Category: Music

Rediscovering the Cranberries

Posted on by Jeremy Felt

I rediscovered the Cranberries 6 years ago. They had been a presence in high school—Zombie was a constant on the airwaves—but other than liking the song like other grunge songs, I don't remember having a full appreciation for the band.

It was in 2011 that I remember really listening to Zombie and coming closer to understanding it for the first time. My personal connection with Ireland had become much stronger after falling in love with the country over 5 different trips and I had a better grasp of the song's substance. I set off to explore the rest of the Cranberries' albums, became a fan, and added them to my regular catalog.

If I could go back to my 1992-1996 self, I would tell him to obsess over any Cranberries show available. Every time I listen to their albums I get so amped and start dancing around. So good!

Me, on Facebook – December 24, 2014

It's very sad to hear of Dolores O'Riordan's passing at 46. So young and so talented. I'm happy for the music she shared with us while she was here and I'll continue enjoying it for years.

Thank you, Dolores.

Featured image, The Cranberries en Barcelona, licensed CC By 2.0 by Alterna2 on Flickr.

David Bowie

Posted on by Jeremy Felt

David-Bowie_Chicago_2002-08-08_photoby_Adam-Bielawski
David Bowie performs at Tweeter Center outside Chicago in Tinley Park,IL, USA on August 8, 2002. Photo by Adam Bielawski

I have so many good memories around David Bowie.

My second band, Cycle Pinsetter, was obsessed. We ate up everything Bowie. Covering at least Ziggy Stardust, Rebel Rebel, Andy Warhol, and Queen Bitch—and playing them over and over and over again. The recordings that I have will always be fun to revisit.

The music. He was one of the first artists I actually dug in and discovered after finally getting over a sole obsession with The Smashing Pumpkins. I remember vividly the Bowie section of my CD rack—Hunky Dory, The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs.

The movies. Obviously, eating up Labyrinth again and again. My sister and I still do the “you remind me of the babe” back and forth. Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence. Pontius Pilate in The Last Temptation of Christ.

We were fortunate to see him in concert! August 8th, 2002 at the Tweeter Center, where the picture above was taken. I don’t remember much about the performance except that he went on as the sun was going down. It was the perfect rock star moment where the sky was a backdrop on this huge stage and Bowie’s hair was blowing just enough in the wind on the large video monitor as he belted out Fame or something similar. Such a great time.

It’s a sad moment. But the music still plays and I’m dancing while I write this. Thanks, Bowie. ⚡️