Stray Notes 🎶

Songs Along the Way 09.25.2025

Music isn’t just something I listen to or write about once a month; it’s the thread that stitches through my everyday life. Stray Notes is my way of giving you a peek inside the running music journal in my head — sharing the little daily encounters that catch me off guard or are just downright pleasurable. Because one of the best things about music is that it never stops surprising us — with any luck you’ll be mildly amused and maybe they’ll open a door to something unexpected for you too. At the very least they won’t be in my head anymore, ha!

To begin, thank the universe for timing: Wednesday’s Bleeds and Nation of Language’s Dance Called Memory both landed last week, and honestly, I don’t think I could have lasted one second longer without them. They’re already in heavy daily rotation.

On the radio recently, a double time-warp—Built to Spill’s Strange making me feel as happy as it did 24 years ago, and Sufjan Stevens’ Come On Feel the Illinoise making me wonder for the umpteenth time: is the opening riff copping Vince Guaraldi’s “Linus & Lucy”? Anyone? (I finally researched it and it is not mentioned in the copyright so I guess its not close enough after all.)

Then there’s Witch Post, a band I just stumbled across—absolutely loving them, but crushed to find they’ve only given us six songs so far. Album, please! #AlbumLove.

My calendar’s not happy about waiting nearly a year for the new Gorillaz album, after hearing the fantastic single… but it is happy about Wet Leg at the Greek on Oct 17 and Bully at the Roxy on Oct 6. #GirlPower. I did pass on seeing Psych Furs with Gary Numan earlier this week, but the husband went and reports that it was an excellent show. Nation of Language also hits LA right before Wet Leg, busy week!

And speaking of tours — I heard a rumor (not verified) that the Gallagher brothers were guaranteed $150 million each to finally bury the hatchet for that Oasis reunion. Looks like grudges don’t stand a chance against a proper payday. Defying expectation, the tour has turned out to be the feel-good phenomenon of the year. Priceless.

In the “blast from the past” department: unearthed my old iPod Nano (special Elvis Presley edition), which my son instantly fell in love with. To my surprise, iPods are still a thing—refurbs all over eBay—and shockingly, they still sync with Apple Music (RIP iTunes, sadly). Birthday present, ✅.

Turns out vintage tech is still the best magic trick. Case in point: my kid dropping the line, “Offline is the new luxury.” File under: things I did not expect to hear at breakfast.

But my favorite question about the Nano was this: “Mom, is there good music on here?” Um … duh.

Keep an eye out for a Brave New Brief full new music rundown in a week or two, until then, ~tricia