Euro Zero Zero September 1, 2008

The longer I stay here, the more I find myself absorbed by other cultures. I suppose NYC is the best place to be if that’s what you’re looking for, but at the same time, most of the ideals one aspires to achieve in New York are the most bland, monotonous kinds of conformity possible. It still feels like a stepping stone to me, to Europe, but at least more of a gateway than Michigan did.

Going from Michigan to Europe was like going to another planet. You couldn’t explain what it was like to people because they didn’t generally get it, or if they did, they weren’t interested anymore. At least not in understanding life and culture beyond a vacation. Here at least you have options. I’ve 

stopped watching films that were even made in America – I’m just not interested anymore. I have that luxury here. There’s always some film playing no one’s ever heard of before. Additionally, I’ve taken more of an interest in French and Spanish culture. I can probably say I’m more interested in Spanish and Latin culture now than at any other point in my life, and that’s in spite of living in a predominantly Spanish speaking neighbourhood, not because of it.

My barber quit the shop I used to frequent, so I followed him over to a new place well down in the lower east side. It’s past where the subway goes (as much as you can be) so it’s a bit more raw, it’s people living life the way it was always lived before rampant commercialisation. The old shop was very trendy (not that I didn’t like it), but the new place is hood. The barber said he wants to get back to the old neighbourhood banter that you just didn’t have in the other place. I guess you do wanna go where everybody knows your name. They certainly didn’t know mine. When I walked in they looked at me like I was from another planet. I loved it. Underground hip hop mixtapes on the stereo, the shit you want to hear. And Kanye. Every mixtape always seems to have Kanye. I can’t think of anyone else that mainstream that still retains that much cred. And he’s not even from the 5. It was a good time and great to walk around a part of the LES that you felt had nothing to do with boutiques, clubs, or Santogold (but everything to do with great cupcakes).

Eventually I made my way uptown for Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Javier Bardem was as inspirational as Woody’s choice of scenery this time around. Barça, Oviedo and instantly another place to add to the long list of future experiences. I thought it was great. I realised it was as mainstream as any film I’ve seen in a long time. I don’t go to see mainstream films anymore and as such don’t really see many disappointing films. It’s a nice change. Kept the Spanish theme by listening to the new Los Bunkers album, definitely an album of the year challenger (see previous post). They surely must be the pride of Chile – they are making the album Oasis and Franz Ferdinand have been trying and failing to make for 10 years. How has the Spanish speaking population of the Americas not fallen completely and utterly in love with them?

On a similar tip, I bought a wonderful book a couple of weeks back, from the Taschen collection, simply titled Latin American Graphic Design. It’s basically a 500+ page graphic encyclopaedia of all of the best, most inspirational designers and their work from Mexico on South. I’ve been thinking of starting my own label, and every good label has a logo, and great design concepts, and I’m being influenced by so much fantastic stuff.

I decided to stay in on Saturday night and contemplate these future plans, before picking up a spot of Thai food. I wandered down to Morningside Heights to Thai Market. On the way back was stopped by a very kind, well spoken yet weak looking man soliciting donations. He proceeded to tell me he had full blown AIDS and lifted up his shirt to reveal an array of lesions. Needless to say, when you’re just walking back to the train with your takeaway that’s the last thing you’re really expecting to see. The experience has stayed with me since… I can’t get over how in the richest country in the world, someone with full blown AIDS can be essentially lying in the gutter. It’s the human face of Profit Over People: so obsessed playing Risk abroad for economic imperial gains and oil, while we can’t even take care of what we’ve already got at home. It does make one think: I think music is essential to life, but we work so hard every day to create a very superficial kind success. Instead of being as relevant as we think we are, are we not just a support service soundtracking the lives of those people performing work of real relevance in the world today? Food for thought.

Spent Sunday afternoon walking around Soho. After a ritual indulgence of Mango Madness at Beard Papa, did a spot of shopping and enjoying the afternoon, before heading back uptown for Ne le Dis à Personne (Tell No One). It might be one of the finest films I’ve ever watched, and instantly reignited my interest in French culture. I have to say it was one of the only times I’ve watched a film and actually thought to myself, “my god I’m seeing something really special and magnificent here.” I didn’t want it to end. I literally sat there wishing I could spend the entire night watching the story unfold. It was the second film in a month I’d seen François Berléand give a wonderful performance (after A Girl Cut In Two, this time in a supporting role however), and the combination of a stunning lead performance from François Cluzet and absolutely magical direction and writing from Guillaume Canet was to be treasured. I can’t stop gushing about it, but I really can’t gush enough!

A good long weekend, all in all. Still a bit to come and lots coming up in the next couple of weeks. Starting to plan out my next few trips – domestic and international – and looking forward to good people and good shows. Just hoping to continue keeping my dissatisfaction and malaise with vocation and sentience in check with cultural stimulation. Onwards and upwards.