Episode 105: A Glimmer of LIght

Sam Billen, c.1997

I had imagined a grandiose introduction this week, but after several attempts at editing, I give up.

I think I’ve known Sam Billen for over a decade. I consider his brother and father family, too. They’re pretty much the only reason one would ever want to visit Topeka. Except for hot pickles.

Sam has nearly completed a Kickstarter campaign to raise money for the mastering and manufacturing of his new record, Places. He has about ‘$800 left in this final week for the campaign. As a way to publicly thank him for his great music through the years and as a way to get the word out about his new record, I devote this week’s show to his songs. Enjoy.

1. “Headphones and Cellphones” – Sam Billen (Headphones and Cellphones | The Record Machine | 2009)
2. “I Found a Way” – The Billens (Trash and Treasure | Northern Records | 2005)
3. “Invisible Game” – Sam Billen (Miracles | Northern Records | 2004)
4. “Someday You’ll Regret” – The Billions (demo recording for Trash and Treasure | c.2004)
5. “My Life” – The Billions (Never Felt this Way Before | Northern Records | 2003)

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1415312/105radiofreeraytown.mp3″

Radio Free Raytown – Episode #105 (6/8/12)

Advertisement

Feelin’ Byzantine

Neko Case and Dan Bejar of the New Pornographers

Katy and I attended the New Pornographers show at Liberty Hall on Monday with our friends Ben and Brandon. The Star did a fairly good job reviewing the show.

There are a few things I’d add in response to the Star’s article, however.  The author clearly doesn’t get Dan Bejar’s shtick. Bejar is clearly acting as a pretentious and lazy art snob, and the band is playing into it by allowing his seemingly bad behavior. I found it hilarious. I also have to wonder how many shows the writer has ever been to, since he seems to criticize the on-stage drinking. It was clearly no Guided By Voices-style drunken debacle, so why comment? Oh yeah, and the band never performed “Slow Descent into Alcoholism.” I was prepared to shake my money-maker to it, as it’s my favorite song of theirs, but the time never came. And what in tarnation is “insistent pop”? Sheesh.

Oh well; writers can’t please everyone. Especially other writers.

I posted my pictures from the show. Check them out.