a picture is worth a thousand songs

recent posts

  • mother road

    mother road

    My son’s early obsession with the Pixar Cars franchise led me into my own mild obsession with the Mother Road, US Route 66. The history and lore buried under the interstate is immensely fascinating to me. Families moving West for a better life, traveling salesmen, freight carriers, leather tramps, and so many more rambling types of folks would venture out onto the mother road and make their way out to California from Chicago. Or, perhaps they were leaving the sunshine and heading back to the Windy City. Either way, I often ponder the amount of curious souls who made their way along that path.

    This shot is of an abandoned cafe in the ghost town of Glenrio, right on the border of Texas and New Mexico. During the Route 66 heyday, this stop included the First/Last Hotel in Texas, this Little Juarez cafe and gas station, and another motel. In 2025, as the traffic of Interstate 40 whirrs by, this little town is home to one sole business – a cannabis dispensary on the New Mexico side – and stands as a dilapidated reminder of the glory days before. The cafe in this shot was used as a model for the Glen Rio Motel in the Cars movie during their good old days montage. After the first movie, the cars of Radiator Springs converted it into the Racing Museum. Thanks to the Pixar team, this and many other buildings along the road are immortalized in film. Enjoy some songs reminiscent of that famous drive.

    Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
    Location: Glenrio, New Mexico/Texas
    Date: March 2021

  • suffrage

    suffrage

    Americans have a right and civic duty each November to cast their vote for candidates they feel will represent them best. While the debate seems to continue on about how well this democratic approach works for us humans, there is still merit to majority rule. Throughout history, we’ve seen the ugliness of a society when the proletariat isn’t represented adequately. Yet, time and time again, the hunger for power overcomes some, and they move their society towards a more tyrannical approach. Plato observed this many years ago in The Republic by calling out the 5 stages of government. Aristocracy, timocracy, oligarchy, democracy, and finally tyranny are the 5 stages in order, before resetting back to an aristocratic society. It’s truly fascinating to consider. I hope we can hold out on the 4th stage as long as possible here in the USA. Regardless of where your political views lie, I’ve got a range of songs here related to voting, elections, choice, and of course, flags. Enjoy the music and if you’re in the US, go vote!

    Equipment: Canon R6 Mark II
    Location: Two Harbors, Minnesota
    Date: September 2025

  • litterbug

    litterbug

    A bold command stands firmly in the fields near Amarillo, Texas. The blue sky and green fields contrast well with the bright red spray-painted sign. I agree with it wholeheartedly; do not litter. Find a trash can. This sign stands outside a famous Route 66 landmark; Cadillac Ranch. I’ll post a photo of the cars sometime. What’s really fascinating about this sign, though, is the strewn garbage and trash all around the entrance to the ranch. There is a dumpster, but many miss it. Here are some songs for the garbage people who cannot be bothered to put their trash in the correct receptacle.

    Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
    Location: Amarillo, Texas
    Date: March 2021

  • mulligan

    mulligan

    There’s just something off about this photo. I just cannot envision an image of a golf course in my mind that isn’t surrounded by various shades of green. I mean, the putting surface is literally called “the green.” With that said, the fog rolling off the lake and the long shadow sunrise light makes for a wonderful autumn shot. For those of you who hit the links regularly, this photo might bring out the end-of-season golf vibe. Other than songs from Caddyshack, what golfing songs do you know? There aren’t many. Instead of a playlist, this time, I suggest you dig out famous film director Gus Van Sant’s 1983 recording; 18 Songs About Golf. I can’t find a streaming version of this album, but here’s a link to the Discogs page. I found my CD copy at Cheapo Records in Blaine, Minnesota for $3. In case you cannot find a copy, though, here’s Kenny Loggins’ theme from Caddyshack; “I’m Alright”. That should at least put the golf vibe in your ear until you can find this Van Sant gem.

    Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel XSI
    Location: Lake Minnesuing, Wisconsin
    Date: October 2023

  • orbweaver

    orbweaver

    Do you see a bear face buried on the back of this spider? This orb weaver has a unique carapace that caught my eye. Even though I found this in late Spring, I knew this would be perfect for an Autumn photo. For those of you unaware or not from the upper Midwest of America, these little buggers are harmless and are actually quite fascinating to watch as they weave their webs. The songs below are all spider-related, but there are some real gems here. I find it so interesting how many groups use spiders as a visual for their instrumental cuts. All those legs dancing around, maybe…

    Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
    Location: Lake Sylvia, Minnesota
    Date: June 2025

  • uliohs

    uliohs

    Tom Otterness’ Rockman exhibit in downtown Minneapolis was supposedly inspired by the drive and drone of capitalism. I propose a different perspective, though. What if these little gnome-like creatures were an entirely separate subspecies of humans devoted to cleaning and organizing the city spaces while we sleep? When the sun rises in the morning, they turn to stone in the midst of their work. I’d call them Uliohs. Some of the songs below remind me of these creatures or the world they may inhabit.

