Sponsored link
Monday, October 19, 2026

Sponsored link

David Lowery talks about Google


David Lowery at Outside Lands. Photo by Bobby Conner

 

By Tim Redmond

Everyone in the country seems to be talking about Google buses. My sister in Philadelphia says it’s a hot item of discussion in that city, where Comcast (which may be even worse than Google) is about to build a new tower and hire lots of engineers who, perhaps, will have their own private transit system.

And they’re talking about it in Georgia and Virginia – or at least, David Lowery is.

Lowery is the frontman for Camper Van Beethoven and Cracker. He’s also one of the leading voices in the country for the rights of artists, particularly musicians, and his open letter to an NPR intern who stole 11,000 songs should be required reading for every teenager.

These days he’s living in Virginia and teaching economics at the University of Georgia. He just testified before Congress about the Fair Use laws (he think they’re fine the way they are and don’t need to be expanded or limited.)

And he’s not real happy about Google. (more after the jump)

Marke B.
Marke B.
Marke Bieschke is the publisher and arts and culture editor of 48 Hills. He co-owns the Stud bar in SoMa. Reach him at marke (at) 48hills.org, follow @supermarke on Twitter.

48 Hills welcomes comments in the form of letters to the editor, which you can submit here. We also invite you to join the conversation on our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. 

Sponsored link

Sponsored link

Latest

The city’s a mess. The supes don’t want to question the mayor

Plus: How to expand equity with neighborhood schools—and will Lurie's agenda create a sterile city that nobody will celebrate in 50 years? That's The Agenda for OCt. 18-25

Best of the Bay 2026 Editors’ Pick: Slumberland Records

Mike Schulman's powerhouse Oakland indie-pop record label has a sound as chill and comforting as a blanket of Bay Area fog.

Good Taste: Indulge in our favorite Restaurant Week deals

From $15 Colombian brunch at Creative Ideas Cafe to beautiful $90 Indian feast at Copra, here are 12 can't-miss picks.

At 87, the great Judy Collins sings farewell—but stays in the now

Singer-activist shares tales of Leonard Cohen, Chicago Seven ahead of Sunday farewell concert at Cal Performances.

You might also likeRELATED