tUnE yArDs: Real Live Flesh

This is Merrill’s new video. She lip-synchs with her pals. I’ve loved Merrill Garbus’ orchestral and harmonics project tUnE yArDs since I first saw her at the now-defunct Cat Call nights first incepted by singer-songwriter Abigail Lapell at Casa Del Popolo. I think that was like in the 60s 2005 maybe? Anyway, she sang a song called Top Chef, about how much she really liked this dude on the reality show Top Chef. I like that. When people just make up shit, and its reflective of their immediate surroundings… like we have a priveliged edited view of one tangent in their little lives.

I miss those nights. It’s where I broke my geeky performance cherry—a cold Cagibi night in 2006. I learned about righty tighty that night. And the importance of neon hats and cardamon pepper cookies, and dhal, and friends who clap at your nonsense. Let’s bring back all girl/girl-inspired open mic night! Somebody should get on that.


Keep Reading

Collage with two hands holding a bat, swinging towards a baseball with a dollar sign on it, against a blue background with a net, baseball player and the Olivia logo on an outfield sign

Why the WPBL partnering with a lesbian travel company matters

Support from lesbian brands and bars harks back to the queer history of women’s sport leagues
Confluence cover

‘Confluence’ brings Vancouver’s queer history to life

The late Alex Turner and his husband, Lucian Childs, have written a unique and rewarding ode to mid-century gay British Columbia

Gaudy goddess: Self-described backwoods Barbie, Dolly Parton, chats about boobs, Broadway and battling hate

Revisiting Matt Thomas’s interview with the legend, originally published in fab Magazine in 2009

Dolly Parton was all of our chosen family

The superstar, who passed away at age 80, was always there for her queer fans. We collectively mourn her loss
Advertisement