Bucky’s back with another Gonch language message to the world.
Author: playhaus2015
Postcard project: Civilization’s Lost
Here’s an experiment in poetry publishing that’s new to me. The idea was planted by fellow DC poet Buck Downs, who’s been regularly sending out postcard poems for years. At just three lines, the title piece from the Civilization’s Lost series–poems based around lost cities and civilizations to highlight the fragility of languages, cultures and nations–seemed perfect for this. I ordered a custom rubber stamp to imprint the faces of old postcards, some I made from paperback book covers or record jackets. Been sending these to literary journals, poets, mail artists and friends, as long as I have a snail mail address.
“Rabbit Toilet Fantasy” and four other poems published in Ramingo’s Porch
Today, outlaw poetry magazine Ramingo’s Porch published five of my poems: “Rabbit Toilet Fantasy,” “The Desperate Ones,” “Another Hit for History,” “Plastic Surgeon Voyeur,” and “Bag of Bones.” You can read them here.
I didn’t actually intend to get published in this journal so soon after the last time; it’s a happy accident. I thought I was submitting to their special print issue with the the theme “Sex.” So I rounded up the dirtiest pieces I had and sent them in. Turns out that “Sex Issue” was released last month, and its deadline closed last August! It’s available on Amazon.
It may be worth noting that “Rabbit Toilet Fantasy,” partially seen below, is written from the perspective of the trickster rabbit character that showed up in a few poems. “The Desperate Ones” features Casanova as a character.
Stylus live track released on SoundCloud
Washington, DC’s turntable orchestra Stylus played a memorial concert honoring circuit bender, multi-instrumentalist and founding member Keith Sinzinger on February 1, 2019, at RhizomeDC. Group director Jim Adams composed another score based on Morse code, called “And All Thy Joy and Sorrow Shall Never Pass Away,” which was performed by four turntablists using Califone turntables and copies of the District of Noise loop LP marked for Keith’s solo tracks. Turntablists for this incarnation of Stylus were Jim Adams, Chris Videll, RA Martini, and myself. Steve Sanford made a live digital recording of the piece, which Jim posted to his BLK w/Bear SoundCloud account. You can listen to it here.
“Zero Is Gone” and two other poems published in Soft Cartel
Yesterday, online literary journal Soft Cartel published three of my poems: “Zero Is Gone,” “Lift Up Surrender,” and “Hamburger Joy.” You can read them here.
“It’s a Lapdog Thing” and two other poems published in Ramingo’s Porch
Though it started as a print journal, Ramingo’s Porch recently brought its showcasing of outlaw poetry online. I’m pleased that three of my poems appeared on the Ramingo’s site today: “It’s a Lapdog Thing,” “Maggot Picnic,” and “Ass Dragging on the Main Line.” You can read them here.
“Puppet Master in Polka Dots” published in Ghost City Review
The February issue of Ghost City Review was released today. It includes one of my poems, “Puppet Master in Polka Dots.” You can read it here.
Stylus ensemble memorial concert for Keith Sinzinger on Friday, February 1
This Friday, February 1, turntable ensemble Stylus will perform at a memorial concert honoring ensemble member Keith Sinzinger. The concert will include performances by Art & Amber (theremin duo), Hawkins & Mullinax, Liquid Friction Ensemble, and the trio Beau, Bev, DeJoe. The event will be held at Rhizome DC. Admission is $10 at the door, with proceeds going to sponsor a DIY electronic workshop scholarship in Keith’s name.
A mainstay of the DC experimental music scene, Keith Sinzinger was known for inventing strange musical instruments from found materials, circuit bending children’s musical toys, and collaborating with just about everyone else in the scene in different projects. In particular, he was an inaugral member of the Stylus ensemble, a group using Califone turntables and prepared LPs to create atonal musical works under the direction of Jim Adams. Keith’s passing last November caught us all by surprise, and his enthusiastic, supportive presence in the scene, as well as his creative music, will be missed.
For more info about the show, go to the Facebook event page here.
New video “No Eyes Remain” on YouTube
My new music video “No Eyes Remain” on YouTube depicts a far future where humans explore outer space as pure energy forms. The video text reads “no eyes remain to record the facts,” taken from my unpublished poem “Early Observatory,” part of my “Civilization’s Lost” series examining the fragility of human language, culture and civilization. The electronic soundtrack is Tone Ghosting’s “TGV.” Best played loud through speakers or headphones with a wide dynamic range. Click the link above to play the video.
“Deer Stone Magic” published in Futures Trading
The latest issue of online experimental literary journal Futures Trading #6.2 went live yesterday (Jan 6). Another one of those “who’s who” anthologies of the international avant lit underground, this number includes work from Mercedes Lawry, Sanjeev Sethi, Annie Blake, Kyle Hemmings, James Fowler, Stephen Middleton, Mark Young, Christopher Barnes, Joe Balaz, James Kincaid, Glenn Ingersoll, John Marvin, Patrick Theron Erickson, Joel Streicker, Simon Perchik, Donald E. Gasperson, and John Dorroh.
I’m pleased to say one of my poems from the Civilization’s Lost series also made the cut; it’s called “Deer Stone Magic,” revolving around the deer stone pillars of the Mongolian plains. You can read the piece (and the whole issue) here. Be sure to scroll all the way down for the Mad Hatter’s teacup!
jeff bagato 