Smoke gets in your eyes…and nose, throat, and everywhere else. Let’s hunker down and try to enjoy the summer. It’s a great year for music. The stock market? Nothing smart to say there. 

Doug got schooled on the fact that we don’t have true IMAX in Seattle (neither at SIFF Downtown nor the Pacific Science Center). The story: True IMAX. Don’t be fooled by LieMAX! 

This song will give you an earworm infection if you are lucky: Makthaverskan - Shatter. That link goes to the whole album, which came out in April. The song Gambo stands out, too. You can listen and buy it on Bandcamp now! Makthaverskan - Glass and Bones 

Backrooms it’s the kind of head trip we need in movies. It doesn’t hand anything to the viewer and doesn’t wrap things up nicely. Backrooms - Trailer

We are now in the fading days of summer, those perfect PNW days where it’s warm enough to be outside and cool enough to sleep well. Spinning the globe lands on a horror show out there, but we can take refuge and get our batteries back to 100% thanks to artgasms and sportsballs. 

This might be the song of the summer. It’s just so fun and carefree, and don’t we need that right now? At least for a little bit? Caroline Rose - Yip Yip Yow. 

Speaking of fun and jumping into silly, here is Richard Lindesay singing about Trevor (a popular name in chess): Richard Lindesay - His Name is Trevor 

Jason Pargin, writing under the pseudonym David Wong, has a series that started back in 2015. This doesn’t have the punchy social commentary of the “Black Box of Doom” book, but it’s a fun romp and has some tech-enhanced punches of its own. Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits

Doug and Smashley muddle through some tech issues and heat-induced brain fog. How have your dreams been lately? Any vivid ones you want to share, or do you agree with Larry David that talking about dreams should be constitutionally prohibited? 

Wishy makes that good ol’ indie rock. They have an album coming out in October. The singles are coming through and so far, so good!  Wishy - Nature's Pill. The video is good ol’ indie rock video fun, too: Wishy - Lovesick

The reviews of Project Hail Mary were good but I held off because the run time is more than I can take in a single sitting. Or so I thought! Turns out, this is funny, clever, and totally worth seeing. The trailer: Project Hail Mary

Smashley had the opportunity to see Timeless Mucha at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art while in Kansas City. Art Nouveau is one of my favorites, and Mucha is one of the masters. What a treat!

Doug and Smashley go on the road to record this week’s episode before going into the stadium to cheer on the Sounders. We had lots of “boom boom clap” in Oly to set the mood at the start of the day. 

This ain’t music to get you out on the dance floor. Like the best of The Beatles (or, my favorite), it is made for focused listening. I’m still anticipating the other songs on this upcoming album: Man/Woman/Chainsaw - Something Else to Give

Hazel English is as much about an aesthetic as she is about music. Ok, maybe even more about the aesthetic. You can see and hear it to decide for yourself. Me? I like both: Hazel English - Conversations

These perfect PNW summer days are made for musing on the origins of sports conspiracy theories and those roadside cherry stands. 

Victoria, B.C. surprises me every time. This is an amazing interactive artcade that I think is a must see: Monkey C Interactive's ARTCADE. Whether or not you go to high tea is up to you. 

The last in Richard Linklater’s “Before” trilogy is “Before Midnight.” Can Jesse and Celine keep that spark from their early days to make it through the marathon of a long-term relationship? The trailer: Before Midnight 

This is Nene Royal: America's Got Talent Audition. Smashley saw the talent years ago. It’s so good to see excellence get recognized! 

This is a nice song for these beautiful summer days: Growing Pains - Drive.

Doug and Smashley get ready for the long Independence Day weekend, going over some headlines, local business news, and arts arts arts! 

The Washington Center for the Performing Arts 26/27 season calendar is out and there are five shows on our agenda. Notable Tig Notaro has a brand new show. MOMOX: Botanica promises to be a wildly unique, visual stunner. Compagnie Hervé Koubi will have amazing choreography and dance to remember in “Sol Invictus”. We’ll get to hear from local (Edmonds) treasure Rick Steves, “Travel as a Political Act.” The waiting is the hardest part. 

