Woodbox Gang have released their first album in 13 years, "Brown Cane Toad". What triggered them to pull themselves out of retirement? Apparently, they felt an urge to make some new music because there's new things going on in the world. And, it's not for the better. The album cover is telling: a brown cane toad pushing a bitcoin in a back slope. You don't see that every day. If the album cover is allegorical, then the lyrics are literal. They mean every word the say. This manifests itself in a satirical take on contemporary economic, social and political issues. A dirty word and some explicit content here and there only reinforces the messsage. The lyrics are deeply rooted in trashcan Americana and caustic acoustic cacophony. Be that as it may, the soundscape on the album is rich and detailed and very well-sounding. "Brown Cane Toad" is an all-acoustic album including a washboard (upgraded with a paint brush cleaner to achieve a softer sound), dobro, acoustic guitar, upright bass, mandolin and banjo. As a mark of quality in the production, you can hear every instrument clear. The thing that strikes me most is the attitude, energy and vitality. In March 2025 it's going to be 25 years since the Woodbox Gang played their first show together at the Yellow Moon Cafe in Cobden, IL. Apparently, WBG is unbowen, unbent and unbroken. Best songs are "Nostradamus", "Hank and Waldo", "God Either", "Make Money", "Claudia and Elsie" and "Final Hours". You can listen to "Brown Cane Toad" and buy it in digital format at Bandcamp, just click here (opens in a new window). Physical copies are available through Etsy. You know what to do.     

There are many different ways of saying that a problem is not your responsibility, or that you have no interest in a situation. "Not my circus, not my monkeys" could be placed in the more allegorical category. The reference comes from an Polish proverb "Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy". This direct translation is one of few Polish idioms that works well in both languages - and keeps its meaning and rhythm intact. It's believed to stem from rural life and old traveling circuses that brought chaos, animals and entertainment into small towns. "The circus is in town" is often used in the Swedish language to describe a messy or chaotic situation. The Poles are hard chastened people with a long history of devastating wars, suppression and suffering. The proverb may reflect their coping strategy for dealing with (and staying out of) social and political conflict, advocating a detached attitude for the sake of protecting yourself and conveying the idea that you can’t control everything. Or more bluntly put: I got enough problems. I don't need another problem. Especially not yours. Some people have appropriated "Not my circus, not my monkeys" as their motto in life to protect themselves. The variation "Not my circus, not my monkeys, but I know the clowns" acknowledges awareness of the individuals involved ("the clowns"). This website is dedicated to gothic country. I identify myself as the ringmaster. I take full responsiblity för the circus, the monkeys and the clowns.   

Now and then, people make contact. Some people have obscure questions, while other people wants me to consider a review or a coverage. I think it's appropriate given the nature of the website. But, I'm only a Swedish civil servant with an internet connection and free time. And, not insignificant, with a certain appeal to flattery. I think we can establish that my impact in the world is limited. But, I would rather be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond. I have no problem with people contacting me with suggestions for reviews or coverage. My main concern is the low accuracy. The mission statement of the website is: "To explore and promote gothic country, southern gothic, gothic americana, american gothic and dark americana and ...whatever". A mission statement should be concise, clear, and memorable, outlining purpose and guiding principles. I think the requirements are fulfilled. However, almost all suggestions fall outside the mission statement. In fact, way outside the perimeters. I don't know which is worse. Do people atually think that their music fall into gothic country, southern gothic, gothic americana, american gothic or dark americana? Or is it non-precise "carpet bombing". The cost of bulk email is very low compared to other marketing methods, especially if you do it yourself. Or have I, after all, failed in communicating what the website is all about? Did I stutter?            

"Tea, Earl Grey, Hot". Captain Jean-Luc Piccard ordered his classic beverage in the same manner in practically every episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation (TNG). The events takes place in the 24th century, specifically during the latter third of that century, roughly from 2364 to 2370. The tea comes from a replicator. Obviously, the black tea flavoured with oil of bergamot has maintained its popularity. TNG aired between 1987 and 1994. The futuristic fantasy isn't the replicator in itself, which is basically an office coffee machine with warm water facilities. It's the voice-control. It's hard to take in today, but 30 years ago this was mindblowing. Nowadays, it has replaced human contact. Voice-controlled automation refers to using speech recognition technology to perform and automate tasks. In the early days of voice-control, the technology was not fully developed. An artificial voice replied "Sorry, did you mean X". You said no and made a new try. "Sorry, did you mean Y", and this could go on forever. Today, voice-control is more accurate. In later years, voice-control has moved into smartphones. Google Assistant and Siri are two popular voice assistants. I don't use any of them. I make my own tea.  

I recently bought the new album "Sad Witch Cult" by Lonesome Wyatt and the Holy Spooks. It's a great album in every possible way. However, I was surprised by the absence of the artists doom and gloom vocals. The vocal responsibilities has been handed over to the Sad Witch. On his Bandcamp page Lonesome Wyatt wrote: "Now, the cult has taken his voice. His sorrowful words and mournful melodies, still written by his trembling hand, must be sung through the lips of their chosen vessel—the eerie, otherworldly Sad Witch. Her voice echoes from the beyond, carrying his laments like funeral hymns on the wind." This brings us to the inevitable question. Who is the Sad Witch? Let's narrow it down. First, the Sad Witch obviously knows her stuff. The vocal performance is too professional and confident to be a first attempt. Second, the female vocals fit the music perfectly. Lonesome Wyatt's modus operandi isn't compatible with first writing the music and lyrics, and then begin to think of someone suitable to sing on the album. He must have had someone particular in mind. Third, I think it's safe to assume that it's the Sad Witch herself on the album cover. For some reason, unbeknownst to me, she wears a mask to cover her face. There's nothing to be ashamed over here. Lonesome Wyatt is not a collaborator by habit or nature. Nevertheless, Lonesome Wyatt has made two collaboration records with Michigan artist Rachel Brooke, "A Bitter Harvest" (2009) and "Bad Omen" (2015). She is an artist in her own right with four studio albums (of which i have three). They are all of high quality. What are the evidence for and against Rachel Brooke? The hydrogen peroxide hair colour match as well as the vocal style. On the other hand, Rachel Brooke has got an unmistakable red tattoo on her right upper arm. The woman on the album cover doesn't have any visible tattoos. However, making a tattoo go away can be fixed in any image program. A qualified guess is that Rachel Brooke is the Sad Witch.