From the “I’m a temporarily a publicity whore/Have I mentioned my book comes out March 2?” file, here’s an interview that I did with the New York Press that covers the book, Lent, celebrity sightings, cocaine and Rosario’s. So, some things I like, some things I really like, and some things…meh.

(And hey, if I’m going to keep pimping myself and the book here, give me credit for at least trying to make it as interesting as possible, right?)

(Right?)

(Forget it.)

Let’s just get into some music on this Friday, eh?

Six Songs

“Free Energy” Free Energy
Holy shitballs.

Seriously, holy shitballs.

It’s only February, but I’m almost ok with declaring this my 2010 theme song. Balls out party rock at its finest (and they’re from Philly! – though I don’t know them). They have a three-song EP on iTunes right now. I suggest you buy it, then email me immediately to say it’s the best $2.49 you’ve spent in years, and possibly ever. Because if this stuff doesn’t get you out of your seat, clapping your hands and pumping your fists (though not at the same time – that would be impossible), you, my friend, are dead. Both to me and probably literally.

“Don’t Forget Me” Neko Case
I’m a little biased, because I love Neko Case. But dang, this song, a Harry Nilsson cover, is just so purdy. I don’t know many lyricists or singers who can drop “cancer” in a line and pull it off, making you feel all warm and happy and love love love.

“Secret Heart” Ron Sexsmith
I knew this song, and was vaguely aware of this guy, but never really got into him until recently – and early returns are very good. Sensitive, slightly effeminate, and Canadian – all things that I love or aspire to be.

(And yes, ... read more

My dad was a longshoreman and a mechanic. That’s what he did for a living before getting hurt at work and put on permanent disability (which now causes him to maintain a steady diet of pain pills; I’ve written it before, but you haven’t lived until you’re driving across the country with your dad in a giant Lincoln Town Car, he’s doing 85 on some desolate stretch in New Mexico, and he asks you to hand him an Oxycontin and Percocet, which he pops like Tic Tacs while he’s driving). My earliest memories of my dad are of him fixing cars, using tools, smoking cigarettes, answering knocks at the door from neighbors and friends having car troubles, smoking cigarettes, fixing more cars, repeat. His entire adult life (and I would guess, much of his life, period) has been dedicating to fixing things: taking them apart, learning how they work, and putting them back together – and getting his hands dirty in the process.

I, on the other hand, have never displayed any type of mechanical proclivities at all. I recently found a pre-K report card of mine, and it said I was bad at tying my shows, but good at expressing myself and during music time. To this day, I still tie my shoes with two loops (the “bunny ears” method) and don’t know the one loop standard method. About four weeks ago, I tried to learn how to tie a double-windsor knot. ... read more

First, thanks to all the kind words about the new site design. The consensus seems to be that, well, it’s lovely. And I agree. Like I said, there are some kinks that we’ll work out, but again, all thanks and praise to Site Guy Brendan and Kyle. They really brought it.

As for the book, here’s my lame attempt to answer some of the most common questions that I’ve gotten about it so far:

- Canada (etc): This has been a popular topic, as the book is listed on the Amazon.ca site, but without an official release date (as of this writing). However, I can confirm that the book will be out in Canada on March 2, just like in the US, so our neighbors to the north can feel free to pre-order as they so desire.

(For those of you who asked about it in the UK, I’m still looking into this, though it’s listed on the Amazon.co.uk site without a release date, as well. To be continued…)

- Kindle: A Kindle edition is “in the works,” but that’s all I know. If you check out the Amazon.com page for the book, below the picture of the cover there’s a link to click to tell the publisher you want to read the book on Kindle. So if you want to read it on Kindle, click there. Power to the people, baby.

... read more

I’m headed to LA this afternoon, having moved by flight up seven hours to try to beat this snow. I’ll be there for a week, trying to press our interests there and eating a lot of Taco Bell (it’s really a shame that there aren’t more Taco Bells in NYC, and quite puzzling).

I’m rushing out of work now, but for a little light reading on this lovely Friday, go to TheRumpus.net to check out this interview I did with my former writing teacher (yes, I had a writing teacher) and excellent writer, Steve Almond, who, much to his surprise, ended up providing a lovely blurb for my book. See? It pays to not burn bridges with your old teachers, even if that tell you that, if they could have, they would have given you a nice C-.

[Have a good weekend.]