This Saturday In Oakland. 

a new season.

spring cleaning. a walk in my favorite shirt. brief glimpses of clarity in the light reflecting off passing cars in the crosswalk. a breeze like sweet relief from the warmth of the sun. until a memory wraps itself around like a blanket and I seek the shade of a building we’ve walked under a dozen times. and then it passes and it’s gone, yet never as quickly as it comes.

When I was young, my Mom would take my older sister and I in her modest Toyota Tercel on roads to anywhere and nowhere. Day trips to the Mendocino Coast, or down to Santa Cruz, through vineyards or artichoke fields. There was always a soundtrack for the road, for my mother was still young and big on cassette tapes. INXS, Madonna, and Fine Young Cannibals were heavy in rotation. Lest not forget Pat Benatar. My mom would kill me if I didn't mention her.

Alas, another band was often filling my impressionable ears, whether on the tape deck or ol' KRQR, and that band of course was U2.

Now, you could imagine the shit I've gotten over the years for my penchant for the band's music. Especially from music lovers my age, of whom I've endured so many "Bono sucks" rants I've lost count. 

In part, I understand, Bono's persona is incredibly self-righteous, and he's always had awful hair. It's too bad, because it detracts those who may be so inclined from their music. And their music my friends, has generally been outstanding. In their prime (1980 -1991), the band's catalog is unparalleled. They became the greatest rock and roll band for their passion, their sincerity and their sound, which now has been ape'd like a bad rash (Coldplay would be served well if Chris Martin stuck to his piano).

I have no qualms stating that tonight I'm seeing my all-time favorite band for the first time. I'm not going out on a limb saying I am who I am in part to the music I've grown up listening to, and U2 is a such a significant part of that. 

They're gonna play one of my favorite songs, which you can stream above.

And when they play, I'll sing and holler and put my arm around my brother-in-law(who in fact first saw U2 in '87 for The Joshua Tree tour) and stand in awe of it all. 

The Irish band plays the Oakland Coliseum tonight with Lenny Kravitz.

While I wait for The Sounds show tomorrow, I look ahead to next weekend, when I'll be seeing Brookyln-ites Holy Ghost! open for Aussie synth dance-rock favorite Cut Copy at the Regency Ballroom in SF. Now, this track "Wait & See" seeps with homages to the 80s, completely unapologetically. But instead of ripping the stalwarts like Joy Division and The Smiths, they're taking cues from Information Society and Wang Chung.

Oh my god, I love it, unapologetically. 

Bon Iver recently released the single "Calgary," which contains on the flip-side a gorgeous cover of Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me."

It's unreal good. My mom may just crap her pants.

The Wisconsin band is slated to perform at Berkeley's Greek Theater on September 22.

obviously you know which one would be me.

Hey it's like that Usher song, but for the Kate Bush-loving set. Niki and the Dove's "DJ Ease My Mind".  

Why I'm here.

Music. It follows me everywhere. It's sustenance. Synonymous with all that's true and great and beautiful. It's been with me in the dark and in the haze and under the covers. It makes my blood flow and the gears turn, reminding me of everything, and all that is. 

What does it do for you?