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a picture is worth a thousand songs

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There’s rarely a good reason to be spending time at a government building downtown. Jury duty? Pssh. License renewals? Get outta here. Legal issues? Ugh. I wonder what this gentleman was doing downtown Minneapolis on a hot August day. In my eyes, he looks a bit rural for downtown. This is the Paul D. Wellstone building on 3rd Ave South in Minneapolis. The Passport office is located here along with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. My “I bet I know their life” narrative pictures this man as a farmer from Southwestern MN, down by Pipestone. He had to drive up to “the cities” to renew his commercial farming license that had expired due his application to getting lost in the mail last year. I imagine he was a bit begrudged to have to drive into such hostile territory. But, maybe he was just renewing his passport so he could fly to Spain next summer and spend 3 months enjoying tapas and vino. Maybe. Here’s a few songs about strangers and wondering what their lives are like. You ever do that?

Equipment: Canon R6 Mark II
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Date: August 2025

We took the kids to the Cinco de Mayo parade this past weekend to celebrate Mexican independence and culture. As usual, there was plenty of amazing food, music, cars, history, dancing, face-painting, and every other carnival like trope you can drum up. The parade route is surrounded by hills and buildings, so there isn’t a lot of room down there, but we still found a spot to see. I was able to snag this photo of two dancers in traditional Mexican outfits as they passed by. The colors are outstanding and that dress was careening through the crowd like a rogue wave. Here’s to Mexican independence, and celebrating our brothers and sisters to the south. Digging through my library yields mostly songs about Mexico rather than Mexican artists, but I do have some! I’ve added some other songs that might fit the mood for today. Put it on and enjoy your fiesta!

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Location: West St. Paul, Minnesota
Date: May 2026

Just one track to share with this photo today. For those of you who grew up in the 20th century, does this image recall any album covers from the 90s for you? While the red object is not shaped like a heart, here, the entire composition brings me right to the Kim and Kelley Deal-led group The Breeders. Their 1993 album Last Splash was crucial listening for alternative rockheads back then. The lead single “Cannonball” is their magnum opus. The intro to the song features Kim Deal trying to mimic the Emerald City soldiers of Oz with their marching chant. Can you hear the similarity? And what was it that puts Dorothy to sleep in the forest of that story? That’s right, it’s an apple. Do the jitterbug!

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Location: West St. Paul, Minnesota
Date: March 2026

Spring is a busy time for a sports fan. The NBA is heading into the playoffs, the MLB is just starting their season, the NFL draft occurs in April, the NHL playoffs are underway, and the MLS season has kicked off as well. And that’s just in reference to the more popular men’s sports. Being from St. Paul, I identify as a Timberwolves fan when discussing the NBA. This year, much like the last few years, the Wolves have found themselves up against their Midwestern rivals, the Denver Nuggets. All of this is relevant to the photo in the post, as this was shot in the Rocky Mountains in April. There was something quirky about seeing this hoop with the beautiful mountain skyline behind it. I bet a few NBA players might be huffing and puffing playing on this court, which is in Divide, Colorado, at over 9,000 feet of elevation. Still, it makes for a cool photo. Just don’t miss your free throws, though. The ball may roll all the way down to Pueblo. Here’s a little group of tracks from my album collection that reference basketball. What am I missing here?

Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
Location: Divide, Colorado
Date: April 2024

Although the sun is already down, this shot is one of my absolute favorite sunset photos. The sun was setting on a late summer evening in middle Minnesota and as the vibrant oranges started to turn to pinks and purples, these amazing sun rays started luminating the sky in front of me. I feel so lucky to have captured them right as they danced around for a few minutes before disappearing into the twilight. The way the sun’s light reflects off of this Earth is one of my absolute favorite things to capture. Golden hours, blue hours, and the dusks and twilights are just such a magical time. How about a little playlist of tunes to fade away into the evening with? We’ll start big and end small as the light gives way to black.

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Location: Melrose, Minnesota
Date: August 2025

I can only imagine a recessed floor conversation pit and matching tiki bar on the other side of these curtains. What a gorgeous patio! I took this photo during the week of St. Patrick’s Day in New York City. The High Line is a converted ex-railway that now houses a walking path, sculptures, gardens, and beautiful murals. Along the path are some very unique Chelsea buildings, including this neo-modern building with each unit having its own curved patio. The vibe it gives off reminds me of Mad Men a bit; that 60’s-era, cigarettes and whiskey, suits and hats aura. Here are a few cuts that pair nicely with an afternoon out on the patio with a mint julep or lemonade.

