Damon McMahon

Talking to Van Dyke Parks is like being shot up with anti-depressants as you ride a horse through the Swiss Alps in late spring.

In Ancient Greece, the "pharmakos" was known as a sorcerer, magician or poisoner, and the "pharmakon," his remedying poison. Both the music and performances of Margaret Chardiet live up to the name.

Like falling through the sky toward an unforgiving Earth in a windblown, rattling husk of an exploded airplane...and liking it.

Even being choked-out by a cop can't slow this multi-talented artist down.