Combination Block

Sunday, June 18, 2006

To Quote Beat Happening, "I've Got a Crush on You..."

O.K., so ever since adolesence I've found myself periodically developing secret, mostly innocent (sorry about going through your trash thing Ms. Timony) crushes on the women of indie-rock.  It isn't something I'm proud of, but it is something I'm learning to live with -- I mean I've finally stopped using back issues of Magnet as a form of pornography (hey, I really did read the articles, too).  It seems the whole genre of indie-rock is geared towards shy, socially awkward boys having crushes on girls who they will never, ever wind up with (my wife being the exception to that rule) -- why else would the mix-tape play such a central role in the cultural exchange of boys in ill-fitting t-shirts?  That's really what makes Seth Cohen so likeable, and hateable at the same time, he is the fictionalized hero of all those sad high school fantasies, the one who made it, a young Ira Kaplan if you will...  Anyway, to that end, these women have served a double purpose for me, both writing the songs that make the young boy cry, and being the girls that make the young boy cry.  I swear it's not as creepy as it sounds.  Well, maybe it is.

I guess there's just something about a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice...



Kim Gordon

Kim Gordon was my first indie-rock crush... ever since I heard Swimsuit Issue for the first time, Ive been wishing I was Thurston Moore...  And she just gets sexier as she gets older -- seriously, compare a Confusion is Sex... era picture with a current one... my god

Sonic Youth -
Flower
Sonic Youth - Jams Run Free
Kim Gordon/Ikue Mori/DJ Olive - What Do You Want? (Kim)



Mary Timony

Mary Timony was my next indie-crush, and I still rremember the moment it happened... It was Downstairs at the Middle East and she was opening for Bis.  She had a cold and was all cute and sniffly, and I'm still smitten.  Anyway, she was in a some great bands, the most well known being, of course, Helium, but also The Spells, and Autoclave, and has released some damn fine solo albums...

Helium -
Silver Strings
The Spells - the Age of Backwards
Mary Timony - On the Floor



Cat Power

O.K., Chan Marshall (aka Cat Power) is seriously crush worthy... Not only is she amazingly beautiful with a beautiful voice, but she is probably the best song writer of the last thirty years (listen to the full version of Willie Deadwilder for proof... And, she's painfully shy.  Sigh...

Cat Power -
Good Woman
Cat Power - Nude as the News
Cat Power and Entrance - Do the Romp



Joanna Newsom

As if it wasn't cool enough to be related to San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom, Joanna decided to break hearts and blow minds by becoming -- certifiably-- the coolest harpist ever...  She writes some of the most literate songs around, and her voice is stunning.  And that isn't open for discussion.

Joanna Newsom -
Man's Road
Joanna Newsom - Peach, Plum, Pear (Walnut Whales Version)
Joanna Newsom - Bridges and Balloons (PocketMix)



Laura Veirs

After seeing Laura Veirs perform at Modified recently, I can definitely say that I'm smitten.  Her songs are infectious and she is just really, really cute.  And her stage presence was amazing -- transfixing, even.  Wow.

Laura Veirs -
Cast A Hook in Me
Laura Veirs - Snow Camping
Laura Veirs - Lake Swimming (Live on KCRW)

So there you have it, the secret non-creepy crushes of my little fragile fantasy world on display for all... I guess they aren't so secret anymore...

5 Comments:

  • good call, sir.

    we'd fuck every last one of them until they called us Daddy.

    welcome to Drunk Country.

    x

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 3:17 PM  

  • What is it about girls with guitars? And harps obviously.

    By Blogger coxon le woof, at 2:20 PM  

  • Mary Timony... Mary Timony...

    By Anonymous Anonymous, at 7:19 AM  

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