The World’s Quickest Theater Festival is back! 14/48 promises to be a good time. The late show series pass is the best deal around: https://www.the1448projects.org/twqtf. I’m planning on going to the first weekend, July 10th and 11th, and if I survive the Lakefair 8k, Saturday the 18th. 

This band is all up in my head! Man/Woman/Chainsaw - Get Up and Dance is another great song. It’s on the album Cannonball, which is available for preorder on Bandcamp. 

Here’s some nice music from Winter. Check it out! Winter - hollow (mixtape version)  

Olympia Blunders season recaps are on YouTube, with analysis by Trevor! https://www.youtube.com/@OlyBlunders.

Allez les Bleus! Doug had a few beers while watching world futbol. What follows is on the record but not necessarily canon. Blame it on the delicious Three Magnets Scherler lager. 

This song has been bouncing around in my mind since I first heard it: Man/Woman/Chainsaw - Nosedive. It’s from the upcoming album Cannonball. Available on Bandcamp for pre-order with three songs to give a feel for the range of offerings on this album. 

The sequel is out now but I still had yet to see the first one. Here’s the preview: The Devil Wears Prada. 

Lynn Shelton is a legend in Seattle filmmaking. We miss her. I suggest going back and watching her film Laggies.

Doug and Smashley get ready for summer solstice weekend!

We have emerged from a desert of music! Three songs came out in the last few days but some of my favorites:

Always nice and dreamy, with the breathiness that gets me: Hazel English - Phone Booth

This might not be something you listen to without headphones at work: Suki Waterhouse - When I Get Drunk (I Want You Boy).  

Music flavored music, like beer flavored beer, hits the spot sometimes. I’m really liking how Blue Herons brings me back to The Popinjays, The Sundays: Blue Herons - Willow (Melancholia Version) 

This video is a genius of lighting and set design. They use lights to reveal, highlight, and obscure. It’s just absolute genius to go with a brilliant song. Arcade Fire - Creature Comfort 

I’m only 2/3 of the way through this book but it’s been so fun and packed with relevant social commentary. I'm Starting to Worry About This Black Box of Doom by Jason Pargin.

Doug and Smashley prepare for gigantic soccer by talking about politics in Peru, the low mortgage rate trap conundrum, ultraprocessed foods, and running. 

Olympia Blunders Season Five signups close on June 16th. Get in there! Oly Blunders Season Signup. Games start on the 18th. It’s amazingly well-coordinated. 

The second single from Ambre Vallet’s album is out. It doesn’t have the infectiousness of the first one, but whatever, it’s still a fun listen: Ambre Vallet - Tant Pis

she’s green is releasing singles, too! It’s a long song, ready for the longest day of the year which is coming soon. The full punch doesn’t hit until after the five minute mark, but when it does, it brings me right back to why I started liking this band in the first place. she's green - close your eyes

The chess night playlist changes often and is good every time! Chess Night in Olympia - The Playlist 

“I Saw the TV Glow” got so much buzz when it came out but I kept hearing about how scary it was so I was hesitant. I finally got up the nerve to watch. It’s unsettling in some ways but it didn’t freak me out. Haunting is a better word. There are definitely images that stick and some moments of “what the heck?” The style of filmmaking is fresh and unique. I’m happy I got up the nerve to give it a try. I Saw the TV Glow Trailer

Doug is back in the U.S. and getting reacclimated, just in time for a birthday celebration. We finally talk about sunrises in mystery sack, skip business business, but go deep into Peruvian politics. The presidential carousel in Peru continues! Read about it in the New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/perus-politics-are-a-disaster-but-does-it-matter 

Ladytron is a little more on the electronic side, but their past success keeps me listening: Ladytron - Secret Dreams of Thieves

This one scores highly on the “Doug Music” scale: Shye - Are You Coming Home. It’s definitely dream pop, but reminds me of The Verve and Oasis. Bringing that 90s britpop back!

Indie films rely on mood, dialogue, and story. This one, “Things Will Be Different,” delivers it. Things Will Be Different Trailer

Olympia Blunders Season Five signups are up and running! Can we get more participants than last season to keep that upward trend going? Be a part of it: Oly Blunders Season Signup