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

  • whitewalls

    whitewalls

    I love discovering old cars, and spotting this 1951 Ford Custom on a quiet street in Sauk Centre, Minnesota felt like stepping into a time machine. It reminded me of the cars in Back to the Future; all chrome and curves, echoing the spirit of the late ’50s and early ’60s. I imagined grabbing a burger and a shake, then cruising to the nearby Main Street theater to catch The Hustler or West Side Story on a crisp October night circa 1961. The soundtrack on our AM radio would include doo-wop, malt shop melodies, and early rock and roll

    Equipment: Canon R6 Mark II
    Location: Sauk Centre, Minnesota
    Date: September 2025

  • social club

    social club

    I’ll never forget when the Triple Rock Social Club announced its final shows in 2017, breaking punk rock hearts across Minneapolis, the Midwest, and probably a few hearts outside the US. The two nights before Thanksgiving Thursday were booked for Dillinger Four shows, featuring some of their friends as openers. I was fortunate enough to snap this shot in the bar bathroom while it was in a rare state of emptiness earlier in the week while having an afternoon drink. I showed up there that final week as much as I could. The Triple Rock felt like a safe space for not only me, but so many punkers, metalheads, freaks, nerds, romantics, you name it, and would fill your drunken belly with some of the best vegetarian and vegan bar grub in town. I miss it dearly, especially around the colder months when the Cedar Ave sidewalks are iced over and Billy’s not there inside the bar to pour me a drink. I don’t even drink anymore, but I’d give anything to step inside that place one more time. Here’s a list of some songs I saw performed live at the Triple Rock.

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

  • summit

    summit

    It takes a combination of mental and physical strength to summit a mountain. Yes, the hiking can be very difficult, but convincing yourself to keep going is just as crucial. I had the immense pleasure of summiting my first peak on my 39th birthday. My wife and I were the only people Saddle Mountain that day, too. We got caught in a blizzard and I was afraid to take out my Canon for higher quality shots. I grabbed a few photos with my phone, though. The songs here range from bombast to breathy, a bit like valleys and peaks. They drive you to explore those unknown heights, much like the feel of summiting a mountain on the horizon.

    Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S21+
    Location: Saddle Mountain, Oregon
    Date: March 2025

  • makai

    makai

    The North Shore of Oahu is legendary, and for good reason. While there are a few mellow breaks suitable for newcomers, much of the coastline is rugged, with powerful swells and rocky terrain that demand both respect and experience. This photo was captured near Waialua, just days before the iconic Eddie Aikau Big Wave Invitational, when the ocean begins to show its true, untamed character. With a view like this, it’s impossible not to hear the echoes of classic surf anthems playing in your mind.

    Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
    Location: Mokuleia, Hawaii
    Date: January 2023

  • cartopia

    cartopia

    The surrounding neighborhood has undergone continuous transformation over the years, much like many areas throughout Portland. Among the city’s many attractions are its food truck lots, and this particular location ranks among the finest; home to the near-perfect Potato Champion. Sitting at the corner of SE 12th and Hawthorne, this lot remains one of my favorite destinations in the country. The paired playlist features some local Portland artists and tracks from Mississippi Records, offering the perfect soundtrack for your poutine and pizza at the yellow picnic tables.

    Equipment: Samsung Galaxy S21+
    Location: Portland, Oregon
    Date: March 2022

  • pier morning

    pier morning

    There’s something eerie about a carnival ride sitting empty; like a phone ringing with no one answering. The emptiness calls out the human need for community, and glaring emptiness shows us how important other people are to our own survival. Also, check out those yellow walls. I took this on a partly cloudy day at Navy Pier in Chicago; though the clouds were fully present during the photo. The starkness of the yellow brings out carnival vibes.

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

  • summer’s end

    summer’s end

    Autumn is such a beautiful time of year in Northern Wisconsin. I love the serene water and fall colors juxtaposed with the trampoline in this shot. It was a cool, crisp October morning on the lake. The sunny vibes of Summer are gone with the wind; winter is coming. But first, it’s time for pumpkin spice.

    Equipment: Canon EOS Rebel XSI
    Location: Lake Minnesuing, Wisconsin
    Date: October 2023

  • dove rock

    dove rock

    Often dismissed as “flying rats,” pigeons are far more captivating up close; especially when their plumage reveals teals and purples. Pigeons are also known as rock doves. I spotted this one under a bridge along Chicago’s iconic Lake Shore Drive. The photo reminds me of a few pigeon-themed tracks in my music library.

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

  • rechteck

    rechteck

    It’s the German word for “rectangle”. There are stairs at the end of the tunnel in this photo. I wonder where they go? The rigid patterns and symmetry remind me of Krautrock; both the genre and the song. I’m also getting some Kubrick vibes.

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

  • pathlight

    pathlight

    It was a lucky shot. My wife and I were driving out of Ecola State Park near Cannon Beach, Oregon, when I noticed the sunlight breaking through the canopy and onto the road ahead. The woods and light bring out earthy sounds and songs of adventure. There’s a stillness to the image, though.

    Equipment: Canon EOS R6 Mark II
    Location: Cannon Beach, Oregon
    Date: March 2025

  • red eye

    red eye

    One terribly scratched red eye lens and some hip shade frames. I caught the sunset through these found sunglasses on a dewy July night. The shot reminds me of people cooler than me doing things cooler than I do while the sun goes down in their cool town. But also, the shot brings me spacey, big sounds with some indie-psych twists. Here are a few songs for the cool ones.

    Equipment: Canon EOS 450D
    Location: Melrose, Minnesota
    Date: July 2020

  • pharology

    pharology

    The bright red roof clashing with the hazy blue sky on top of the rusty water echoes something out of a Wes Anderson film. It’s almost like an architectural version of Steve Zissou and his crew. Here are a few songs that would fit in well on a Wes Anderson movie taking place in Duluth.

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