Notes from a Genius

Dustbowl Revival is a "new" discovery for me. I came across them just a few short months ago when I saw that they were playing in Portland. The venue was giving away tickets and I happened to win a pair, so as much as I love going to concerts, a free show here and there is even better. And wow, these guys did not disappoint at all. In fact, they went right into the top of some of my favorite live acts that I've seen this year. They are definitely a live band with a sound that reminds me of a roots band with New Orleans jazz and southern bands mixed in, including everything from violin, upright bass, washboard playing, trumpet, and trombone. When this eight-piece band plays, they play so tight and with each other that you cannot help but be amazed at how well they play together, especially for a band seemingly put together by a Craigslist ad out in California. I love these guys and could not wait to see them again. They even played their encore (two songs) down on the flo...

"The Eyes of My Mother" starring: Diana Agostini, Olivia Bond, Will Brill, Joey Curtis-Green, Flora Diaz, Kika Magalhaes, Paul Nazak, Clara Wong written and directed by: Nicolas Pesce First of all, let me get this out of the way---- HOLY SHIT! We have an incredible "horror" film here. Wow! This seemingly short horror film, clocking in just under 80 minutes, tells a perfect and cohesive story in three chapters (Mother, Father, Family) all while focusing on one specific girl- Francisca. Francisca is introduced as a wide-eyed naif, in thrall to her Portuguese mother (Diana Agostini) as she is taught the legend of Francis of Assissi — absorbing a message of gentle kindness to all creatures that is rather rudely contravened when Mom subsequently, and with notable sangfroid, shows her daughter how to dissect a cow’s eye on the kitchen table.  We learn, in what turns out to be a salient detail, that Francisca’s mother was a surgeon in her homeland before taki...

Belle and Sebastian played at the Blue Hills Pavilion, which is an outdoor venue right on the water in downtown Boston's financial district) a couple of weeks ago. I remember being introduced to them by my sister back in the late '90s, thanks in large part to her involvement with her college radio station. Their albums "The Boy with the Arab Strap" and "If You're Feeling Sinister" were in constant rotation back then. I loved the acoustic, folk sound from this Scottish band. Although, I do have to admit, they sort of fell off my radar for a few years, even though they seem to consistently put out albums every other year or so. I knew when my friend Courtney mentioned going to see them, I had to because despite enjoying their music for years, I had yet to see them in concert. They certainly did not disappoint, either. Their set included a plethora of songs throughout their long career, and lots of "danceable" songs, in fact, before the encore, th...