Jeff shares with me the history behind Red Hot, the music project from AIDS advocacy group ACT UP, as well as how the project continues still today recently releasing a comp to support the transgender community. We discuss some of the songs & how those bands came to be involved.

This weekend, I finalized everything for both of my books publishing this year, “Frank Zappa’s America” and “U2: Until the End of the World,” and now they are out of my hands. I started this journey February 18, 2023, and I’m grateful for the people whose support brought me here.

We talk about the musical pretension and hierarchies that assert humor doesn’t belong in music, explore different musical spaces and the impact of comedy on various genres, and discuss Lily’s interview with Tom Lehrer and how death can be a potent element in all things funny. 2/2

RIP Maestro.

@anniezaleski Congratulations and great work! Btw, really looking forward to the Cher book!

Jimmy Carter was a hero of mine and someone whose values are something all of us could embody these days. Currently in France and we opened a 22 year old bottle of homemade pear alcohol for the occasion.

Or you can review the catalogue directly here:

Each conversation is a chance for me to challenge myself. 2024 saw many great books get published that explore the varied ways music fits into and moves us throughout our lives. I feel fortunate to get a glimpse of that. Thank you and here's to many more great books in 2025!