STIR CRAZY
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November 18, 2020
On the cusp of a new lockdown- NYC hit 2.8% this weekend- I’ve felt my brain go a little loose in the anxiety of what comes next. It’s been a test in centering myself, giving myself a little space to loosen up, and be sure to take it all as it comes. There’s still a lot to feel very happy about. Take a walk with me in this week’s STIR CRAZY
.SATELLITE.
First go- friends Adsum have a great little article about the archtect RAY KAPPE this week.
In case you haven’t aready seen it- Harry Styles COVERS Vogue.
Eva Green TALKS about her time on the cult classic The Dreamers.
My new vibe- King of minimalism, Kyle Chayka coins a new phrase: “Emily in Paris” is AMBIENT TELEVISION.
A FILM IN THREE SONGS.
November 12, 2020
It was a long, celebratory weekend. I hope you enjoyed the weather in New York. I hope you enjoyed the weather anywhere else. Find me on the light up dance floor.
In this week’s STIR CRAZY .SATELLITE: a little weirdo disco to enjoy the weather (???) to.
A throwback to Nora Ephron’s COOKBOOK CRUSHES.
He may be Satan- MUSIC’S GREATEST MANAGER changed the rules.
TRANSATLANTIC IN 26 HOURS: The cannonball revival of 2020.
Beethoven’s SECRET.
Willie Nelson UNDERSTANDS.
This led me to ask: DRAGONS in Williamsburg?
Always, more MORT GARSON, please. APPLE / SPOTIFY
Originally commissioned by Muji, sampled by Vampire Weekend: HARUOMI HOSONO’S “HANA NI MIZU”. APPLE / SPOTIFY
November 4, 2020
It’s hard to avoid thinking about the election, & we should be thinking about it. There is a lot to consider- everything I think we knew in our hearts is coming to pass. There will be no concession, only more chaos.
The Democratic Party’s hope of a sudden calm,
as if Trump would give up and give in was always a deluded pipe dream.
Take a moment to really consider what you’re about.
Go for a walk, breathe fresh air, call home.
This week, I’m debuting something fun and weird:
an INTERNET RADIO SHOW.
Enjoy.
The NYT is here to (LOL) RELEIVE SOME STRESS.
I genuinely enjoy this.
FRIENDS OVER ALL ELSE.
Hannah Goldfield visits NYC’s beating heart: THE ODEON.
THE FUTURE OF HOTEL DESIGN.
Have you been to the TWA hotel yet or...?
October 29, 2020
Oh boy. I’m champing at the bit for daylight saving time. I slept from 930 to 8 last night.
The next few months will be marred by banalaties of the sedentary life. Go for walks. Come up with Situationist style rules for your walks, start a collection of found objects. Build some cairns.
This week, I INTERVIEW Lydia Rodrigues about her SALON.
More fashion, another interview: BLACKBIRD SPYPLANE DOES IT AGAIN WITH JERRY SEINFELD.
If you’ve been curious about what I’ve been up to during COVID, it’s a lot of THIS.
Joni Mitchell says she’s “JUST A FOOL FOR LOVE”.
NYT’s Popcast talks the inimitable MARIAH.
This IDIOTIC PODCAST gave me this BIT OF ALBUM ART TRIVIA.
I revisited one of my FAVORITE Internet videos.
Finally, if you can believe it, DRAKE DOESN’T KNOW HOW TO HOST A PARTY.
October 22, 2020
The sun sets at about 6 o’clock today. As we make the turn toward the cold, dark months, let’s prioritize Good Things to keep our happiness high. Ask yourself “what would make me happy right now?” more often. Practice Hygge. Send people music. Dance. Make an effort to hear the voices that soothe you.
The virus is surging back, hard. It’s okay to feel a little nervous again. Be safe, everyone.
The FIRST EPISODE of the Human Language Series, a 90’s TV series investigating why, how, and what we say.
A deep, deep DIVE into the Octopus.
I loved this look into the odd, daring, furute of Fashion Archiving: the INTERNATIONAL LIBRARY OF FASHION RESEARCH.
This recalled to mind (thankfully!) VESTOJ, an incredible journal of the big concepts behind fashion. HERE is a great piece on celebrity, authenticity, and the philosophical snare of the Originator.
Tyrell Winston’s DADAIST DOUBLE DRIBBLE.
TikTok’s BENEVOLENT WING is bringing indie rock to new heights.
FKA TWIGS CHARTS THE FUTURE.
THE 2000 YEAR LIFE OF A PERUVIAN CAT.
