For Those I Love, 'Carving The Stone' Tower Records Signing Day, Sunday 10 August 2025.
I will never be able to put into words what David Balfe means to me as an artist. Go listen to his new record. It's a portrait of Dublin, of Ireland, of a generation in crisis. What a wonderful thing it is to be around at the same time this man is making music.
Benton, in a restaurant, Osaka, 2024.
This was the first time I ate in a restaurant in about a decade. Anyone that knows me knows that I have pretty serious food allergies (moreso in quantity than severity) and it's meant that I've pretty much cooked every meal for myself since I finished college.
This has been difficult for partners, friends, family. Most social occasions have an element of food incorporated. For me, the easiest thing is for the other person to pretend I don't exist and to just order for themselves while I have a coffee or something like that.
While in Japan last year, I met my friend Benton for some drinks in a jazz bar in Osaka. He knew about all of my food allergies from the previous year when we were in Kyoto, but this time he suggested we go to a grilled chicken place where a chef will put salt on raw chicken and cook it right in front of you. I have explained my various allergies to various chefs and waiters over the years and for them to assure me they could accommodate only to have it backfire. My default position is to not draw attention to myself, not cause anyone any hassle, so I just stopped bothering, but this was interesting because it seemed like it could actually work.
To my surprise, it was exactly as described. It was wonderful eating in a restaurant with a friend while on holiday. It's a small thing, but you probably wouldn't realise how impactful it may be until it's removed from your life.
Sakurajima (active volcano), Kagoshima, 2024
This is what it looks like if you live beside an active volcano. Mundane views of apartment blocks and grocery stores, mixed with a volcano island constantly sputtering ash and dust clouds. Despite what movies may make you think, it's completely safe. People even live on the volcano island itself. Occasionally, you just wake up to find the landscape covered in dust.
Alex Muñoz, Fukuoka, 2024
Lucky to consider this man a friend whenever I visit Japan. His photos of Fukuoka were a big reason why I included it in my Kyushu trip last year. Great photographer, somehow better person.
