Letter From The Founder
Twenty issues in. No surprise because this is a long term project aiming for long term results. It’s called Soaring Twenties because we are thinking in terms of decades, not just a quick short lived activity. And what will allow this club to go on and on is the depth of the roster of artists we have here.
So as well as mainstays such as Deepansh, Pr0ph3t, Charles, Vita and myself we also have great work to offer this week by new (and newer) contributors such as Harter, D.B., Rob Gale, Thomas Kealy and Cody Clarke. This depth of talent means that writers can tag in and out and work on their craft in the shadows for a while if need be. This means the quality will rise and rise and rise.
I say it virtually every week, but truly we are still only in the very beginning stages here. Which means there are still seats at the table for those who see where this is going and want to get in on it.
Sign up if you want to get access to the Discord where aspiring writers transform into the real thing.
Until next time,
Live well,
Tom.
Essays
bookmark #417 by Deepansh
A beautiful meditation on writing, legacy and what we leave behind when we are gone. Nothing less than what we have come to expect from the great Deepansh.
How to Build Monasteries by Pr0ph3t
‘(This) life is short. The age is dark. The road is beset with perilous terrors. Rest with us, pilgrim. Take heart, then take something for your journey.’
Taking the best from the old to build something for the future. Pr0ph3t never ceases to offer genuine insight and wisdom.
Failure is not a stage on the path to success by Thomas Kealy
A real thought provoker about the content driven cult of failure versus the actual real thing. Heart on sleeve stuff. A much needed corrective.
Vibe Shifts and Inarticulate Knowledge by Luke Burgis🔒
The ratio vs intellectus distinction as discussed by Josef Pieper is a vital one to understand especially in these times. Here Luke breaks it down with his trademark lucidity and thoroughness. Once you see it you can’t unsee it.
Movie Recommendation: Crimes of the Future by D.B.
‘I don't watch movies with the mindset of providing a critical review or seeking movies to write about. Rather these recommendation posts reflect moments I finished watching a movie and felt driven to tell the world about it!
I only recommend movies I'm excited about and eager for you to see?’
This is a vital, and I believe correct approach. It’s how I myself tackle film recommendations. I guarantee that this nee project of D.B.s will pay massive dividends over time for those who take him up on his suggestions.
Like Music by Rob Gale
The illustration alone are worth the click on this one. But the discussion of the process, the philosophy behind them- the visual music making- elevate this piece to a whole other level. A fascinating glimpse of what goes into art.
Stuck in a Local Maximum by Harter
Another remarkable illustration, another great lesson broken down visually. I’m delighted that the STSC is growing visually as well as in the quality of prose on offer. The complete package.
Excalibur by Adam
I say it every time- Adam is in a league of his own with these. Dense and cryptic yet entertaining and eminently re-readable. Every new delve uncovers a new layer, a new insight. Remarkable.
We Must Wage Cultural Campaigns by Cody Clarke
‘I want every young person to see a world where becoming a filmmaker is a viable and brilliant option—a world where they know that, if they put the time in and develop their talent, they can live a comfortable life and make any films they could ever want to make, completely independent from an oppressive and corrupt industrial machine.’
Big talk, but Cody walks the walk like no other. One of the most interesting and inspiring film makers around today. So far ahead of the curve it’s unreal. Hopefully the world will catch up to his revolutionary spirit soon.
Prepared Emotions by Charles Schifano
Possibly the ultimate piece on ‘museum labels’. Read it and you’ll see what I mean. I love everything Charles puts out.
Sonny Sikes by Ryan Stephens
I had never heard of rodeo champion Sonny Sikes before I read this. And I’m glad I did. This is the serendipity I am always talking about and I always love to discover the lives of such fascinating and great people.
Reflection #3 by Clint
Clint has found his medium and his voice with these reflections. They keep getting better and better. Every one this far has been a joy to read and long may it continue.
Over-compensate by Vita
Idiosyncrasies, self-labels, over compensation and that urge to broadcast our lives and ‘vice-share’. Excellent observations peppered throughout this one and a powerful takeaway at the end. Swing the pendulum.
No More DVDs At The Library by Thomas J Bevan
Good responses from this one (especially the buymeacoffee link!). I put the resonance down to the fact that I am talking about out-in-the-world things based on actual interaction and observation. Boots on the ground is the only way and this will become a theme going forward, both in my work and hopefully for all of our actually lives here.
Poetry
Tiamat by David Torkington
Developing posture
To delve a downward clime
Born into the deep
In drowning we learn to dive
A fecund abyss
The subconscious mind
Benthic Abaddon
Beauty’s hazard to cruelly die
Clarity withers
And hope, does it cry
When you do not cleave chaos
To create earth and sky
Podcasts
Off Mike (The Wednesday Audio #56) by Craig Burgess
Don’t tell him I said this but I genuinely love the Wednesday Audio and laugh out loud every time. Even with the new addition of the terrifying ‘friendly voice’ which doesn’t seem to be fully going away.
TJB Film Recommendation
American Graffiti (1973)
D. George Lucas
W. George Lucas,Willard Huyck, Gloria Katz
S. Richard Dreyfuss, Ron Howard, Paul Le Mat
During a recent family visit my Dad and I got into a long conversation about classic vs new cars, the move to have all vehicles be electric and the way that all classic cars are going up in value and now represent a pretty sound investment for speculators (maybe I should write an essay on all of this). This conversation naturally brought to mind one of the ultimate hod rod movies- George Lucas’ American Graffiti.
So upon returning home I immediately rewatched it, and I was not disappointed. Sure the film essentially consists of teens driving around and saying hi to each other for two hours, but I found that to be a huge part of its charm. That and the look (and sound) of all of the gleaming, souped-up cars cruising around.
The film takes its time and this plus the interweaving vignette structure really helps capture that teenage sensation of hanging out and trying to find something to do in a nice, quiet town. Although it’s not quiet given the engine noise and the constant playing of music on every radio going by. There is no score here, just constant diagetic rock and roll and doo wop and the soundtrack has rightly gone on to be revered as one of the all time greats. Tarantino clearly learned from this approach and Linklater’s Dazed and Confused (also excellent) clearly cribbed from this picture.
It’s funny. George Lucas’ Star wars films are beloved by generations of film goers and they have earned him billions. He has had one of the most successful careers in Hollywood, period. But American Graffiti shows a glimpse of another reality, of Lucas the ‘real’ filmmaker and I for one feel it’s a shame we didn’t see more of this artist before he became the Star Wars guy. But I may be in a small minority of peopoe who think that. Oh well.
Thanks as always for reading/listening and thanks in advance for pressing all of those various buttons at the bottom which help the Omnibus spread further.
After last weeks last minute cancellation on my part Craig and I will be recording another episode of the Soaring Twenties Podcast (honest) tonight at 8pm GMT. We’ll host it and record it live from the STSC Discord and then post it onto this Substack tomorrow.
Feel free to join us live and post your heckles in the podcast channel chat. We might even put you on mic to you in.
I look forward to seeing you over at the Social Club Discord.
Cheers!
The STSC Omnibus #20
Hi, Thomas. I'm a paying subscriber -- how do I join the Discord?