mommaTy

My favorite Book Covers of All Time

mommaty — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:50:07 +0000

As a lifelong writer, I have been fascinated by book covers. I decided to try to find the best ones, some I've read and some I will get around to some day. Don't forget to comment and let me know who yours are. I'll put them up! Here we go...

The Catcher in the Rye

Exposure: A Novel

Dracula (Vintage Classics)

Brideshead Revisited

Maps and Legends

TO SEE THE COMPLETE LIST CLICK BELOW!

Behind Bars by Ty Wenzel (2004, Paperback, Reprint)

US $11.99

16d 13h 22m

Behind Bars by Ty Wenzel (2004, Paperback, Reprint)

US $11.99

15d 15h 6m

NEW Behind Bars - Ty Wenzel 9780312311032

US $12.27

7d 18h 34m

Gotham Tragic: A Novel by Kurt Wenzel

US $3.95

28d 19h 37m

Gotham Tragic by Kurt Wenzel (2004) ~ 1st Edition HB/DJ

US $3.99

27d 8h 21m

NEW Lit Life Kurt Wenzel UNABRIDGED Audiobook Sealed

US $9.99

12d 4h 42m

Exposure by Kurt Wenzel (HC) Combined Ship! **NEW**

US $4.79

23d 4h 56m

Gotham Tragic by Kurt Wenzel (2004)

US $5.99

22d 15h 31m

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Talk about awesome wallpaper!

mommaty — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 06:38:49 +0000

I really love the idea of mid-century furniture with this unbelieveably gorgeous backdrop - a mural or wallpaper made from a lovely scene that will make you smile every time! ))

clipped from vi.sualize.us

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TWILIGHT SINGERS INTERVIEW | GREG DULLI

mommaty — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:31:24 +0000

So I find myself sitting on a toilet in an East Village bar called DBA (the watering hole of my husband's single days). I look around for some toilet paper and low and behold - what do I see? Poetry all over the walls written by hundreds of women during their powder room romps. As I'm reading away, one thing just pops out. DULLI YOU SEXY MOTHERFUCKER! and DULLI RULES! I laugh mainly because I agree and I had just talked to him a few weeks before for this article.

When I get back out to meet my friends, guess what's playing in the background? Right after hearing all of Radiohead's new Kid A, on comes the entirety of TWILIGHT as played by the TWILIGHT SINGERS (a.k.a. Dulli's side project). I go up to the bartender and say, "You've got a real Afghan Whigs following here huh?" And he says, "You better believe it." I tell him about my interview. He gives me a free drink. I love this job.

The album starts with one of the most beautiful songs of the year: the twilite kid. Dulli's breathy voice really gets to shine here and the emotions he's able to explore through it really touch the listener.

All of Dulli's work with the Afghan Whigs have been very emotional and sexy, but there is definitely something that smells of things like unrequited love, passionate nights (check out the orgasmic moans in track #3 called Clyde), yearning and loneliness in these songs. It's a mature album from a maturing Dulli. Twilight is clearly a labor of love. And from talking to Greg, he confirmed that in his thirties, he's slowing down a bit, with less womanizing and getting into trouble. I suspect the drinking is down too. Somehow, I think the music is going into a better direction, perhaps because of this.

It seems that Greg is looking to be saved. It seems that love is the only thing that can do this. Maybe I'm reading into the album too much, but Greg is looking for redemption through this emotional spewing... possibly trying to purge the lonely demons he's been heralding for too long. Is Dr. Freud in the house?

save me save me either way i wanna be your baby

The brooding melodies are triumphant in that they truly utilize Dulli's talent at crooning, seranading, and making everyone feel warm and fuzzy inside. Many of the climactic highs of the songs feel something like mental breakthroughs and some even make you want to dance. This is a beautiful album which only gets better and better the more you listen to it. Barry White's got some competition here..

We'll miss the hedonistic, drunken partyboy, but somehow, he seems even sexier now. As a man. Would you ever have believed it? I think Greg's all grown up!

-Ty Wenzel

Q&A

T. How did Twilight come about? And are the Whigs still together? There are rumors floating around...

GD. We're recording a new album. Twilight Singers came about by me writing material that wasn't rock material. And basically you know... I decided to have a musical affair with other people.

T. You have such a breathy voice. Do you do any affectation to it to sound that way?

GD. I put it through a sensualizer.

T. hmmm...and what would that sensualizer be?

GD. Use your imagination, Darlin'.

T. I will... You're music is getting very mellow with Twilight. Do you think you're mellowing? I was listening to '65 and it's more angry and edgy. What am I picking up on?

GD. To try to force yourself to be an angry young man is kinda sad. I know better than anyone. But, for me I'm becoming a better player. When I was young I just wanted to scream and make a loud a noise as I could.

T. Does that mean the intense partying is over? Now that your in your thirties... Are you settling down? Getting into maybe a relationship?

GD. Ummm... not in a relationship. And, if someone throws a good party, I'll be sure to be there. If you're asking if the drinking, partying, and womanizing is passed, it probably has most likely. It has been for quite some time now.

T. Brutal love songs are your signature. Did you need a bad relationship as a muse? Did you ever sabotage a relationship for material?

GD. No. That's twisted behavior. Relationships are hard enough, to try and throw a wrench in one? I've only been in two in my whole life. They didn't end particularly well. I had a distrust of relationships from an early age, watching my parents. It colors your world view, you know. If you see two unhappy people living together every day, why would you want to be in a rush to get into something like that? I never have, you know. But, I've been in love two times in my life and they were wonderful experiences. I certainly didn't need to sabotage them, they hit the iceberg on their own.

T. You're showing such a tender side of yourself with Twilight. It was nice after knowing the "wild and crazy" Dulli through the Whigs for so long.

D. I've been giving glimpses of it for years. But this is the most obvious I've made it for that persona to come though.

T. What do you think about rock and roll right now... the charts are full of boy bands and crap.

D. They wouldn't even call that rock and roll I don't think. It goes through cycles like anything does. I mean... imagine all the potential boy bands waiting for the "grunge" thing to end. Grunge went away and there they were. Things move in cycles. N' Sync and Backstreet Boys are overexposing themselves to the point of... the backlash will be wicked and swift. They're riding high right now and ride away. The people will speak.

T. I'm hoping bands like the Whigs and Guided by Voices will top the charts some day. I just partied with GBV for two days, in fact.

GD. (laughing hysterically) You did? I love them! The only one I know now in the band is Bob.

T. I'm in love with Bob now.

GD. And Budweiser too.

