#stratton lawrence

          How's this for easiest assignment ever? Head down the street from my house and hang out at the cool new outdoor bar next to Bert's and eat a Wu-Tang Bowl. Right on.  Until the polar vortex sets in and I miss the deadline because the place isn't open, and nobody in Charleston (or anywhere) wants to eat outside when it's 16 degrees. Fortunately, it's warmed back up and Chico Feo is in full swing, just in time for this little story in the City Paper with photos by Hunter.

           From here on, if I ever write about Elise Testone again, I won't use the word 'Idol' in the headline. That's my promise. If you know Elise, you've known for a long time. Idol let millions of others in on the secret. And she's not our secret anymore. But what she's about to release with In This Life, her debut album, is far, far more musically exciting than anything you saw on Idol (except, just maybe, when she brought out Wallace for her run-ending but oh-so-gratifying performance of "Axis: Bold as Love").   When Charleston Magazine asked me to profile Elise for the August issue, I jumped at the chance, but hesitated since we've been friends for years and have performed together. In the end, I'm confident I was the right writer for the job, and I couldn't be more thrilled that Charleston decided to make this the cover story — although it probably has more to do with the beautiful shots of Elise than with my words! Here's the piece — enjoy!

Hopefully, my latest feature piece for Charleston Magazine will make the social media rounds, as well. This one was right up my alley - 30 Day Trips to Take From Charleston. I spent the summer of 2003 working as a lifeguard in Charleston and figuring out my post-college plans. I had a lot of free time, which I'd often spend driving aimlessly out of town and looking for brown signs. 'Brown signing' led me to a ton of awesome places, from Francis Marion's grave to snake-y hikes through Lowcountry swamps. It was only this spring, however, that I discovered the teapot museum in Elloree. It's a big 'ol world out there, so get to ramblin'.  How many of these places have you been to?

Stratton Lawrence - Chagar Music from Chagar Music on Vimeo.

          Seriously, if I could have only one, it would be Tedeschi Trucks. I know, I know. I have a lot of favorites. But seriously. They make me really, really happy every time I see them. I want to send text messages to my friends saying I love them. I want to hug strangers. It's kind of like being 20 again and taking those pills with funny names and going dancing to techno music in Rome, except this time the music is much better and I feel great the next day. We headed to the Savannah Music Festival last week and it was well worth the journey. Here's my review for Metronome Charleston, but click the link for the awesome pictures by Hunter. 

• My Broke Friends are Now Uninformed Because it Costs Money to Read Local News

           It took me about a year and a half to get over reading Cormac McCarthy's The Road. No, I haven't seen the movie. The book was just about the most damn disturbing thing I've ever subjected myself to over three consecutive nights of reading, because a few pages in, sleep isn't even an option.  So it was with some hesitation that I began reading the latest dystopian saga to run up the best-seller list, Hugh Howey's Wool. I got about halfway through in time for my interview with the author on Monday, and hell if it isn't a page turner. Best of all, this time I'm not at all freaked out - just intrigued by a great storyline. Read my brief Q&A for Charleston Magazine here, where you'll get the gist of the story (in the future we live in underground silos) and find out where you can meet him.