Sponsored link
Saturday, September 12, 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

Review: The Breeders—and Castro Theatre—head into a new era

'90s indie heroes the Deal Sisters & co. rocked the 104-year-old venue—and the Gen X/Z mosh pit sparked some thoughts.

Best of the Bay 2026 Editors’ Pick: Illusionist Kevin Blake

The master prestidigitator has performed his wry sleight-of-hand show 500-plus times at The Palace Theater.

The world, and my life, changed on Sept. 11, 25 years ago

I was a few blocks away from Ground Zero. I didn't even know what happened until I went out for a coffee I will never forget

Jim Balderston, reporter. 1955-2026

Award-winning Bay Guardian journalist, he was the life of the party—and a very good friend.

You might also likeRELATED