Last year, sometime, I don't really remember when, exactly--late Winter, maybe--Phil and I saw the Dimestore Dance Band and the Vanity Set play at Tonic, during the Save Tonic days. We didn't realize it ahead of time, but the show doubled as a wake for the bands' friend, Pandora.

Off to the side of the stage, a small altar was set up. There were candles, photos, a book to write in, a doll, raspberry tarts, etc., and a stack of CD-Rs full of Pandora's favorite songs. It was clear that there were a lot of Pandora's friends at the show, and having only just heard of Pandora that very night, I hesitated to take a CD. Better to save them for the people who knew her, I thought.

But there were dozens of CDs at the altar, maybe as many as fifty. And Phil twisted my arm (bought me a drink).


Arguably, some of the best music I now have at my disposal came via Pandora's posthumous playlist. I recently posted one song I was introduced to (her highness Princess Crocodile) and here's another:

New Town by Life Without Buildings.

I heard New Town for the first time late last night. It was a perfect song to be walking home to when all things work and weather were considered, and this morning when I traced the song's steps to my computer, of course I had Pandora to thank. That made for the fifth or sixth time I'd thought I'd heard all of Pandora's Top 196, only to discover another something great.



Tom, January 13, 2006, 3:07 PM         (link here)