The Elephant 6 Recording Co. on the Big Screen
plus dog beds for humans, Antoine Wilson on revision, Haruki Murakami on character-building, and more
The Elephant 6 Recording Co. documentary premieres November 10th at the DOC NYC film festival.
Few musical movements were more influential to my own listening habits than Elephant 6. Spearheaded by bands like Neutral Milk Hotel, Apples in Stereo, and my personal favorite, the Olivia Tremor Control, Elephant 6 was made up of a diverse collection of bands tied together through a loose vein of pop psychedelia.
My favorite music festival was the 2002 Orange Twin Festival, where Elephant 6 bands Elf Power, the Gerbils, Masters of the Hemisphere, Summer Hymns, and others played over two days We gathered around the bandstand at the Orange Twin Conservation Community, just outside Athens, Georgia, dancing, drinking, and smoking. Food and drink was shared along with familial conversation between strangers, over two days the musicians and fans combined to form a community. Music bonded us together.
There was power in the Elephant 6 community. There still is. I stand by my statement that the Olivia Tremor Control’s Dusk at Cubist Castle album is the Beatles’ best album (if the Beatles’ hype was deserved). I regularly blast the Gerbils’ “Crayon Box” to wake myself up from an artistic slumber. Listening to Neutral Milk Hotel reminds me of the skill of matching lyrics to musicianship (and that perfection belies art). Remembering Elephant 6 reminds me that everything is better with community.
Largehearted Likes
The Plufl: The Dog Bed for Humans
I used to watch my dog Lily snoring happily on her dog bed. A paw strewn over the side, her head on the pillow-like border. I would get one of these dog beds for humans immediately if there was more space in my apartment.
After listening to Jess Williams’ album with Katie Crutchfield (Plains’ I Walked With You A Ways) on repeat for a couple of days, I delved into Williamson’s solo work. Her alternative country roots have stayed true as her music has evolved and become more ambitious. Totally recommended.
Birdwatching - I have become one of those people who gets excited when a new bird visits our feeders. This week I saw a tufted titmouse and song sparrow.
Classics with new translations
I finished Stephanie McCarter's translation of Ovid's Metamorphoses earlier this month, and was impressed by its bold and energized take on the classic. SInce finishing the book, I have picked up Emily Wilson’s translation of Homer’s Odyssey and cannot wait to start it.
Hold Your Applause: Oak Aged Extra Special Bitter
A collaboration between New York’s Three’s Brewing and Good Word Brewing in Duluth, Georgia, this beer is light and fresh and tastes like autumn (somewhere in the English countryside).
Nancy Rommelmann and Sarah Hepola’s podcast and newsletter is smart and funny in the best of ways.
Matcha Lattes with coconut milk
The days are cooler and my daily walks are longer. I used to grab an iced tea while I cooled down and sat by the East River and read, but the other day my partner bought me a matcha latte with coconut milk, and my life was transformed. More caffeine! Slightly sweet! Matcha!
Every morning, after writing, I play this devilishly simple game. Some days I conquer it, other days I am humbled. A supreme way to get my brain moving.
My favorite Robert DeNiro film (perhaps tied with The King of Comedy?) Dark and tragic, and featuring Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci at their best (and James Woods at his sleaziest).
Everything about Wrexham football club
When Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought this Welsh football team, the press went wild. An FX on Hulu documentary series, numerous profiles of the owners and the team. Getting to know this lower league football club has been fascinating.
Largehearted Links
George Saunders on the inspirations behind his new collection
“A lot of times, something just feels fun, so I kind of just go for it,” Saunders says. “And after that, of course, you try to make it meaningful and coherent, but the first impulse is often like: You know when you’re a kid and you’re walking to school and you suddenly just feel like singing? Why? Well, just because, you know?”The OTHERPPL podcast interviewed author Jonathan Escoffery
One of my favorite podcasts interviewed the author of one of my favorite short story collections of the year.
Antoine Wilson talked revision with Guernica
In my opinion, close third person is better at depicting consciousness. Because whenever you say “I,” that’s the PR department. That’s the left brain interpreter. That’s the character speaking for himself or herself, whereas the psychic power of close third person lets you describe what they’re really thinking. It’s not the same as trying to sell the reader on something — though that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s sincere.
David Grundy’s remembrance of Pharaoh Sanders
We should remember Pharoah Sanders both as the mellow elder and the young avant-gardist whose music still has the potential to shock.
Bethanne Patrick interviewed about her new podcast on literary scandals
Read an excerpt from Paul Sexton’s Charlie Watts biography, Charlie’s All Right Tonight
Haruki Murakami on character-building
I might model a character on a real person, but I always carefully and diligently rework the character so people won’t recognize the original. Probably the person himself doesn’t either.
Last Week’s LHB Feature Posts:
Anna Badkhen's playlist for her essay collection Bright Unbearable Reality
Cheryl J. Fish's playlist for her novel Off The Yoga Mat
Debra Monroe's playlist for her essay collection It Takes a Worried Woman
Dipika Mukherjee's playlist for her poetry collection Dialect of Distant Harbors
Ethan Chatagnier's playlist for his novel Singer Distance
Helen Benedict and Eyad Awwadawnan's playlist for their book Map of Hope and Sorrow
K.M. Soehnlein's playlist for his novel Army of Lovers
Kid Congo Powers' playlist for his memoir Some New Kind of Kick
The Largehearted Boy List of Online “Best Books of 2022” Lists