Mags is off writing music and creating a future for the band so I am stepping in to handle the celebrations. I love this special time of the year which celebrates me. Samhain, Halloween, El Dia de Los Muertos — all good. I recommend plenty of music, drink and a…
Dear Magpies As you know by now, wildfires have been raging through areas of Northern California. The Mad Maggies headquarters is located in Santa Rosa in Sonoma County at drummer Ian Luke’s home, fortunately just far enough away from the fires to be okay. Bassist Tim Sarter who lives closer…
THE POLKA: All In A Day Polka For Day 10, I gave myself the challenge to write a good, solid polka in a day. So from yesterday until today, I spun this bit of polka joy into existence. This is a diamond in the rough. I will steer it towards…
THE POLKA: Magdalena’s Revenge I was compelled to write this tune after watching an exposé on the history of the real Mary Magdalen. The documentary outlined how the details of her life were rewritten to suit church dogma — church fathers prefer their women repentant and sexually submissive rather than…
THE POLKA: Serba “Serba” is a Klezmer tune in 2/4 that fits right in with Oktoberfest revelries. I first heard this tune at an Eastern European music workshop presented be SF Bay Area musician Nada Lewis. I brought it back to the band and we’ve been playing it ever since.…
