(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 316

Something Old

Our “something old” in this edition is the classic cut “Shout It Out Loud” first recorded by the American rock group Kiss. Written by band members Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, and producer Bob Ezrin, it first appeared on their 1976 platter, Destroyer. It was the album’s lead single.

Something New

Our “something new” this time is the new track and music video titled “Nano Harmony”. This instrumental is the work of a disc jockey and composer known only as DJMixpal. It is the most recent track of a larger, ongoing project tentatively titled Cosmic. On social media he briefly speaks of this electronic instrumental as being focused on “girls [and the] beautiful beach” and describes it as “ nice, house, electro house and dance music.”

Something Borrowed

Our “something borrowed” for this edition is the song “Gold” written and first recorded by American singer-songwriter John Stewart and appeared on his 1979 platter, Bombs Away Dream Babies. This live cover is by the Los Angeles, California-based American band John Surge and the Haymakers, and their musical guest American singer and songwriter Emily Zuzik. This video was recorded live at the Jacaranda Veranda earlier this year.

If you’d like to see what Zuzik can do as a solo act and are in California, you’re in luck! Zuzik will be performing at a "Tribute to Paul Simon" on Saturday, September 23, 2023 at Lost Chord Guitars in Solvang, California. The show is from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m.

According to notes on her official website, she "is very excited about her debut at Solvang’s home for great live music, Lost Chord Guitars" where she'll "join the Songwriters at Play". Zuzik added that "the show is...filled with great artists" including Holly Ann Lewis, Ricky Berger, Kaitlyn Chui, Dillon Vanders, Bob Childs, Adrian Bourgeois, Steve Key, Donna Phillips, and The Dennis and Laura Show.

If you can't make that, Zuzik says: "We’re doing it again in Cambria [Sunday] at the Cambria Center for the Arts at 2:00 [p.m.] Should be a couple of great shows!" She concluded: "Come for the songs and peep some fine 6 strings in the process. Great wine to boot!" Tickets are $20.00 at the door, or you can go to this website.

Something Blue

Last but not least, our “something blue” this time is the tune titled “Sideshow Blues” written by American singer-songwriter Todd Snider. This energetic audio adaptation is by the progressive bluegrass band known as the Yonder Mountain String Band. It’s off the American act’s album Mountain Tracks: Volume 5 which dropped in 2008.

If you’d care to get a gander at the Yonder Mountain String Band live, they’ll be performing at the Annapolis Baygrass Music Festival in Sandy Point State Park, in Annapolis, Maryland on Saturday, September 30, 2023. The festival is actually a two-day event held on both Saturday, September 30th and Sunday, October 1st. It runs from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

According to an email this “event will host 14 bands across two alternating stages.” Saturday headliners are reported to be “Yonder Mountain String Band, Railroad Earth, and Keller & The Keels.” This is the “final stop” in a rather “unique tour” for this trio of bands.

“There will be a set by each, followed by a big jam to close out the night.” The “cinematic Jon Stickley Trio and Baltimore's own high energy The Dirty Grass Players and Baygrass House Stringband, Geraldine” will perform during the day.

The Sunday line-up includes Melvin Seals & JGB, Fruition, Cabinet, Cris Jacobs & Smooth Kentucky, Arkansauce, Wicked Sycamore, The High & Wides, and Lindsay Lou (artist-at-large). Both days of this family-friendly “conservation-focused musical event” will also include “scrumptious local foods, and delightful cocktails and mocktails.”
Single Day Tickets, Two-day VIP and GA Passes are available. Ten percent of the “proceeds from ticket, food, beverage, and merchandise sales will go to Maryland-based non-profit organizations including Watershed Stewards Academy, Oyster Recovery Partnership, and Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.” Visit the official website for more information about ticket options, “heavily discounted nearby lodging” and shuttle passes.

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!

(Photos courtesy of Bridal Musings, Elmore Court, and/or original owners)