OVER THE TOUR RECAP DUDE

So, so, so I went on that rad three-stop tour with bookmates Christopher Newgent and Brian Oliu, along with the incredible (read: HOW DID WE GET HIM TO COME WITH US) Matt Bell. A bunch of people and entities and webfaces have posted stuff about this wacky trip, so I'm gonna pull together a bunch of that goodness and add some yapping of my own. Okay, cool:

Our days went like (Wednesday big drive to Tuscaloosa and reading), (Thursday day off in Tuscaloosa; Peter Markus/Jenny Boully reading; DJ Oliu dance party!), (Friday drive to Atlanta; incredible Vouched ATL reading with Amy McDaniel, J Bradley, and Melysa Martinez), (Saturday drive to Nashville; chill coffee shop reading), and (Sunday 16 hours on the road; drop Bell off in Ann Arbor, back to Indy/Elwood). I ended up being in a car for like 2000 miles in five days. IT WAS TOTALLY WORTH IT.



Christopher Newgent continues to lift up my literary coolness, steady my shaky idiothead, and be a better friend than most I've ever had. He continues to write super affecting sad stories and short snappy poems. He continues to yell out windows with me and throw his hands in the air with me. He began disc golf with me. He continues to drive me cool places. He is a solid fucking writer, more importantly, dude.


Matt Bell is one of the reasons I do this silly writing thing. He was the first "small press" writer I ever read/knew/met. He gave me my first chance to help with a press/magazine, with The Collagist. Because of geography/busyness, this is the first time we've got to hang out for an extended period of time. He's is one of the most thoughtful men I know, and by far, one of my favorite readers. Cataclysm Baby is bound to be a classic on my fiction shelf (and should be on yours too!). What an honor to get to pal around with him for five days.



Brian Oliu is a legit human being, that versatile creature. He holds it down as a DJ, writes some moving lyric essays, can yap-yap (good yapping) on and on about video games, sports, music, books, etc. etc. etc., and as Matt Bell said, "I still don't know what the Crimson Tide mascot looks like, but it should look like Brian Oliu, because he Roll Tides harder than anyone." This is the second time Oliu has hosted me as a reader and as a friend in Tuscaloosa and absolutely those are some of my favorite readings/nights in recent memories. KEEPS IT REAL is what I'm saying.

All three readings were spectacular in their own way. Tuscaloosa being overwhelming with that amazing MFA program's people coming out and talking and buying books and being nice. Atlanta being incredible, seeing the amazing Laura Straub of Vouched Books ATL do here thing, meeting some rad people (Michael Straub! Melysa Martinez! Amy McDaniel! Jamie Iredell! Kory Calico! ETC!), falling in love with that scene/city. Nashville chilling us out before our big Sunday drive, getting to poemyell in a coffee shop, eating the most expensive personal pan pizza of my life.

Basically what I'm saying is, I'm rejuvenated. Basically what I'm saying is, I'm going to keep doing this. Basically what I'm saying is, my brain and body are still mush from all the fun and words and booze. Basically what I'm saying is, HOW LUCKY I AM TO GET TO DRIVE AROUND AND READ WITH THESE THREE AMAZING GUYS. Basically what I'm saying is, I needed this and it happened. Basically what I'm saying, every person who came to a reading is amazing. Basically what I'm saying is, thank you so much for helping put me back together.

Here's a bunch of stuff from around the web and such that I liked a lot and wanna archive here and maybe you will like it too:

Laura Straub's recap of the Atlanta Reading

Jesse Bradley's recordings of each reader at the Atlanta Reading

Here is my video from that reading


Patrick Trotti did a nice little recap on the Tiny Hardcore blog

My Favorite Pictures from the Over The Top Tour Twitter






My Favorite posts from the Over The Top Tour Twitter

• Matt spends as much time on the phone w/ his wife as his loving Facebook posts would suggest.
• "It's just my spirit animal: enormously cocked dragons."- Matt
• "Let's go to a strip club tonight! We'll put the loose back in Tuscaloosa!"- Me
• Rest area? No thanks! We don't rest; we ROLL TIDE.
• "15yr old girls love sleeping."- Brian
• I WAMT SNUGGLES - Christopher
• Sex Tips By Strunk & White: if you double space after the period during cyber sex, it makes you look old.- Matt

