Sophie Says Sooth (2002.09.02): "Avoid graduation at all possible costs. This may sound crazy now, but by the time you're out of school for a year you'll know exactly what I'm talking about and you'll really start to miss caring about back-to-school sales. Enjoy this time while you can."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.26): "When you call your children unexpectedly, do not express concern if they were out until 4, 5 or 6 AM. They are now the masters of their own bedtimes. If someone of the opposite sex answers the telephone at 7 AM on a Sunday, say nothing."

Sophie Says Sooth (2002.08.19): "It was once required that ten witnesses be present at a marriage ceremony to outsmart jealous demons. (I don't know who really thought this would work but let's play along for the sake of the story.) Bridesmaids dressed similarly to the bride and groomsmen's attire resembled the groom's in an attempt to confuse the spirits who wanted to harm the couple."


Silverchair / Diorama: "Musically, it is one of the best of the year. Rich orchestrations sweep across beautifully arranged songs, a feat quite remarkable for a band unaccustomed to such complex string and horn work. This is due, in part, to help from the legendary Van Dyke Parks, whose resume boasts such names as U2 and the Beach Boys."

Miniviews 2002.08.02: "While reining his noodling tendencies way in for the two Guided By Voices records released by TVT, his side projects exploded. The Fading Captain series, home to numerous collaborations and throw-away 7" singles, has probably had a release or three just since you started reading this piece."

Miniviews 2002.07.28: "If John Lennon and Yoko Ono had been in little-known power pop bands, then decided to do a record together with John's brother and a pseudonymous drummer for a Spanish label you've never heard of, Double Fantasy would've sounded a lot like Sound It Out."


San Diego Comic-con 2002: Part 1: "A lot of it sounded like standard conspiracy theory bullshit; I would like to believe him about the income taxes, though. Apparently it has something to do with the improper ratification of the 16th Amendment and taxing our privilege of earning money."

"Glamour Hose": A 14-piece photographic series from Natalie Meyer


"Pixel Worship": A new short narrative work from Aaron Veenstra





2002/07/12

Well, with a bit of luck I've got my Madison housing situation squared away, so I shouldn't have to lose any more whole days to touring a couple of rathole apartments. Also, I won't have to put the site on hold for days at a time while I concentrate on real estate listings. This is Good.

If I hadn't been otherwise occupied yesterday, I would've told you all about Anna Waronker's solo debut, Anna, and how the last album by her former band, that dog., was originally going to be a solo album. I'd have told you about a song called "I Wish You Well" that was written by Anna for the "Josie and the Pussycats" soundtrack, recorded by Kay Hanley and the session Pussycats and rerecorded by Anna for this record. I'd have told you that it's kind of sad that so many more people will hear the soundtrack version and that most of those who hear both will think Anna's covering something from a movie. But I was looking at a place on Nakoosa Trail, so I couldn't tell you any of those things.



2002/07/08

Man, I'd forgotten how driving almost 500 miles at a stretch will tire your ass out. Especially when the last 100 is I-43 from Milwaukee to Green Bay; such a boring wasteland should not be visited upon our precious interstate highway system. I wonder if something can be done about that. Maybe I should ask Sophie -- after all, she has the answers to questions about workplace malaise and surprise opium highs, surely she can solve my roadway boredom. And you know, you can get your own roadway boredom questions answered, too. All you need to do is send them to sophie@etchouse.com and our mistress of Sooth will be all over it.



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