This week, we talk to one of my besties, Willy Vlautin, a writer and musician I've long admired, with whom I've closed many old man bars in many cities, watched many fights—from Roberto Duran to Bud Crawford—watched spaghetti westerns, talked endless shop, done too many events to keep track of, listened to and shared a ton of music, and whom I just love hanging out with.
For those of you who may not know Willy from his books, Richmond Fontaine, or The Delines, I can't wait for you to meet him and love him for his bruised heart, his candor, and his humility, as we talk about his work (and a little about mine), his music, his upbringing (and a little of mine), gentrification, and some of the reasons why we both do what we do. I think it'll be a fun and broad-ranging conversation.
One of the reasons Willy and I are simpatico is that we write about the same kind of flawed, struggling, but determined characters, and we were also compelled to do the work at a young age for many of the same reasons. He's one of a handful of my friends who is as obsessed with music as I am (along with Steve Turner and Peter Blackstock). And books, too! Because music and books save lives!
You can check out Willy's novels here: https://www.powells.com/books/search?query=willy+vlautin&page=1
You can check out the Delines here: https://www.thedelines.com/
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