For me, the soundtrack of the late 80’s and early 90’s, the definitive ‘indie rock’ artist, was Barbara Manning. Her ethereal vocals over the top of a 1960s English folk / 70’s Krautrock / 80’s Kiwi Flying Nun blend was not only unique, it was transcendent. Sonic Youth, Yo La Tengo and Robyn Hitchcock sang her praises. Albums like Scissors and Truth Walks in Sleepy Shadows have lost none of their charm. Through thick and thin, draw, lose or win, until the bitter end, she’ll be a friend of mine. Besides her music, I’m extremely proud of her now teaching high-school science to disenfranchised Black teens in the Los Angeles school system.
– Pat Thomas is the author of Listen, Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975.
