i’ve had a musical crush on j. robbins since my first experiences with indie rock. going way back to a tape one of my high school friends made me with a couple burning airlines songs, through noticing his name in the producing credits of some of my favorite albums, and into realizing finally that almost everything he had a hand in was exactly my kind of music. frankly, he’s one of the few i’d call a rock genius.

the last and only time i saw him perform was part of burning airlines on september 12th, 2001. the coincidence was unfortunate, but he started off the set simply saying how in the face of something awful we could only try to come together and still enjoy some good music. i still consider that one of the best shows i’ve ever seen.

so my sadness at the ending of that band nearly equals my excitement at the beginning of his new band, channels. they have an EP out already, more songs written, are on tour now (coming to spaceland here in LA the 29th — you can bet i’ll see you there), and i couldn’t be happier. the one song they have up as a sample sounds just like i hoped it would, top form as usual, and i get more anxious every time i play it for the show coming up in two weeks. so the pay day song is absolutely going to be chivaree, and if you need a ride to spaceland two fridays from now give me a ring, because i couldn’t possibly miss it.