Oh man, those Midnight Special archives are so much fun! Watched a bunch of Blondie, some Kiss (that surprised the wife a bit but c’mon, Black Diamond!), and some of the pilot. I like how they have individual episode plus band playlists—nice to have both those options. It would be nice if SNL would do some thematic musical playlists along those line (maybe they do? but I don’t recall seeing it on Peacock.)
I love your Zines, and I have used your tutorial for making zines with my middle schoolers every year. This is such a fun lesson idea for the end of the school year, when I am out of a lot of art supplies and trying to work with limited materials. It's always so cool to see what things my students are experts in. My favorite student zine is from a student who had dual residency in South Korea. He made a zine for Americans to learn about all his favorite Korean foods. I just made a few copies of your new zine to share with my kids and that sparked some cool conversations about balance.
Thanks for the morning ear worm of “Devil in His/Her Heart”—I revisited this interview with one of the members of the Donays and she’s lively to say the least. She sang with Motown’s Elgins later in her career and one of her solo records was a hit on the British Northern Soul scene. Also slots in perfectly with my research on my upcoming Detroit trip!
I second that! I wrote it down in my 3 year quotes diary, which I started thanks to Austin. (It's a small diary, no room for 5 years.) Thanks Austin! You make me want to get back to blackout poetry.
Numbers 4 & 6 for me... I loved reading from Prince Harry's ghost writer. It has inspired me to keep writing. The music one ahhhhh I can't wait to dive into that this weekend. Hoping it may inspire my piano work, too! Thank you for your ever-present inspiration. You have helped me so much with my own writing and music artistry.
Great sharing as always... we have blackbird chicks just outside a window and it's torture. Also torture for the cats who aren't allowed out until they fledge.
Good for you for not letting your cats outside during fledging season. My neighbors' cats have killed baby screech owls and it makes me really angry. They’re apex predators!
Your piece about television and constraints and time made me think about David Byrne’s “How Music Works.” That book really opened my eyes to how much context--a given set of constraints--influences a piece of art.
I love the quote from Prince Harry’s ghostwriter. I’ve been asking myself about this new writing habit lately, and what I hope to get out of it. The hope was to have more intentional discussions, but I’ve found a lot more in it. I feel like it clarifies how I see my world and it brings me value whether anyone reads my writing or not.
Side note: I want to say thank you so much for your work! I first heard of you last month when I visited Austin and saw a couple signed copies of your books at BookPeople. I bought them and love them.
I commented about this before on one of your notes, but I got anxious and deleted it. I’ll leave it up this time. :)
I remember when Galang came out, my son was a couple of years older than yours is now and he was a fan as well. Her music has a catchiness that appeals to kids.
It would be really fun to make a list of sort of left-field music that kids dig — Kraftwerk, for example, is AMAZING music for 5-year-olds — they sing about real things, like cars and radios and trains and computers and bicycles!
It's kind of impossible to keep up with all of them. My general feeling is usually: what’s legal isn't necessarily right and what's right isn't necessarily legal
Set 9-5 bankers hours and crank hard when you're there, then walk outside every day, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. Work expands to fill the time allotted and you can get more done in a set period of time when you're taking care of yourself.
Additional note! In addition to the Baez piece, definitely appreciated the television and limited time piece (I'm struggling with Maisel), and the zine post about drawing what is invisible (petite prince reference is epic). Thank you for combining all of these thought-provoking pieces into one post. I've already started sharing your Baez piece with artist friends.
Thank you for calling out Joan baez's book! I regularly draw upside down and do one line contour drawings. It is a fantastic way to let loose, be sweet, and discover new creative impulses.
I particularly enjoyed the Television, time, and constraint piece.
Also, everyone seems to be dunking on S3 of Ted Lasso. I'm about half of the way through - it doesn't seem horrible yet. Does it take a huge turn for the worse?
I've watched all of the episodes of S3 so far and I still love it. My husband (who is admittedly a tough critic) says it's too "soap opera-y" but he still watches all the episodes with me so he likes it enough to do that. There have been some truly terrific moments in S3, I think, and I agree with Joe that the actors are still nailing it.
It still makes me laugh. I really love the characters. That's...all I need? I'm sure if I wanted to dig in I could come up with things to be disappointed about, but I'm still excited about it.
Oh man, those Midnight Special archives are so much fun! Watched a bunch of Blondie, some Kiss (that surprised the wife a bit but c’mon, Black Diamond!), and some of the pilot. I like how they have individual episode plus band playlists—nice to have both those options. It would be nice if SNL would do some thematic musical playlists along those line (maybe they do? but I don’t recall seeing it on Peacock.)
Reading your stuff always make me want to go and write. You have a great gift for simplicity and truth. Thanks
I hope you’re enjoying your time in Hyrule as much as I am Austin. A regular newsletter schedule will be hard to keep up over the next month.
