This summer, I met Essie Quoi and Becky Foinchas at Devoción Coffee in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. As founding songwriters of Afro-psych outfit The Narcotix, they share a sisterly familiarity, often giggling at inside jokes and finishing each other’s sentences. Essie (guitarist, bassist, and vocalist) rolls a joint as I pull up my chair. Becky (drummer, keyboardist,… Read More

I first saw .michael. when they opened for Big Thief at Brooklyn Steel—an 1,800 capacity venue, completely sold out for the night. The clarinet and guitar duo (Michael Sachs on clarinet, Mikey Buishas on guitar) walked on stage in colorful sweaters and stretched out their joints, then settled in with chaste confidence. They took their… Read More

Here lies 2017, the year she told you not to worry about. And look what came of it: 2017 took your net neutrality, brought Charles Murray to campus, and made your annoying twelve-year-old cousin Bitcoin rich. And what’s your consolation prize? A fidget spinner in your stocking and tide pods for Christmas dinner. More seriously—2017… Read More