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Location: Chelsea, Manhattan, New York
Date: March 2026

This time of year always gets me itching for Summer. The sun stays out a lot longer and burns much brighter. It just feels warmer. There’s plenty of rain in April, though! This photo was taken at the Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Gorgeous park and attraction, if you’ve never been. I’ve taken my family there a few times now, mostly during the Summer. I actually proposed to my wife at this park, just about 100 feet away from this location. I love the lines on this photo and the sharp red rock to green leaves to blue sky contrast. Beautiful colors! The fence’s shadow looks a bit like a pair of snakes, or even better, a road or track of some sort. Here are a few songs that remind me of hiking in nature.

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Location: Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Date: July 2025

Ninety-five floors above the street is a hell of a place to share a meal. Just months before The Signature Room shuttered their doors after a 30+ year run, my wife and I were able to snag a reservation and grab dinner high above the Windy City. The restaurant was on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center (now renamed), with the bar and lounge on the 96th floor. The building is significant to me as a Chris Farley fan. Chris had taken his last breath just 35 floors below that restaurant back in 1997. The meal was excellent, but the view was better. I grabbed a quick photo before the sun went down. The shot reminds me of the mid-20th century, a bit more classic atmosphere. Chicago is home to some of the greatest blues and jazz musicians in history, including the legendary Herbie Hancock. Herbie was name checked in Chris Farley’s 1995 film Tommy Boy when Chris’ character mistakenly answers a test question asking about… John Hancock. Tommy Boy was released on March 31st, 1995, just five days before Kurt Cobain took his own life. To tie all of this together, here’s Herbie Hancock doing Nirvana’s “All Apologies”, along with a few other jazz covers to class up your dinner date.

Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S21+
Location: Downtown Chicago, Illinois
Date: June 2023

There must have been a reason for them all to line up outside the New York Public Library, but the unnerving glares as I took their picture was a thrilling experience to say the least. I kept thinking to myself, “I swear, it’s just a a camera, guys!” the whole time I was snapping their photos. They were all chill, though. I think the NYC Half-Marathon was just ending and they were about to help with crowd control. Anyway, hard not to be reminded of The Strokes’ classic “New York City Cops” when looking at this photo.

Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
Location: Midtown, Manhattan, New York City
Date: March 2026

It happened many times while I visited the City That Never Sleeps, but passing by this particular intersection stuck a familiar song from my younger years into my head. Standing here, as cars passed me by, none of them seemed to go my way. I wished I was on the highway back to Olympia, WA. Not really, but Lars did. I was on my way up to West 86th Street to grab some lox and a bagel from Barney Greengrass. Here are 3 versions of the 1995 track.

Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S21+
Location: Midtown, Manhattan, New York
Date: March 2026

Rack ’em up! What a classic atmospheric feeling to see the lamps pointed towards the tables, the green baize chocked with pool cue chalk, the 16 balls sitting idle, ready to be smashed together at high speeds. Then you’ve got the smokey air, the bluesy jukebox aura echoing throughout the hall, and the stale smell of light beer and fried foods. I LOVE it. I wish I could experience it more! When preparing for a pool hall outing I actually burned this playlist onto a CD, like the good old days. Here’s the playlist.

Equipment: Canon R6 Mark II
Location: Lake Minnesuing, WI
Date: January 2026

In the movie adaptation to Nick Hornby’s music-lovers novel High Fidelity, John Cusack’s character owns a record store in Chicago called Championship Vinyl. Throughout the story, his character recalls his Top Five relationships, noting each of their unique downfalls. In one of the more famous scenes of the movie, Cusack’s character Rob Gordon proclaims he will sell 5 copies of The Beta Band’s Three EPs. The song he plays is “Dry The Rain”, which is a perfect call out from these Scottish indie rockers. A few years later, the Beta Band would release Hot Shots II, featuring the single “Broke”. They initially wanted to release “Squares” as their single, but I Monster had put out “Daydream in Blue” around the same time, sampling the exact song “Squares” did; Gunther Kallman Choir’s “Daydream”. Both songs are elite and the original is even holds its own. Lupe Fiasco then sampled the Gunther Kallman track for his “Daydreamin’ in Blue” rap in 2006. With all of that being said, this photo just makes me think “miles and miles of squares…where’s the feeling there?”, a line from the Beta Band cut.

Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Date: June 2023

A wall of stars painted accordingly. First Avenue’s Northwestern exterior showcases some of the artists who have graced the stage inside. George Floyd is the lone red star exception. Floyd was killed by Officer Derek Chauvin in May 2020. Senator Amy Klobuchar has a star on the wall, too, but I believe she graced the stage at some point. The Northeastern wall is also lined with a plethora of stars spotlighting past performers. Maybe someday I’ll get a shot of those.

Alan Fingerhut was one of the original investors of the club that became First Avenue. The Depot opened at the former Greyhound Bus building in 1970 with a performance from Joe Cocker’s Mad Dog’s and Englishmen tour. Leon Russell was the featured keys player. After going through a Disco club era in the 70s, the 80s would bring international fame to the downtown Minneapolis club when Prince and his crew filmed Purple Rain there. From that point on, we had out Minneapolis gem. I was just there a few months ago and plan to be back soon, as their lineup of shows is still one of the best. Here’s a playlist of songs featuring artists on the stars on this wall.

Equipment: Canon R6 Mark II
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Date: August 2025

Spruce needle silhouettes in front of a gorgeous July 4th sunset. I’m a huge sucker for sunset shots, probably because I’m a huge sucker for sunsets. This shot struck me as the spruce needles looked a bit like cactuses at dusk. The bright, striking orange-yellow line on the horizon lifts the shot as well. The fade almost looks like copper when it’s heated to a blue state. Of course, Bob Mould and Sugar’s Copper Blue rocks right into the evening with this one. Hot summer nights!

Equipment: Canon R6 Mark II
Location: Falcon, CO
Date: July 2025

While out for a nice July hike in the stunning Rocky Mountains, I stumbled across this floating stump in one of the mountain reservoirs. It wasn’t moving much, but it was still bobbing gently in the water like a swan in a rainstorm. You could just feel the weight of it, too, with every bob. This stump was completely waterlogged, with just enough air pockets to keep it afloat. Drifting and floating along the reservoir from bank to bank. Here are a few tunes describing that feeling of floating along…

Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
Location: Pikes Peak, Colorado
Date: July 2022

In a visit to the Windy City back in ’23, we took a stroll down by the Chicago River along the riverwalk. As many music heads would note, this parking garage just sticks out to anyone who spent part of their life spinning Wilco’s magnum opus; Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. Walking along North State Street across the bridge, you can recapture the shot that Sam Jones originally took back at the start of the 21st Century. With some luck, you’ll have a blank gray backdrop of clouds to mute the vibe a bit. Throw a little warm light filter on it and you’ve got a pretty similar image! Here are some Jeff Tweedy-adjacent tunes to commemorate the photo.

Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel XSI
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Date: June 2023

Staring down at a shot of dark liquor in a dimly light bar with neon glowing above. I quit drinking back in 2018 and while I have some great memories of watering holes across the world, I just feel so much better without it. That being said, there’s something nostalgic for me when looking at this picture. There’s one shot glass, so it begs the question to wonder if this person is drinking alone. No chaser is shown either. I had ordered this shot from Billy Morrisette, one of the guitarists for Dillinger Four. During the final week of the Triple Rock Social Club, Billy tended bar a bit. My buddy Pat had requested a “Royal Flush” shot for us, which included Crown Royal, cranberry juice, and peach schnapps. Billy was unaware of the contents, and after some explanation proceeded to give it to us on the house due to him learning something new. Here’s to Billy, Paddy, Erik, and Lane, Minneapolis’ finest punk rock outfit. Yeah I said it…and I’m a huge Mould/Westerberg fan…

Equipment: iPhone 5s
Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
Date: November 2017

The Crestones are a group of 14,000+ ft. peaks in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range in Southern Colorado and Northern New Mexico. Colorado has this thing about 14,000 ft peaks; they call them fourteeners. It’s actually not specific to Colorado, either, but rather a mountaineering term. There are 53 fourteeners in Colorado, almost twice as many as the next state in line – Alaska with 29. I’m fairly certain that Crestone Peak, the Crestone Needle, Kit Carson Mountain, and Humboldt Peak are all visible in this shot. Kit Carson should be the tall white one, middle image, near the right side. I snagged this photo on a flight to Phoenix from Minneapolis back in 2023 while flying out to surprise my mom for her 60th birthday. It’s not exactly a skilled shot, but I felt it came out quite clear and looks so vast. How about a few tunes about mountains for a pairing?

Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S21+
Location: Clines Corners, New Mexico
Date: March 2023

recent posts

message checker

jalisco

apple drip

air ball

sunray

greenbend

shadow tracks

hancock

copline

olympia

baize

squares

fingerhut

copper blue

float

yhf

crestones