(Note: this series was originally published elsewhere.)

Something in music: origin

One evening at a hot, trendy L.A. nightclub on a rare solo outing, yours truly found himself standing alone at the bar preparing to review the upcoming act. Before he had taken more than a few notes, however, he was bookended by a pair of vivacious vixens who insisted on engaging your rockin’ writer in cozy conversation. Strangely, the subject of “marriage” arose.

One of the young ladies noted that when a gal is about to get hitched, she needs “something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue.” Your provocative penman was immediately inspired. After all, those very same terms could be applied to music too: “Something old” or classic, “something new” or recently released, “something borrowed”, a cover, and “something blue”, a blues song or a song with “blue” in the title. The rest is history.

‘Something’ in Music 283

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “De-Do-Do-Do, De-Da-Da-Da” recorded by the English band known as the Police. Written by frontman and bassist Sting, it first appeared on the group’s 1980 platter named Zenyatta Mondatta. The song was also released as the album’s second single.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the song “Pendulum” written and recorded by singer-songwriter and artist X.ARI. Musician Alex Strahle is also credited on the video. In a recent email missive, X.ARI discussed the new track. She said:

"My new song ‘Pendulum’ is out now! I wrote this song about navigating through the highs and lows and coming out stronger on the other side. As someone who lives with Bipolar Disorder, I've gone through the extremes of mania and depression.”

She concluded: “However, all humans go through peaks and valleys as a natural part of life. Having faith in ourselves, trusting in the universe, a strong support system and self-care/coping skills are vital for everyone to thrive. I hope this song connects with you and makes you feel not alone.”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” this edition is the 1965 worldwide hit “The Girl from Ipanema.” It was co-written in 1962, with music by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Portuguese lyrics by Vinícius de Moraes, and (later) English lyrics by Norman Gimbel. This clever cover is by the Los Angeles, California-based band known as the Martini Kings.

The cut first appeared on their 2012 album titled Bossa Nova Go!!!. If you’re in the area and would like to see the act live, you’re in luck. The Martini Kings will be performing live at the art park, Wisdom in Downtown Los Angeles, California at Exoticon. According to a recent e-communique Exoticon is the first 21+ “immersive event [to celebrate] the wild, weird and wonderful world of Exotica.”

It will be held on June 23rd through the 25th from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The venue includes 360-degree projection and stages in “five temperature-controlled domes.” It will feature auctions of vintage tiki and Exotica items, craft cocktail grottos, displays, historical exhibits, symposiums, themed Exotica burlesque, and Bootleg Batman!, a late-night campy burlesque homage to unlicensed superhero products of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

There will also be food, free rum tastings, themed photo booths, vendor villages, outdoor entertainment, theatrical stage productions, and additional musical entertainment by Creepxotica, The Tikiyaki Orchestra, The Blue Hawaiians, The Hula Girls, The Infernal Order of the Black Flame, Jason Lee & The Dark Entities, Mambo Diabolico, The Hukilau Hotshots, Optiganally Yours, The Ego Plum Laboratory of Electro-Musical Instruments, The Reckless Night Ensemble Plays Raymond Scott, Theremin virtuoso, Thea Triffid, and a Yma Sumac vocalist.
Single-day and weekend tickets are available. For further information visit the official website.

Something Blue

“Savannah Blues” was written and recorded by American singer-songwriter and musician Malcolm Holcombe. It’s the off his 2014 album Pitiful Blues. If you’d like to hear his more recent work, be sure to keep an eye out for a full review of his new, upcoming disc titled Bits & Pieces. The new album drops on June 23, 2023.

Did we mention your favorite “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue”? If not, let us know. Don’t forget to send us your bride photos too!

(Images courtesy of Blogspot, Exoticon, and Rock n Roll Bride)