⭐
the man, the music, the mindset, the little dances on stage. If they could bottle him I'd have a glass a day and I think it'd cure all my ailments.
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New Jersey may have Bruce, but Massachusetts has Jonathan- a guy who has always been unapologetically himself whether it was being totally sober in the 70s, writing pleas for tenderness in a genre known for bravado, dancing in lesbian bars, or driving down to NYC every weekend to be Velvet Underground's biggest fan before anyone else was. a guy who despite being a rock legend, spends his days installing pizza ovens around the san fransisco area.
I've seen him live a few times now, and watching him play his sweet silly songs in an unapologetically sincere + sort of autistic way is somehow just as transgressive as the proto-punk he invented with The Modern Lovers over 50 years ago. I can't help but smile ear to ear for his entire set. effortless humor and charm.
Something that's also stood out to me after seeing him live a few times now, is the way he recontextualizes the classics. When he played "Old World" in 2022 he changed the lyrics to recognize how some things should be left in the past rather than simply romanticizing it. And last night he played with the iconic "Pablo Picasso" to focus less on the swagger of Pablo, and more on how that type of guy is actually kind of an arrogant creep. Angel Prost (of Frost Children) wrote a great essay on Jonathan's reinvention for her email-only newsletter a few years ago, if you'd like to read it I'm sure I can dig it up for you.
From last night-
When I was a kid, I wanted to be an oil painter. I was obsessed with colors.
Then I heard Velvet Underground and saw you can paint with a guitar
Anyways...if more people were a bit more like Jonathan the world would be a better place. A huge inspiration to me!
Mar 8, 2024
🎶
just came back from his show and it was literally the best thing ever; songs are amazing ofc but hes also just incredibly funny and witty and all around a fantastic entertainer. you can really tell he loves to do this. i call him johnny richy because in my head we’re good enough friends that i can nickname him twice…
Mar 11, 2024
much to be said about him, both in his utter sincerity and songwriting prowess, I recall finally understanding him when I found a letter he sent to the Velvet Underground in an art museum, at once, so much joy, and so much complexity even just before the Modern Lovers days!
Mar 8, 2024
Top Recs from @will
😃
School made us think reading is a holy act. It is not. Its just something to do. Like watching a movie or sports. You aren’t going to be tested by anyone. Read high. Read drunk. Read 2 pages. Read half awake. Remember nothing or just some of it. It really doesn’t matter
May 2, 2024
🎵
Just do it who cares she probably knows better
Feb 27, 2025