The Julian Sternal Journal: Fun Shows This Week, A Gray-t Album
The Julian Sternal Journal:
An Attempt at Tasteful Self-Promotion
Below is a cute picture of me as child to reel you in.
Hello there!
It's your dear friend Julian reaching out with my newest attempt at tricking the world into making me popular.
As you surely know, creative types such as myself live every day with the burden of self-promotion. This is no problem for me as I love talking about myself and my multitudinous accomplishments, but I'm told that others can find it overbearing.
In an attempt to temper that reaction, I've started the Julian Sternal Journal, the top part of which (this bit you're reading right now) I endeavor to always make brief and useful, and the bottom part of which (you'll find it at the bottom) I will shamelessly pack with promotion of upcoming shows and recent writing. It's like sponsored content, but I'm the spon and the con!
I said I'd be brief!
But I also said I'd be useful! And here is a useful recommendation: Macy Gray's new album, Ruby.
Like most Macy Gray fans, I was turned on to her as an 11-year-old boy when my dad played the heck out of her debut album, On How Life Is. You know. Traditional father-son stuff. Run-of-the-mill transferral of manhood.
I've been an ardent fan (and frequent karaoke-er) of Ms. Gray ever since, but Ruby (her tenth studio album) has got to be my favorite release since her first. In the months since it dropped, I've recommended it more than I've recommended the television show 9-1-1, and if you know me, that is a lot.
I suggest you ride this thing all the way through (link here to album). But if you insist on one track only, it must to be the amalgam of horns and joy that is "Over You." Bump it in your living room or shower, by yourself or with a loved one. You will not try to walk away from this one.
(NOTE: This rec comes from the heart and I was not compensated for it in any way, despite many unreturned calls and pleas of "But I'm hungry!" to Ms. Gray's management and label.)
And now for the promo!
Killer shows this week in L.A.:
Thursday 12/13 8PM
All My Single Friends @ Copper Still Bar
(Line-up pictured above!)
Get tickets here! (Use code JINGLE for $5 tix)
Saturday 12/15 9PM
The Tartle Hour @ The Ruby
Get tickets here! (They're $5 without a code! Wow!)
(D.C., look out for updates! Should have a show or two while I'm home!)
For making it to the bottom, this is a picture of me with Snoop Dogg when I profiled him/was held at knifepoint by his bodyguard(!) for Maxim Magazine a few years ago.
Thanks so much for reading! As this is the inaugural issue of the Sternal Journal, some quick notes:
--I want to respect your inbox, and plan to keep these to a maximum of twice monthly.
--That being said, I will not be at all offended if you unsubscribe. We all have different e-mail diets and I don't expect this rich, flavorful content to factor into all of them.
--On the flip side of that, if you know someone you think might enjoy the Journal, please share!
--And finally, I enthusiastically welcome any and all feedback! I truly want to make this something that people look forward to receiving and I can only do that if I know what's working and what isn't.
Thank you so much. Have a great week.
Your friend,
Julian