“Heat” — May 2012 mix by Peter Hernandez
(Source: mixcloud.com)
Shenanigans with Joseph Michael Owens
There is something indescribably charming about Joseph Michael Owens. Perhaps it is the unabashed, earnest way that he speaks about everything from writing to his dogs to nunchucks to movies, or perhaps it is the afterglow of a long-awaited achievement. Owen’s debut Shenanigans!-–a novel(la)-as-stories that follow events in the life of his protagonist Ben—became available to purchase early last February, and the hype surrounding it has caught the eye of media outlets from PANK to social cataloging sites like Goodreads. His excitement is palpable and completely deserved. Art Faccia’s J.E. Reich sat down with Owens to discuss his work.
“Secret Admirer”
by Richard Peabody
Monday, April 23rd, 2012
Illustration by Cody Pickrodt
Deb had been Allie’s first friend in DC after the move from Dayton but she always called after midnight no matter how many times Allie politely scolded.
“He sent me a card. I mean it says Secret Admirer but it must be him. Wouldn’t it be? Don’t you think? I can’t imagine who else could have—“ Her bedroom voice a caffeinated whisper.
“Green Girl” by Kate Zambreno
by Rebecca Haze
Thursday, April 12th, 2012
When my copy of Kate Zambreno’s most recent novel, Green Girl, arrived in the mail, I was immediately struck by the book design’s utter lack of bullshit. Coming off the heels of a mainstream marathon, I had become accustomed to splotches announcing “even more inside!” and weird little seals (can you peel those things off?) advertising someone-or-other’s intentions to adapt the book into a “major motion picture.” When I flipped the book over to learn more about Zambreno herself, all I saw was a list of her past and upcoming projects, and a full-color headshot where she didn’t appear to be wearing any makeup. I was impressed on both counts.
“16/m/ca”
by Ryan Chang
Monday, April 9th, 2012
Illustration by Cody Pickrodt
On AIM, calmsetsin’s parents are yelling at her, wasdefeated’s dog is dying, wtf lol dude omg is horny, diiieee is bored. I am 16 in the Internet. To fool my mother, I keep one window of Firefox open to Wikipedia, and another with 20 to 30 tabs of MySpace and Livejournal profiles. I message them if they live in Huntington Beach or Westminster or Fountain Valley; I tell them I’m not doing homework because I hate school, because all 16 year olds hate doing homework. We do it again the next day, then the next, eventually we’re friends. People think I am 16 anyway—I’m careful not to seem 14—so it isn’t the biggest lie. A difference of two years, I think, doesn’t really matter.
“The Rectory”
by Kathleen Woods
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Illustration by Cody Pickrodt
Lauren fumbled with her bike lock. Under her helmet, her scalp itched with sweat and cold. She wiped the snot from her face and walked towards the entrance of the rectory, a tan, crouching building next to the church. She sneered at the life-sized Mary standing in the front garden. Hail Mary, carved from wood. Blessed art though among women.
