Features
Keeping Up (Vol. 23)
by Darren Paltrowitz
Here are another 5 quick picks for you, the loyal reader:
MUSIC: Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents – Previously known for fronting The Downbeat 5 and The Dents, Jenny Dee is a Boston indie icon. Ditching her punk past for a “girl group” soul direction, her debut EP has already made waves in Spain, where her and band has already toured. Produced by Matt Beaudoin and Q Division’s Ed Valauskas, the recordings are sonically-fitting to tracks like “Let Me Go” and “Keeping Time,” which are presently posted for streaming on MySpace. (myspace.com/jennydeemusic) BOOK: Jerry Heller / Ruthless – Jerry Heller first conquered the music industry in the 1960s and 1970s as a booking agent in Los Angeles. In the 1980s, he discovered hip-hop and went on to meet rapper Eazy-E. Such led to the formation of N.W.A. -– who he regularly refers to as the “Black Beatles” –- and founding of Ruthless Records. In the years that follow, he is plagued with dissolved business partnerships and false accusations from ex-N.W.A. associates. This book is Heller’s first public response to many of said allegations, and it is at all times interesting and compelling. (amazon.com)
SERIES: Wainy Days – As noted in the last edition of “Keeping Up,” MTV released a DVD set of its sketch-comedy series The State nearly 15 years after the fact. David Wain, one of the members of The State, has steadily worked as a writer and director since the aforementioned MTV show went off-air, having been part of films like Role Models and Wet Hot American Summer. Available for free streaming, Wainy Days is a semi-non-fictional online series that recounts Wain’s attempts to meet women in New York City. Among the cameos in the four seasons made thus far are Elizabeth Banks, Amanda Peet, Jonah Hill, and Paul Rudd. (wainydays.com)
TOOL: “How Far Will My Salary Go In Another City?” – As the grass is always greener elsewhere, these hard economic times have many folks considering a relocation. This tool, as provided by CNN, is a calculator requiring users to input their current salary and location, and where they envision living. The results will tell you how much groceries, housing, utilities, transportation, and healthcare are known to cost in the new market. At worst, consider this productive daydreaming. (money.cnn.com/tools/costofliving/costofliving.html)
ARTICLE: Jonathan Mead “How To Live Without The Clock” – Featured on the Zen Habits blog, Jonathan Mead’s piece talks about time. His underlying point is that we the people cannot control time, despite believing otherwise. That said, he explains how a person can live “without the clock.” Ultimately, as the author asks, would you rather be in control or happy? (zenhabits.net/2009/08/how-to-live-without-the-clock)
As always, if I’m missing something that’s worthwhile and deserving of column space, please reach out with an e-mail: darren.paltrowitz@gmail.com.
In the meantime, stay tuned for another 5 picks...