32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY MARCH 5-11, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC Some things have not changed since Aimee Mann’s first hit albums, 1995’s I’m With Stupid followed by the 1999 soundtrack to the Paul Thomas Anderson film Magnolia. Those things include her bright, slightly nasal alto voice. Then when you really listen and hear the words, the sound makes for an unsettling pairing with her sardonic, sometimes cutting lyrics. “Picture yourself there in the snow turning blue,” she instructs the listener in “Suicide is Murder” on her 2021 record, Queens of the Summer. “Get used to that being you / Picture yourself, blood from a cut on your wrist, checking for veins that you missed.” This is classic, if more mature, material for Mann. But in the decades since Mann first made it to stardom, quite a few things have changed, including the state of the music industry. On that, Mann says on her website: “There’s a certain liberated feeling—if the death of the music business is nearly complete, you can really do whatever the fuck you want.” For Mann, doing whatever the fuck she wants would seem to be releasing Mental Illness, her 2017 album that deals very directly with the subject (as does Queens of the Summer). It is also touring with material she released roughly 22-and-a-half years ago (her current tour bills itself the “22 ½ Lost In Space Anniversary Tour,” referring to the 2002 album that she plans to perform in full). That is, if it’s really her. Check out the 2012 video for her song “Charmer,” in which she says: “I’m really worried the grind of the travel is going to wear me down.” Cue the robot double—good news for the human singer’s couch dreams, until she gets envious of the robot’s ability to charm audiences. “When you’re a charmer, people respond. They can’t see the hidden agenda,” she sings. Whether she’s a human or a robot on tour this time, we’re here to join Mann lost in space or in the psychiatrist’s waiting room or wherever she brings us. Even in her success—Mental Illness won the Grammy for Best Folk Album—she’s always occupied her own space musically, and in business, releasing records on her own label, SuperEgo (those include Lost in Space). As she says, she does what she wants. Aimee Mann performs at 7pm Sunday, March 8. Sunset Center, San Carlos and 9th, Carmel. $65-$95. (831) 6202048, sunsetcenter.org. SHERYL NIELDS Queen of All Seasons Touring on her own terms, Aimee Mann sings about what she wants, when she wants. By Sara Rubin Aimee Mann is on her 22 1/2 Lost In Space Anniversary Tour, and promises to perform the entirety of her 2002 record, Lost In Space, at Sunset Center. Cornucopia Community Market offers quality nutritious and environmentally safe products, free of artificial additives and preservatives. Your Source for Local and Organic Food for a Healthy Lifestyle HAPPY SPRING! • Natural, Organic Produce • Fresh Bakery and Deli • Olive Oil/Vinegar/Local Honey • Wine, Beer, Juice, Coffee and Tea Selections • Fresh, Organic Dairy Products • Healthy Snacks • Vitamins and Nutritional Supplements • All Natural Bath and Body Products Your Local Health Food Store OPEN MON-FRI 9AM-7PM SAT & SUN 10AM-6PM 831-625-1454 26135 Carmel Rancho Blvd, Carmel (at the mouth of Carmel Valley)
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