T. Did you get the box set yet? <Suitcase>

GD. I don't have the box set but I got Do The Collapse. I thought that was great. He's a force the likes I've never seen before. I'm from just 40 miles down the road from Bob Pollard. We were born 40 miles apart.

T. He's such a genius and such a normal person too.

GD. And a great basketball player too.

T. And baseball too!

GD. He is an enigma. I love him. I think he's enormously talented and anything good that happens to Bob Pollard makes me smile. Tell him I said hi and that I love him.

T. Is huge rock star status something important to you?

GD. Obviously it's not important to me because I've never had it! (laughs)

T. If it was handed to you on a silver platter, would you take it?

GD. With all the invasions of privacy, no way. I'd take the cash though. (laughs)

T. That's what Bob said! Do you guys do anything else for money?

GD. We don't have to but, John Curley owns his own internet company. Rick co-owns a landscaping company in Minneapolis. I write all the songs so I get publishing, but we can all live on the music.

T. You are a big fan of Motown. Do you like Rap? Has it been a letdown?

GD. Ty, in my opinion there are two kinds of music. Good music and Bad music. That's the way I look at it. There's great hip hop music. There's very few I can listen to the whole album, for that they would have to be like Jurassic Five or D'Angelo and Badu all the way. Every once in a while... one of my favorite now is Transcendental Blues. You stick it on and you'll listen to the whole thing. The first song in particular. Like I have since I was 10 years old, I go out and find what's gonna turn me on.

T. What influences your lyrics?

GD. I'm influenced by everyday life. More than anything I'm influenced by conversations. Sometimes to the point of plagiarizing the very line that they say to me. I've been working on a song recently and I started to sing this line and I'm like where have I heard this before? Am I stealing this line? I realize I'm stealing it from my friend Mike who told me a story two weeks ago!

T. Sweet Son of a Bitch? Tell me...

GD. Tell you what?

T. Were you having sex with her?

GD. I never said that! I'm not going to say that now? It's a recording and I was the engineer of the recording. I'm not saying I wasn't in the room when people were having sex; I'm just saying I wasn't one of the people having the sex. I was there.

T. I was told that therapy has been a part of your life.

GD. I went to therapy briefly. It helped me in a difficult part of my life.

T. I was told you had dealt with depression. Had that influenced you?

GD. Up until the point that I did get myself fixed I'm sure it was influencing me subconsciously.

T. Did music come out of that experience?

GD. Congregation, Gentleman and Black Love. There you go.

T. You're notorious too. Getting into trouble...

GD. I've been a good boy.

T. I read for 1965, you said this was lust without the guilt. Was that true for you?

GD. There was guilt period in my life. I think 1965 the first record I had no sad relationships to sing about, no sad mental states to sing from. I was in a celebratory time.

T. What kind of time is it now.

GD. Good! Right now is a kind of experimental time. I record every day. Something. Not even songs, just sounds. I feel like a kid again. Discovering music again.

T. What do you think of the internet?

GD. I am not against computers, but outside of playing computer golf, I don't really use one. All my friends do and when I check my e-mail every six months people are like "what the fuck". I couldn't find my computer. It's probably under all my clothes.

T. What would you like to say to your fans?

GD. I would say Thank You for liking what I do and supporting us, and buying our records and coming to see us. You don't only do this for yourself. You do to put yourself first, but once you put it out and make it available it becomes everyone's so I would say thank you!

TWILIGHT, AS PLAYED BY THE TWILIGHT SINGERS, NEW CD US $13.48 15d 19h 56m

MARS VOLTA - CMJ Mag & CD Twilight Singers Coldplay acl 0 Bid US $3.99 6h 49m

1 CENT CD Blackberry Belle - Twilight Singers SEALED 3 Bids US $1.42 8h 36m

TWILIGHT AS PLAYED BY THE TWIL By TWILIGHT SINGERS CD - US $4.21 23d 13h 19m

THE TWILIGHT SINGERS - TWILIGHT AS PLAYED BY T - CD NEW US $4.07 29d 22h 19m

THE TWILIGHT SINGERS - TWILIGHT AS PLAYED BY T - CD NEW US $7.07 29d 16h 24m

TWILIGHT SINGERS She Loves You PROMO CD Afghan Whigs US $10.00 29d 14h 46m

TWILIGHT SINGERS ~~~ A STITCH IN TIME ~~~ NEW CD US $4.95 29d 8h 5m

BJORK LLOYD COLE A3 TWILIGHT SINGERS PROMO SAMPLER CD US $4.99 27d 7h 50m

She Loves You by Twilight Singers (The) (CD, Mar-201... US $8.64 26d 6h 47m

The Twilight Singers Play Blackberry Belle CD US $10.99 26d 6h 42m

Twilight Singers "Brazillia" Remix CD single - DJ-ONLY US $6.00 25d 7h 16m

BLACKBERRY BELLE By TWILIGHT SINGERS CD - New US $11.65 23d 13h 23m

POWDER BURNS By TWILIGHT SINGERS CD - New US $11.94 23d 13h 23m

Blackberry Belle by Twilight Singers (The) (CD, Mar-... US $9.57 23d 8h 49m

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THE DELGADOS SUBLIME INTERVIEW

mommaty — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:20:39 +0000

Stewart and Alun of The Delgados (photo by Ty Wenzel)

I met up with The Delgados at their final show in the states. They recently completed a grueling tour covering major cities and seeing the real and not so real America. I’ll explain later. Guillermo Nanni and I headed for The Knitting Factory in Tribeca, quite excited to talk with the most talked about band from Glasgow, following the great success of their newest release, The Great Eastern. We sat in the café waiting for the big van to show up, drinking way too much coffee. Foreshadowing the chatty state I was to be on for the interview, I had no time to come down when we soon found ourselves upstairs during soundcheck with Stewart Henderson (bass) and Alun Woodward (vocals/guitar), Radiohead blaring in the background.
Both boys were endearing and totally different in every way except for the thick Scottish brogue that made it vital to listen closely. I found myself laughing once or twice, not because I thought the comment was funny, but because the simplest words sounded so foreign that I struggled to keep up. And words like Shite and Arse were from "Trainspotting" and couldn’t believe people really talk that way. I’ve got to get out more.
Alun’s quiet charm was alarming and enigmatic in the way that Jimmy Stewart was. Shy, smart and mysterious. That may be because Stewart’s bombastic lovability really steals the spotlight. His enthusiasm is contagious and ambitious.

