November (but also a bit of October)

A quick update.

The massive Bob Dylan book that I have translated for Rizzoli Lizard is coming out on November 26. Quite excited to finally leaf through its pages. It’s the perfect Christmas gift for anyone who’s into Dylan — like, very much obsessed with Dylan. There is a lot to read and admire.

A couple of years ago I translated a collection of short stories dealing with mysteries and the macabre, by some legendary authors from the 1800s. It was finally published this fall, fittingly around Halloween.

I’m buying and reading a lot of comic books, mostly Italian comic books. I have also watched a beautiful Japanese anime titled Look Back — based on the one-shot manga with the same title, written and illustrated by Tatsuki Fujimoto. Highly recommended (have some tissues ready).

I went to see the magnificent Anna B. Savage in concert. She is great! And she will release a new album in January. One of her new songs is titled Mo cheol thú, which stands for “I love you” in Irish — although it doesn’t directly translate to “I love you”. Rather, it means (literally) “You are my music”. Beautiful, isn’t it? We all are someone’s music, I guess. Here’s her most recent track, in case you are not familiar with her stuff.

Earlier in October, I played two shows in Milano and Genova, in Italy. Eugene, Alessandro and I managed to play “Impossible Until It Happens” by Yukihiro Takahashi for the very first time (if you don’t know the history behind the song, read this). Also, a very thoughtful Japanese fan was at the concert in Milan and brought me a special gift: a 33rpm of a 1985 Viva Rock interview with Steve Jansen. The club we played at, Germi, has a beautiful vibe. It was so nice to perform with books surrounding us — quite a warm, cozy atmosphere.