Continuing Efforts at Distractifiction

The other day I mentioned the book The Worst Gig: From Psycho Fans to Stage Riots, Famous Musicians Tell All by Jon Niccum. I expected witty takes from, as billed, famous musicians on particularly unfortunate shows. Yeah, there were a few of those but mostly the featured bands were ones I’d never heard of.

You might be thinking, ’but you’ve been deaf for nearly 20 years—OF COURSE you don’t know these musicians.' I certainly see your point but:

• The indie bands he highlighted were all out before my hearing went south.

• Before the old sound system took the last train for the coast, my listening tastes were omnivorous—I was more apt to pay attention to and go to the shows by unknown musicians rather than the top sellers. Why? When your weekly paycheck makes a night out at the movies a major splurge, going to a mega high priced Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd stadium show is an absurdly spendy choice. Why pay $100 or so for a big event where you’re in the nose bleed seats, only able to see the band via Jumbotron? Instead, I chose The Rat, T.T.’s, The Middle East, Jack’s, The Inn Square Men's Bar, The Channel, Jonathan Swift’s, etc. I could afford them AND get up close—actually see the damn musicians perform. 

The point—I’ve seen tons of indie groups play and I’d not heard of at least half of his featured groups. 

Some of the anecdotes Niccum relayed were engaging but overall the collection was a sad disappointment. There are only so many tales of blown speakers and mics I can read before I just feel bummed for the dudes and dudettes. Also bored. I mostly skimmed and skipped through the second half of the book.

I just started Sloane Crosley’s How Did You Get This Number. It’s a collection of essays which begin with her solo vacation, at age 30, to Lisbon. I was very much reminded of my own first solo trips (which also began when I hit 30).

Why did I travel solo? I wanted adventure, to meet new, fascinating people, see wondrous art, landscapes, and cities. I wanted to hear different music in weird, dank pubs and people-watch. I wanted to be a stranger in a strange land. 

I wanted a lot of things and was tired of waiting for a boyfriend or bestie with whom I could experience them.

I got all that I was hunting for—so did Sloane. We both also experienced the loneliness and the occasional dangers of solo travel.

Crosley is witty and relatable. I’m looking forward to more, more, more.

You don’t notice the time line of your own metamorphosis. Until you do. Every once in a while, time dissolves and you remember what you liked as a kid. You jump on your hotel bed, order dessert first, decide to put every piece of jewelry you own on your body and leave the house. Why? Because you can. Because you’re the boss.
~ Sloane Crosley, How Did You Get This Number: Essays