguing writer.
http://www.christinekane.com/

Labels: Music

18 April, 2007

Ian Hunter has a new CD due out May 15th on Yep Roc Records. Titled Shrunken Heads, this is his first studio recording in several years, and his first release on this label.

According to the press release we received, the 10-song disc “covers a wide-range of honest emotions and wry observations that we’ve come to expect from Mr. Hunter: touching on such topics as late-night soul-searching to the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and today’s political climate.” It was recorded in 2006 in Pawling, NY, and Palo Alto Daily News writer Paul Freeman says the new material "bristles with edgy, powerful, pertinent rock."

Photo by David Plakke
"The record was done quickly and very much as a band effort. It's more relaxed than usual for some reason and all in all a most enjoyable experience,” stated Hunter. “We're gearing up to release my first record in six years and we're excited to get out on the road and see you in your town.”

During his solo career, Ian Hunter wrote and performed such classics as “Once Bitten, Twice Shy,” “Gun Control,” and “Cleveland Rocks” (which you may recognize as the theme from the Drew Carey Show). He’s an outstanding live performer as well, certainly not to be missed if you have the opportunity to see him onstage.

Yep Roc Records (located near Greensboro, North Carolina) is also the home of such class acts as Paul Weller, Robyn Hitchcock, The Apples in Stereo, Sloan, Robbie Fulks, Southern Culture on the Skids, The Reverend Horton Heat, and Nick Lowe. The company strives to reach as large an audience as possible but considers the unique vision of each of their artists to be top priority. They have a very user-friendly website where you can listen to samples for free, and unlike many other record companies, they do not place formatting restrictions on how you listen to the music you purchase or download from them.

Ian Hunter's website: http://www.ianhunter.com/
Yep Roc Records' website: http://www.yeproc.com/

Labels: Music

15 April, 2007