October 15, 2020
For many reasons, this dispatch comes a day late. I needed some extra time, I needed some open air, I needed a change of mind. I’ve been thinking about fastidiousness. It takes a lot of repetition before a shape shows. It takes presence to see a future.
Finally, SOHLA GETS WHAT SHE’S DESERVED.
The first MILLENNIAL SAINT?
A confidant to Prince OPENS UP.
A NEW, STRONG TAKE on the Philip Guston hubub, from Peter Schjeldal.
The LIFE of Marc Jacobs’ assistant.
The rightful EXALTATION OF THE TOY PIANO.
Something I feel strongly about: WHAT MAKES A GOOD COVER SONG?
A DIVE into one of my favorite quarantine hits.
A new LP from American Traditional cum Experimental torch bearers, North Americans. APPLE / SPOTIFY
October 7, 2020
Another crazy, crazy, CRAZY week in the world. This week’s dispatch came together slowly, but crystallized nicely. Might be a lesson in that.
THE NEW YORK DINNERS WE’D THOUGHT WE’D HAVE AGAIN.
Jason Stewart is in the dispatch 2 weeks straight. This week, he nails the beautiful cylce that is EATING & DRINKING & SMOKING .
A BBM from the past.
Notes on Music #1: I AM HERE TO DEMONIZE SPOTIFY.
Could the BAUHAUS SAVE THE WORLD?
Rachel Saville Tasjian strikes again: BALENCIAGA SHOWS THAT GREAT FASHON DOESN’T NEED TO BE ESCAPIST.
What you need to hear: OMERTÀ.
September 30, 2020
If you’ve not SIGNED UP you’re missing some heat. I’ve decided to forsake the sword for the pen once again.
This week is filled with creation.
My friends at DISCO TEHRAN are hosting a four-day streaming festival as a fundraiser for Belarus. Show solidarity with those affected by a rigged election, we may be asking for some in return soon enough.
The IRL costs of URL STREAMING.
A great, google-translate read: a CRITICAL LOOK at Bandcamp, a company I publicly ride for. I appreciated these insights.
Bruce Nauman LOOKS BACK on some things. You can see some of his work now at SPERONE WESTWATER.
Friend of the pod JASON STEWART has thoughs on the TRAVIS SCOTT BURGER.
Bill Buford makes SALAD NIÇOISE.
JAPANESE AMERICANA from the master, Harumi Hosono & his first band, Happy End.
This week’s closer: JOÃO GILBERTO & HIS DAUGHTER BEBEL SING “CHEGA DE SAUDADE”.
September 23, 2020
I’ve decided to forgoe the typical gathering, due to the death of Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the ensuing cultural pause.
Instead, I’ve gathered some of my go to Autumn records. Mostly classics, but who needs to reinvent the wheel? I hope you enjoy.
PARTY - Aldous Harding
BEDOUINE - Bedouine
HATS - The Blue Nile
LOW - David Bowie
BLUES FOR ALLAH - The Grateful Dead
RECENT SONGS - Leonard Cohen
KIND OF BLUE - Miles Davis
HARVEST MOON - Neil Young
GOING STEADY - North Americans
MEAT IS MURDER - The Smiths
September 16, 2020
Autumn has officially arrived in NYC. The city feels different, I feel more spiritualized, a bit more crystallized. Perhaps it’s the negative ions from a sunset on the beach, or perhaps it’s hope for the future. Change is coming from the chaos. I unfold.
Firstly, great news: my friend ADAM KEITA has announced the lauch of crowdfunding for his forthcoming neighborhood-first cafe, DAUGHTER. I am immensely proud of my friend, and very excited about this venture. I feel very intensely about the role of cafes, bars, etc- Daughter aims to return to the fundamentals: good products with the community at the fore. Please support Adam and Daughter HERE.
From June: philosopher Franco “Bifo” Berardi IN CONVERSATION regarding the pandemic and its economic fallout.
Blackbird Spyplane returns to STIR CRAZY with intel on the relationship between SOCIALISM & “JAWNZ”. While you’re there, read their chat with the inimitable RACHEL SEVILLE TASHJIAN.
Read of the week: EMILY RATAJKOWSKI OWNS HER IMAGE.
“[The Museum] doesn’t want you. It has no more interest in you than the ocean does. Which is to say, none whatsoever.”
The Noguchi Museum sits quietly in DISTANCE NOGUCHI.
The NYT REVISTS the forefather of the American Poetic Canon.
Discover the beautiful expanse of BEVERLY GLENN-COPELAND.