Christopher Newgent's FB recap

1874.3 miles, and I don't have enough space to say all I could possibly say about last week's Over the Top Tour, but a quick spattering of highlights are that Matt Bell gets Seth Rogan voice after a few bourbons, Brian Oliu can keep a dance floor going for hours without the party dropping, playing disc golf in tank tops with Tyler Gobble could easily be a new favorite hobby, Laura Straub is as fantastic a reading series host as you might expect and will climb fences she's too scared to climb if you tell her to imagine a zombie situation, her husband Michael still has one of the best laughs ever, Amy McDaniel is the consummate party host, Michael Martone's to-read shelf has to be full to collapsing and I'm so happy to have my book on that shelf, it's always great to carve out time to laugh with Blake Butler and Jamie Iredell, and the Nashville crew of Todd Dills, John Minichillo, and Chet Weise is ultimately forgiving of 4 dudes crashing into their town and slobbering tired in their coffeeshops, still willing to support our books, to buy us wine and keep a tired conversation moving. Thank you, thank you, thank you to the 3 dudes who made the trip with me, and the hundreds of people who made it what it was. I could never tag you all here.

Brian Oliu FB Post

Happy Easter from a Nashville Airport Hotel! We are singing "Hungry Eyes". 5:30am flight back to Alabama. Gonna miss these dudes. Such a great few days & some really awesome readings.

Matt Bell's FB recap

A short selection of the things I learned this past week: That being a vegetarian in the south is about three times the commitment it is in the north. That the people of Tuscaloosa are great hosts and perhaps better dancers. That Laura Straub is among the best reading series hosts I've seen. That Tyler Gobble is the best part of a tank top. That Christopher Newgent is the only person I have never seen lose at arm wrestling (three bout minimum). That I still don't know what the Crimson Tide mascot looks like, but it should look like Brian Oliu, because he Roll Tides harder than anyone. That when Amy McDaniel invites you into her home she makes a mean vegetarian chili and a meaner chocolate chip cookie. That Jesse Bradley will kindly record your reading and have it posted to the internet before you can finish breakfast the next day. That fewer people will come to a reading in Nashville, but that all of them will come drinking afterward, winning their city some kind of percentage-based prize. That being on a Greyhound and then a car and then a car and then a car and then a car is well worth it, if its with these people, or brings you to them and many more. I'm very glad to be home and awaiting Jessica's return from her own travels, but also very grateful to everyone who made this past week so much fun.

THE FULLNESS OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GONNA HAPPEN WHEN WE GO OVER THE TOP

My chapbook, Goodness is a Fine Thing to Chase, is in an anthology of sorts called The Fullness of Everything, accompanied by a rad short story chapbook by Christopher Newgent and an awesome collection of lyric essays by Brian Oliu. It is out now(ish) from Tiny Hardcore Press.

To celebrate, we are heading out together on a mini-tour next week, along with Matt Bell, whose newest book, Cataclysm Baby, is out now(ish) from MudLuscious Press. We will be hitting Tuscaloosa, Atlanta, and Nashville. GUESS WHAT IM STOKED.

Christopher and I will also be lugging the Vouched Books table along with us, equaling more books which equals more fun, duh!

Also, we want to arm wrestle. I'll also regular wrestle or maybe even fight you if that is what you want. I'm a people pleaser.



Here is more info on each of those dates:

April 4th - Tuscaloosa, AL
Green Bar, 2209 4th Street
w/ Marsha McSpadden & Ashley McWaters
7pm

April 6th - Atlanta, GA
Goat Farm, 1200 Foster Street
w/ J. Bradley & Melysa Martinez
8pm

April 7th - Nashville, TN
Portland Brew East, 1921 Eastland Avenue
w/ Todd Dills
6pm

If you're in the area for any of these readings, I really hope you can make it out. We can laugh and talk about words and probably be pals (at least for a night! Maybe longer!). We will have copies of our book for sale.

