David Foster Wallace on Roger Federer
How good is Roger Federer? I don’t think you truly understand if you haven’t read this piece* by one of the great writers of our generation. Hands down the best example of sports journalism I’ve ever read. Not written by a sports writer. Go figure.
* WARNING: takes longer than 5 minutes to read.
One more, only for the tennis geeks:
D.F. Wallace’s String Theory
I Did a Terrible Thing performed by Will Johnson, written by John Congleton
Finally got around to playing with my xmas present that lets me record from my record player to my computer. Figured I’d share a fairly rare track that you probably wouldn’t (want to) find online (anyway). It’s from a split EP that has John Congleton (paperchase) covering a Will Johnson (centro-matic) tune and vice versa.
Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix Wins Grammy for Best Alternative Album
If you remember, I highly recommended this album a while back. I can’t describe how validated I feel now that the ultimate purveyors of good musical taste at the legengary Grammy Awards have recognized this record. Yes, that’s right. Wolfganga Amadeus Phoenix won best album in a ground-breaking category called “Alternative Music.” I think ‘alternative’ means that 99% of the world’s population doesn’t know about or “get” it (see other nominees: David Byrne/Brian Eno, Death Cab for Cutie, Yeah Yeah Yeahs). That must be why the tastemakers at the Grammys didn’t bother to televise the actual announcement and acceptance speech. Or so I hear. I was too busy keeping up with the Kardashians or somesuch to tune in. Congrats to Phoenix! And me.
“An artist’s only concern is to shoot for some kind of perfection, and on his own terms, not anyone else’s.” - J.D Salinger (1919-2010)
J.D. Salinger doesn’t sound like the kind of guy I’d want to have a beer with, but Catcher in the Rye was one of the first novels that really struck a chord with me. I’ve read it several times at different stages in my life and it took on a slightly different meaning with each read. Good art evolves and remains relevent when the culture around it changes. Its originality might make you uncomfortable. Its gratification is a process, sometimes a struggle. It usually polarizes its audience. Great art does all these things. R.I.P. J.D.
Telegraph Canyon is a promising local band from Fort Worth, TX. You can take my word for it or decide for yourself. I really don’t care.
live from FW’s modern art museum
(photo by Jill Johnson)
Christmas in September
from Pitchfork Media:
After years of “Pavement to Reunite?” headlines here on Pitchfork, we were a bit wary of yet another reunion report on BrooklynVegan last night. But ish, this one really seems to be legit.
According to a source who is real and official and not a figment of our imagination, Pavement will perform a benefit show at Central Park SummerStage on September 21, 2010. Mark your calendars.
Update:
Mark Ibold, Scott ‘Spiral Stairs’ Kannberg, Stephen Malkmus, Bob Nastanovich and Steve West are reuniting for dates around the world in 2010.
Please stop hyperventilating, you’re going to scare someone.
More news on this very soon, I’m sure. At press time, though, there are only 370 days until the next Pavement concert.
The City of Hate Trio
