꩜ Door At The Top Of Your Head ꩜

Correspondence 52

Reelin’ In The (School) Years☟

10 years ago this week I left a dead-end job at MTV (yes, I worked in the TRL building) to pursue a masters in special education. As another school year comes to a close, I’ve been reflecting on how massive this decision was, and how much my life has changed because of it. My first two years in the classroom in Brooklyn felt nothing short of impossible, but I cared deeply about my students, coworkers, and my administration. I had zero expectation of remaining in the field for as long as I have, but here I am, preparing to watch another set of students walk across the stage for graduation in just a couple of weeks. I will cry like a baby, and then breathe a massive sigh of relief. It is an extremely complicated time to be a student or teacher. No one, and certainly no school has it all figured out. I’m grateful to still be in the game + want to give a shoutout to any educator reading this who is inching towards summer. You’re so, so close.

NTS Radio ~ Guest Mix☟

Put together an hour of hazy, laid-back rural rippers for NTS Radio this month. Now archived and streaming for your delight. Pairs well with grilling, a post-mow beer, or a slow morning a home.

Conversation with Tunde Adebimpe☟

It was an absolute pleasure to chat with Tunde Adebimpe of TV on The Radio this month for the Creative Independent ahead of the release of his solo debut for Sub Pop. Tunde and I went deep on grief, collaboration, and having a place to land. I first got hip to TVOTR in college when Return to Cookie Mountain came out. I was beginning to pivot away from the punk/hardcore/emo, etc scene I had long been a part of and starting to wrap my head around the ‘indie rock’ of the early 2000s. I remember immediately pulled in by the slightly off-time sample featured on ‘I Was a Lover,’ the opening track. I had never heard anything quite like it. Seeing them for the first time in Baltimore at Sonar (RIP), I was blown away by their stage presence, energy, and musicianship. So hyped that they are back (and sounding better than ever).

Just Announced ~ Nov 7th w/ Garrett T. Capps☟

Back in March I spent four days on the road in Texas with San Antonio legend Garrett T. Capps. I talk a lot about the movie Easy Rider, specifically the line ‘You do your own thing in your own time.’ Garrett’s spirit and music are both wonderful examples of this mentality, and I couldn’t be more hyped to be opening for him and his band on my own home turf on November 7th at The Showdown. Tickets are on sale now.

New Stickers & Merch Update☟

I’ve got a couple of new stickers up for grabs on my bandcamp page. My buddy Ian Everett helped mock up my version of the infamous Environments design and Tony (Vocal Charismatics) came through with an excellent Snoopy design pulled from a lyric from ‘Gassed Up.’ We also came across the last handful of You Become The Mountain nalgene bottles and have a few ‘bent corner’ copies for Roseway up at a nice sale price. Looking like we are down the last few copies of Western Sky Music on vinyl as well.

Headcleaner May ‘24☟

Your subscriber-only playlist for May hath arrived. Enjoy.

Reading, Watching, Listening To☟

Reading:
Turnstile Blew Up. Now What? (Pitchfork)

Watching:
Friendship (Movie, A24)
Secret Service w/ Gordon Ramsay (Hulu)
Conan O’ Brien Must Go (Hulu)

Listening:
Two Friends - Self-Titled
Travis Wammack - Not for Sale
John Hambrick - Windmill in a Jet Filled Sky
Michael Rother - Sterntaler
Pete Drake - Self-Titled