The Midday Distraction #49: Farrad

Today's episode features club music courtesy of Ariel Publicity.

Here's what you'll hear today (right-click to download MP3 or to open in a new tab or window):

• Farrad: "Pick Your Face Up Off the Floor"
• Farrad: "Keep Your Head Up"

(Total play time: 9:57)

Your purchase of his music or other things listed below -- or a couple of dollars dropped into the Paypal "tip jar" at left -- would be much appreciated.

Today is Independence Day in The Gambia. According to Hindu cosmology, the Kali Yuga started on this day in 3102 B.C.E. American environmentalist Johnny Appleseed died this day in 1845. The American Party (aka the "Know-Nothings") met in Philadelphia this day in 1856 to nominate its first presidential candidate, former President Millard Fillmore -- so no wonder the Republican-leaning comic strip is called Mallard Fillmore, because today's Republicans admire ignorance so much. The Union forces of Maj. Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman burned the South Carolina State House on this day in 1865. Greek author Nikos Kazantzakis was born this day in 1883. Mark Twain's novel Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was first published this day in 1884. American film tough guy Jack Palance was born this day in 1919. Nobel-winning author Toni Morrison was born this day in 1931. Czech film director Miloš Forman was born this day in 1932. Japanese-born alleged singer Yoko Ono was born this day in 1933. American blues singer Irma Thomas was born this day in 1941. Nazis arrested members of the White Rose movement this day in 1943. Filmmaker John Hughes and actress Cybill Shepherd were both born this day in 1950. Rapper and producer Dr. Dre was born this day in 1965. Actress Molly Ringwald -- star of some of John Hughes' earliest films -- was born this day in 1968. Russian tennis player Yevgeny Kafelnikov, whose name became a plot point on Sports Night, was born this day in 1974. Russian-American singer-songwriter Regina Spektor was born this day in 1980. And two white separatists were arrested in Nevada this day in 1998 on charges of plotting a biological attack on New York City's subway system -- yet Republicans bitched earlier this year when the White House released an intelligence report about the threat of right-wing extremists.