Like what you're reading? Throw a little something in the tip jar. That's the only monetization this site has. Thanks for your support!
-
Recent Posts
Archives
Categories
Old Stuff
Author Archives: Brian LaRue
On the Three-Part Creative Cycle: A Suggestion
During the first few months of the Covid pandemic in 2020, there was a lot of chatter about how we all can “use this time.” The presumption was that “sheltering in place,” staying at or close to home, our social … Continue reading
I Was a Teenaged Ska Kid: A Mostly Unapologetic Confession
In 2017, my former colleague Brian Slattery (author, Spaceman Blues, Lost Everything, and more) invited me to contribute a “long personal essay” to the journal the New Haven Review, where he’s a long-time editor. Because it is essentially unthinkable for … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture
Tagged diy, New Haven Review, punk, ska, ska-punk, Tune Inn, Webster Theater, youth culture
Leave a comment
ICYMI: The Band I’m In Is Called Shelter Dogs
I’m the primary singer, guitarist and songwriter in the garage rock/powerpop band Shelter Dogs, and that isn’t new. But in the time since this blog went on hiatus, Shelter Dogs came out of its own hiatus, and we’ve been up … Continue reading
It’s Brian LaRue, the Blog: The Relaunch
All right, so I took a six-year break from this blog, but now I’m back. Man, a lot can happen in six years. In mid-2015, I was living in a converted warehouse, throwing rock shows. I hadn’t met my partner … Continue reading
That Summer When Jeff Lynne Really Understood My Pain
Here’s something I haven’t done in a while: A long-form music feature published somewhere other than this blog. My buds Jon Mann and Derek Hawkins — two men of many talents, whom New Yorkers of a certain persuasion might recognize … Continue reading
Three Alt-Weeklies, My Own Salad Days and One Long Goodbye to Them All
This morning, the final editions of the three alt-weekly newspapers that serve Connecticut — the New Haven Advocate, Hartford Advocate and Fairfield County Weekly — all hit newsstands. The Hartford Advocate, which I discovered on the floor of my high … Continue reading
I FIGURED OUT THE FORMULA FOR SUCCESS
I GOT it. FINALLY. It’s so SIMPLE. All of my problems are solved.
Just Like Sister Ray Said
As news of Lou Reed’s death made the rounds today, I saw countless appreciations of Reed’s work, of the impact his music had had on people’s lives, on his regal position as an artist and innovator. It’s difficult to summarize … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture
Tagged lou reed, obituaries, rock'n'roll, sister ray, velvet underground, white light white heat
Leave a comment
Journalists, Not Bloggers: Journalism Is Not a Solitary Act
From time to time, usually while hamfistedly trying to finish off one home repair or another, I think, Look at me, a writer. I shoulda learned a trade. But recently, I realized… I actually did. There’s this idea that journalism is … Continue reading
Posted in Thinking About Media
Tagged blogging, digital media, journalism, new media, news, reporting
3 Comments
This Summer’s Contest of Hipness: The 2013 Bushwick Games
Who says Brooklyn hipsters are lazy? Why, they engage in feats of strength and endurance as a matter of course. Finally the hardiest, quickest and most adroit among them will be recognized for their years of training this summer, competing … Continue reading
Posted in Arts and Culture, Old Stuff
Tagged block party, brian larue, brooklyn, bushwick, dance party, diy, hipsters, O, rooftop party, satire
1 Comment
Hey, It's Brian LaRue 