GROUND CONTROL: Jeff Garlin

August 31, 2016

Summertime Vibes

And it is now nearly the end of August.

I cannot believe the swiftness of summer, how 3 months feels like 3 weeks. And so it goes.

The other day I found myself sitting at a table behind Osmium, taking in a few sips of one of my favorite coffee concoctions. While it was 85 degrees, I was taking my Agave Latte hot. As I sat there jotting down a few lines in my journal, I realized just how fast it was slipping away [warm weather, that is, not the latte]. There were only a handful of days left to feel summer's heat on our skin, to be overwhelmed with sunshine, warmth, and the sporadic thunderstorm. I love summertime. We look forward to it during every other season. There's such a magnificent ease to it all, an energy.

However, for all the glorious things I filled the past 3 months with; the concerts, the company, the delicious meals, the plethora of beer; I am ready for fall. Hell, ~~I may even be ready for winter~~. Yes, I will absolutely hate myself for typing this later [you can find me denying it in 4 months]. It's not the freakishly cold days I'm longing for, it's the desire to stay INSIDE. Summer sets me free, leaves me with no excuses, a bit obligated, and also leaves me a bit broke and scattered. I have one focus in the warmer months and that is to have no focus. A lengthy autumn would be most desirable.

Try 'Em Out:

1) Bitter Pops . 2) Fahlstrom's . 3) The Northman . 4) DMK Burger Bar 5) Mortar and Pestle

[worth the mention and your business]

The Line-Up:

Oh, the concerts! I have been to a slew of shows; Le Butcherettes and At The Drive In [Riviera], Of Monsters and Men and Florence + The Machine [sponsor, sponsor, other sponsor in Tinley Park], Phish [Wrigley Field], Sweet Spirit [The Hideout], Lollapalooza (Flume, Bloc Party, LCD Soundsystem), and Ray LaMontagne [Northerly Island]. Each holds their own impact, Le Butcherettes inspired me beyond belief, Florence is the queen of everything, Sabrina was such a gem when I saw them at The Hideout, and then there is Ray LaMontagne, whom I've been wanting to see for a solid 10 years. He moved me to bits with his cathartic voice and made the wait absolutely worth it. While a lot was seen, it seemed like there were so many I missed. Luckily, I have a small pocketful of shows coming up in the next few months that I'm rather excited for: [Glass Animals, Gold Panda, and Nightmares On Wax].

The Playlist:

__________________________________________

1) 'Insomniac Olympics' by Blockhead

{but honestly, I've been listening to all of Blockhead's albums in heavy

rotation this summer if you're not familiar with his work, I suggest you delve in}

2) 'Hey, No Pressure' by Ray LaMontangne

3) 'Soundcheck' by Catfish and The Bottlemen

4) 'Right Here' by Tricky

5) 'Wish I Knew You' by The Revivalists

6) 'Be, I Do' by Nightmares On Wax

{like Blockhead, Nightmares On Wax have been another group that I've

put endless hours of listening time into over the past 4 months. I cannot get enough}