Today’s playlist comes from Kim Talon, the driving force behind the energetic, scuzzy post-punk project Kino Kimino. The group recently embarked on their March to Washington Tour, taking photos for the Talkhouse at the Women’s March in Washington, DC, along the way. Check out Talon’s playlist of songs that helped her get from Election Day to Inauguration Day below.
– Dave Lucas, Talkhouse Marketing Manager
Buddy Knox – “Think I’m Gonna Kill Myself”
For when the world goes dark and all you can do is blast a droll tune to drown out the headlines and somber faces of shell-shocked New Yorkers. Little known fact: Buddy Knox is the only American songwriter with a hit single (1957’s “Party Doll”) ever to have moved to rural Manitoba for fun.
Donovan – “Season of the Witch”
My first step in beginning to process our new reality. No one can explain what’s happening, so maybe our current political climate is just bad weather?
Ween – “Hey Fat Boy (Asshole)”
Ohhhh man, do I love this song! Listening to it all these years I never understood who it was about and now it makes perfect sense. This is a song that some people who are adverse to noise might try to skip, but you really need to listen to the whole thing to understand the beauty in the arch and the brilliant phrasing.
The Raincoats – “The Void”
The strings on this song…heart-melting. The tempo…in the pocket, perfection. I love the simplicity of this song and its lyrical collage. When there’s too much emotional junk to deal with and life is overwhelming and you don’t know how to articulate it all, this song fills THAT void. This could be a biased interpretation but I also feel like the Raincoats touch on street harassment on this song. As a woman who lives in New York this is an especially sensitive topic that looks like it might get worse under the incoming regime.
Sly & The Family Stone – “Runnin’ Away”
Running away is always an option, and this is a great track for your escape across the border.
Joni Mitchell – “Ladies of the Canyon”
This one reminds me of my awe-inspiring female friends who traipse all over the world spreading their art, wisdom and empathy. “Ladies of the Canyon” is a celebration of women, strung together so beautifully with lyrics like, “Songs like tiny hammers, hurled at beveled mirrors in empty halls/Empty halls and beveled mirrors/Sailing seas and climbing banyans.” Songs of sisterhood have been my salve these days, and nobody encapsulates our strength and vibrancy like the one and only Joni Mitchell.
Gang of Four – “Natural’s Not in It”
This song title should have been Trump’s election slogan.
The B-52’s – “Channel Z”
I like how they’re singing hopefully, yet at the same time not skirting the issues. This is the perfect song for right now… the feeling of suddenly being an inhabitant of a foreign planet yet simultaneously demanding answers. “Space junk, laser bombs, ozone holes, better put up my umbrella!” And ohhhh, this band forever remains on the top five “Most Fun Bands of All Time” list. Try not to dance to this one.
Digable Planets – “Femme Fetal”
Best. Pro-choice. Song. Ever.
Stevie Wonder – “Living for the City”
I love this song, but despise how relevant it is now, forty years after its release.
Xenia Rubinos – “Mexican Chef”
She said it all! Sorry if I get this stuck in your head.
Simon & Garkunkel – “Punky’s Dilemma”
At the end of the day, we all have to find a way to fall asleep. Abandoning reality and pretending I’m a cornflake floating in a bowl of milk seems to be the only way I can relax at bedtime. When all else fails, turn off the left brain and imagine you’re a “Citizens for Boysenberry Jam” fan. Haven’t we all learned a lesson the past couple of months? Don’t question the absurd!
