Happy Friday! ☀️
Hola from Sevilla, my second stop after Vienna on this three-month sabbatical. It’s my second time here and it’s great to return after six years. I’m loving the laid-back vibe of the city and the architecture that gives an insights into the city’s rich culture and history.
What I’m reading 📖
To help fall asleep at night, for a few years now I’ve been “writing” songs in my head. I usually start with a drum beat (often it’s the same one), then come the bass line, the guitars, and by the time I need to think about lyrics, I’ve fallen asleep. It’s still one of my dreams to go into a studio, work with a producer, and write one song. Just one. I want to learn how to write, record, arrange, mix, and master just this one song I’ve made from scratch. Thinking of tis dream, I picked up Jeff Tweedy’s (of Wilco) book “How to Write One Song” where he dissects his approach to writing this one song. About a quarter in, it includes life lessons that go beyond making music. More about the book.
What I’m listening to 🎧
In addition to his flag ship podcast Hotel Matze, my friend Matze invites regular guests to check into his Hotel Matze Suite. The guests include people like his wife Stephanie, Paul Ripke, and psychologist Ursula Nuber. I love the even more intimate vibe of the conversations where his guests tend to open up even more than in his main podcast. One of the Check Ins I really enjoyed was with Ursula Nuber where she explains how friends and family can respond and work with someone who was diagnosed with depression. Find the subscription-only suite on Apple Podcasts for 4,99 Euro per month. It’s worth it.
What I’m watching 📺
Some readers will know that I am huge fan of The Office (the U.S. version). When I saw that Craig Robinson, the actor who plays Darryl just started his new comedy series, this caught my attention and I gave it a try. It’s a rags-to-riches sitcom about class and capitalism where Robinson’s character, struggling to make ends meet, pursues his idea for a business but keeps encountering setbacks along the way. Extra kudos for the performance of Aussie Claudia O’Doherty. Watch the trailer.
What I’m thinking about 🧠
“No work of art is ever finished; it can only be abandoned in an interesting place.”
– Unknown, found in Jeff Tweedy’s book
What else?! 💯
Some highlights from Seville: the Real Alcázar, its tiles, and the incredible gardens, the many hidden and peaceful plazas (San Lorenzo, Doña Elvira, Setas de Sevilla), the endless running paths along the river, vegetarian tacos at Cantina Mexicana, La Casa del Lagar apartments, and most of all the slow pace of living and that sevillanas and sevillanos are out and about at all times.
Thanks for reading, and have a great weekend!
David
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