The universe owes EDDIE CHACON no thing. That’s how he found what would become my favorite record of the year.
THE PHANTASMAGORIC POETICS OF LUCRECIA DALT.
September 9, 2020
Try to connect disparate thoughts this week, crystallize your imagination. Your brain knows the universe if you’d just let it.
A happy start- Fran Miller (F. Miller Skincare) provides WEDNESDAY STILLS for Public Announcement.
Birds sing Jazz. (1/2)
“IT TAKES A WHILE TO PERFECT YOUR SOUL”.
NILSSON IN CONCERTA very Nilsson “concert” special at the BBC Television Theatre in ‘71.
Jack Antonoff asks: “WHO IS LANA DEL REY?”.
John Carroll Kirby strikes GOLD in his new IGTV interview series.
WHAT MAKES THIS SONG VALUABLE?
MARY WEATHERFORD revisits IRVING SANDLER on Joan Mitchell.
Unlearning Academy’s DIGITAL LIBRARY.
Our friends at WHIM collect EXCERPTS you should read.
September 2, 2020
The shift is on. It’s meteorological autumn. It’s now thought that Stonehenge may have been used, in part, as a venue for music and communication. Try, as I have been, to settle into some stillness and feel your place in nature- snap your fingers and effect the world around you...
The rich are RUINING NEW YORK.
...but so are EVERYONE ELSE, lol.
...but definitely THESE PEOPLE are.
...and so are RESTAURANTS & GENTRIFICATION.
A apt line between Kenosha and ITALY 1919.
THE SHROUDED HISTORY OF KOREA.
A breakdown of the soccer world’s latest blockbuster- THE PRICE OF BEING LIONEL MESSI.
MY FAVORITE ARTICLE I READ THIS WEEK.
Kelly Lee Owens’ 2nd LP, “Inner Song”. Be sure to check out her first, as well. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
August 26, 2020
The changes are imminent and palpable now, we still approach much unknown. Another week of American chaos past, another on the way. But this is our chaos, and our work to do.
While many flee neighborhoods and cities & prophesy the death of New York (lmao), I prophesy a newfound life, a new angle on the same old still life, cool & compelling & exciting. That’s how life works. Each eye, a vision. From EB WHITE, to Frank O’Hara, to mine & yours. There is a reason we live where we do, New York & elsewhere. It’s for one another.
(By the way, have you clicked on the images to the right?)
The SOUNDS of the city that once was, and still is.
What BOREDOM does to us.
LOWER MIDDLE CLASS AND LOVING IT.
The RETURN OF iPODS?
INTERSTELLAR DJ SETS, to reach whomever is out there.
Speaking of, in a sense: HiFi bar In Sheep’s Clothing hits the Internet radio waves with ISCHiFi.
From ILLEGAL EUROPEAN PARTIES to oversized gatherings atop our friend’s Bushwick loft Building, PLEASE STOP PARTYING.
August 19, 2020
Summer 2020 is nearly over. I’m thinking Brad Pitt at a Lakers game is my next, logical, look. I’m thinking trends for 2021 include the next death of tie-dye, more “Authenticity” in the restaurant industry, and monetization of Close Friends Lists.
An incredible profile of the Patron Saint of Stir Crazy, DOLLY PARTON, for Billboard.
NAOMI CAMPBELL SAYS IT’S TIME TO RESET.
BLACKBIRD SPYPLANE, the 2nd best newsletter for “cultural recon”, on ETHICAL FASHION.
Alicia Kennedy takes on LUXURY IN FOOD.
Jazmine Hughes’ SUMMER OF NO FEAR.
THE FUNNY COLORS AND HEARTBREAKING LOGIC OF AN EXTREMELY SPECIFIC NEW YORK ARTIST.
A LIST of reopening dates for NYC’s museums.
2 NEW TUNES from Father John Misty.
An incredible FUGAZI COVER.
August 12, 2020
I awoke today from the fever dream of the last few weeks. It’s midway through August. I patiently await the autumn breezes.
In the throes of Coronavirus, what HAPPENS to subway air?
The RACE for a vaccine is fast, furious, and fickle.
It’s SWEATPANTS for the remainder of 2020.
Friend of the pod FOSTER KAMER on *checks notes* “THE GREAT GOTHAM VROOM BOOM OF 2020” (????).
Why we all feel CONFLICTED OVER KANYE.
Leonard Cohen’s DISCARDED VERSES.
Brian & Roger Eno have had a PROLIFIC 2020.
