I recently read Simon Callow’s excellent biography of Richard Wagner. Now, to be fair, I’m reading a biography of Johannes Brahms by Jan Swafford. As in music, in biography these two are opposed. We have …
July 12, 2018
Latest News & Stories
Why Brahms burned his letters
Swedish fish and the Oregon Trail
Normally, the lead photo art corresponds with the lead review, but protocol be damned when you hook a whopper like this: a candid shot of Ingmar Bergman posing with Spielberg’s toy shark, Bruce. To commemorate …
July 12, 2018
Tom Metzger has moved to San Jacinto
“Do you know who founded Fallbrook?” organizer Ricardo Favela blurted out on a bullhorn in front of about 60 fellow protestors in a late afternoon rally Monday, July 9. “Reche,” said one who knew the …
July 12, 2018
Scum suckers gotta get paid
Ramona Mainstage owner Orrin Day has bitten the bullet and says he has agreed to pay some $3000 annually to music licensing groups he has called “scum suckers” in the past. “You can’t get away …
July 12, 2018
Daneen Wilburn's reentry into the music world
“This is what I was born to do,” says vocalist Daneen Wilburn, about her reentry into the music world after dropping out for more than 20 years to raise a family. “It’s more than just …
July 12, 2018
Scum bags stole his amps
When Rice Enright plays solo for wedding or corporate gigs he plays guitar. But when he plays as a “hired hand” for reggae bands J.a.m. Kwest or Gentle Giants, or for tribute bands like Fake …
July 12, 2018
The Intellectual Dark Web
Could it be that the tide is beginning to swing back to classical music? With the demise of network television and radio a new space is beginning to open up which could shift musical taste …
July 11, 2018
Naughty antics
Local teen band Ignant Benches is already enjoying some lucky breaks, thanks to the producer of their first professional recordings, Brian Karscig, whose group Louis XIV was once named one of 10 Artists To Watch …
July 11, 2018
Champagne Pass Viewpoint—Pine Mountain Loop
This is a moderate hike that offers little shade on its way to the top of Champagne Pass (~5500’) where the views are magnificent. This trail can be taken year-round, with blooming wildflowers in the …
July 11, 2018
If only you had a brain
I saw Queens on the eve of Independence Day, so I was particularly struck by the fact that not a single positive thing was said about the United States in the entire show. How can …
July 11, 2018
You won't get rich charging Bird scooters either
“I’m telling you as a resident over here [in Ocean Beach], that you are in my parking spot,” yelled a man captured on video. “I’m not the one that puts these [Bird motorized scooter] nests …
July 11, 2018
You won't get rich charging Lime scooters
Whether gaudy orange (Mobike), canary yellow (ofo), nearly-neon green (LimeBike), even more orange (Uber-owned Jump electric bikes), or a comparatively unimposing matte black (Bird electric scooters), dockless bikeshare has descended upon San Diego’s streets. Depending …
July 11, 2018
Brick & mortified
After an outpouring of creative ideas from the brightest minds among the Reader’s local fan base, I offer the following list of neologisms that might fill the gap in the English language where there really …
July 11, 2018
Avenue Mural Project brought in a heavy
Has anybody seen the movie, Morgan: A Suitable Case for Treatment? About this crazy artist who couldn’t bear to see a bare wall? Each time, he had to fill it with a mural. It was …
July 11, 2018
Willy Clauson came back to Tijuana
My passport ran out of juice last year, just when the Mexican government was deciding it wanted to see official papers as foreigners headed south. That’s the only reason I didn’t hear, until the other …
July 11, 2018