If you can't make it to a reading and would like to help out, buy a book, share the Facebook events/flyer, or just say what's up on the web. WE ARE REALLY APPRECIATIVE PEOPLE SO THANX.

In the next week, I'll be blogging here about the two other chapbooks in the collection, my own contribution, and Matt Bell's writing, as well as a mass interview where I've been letting anyone who wants to ask me a question on FB/Twitter do just that and I'll answer them (Also, leave a question in the comments, if you want; it can be about the book, my writing, my life, nothing at all!). Other possible posts include videos of me reading poems from the book in awkward places, picture updates, and other weirdo proof of living.

I LIKE YOU A LOT.

SO STOKED FOR THIS

WOOOOOOOOOOO

So stoked for the return of Vouched Presents! So stoked to see Heather Christle and Benjamin Hersey read! So stoked to be on the lineup! So stoked to see you there!

DO THIS DO THIS

After xTx’s He Is Talking To The Fat Lady and Frank Hinton’s I Don’t Respect Female Expression sold out in less than 48 hours, eager readers have begged for a repress.

But Atlanta-based Safety Third Enterprises only does one run of each release… until now.

To celebrate the second and final print of the two chapbooks, Vouched Books and Safety Third Enterprises are inviting you to submit your own Single Sentence Reviews of Frank Hinton or xTx’s work (the author’s work overall, not just the chapbooks) to contest (at) VouchedBooks.com. We just ask that with your Single Sentence Review you include your name and specify which of the author’s work you are encapsulating.

CLICK TO READ MORE BE A PART OF IT

Rad Things of November

Vacation Club 7"
I saw Vacation Club a couple years ago and thought they were jangly and raucous, but wasn't sure if they were the kind of band I could dig on recording. After seeing them again recently, I realized I was completely wrong and this 7" proves it, completely. These three songs are jangly and raucous, but they radiate in a way that you can tell they are honest. So impressed by how the songs engulf me, make me want to shake and shake, and holler.

Vouched Books tabling with Christopher Newgent
In the past 8 months, I've been helping Newgent with more than the blog, but also the table at readings and First Fridays in Indy. This has become a reliable and wonderful part of my life, always fun, meaningful, and boozy. Because of these events, I've been able to become great pals with Christopher, meet some awesome people interested in books, rave about my favorite books, and just be immersed in an environment I need.

This kid reciting Billy Collins

After seeing this, Sara looked at me and said, "IMPREGNATE ME RIGHT NOW." That's about right.

New Belgium's Winter Ale Snow Day
Darker and with a more bold chocolate/carmel flavor than I normally dig, I was pleasantly surprised by this beer. I'm thinking New Belgium is my favorite brewery. One of the first beers I remember slowing down and thinking about (and discussing with best pal and beer enthusiast Clark) the texture, flavor, and ingredients.

My new workouts
For awhile, I've been treating my lift sessions as a puzzle, each session choosing exercises/sets that would work specific muscle groups to get me to a feeling I was looking for. Problem is, though I like the spontaneous nature of this style, it often left me uncertain of the long-term effects and unable to recover in between workouts properly. So, I found this workout that challenges me in a similar way, but is focused. My new cardio punching bag workout (#2), combined with jumprope, jumping jacks, and stretching, gives me a workout between lifts that allows me to recover but still improve my agility and endurance.

War Elephant by Deer Tick
I know I know, Divine Providence is the new one and a good album and totally rockin', but I can't stop listening to War Elephant. These are perfect shaving songs. These are songs that fit perfectly with how I've been feeling this past year. These are songs I think my dad would like if he were 25 again. These are songs that know when to be loud and when to be beautiful and when to be both, a character trait that is lovely but rare.



