In our morning reading: thoughts on Tommy Pico’s “IRL,” a lecture from Luis Alberto Urrea, books about bad decisions, and much more.
How Memory Works: Brian Blanchfield and Mark Polanzak Embrace Narrative Fallibility
If I begin this by saying, “If memory serves” or some equivalent, please be aware that I’m turning head-first into the cliché. Because that’s the thing: sometimes, memory has to serve. One of the most breathtaking accounts of a live performance I’ve ever experienced comes from a Lester Bangs essay about seeing Van Morrison in the mid-1970s. It is jaw-droppingly good; so good, in fact, that the event as I imagine it gives me chills whenever I think about it. […]
Just Saying: Dirty Projectors in ’09
Brooklyn Vegan asked Sohrab Habibion of Obits to sum up 2009. One question in particular got my interest: What’s the best and worst thing about being in a band in NYC in 2009? The fact that people think Dirty Projectors are culturally important. Of many of the bigger “hype” albums of the year, Bitte Orca was one I genuinely enjoyed. Not sure where Dave Longstreth and his crew are going to take it from here, but the album is strong […]
The Week That Shall be: 11-20 to 11-27th
Things going on that we find interesting for the next week. Next Thursday and Friday are up for grabs, since most people will be digesting and shopping. Friday, November 20th NYU takes over KGB for something called “Coming of Age on the Page”. Jonathan Liebson, Karol Nielsen, and Erik Rhey read. Saturday, November 21st Mike Edison, some wine in the afternoon, some blues. The guy has fun everywhere he goes. Sort of a no-brainer. 3pm at Le Du’s Wines, 600 […]
Weekend Bites: Dyson on Illmatic, National Bookstore Day, Bolaño “myth building”, Sesame Street, Dirty Projectors, and More.
Michael Eric Dyson wrote a book on Nas and his landmark album, Illmatic that is due out in January. Born to Use Mics is discussed in a few places: Nah Right Pitchfork Daily Swarm Lit. Philip Gourevitch is leaving the Paris Review. The Rumpus discusses Sigrid Nunez’s memoir relationship with Susan Sontag in the new issue of Tin House. Happy National Bookstore Day! Is the “myth building” around Bolaño getting to be too much? The Guardian reviews James Ellroy’s Blood’s […]
Bites: So Many Wild Things, Gigantic Interviewed, Mr. Rochester is Dreamy, Nobels for the Small Press, 1989, Dirty Projectors at NYer Fest, and more
Wild Things: It’s Released! Did you know?? Pitchfork interviews Spike Jonze. We’ve All Been Wondering Lately about “What Makes a Children’s Classic.”(NYT Arts Beat) Ohmahgawd–Wild Things, Wild Things, Wild Things. Lit. This essay on the importance of the humanities is outstanding.(Harper’s) Gigantic is interviewed by Fictionaut. “But, reader, I loved him.” On Charlotte Brontë’s Mr. Rochester as the most romantic character in literature. Oh, yes. Reading!: the demand of literature From last week, The Millions on Lit’s Nobel Prize and […]