Tune Tag #73 with Dino Corvino of "Skateboarding on Their Altar": Reignwolf, Carole King, Jesse Dayton, Sam Weber, BØRNS, Off By One, Gladys Knight

Happy New-New Year, indeed! This Tune Tag with Dino reveals a whole lot of the new-to-me newness! A couple of good ole "oldies" keep us centered, though!

Happy New Year, Dino! Paw Tag! You’re IT!

Tune Tag welcomes Dino Corvino, creator of Skateboarding on Their Altar!

Hey, Friends! My name is Dino, and I could not be more stoked to have been invited by Brad to take part in this awesome experience. Brad asked for a little bio, and I took a look at what others have done, so let’s give it a whirl!

I dedicated my life to music one day in my basement, hanging out with my friend, Will. We had just listened to a Meatmen record, and then put on David Lee Roth’s first solo record (1985’s Crazy From the Heat EP). Now mind you, the actual music was injected in me when I was 6.

When I was 6, my parents took me to Chicago, and I got to see Frank Sinatra and Buddy Rich, live. This virus came to life when I heard Black Flag, Public Enemy, and Run DMC, and it never ever left me. By the time I got to Roth on his own, it was over.

Sophomore year of college, I was in (U. of Wisconsin-Madison’s) Chadbourne Hall with a girl named Amanda, and she played me the Black Sheets of Rain album by Bob Mould, and it defined almost all of my life.

I did every job in music, save for being a musician. I spent the better part of my life out there, seeing literally 350 shows a year for decades. Johnny Cash even shook my hand. I ran a venue, I booked festivals, I guitar-teched, I sold shirts, and I am grateful. Every day I am grateful.

I am not 100% sure how to tell you about my Substack. I am telling a story, if you step back from it. Not sure it’s a story moment to moment. But, you might dig it.

Last week, we met the friendly and engaging David Burton of If You Get Confused:

Tune Tag #72 with David Burton of "If You Get Confused": Allman Bros, Ozzy, Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heep, Billy Joel, Pavlov's Dog, Blue Öyster Cult

Next week, we’ll welcome back Matt Madurski of Chart Chat for his second Tune Tag!

Dino’s song #1 sent to Brad: Jesse Dayton, “Charlottesville,” 2018

Dino’s rationale: So, I picked this song for a simple enough reason: The election has come and gone, so I thought a little bit of a protest song would be cool. Jesse is a dude I know. When this song came out it was absolutely a direct statement. We lack direct statements, so we started here.

Brad’s song #1 sent to Dino: Sam Weber, “Charlotte,” 2016

From Passim.org: Sam Weber is a musician known for his distinctive style that blends elements of folk, rock, and Americana. He is a Canadian singer-songwriter and guitarist who has gained recognition for his emotive vocals and intricate guitar playing. Weber’s music often features thoughtful lyrics and a blend of contemporary and traditional musical influences, making him a unique figure in the indie music scene.

Dino’s response: From the album, Valentina Nevada (Cordova Bay Records) https://linktr.ee/samwebermusic https://orcd.co/samweber: A simple song about a girl in a band on the road too long, portrayed by girls on the road just long enough to make a music video about said girl in a band, while portraying the writer/performers of said song.

I think this is about matching the “Charlotte” thing. I do not want to be that sort of obvious, but it might just be that.

Brad’s rationale: From Singersroom.com, February 2023: “‘Charlotte’ by Sam Weber is a mellow indie-folk tune that showcases the singer’s introspective songwriting and haunting vocal style. The song features a simple guitar melody, stripped-down instrumentation, and thoughtful lyrics.

“The gentle flow of the song creates a reflective and melancholic mood, and Weber’s rich voice provides an emotional punch. ‘Charlotte’ is a poignant song that captures the feeling of isolation and the search for a sense of belonging.”

Dino’s song #2: Reignwolf, "Electric Love", 2012 (live in studio)