Deepstep Come Shining by C.D. Wright
Finished this book today, so not total November, but whatever. I'm not sure why I haven't read C.D. Wright before. She has books on one of my favorite presses (Copper Canyon) and writes with language that is as beautiful as it is gut-punching. Here's a great excerpt to get an idea of what this book is all about.

Summer Teen
My friend Erik Fox, of Hoosiers Doing Something, along with a some other pals, has started this rad e-zine, hoping to explore an endless summer. It spawned from a blog from a few years ago and this incarnation promises to be funny and honest. Like Dave talking about Bruce Springsteen songs. Or Erik's sure-to-be-wonderful series of Bandcamp searches. CHECK IT OUT

here are some quick thoughts about last monday's vouched presents dogzplot reading

1. i got to help chris run the table and it was super cool to be able to talk about these books to another human being in a way that's not just me tugging on my friends' shirt saying LISTEN TO ME. when people ask questions and you know the answer and furthermore want to give the answer it's a mighty nice feeling.

2. sunnyoutside press makes some gorgeous books.

3. indy-based scratchtruck fed me one of the best burger-fry combos i've ever had. Scratch Burger- 1/3 lb custom ground burger, bacon marmalade, arugula and gorgonzola cheese served on a fresh, toasted soft roll. oh and that banana pudding!

4. a lot of readers with three to five minutes each is a nice way to shake things up. quick and fun. similar to why i dig lit journals so much. if you don't like it, wait it'll be over in a minute and then someone new.

5. i love listening roxane gay read. can't wait for ayiti. hope there's an audiobook.

6. picked up hosho mccreesh's book as well as sean lovelace's new one from publishing genius. i doubt they'll make it into august being unread.

7. layne ransom is awful.

8. clark swears its an acquired taste, but i'm no fan of ipas. i can do one but after that it felt like i've been sleeping with my mouth open in the middle of the woods. if it's an acquired taste, i'm not gonna let myself get there.

9. vouched books is indie lit's best I WISH I'D THOUGHT OF THAT ventures.

10. i'm so stoked for AWP CHICAGO. PLAN SOON?

SUMMER TIME READING

For my monthly Vouched Satellite/Smalldoggies Magazine column this time, I asked some people for some summer reading suggestions, and here is what I came up with. YOU'VE GOT A WHOLE LOT OF READING TO DO

Vouched Reading: 5/15/11

Another excellent Vouched Presents... Reading put on by the super cool Christopher Newgent. Two of my (former) professors at Ball State University, Jill Christman and Peter Davis, read, along with Ball State grad Kyle Winkler and touring poet Michael Shiavo. As usual, a really fun reading to be in attendance for.

I hadn't heard of Kyle until Christopher vouched this story a short while back. I dig this piece a bunch. Kyle introduced himself to me after the reading, and he seemed like an enthusiastic, good dude. Though he is not on Facebook (?).

Michael Shiavo, whom I'd read poems from around the web and printworld, read from a couple of his books along with some new pieces. I really dig the idea using found text and erasures like he did for many of these pieces, though not all of his work stuck with me. He does have a new chapbook out from Forklift, which is a great press.

Jill Christman read an essay called "The Margarita Game," which was published in Barrelhouse awhile back. It was a surprisingly, yet fantastic piece, about being a grad student, figuring out relationships, and growing up. For some reason, I have never seen Jill read, nor have I read her book, Darkroom, which is certainly in my to-read pile this summer.

Peter Davis read from his two books and some new poems. He is always a riot with a strong undercurrent of AWWWYEAHMAN. I count myself lucky to have had a poetry workshop with him.

Well, I just wanted to say HEY I WENT THERE AND THIS WAS COOL. So I did.

GET STOKED!

What Matters For 500

WORDS WORDS WORDS

A wackyweirdstressfulconfrontationaladjusting week weaved with good words is nice.

Tuesday, a few of my friends--Ryan Rader, Ashley Ford, and Cody Sean Davis--read at one of my favorite bars, Be Here Now.

