2020 Mix Album, LWSD podcast returns + my VHS cult film

Conscience Calls: 2020 Mix Album

No one needs reminding that 2020 was a hellacious year. For me, trying times are when I need music most. Whether I'm making it myself, finding comfort and strength in the contributions of friends (Sean, Zach, Kevin!), or luminaries (Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ani, NIN... NKOTB!), or seeking out new voices to meet the moment (H.E.R.), I have long looked to music to help me process my feelings about myself and the world around me.

This my 17th annual mix album, and though it chronicles a turbulent time, it is one of my favorites. The Coronavirus has forced a sort of worldwide shared experience, and there's a chronology in these songs that I think will resonate with you even when the music itself might not. It's certainly the most diverse collection of songs I've ever assembled, and it is the only time I can recall all of the entries having been released in the calendar year represented.

I hope you find—or are reminded of—something here that adds something positive to your life.

Links to Listen + Liner Notes

LWSD Ep. 86 - Joy, Possibility, and Goodness

After a six-month leave of absence, the Long Walk Short Drink podcast I co-host returned in December with an overflowing roundup of recommendations for things that brought us comfort, joy, and enlightenment during this dumpster-fire of a year. Palmer and I were joined by Twinkie, Stan “The Man,” and DD to discuss our favorite films, series, podcasts, books, music, video games, and more from 2020.

Our January episode mostly centers on The Mandalorian Season 2, and we just recorded a fun chat about Cobra Kai season 3 which will be coming out next week.

Pick Your Podcast Platform

Quarantine Concerts Playlist on YouTube

This mailing list was grown mostly through the hundreds of live performances I gave from 2005-2015. While I haven't been active in that particular creative capacity these last five years, 2020 did see me grabbing a guitar and hopping behind the mic a few times. I played some live solo sessions from my home during the lockdown and a lovely duet with cellist Tara Hanish. They're all archived on my YouTube channel, so if you missed one or want to re-watch or share, you can find them by clicking the button below.

YouTube Playlist

Coming soon to home video - Inertia: Re-Making The Crow

THE CROW VHS Adaptation & Documentary

After premiering at the 2002 New York International Independent Film and Video Festival, this documentary sat on a shelf virtually unseen—until now! Told through intimate behind-the-scenes footage shot from 1994-1998 by my friend and filmmaking partner Matt Jackson, INERTIA: RE-MAKING THE CROW chronicles the four years in which we struggled to create a faithful, no-budget VHS [re]adaptaion of James O'Barr's acclaimed comic book series, The Crow.

I was the driving force behind the project and played the main character. About 100 copies made their way around in the early days of the Internet, but it's gone on to be a sort of cult-within-a-cult film of particular interest to VHS collectors. Twenty years ago, I bought a bootleg off eBay myself just to see what the presentation was like. Just recently, someone pointed me to this Underworld Collectibles listing it for sale at $10,000! I kept pretty careful records, and I doubt this dude even has a copy (hence the outrageous price).

Follow @lunchmeatvhs on their social media profiles for the forthcoming details about the limited-edition, VHS release of the documentary. In the meantime, you can stream the adaptation for free on their YouTube page, as well as watch an all-new video commentary I recorded for the newly remastered and expanded edition. And if somehow that's not enough information about my misspent youth... You can see two split-screen commentaries--one comprised of 90's-era interviews and behind the scenes b-roll and another scene-specific session with my filmmaking partner captured in 2003 featuring a lot of graphic-novel comparison panels--plus the feature-length Inertia documentary in the Vimeo Special Edition digital bundle.

Links & Info