Ambient giant Suso Saiz is joined by Suzanne Kraft on a wonderful new record.(APPLE/SPOTIFY)
August 5,2020
Last week I included THIS article, which is a clear look & fresh perspective on some of the social effects of the Korean War.
Yesterday marked the 75th anniversary of our bombing Hiroshima & Nagasaki.
Malcolm Gladwell’s podcast, REVISIONIST HISTORY, has a 4 (starting with “Bomber Mafia”) episode arc in season 5 detailing the life of one Curtis Lemay. Lemay was a man among many that, on that day, changed warfare and changed the world.
Yesterday, August 4, the city of Beirut experienced a devastating EXPLOSION. What could be an accident is also being investigated as a possible attack.
To contribute to the relief of the city, DONATE HERE.
For your consideration: “WHY THOSE COMMUNITY FRIDGES WON’T SOLVE HUNGER”.
Is this the long awaited DEATH OF TIE DYE?
A story of the not-so-secret CIA AB-EX COLLECTION.
Sir Paul REMINISCES- on his career, not breaking up the band & Liverpool vs. Everton.
Bossa Nova’s 5th Beatle, JOHNNY ALF.
Are we trying to cancel criticism? THE GUARDIAN & POPCAST on facistic stan-dom.
Eddie Chacon & John Carroll Kirby made your new kind vibe soundtrack. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
One for the heads: Museum of No Art. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
July 31, 2020
This latest STIR CRAZY is one I’m very excited to share, albeit a little late. The past week brought to mind two of America’s great poets: the 25th marked the tragic death of Frank O’Hara & the 28th, the birth of his good friend John Ashbery. HERE is a haunting poem from O’Hara, which seems to prophesy his death on Fire Island (& which may be written posthumously by friend & poet Kenneth Koch). ANOTHER O’HARA POEM, written to his friend Ashes in 1954.
High on a mountain in the wind...
“...the passage of time is the passage of death...
The coolest MODEL of the 90’s.
The messy HEIRESS behind Taylor Swift’s “Last Great American Dynasty” asks a timeless question:
IS THERE A CHIC WAY TO GO?
One’s LOVE LETTER is another’s shot through the heart.
Celebs doing CRAZY THINGS. Wyd, PHOEBE?
RIP KANSAI YAMAMOTO; live forever, ZIGGY STARDUST.
Friend of the show NAOMI FRY on #FREEBRITNEY for The New Yorker.
From the man that brought you PLANTASIA, I present LOVE SOUNDS.
Big Star’s Alex Chilton & photog William Eggleston cover NATURE BOY.
July 22, 2020
Since the last STIR CRAZY, collecting content felt silly, distracting from bigger tasks at hand. I wanted to make sure that the next reached wide, offered respite and encouragement.
I’ve been trying to commune with myself again. I find many conversations of late are different versions of “crazy, eh?”, so I’ve refocused. I’m turning back inward: taking walks and allowing the validation of my humanity to come from nature, instead taking in the primordial wisdom which reflects sunlight back into our eyes as the most calming hues of green.
My goal is to be more self possessed, more intentional, more effective. More purposeful, even, in an effort to assuage dysphoria.
While reflecting, listen to GREEN, Hiroshi Yoshimura’s seminal meditation of life. HERE is Philip Sherburne’s accompanying Pitchfork review.
A living DOC of NYC Mutual Aid.
Friend RITU created MASKON.ZONE to protect you & your data while protesting.
RANK AND FILE ACTION held a brilliant virtual town hall on POLICE TERROR & CUNY.
A suite of must reads from EATER and NYT on dining out. NOTE: I highly recommend the piece from Tejal Rao mentioned in the Eater article.
Friend SAM YOUKILIS has been documenting the bizarre state of NYC post-lockdown. This VISUAL DIARY for Vogue is harrowing.
WILLI SMITH’s streetwear epoch.
ORGANICLAB.ZIP is a archival fan account for cool, techy outdoor gear. The curator behind it recently SPOKE, VIA DMs, to the designer of VEILANCE.
A victorian oasis in Prospect Park: VALE OF CASHMERE.
Friend of the show, designer James Ellis speaks on EMO’S BEAUTIFUL MINIMALISM.
A GHOST SHIP filled with synths brought revolution to CABO VERDE.
Speaking of synths: ELECTRONIC INDIA.
The long awaited DEBUT record from Tween Sensation Chris Chang, aka NEGNANCE.
