Blog — Half Mystic

V: Cadenza | Searchlight Song: "Stop Time"

V: Cadenza | Searchlight Song: "Stop Time"

Wait. Miles Davis is on. That’s half the picture right there. His muted trumpet braids silver around my veins.

Columns, Music, Personal EssayChristina ImJune 1, 2018grant green, john coltrane, thelonious monk, wes montgomery, searchlight song

"All of our pieces have as many stories as they have listeners." (VIRTA on "About to Fly" & Cadenza)

"All of our pieces have as many stories as they have listeners." (VIRTA on "About to Fly" & Cadenza)

I think the meaning of this piece and all of our music depends when and where and by whom it is being listened.

MusicGuestMay 24, 2018

“The painting needs to be alive.” (An Interview with Allen Forrest)

“The painting needs to be alive.” (An Interview with Allen Forrest)

I’ve learned from music to feel something in your gut. Then you know what’s what.

Art, Music, InterviewsChristina ImMay 18, 2018allen forrest

V: Cadenza | Silver-Tipped Swallow: "One of You Leaves First"

V: Cadenza | Silver-Tipped Swallow: "One of You Leaves First"

The story is the same always: one of you leaves first & you both know who it’s going to be.

Personal Essay, Columns, MusicTopaz WintersMay 13, 2018chet baker, ella fitzgerald, frank sinatra, louis armstrong, silver-tipped swallow

Announcing the Submission Deadline for Issue V: Cadenza

Announcing the Submission Deadline for Issue V: Cadenza

The work you sent us this reading period was saxophone & city skyline, was blue-lit & dancing, was storm-filled & warm.

Announcements, MusicTopaz WintersMay 9, 2018Jill Mceldowney, Kate Bucca, Janice Lee, Jennifer Patino, Adrienne Novy, Alyx Jordan, Mariel Fechik, Amy Karon, Dana Alsamsam, Ann V. DeVilbiss, Give Me Motion, ÊMIA, VIRTA, Allen Forrest

“An observed animal that moves in an odd dance, a snippet of line that seems written across a storm-filled sky.” (Kate Bucca on Cadenza)

“An observed animal that moves in an odd dance, a snippet of line that seems written across a storm-filled sky.” (Kate Bucca on Cadenza)

The music jumps, cuts, flourishes in a way I don’t attempt to map out, recognizing the particular logic of feel.

Music, Personal EssayGuestMay 6, 2018carole king, elton john, john prine, kate bucca, king crimson, the beatles, the police, the who

“It is more than music.” (Amy Karon on Cadenza)

“It is more than music.” (Amy Karon on Cadenza)

Cadenza seizes our attention, rockets us skyward like childhood swings. We grip its chains and fly.

Music, Personal EssayGuestMay 2, 2018donte divencenzo, amy karon

Songs for the Cadenza Issue (a selection)

Songs for the Cadenza Issue (a selection)

The music we've been playing through record-scratch mornings & drunk-dancing nights, a selection for Issue V...

Music, SelectionsTopaz WintersApril 29, 2018

We Are Here for Good / A Statement On the Events of the Past Three Days

We Are Here for Good / A Statement On the Events of the Past Three Days

The only way left for the world to spin is forward. We hope you come with us—but if even if you don’t, we’re going still.

Announcements, Music, PoliticsTopaz WintersApril 22, 2018

“It’s half-drunk, blue, swing dancing splendor.” (Mariel Fechik on Cadenza)

“It’s half-drunk, blue, swing dancing splendor.” (Mariel Fechik on Cadenza)

Cities are places of jazz—where it was born, where it has changed, and where it thrives.

Music, Personal EssayGuestApril 20, 2018charles mingus, lee morgan, mariel fechik