BUT I DIGRESS: Why more venues need to give original musicians a chance
Not for nothing, but “battles of the bands,” “best of” polls, etc. are not my idea of how to build a healthy, cooperative arts community, in my humble opinion. I’ll speak only for musicians, since I’m of that particular ilk, but I believe this applies to all of those involved in all the arts. Pitting […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: Entering a mixed-race transgender lesbian relationship and all the prejudices that come with it
It was Monday, the Fourth of July, as the rain drizzled and fireworks exploded all around us. I took her hand and we walked out of the apartment building to see the big display Wilkes-Barre was putting on at Kirby Park. As we walked hand-in-hand, I couldn’t help the feeling of trepidation when I noticed […]
BUT I DIGRESS: As Judas Priest once said, ‘You don’t have to be old to be wise,’ so go learn something!
I have nothing to write about this week. I’ve been sitting here trying to come up with something witty or relevant, and I just can’t do it. I know there are such things out there, but none of them are grabbing me by the balls and yelling, “Yo! Lookit me!” So, I’m sitting here at […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: ‘Day of Action’ takes Pennsylvania one step closer to legal equality
There’s this saying: “Don’t ask God to move mountains if you aren’t willing to pick up a shovel.” It’s a powerful statement that reminds us that we need to be prepared to work for things that we want. Much like moving a mountain, when it comes to changing laws, getting ordinances passed, and fighting for […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: After Orlando shooting, we must stand together against hate – ALL of us
My heart has been broken. My community – my family – has been viciously attacked. At roughly the same time I was out clubbing with friends in Philadelphia, a nightclub full of mostly Latino people who were LGBT, just like us, were doing the same in Orlando, Florida. And just like us, they felt safe […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Musical typecasting, or why I don’t play many solo acoustic gigs anymore
Musicians can be typecast, and in entirely erroneous roles. Ferinstance, I’ll bet there are more than a few folks out there who picture me happily strumming away on an acoustic guitar, singing all manner of folky tunes or laboring over syrupy ballads. But I don’t really enjoy playing acoustic music. Mind you, this wasn’t always […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Explaining ‘Musician Time’ to all you punctual bastards
As I sit here enjoying an episode of “CHiPs” while I lazily type this article well past my deadline, it brings to mind the curious notion of musicians keeping time. We do. We keep time all the time. But not the “One, and a two, and a…” of Lawrence Welk fame that undoubtedly came to […]
BUT I DIGRESS: Creating Top Five lists is the best way to talk – and learn – about music
I was absent last week because bicycle. Now I’m not absent. Thank you for your indulgence and junk. My topic this week is the lowly Top Five list. Don’t be fooled, dear readers. The lists of which I speak are the snobbiest of snob snobbery, the “bend you over and spank ya ass cuz yo […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: ‘We see you’ – Attorney General Lynch historically stands for transgender rights
“We see you.” It’s hard to believe that three words could hold so much meaning to so many of us, but they do. The moment that U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch spoke this simple phrase, just one line out of her entire speech on Monday, May 9, tears welled up in my eyes – and […]
LIVING YOUR TRUTH: Religious bigotry is preventing passage of Pennsylvania Fairness Act
The Pittsburgh City Paper recently asked a very good question: “What’s holding up Pennsylvania’s LGBT Fairness Act?” Well, I don’t want to say “religious bigotry,” but… (Spoiler alert – it’s religious bigotry.) Last August, House Bill 1510, the Pennsylvania Fairness Act – a bill that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity […]