Despite the personality disparity, we found them finishing each other’s sentences and casting each other’s convictions into clear focus.

The Delgados formed a little over five years ago. They consist of front man and woman, Alun Woodward, Emma Pollock, along with Stewart Henderson and Paul Savage on drums. They debuted their first single, Monica Webster / Brand New Car (Melody Maker Single Of the Week) in 1995. After a few singles, came Under Canvas Under Wraps, which lead to a tour with Elastica. Then came Domestiques, Peloton and the rest is history.

Here we are celebrating the wild success of The Great Eastern, nominated for the UK’s Mercury Music Prize, losing out to another Privy fave, Damon Gogh (Badly Drawn Boy).

In addition to their flourishing musical successes, they also own their own hugely successful indie label, Chemical Underground, based in Glasgow. Their label has discovered the likes of Arab Strap, Radar Bros, Magoo, Mogwai just to name a few. They have the golden touch it seems.

Alun and Stewart have known each other since they were nine. Alun explains, "We played in another band when we were younger. They threw us out and we started another band... Emma joined. The thing that fueled us at the start was the pure hatred of these individuals." (They laugh nostalgically).

We ask what that band is doing now, and Stewart laughs and is quick to say, "Serving quarter pounders."

I say what a great thing that they were thrown out of that band. They, of course, agree.

The boys popped open a few beers and I lit a cigarette and we really got into it. Stewart immediately bummed a smoke and we laughed a lot in the following hour.

Their North American tour consisted of Toronto, Chicago, Minneapolis, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York. They had really gotten a kick out of the mid-west, comparing the West and East coast "in some respects very European... but the mid-west is a different country." Citing video games where you shoot deer and being able to buy guns at the local Wallmart.

Stewart thinks it’s getting more and more like the Simpsons. "It’s getting like that." I agree, after all it’s Bush country, white trash America. When I ask him what he thinks about New York, he’ll take the tourist route. "It’s kind of like stepping inside a television. The first time I came, I thought I could live here, but by the third time, it’s like it’s a nice to visit for fuck’s sake!"

We all agree, it’s a young person’s place. Alun can’t believe the expense of living in New York. "You’re spending a lot to live in a hovel." He’s right. I’m sitting in one right now writing this article.

There is something I noticed about the show that evening, that Stewart had confirmed for me earlier. They are a quiet band, meaning their audience isn’t exactly moshing, but their fans are devoted to them.

The boy’s enthusiasm is fresh and well deserved. They fucking sell out every night and even though their audience are well behaved, as Stewart says, "they’ve been talking about the show for a week before! Toronto was our first show on this tour and I couldn’t believe how great it was!" He seems astounded, but it’s sinking in.

It’s particularly expensive for a small label to tour a band with six extra musicians as well. They brought along a string section, because that’s what they used on The Great Eastern. Alun claims that there’s no point in making a record if it’s not going to sound like that live. Stewart admits it’s a financial drain but well worth it. "You have to be long term-ist about it. If we were on a major label it would be costing us 5 times as much as it has for this tour."

But they’re entrepreneurs. They own their label and this reality makes them think of the commerce of it all. They have to think this way to survive. And it’s not like they haven’t been invited to sign with the big boys. When asked why torture yourselves this way, they say it’s because it was a time when there weren’t that many good record labels, "we just wanted an idealist thing, to do what we wanted to do." But then, the truth blurts out... of course, through Stewart, because Alun is now sitting in the corner of the couch quietly contemplating.

"Looking at it retrospectively you have to put it in the context that no one was fucking helping us, we didn’t come from another successful band, no one gave a fuck about us, none of us had done it before but I can remember the scale we started with was very small. It slowly became more of what it is now through the years. We thought at the start we’d try, but if it didn’t work, at least we tried."

They started finding bands. And the bands became successful. And some have left, but it’s still a credit to them, to have discovered bands that the majors discover through Chemical Underground. It was through the success of their bands that The Delgados came through and vice versa. Stewart is thrilled that they all helped each other in this way. He knows how fortunate they are.

But how can owning a label not interfere with the creative process? How can they not start thinking like a fucking cubicle huddling corporate freak, when there are so many lives and money at stake? They’re humble and modest about this point. "It’s become a lot easier. We’ve been asked about joining a major label... I can’t imagine the necessity of moving to another label. Money and being comfortable and having enough money to live on is nice, but anything beyond that is a bonus. As long as we can live in a manner that we’re comfortable with, which we’re managing to achieve a little bit just now, I’m happy. It was getting hard the last year... We were wondering if we could go on the way that we had, but thankfully The Great Eastern being received the way that it has, it’s great. I couldn’t imagine any reason to leave Chemical Underground," says Stewart happily.

There are drawbacks. There’s always a price to pay, isn’t there? The cost has been their former tight friendships. After all, they’re business partners. Anyone’s who’s ever worked with friends, relatives or lovers will understand the strain it can put on their relationship. Stewart explains, "Working together, it’s difficult. When we tour it’s like how we used to be, it’s more like a friendship thing, we drink and laugh, but in Glasgow it’s like we’re colleagues, you know, it’s like, I don’t want to go out and have a drink... I just want to go home. Alun, Myself, Paul and Emma don’t go out drinking anymore. In some respects, the success of the band has sacrificed our old friendship. Paul and I used to be very close, but since the business, we’re colleagues. We’ve all got a lot of people we could go out to have a drink with on a Saturday night."

I catch a hint of sentiment in Stewart’s eye. Alun too, for that matter. "I think at the end of the day, the four of us wouldn’t keep doing this if it wasn’t working for us. Even though we argue, The Great Eastern proved it, and I was the most skeptical about it, about the status of the band on a personal level, whether we wanted to do it, but the fact that we managed to make that record, shows to me really, no matter how much we argue, we can make a good record."

Alun sums it up. "We’re four thirteen year-olds, brothers and sister. That’s the relationship we have,... sometimes we despise each other, it’s the same as the relationship I had with my family... like the worst Christmas morning sometimes."

‘Nuf said. I ask about the name. Where the hell did a name like The Delgados come from? It’s not nearly as exciting as you would think. Apparently they all liked cycling quite a lot. And even though Alun says it was a "shite idea" they all thought cycling was a cool sport. "It looked great. Tour-de-France is a brilliant thing to watch. Pedro Delgado was a cyclist we all knew. We called ourselves The Delgados because we thought cycling was a slick sport.."

But Chemical Underground was inspired by Alun’s former DJ jobs... sounding quite club like, catchy to the scene, even though they don’t produce dance records.

