It's no secret that I love and trust everything Jack White does. From his short drumming stint with Goober and the Peas, to anything White Stripes, to the recent Dead Weather album, I'm all about the JW love.

You can imagine my surprise when I heard the melody of the White Stripes' "Fell In Love With A Girl" as the soundtrack to the Air Force ads that played during the Super Bowl ad breaks.  I never would have imagined he'd be into that sort of thing: White Stripes, Air Force? Really? Surely he must have signed off on the usage of the highly recognizable version of the song... but *why* would he? I was confused.

But then, today, AHA! I was comforted to learn that Jack actually didn't sign off on it. Looks like the USAF used it with out his permission... and our dear ole Mr. White had a thing or two to say about it to clear up the matter! Go Jack!

As posted on the Third Man Records website today:

And now that I read his response ... can you imagine the White family's surprise when they saw this commercial as they crowded on their living room couch in front of the TV and chomped on their Super Bowl nachos?

Didn't a similar thing happen in 2008 when the NFL used an Arcade Fire song during the halftime show with out their approval?  What is up with people?!

When I saw the thumbnail of this photo of outgoing Mayor Greg Nickels in the TIG Flickr pool, I thought the mayor was holding a tambourine. No, he's presenting an award at the first Seattle City of Music Awards at the Showbox to Fleet Foxes.

I couldn't make it to the awards show on Wednesday night and with Nickels losing his bid for a third term in the primary last month, I wondered if the next mayor will be in the same place next year handing out a similar award to another band. Nickels had a complex relationship with music and nightlife and his legacy will likely be mixed, but overall, it was mostly positive. Under Nickels' watch the Vera Project found a permanent home at Seattle Center, the restrictive Teen Dance Ordinance was overturned (a campaign promise he kept) and the City of Music Initiative was launched. The petty campaign against the Blue Moon Tavern and the indefensible "Operation Sobering Thought" sting (a fortunate failure) both likely originated from puritanical city attorney Tom Carr's office (who is up for reelection this fall).

Thanks for putting the photo in the TIG Flickr pool spratt504!

I first heard Robin Lane with her original band, Boston's own the Chartbusters, in the very early 80s. They were kind of a new wavier version of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, with a similar pedigree in rock of both the classic (Lane singing on Neil Young's Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere) and more aggressive new style. Of course, Lane's combination of musical toughness and lyrical vulnerability was unique in a time when Chrissie Hynde was still right around the corner (and actually not out of the UK yet).

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Seattle-based singer/songwriter Tai Shan is sharing the stage with Governor Gregoire on Saturday, October 10, when Shan performs her song “Tiny Planet” for People for Puget Sound’s annual Harbor Lights fundraiser. The show will be at the Fremont Studios and starts at 5:30 p.m.

From the press release:

"On an average day, it’s estimated that 140,000 pounds of toxic chemicals enter Puget Sound, causing excruciating suffering to plant and marine life. * Transient and southern resident Orcas are considered to be “among the most PCB contaminated mammals on the planet.”* People for Puget Sound greatly appreciates Shan’s financial generosity and invigorating efforts to raise awareness of the imminent harm facing Puget Sound."

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Greetings, and happy Election Day!

We face this historic election brimming with hope (and nerves). We must confess, we're going to miss the crazy whirlwind drama that has been this election season. At least, a little.

Mostly, we feel relieved to know that we can refocus our imaginary attention back where it belongs: on music!

In fact, we have a brand new podcast today, chock full o' delightful Northwest bands and indie-pop tunes. It's our Election Day gift to each of you.

Download this podcast to take to the polls!