SOUNDTRACK: THIS IS THE KIT-Tiny Desk Concert #685 (December 13, 2017).
I know this band because I received a download code for their EP “Spoon Quake Bash.” I found it really intriguing. Kate Stables’ voice is unique and has an appealing affectation that I can;’t quite figure out but which I enjoy hearing And the music on “Moonshine Freeze” is just tremendous–different textures coming from different guitars. I really can’t get enough of it.
The band’s only permanent member is singer Kate Stables. For this show, she’s accompanied by Rosalind Leyden, Jamie Whitby-Coles, Noil Smith, Adam Schatz, Jonah Parzen-Johnson. It’s amusing that for the first song, everyone but the bald man is wearing a toque.
In this Tiny Desk Concert the first song is “Bullet Proof.” It’s just a four piece: bass (Rosalind), drums (Jamie), guitar (Noil) and Kate on lead banjo and vocals. Her voice sounds like classic British folk singers–very clean and open-voweled. Once the echoed guitar rises in, the song sound really full. The song also tells a story, as the blurb points out.
And the stories … Kate … weaves are profound but sweet with a tone that quietly reels you in.
Although it is my least favorite song of the three, possibly because the other two are so much fuller. For songs 2 and 3 Jonah and Adam join on sax.
“Moonshine Freeze” has so much going on. A great bass line, echoing harmonics on the lead guitar and Kate’s gentle chugging rhythm guitar. The drums are a cool shuffle. It’s such an intriguing song, especially with Kate’s cool vocal delivery. And then there’s the backing vocals singing in a round. It’s fantastic. The horns are a nice touch, too.
“Hotter Colder” sways with a wonderful rhythm guitar melody and some great lead guitar lines from the guitarist hiding in the back. I love the intermittent oohs from the various singers. The two saxes also sound great here too. The song is capped off with awesome bursts of buzzy guitars at the end of the song.
[READ: November 5, 2017] Cucumber Quest 1
Cucumber Quest was (is?) a webcomic. This book was originally published (via Kickstarter?) back in 2012. It is now getting a more formal release from First Second (I don’t know if there are any changes in the book).
The book opens with a monster delivering a sphere to an evil queen: “This makes lucky 7, one more and the world will know the meaning of terror.”
The next page is the Prologue. Cucumber is a bunny and he is about to go off to the school of his dreams–Puffington’s Academy for the Magically Gifted and/or Incredibly Wealthy). He is nervous but his younger sister says you’re the biggest nerd I know, you’ll be fine.
But then they get a letter from Cuco’s dad (who was in he room when the queen revealed her plan). He is concerned about world domination and he says hat only Cucumber can put an end to it. But Cuco is going to school tomorrow! Plus he’s a real coward. Meanwhile his sister Almond is pretty exited to go on this quest herself.
There’s some really funny jokes in this section
Mom: “Almond sweetheart, you know it’s too dangerous for you.” Cuco: “But not for me?” Mom: “Well, Almond IS your little sister.”
As the chapter ends, “Why does dad find a way to ruin everything?”
The Dream Oracle finds him, she is protector of this world and has important information about his quest. The Oracle then confirms that little sisters aren’t legendary heroes.
I loved that The Oracle sees all (because she was looking through the window). Then Cuco gets wise didn’t you say you were a Protector of this World? Can’t you defeat the ancient evil yourself? Oracle: “I think I’m losing reception….”
He travels to Caketown where he meets some pretty awful people. Tomato, Lettuce and Bacon and together they are the TLB squad. “It’s BLT you moron.” They are to fight Cuco, but he sneaks by them while they are arguing and finds his dad in prison. His dad welcomes him and tells him today he becomes a man. Cuco, “what does that even mean?”
We learn that those globes well resurrect the nightmare Knight who brought destruction upon Dreamside thousands of years ago. His dad shows him the seven Disaster Stones. Cuco’s dad tells him to get the Dream Sword and go after the Nightmare Knight. After much dramatic posturing from his Dad (who may not actually be locked in that jail cell), Cuco makes the logical suggestion that he simply take the Disaster Stones to prevent the knight from coming. “That’s impossible!” “But they’re right there.” “It’s boring then!”
When the BLT Trio comes back, Cuco pulls out his magic wand. Which promptly falls apart. As things get tricky, Almond comes to rescue, sword blazing.
They leave the castle and run into two bakers and a bear. The bakers are good comic relief and they introduce us to Carrot the Hero who came before them. He was doing well until he encountered a horrible beast. And then the horrible beast shows up–it’s a giant bear. With no teeth. It’s Grizzlygum, who is guarding the Oracle. But the oracle can’t tell the bunny people apart, she gave the dream sword to someone else!
It turns out the sword is in the hands of the globe-trotting thief Saturday and they must go track her down.
The end of the chapter reveals some awesome trading cards of each of the characters.
Next comes Chapter 0 (Tabby cracked up that you finish this whole book and don’t get past Chapter 0).
We learn that Carrot was supposed to be protecting Princes Parfait, but she has been caught.
The first stop is tiramisu tower–home of Saturday. They arrive and there a very funny sequence with her butler Brambleby. They also learn that Saturday has a wonderful treasure attic. Including one of the eight stones.
As soon as they find it, Queen Cordelia’s witch Peridot arrives and says that the queen wants that stone. Almond says there will have to be a fight for it. After a fierce magical and non-magical battle, Almond hands over the stone: “We can’t have an epic quest without a bad guy.”
To be continued in book 2.
The end of the book has some amusing “reader” questions for all of the characters and then some cards that introduce us to all of the kingdoms in Dreamside and how each one has bunnies with different ears
- The Doughnut Kingdom
- The Ripple Kingdom
- The Melody Kingdom
- The Flower Kingdom
- The Crystal Kingdom
- The Sky Kingdom
- The Space Kingdom
- and Beyond
After some concept art there’s little extra cartoon with the bear at the bakery and a new bakery opening across the street. The baker is gorgeous and blond and Italian. It’s quite funny.
The art on this book is really cute–aggressively so, but it works very well with the story and the characters. I really enjoyed it a lot and can;t wait for Chapter 1!.
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