Above image via Facebook: The Rolling Stones

by Josh McCann

This is the debut of my column, “Moments with Music,” where I’ll write about my experiences each week with…music! Could be any number of quick scenes: discovering a new song while driving, watching a band on a late night talk show, overhearing a classic on someone’s phone, playing my guitar to a song I grew up with. Moments that make an impression! Maybe you’ll find a new favorite song. Maybe you’ll rediscover a classic. It’s about the smaller moments. Which mean so much. Huge thanks to legendary rock critic Greil Marcus for inspiring this. These are my moments with music for the week of February 19.

“Kinda Smacks”

I finish up teaching class. I walk down the street, take in the view of the river, the Hard Rock Cafe straight ahead. I get in my car and drive over the Liberty Bridge, which turns 100 this year. I’ve driven over this bridge so many times. To concerts, to Pirate games, to class. A new song, “Kinda Smacks,” by Royal & The Serpent and GAYLE plays on my radio. It’s feel-good alt rock. The lyrics are cool. Reminds me of Wet Leg. Hope it catches on. I drive into the tunnel, the city behind me.

“Who Will Save Your Soul?”

I play pool with my brother Carson. I aim my stick at the cue ball. Crack! The balls scatter around the table. Jewel’s “Who Will Save Your Soul” is playing. Okay, it’s not the best pool song. It randomly came on! “Wait, what did she just say?” I ask, placing down my pool stick. We look up the lyrics. I’ve heard it a billion times. Forgot how depressing it was. The line, “Some are walkin, some are talkin, some are stalkin their kills, got social security but it doesn’t pay your bills” is very dark for a radio pop hit. We laugh. Amazing how so many radio songs have depressing lyrics. We keep playing.

“Californication”

I’m giving guitar lessons and playing “Californication.” The riff sends me back to listening to it back in high school, driving under the summer sky. My student plays the solo. It’s one of those riffs that is instantly recognizable. I play it. The student tries it again. This time it’s more clear. “Wow!” the student says. “Yeah you’re getting it down!” I say. Outside our window, cars go by, the sky streaked with orange in the chilly winter afternoon.

“Deeper Well”

Kasey Musgraves is playing SNL?! I notice the Instagram post from one of my favorite shows, SNL. The index card reads: host Sydney Sweeney, musical guest Kasey Musgraves. I put in for tickets last August—this would be a good one to get. I think of going back to NYC. It’s been tooo long. I listen to Kasey’s new single, “Deeper Well,” which has a very good acoustic guitar and interesting lyrics. Really uplifting. Classic Kasey vibe. I put my phone in my pocket and get ready for work.

The Alt 18

I’m listening to the weekly Alt 18 countdown on Sirius XM and anxiously waiting for them to choose my voice memo. I’m in the car. I feel like it’s the ’90s, when you’d call in and hope they choose your call. The next song is up. I hear my voice memo play. I introduce the Black Keys “Beautiful People.” The twenty second intro is a thrill. “Yes!!” I say. So crazy. I drive past fast food restaurants. The blue sky. Middle of winter. I’m feeling the adrenaline of the moment.

“Training Season”

Dua Lipa’s new single “Training Season” arrives in my mailbox. Limited edition cd single. Yes, it’s a cd. Yes, I love CDs! It’s odd to only play one song. But it barely cost anything and is cool to have. And Dua is amazing, so there’s that.

The Rolling Stones

I’m searching for a cover photo for this very article. I remember a Rolling Stones post recently. Right before they released their new record Hackney Diamonds. I scroll on my phone. It’s a picture of a bunch of rock and roll band stickers. The tongue in the middle. Yeah I’ll go with that. Great album too. All the stickers make for a cool chaotic mess. And that’s the vibe I want for this column.

The Beaches perform on Jimmy Kimmel

So I wasn’t able to watch it during the night of the performance. This is what happens when you have to wake up at 6am! I watch it on YouTube. They kick ass. Lead singer Jordan Smiling is wearing shades. They are the coolest rock stars right now. I’m smiling and turning up the volume on my phone while I sit on the couch. It’s high energy. A great thing to see at the end of the week. They deserve this moment. It’s only the beginning for them!

“Born to Run”

I walk to Point State Park after class. Some dude jogs past me and I hear his phone play the beginning chords of “Born to Run.” Yeah, this actually happened. I couldn’t help but laugh. Full disclosure: I really wanted Bruce Springsteen to make an appearance somewhere in this first column but I wasn’t sure how that would happen. Sometimes things come together! I put my hands in my coat and walk over the grass.

“Mustang”

My buddy Dustin sends a text about the new Kings of Leon single, “Mustang.” I immediately look it up on my phone. The kids aren’t in the classroom yet. I have time to listen. It’s a raucous song with outrageous lyrics. “Are you a mustang or a kitty?” lead singer Caleb Followill sings. Great to have them back. The sunlight shines through my classroom. I put my phone away. I get ready for the students to arrive.