We Love You So – Where The Wild Things Are – Spike Jonze

Whatever you think of the term “outsider art” (it’s a fraught one), there’s no doubt that Henry Darger is the consummate outsider.

A recluse in his Chicago apartment, Darger (1892-1973) spent his life writing and illustrating an original epic adventure titled “The Story of the Vivian Girls, in What Is Known as the Realms of the Unreal, of the Glandeco-Angelinnian War Storm, Caused by the Child Slave Rebellion.” The confluence of sheer visual genius, galaxy-sized ambition and wacked-out imagination doesn’t happen often, and in Darger’s case its lucky that his paintings even came to light.

Those interested in any of the above could definitely spend a productive hour or two scoping out Darger’s work online (it is well-represented). For those who develop a deeper interest, Klaus Biesenbach’s book of scholarly essays and biography and key texts will be one to add to the book list.

In 2009, what makes a music magazine worth buying? The plethora of quality cyber sources dedicated to discovering just-breaking bands (and instantly downloading their music) have claim jumped the traditional music press’ function as vanguards of the cutting edge. Buying a mainstream music mag for their big interviews seems futile, because they all get transcribed online anyway. So what’s left?

Yeti magazine. Forgoing the faulty forced eclecticism of too many crowd-pleasing glossies, Yeti is lovingly curated by Seattle-based editor Mike McGonigal, whose impeccable taste serves as the living soul for this unique publication. Featuring a collection of unhurried, engrossing writings on obscure music, interviews with comic book artists, short stories, and stunning outsider art, Yeti is a handsome black and white book-sized zine that also boasts a highly listenable mix CD in every issue.

Musicians featured include everyone from Will Oldham to Abner Jay, Terry Riley to Vivian Girls and Tara Jane O’Neil. Jeff Magnum has published his illustrations as well as exclusive Neutral Milk Hotel rarities in Yeti. Carson Ellis, Brian Chippendale and Mingering Mike are just a few of the rad visual artists who have contributed illustrations, and their first issue, way back in the early 00’s, featured the official debut of indie folk stalwarts Iron & Wine. The eighth and latest issue of Yeti hits mailboxes on November 23rd, with a CD containing 80 minutes of rare music from rad artists like Ty Segall, Zola Jesus and Vaselines, along with 200 pages of excellent writing.