Cody read a few things including his poem "Virgin," which is gonna be in the 2011 Broken Plate, and a short story, which I saw an earlier draft of and man his edits blew me away. LANGUAGE TIGHTENED IS LANGUAGE USED.

Among other things, Ashley read this powerful story about her brother wearing her clothes. I'm stoked that Ashley will be reading at the next Vouched Presents... reading on March 26th. It'll be nice to see her get an outside-of-Muncie audience for her strong personality.

Ryan released two chapbook, one of which I've blogged about before, and another, First Rodeo, that features himself, Shaun Gannon, Jeremy Bauer, Joe Betz, Joe McHugh, and Daniel Bailey. I read First Rodeo on the bus this morning; having read/heard several of these pieces before, it was awesome to see them packed together in this nice-for-reading-on-the-bus collection. Ryan's poem "Self-Portrait at 21" is killer associations and images. I WAS IN AN ODD MOOD THAT NIGHT BUT IT WAS FUN.

I haven't read in a while and I miss it.

Last night, super pal Layne got to open for a Faculty Reading here at Ball State, featuring Cathy Day and Matt Mullins. Of course, she ruled. She'll be reading again, for longer, as the winner of last Fall's Writers Gala, at the Gala Winners Reading on March 1st.

I'd never seen Cathy or Matt read, but they were both excellent readers. Matt read a mix of poems and short stories, some stories which will be in his forthcoming book from Atticus Books, as well as showing a poem/video thing he's been working on called Highway Coda. Really dug the feel of the video. Also, his reading approach matched his content so well. Excited to be going to read with him (AND LAYNE) at the Slash Pine Festival in Alabama later this semester.

Cathy Day's approach, like RESEARCH HEAVY and mashing lives/stories/etc., is so impressive. The book she read from seems more Sara's style, but definitely an interesting writing project.

Odd writing related thing of the day: My former professor Michael Meyerhofer just walked in here, I'M AT WORK SHHHH, and had me sign as a witness for his contract in which he won ANOTHER book contest. I won't give details. I don't know if I'm allowed, but SWEET.

I've also been doing a good deal of reading. In addition to the Dickman book (see previous post) and First Rodeo, I had the pleasure to read Come On All You Ghosts by Matthew Zapruder. While sometimes, my eyes pulled away in the middle, a little loose at times, the tightest moments were emotional associations and cool images. Take Dobby's Sweatshirt. OH MY GOODNESS.

Also, I Vouched Brian Oliu's story in the new kill author. WOAH-WEE the pile of sentences buried me a little then I was all hugging it with my lit-reading arms to never let it go. Also also, Oliu is coming to Ball State in two weeks for the Alabama-BSU exchange. SWEEEEEEEEEEET.

TWO QUICK WORD THINGS

1. January Smalldoggies/Vouched Satellite post up! I was like, HEY WONDER WHAT SOME PEOPLE LIKE TO READ ONLINE, so I asked. Read my explanation and their answers here. COOL PEOPLE INCLUDING: Vouched Books/Vouched Presents contributors, Smalldoggies editor Matty Byloos, Matt Bell , Peter Davis , and Ryan Ridge. THANKS

2. I DONT KNOW WHY ANYONE IN THE INDY AREA WOULDNT COME TO THIS READING

THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE BEST READING EVER

Good People Doing Good Things

On the 15th of every month, The Collagist releases a new issue, and I'm always whoop-whoop to see it come out. One, it is a killer journal. Two, I get to interview the poets, so it's like "What is Matthew Olzmann gonna give me this month?" This month is yet another stellar addition to the Collagist archives. Check out sweet poems by Keith Montesano (Read this one aloud), Justin Bigos (IMAGES IMAGES), Bruce Cohen (WOAH AWARD for those opening lines), and Jenny George (every line is heavy, man). Also, another monthly WOAH AWARD goes to Mike Young for best title for his short story, "What the Fuck is an Electrolyte?" Also, super cool double review by Jeremy Benson of Matt Hart's Wolf Face and Nate Pritts' Big Bright Sun. Both these books are high on my to-read list, so I'm stoked to see them getting some love here. READ THIS ISSUE PLEASE.