A very very Elliott type of record from LA’s favorite daughters, HAIM. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
A new, wonderful EP from Seoul-based DJ PARK HYE JIN. Artwork by friend Sirui Ma. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
MAY 27 2020
This is the third STIR CRAZY. My musical appetite has been renewed, so this week brings you a lot of it. I’ve been finding my ability to walk, consume tunes and think to be returning, and what a relief- those are the moments when I feel most connected with the world, even when the world is hiding.
ON A MORE SOMBER NOTE- the country is once again in the throes of racial injustices perpetrated against the black community. This is to serve as a reminder to question your role in these pervasive offenses, and to stay vigilant in knowing that this cannot continue to be a part of daily American life. We need to be better.
An interesting LOOK into perfume.
Friend of the show RITU designed this incredible, uniquely interactive SITE which showcases the risograph works of 50 artists.
Y’all have a lot of JUNK.
IS DIGITAL AUTHENTICITY POSSIBLE?
STEVE BUSCEMI’s warm, gentle haze.
Ahead of their latest record, HAIM are missing the road.
A wild, early 90’s London, ambient RECORD.
“IT WOULD BE ADVISABLE TO PREPARE ONESELF BEFOREHAND, IN THE DEEPEST SILENCE, BY SERIOUS IMMOBILITIES.” Satie, the romantic.
Weirdo pop for the revolution. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
Two new CUTS from a former Solange guitarist.
This week marked the 25th Anniversary of Elliott Smith’s self titled. Here’s a record of his I like MORE. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
MAY 21 2020
This is the second STIR CRAZY. I’ve been thinking of distance - our circumstances are trying, but a little isolation might not be so bad. The stasis serves to allow revaluation of how & with who and want to connect and lend energy to. Maybe a new perspective is only 6 feet away. Maybe newfound appreciation for Real Time spent will be a product. Let this CLASSIC SPOT from C & R Eames remind us that feeling stir crazy is a small service to the larger good.
ARTISTS FOR AAF is a fundraiser, to support Asian American communities affected by COVID-19. Our friend SIRUI MA and a few others set this up, and it includes the works of many of our friends.
Shortly pre-quar, I met the owners of Good & Nice at my cafe, DAYMOVES. They had no clue they’d OPEN IN A PANDEMIC.
Setting the record straight and shining light on the role of illuminating designer RAY EAMES.
Wolfgang Tillmans IN CONVERSATION with Gregory Crewdson. DOWNLOAD some Tillmans books.
Secret party suspicions CONFIRMED.
Our friend COBEY ARNER has released a BOOK OF iPHONE PHOTOS. Buy it HERE.
GoodEarth.nyc’s latest kind vibe T-Shirt NON VIOLENT COMMUNICATION .
Heartbeat Opera continues to expand the form, and garner all kinds of attention with their zoom fantasia of Verdi’s Macbeth: LADY M
Uncut Gems (now streaming on Netflix) directors The Safdie Bros have started Elara Radio. Here is a stream from LATIN RASCALS
A Letter of Rec: Harry Nilsson’s THE POINT! (APPLE/SPOTIFY,) and its FILM.
Some New Music: The steel guitar renaissance slides along- Luke Schneider’s ALTAR OF HARMONY (APPLE/SPOTIFY) calls upon Brian Eno’s APOLLO (SPOTIFY), taking the pedal steel to a New Age apex.
May 11, 2020
This is the first STIR CRAZY, a weekly dispatch of culture to keep you occupied and fresh.
Recently, French philosopher Michel Houellebecq published some SOME THOUGHTS on The Virus. Considering I conceived Stir Crazy while pacing in my room, this Google translation of Houellebecq interpreting Nietzsche really resonated: “everything that is not conceived in walking sucks”. Hopefully it’s a good omen.
Friends of the show Kennedy have for us their GREECE issue & an ongoing series, LOCKDOWN DIARIES
Alain Jouffroy’s MIRO is a celebration of the modernist’s imagination and individualism.
The stunning HOME of Aaron Aujla and Emily Adams Bode.
CHAIR TIMES is a look at 125 pieces from the archives of iconoclastic chair maker, Vitra.
Damien Chazelle is obsessed with jazz. Here’s his new show THE EDDY.
Shakepeare’s Globe is offering a free stream of THE SCOTTISH PLAY from pre-Quar. There’s nothing like Shakespeare done right.
Susan Cianciolo THEN AND NOW
Small designers, wild looks, familiar faces. Welcome to LRC ONLINE.
One of Elliott’s favorite records of 2019,<ATRAS/ALEM> from O Terno, perfect for the nice spring days. (APPLE/SPOTIFY)
Friend and contributor Lulu Graham of Outfit Dissecting enlisted some friends to compile TUNES FOR DRESSING.