Author Archives: Sir Barken Hyena

About Sir Barken Hyena

IT professional and veteran of start ups. Life long musician and songwriter. Voracious reader of dead white guys. Lover of food and women.

Friday Ethno-Music Selection: Jali Nyama Suso

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Representing the vast Griot tradition West African of epic poetry, we have this master (“Jali”) of the 21 string Kora. From Wikipedia: “The West African griot is a troubadour, the counterpart of the medieval European minstrel… The griot … Continue reading →

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Movie Review: Robert Williams, Mr. Bitchin’

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Following up from my last post about the Left Coast art world, here’s a decent documentary about the pivotal figure, Robert Williams, founder of the Low Brow, or Pop Surrealist art movement. The film gets off to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | Tagged Robert Williams | 2 Comments

The Art of Contempt and Delight, Pt. II

Posted on December 3, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Now, having just had a nice rant about the “New York Art Scene” and implying that LA is so much better, a correction is in order: I don’t think any such thing, and I’m not in any … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | 5 Comments

The Art of Contempt and Delight, Pt. I

Posted on December 2, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Hola amigos, sorry it’s been so long since I’ve rapped at ya, but I’ve been quite the traveler lately, ever on the trail for potential new Lady Barkens. Most recently, this sweetly-scented trail has brought me to … Continue reading →

Posted in Art | 34 Comments

Thursday Pop Selection: XTC / Respectable Street

Posted on October 16, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: XTC is caught here at the moment when their early hyperactive pop-punk began to give way to the softer, kinder sound that would debut on “English Settlement” (their peak in my view) and achieve full-bodied form on “Mummer.” … Continue reading →

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Thursday Music Selection: Ride / Seagull

Posted on September 18, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: Shoegaze pioneers Ride had a great sound, a fusion of psychedelic and punk energies that took to the skies the moment the tonearm was down. Here they are in their prime, from the album Nowhere: Cool lyrics too: … Continue reading →

Posted in Music | 3 Comments

KiMo Theater, Albuquerque

Posted on August 29, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: More Southwestern peregrinations. Going from the works of God to the works of man, I give you the KiMo Theater. I’ll let the pictures do the talking.

Posted in Architecture, Movies, Travel | 4 Comments

Fisher Valley, Utah

Posted on August 28, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: On another stretch of my flaneur’s trail, I timed my entry into this magical place to the rising sun. And, I discovered the panoramic mode on my camera.

Posted in Photography, The Good Life, Travel | 2 Comments

Silver City, New Mexico

Posted on August 27, 2014 by Sir Barken Hyena

Sir Barken Hyena writes: On a recent road trip that may or may not have included scouting candidates for the new Lady Barken, I detoured a bit to take in Silver City, New Mexico. Though not far over the border from Arizona, you … Continue reading →