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Last night I went to San Francisco to see the Invisible Cities, a band I've wanted to see since I first learned there was a band called that. I'd heard about them from Goh Nakamura (well before I met him) and was hoping I'd see him at the show--I didn't realize he'd be in the band, so that was an extra treat. There were four of them crammed onto a tiny stage, playing blissful indie pop. Reference points I've seen in reviews include the Breeders and the Pixies, but I don't know. Anyway, their "Lost in Translation" is a strong candidate to replace Sylvie Lewis's "New York" as my favorite song of the moment (hi,

eamajyn, there's my list).

Then, because I was already up there, I went to Atomic Mint's CD release party. I don't often love power trios, but I have to say they were pretty awesome. I'm lazy about describing bands, so I'll just say that they are the sort of band you'd think might do a blazing cover of "Barracuda" or Joan Jett's "Heartbreaker", and you'd be right. They are also the sort of band you'd think would not close the show with Tom Petty's "Running Down A Dream", but on that point you'd have assumed too much. It all rocks, their original stuff is great too, and also they had a display of 50s-sci-fi publicity stills of the band confronting an evil scientist, so, well, there you go.

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"Running Down A Dream" and Genesis' "That's All" and Belinda Carlisle's "Circle In the Sand" were the songs that I remember most from being a kid. I always get a thrill when I'm out someplace and any of those comes on; usually it'll be at a fast-food restaurant or grocery store.

Atomic Mint sounds like barroom jukebox come to life.

See, that's what I'm afraid of when I mention the covers a group does. They don't sound like nostalgia, they sound like a rock band.

Wow, "Circle in the Sand". Been a while since I've thought of that.

I kept getting the sense that somehow "eamajyn" was an anagram of "aenigma", and there's "enigma" right in the bio. Excuse me, I think I have Ed Harris at my door asking me to play Go for the CIA.

they had a display of 50s-sci-fi publicity stills of the band confronting an evil scientist, so, well, there you go.

That sounds potentially very cool.

Indeed it was!

Invisible Cities (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0156453800/qid=1118634155/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/002-9615706-4146435?v=glance&s=books&n=507846) is one of my favorite books.

Precisely why I'd been such a fan even before I heard them. (Then I listened to their stuff online and loved that too.)

Good to see you here. FYI, I totally want Sheltering Sky to come and play a Sunday show--I've already moved on to wondering who would be a good match. I'm unlikely to book another band that's trad-ish (if only because I tend not to meet them); instead I'm actually wondering if I can get you guys and the Invisible Cities on the same day. That is a show I would love to see.

Also: Good Lord, I've played a gig with your fiddler. I think. A few years back when I was just starting my second stab at a musical career, I'm pretty sure Angeline and I both accompanied singer-songwriter Jenny Burtis at a show. I'm sure we practiced, I just don't quite remember what the gig was. Anyway, small valley.

Hahahahah. She said she knew you from somewhere. Say hello to

ceolrince!

Keep in touch and we'll try to schedule it. I talked to Ange and she thought it was a good idea.