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I think he would enjoy the actually quite groovy basslines of each song; while the almost-spoken-word-nature of the lyrics, that question the darkness of our souls and society, would just really connect with Howard.
(Of course Vince would be somehow moshing at the front of the crowd and become involved with the band in some way which would haunt Howard)
Jan 20, 2025
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New Jersey may have Bruce, but Massachusetts has Jonathan- a guy who has always been unapologetically himself whether it was being totally sober in the 70s, writing pleas for tenderness in a genre known for bravado, dancing in lesbian bars, or driving down to NYC every weekend to be Velvet Underground's biggest fan before anyone else was. a guy who despite being a rock legend, spends his days installing pizza ovens around the san fransisco area.
I've seen him live a few times now, and watching him play his sweet silly songs in an unapologetically sincere + sort of autistic way is somehow just as transgressive as the proto-punk he invented with The Modern Lovers over 50 years ago. I can't help but smile ear to ear for his entire set. effortless humor and charm.
Something that's also stood out to me after seeing him live a few times now, is the way he recontextualizes the classics. When he played "Old World" in 2022 he changed the lyrics to recognize how some things should be left in the past rather than simply romanticizing it. And last night he played with the iconic "Pablo Picasso" to focus less on the swagger of Pablo, and more on how that type of guy is actually kind of an arrogant creep. Angel Prost (of Frost Children) wrote a great essay on Jonathan's reinvention for her email-only newsletter a few years ago, if you'd like to read it I'm sure I can dig it up for you.
From last night-
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an oil painter. I was obsessed with colors.
Then I heard Velvet Underground and saw you can paint with a guitar
Anyways...if more people were a bit more like Jonathan the world would be a better place. A huge inspiration to me!
Mar 8, 2024
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tim robinson sun, conner o'malley moon, joe pera rising
May 28, 2025
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Heβs probably got awesome fans for an opener and would love to be around his team and learn from him. I think heβs doing of one of the most true and also COOLest things in music rn.
Apr 5, 2024
Top Recs from @princesspolski
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Idk makes me feel mysterious & enagmatic
May 4, 2025
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I wanted to say after feeling lots of shame about being a chronic lister seeing other people enjoy and creatively make lists has reassured me there is nothing abnormal about my habit π
Dec 23, 2024
I love listening to music that seems to marry together your mind and body. It somehow translates often indescribable aspects and experiences of your life into something you can fully understand.
Atlantis by LTJ Bukem is one of the songs that do it for me.
Dec 17, 2024