To download this track, submit your email address. If you already subscribe to The 'Gum Drop, you'll get a link to the file, and if you don't already subscribe, we'll sign you up and send you a link.
Nellie McKay - "Me Gusta Mañana"
This week Nellie McKay offers our first Spanish-language 'Gum Drop. The New Yorker's third studio album Obligatory Villagers is out next week on her Hungry Mouse label -- live favorite "Me Gusta Mañana" won't be included, so we thought it wise to premiere the studio version here. We caught up with McKay to ask her about the song.
Why'd you decide to write "Me Gusta Mañana" in Spanish?
With the Spanish, it takes on a whole different flavor. Other languages hold the promise of an entirely new vista, an entirely new country of places you can go. Even the sound of the language is exciting. You have words, but it's more about the sounds of the words than the literal meanings ... also, maybe you can pick up a bit of the language from listening to it.
I've been learning so much more Spanish since I've been involved with this tenants' coalition, which is The Coalition To Preserve Community ... they're Spanish speakers. We're fighting Columbia's expansion. Had I been working with this coalition when I wrote this song, my Spanish would have been much better.
What exactly is the song about?
That we can make a brighter future together, that immigrants help make a brighter future, and that you know, if everyone went vegetarian, then all species and the planet would have a brighter future as well. I encourage people to go vegan. I only found the Spanish word for vegetarian, but vegan is in there, too.
I saw an on-line translation that uncovered the word "omelet" in there. You're vegan. Wouldn't this be "tofu scramble"?
I don't mention omelet. [Laughs]
Bad translation.
Yeah, you gotta take that on-line stuff [with a grain of salt] ... this has happened before ... [Laughs] "Gee, I had no idea I wrote a song about a Russian honky tonk."
Premature Evaluation: Beach House - Teen Dream
When we meditated on Victoria Legrand and Alex Scally's gorgeous sophomore album Devotion we had the following to say: [Y]ou can't fall back on Mazzy Star or Galaxie 500 references because they've pushed themselves into their own, unique solar system.... (more)
New Jonathan Boulet Video - "A Community Service Announcement"
This dude's the latest signing to Australia's Modular label, landing with a tidy package of promotional offerings: a catchy, moistly breezy indie-pop debut single that couldn't be better titled for a meet-the-artist track; a subtly arresting/marginally tricked-out video; and a... (more)
New El Guincho - "Antillas (XXXchange Remix)"
When we first heard onetime BTW Pablo Díaz-Reixa, aka El Guincho, we were drawn in by "Antillas," a song we described as "a five-minute bundle of clattering loops and sunny harmonies." It was from the self-released Alegranza!, before he'd signed... (more)
Muse To Headline Coachella 2010?
According to Consequence Of Sound, a previously reliable source pins Muse to the coming year's desert fest headlining slot. Glenn Beck just bought a ticket. The dates are April 16-18. Oh and these Coachella headliner rumors? Needs more Pavement.... (more)
Parents Just Don't Understand Horrorcore
From hardcore to heavy metal to gangsta rap, local TV news teams have long warned parents about the terrifying new sounds rotting teenage brains. This week it's San Fran's KPIX on the horrorcore scene. Not all juggalos are murderers, dad!... (more)
