GUEST LIST: Kate Banford
The Chemical Brothers, Sergio Mendes, Kendrick Lamar, Charli xcx, U2
Sometimes I turn this thing over to someone else so they can discuss some songs they like (and one gold standard). Then sometimes I sit on this list for far too long! But it just happens to be Kate Banford’s birthday this week, so you’re OBLIGATED to read this one.
We met years ago, as my friend Sally met her through the Philly comedy scene with nothing but great things to say. We had her as a guest on ill-titled and confusingly themed monthly show we did, The Macaulay Culkin Show.
After that Kate co-created The Good Good Comedy Theater in Philadelphia, which was the most appropriate name because I think it’s my favorite comedy theater I’ve ever performed in. An incredible mix of a cool local scene and the very best names coming in from Los Angeles and New York.
It was a great room, with sold out shows and cheap tix, it was close to a dumpling place I really liked, and one time Kate let me crash on her couch! This place should be remembered for bringing the very best comedy programming to a city that isn’t exactly known as a comedy hub. If more theaters in smaller cities operated the way Good Good did, comedy would be much less of a cesspool these days!
Kate has since relocated to Los Angeles and brought a refreshing energy to the comedy scene here, injecting that Good Good energy into the then-new Elysian Theater. Now, she brings it to cool creative projects like Three Banks, as a performer, director, producer and general organizer of cool people. She throws parties sometimes and I always meet people I really like.
The venerable Vulture was right, Kate is "casually inspirational,” and I think everyone around her would agree! Happy birthday to a delightful human!
Here are Kate’s picks from a couple of months ago, imagine this Kendrick song is brand new. Also, totally coincidentally she shares a pick with the previous Guest List from Emma Callahan (same song, but with a different artist):
To be completely honest, I have lately been in a period of silence. I drive in silence. I run in silence. I don’t enjoy wearing headphones. I can’t find my headphones…
Uncovering what I was listening to lately was like waking from a blackout and asking myself what I did last night.
Kendrick Lamar & Lefty Gunplay “tv off”
We’ve been playing a lot of Kendrick Lamar in the car, I’m a huge fan of that unhinged: MUSTARD. More of that in music, please. Makes me feel 5 years old for 3 whole seconds. Can we compare MUSTARD to Elphaba’s Defying Gravity roar??? I think so.
The Chemical Brothers “The Salmon Dance”
I love The Chemical Brothers. This is their silliest song. 90.5 WBER would reliably play this on my way to lifeguard 90-year-olds in their water aerobics class in a 3-foot deep pool. If anything happened, I was given a life-alert style button to press. My finger was on the button. This song is just fun. I must also mention that their music video for Let Forever Be is my all time favorite video (and directed by Michel Gondry!).
Sergio Mendes “Waters Of March”
This song was on a Cole Escola playlist they shared in Wussy magazine and it became an immediate hit in the household. It has a Mr. Rodgers feel: hopeful and light on the keys. Makes me feel like one of the sisters in The Young Girls of Rochefort.
The Chemical Brothers “Free Yourself”
I love the lyrics. Simple. And they get cut off by just an absolute barrage of noise. A perfect let loose song. I am a human living in a video game, the goal: DANCE.
Charli xcx “Trophy”
Yep, I’m with Her. The Sophie x Charli xcx era is my marmalade. Like Paddington, I keep it under my red felt cap prepped for playing after an innocent little mishap. “I wanna win, I want that trophy.” I'm pumped up and ready to go again.
THE GOLD STANDARD
U2 “Mysterious Ways”
I just absolutely love the electric guitar riff in this song. Distinctly 90’s. This is a nostalgia pick for me! It’s like ingrained in me from being a baby.
“It’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright!
She moves in mysterious ways.”
It was fun listening back to what's been playing around me and choosing these intentionally. I'm going to go look for my headphones...