I almost wrote about Zelda in Monday’s newsletter but I had too much to say!! Couldn’t get my thoughts straight
I look forward to when the thoughts are straighter, and we are all a little less distracted
I love your Zines, and I have used your tutorial for making zines with my middle schoolers every year. This is such a fun lesson idea for the end of the school year, when I am out of a lot of art supplies and trying to work with limited materials. It's always so cool to see what things my students are experts in. My favorite student zine is from a student who had dual residency in South Korea. He made a zine for Americans to learn about all his favorite Korean foods. I just made a few copies of your new zine to share with my kids and that sparked some cool conversations about balance.
Love this!
Thanks for the morning ear worm of “Devil in His/Her Heart”—I revisited this interview with one of the members of the Donays and she’s lively to say the least. She sang with Motown’s Elgins later in her career and one of her solo records was a hit on the British Northern Soul scene. Also slots in perfectly with my research on my upcoming Detroit trip!
https://audioboom.com/posts/7670531-guest-yvonne-vernee-allen-of-the-donays-from-aug-29-2020
Today's blackout poem is now on an index card in my quote basket, and I bookmarked everything about drawing. It's been a good way to start my day.
I second that! I wrote it down in my 3 year quotes diary, which I started thanks to Austin. (It's a small diary, no room for 5 years.) Thanks Austin! You make me want to get back to blackout poetry.
Numbers 4 & 6 for me... I loved reading from Prince Harry's ghost writer. It has inspired me to keep writing. The music one ahhhhh I can't wait to dive into that this weekend. Hoping it may inspire my piano work, too! Thank you for your ever-present inspiration. You have helped me so much with my own writing and music artistry.
Great sharing as always... we have blackbird chicks just outside a window and it's torture. Also torture for the cats who aren't allowed out until they fledge.
Good for you for not letting your cats outside during fledging season. My neighbors' cats have killed baby screech owls and it makes me really angry. They’re apex predators!
Your piece about television and constraints and time made me think about David Byrne’s “How Music Works.” That book really opened my eyes to how much context--a given set of constraints--influences a piece of art.
Great book
I love the quote from Prince Harry’s ghostwriter. I’ve been asking myself about this new writing habit lately, and what I hope to get out of it. The hope was to have more intentional discussions, but I’ve found a lot more in it. I feel like it clarifies how I see my world and it brings me value whether anyone reads my writing or not.
Side note: I want to say thank you so much for your work! I first heard of you last month when I visited Austin and saw a couple signed copies of your books at BookPeople. I bought them and love them.
I commented about this before on one of your notes, but I got anxious and deleted it. I’ll leave it up this time. :)
Oh, how excellent! Welcome to one of the best spots on the internet — people here are the best :)
Thanks so much ☺️
I remember when Galang came out, my son was a couple of years older than yours is now and he was a fan as well. Her music has a catchiness that appeals to kids.
It would be really fun to make a list of sort of left-field music that kids dig — Kraftwerk, for example, is AMAZING music for 5-year-olds — they sing about real things, like cars and radios and trains and computers and bicycles!
Austin, I'd love to hear/read your thoughts about the Supreme Court's ruling (yesterday?) in the Andy Warhol/Prince/photographer case.
It's kind of impossible to keep up with all of them. My general feeling is usually: what’s legal isn't necessarily right and what's right isn't necessarily legal
Ahhh, brilliantly said.
Austin, do you have any advice for someone facing 3 months of intensive work on a project to reach a deadline?
Set 9-5 bankers hours and crank hard when you're there, then walk outside every day, eat well, and get plenty of sleep. Work expands to fill the time allotted and you can get more done in a set period of time when you're taking care of yourself.
Thank you for the sage advice and generous response!
Additional note! In addition to the Baez piece, definitely appreciated the television and limited time piece (I'm struggling with Maisel), and the zine post about drawing what is invisible (petite prince reference is epic). Thank you for combining all of these thought-provoking pieces into one post. I've already started sharing your Baez piece with artist friends.
Thank you for calling out Joan baez's book! I regularly draw upside down and do one line contour drawings. It is a fantastic way to let loose, be sweet, and discover new creative impulses.
I particularly enjoyed the Television, time, and constraint piece.
Also, everyone seems to be dunking on S3 of Ted Lasso. I'm about half of the way through - it doesn't seem horrible yet. Does it take a huge turn for the worse?
I just don't think it's coherent, honestly. But it has its moments
My shooting-from-the-hip take is that I’m not crazy about some of the plot lines but the actors are still absolutely nailing it
I'm about to start series 3... now I'm worried - should I not bother?
I've watched all of the episodes of S3 so far and I still love it. My husband (who is admittedly a tough critic) says it's too "soap opera-y" but he still watches all the episodes with me so he likes it enough to do that. There have been some truly terrific moments in S3, I think, and I agree with Joe that the actors are still nailing it.
Oh great Julie, thanks. I'm encouraged to give it a go! Just didn't want to be disappointed after the first 2.
It still makes me laugh. I really love the characters. That's...all I need? I'm sure if I wanted to dig in I could come up with things to be disappointed about, but I'm still excited about it.