Due to the nature of deadlines and the passage of linear time, I have far less insight into the winner of the presidential election than you, dear reader, as I am writing this on Election Day. And I don’t want to make any predictions about it, either. I view coin-flipping as a byproduct of nervousness and not particularly useful for anything other than releasing some of that energy. Speaking of releasing energy, a nation using its libidinous political energy to vote every two to four years, and for nothing else in the meantime, goes a long way to explain why these elections are so bafflingly narrow and increasingly critical. We should demand more from our representatives at all times and use the leverage of an organized public to get there. Voting for the lesser of two evils has gotten us to where the Democrats of 2024 are now the Republicans of 2004. Enough of that, please. And for those of you out there who refused to condemn this unbelievable year-and-counting atrocity cycle, either because your “team” was abetting it or because it enjoys bipartisan approval from our compromised elected officials, remember this: The final frontier of every war is the homeland. The Iraq War sure came home in the form of an increased police state armed with military surplus weapons and vehicles, further domestic spying from an empowered government. It also brought home opioid, overdose and suicide epidemics that cratered the lives of many thousands of people, particularly in my generation. That war yielded a general refusal to even acknowledge the mass death we forced on the Middle East and, eventually, ourselves. These are the whirlwinds you reap when your country’s major infrastructure project for the last 20 years was building an expressway through the Valley of Death. We can’t keep doing this and, while I don’t like the accelerationism suggested by at least one candidate, this machine is unsafe at any speed. And it is not that it can’t be governed, but more that those in charge no longer govern at all, choosing instead to continue stripping the place of resources for the mega-rich before the big foreclosure happens. A devastating bill that the rest of us will be expected to pay.
Anyway, it’s interesting that this year’s Election Day falls on the fifth of November, that English holiday celebrating an infamous attempt at altering a political system explicitly without the aid of the legislative wing. Not an endorsement, just an observation.
Have a good week.
Thursday
The Basement is hosting another free evening of high-quality jazz music, brought to you by The Alley Cats. This is one of those “perfect atmosphere” musical experiences and a nice little treat for Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.
Friday
In seven years — as of October — on this beat, not to mention my affinity for music before I started writing about it, I have gathered a lot of notes on how artists sound live. Too many notes to be of any real use, but I still defer to them from time to time. So while I know that I have heard Laurie Lewis live before, I don’t know where or when. All I have is a quick scrawl that reads “Good grass, soft but with an edge to her voice.” That’ll do. Tonight the bluegrass and folk chanteuse brings her band The Right Hands to the Old Steeple at 7:30 p.m. If you are a fan of the style, consider going to make some notes of your own ($30, $26.50 early online).
Saturday
The huntsman’s horns are calling out a familiar tune, for those with the ears to hear. Some old rituals are returning to our lands, bringing a warmth to this increasingly cold season of mists. I am referring to the return of metal show at the Eureka Veterans Hall, where after the doors open at 6 p.m., you can experience a lineup of local titans if you bring a $5-$20 sliding scale admission currency with you. Imperial Destructo, Planet of Green, War Möth and a penis-logo-themed act called Far From Flaccid will be providing all of the sonic booms and big bangs tonight.
If you are feeling something a little different for tonight’s entertainment, consider heading over to the Arcata Theatre Lounge at 9 p.m. to check out the set by Stockton rapper EBK Young Joc. He’s been in the game for seven years as well, and it shows in his skills ($25, $20 advance).
Sunday
Again, speaking of things which started in 2017, Orphic Percussion is a quartet of off-roading, free-ranging mallet-wielders whose sonic palette includes traditional chromatic instruments like marimbas and vibraphones, along with drums of various descriptions, and found items from the metallic world. Contrapuntal coordination galore is at work in this act’s sets and worth your time on an otherwise sleepy Sunday. The place is the Arcata Playhouse, the time is 7:30 p.m. and the penny-ante at the door is $20.
Monday
Connecticut rapper Ceschi is teaming up with Canadian producer, DJ, and collaborator Factor Chandelier for their Final West Coast Tour. This one rolls through Humbews tonight at 8 p.m., where you can also enjoy the musical recitations of opening guests AJ Suede and Miles Bullen. I’m not going to pretend to be well versed in their sound, so you’ll have to see for yourself what’s going down. It’s $20 at the door, $5 off if you buy your tickets in advance.
Tuesday
Nashville’s electro-punk and dance act Terror Pigeons settles down at the Outer Space tonight at 7 p.m. for an evening of sound loops and confessional bedroom rock music. Also on deck is Swirlhood a trio of singers and strummers who have carved out yet another divot in the world of DIY songwriting and performance. Local players Vegan Slaughterhouse will also be lending its considerable stage skills for the evening. No one turned away for lack of funds and otherwise $5-$20 sliding scale.
Wednesday
Speaking of Vegan Slaughterhouse, the band is playing again tonight, this time on the undercard of what looks like a real banger over at the Siren’s Song Tavern at 7:30 p.m. Swiss and Dutch duo The Sex Organs comes down from the Alps and up from the continental low country to share its filthy garage punk sounds and custom costumed antics for the people of our county. On the bill as well and providing excellent local support and representation is Clean Girl and the Dirty Dishes, another duo not afraid to embrace its catchy, campy, kitschy and dirty sides ($10).
Collin Yeo (he/him) just wants a quiet place to live, then eventually die, as the world falls apart. So far, that place is Arcata.
This article appears in ‘Powerful’.