Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Medley of Topics

Okay. So today I have a few things to announce. Or mention, whatever.

First of all I completely forgot to mention my good friend Shannon Messenger's contest yesterday. She's been doing a series on queries, and yesterday she listed several excellent resources for getting help with yours. There is also a contest in which two lucky winners can earn a tandem query critique from Shannon and myself. So if you need help with your qeury, go visit that link above, follow Shannon's blog, and leave a comment before Friday night turns into Saturday morning.

Second, I'm still kind of feeling a little hung over from Alex's music blogfest. It was such an awesome experience. I found so many new blogs, got to know the bloggers I already knew better, and even had a few new people visit my blog. I do feel remiss for one thing though: not mentioning one of my favorite bands in my own post. I can't believe I forgot about The Pixies. Frank Black? Kim Deal?

The Pixies had a unique mix of hard rock, almost punk, and melodic, poetic vocals. Kurt Cobain is known for crediting them as one of his biggest influences, and we all know what he did. Now I know Frank Black is the front man, the mastermind, the one who wrote almost all their songs, but I can't help but love the Kim Deal tracks the best. The ones where she sings, and co-wrote the lyrics and the music. I'll just share two of my favorites here quickly:





They have a lot of other good songs. Wave of Mutilation is a great one. Look them up if you're interested. They're pretty old. MTV still played music videos when they came out.

Third, the winner of yesterday's copy of Michelle's Homework Helpers book is Shari! I don't have your email address, but I will visit your blog to let you know. You will need to send me your mailing address and let me know which retailer you would prefer I use. If you don't claim your prize by Friday, it will go to Lenny Lee*!

I guess that's it for today. Tomorrow and Friday I'm going to be sharing and then breaking down Carolyn Abiad's query. She has an amazingly unique story, so you should definitely come back to take a look at those posts. In the meantime you should visit and follow Carolyn's blog, Serendipity.

29 comments:

Will Burke said...

Truly unique stories are hard to come by; I'll be looking forward to that.

Natalie Aguirre said...

That's so cool that you are helping Shannon with her query contest. I had won a prior contest from her and just sent her my query so I'm not entering so someone else can get the benefit.

Renae said...

I'm so mad I missed Alex's blogfest! Total brain cramp on my part. Thanks for sharing some amazing songs though.

Love the idea of you and Shannon helping others with their queries, very generous!

Laura Pauling said...

Seriously, you're like the music king! I'm impressed. Looking forward to another query!

DEZMOND said...

there was so much rock music and songs I've never heard of in Alex's blogfest :) I felt like somebody sent me 20 years back into the 80's :)

Steve MC said...

Ooh, Pixies, yes. In fact, a friend of mine wrote a romantic comedy that has them all through it, even in the title.

Congratulations, Shari!

Old Kitty said...

Erm... if I put my hand up to admit that I've never really actually heard of the Pixies, will I be hunted down, tarred, feathered and run out of town!??!?! Oh dear!

Running away now to hide! Take care
x

Jessica Bell said...

Gotta love the Pixies! I missed them too, but I did put them in my cheat list below all the tracks :o) Carolyn's amazing. Will certainly drop by!

vic caswell said...

i'm still only halfway through alex's blogfest entrants! yikes! that kim gal has a really nice voice! have a good one matt!

Stina said...

I'm off to check out Shannon's post.

Let me know if the winner claims the book. I'm giving it away on my blog today (well technically Monday), and would be happy to throw Lenny's name into the draw. :)

Ted Cross said...

For me the band I feel bad about forgetting to mention is Fleetwood Mac. Their Rumours album was incredible and my parents listened to it all the time when I was a kid.

Bryan Russell said...

Good stuff by the pixies. And I keep remembering stuff I wish was on my list...

Alice in Chains, Rufus Wainwright, Radiohead... so many.

Creepy Query Girl said...

sounds like a great time! Hadn't heard of the pixies before now! And I love Carolyn's blog and can't wait to learn more about her story! Great stuff!

Jared Larson said...

Nice tunes. Never heard of the Pixies. I'm a fan of Cobain though. I'm looking forward to the query.

Steve Abernathy said...

You can't talk about the Pixies without mentioning Joey Santiago. Joey was the real talent; he wasn't fat like Frank or cute like Kim, just damn good. That guitar line in WHERE IS MY MIND stays with you longer than the lyrics.

Paul Joseph said...

Funny you said that - I continue to have new songs pop into my head that I can't believe I overlooked. I guess the fact we could only choose ten can be blamed; sometimes, you just have to make a choice. That type of contest could drive someone crazy!

Unknown said...

I had a great time on Alex's blog hop, too. There are so many bands,etc. I did not get to mention, it hurts my head thinking about it.

I will definitely be checking out Carolyn's story.

mshatch said...

I have Doolittle; it's still among my all time favorite cds.

Carolyn Abiad said...

Pixies! Haven't heard them in a long time.

I was wondering where all the traffic was coming from...Can't wait to get some great feedback on my query! Thanks, Matt!

Talli Roland said...

I don't know the Pixies. Is that bad? Probably, eh?

Can't wait to read Carolyn's query tomorrow!

Sarah Ahiers said...

ooh, i do love me some Wave of Mutilation.
Off to shannon's blog. ZOOM!

Carol Riggs said...

That is so cool you and Shannon are doing the query giveaway! Good for you. Queries are hard boogers to write.

I hadn't heard of the Pixies; definitely different/experimental sounding. LOL

Abby Minard said...

Thanks for the info! Love me some query facts. I haven't heard the song you mentioned, but I have heard of the band ;p

BTN Hip Hop said...

pixies is always nice

LTM said...

First, Monkey, before you go to heaven, Here comes your man. I also noticed there were no Nirvana shout outs in the BFst--at least none I saw. Are they already forgotten?

It's been crazy on my end, but I'll be back for my girl Carolyn! Yay!!! :o)

And whoa. You rearranged the furniture or something... ;p

Copyboy said...

Yeah, I don't know too much about the Pixies. Thanks for the sampling. And congrats to you Shari!!!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm still reeling from the fest as well!
And you better sign up for the A to Z Challenge. Don't make me send my army after you.

Colene Murphy said...

I HAVE SEEN THE PIXIES in New Orleans! They were AWESOME!

Myrna Foster said...

Thanks for helping Shannon with her query contest. I've been meaning to check out your blog anyway from seeing your comments over at Adam Heine's blog.