The Great Eastern as a name is an engaging story. It’s named after an old textile mill that was converted. "We knew the place, and found out it was called The Great Eastern, and at that time we were looking for an album title. There wasn’t a great deal of effort put into it. It was more the sound of it than anything else. The name seems to hold a lot of despair." He bums another cigarette. I gladly leave the box on the sofa arm and tell him to help himself.

After the years of struggling, both with the band, personally and with working on the label, they’re thrilled finally over the success they’ve finally achieved. It’s been called the record of year in a lot of circles. But Stewart was on the fence about his future before The Great Eastern. Perhaps they all were.

"I’m glad that they recognize the record for what it was. If this album had collapsed I don’t think I could have continued. So yeah, it’s great... if people think it’s the album of the year then...fucking great!"

Balancing their family life hasn’t been easy. Alun has a three year old and he had missed his first jump and when he formed his first sentence. Stewart has a six year old step-daughter. But they’re realistic. Fame comes with a price, again. "It’s a dream to me. In some respects, there’s the pain of being away but then I have to put it into perspective. It’s my livelihood, and it seems glamorous, hedonistic, to go off on tour, but if you look at it colder, it’s my job. Touring and promoting the record."

Alun says the best part is going home. And besides, "You get to miss them. It makes you appreciate them much more."

What are they listening now? You’d be surprised. In addition to some of the more modern stuff, Alun’s into the new Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Stewart is listening to Magnetic Fields’ 69 Love Songs. Oh, and Queens Greatest Hits. Who doesn’t own this? He laughs and somehow I can see him rocking out to Bohemian Rhapsody.

Napster came up and it’s always an interesting topic because bands are so passionate about their response. But The Delgados have an interesting take on this. They’re a record label and also the artist. Their response surprised me, but got me thinking. This is where they were not bohemian in any way. And I respected their position.

Woodward clarifies, "I think the internet is great on one level. It’s hugely liberating for people.

Your money goes a long way on the internet. People want to get free things from Napster. From my point of view, if you want to get the new Arab Strap album for free from Napster, then please please don’t complain to me when Arab Strap can’t make another album because they don’t have the money and Chemical Underground goes bust because everyone got the records for free. It’s starting something but it’s ending some things too. We invest in one end, and we have to get that back, and if we don’t then..."

Stewart is equally passionate. " It’s one thing for Chuck D to say how great Napster is, that’s fucking fine. But you’ve made your fucking millions. But if you’re from Glasgow, like struggling hand to mouth and trying save bands and release cds, one cd downloaded is like $6 that we can have in the bank. Not for us to like buy a yacht or go sail in Monaco, but for us to release another record."

I ask about the artists who feel thwarted and screwed by the major corporate labels, and their plight. Stewart sympathizes but also says, "I understand why they feel oppressed by the corporation, and I can understand that. But if you sign with them then be aware of that."

"We were offered major deals, but we couldn’t agree on it creatively," Alun says, "Everyone has a choice to some extent."

Stewart recalls, "Radiohead was so pro-Napster... ‘fuck the man’ stuff, ‘no corporate sponsorship’, until people started downloading Kid A a week before it was released, then they slap an injunction on them, because they weren’t happy about it anymore. Maybe I’m talking out of my arse, but it’s a difficult thing... the internet has exploded very quickly and it’s taking corporations by surprise."

I guess I hadn’t thought about it that way. It’s important to keep indie labels afloat because that’s where all the good music is coming from and I’m grateful that they sacrifice so much to keep it going.

Suddenly, the band is called and we had to get to our place for the show. I give Stewart the rest of my Marlboro Lights and get up. He’s grateful for it. We thank them and later see them hanging out on the balcony while the opening band, Interpol, played. They greet friends and industry and watch Interpol closely, especially Alun. I hear they’ve just signed them to Chemical Underground.

Last week’s Time Out/New York said that this particular show was one of the top ten best shows of the year. Another Best of. They get a lot of that. I, myself, am partial to rock out till your guts fling out of your head kind of shows (Guided by Voices for example), but I was immensely touched by Emma’s voice, her raw rocker attitude, and her exquisite guitar prowess. Let’s face it, she’s there to rock. The girl probably doesn’t own a mini-skirt, doesn’t wear make up and clearly couldn’t care less about fashion (she’s a t-shirt kinda’ gal), so we have to surmise that she’s the antithesis of the Courtney Love bull-shit image cliché. Emma’s about the music. I wish more women were.

Somebody in the audience screams, "Limp Bizkit Rules!" The Delgados look confused. They’re naive cocoon has protected them from the MTV crap of late and have no idea what this moron is talking about. "Biscuit? Did you say you want a biscuit?" The audience laughs and our hearts are warmed by the fact that they haven’t fallen prey to the mainstream American mediocrity that has taken over the world.

Alun is sexy as ever. His effervescent voice reaching angelic new heights and even sitting for a song or two, didn’t matter, because their music warrants a composed atmosphere, despite it’s sometimes upbeat moments. They harmonize, creating a beautiful voice. And they drink beer. That’s the only thing they have in common with Guided by Voices.

Stewart is the jester on stage. He is jumping around, making people laugh, clearly the one that keeps it light. It would be too serious a show without him waving to people and chugging the bottle between laughs. He’s the one, obviously, who knows all the dirty jokes. Paul is rocking out, with strings all about him, violins and cellos. Together it worked like a tight orchestra.

And it occurred to me then. Alun was right. For the first time in a long forever of a time, it was a show where the music sounded exactly like the album. Some bands say things that never ring true or really ever happen. "The Great Eastern is a swirling symphonic opus of such glorious, ear-shattering confidence" is a review I read. It’s exactly also what I saw in person. A truly memorable show.

Stewart, I don’t think you’ll be flipping quarter pounders anytime soon. Get ready to become a rock-star.

