As 2011 has come to an end, we are taking a look back at some of our favorite posts of the year by our guest editors.
Heavy Years: 2000-2010 (Ernest Jenning) is the latest release from Brooklyn-by-way-of-Chicago singer/songwriter Chris Mills. The 14-track retrospective compiles songs from his last four albums, along with two new tracks recorded with DJ Oktopus (Dalek). Mills is currently on the road supporting Heavy Years, and he will also be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Mills: Drew Glackin was a dear friend and a great bass player before his untimely passing in 2008. He was also a true road warrior who logged thousands of miles and hours of studio time with bands including the Silos, the Hold Steady, the Crash Test Dummies, yours truly and a million others. Often when I think of Drew, I think of traveling. Not because we went on the road together that often, but because together or apart we always ended up going to the same places and running into the same people. And I’m talking about people, places and restaurants thousands of miles away and many years apart.
A typical conversation would run:
“Do you know so and so in Amsterdam?”
“Sure we hang out at the Mello Mello every time I’m there.”
“Man, I love that place. I slept under the bar there one night because I couldn’t find my way home.”
I bring this up because one of the first memories I have of Drew after I moved to New York was bonding over a little restaurant in Osseo, Wisc., called Norske Nook. If you are in a band that’s traveled the road between Minneapolis and Madison, there is a good chance you’ve stopped here. And if you haven’t, you should.
If you are lonely because you’ve been living in a van for three weeks, and you’re tired and head-achey because of shenanigans from the night before and you’re pissed because no one bought any merch, the soundman was a jerk or your bass player finished the crossword puzzle in the paper you bought, this place will make everything better. What’s so great about the Norske Nook? The pie! The pie in this place goes on for miles, and it’s all delicious. I like the strawberry rhubarb. I don’t remember what Drew liked, probably the banana cream. But it doesn’t matter. It’s all fresh, it’s all home made, and it’s totally worth being a half hour late to sound check.
I haven’t been back there in a long time, but next time I go I’m getting two pieces. One for me and one for Drew.
Video after the jump.