Vouched Keeps Doing GOOD STUFF. Like adding contributors. Two online literary machines in Roxane Gay and Amber Sparks joined the party. Also, my good friend Ashley Ford joined up a little while back and has been bringing a cool perspective ever since. SELF PLUG AWARE: Don't forget my Vouches.

AGAIN?: Also, I have a new column up at Smalldoggies, an interview with Ryan Ridge. Self Plug Redemption: Be on the lookout for Christopher's next Vouched Satellite Post at SD. Also, I found this cool column at Smalldoggies the other day. Also also, I really loved this poetry suite with J.A. Tyler. More like Poetry Sweet.

Well, back to being on Christmas Break.

Stoked Things

Spent all yesterday in Ft. Wayne with major pals like Sara, Tyler F., and Cody D. Big fun watching cool bands like the return of In The Face of War, a comforting set by Frank Schweikhardt, and another killer performance by Husband&Wife. It was a big all day fest (WE DIDNT MAKE IT ALL DAY=MISSED JOOKABOX, though we were there 11:30 am to 10:30 pm.). The sound quality was great, the crowd was cool, the venue was a sweet pizza place called Pint and Slice (AWESOME NAME HUH?).

In The Face Of War is calling it quits on May 7th, a show featuring a Recovery reunion by Away With Vega. I'm not sure I can handle that much stuff in one show. Last ITFOW show + Vega reunion might be the crumpling of me that would last all summer. I'm not kidding.

Husband&Wife has a new album out called Proud Flesh. This was the first time I've seen them since I saw them play at VGR right after the release. Oh gracious, it's rock n' roll beauty. I can't get these jams out of my head like "I'm completely unaware of the market for grumpy old men trapped inside the bodies of 25 year old kids" and stuff like that. One gripe: the liner notes are in webdigs or winddings or dingdongs or whatever you call them, which is like ha funny then annoying because I might be wrong on lyrics and look silly (see above). Anyways, they just released it on LP too. I passed on it last night, but I have a feeling I'll own it soon.

Last night, I realized there is the Mother of All Shows 5 in January with a lot of the same bands. It's in Muncie and cheaper ($6<$10), but still I'm glad I saw this show. I needed that ITFOW set to rejuvenate me for Finals and the possibly lonely winter break.

Next thing to be super excited about: Vouched Presents Matt Bell, Aaron Burch, Sean Lovelace, Andy Devine. I've never seen Matt or Aaron read and both dudes wail on the page, so I'm stoked for that. Also, be nice to see my buddy Matt again and catch up. Also, Lovelace is a cool writer/reader. Also also, I hear Andy Devine is the coolest person anyone has ever met. Also also also, Vouched is a killer thing that my pal Christopher Newgent has started, and I'm lucky enough to be an Online Contributor. YES THANKS.

I've decided no AWP this year. One, the initial (re)interest came from a cancellation of my trip to Alabama at the beginning of April for Slash Pine Poetry Festival as part of an Alabama/BSU exchange, but that's back on. With the location and the money going to that fest, I'm gonna wait until Chicago next year for AWP. I'm sad to be missing Bob Hicok, Kevin Young, etc. and the sweet readings/bookfair, but DECISIONS MUST BE MADE. Thanks to everyone who gave me advice and info on that decision.

Another thing I'm stoked about is Chicklitz. This is a group of female BSU writers who write some fun and cool words. They're putting out a chapbook, doing a reading, and now having this blog. It's nice to see people GO FOR IT.

I'm not sure what this post says. I'm thinking it says that I have a nice life.

