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2/24/03:

Some Michigan mentions

I'm pleased to announce that Jesse Popp - a very good friend from back home, a quite clever stand-up comic who has been featured on Comedy Central's Premium Blend, and all around wiseass - has a new homepage that features comics you only wish you were clever (or immature) enough to do, and links to fine web oddities like Monkey Hugging a Puppy, one of the most disturbing photos I've seen in a while. And while you're checking Jesse's site - tell him to get a weblog going!

I might also anecdotally mention that Mr. Popp was once good enough to completely annoy the trixie bartenders at the Chicago W by inviting me out there to meet up with him and the Comedy Central people, knowing full well I'd rub elbows with all the beautiful people in sweaty cycling couture, smelling like eggs after wrenching photo processers all evening. How's that for not forgetting the little bums from your past?... (Alright, I'm exaggerating - sort of.)

Also, in my Salon.com newsletter, I happened across a mention of His Name is Alive, one of the finer musical lights from my ghastly exurban Detroit hometown whose revolving door of members have often included old high school friends. Salon's written a not-quite-useful little profile on HNIA, but they've included an RA track from the latest album and it is really truly beautiful stuff - pivoting on the swirly aesthetics you'd usually get find in a 4AD album, but also an unabashed homage to Hendrix and really tender Motown voices.

So yeah, check those for more from Michigan than bad monuments to Iggy Pop or an oddly charismatic misogynist that you might've seen in a Grammy ceremony or two.

posted by jeremy @ 3:32 PM