I could talk forever and ever about Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor has made over 30 years of genre-changing music as NIN, and I've been a huge fan for those 30 years. Much of the music has been about and fueled by resistance (like the 2007 album, Year Zero, about the early strains of MAGA). He believes in radical creativity, always encouraging other artists to remix and use NIN work (which I did in my audio drama Wyrd Woman). He's frequently collaborated with other creative heroes, David Lynch and David Bowie. And over the last decade, he and Atticus Ross have redefined movie scores and the creative process. This year Nine Inch Nails went on tour with the act Boys Noize. And at Coachella this past weekend, they combined to defy every trope about aged bands, completely reworking legacy songs into an entirely different band and show. It's retro and modern; it's 1990s industrial rave and 2020s anti-slop. I've been watching every clip I can find, and each one demonstrates again how Trent has never stopped pushing and exploring as an artist. And in this time of tyranny, reworked songs (like “ Heresy,” linked above) are so much relevant. Btw: That's musician Mariqueen Maandig, Trent's wife and creative partner. And the entire production, with her, the lights, the dancers, the imagery, all of it, makes my little goth heart very happy. CONTENT WARNING: These NIN songs include adult language, anti-religious sentiment, and sexual references. Also, videos have flashing lights. |
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“In communities such as refugee camps, many children are displaced from home and living with trauma… In such circumstances, play is a lifeline, helping children relieve stress, foster nurturing relationships, and re-establish conditions in which learning can occur.” The nonprofit Playrise makes modular play equipment for children living in disaster zones and refugee camps. Working with actual kids in displacement camps, the founder designed the playsets as customizable with easily replaceable parts. All because play and imagination is part of humanity. It's part of being kids. It's part of being adults. And as much as the world is crap, these are personal and joyful additions for each refugee community. |
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TIME CAPSULE: Getting pie'd |
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Take a trip back to an early pick from this newsletter 💕 In 1977, Anita Bryant, a trailblazer of homophobic hate who ran a national campaign to allow sexuality discrimination, got a pie in the face at a press conference. It's no small point of pride that it happened in my hometown, Des Moines, IA, just months after I was born 🔥 The pie-ing was a tactic used increasingly by gay activists and others to publicly humiliate the assholes, just as they were trying to shame and humiliate gay folks. Weird, funny, artistic, and embarrassing: a key mix to take down the self-assured and ego-driven. This article talks about the zaps, and the epic Bryant pie-ing. |
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In this week's bonus newsletter: - An imprisoned woman in the 1930s became a radio star
- A queer painter in the 1950s pushed back on fear and surveillance
- Tools and stories to help you make your art
Get your bonus newsletter on Saturdays when you sign up below! |
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MORE FROM REBEL YELL CREATIVE |
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🤖 SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROJECTS! Email me |
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P.S. A month ago, SNL UK launched. I'm loving it. The full episodes are airing on Peacock; here's a great clip. |
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North of Grand
Des Moines, IA 50312, U.S.A. |
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