sisters on the side…lost in your inbox
January 10, 2008
mjrc over at lost in your inbox was one of my first champions and encouraged and inspired me in equal measure. Emails back and forth helped me to strike out on my own and start up Innersounds. So when the lawyers come a-knockin’ it’ll be Marcy’s number I give them… 
Dedicated to the fine, and delicate art of digging out exquisite new music, whilst retaining her own voice. Backed up with a clear writing style and infectious enthusiasm, lost in your inbox touches all the right bases…
BACK TO BASICS
BLOG NAME:
CONTRIBUTORS:
mjrc/Marcy–we’re one and the same.
DATE OF FIRST POST?
Feb. 16, 2006 I can’t believe it’s been almost two years.
HOW OFTEN DO YOU POST?
5 to 6 times a week–I make myself take at least one day off.
WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU STOP THE BLOG?
Um, I guess if I got harassed by the powers that be about the music I posted, or possibly if my life got utterly too complicated (it would have to be pretty damn bad) or I lost my computer and all my music in a fire–but even then I’d probably find a way to keep posting.
HYPE MACHINE OR EL.BOWS?
I used to think just Hype, but now I really think both. Hype is more popular but elbows is more forgiving–it picks you up no matter what, while Hype occasionally rejects a song for various reasons. As a result, although I usually check Hype first if I’m looking for something, sometimes I have more luck with elbows.
BLOGS IN THE KEY OF LIFE
WHAT IS BEHIND YOUR BLOG NAME?
I was pretty depressed when I first started blogging and I wanted a name that indicated my state of mind without being too utterly sad. I feel better now but I love the name, so I kept it.
THE BLOG IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN?
Cleaning my house.
THE BLOG IS LESS IMPORTANT THAN?
My kids.
A POST YOU ARE DAMN PROUD OF?
Once I wrote about a song by Matthew Ryan (”And Never Look Back” off From a Late Night High Rise) and he wrote on his myspace blog about it, saying how much he appreciated someone who still listens to music like that. It meant a lot to me to know that he’d actually read what I wrote, especially since I never in a million years expected him to.
WHY MP3S, AND WHY NOW?
I think it really comes down to two things: portability and making playlists. Being able to carry my music around with me is so cool, and picking and choosing what I listen to according to my mood can’t be beat. For instance, now I can listen to my ipod while I grocery shop and it makes it a much less horrific experience (I really hate to food shop).
WHAT BAND OR PRODUCER IS REALLY DOING IT FOR YOU RIGHT NOW?
I recently discovered Australian musician/producer Sally Seltmann, aka New Buffalo. I’m a sucker for layered, lyrical piano-based music, especially when it’s melancholic or wistful, as long as it has a certain energy level, which her music does. She wrote the song “1234,” which Feist has made a hit of, and her latest album Somewhere, Anywhere is full of wonderful songs like that (it was my #4 album of the year).
OTHER THAN LIKING THEIR TRACK WHAT WOULD A BAND OR LABEL HAVE TO GIVE YOU TO MAKE YOU POST ON THEM?
Honestly, I don’t think you can underestimate the power of liking their track. But if they contact me directly and I like their music, then that’s about all it takes.
IF YOU COULD GET ANY WRITER OR MUSIC EVENT EXCLUSIVE FOR YOUR BLOG, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Right now I’m loving everything Andrew Bird touches, so if I could get him to talk to me and tell me his secrets, I’d be pretty happy.
THREE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER
3 BLOGS THAT YOU RECOMMEND / INSPIRED YOU TO START:
Heart on a Stick definitely inspired me to start, and I’d recommend reading him as well, although he’s not for the faint-of-heart. He’s extremely irreverent and doesn’t have much tolerance for what he considers crap. He very often says what no one else will say about a subject, which I admire, and he frequently makes me laugh out loud.
I also read and before the first kiss religiously. Colin cares deeply about music and the way it is the soundtrack to life and he isn’t afraid to be completely honest about his feelings. His blog is a really safe, welcoming place, and I can’t tell you how much music he’s introduced me to over the past couple of years.
My third pick would be Song, by Toad, written by another guy who’s very serious about music but whose temperament is more akin to J’s from Heart on a Stick than Colin’s. Just about every third word Matthew writes is a swear word of some sort–he’s even been known to make them up as the need arises–but he’s funny as hell and has great taste in music. You can’t beat making me laugh and sharing excellent music.
3 DESERT ISLAND BOOKS:
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Close Company: Stories of Mothers and Daughters, edited by Christine Park and Caroline Heaton.
3 DESERT ISLAND RECORDS:
Something/Anything by Todd Rundgren
You Forgot It In People by Broken Social Scene
Whatever and Ever Amen by Ben Folds Five
3 PEOPLE YOU REALLY HOPE WILL READ YOUR BLOG:
I wish three people I actually know would read my blog!
3 PEOPLE YOU HOPE WILL NEVER READ YOUR BLOG:
My in-laws (god forbid!) and the head of the RIAA.
AND FINALLY
A TRACK FOR THE READERS OF INNERSOUNDS…
This is just a perfect little song. It starts with some hiss and crackle and a lilting piano, layers on synths, drums, bass and some scratchy guitar, and by about 35 seconds in, it’s full-on captivating. I wish these guys were still together. I found out that bandmember Alex P. is half of MSTRKRFT, which pretty much explains why I love it so much.
girlsareshort-Perfect Sound Always
Filed under: brothers on the side |