The Watch List

Listening:

1. Bumblebeez - Australian hillbilly electro-rock is what I would call this music. When the first band member listed is Acid Pro, you know you've found the right band. Listen to: Black Dirt (mp3)
2. White Nights - Dave Banzer is a one man band from Chicago, IL. His music has Irish pub meets Weird Al meets Casiotone type of sounds. It looks like he has an album available, but I can't see to find details on how to purchase it. Listen to: Phonograph Repeats (mp3)
3. Chad Serhal - He describes his sound as "old-time-folk-act", but I think that it is somewhat of an understatement. There is a richness to his voice that simple has to be heard. Listen to: On the Road (mp3)

Reading:

1. "Missle" by Jason Jordan - We all know Jason has a thing for cats, but to declare everything you write going forward will include cats may be a bit extreme.
2. "A Short History of Happy New Years (and not so Happy Endings)" by Ben Tanzer - One of things I enjoy most about Ben's work is his sense of humor. He really has it working well for this brief look back at New Years past. Also, be sure to check out Ben's podcast interview with Jason Pettus of the Chicago Center for Literature and Photography (CCLaP). If you listen all the way to the end you may hear a familar name. (Listen here)
3. "The Short Story Reading Challenge" - Kate from Kate's Book Blog is conducting a short story reading contest that is really more about sharing new discoveries and finding new writers then anything else. Go check it out for more details, but the basic premise (depending on your level of commitment) is to read the work of a short story writer that you had not previously read. It's sound like a lot of fun!
4. "Coffee" by Sabra Embury - Still fascinated.
5. "Creation Stories: Short Prose Things" by Matthew Simmons - Matthew has made this collection available for download. I am glad he did and you will be too.
6. Calliope Nerve XV: Pleasured Hands - Just released earlier this morning, this is a super-sized edition of a great literary journal. It features the work of 29 writers, including Jim Benz, Luis Berriozabal, Justin Hyde, David LaBounty, Zachary Bush, Karl Koweski, and more. It also includes the publication of my interview with Karl Koweski. E-mail nobius AT gmail.com for your copy today.

Wishing:

1. Zygote In My Coffee #100th Issue: Only 100 printed, featuring the work of some of my favorites, Michele McDannold, Misti Rainwater-Lites, Justin Hyde, Luis Cuauhtemoc Berriozabal, and so on. $6
2. Nick Volkert Prints - This past week Nick was kind enough to lend his incredible art to the redesigned banner for 2008, and I love how it turned out. If you like the new banner, Nick has prints of many of his paintings available purchase. He is really a special talent, and great guy.
3. "Vacation" by Jeremy Shipp - Jeremy is offering to sign and personalize every copy of his debut novel that is purchased through him. Jeremy is one of my new favorite authors, and my first find through Good Reads. Vacation has been nominated for Best Horror novel of 2007 by Preditors & Editors. Vote here! $13.95/$24.95 (hardcover)

Getting:

1. Fluro Issue #3- "Each issue of FLURO will be stacked with New Zealand and international popular culture including fashion, music, design and arts."
2. Bailgun Magazine's 2008 Calender - I was never much of skater, but I always wished I was. So in honor of this past weeks interview with Jeff Parker, here is the skater's calender. Skater's can also go here.

Watching:

1. Radar Bros. "When Cold Air Goes to Sleep "
2. Chris Pew's video interview with Fecal Face.