LAST NIGHT

Last night, I went to Indy for the Vouched Presents...Artifice Magazine reading. (Good job to the readers and the editors of this lovely magazine. Also, sweet job by Christopher Newgent for organizing this thing.) Last night, I bought "We Are All Good If They Try Hard Enough" by Mike Young (see above), along with the first two issues of Artifice and the new issue of Booth. (LOOK HOW HAPPY I AM TO HAVE THIS BOOK ON MY FACE) Last night, I watched Howl, and it was nice, not perfect, but yes very nice. (I don't watch many movies nowadays, so I feel like I can't say much about them beyond enjoy/not enjoy.) Last night, I stayed up until 6 am with three cool buds, dancing, laughing, and being cool. (THANK YOU YOU DONT KNOW HOW MUCH THAT MEANT TO ME) Last night, I slept on one of those pals' couch, sleeping over at another person's for the first time in probably a year. (THANK YOU CODY YOU DONT KNOW HOW MUCH THAT MEANT TO ME) Last night, I had a good time and now I'm tired. (LIVING WELL IS HARD WORK)

BACK TO BACK BOO YEAH

Tuesday, my bloof book pals Jennifer L. Knox, Shanna Compton, and Peter Davis invaded Ball State. My good pal Cody Davis got to kick off the reading with some of his hard hitting short poems. People laughed, people bought books, people talked to me. Three things that make me go WOAH.

Great things are happening for the Bloofers. They are on the road right now for their new books. Shanna has a new chapbook that is a pretty little thing and is a teaser for her new book out early next year. Jennifer tore down the house with her "slam poem" from her sweet book A Gringo Like Me. Also, it was great to hear her read from her new book, The Mystery of the Hidden Driveway. Those neat pages are sitting on my shelf, waiting on things to slow down. And Pete, oh Pete, with another reading from his new book Poetry!Poetry!Poetry!, delivered his usual stuff, a heartfelt, funny, and cool reading. They all ruled it for real.

I AM ON THE BEST AMERICAN POETRY BLOG. WHAT?!

Then last night, I was still reeling from all that coolness and Sara and I drove down to Bloomington for the evening to see No Age (along with Osteoferocious and this other band I won't talk about because I was bored and don't remember anything.) Osteoferocious, besides being pals of mine and having a sweet band name, do some pretty mean No Age-influenced jams, short, clanky, and fun. They real brought it last night. And then, No Age, I mean really, oh really, these guys, with their electronics, and their lead singer-drumming, front and center. IVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT HONEST. Their first full-length just rules and I listen to it regularly and the minute I got the Facebook event invite I RSVP'ed. (SCHOOL NIGHT WHAT?) BUT I HAD NO CLUE WHAT I WAS GETTING MYSELF INTO. One thing I can't get out of my head is the confidence and the complete control they showed, especially the drummer/singer, seeming so flawless, so smooth, yet so intensely insane, while managing to howl and buzz his vocals the whole time. And in between songs, he would stand up and talk to people in the crowd or just laugh and joke. I RESPECT THAT MAN. They have a new album coming out September 28th (Shame on their label for not letting them bring it with them), and the new songs sounded so killer. Oh MAN I CANT STOP. WONT STOP. BYE.

Wait:
- I have some words to say about the new elimae and also a Kim Chinquee story at Vouched.
- The new Collagist is out!
- Next weekend is my birthday weekend and The XRA Fest. DANG.

LEMON BARS IN THE FRIDGE

Tonight's show will rule, like Bonesetters playin' some jams, like Support the Troopz offending everyone, like Everything Now! with their cool exclamation point.

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AHHHHHH BLOOF BOOKS IS INVADING MUNCIE! THANK HEAVENS!

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WOAHHHHHHHHH I'M INVADING VOUCHED BOOKS! THANK ME!

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This week has been one for the books, whatever that means, I'd love to talk to you about it because I'M THE MOST SELF-CENTERED PERSON YOU'VE EVER MET, whatever that means.

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DANG

SEE YOU THERE

I am excited for this event and really stoked about Vouched Books. I have the privilege now of being able to help out with that project. Blog posts to come.