"Bartleby & Co." by Enrique Vila-Matas

At last! A novel about novelists that don't write. In fact they master the notion of "no." Enrique Vila-Matas is at the moment, one of my favorite living authors, who consistently questions the nature of literature and why one writes 'literature.' It is probably the ultimate book on writing and its (non)writers. 
Although its a work of fiction, it is really a hardcore Literary criticism on a series of writers who either like Melville's great character Bartleby, just refuse to participate in the world of writing and therefore their lifestyle and the work that they did leave on this planet, is .....writing. All the subjects one thinks of who we may think is in this category Duchamp, Kafka, Robert Musil, and especially Robert Walser are investigated in short poetic chapters. Its a hard book to put down, and Vila-Matas has a real understanding why these (non)writers click into our conscience. Superb.

Alfred Jarry - The MIT Press

Alfred Jarry - The MIT Press

A brand new biography on the great man. Have not read it yet, but time is on my side.

The World of Lun*na Menoh: Maximum Minature: Scale Behavior in Style

This promises (I promise) to be a great event/show/evening.  Check out the videos down below if you don't believe me.  Also featured is the remarkable Bettina Hubby.

LUN*NA MENOH RUNWAY FASHION  SHOW MAXIMUM MINIATURE: SCALE BEHAVIOR IN STYLE http://www.lunnaworld.com http://www.lunnamenoh.com Original Live Music Score by  THE SEWING SISTERS short fashion puppet movie by MAN VS TANK projection piece "Sex without the People"  by BETTINA HUBBY Saturday, November 5, 2011 at 8 PM, doors open at 7:30 PM  $10 TRACK 16 GALLERY http://www.track16.com/ 2525 Michigan Avenue, Bergamot Station C-1 Santa Monica, CA 90404 PURCHASE TICKETS http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/205759

Maximum Miniature // Slideshow from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Maximum Miniature // Silver Bags from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Maximum Miniature // Sewing Sisters from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Maximum Miniature // Two Models from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Lunna #2 from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Lun*na World - Shirts 3 from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Lun*na World - Wrap Movie from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Lun*na World - Shirt Movie from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Lunna Bag Movie from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Look Book from Lunna World on Vimeo.



Cinema Boutique from Lunna World on Vimeo.

Buster Cornbread Halloween Hoot-e-Nanny

A very short film by Relah, Kent & Buster. And if you blink your eyes you may miss yours truly as well. Very scary.

Enrique Vila-Matas' "Montano's Malady"

Is there such a thing as literature sickness? According to Enrique Vila-Matas' (sort of) novel, the answer is yes. There also should be a warning sign on the cover saying this book is only for literary nerds, because this is a hardcore open port to the world of literary concerns. In fact, one would think that this is the ultlmate book for anyone who is even thinking of writing a novel or two. 
Reflections on Kafka, Benjamin, and every cult writer from the 20th Century is in this book, as well as some side issues, like Edgar Ulmer' s great noir film "Detour." And also what is a writer's journal and does it reflect on 'real' life or life imagined. Does these issues concern you? If no, skip the book, but if you are an obsessive reader like me, who wonders about these things -well then Vila-Matas is the Brian Wilson of Euro book geek-dom. So yeah, I love it. 

Brian Wilson reveals The Beach Boys Smile Sessions Light Up Box Set

Designed by Tom Recchion.

The Beach Boys Smile Sessions Unboxing

A fan's take on the packaging of Smile (double disk set). And Tom Recchion who does all the design work for TamTam Books, did the "Smile" packaging. Its a small world Mr. Disney.

The Beach Boys An Introduction to "SMiLE Sessions"

Well only days or is it just hours from the official release of one of the great bootleg albums of all time.

Boris Vian Exhibition

Try to keep me away from this exhibition!

Spanish Harlem (demo) - Phil Spector (1960)

Phil Spector's demo for "Spanish Harlem." Its a beaut! How I would love it if there was an album of Phil Spector singing and playing guitar. Yes, that would be lovely.

"Minimum Miniature/ Opening" Lun*na Menoh

Minimum Miniature // Opening from Lunna World on Vimeo.


I expect everyone to be there.  Its remarkable watching this show being put together in Lun*na's studio.

"Minimum Miniature" Two Models - Lun*na Menoh

Minimum Miniature // Two Models from Lunna World on Vimeo.

"Minimum Miniature" by Lun*na Menoh

Minimum Miniature // Lineup from Lunna World on Vimeo.

Shiro Hamao's "The Devil's Disciple"

"eroguro-nansensu" or as they say in English "erotic grotesque nonesense" was a school of writing in 1920's Japan. Decadent, druggy, kinky, and...fun. The most famous writer in that movement without a leader was Edogawa Rampo (yes it is a play on the name Edgar Allen Poe) and Shiro Hamao. Hamao was a lawyer by trade from a very well connected family. He threw that life away to become a crime writer, and an early supporter of gay rights in Japan. Died young, yet a dandy, Hamao had it all. And we can be thankful for Hesperus publishing these two short novels "The Devil's Disciple" and "Did He Kill Him?" 
Both stories are pretty pulpy, but it drips with Asakusa 1920's life, and both have a gay sensual quality. Imagine Cocteau writing a gay noir detective story - and that is pretty much what is here. So yeah, not a masterpiece, but nevertheless a fascinating writer in a fascinating country in a very exciting series of moments. 
Both stories deal with seduction that leads to a crime - and no regrets! One can only hope shortly that there will be more Shiro Hamao stories in English.

たま マリンバ

たま 鐘の歌

Tama is one of my faves. When I spent a whole year in Japan, this band was it for me, and now, they're still it.

たま 夕暮れ時のさびしさに Tama

Tama is my favorite band of all time.

たま 夕暮れ時のさびしさに

Tama is my favorite Japanese band of all time.

Jacques Dutronc / Les Playboys (Françoise Hardy Blues 1966) [HQ Stéréo]

Remarkable record! Jacques Dutronc looks into culture, and therefore...

Françoise Hardy & Jacques Dutronc - Les Garçons