I've been thinking alot about technology and social media, especially from the angle of being a parent. It's all uncharted territory. Even though i love my phone (lovingly typing on it now) i often wax nostalgic for simpler times. In the late nineties i was working at a chocolate factory. A long term girlfriend had gotten me the job and i was still slinging confectionery after she dumped me. It was bittersweet (sorry, i couldn't resist). While working there i would sneak into AOL chatrooms on my lunch break. I had no hope of ever owning a computer at that time and it seemed beyond my imagination that i could randomly come into contact with people from around the globe and live. It seems so antiquated and quaint now. I met a girl from Brooklyn in a chatroom and we ended up sending each other a series of mix tapes. We both put a ton of effort into making elaborate covers and scrutinizing song selections. She put "Noel,Jonah and Me" from this #thespinanes cd on the first one. I still love this song. I was trying to remember some of the stuff she turned me on to and i got hung up on this disc. I bought it shortly after receiving her cassette and it is still among my favorite albums. They were a duo before it was hip and Scott Plouf has remained one of my favorite drummers (his playing on this album carries it) it was a wondrous and naive time in social media and my limited access to it made me treasure it. Today i feel ive become jaded and full of entitlement when it comes to technology. This CD reminds me of my life before this phone and how analog my relationships were. I worry my kids will be missing a piece of their heart by never knowing those efforts. Compiling a cassette, drawing and gluing a cover and walking up to the post office and hoping you have enough money for postage. It's a lot more satisfying than click and drag.
