theneedle.net

via Buffalo Rising.

Hauschka live on WNYC

Another great find via the New Sounds podcast.  Hauschka coaxes amazing sounds out of a prepared piano and creates some very cool songs.  I need to get his album, Ferndorf, once my emusic account refreshes.

Download some live tracks and an interview @ http://www.wnyc.org/stream/ram?file=/newsounds/newsounds031210.mp3

I took a drive out to Strykersville on this rainy/haily day to pick up the non-smoked portion of this year’s half pig.  My chest freezer, previously only half full of hops & fruit, is now full to the brim with:

• 20.7 lbs of ham
• 16.6 lbs pork roast
• 3.25 lbs spare ribs
• 16.5 lbs chops
• 4 lbs hocks
• 16.25 lbs fat (for rendering into lard)

Huzzah!

I stand by my statement, made in an Erie, PA Perkins lobby, in February of 2000.  wow.

In other news, related only in it’s Cleveland content, one of my favorite songwriters, Kevin McMahon, is back with a new website, a bunch of new albums, a few re-releases and a live disc.  I can’t wait to hear what the  Fear of Blue and (Sic) discs sound like.

k.  back to work.

So lets see what’s been going on.  I got married, planted our rather limited garden, might be moving to the NYC area, rekindled my love of cooking and have been brewing up a storm.  Same old, same old.

I’m pretty excited about the summertime weekend & holiday train service to/from Toronto.  $28 round trip isn’t a bad deal – probably more expensive than driving (certainly if it’s more than just me heading up) but not prohibitively so, especially when parking is added in.  And way more comfortable than the bus.  They’ve got Cantillon’s Zwanze 2008 (a one-off rhubarb lambic) for sale at Beer Bistro in Toronto.  If their supply holds out a few more weeks I may take advantage of the new train.

I’m continuing to experiment with the no knead bread recipe.  I’ve gone up to 30% whole wheat flour without problems.  I think the next step is going to be to mix in some actual whole grains (pre-cooked, I suppose) – barley, faro, whatever else I have laying around the house.  Maybe I’ll sprinkle on some bulgur wheat in place of corn meal right before cooking.

It looks like I’m going to be going to ATP: NY with Woody and Patrick this fall.  It’s an insane lineup with highlights including: The Jesus Lizard, Suicide, Animal Collective, The Melvins, El-P, Akron/Family, Black Dice, Antipop Consortium, The Boredoms & No Age.  Zoinks.

Outside of that, I don’t know.  The fruit share starts today with strawberries.  A strawberry rhubarb pie can’t be far behind.  Thats certainly something to look forward to.

If I was a middle/high school student in today’s environment.  Fookin-a.

So yeah, Tortoise tonight.  Should be fun.  I’ve wanted to see them for years.

9 days ’til the wedding.  Lots of work to do, but its mostly small stuff.  Its going to be one heck of a party.

Ok, work now.