“Girls Like Us: Carole King, Joni Mitchell, Carly Simon-- and the Journey of a Generation” by Sheila Weller. A little ways in I thought to myself: this is one of the best books about music that I’ve ever read. Eventually I realized no, this is just plain one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Weller chronicles the lives and work of Carole King, Joni Mitchell, and Carly Simon while contextualizing them in the era they’ve moved through. The intertwining stories have a lot to say about what it’s meant to be female during this time, and how each woman has both affected and been affected by the norms and changes thereof.
While I’ve always appreciated Carole King and have been a longtime Joni Mitchell fan, the real surprise here has been delving into the work of Carly Simon. I’d never really listened to her before, and delving into her first few albums, I have to say she’s an ingenious writer. Even the radio hits I’ve thought I was familiar with resonate a lot more with the background provided in this book.
“Girls Like Us” does a great job of exploring the work and personal lives of each subject, getting just as intimate as necessary for an examination of such confessional artists. This is a truly rewarding book. I’ll probably read it again someday.
DUAL
(Short, horror, d. Justin Staggs)
Sound edit, Foley, and mix by Mike Hallenbeck at Junior Birdman Audio
“A child psychologist attempts a breakthrough with a troubled little boy, unleashing the demonic fury of his ‘imaginary friends’ in the process.”
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BEEBOX
(Short, animation, d. Cable Hardin)
Sound edit, original music, and mix by Mike Hallenbeck at Junior Birdman Audio
A rough-hewn tumble of organic textures, the film explores organic farming via Hardin's generation, documentation and manipulation of frenetic imagery from Blue Dasher Farm in Estelline, South Dakota.
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Congrats to everyone involved on both of these films! Looking forward to the fest.
Minnesota film community: here’s the good word from the MN Film and TV Board about tax incentives for film production in Minnesota. The incentives bill (SF419) has a hearing before the Senate Tax Committee on Thursday, March 14 at 8:30 AM in Room 15 of the Capitol. The bill's author (Senator Karin Housley) will be making an important amendment which contains reforms and clarifications needed to make the program work for both the industry and Minnesota.
To make the case for a transferable tax credit incentive in advance of the hearing, please contact members of the Senate Tax Committee and tell them to support this program, which will bring jobs and investment to Minnesota: Paul Anderson (R) - 651-296-9261/ Tom Bakk (DFL) - 651-296-8881/ Roger Chamberlain (R) - 651-296-1253/ Kari Dziedzic (DFL) - 651-296-7809/ Melisa Franzen (DFL) - 651-296-6238/ Paul Gazelka (R) - 651-296-4875/ Jeff Howe (R) - 651-296-2084/ Jeremy Miller (R) - 651-296-5649/ Ann Rest (DFL) - 651-296-2889/ David Senjem (R) - 651-296-3903
And attend the hearing to support the legislation if you can! For talking points and more info: tinyurl.com/y5nn7zkh
