Jan 17, 2025
Studio Notes #15
Hello, Fine People. Here's issue #15 of Studio Notes—quick bits delivered to you each Friday. This is a weekly newsletter that I'm publishing here on the blog as well. You should subscribe if haven't already :)
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I love California. Always have. As a kid growing up in frigid Vermont, California seemed like another world, but one I became obsessed with. Everything I was into as a kid seemed to be happening in Southern California. Skateboarding, surfing, movies, TV, music. I had a very romantic view of Los Angeles—even after visiting a handful of times. Thought I'd end up living there, but life had a different path. It's beyond heartbreaking to see the devastation from afar. I cannot imagine losing everything. So I'm looking for ways to help in some small way, and one of those is the newly-created LA Arts Community Fire Relief Fund, a "Getty-led coalition of major arts organizations and philanthropists providing emergency relief for artists and arts workers in all disciplines who have lost residences, studios, archives, artworks, or livelihoods or have otherwise been impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires." Peace and positive vibes to all those impacted.
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Ok Go have quite the legacy for creating creative, viral videos. They just dropped a new one that uses multiple iPhones to choreograph something unique. In an age where it seems anything is possible, visually, it's cool to see the band continue to use simple, lo-fi, concepts to make something interesting and fresh.
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Let's talk about something exciting for a moment. Sleep is crucial. For the last 9 years I've had to wear SCUBA gear in order to get an uninterrupted string of hours in. And I'm a minimalist when it comes to bedding. I'm talking sheets and comforters here, folks. Ditching the top sheet years ago was the best decision my partner, Mel, and I did years ago. That means a quality comforter is super important. After some trials and oven-like layering, I finally found one that actually stays cool but not cold: the Evercool Cooling Comforter by Rest. This is not an ad, just a fellow slumber aficionado sharing something that works. It's thin, but "weighty". A little stretchy maybe? Don't get me started on pillows...
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I once went to Symphony Hall in Boston to see John Williams conduct the Boston Pops back in the 90s. It was hit after hit. Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, etc. Johnny (as his friends call him, apparently) is a damn rock star. Disney's recent documentary, Music by John Willams, will have you going, "No way he wrote that, too?!". Such an incredible talent. Couple things stood out about the film: Even with the prolific talent he has, all of the directors interviewed said he was a joy to work with. He also continues to write his music by hand, with a pencil, note by note. He admits it's far slower this way, but perhaps that's his secret weapon. I was also happy to see him wielding a Blackwing pencil in some of film's old footage from the 70s. The best for The Best. ★★★★½
What are you working on?

I've been buttoning up a Rough style for Spagetty and then we'll get this one launched ASAP.
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