The Manifesto… One Day Late

As you may have noticed, my debut was a little delayed. I had planned on coming out the gate strong on April 2, 2008 but the best laid plans… Anywho, a day later I would like to welcome you all to The Modest Bastard. When I forwarded an early permutation of this to some key influencers (friends whose opinions I trust and respect), the one question many of them asked was: “What’s the point?” And without getting into a deeper philosophical discussion, my hope is to answer that question now in what I call “The Modest Bastard Manifesto" (see some of the inspirations above).

Having worked in the same industry for almost 10 years now, I have always wanted to own my own thing. When I was younger it was a magazine (Thank God I didn’t do that). Later, it was a record store (Ditto!). And more recently, I have had my eye on… Well, I will get back to that.

The bottom line is: As my career progresses I find that I’m in need of a passionate outlet—a place to talk shit, post hot photos (mainly of sneakers and gadgets) and rant about everyday things that I love/hate. That said I wanted to concentrate on something I loved. This is where I have reached an interesting crossroads in my life.

Now, I consider myself a pretty good writer and after realizing at a somewhat early age that it was my preferred method of expression, I set out to be just that. Mission accomplished—sort of. Similarly, I have been a music lover as long as I can remember. From humming whatever 80s one-hit wonder was on the radio to fiercely debating the merits of one MC or band over another in college, music was always a part of me. Therefore, it seemed only fitting that I try to find a job that involved music. So, writing + music = music journalist. Right?

At the time, it made perfect sense. Free CDs, backstage passes and all I had to do was what I loved. But the thing about getting what you want, I have learned, is that you get it ALL—the good (interviewing your heroes), the bad (constant rewrites) and the supremely ugly (interviewing your heroes—they’re usually not the mythic beings you have created in your mind). It’s that all that has me wondering if I still love music. Wondering if I still love writing. It’s that all that gave birth to TMB. I wanted to get back to the middle. Word to India.Arie.

I wanted to get back to writing about what I love without having to get the approval of others first. I wanted to get back to writing about what I hate without having to censor myself. I wanted to be free. I wanted to own my own—and share it with the world on my terms.

I mean this blog will definitely mention music, but it will also feature:

• Style
• Movies
• Games
• Gadgets
  

So, bookmark me because I plan on being that new fix.