-Ty Wenzel

The Delgados - No Danger - 2000 CD Single US $4.99 28d 12h 17m

Delgados Pull The Wires From The Wall cd US $4.99 27d 22h 8m

THE DELGADOS - THE GREAT EASTERN - CD NEW US $22.30 27d 6h 46m

THE DELGADOS - DOMESTIQUES - CD NEW US $7.99 26d 13h 5m

THE DELGADOS - UNIVERSAL AUDIO - CD NEW US $7.50 25d 6h 59m

Photos by

Ty Wenzel

Special Thanks to The Knitting Factory, NYC

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INTERPOL INTERVIEW

mommaty — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:14:51 +0000

You may have read my interview with The Delgados in the past issue, and if you had, you would know that opening for their show the night of the interview was an '80s influenced band - Joy Division inspired to be exact - called Interpol. I have to admit I wasn’t knocked out right away but I was after all, waiting to see the coolest and most progressively entrepreneurial band from Glasgow. I am on the balcony watching Alun and Stewart (members of The Delgados) looking over the handrail down at the band they just took under their wing, being their fukd i.d. series which is the baby of their hugely successful record label, Chemkal Underground. The series releases a random collection of singles/EPs on both 12" and CD. All come in deluxe packaging - black sleeves with silver stickering and Interpol got to be their third in the collection, released on December 11, 2000. I can’t really say if it’s done them much good except get them noticed in Europe, and hell yes, the Delgados connection can’t hurt.

Nevertheless, the drones of the music industry have yet to take serious notice of this band since they’re not selling tits and ass and they don’t come on stage with needles dangling from their arms in torn t-shirts. They’re in search of a record label and I’m hoping some moron of an A&R person at an indie label will take notice and give listeners some music made by talented musicians who actually know how to dress. The most elusive thing to an A&R moron? They're smart.

There I am watching them rock out - in very stately fashion.

They are akin in performance to The Delgados, the kings of intellectual Scottish mellow rock so it was fine; because of this I couldn’t imagine them opening with a band like The Mekons. I guess I bitched about that. I then noticed that the singer, Paul, sounds exactly like Ian Curtis of Joy Division. Right after that, I realize that they’re music sounds like Joy Division. They’re a Joy Division knock off! But I was wrong. Dead wrong.

Formed in 1998, as students of New York University, Interpol designs requiems using uncluttered, exquisite disciplines with a dint of repetitive prose and music moves. Paul is hypnotic and dejected when in the doldrums, drones eerily evocative of Ian Curtis, but confident and triumphant when pushing forth his somber meditations. There is something monotone about that voice, despite any high, that says there is never a release to this depression. Never a true crescendo. Never a heart-stopping moment. Nothing will ever work out, it seems to channel.

Didn’t Ian Curtis hang himself? I do believe he did.

City Search.com states boldly that Interpol is "nominated for best local unsigned band, this downtown guitar quartet is the closest Americans have gotten to the spirit of the late Joy Division's Ian Curtis". They are one of the best British-sounding bands in the country, but they shower. I guess you could call them American-Brit-Pop. Didn't Bob Pollard sing with a British accent for fifteen years? On stage, after the initial shock that you are not watching Joy Division, you will be captivated by their intensity. Their music is not opaque, it's multi-level see-right-through-you rock, and perhaps that is the magic of the repeated chorus. You hear something over and over again, you begin to believe it, not unlike affirmations, for good or bad. Luckily Interpol is fighting the forces of evil by detouring through hell. Someone once told me that a good therapist is someone who will hold your hand on the journey to the abyss of the dark netherworld, and guide you back up till you see the face of God. If you listen to Interpol enough, you will find your way back. I am always suspicious of liking music on the first listen. Those songs get old fast. As with Interpol, if you listen to them three four times, you'll be hooked. I promise.

Fast forward -

We agreed via e-mail through several cancellations to meet at M&R Bar in the now obnoxiously fashionable Nolita (North of Little Italy) section of New York. We were waiting for each other in two separate rooms so, of course, I thought they were irresponsible brats trying to be bad-asses by being late. Oooo... they’re late... how original! But out comes Carlos, the band's bassist and keyboardist, and I recognize him and introduce myself and he tells me they’ve been waiting for me in the other room for a while. After removing my foot from my fast-talkin' illusions, they come out to meet me and order some drinks - a bands best friend, and my favorite elixir to pry the good stuff out of ‘em.

Paul , the lead singer no less, is conspicuously absent. Not good. I was actually a bit pissed off about this, since the lead singer is clearly pivotal to a band's image... with him absent, the image was a bit blurry. Daniel, the lead guitarist, has cozied up and the drummer, Samuel, is warming up to the interview. Carlos is conspicuously quiet (Samuel says his tongue is forked and to watch out - boy was he right!). He's also dressed like he would be on stage - which is to say, he looks great. There's a refinement to him that seems surprising for a rock-star.

"There's an irony in that at a show we did once in a festival in France recently and of all the bands that were playing we were the only Americans, yet we sounded the most British," Carlos says.

Daniel adds, "If there were more labels in the US that were interested in us on a level we require as well it could work out, but in Europe they get the sound. The industry and scene is more open. We even got more radio-play." It sets the stage for a conundrum that can't be overlooked. The fact that they sound like Joy Division cannot be denied. That they dress up, as did the British bands of the New Wave (i.e. Spandau Ballet, Elvis Costello, etc.), gives credence to the mistaken identity. Most local bands sport the heroine chic, somebody pump my stomach look. They also get comparisons to Wire and The Chameleons. "That's the timeless stuff of the 80's so it's fine. It's not nostalgic. It wasn't intentional. I think that's great. That's when I started liking music myself," Samuel says justifying their image. Luckily for them, the 80's resurgence is upon us and they're poised to ride the Neo-New Wave.

Their biggest coup was getting picked by The Delgados for their fukd i.d. series. It's a limited edition run but it got them immense coverage in Europe and probably put them on the music map, so to speak. Daniel, who worked at a label, had access to the Scotts and when in Germany at a Mogwai show, handed it over. Emma liked it a lot and got the rest of the band to take on Interpol for the series. Hence, they opened for them at the show I was at. "It was a fun show," says Daniel. Time Out New York claimed it was on their top ten best shows of 2000. Impressive indeed.

Carlos chimes in, "Their aesthetic, to be candid, is not what I look for in music, but I found myself sitting by the stage mesmerized. For a band that I normally wouldn't pick up to do that to me..."

The word Interpol does not exist in the dictionary. But the International Criminal Police Organization is referred to as INTERPOL. Their objective is "to help create a safer world. Our aim is to provide a unique range of essential services for the law enforcement community to optimize the international effort to combat crime." However, when you ask the band how they got that name, you get the answer you get when you ask every band. Daniel confirms, "We got it by going through some seriously bad names. It's embarrassing. We've played shows with no name." When asked for some of the "bad names" I get a speedy retort from Carlos who's talking now: "It's Classified." How governmental. We laugh. "It was Paul's idea. His story is that he was teased by a friend of his who used to say: Paul Paul Interpol."

We're toasty by now.

