Every passion borders on the chaotic, but the collector’s passion borders on the chaos of memories. (Walter Benjamin)

I saw a bit of that Simpsons Anniversary movie. There were fans featured in it who collect every bit of Simpson detritus. Those collections looked so lifeless to me. Especially in comparison to this Chinese woman who, after the cultural revolution, saved everything. Every bag, every box, the styrofoam that came in the box as packing! Every bottle cap. In the clamor to rebuild China anew they were taking down this woman's house. Her son, a child of the next Chinese generation, is an artist who tuned the house itself and all that was collected inside into art, and it's beautiful.






















I moved to NYC in the late 70's and worked at a record store in Soho that had a pretty deep catalog. A lot of interesting folks lived in the neighborhood and visited the local art galleries. David B and B. Eno used to come in and buy African records and many other downtown NY musicians also came in. Some (like John Zorn) worked there. It was a wonderful time in NYC.

I am someone who saves stuff. I would probably save everything in my life if I could. My wife on the other hand is someone who throws everything out. We had to go through a closet the other day, and I must admit wondering what the hell I am saving this stuff for.

Here are some samples:

A week at Irving Plaza in the early 1980's.




















When they built the World Trade Center in the 1960's they dug out a huge amount of sand that they decided to use as landfill to create a neighborhood now called Battery Park City. Before this was built however there was, well, sand dunes...and sort of a beach. It was super cool to be in NYC all urban and all and be at the same time away at the beach, at least the sand part as there was no waves or ocean. Creative Time, an arts organization that has used interesting spaces to do projects for quite a long time, would take over this strange NYC space every summer and do a series of architectural installations that would also have music.

One of the most memorable performances was one by Australian Aborigines. We were all sitting on one of the dunes facing away from the Twin Towers when we heard a clicking sound, and then a didgeridoo from behind us - but there was no one there. And then they appeared. I still can visualize it. Here is a photo from the Village Voice with the Australians on a local city bus that took them to the show.



I feel we are once again in another period of great creativity in New York City, at least on the musical side of things. Javelin is a super creative band from this new York scene whose first album we are releasing on April 20th. They have done two limited edition 12"s with that fantastic Chicago label, Thrill Jockey, which you can find here. And check out this little movie of how George and Thom create the magic. Tune in an Afternoon: Javelin

In 30 years someone else I am sure will be cleaning out their closet and post (in whatever way that is done then) a little missive based on the ephemera time we are in now in NYC. Here's to you.