True Blue: Essays on New York is a small collection of essays, satire, and creative non-fiction by author Jennifer Blowdryer, so named from the SF Punk Band she fronted in ’78. They’re mostly about being sad and poor, but with a marvelous variety. Essays include “When the Dull Normal marries the Grifter, and the Delusional Patsy Travels Abroad, Blowsy and Hoadin. The 86ed Section consists of several interviews JB recorded and transcribed in a 30 year project to document the Kicked Out and a librarian and bouncer who had to do the Kicking Out. The primary and unique value is the author’s voice and unique perspective, as she thinks for herself.
About the Author:
Jennifer Megan Baring-Gould Waters, aka Jennifer Blowdryer, is from Rhode Island, Berkeley, Oakland, San Francisco and NYC. She’s written columns for Maximum Rock’n’Roll, New York Press, and Downtown/Night Howl. JB has had a few books published, is widely anthologized, and is also a lyricist/recording artist. Her education was various and includes SF State, UC Berkeley, and an MFA from Columbia’s Writing Division. She sang in a punk band (The Blowdryers, SF, ‘78) and currently works with musicians in nyc, pioneered and mc’ed Smut Fests, shows which featured the art of ‘sex workers’, in Hamburg, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francsico, London, and NYC from ‘88 on. An HBO Special on Smut Fests was produced by a reptile. She has a deep and long lasting bond with Apathy Press, Baltimore.
High Praise:
With wit, verve, and the occasional dash of inspired lunacy, Blowdryer’s essays explore and expound upon life in New York’s fabled bohemia. Her deliciously off-kilter observations are guaranteed to amuse, and packed with an existential wisdom of which we could all use a lot more.
·Alvin Orloff, author of I Married an Earthing and Disasterama!
Wow! One of the sharpest minds and trash connoisseurs I’ve ever known.
·Jello Biafra, lead singer of The Dead Kennedeys on Modern English (Last Gasp)
I can’t do justice to all the unique stories and personalities, so I will end by saying that one bonus of this book, besides getting a look into what might be unfamiliar lifestyles, is its stimulating effect on memory. As I was reading I had to pause often and fondly remember my own episodes of being kicked out, mostly from bars and sometimes apartments and, of course, it was never my fault. Alternatively, I had to reflect on what an uneventful life I’ve led. Both perspectives are valid. One day we’re down at the Community Center baking cookies for a cancer benefit, and the next day we’re standing butt naked in the alley, holding nothing but a CD player before an audience of laughing cab drivers. We can only hope that judgment will be kind.
Carl Watson, author of Backwards the Drowned Go Dreaming on Kicked Out (Pedestrian Press)
What a seriously fantastic resource this is. Even if you think you’ve got it all together, this collection will help you scam a better scam, work a deeper style, and become a more gracious human being.
- Michelle Tea, author of Valencia on Good Advice for Young Trendy People of All Ages (Manic D Press)
Jennifer Blowdryer