The subject of the current musical state comes up. The boy-bands and pop-princesses are talked about vehemently. We all agree that it will eventually crash, though Daniel seems frustrated. "It's been going on a long time now. Longer than most styles usually last." Samuel cites that the Sex Pistols came about when music was in a similarly pathetic state. "There were sanitation strikes. The local politics, stuff that was going on. Music sucked." It's prime for revolution. "It goes back to why we're doing business in Europe. It's like, that whole openness is prevalent there. There are some great independent labels in this country, but they're not open to us yet. It's timing too."

The conversation drifts away from music and we are now fairly inebriated and just talking bull-shit. Somehow John Malkovich comes up and Carlos lights up. I ask if he likes him and he sarcastically replies, "No, I hate him! Hello??? I do have some taste!" Yes, the booze is working. When I told him that I recently interviewed Willem Dafoe he adds, "Oh my God, another god!" The time together now is spent talking

about our love lives and day jobs. Carlos realizes this lapse in professionalism and says, "Is the interview still going on?" They don't know that this is for the "In the drink..." series we do.

That is to say that we take a band out to drink and write about it. I reply, "No." We just keep talking about stuff until the momentum wanes and it's time to go home. We bid our adieu's and they say they'll keep in touch, which they have.

On my walk home I think how unlike INTERPOL (the governmental organization) they are. There weren't any real secrets. There weren't any code words. It never felt like an interrogative interview from what I could see. They're a young band with a fast-growing and loyal following here and especially abroad.

It's a matter of time when the labels here will catch on... not unlike the Brit bands they're always compared to that inevitably made it here.

I consider Interpol expatriates in their own land with their hearts on their sleeves, guitars on their backs.

-Ty Wenzel

TSUNAMI RELIEF 2-cd Hot Heat/Clinic/Interpol/Wilco/M83 US $19.99 23d 13h 6m

INTERPOL - ANTICS: THE SPECIAL EDITION - CD BOXSET NEW US $10.78 4d 4h 34m

Interpol. Our love to admire. UK Ltd book CD. Exc. cond 0 Bid US $9.35 5h 30m

Interpol ep s/t self titled cd 2002 Matador PDA 0 Bid US $9.99 6h 24m

Our Love to Admire by Interpol (CD, Jul-2007, Capito... 1 Bid US $.99 16h 44m

Interpol. Antics. UK CD in slipcase. Excellent cond. 0 Bid US $6.23 21h 57m

INTERPOL Guitar Tab Software CD - Learn 35 Songs US $6.95 10d 1h 38m

editors "smokers..." rare 2t promo cd mint new interpol US $3.99 26d 1h 36m

INTERPOL TURN ON THE BRIGHT LIGHTS BONUS TRACKS CD 2009 US $9.99 29d 21h 15m

INTERPOL Obstacle 1 + Heinrich Maneuver CD ARTHUR BAKER US $19.99 29d 19h 4m

INTERPOL UNTITLED CD -NEW US $29.46 29d 13h 29m

INTERPOL Antics Special 2 CD NEW JAPAN ONLY C8865 US $24.00 29d 12h 57m

Evil Pt.1 (2 Tracks) [Single] by Interpol (CD, Jan-2... US $19.98 29d 12h 27m

INTERPOL Say Hello To The Angels NYC 3-trk UK CD Single US $9.99 29d 12h 8m

INTERPOL Slow Hands 3-trk UK CD Single Automator Remix US $7.99 28d 13h 18m

photos by Josh Rothstein

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SPOON INTERVIEW

mommaty — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:12:49 +0000

Absolutely everything went wrong with this interview. Britt Daniel and I played e-mail tag until we finally got it together to meet at an Irving Plaza Guided by Voices show for which Spoon was opening. I sent the final confirmation e-mail and I got no reply. Huh? The last few e-mails seemed so definite. I was pissed. I thought, once again, in classic rock and roll tradition, I’m getting a snow-job from a lead singer on one of his little whims. Just great.

I had tickets so I went anyway. There he was. Britt Daniel. Blonde hair flapping all over the place rockin’ out in true form, hunky as ever in that all-American kind of way. I knew all the lyrics. I noticed much of the sold-out audience knew them too. Girls Can Tell is still on my rotation. Still pissed, I managed to enjoy the whole show even though said hunk blew me off.

Afterwards, I watch GbV. What can I say? Bob Pollard hadn’t looked this good in two years and the leg kicks were higher than ever. As he gave the front row beer from the band’s cooler, I looked over to the V.I.P. area where bands, managers, journalists, invited groupies etc. hang out. Since there was no interview being conducted, I wasn’t invited. There was Britt. I frowned and watched the end of the GbV show and bolted.

The following day there’s an e-mail from Britt. The bastard is e-mailing me to tell me how sorry he is he couldn’t do the interview I say to myself lighting a cigarette and almost chose to ignore it. But I can’t. It reads something like, "Where were you? I searched the whole V.I.P. area for you." Needless to say, this wasn’t a good omen for things to come. We manage to put together a phoner and it gets worse.

I call Britt’s number - no girls, I’m not giving it out - and he picks up. The first thing I notice is that he’s not as laid back a rocker as I imagined... that is, most of the time they’re really mellow on the phone. But with the history of Britt having to explain his ex-relationship with Elektra I figure he’s had it with those questions and is on guard. Trying to feel him out, I talk about the show. He seems flattered but is still a little stiff but cool nonetheless. We talk for about twenty minutes when I notice my tape recorder had died sometime into the interview and I can’t exactly stop everything to figure it all out. After all, I’d fucked up already, not getting the interview at the show to begin with. Britt’s going to think I’m a moron.

I grab a pen and start writing longhand, which I haven’t done since high school.

It’s an interesting thing, I tell him, that they released three albums on different labels. There is a silence that screams back-off-bitch coming through the phone and I’m worried that I’ve made a big mistake. He’s come off, so far, as a brooding and intellectual, as opposed to the usual drunken slurring-every-word lead singer in most bands. He rationally says, "We weren’t sure we were a band anymore after Sneaks. Merge (owned and operated by Superchunk's Mac McCaughan and Laura Ballance) was the only label who would talk to us. We couldn’t even get a small indie to listen to Girls Can Tell!" Huh? Am I hearing right? One of the best albums of the year and they couldn't find a label?

