Solid States is the Posies’ first new collection since 2010’s Blood/Candy, and the circumstances surrounding its conception couldn’t have been more different than those of its predecessor. First and foremost were the double-gut-punch deaths of two longtime band members: drummer Darius Minwalla in 2015, and bassist Joe Skyward earlier this year. There was also a divorce and a remarriage for Jon Auer, who, like Ken Stringfellow, now lives in France. Life-changing events aside, the Posies are back with yet another great album. Stringfellow and Auer will be guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week.
Auer: It’s true: At a certain point in their career, before sleeping bags and sharp-dressed men were the subjects du jour, ZZ Top sang with profound conviction about the cumulative benefits of inexpensive eye shades, and with great artistic success I believe. That said, I’m going to wax on (wax on, wax off?) here for a bit (bear with me) about the relative joy and perfection that, to me, is found in a well-constructed street taco. Perhaps a little context with which to place my unbridled affection for said foodstuff is needed: I’ve been living in France for the last five years, and whenever someone decides to asks me what I miss most about no longer residing in the U.S. of A., my answer is invariably (and without hesitation), “Mexican food!” Sure, the high-end pricey stuff can be good (and in the case of a place like Manuel’s in Austin, excellent), but what really floats my boat and/or yanks my chain … does the proverbial trick … is finding that no-frills truck or stand that deals in unpretentious examples of the species, the kind that can often be had for as little as a buck.
Personally, I think the trucks are often the best for this sort of thing, and it must be said that there was a certain vehicle near the rehearsal spot I used to have in Seattle for many years that I would frequent as often as I could before I made the Transatlantic move. But, really … now, in this day and age, in arguably the golden age of portable eateries, when you start looking around the woodwork and roadsides of a majority of cities and towns in the States alike, they’re prone to being in a multitude of locations. There’s just something in the way all the flavors and ingredients come together in that street environment, the implicit simplicity of it all, and I’m especially pleased when slices of radishes are in bloom, part of the deal as well. Plus, no need to dress up or be fancy unless you want to … you can come as you are, as you would like or wish. As far as a particular place to recommend, I’d love to provide you with a personal favorite location, but these gypsy cafeterias, if you will, can be so random in their location as there’s that whole thing about them moving around. So I respectfully suggest it’s up to the reader to keep their eyes and noses peeled and sniff one out for themselves. I humbly and enthusiastically recommend you find the kind that serves their wares on a plain paper plate. Again, come as you are and dive right in. Smells like taco spirit. Polly wants a cracker—as long as that cracker is a taco. Now go and get yourself some cheap street tacos.
