aric with an a

well, that’s it.

the final ‘rough sundays’ is up and out and no more will I spend early sunday mornings recording it.

and it’s been around the block,

pre-production started in Berlin.

the pilot launched from the Florida Keys.

then came to you from Austin.

from Tennessee and then from Otis’ ranch.

Oklahoma.

Vegas.

Oregon.

Hawaii.

NYC.

the U.K.

and then Los Angeles.

I will miss it.

but 6-months and 400,000+ downloads makes me happy.

and so I’ll walk.

leaving you with, hopefully a higher appreciation for the genius that was Otis Redding and maybe a few gospel tracks that make their way into your favorites…but that’s just me wishing.

thanks, to all of those who took part in it.

I liked doing it.

you’ve been bad. yes. you. you made such a big deal when it first happened and now - you’ve forgotten about them. those bands you used to love, still sing to, but deny in the most esteemed of musical circles. why, you can’t even say ‘matchbox 20′ without rolling your eyes. ‘counting crows?’ pluease - you only know that one song about mr. jones. shame on you and those friday rides home that you sing. shame on you for giving them ironic playlist names on your itunes. it’s time to admit you still have a special place in your heart. listen.

sometimes I pick up diary and start writing - remembering that I forgot to write earlier about whatever it is I was referencing.

so, skip this if you want. skip ‘em all if you want, but that would kind of negate you being here.

anyway.

- the fires here are insane. it looks like something set up by a sfx crew from down the street. the mountains we can see from our window have been outlined with an amber that would impress even the best of j.r.r. tolkien fans. it’s scary and beautiful. kind of like patricia arquette.

- I woke up the other night with the lyrics to an onyx song in my head and had to write it down on a piece of paper and my hand as not to forget. I then downloaded and wondered why and how the hell I dreamt about them. it did lead me to revisit the soundtrack to ‘judgement night’ which was impressive for it’s time - one of the first fusion attempts. living colour + run dmc / de la soul + teenage fanclub / sonic youth + cyprus hill = goodness.

- I’m writing. a lot. about 2000 words a day in the book. which is painful - for many reasons, but mainly having to revisit the old shanghai diaries for reference and man. I wasn’t too happy about being there. and I had better hair. ah well.

- this book has kept my attention for the past few days. and I like it. and this is on the way - which excites my head a lot.

- I’m an official netflix fan. every 2 days I have a new film. and I’m loving it. a list is coming. old news, sure - but it’s been a decade since I’ve lived here.

- my bro riaad is a funny man. very funny. kid should be on the onion.

- this week’s ‘rough sundays’ was good. but I liked having people co-host more. I’m looking forward to the new show, but I’ll miss my gospel as well.

- last night I made the best tequila-cajun-lime shrimp you might have ever had. mmmmmmm. no kiddin’.

- do you think mos def and I would get along well? I’ve always thought so. his ‘black on both sides’ is on right now and I just feel it.

- I’m on a hip-hop trip. but good hip-hop. c’mon.

- I’ve still yet to use the word ‘douche’. seriously. not because I have anything against it, I just always forget.

- I’m most excited about this film coming out. mostly because I love goats.

- yesterday in the mail, I got a) posters from Adam b) 40+ moon pies from friends of Lori’s and c) ‘choke’ from the aforementioned netflix. not a bad haul.

…is that all?

I don’t know.

probably not.

[photo of me in the toilet at the tate modern in london. how creative I am!]

this week’s french special of ‘rough sundays’ is, well, good I think.

it’s number 4 in the last 4 of this show.

I’m ending it.

while the ratings are high.

I have an idea for a new show.

but will take a break for a while.

can I say thanks?

thanks.

a good number of you found that show through this site.

and a good number of you found this site from that show.

here’s hoping you found a few tracks you liked.

here’s hoping it got you through a few sundays.

[even though most listened on mondays]

and here’s hoping you heard more Otis than you had before.

thanks. again.

[photo of where the past few shows have been recorded - home, los angeles, california]

a funny thing happens when you enter a serious relationship. well, lots of funny things, I suppose, seeing how I’ve been out-of-reality for the past decade, but there comes a certain privacy protection.

see, this isn’t just me anymore, there’s a we. an us. and sure, there’s enough content there to write about, but, as I once wrote about how I am with writing about my family, this is mine.

for me.

not that you had found yourself overly concerned, just wanted to explain the quietnessity of the past while.

but here’s what’s what:

- los angeles is los angeles. good parts and image-obsessed people who are nice. traffic and mexican music that plays a lot at the park across from where I sit. I was lucky enough to land and get working on a few projects, one of which I’m rather excited about, but can’t say a whole lot until it’s certain.

- the rough sundays shows took a nosedive with the u.k. shows, but it was important that I do them. the 3 newest ones are back to what I wanted them to be which is also great.

- I’m reading the John Peel bio I’ve wanted for a while and the memoirs of Picasso’s mistress that I picked up on the side of a Brooklyn street. I suggest, not highly, but still, both.

- listens? The Call. She Wants Revenge. a 1940’s compilation and a new fave Babs Gonzales [thanks Lone!]. and the new[ish] Yeah Yeah Yeahs is brilliant.

- Sarah came in town for her Roller Derby. it was important that we meet up. as well as understanding the intricacies of the lesbian-leaning sport.

- I refuse to apologize for liking the newest Kayne West-cameo track. even though I want to.

and I think that’s it.

oh yes. happy birthday, me.

yes.

so. it’s on.

the ‘charitable rough sundays’ is up.

it’s not the best show, nor is it the music which I built it around, but still…

and, as mentioned, I’m 25% of the way to L.A. with the sponsorships.

soooooooooo, if you were thinking about using that money for drugs or cake or something else that is certainly not good for you, how about a sponsorship?

it’s $45, which works out to pennies a day…as long as you’re looking at a rather large number of days.

and if you can’t - send me some good vibes.

[not that I'm not surrounded by them already]

can I tell you a quick story?

it’s rather an absurd one.

see, I came to Europe to try out a new project.

I won’t bore you with the details, but it was a cool project.

before flying over here, I stopped into NYC, where a friend of mine - who I’d never met in person - was visiting from L.A..

I ended up falling for this girl.

[she's sitting right here]

and am going to fly back with here to L.A.., help her pack her life there and then go to NYC, where she’ll live.

as will I.

but I didn’t exactly plan for this.

meaning I have to save up some pennies for the flight.

which means I have to raise some more sponsorships for ‘rough sundays’.

20, in fact.

at $45, same as we did before.

I’ll release this information on this week’s show.

but just know that if you have a charity [besides me], or a business you want to promote, or - well, whatever.

it’d be put to good use.

[she's sitting right here]

update!!!

so…barely had time to post this and, well, wow.

1. Lingo

2. J. Ward

3. GypsyGentry

4. L. Armstrong

5. Aztec Cafe

6. Rz

7. Chinkerfly

8. N. Lafferty

9.- #20 - Cilantro Media!!

thank you.

a lot.

would you let these two loose on a popular podcast?

-

fortunately, it’s n….oh, who are we kidding? it’s huge.

-

it’s ‘rough sundays’.

-

it’s another ‘u.k. special’.

-

and it’s super.

-

please listen.

would you let this man loose on the microphone of a popular podcast?

me neither.

thankfully, it’s not that popular.

ollie likes music.

ollie likes England.

ollie thought combining the both would make for a ratings boost.

so he’s in charge this week.

it’s ‘rough sundays 13′ - hope you like.

[and please don't leave us.]

but it was fun to do and hopefully some of the local musicians will get some exposure. 

‘rough sundays - hawaiian delight’ is now up.

enjoy!