Clearly, he had every right to be cantankerous. For a quick account, with A Series of Sneaks (1998) Elektra Records (Spoon's label at the time) decided to drop the group less than four months after the album's release. Elektra's shitty maneuvering of Spoon led to 1999's "The Agony of Lafitte" and "Lafitte Don't Fail Me Now" single, a two-song fuck you written about former A&R rep Ron Lafitte and Elektra prez Sylvia Rhone. (Daniel asks, "Are you honest with anyone?" on "Lafitte Don't Fail Me Now."). When I asked about those songs, Britt says they were borne out of humor. They were driving somewhere and started making up amusing songs about Lafitte, their abandonner, and thought them too good to not put out. And for the record, Lafitte was never fired. "He quit," says Daniel conclusively. The sting, I surmised, still lingers like a bad breakup from a lover you really trusted.

Like I said, I didn’t want to get into the Elektra thing, but it’s going to a place that I think is important that every band should hear, not to mention serious music lovers. "I want to be top 40. I want everyone to hear our songs. But that’s not going to happen. You’re not going to hear Spoon on the radio because Merge doesn’t owe radio-stations any favors and vice versa."

When he started that statement I was terrified he was talking about selling out, but he wasn’t. If you listen to Spoon’s soulful album, Costello - Gaye - Beatles inspired and more, you know it’s never going to be on the charts with Britney because it’s not simple and inane enough. It’s complicated, conscientious, deep and full of regret and longing. And it rocks. He simply wants more people to listen to his music - and it's sad to both he and I that they won't. Luckily, even though stinky Electra fucked them over, Girls Can Tell has been their most successful album to date. He’s never been more proud of anything else he’d written in the past. And they’re thrilled with Merge.

The message I got from Britt was that so much of music is manufactured to the point that the music is almost secondary. If you look at the charts, you will understand. Where’s the music for people who rock? Where’s the music for people over 15? Why doesn’t MTV show music videos anymore but have lame game shows and seven dorks living together getting filmed for the masses? Without the public using their imagination when they hear music, they are forced to recognize fashion, product placement, and the latest hair styles. Video killed the radio star? VIDEO KILLED MUSIC.

Britt’s a thoughtful person, guarded through experience, but smart and extraordinary capable. The future of Spoon was established with Girls Can Tell. For all the stupid things that went wrong in getting this interview, I don’t think I could have ever learned more about the seedy side of the biz and what perseverance really means. And the heartache that comes with clawing your way up those charts and into the blood of people who actually like music. Spoon has arrived.

Girls can tell? This one can.

-Ty Wenzel

Q&A with Britt Daniel

WHEN WERE YOU THE HAPPIEST? March 1996 (an enigmatic answer indeed)

WHEN WERE YOU THE SADDEST? middle school was pretty bleak

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE WRITER? Sean Dineen, Gerard Cosloy

WHO'S YOUR FAVORITE BAND? The Clash

WHAT'S THE TRAIT YOU MOST LIKE ABOUT YOURSELF? quick to forgive

WHAT'S THE TRAIT YOU LIKE LEAST ABOUT YOURSELF? terrible with names

WHO DO YOU ADMIRE MOST IN THE WORLD? Bill Murray

IF YOU COULD HAVE DRINKS WITH THREE PEOPLE WHO WOULD THEY BE?

Bush Jr, GG Allin, OJ

WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE ABOUT YOUR APPEARANCE IF YOU COULD? I wish I had happier eyes

WHICH TALENT WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO HAVE? Ally Sheedy

WHAT'S YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION? http://www.spoontheband.com/watchcam%20info.htm

WHAT'S THE QUALITY YOU LIKE MOST IN A MAN? humility

WHAT'S THE QUALITY YOU LIKE MOST IN A WOMAN? same

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO DIE? killed by kindness

DO YOU HAVE A MOTTO YOU LIVE BY? no

DO YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE? of course

photos by Stefano Giovanni

SPOON - TRANSFERENCE NEW CD US $19.80 27d 2h 49m

Ministry Dark Side Of The Spoon CD - New 0 Bid US $10.81 40m

MOJAVE 3 - 4 x CD LOT Out Ask Me Spoon Puzzles SLOWDIVE 9 Bids US $32.79 2h 11m

The Dark Side of the Spoon by Ministry (CD, Jun-1999... 0 Bid US $.99 4h 8m

Jam & Spoon. Angel. UK CD single. Excellent condition. 0 Bid US $2.33 5h 25m

CD ACCORD HONDA STANLEY AMBER SIDE MARKER spoon mugen 0 Bid US $.99 1d 9h 52m

Monster Movie by Can (CD, 1995, Spoon) 0 Bid US $7.00 1d 13h 10m

Future Days by Can (CD, Apr-2008, Spoon) US $7.28 3d 5h 16m

SPOON ga ga ga ga ga CD; excellent condition US $5.77 2d 2h 41m

1 CENT CD Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga [Digipak] - Spoon 3 Bids US $3.26 2d 8h 32m

1 CENT CD Starbucks: Sweetheart - V/A [Digi] SPOON 5 Bids US $.82 2d 8h 33m

Vtge Switzerland Cross Flag Souvenir Silver Spoon Ex Cd 0 Bid US $.97 2d 10h 32m

spoon cd transference-RARE PROMO-rare artwork 0 Bid US $9.99 3d 4h 46m

Spoon: Kill the Moonlight CD 1 Bid US $.99 3d 6h 48m

SPOONS talkback cd canadian 1980 pop NEW Nile Rodgers 2 Bids US $9.95 2d 3h 37m

SPOONS limited edition cd NEW greatest hits canadian 0 Bid US $9.95 2d 3h 38m

SPOON - SISTER JACK CD 3TRACK ADV VIDEO VERY GOOD SHAPE 0 Bid US $4.99 3d 12h 42m

Spoon Cincinnati Gig Poster 2007 by Brian Methe LP CD 0 Bid US $.99 3d 22h 47m

1 CENT CD Way We Get By [EP] - Spoon / ROCK 2 Bids US $1.01 5d 8h 32m

Silver Spoon by Travisty Theory (CD, Jan-2004, P.G.O... 0 Bid US $.49 5d 11h 4m

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Solar Powered Homes need not be ugly…

mommaty — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:49:57 +0000

In Scarpa and Brook' own house, they’ve mounted luminous solar panels in a rusted-steel-beam grid to form a modernist canopy that frames the façade. This imaginative “solar umbrella” hides the household power plant in plain sight, part of an artful composition that includes a hanging screen tied with bristles of industrial brooms.

clipped from www.dwell.com

Solar Inspiration

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Flickr Files: Kisses For V-Day

mommaty — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:12:55 +0000

It's a simple formula. A sincere kiss makes the recipient smile. It makes them happy. It's free, it's pleasurable and it's easy. You can be straight, gay, bi, black, white, purple or green. You can kiss your dog, your baby, your lover. It's all good.

