Oh, Superman.
I honestly cannot believe I got to talk to Laurie Anderson. She was pitched and I was amazed. She has occupied a place in my mind since freshman year of college. I had her first record, Big Science. I had never heard anything like it. Actually, I still don’t think I’ve heard anything like it. She is singular.
She is one of those artists I just assumed occupied a different space than the one I do. In a way she does. She is out there doing art of all kinds, all the time. Active.
I wasn’t even sure where to start with her or what to do. I remember when she and Lou got married. Knowing what I thought I knew about Lou it was odd to wrap my head around but, in some way, made sense. She’s had a very long and full career as an artist but hardly any of it mainstream since those first few records. We just dived in and talked.
I always like talking to artists who were in NYC in the seventies because it sounds like it was some kind of abandoned wasteland. Which it was in some ways. The way she talks about downtown and the artists who were around is kind of mind-blowing. I remember thinking that when I talked to Kim Gordon as well.
The real surprise talking to Laurie came when I discovered she had a funny relationship with Andy Kaufman before anyone knew who he was, maybe even him.
I had a great time in NYC working with Melissa McCarthy last week. It’s a small part in a Christmas movie but we had fun. We did some riffing. I’m going to embrace the clown more. My clown. I’ve said my piece. Now, I just want to do some goofy shit. Okay, maybe not always, but more.
That said, I guess we’ll see where we stand Civil War-wise tomorrow if Trump gets arrested. Let’s see how many of his morons cause trouble. I would imagine not many. You have to be real dumbshit to still believe in that guy. A real follower/sheep/no-brain/needs-a-daddy type. I would assume the fear of jail time will stop most of them. We’ll see! Exciting times. American autocracy on the move.
Today, as I mentioned above, I talk to Laurie Anderson. On Thursday I talk to comedian Nick Youssef who I feel like I’ve known since he was a child. I kind of did.
Enjoy!
Boomer, Monkey and LaFonda live!
Love,
Maron
A Different Space.