So I set about finding some of the most poignant and beautiful photos that shows the simple power of the kiss. None of us do it enough. All of us should do it more. So for pre-Valentines Day inspiration, here is my Flickr Files post of the week: Kisses for V-Day:

Visit the Source, Design Shrine!

LP-E8 LPE8 Battery for Canon EOS 550D Rebel T2i Kiss X4 US $6.99 45m

The Ultimate Kiss Collection Kissology Vol. 2 1978-1991 0 Bid US $14.99 47m

Rose kiss 925 silver bracelet fit Chamilia 9.1" B78 0 Bid US $.89 48m

KISS Alive II .. 2LP .. Japanese pressing 1 Bid US $22.55 48m

KISS Hinge Wallet 0 Bid US $15.00 50m

Two LP-E8 Battery for Canon EOS 550D Rebel T2i Kiss X4 US $12.99 53m

KISS Demon Golf Club Cover US $39.00 1h 10m

Rose kiss 925 silver bracelet fit Chamilia 7.8" B75 0 Bid US $.89 1h 18m

CANON EOS Kiss X4 Rebel T2i 550D SLR Camera +4 lens Kit 0 Bid US $1,077.00 1h 24m

Last Kiss 0 Bid US $4.00 1h 30m

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Set a Modern Table

mommaty — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 19:09:59 +0000

If you are like me, you like to entertain in style. Summer in the Hamptons is a special time for us, with many guests just popping in, sometimes unannounced, and we welcome it all because it's a brief time of sun, beach and, best of all, dining with one another under the stars. Here are some new faves I found that make the table not only beautiful, but functional with a modern bent without being too *trendy*.

Vino Vino Wine Tumbler
SPIGELAU Vino Vino Wine Tumbler The affordable elegance of the Spiegelau Vino Vino Stemless Tumbler is a glass that can be used every day. Machine made, these high performance glasses are produced using modern glass making technology. Vino Vino's stemless everyday tumbler offers the classic shape of stemless glasses, that are compact and fit neatly away for storage and cleaning. Sold as set of 4. 5% Lead Crystal. Size: 4-1/2"H, 16-1/4 oz. Proposition 65 Warning for California Residents: Use of this product will expose you to lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. You may also obtain a list of each brand of leaded crystal and tableware for which this warning is given.

Vera Wang Grosgrain Napkin Rings, Set of 4

Prisma - Candleholder, Set of 3

Global Cuisine - Votive, Set of 2

Radiance - Tray

Esprit - Large Bowl

Radiance - Chip & Dip

Floradora - Chip & Dip

Waterford Fine Silver Gifts Seahorse Place Card Holders-Set of 6

Marquis By Waterford Vintage Collection Vintage Regal Ice Bucket & Stand, Stainless

Michael Aram for Waterford Wood Grain Lidded Ice Bucket w/Tongs

Visit the Source, Design Shrine!

NEW Tupperware Salt and Pepper and Butter Dish Set 0 Bid US $8.99 1h 7m

Set of 6 Miniature Ceramic Plates / Dishes * Dollhouse 0 Bid US $2.76 1h 31m

24 PIECE SET OF VINTAGE BLUE /GOLD DISHES 1 Bid US $10.00 1h 47m

Vintage Barbie SEARS/Supermarket Plastic Dishes Set/13 0 Bid US $4.99 1h 47m

Three Piece Relish/Candy Dish Set- Amber Leaf Design US $9.99 1h 58m

Vintage 5 Piece Planters Mr Peanut Tin Dish Set 0 Bid US $12.99 2h 24m

Set of 4 Apple Shaped Clear Glass Dessert Dishes 0 Bid US $4.00 2h 40m

BUNNY CANDY DISH SET OF TWO CANDY DISHES 0 Bid US $5.99 2h 55m

Set of Two Cut Glass Relish Dishes 0 Bid US $4.99 3h 1m

Western Branded Set Potholder Kitchen Mit Cowgirl Dish 0 Bid US $9.00 3h 26m

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Writing & Progress

mommaty — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:33:19 +0000

I've been writing a novel for two years now. It isn't the first novel I've ever written, but it will be the first I will eventually show people - hopefully my agent and others. What's taking so long? Good question, though difficult to answer in a quick blog post. It's hellish. My first book, Behind Bars: The Straight-Up Tales of a Big City Bartender, was nothing compared to this. After all, that was a memoir, everything had happened, I just had to document it in an organized witty way - which I hope I accomplished.

The most challenging part of writing every day (besides the utter isolation), is snapping out of the story. Living in one's head is incredibly difficult when trying to maintain a *normal* family life, as trying to break out of character takes some time. Not a good idea to be writing right before dinner... especially if you want to chit chat about whatever whilst passing the butter. Last night I couldn't stop thinking about a dream I had about one of the characters in the book. Sometimes a character, whether fictional or real, will take over your life. I haven't been able to stop thinking about him for longer than five minutes. What would he do at dinner? Would he talk about the rumored coup? Would he go on a hunger strike? Yada yada... So stop writing at least an hour before dinner. It's quite distracting.

The issue is that writing is such a grueling process. I hadn't mapped it out as well as I thought from the start. Then a minor character became a major player, thus changing the landscape completely. So around Thanksgiving of last year, I had to trash all of the previous version of the book and start anew with what I had. What helped tremendously was outlining the story from beginning to end, leaving less moments to writer's block, and more to just "aha!" moments, as the process resumed. I can't emphasize enough how important it has been to flesh out every single character, every scene, ever intimation. If I had done that sooner, I might have been finished by now, instead of having to trash 350 pages of story that really needed that extra something.

xo

Behind Bars by Ty Wenzel (2004, Paperback, Reprint) US $11.99 16d 13h 22m

Behind Bars by Ty Wenzel (2004, Paperback, Reprint) US $11.99 15d 15h 6m

NEW Behind Bars - Ty Wenzel 9780312311032 US $12.27 7d 18h 34m

Gotham Tragic: A Novel by Kurt Wenzel US $3.95 28d 19h 37m

Gotham Tragic by Kurt Wenzel (2004) ~ 1st Edition HB/DJ US $3.99 27d 8h 21m

NEW Lit Life Kurt Wenzel UNABRIDGED Audiobook Sealed US $9.99 12d 4h 42m

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