Derrick Brown

Define art.
The hope for things unseen, a way to get frenched, the glorification of details.

What is success to you?
Spinny rims.

Please share your list of 'things to do'.
1. Research Lenny Scudnick for poem, rescuer from flight 80 that crashed into the Potomac. 2. Go baitin'. 3. Add new valentine books to my publishing companies store... writebloody.com. 4. Put fax number on websites. 5. Call Wignall regarding art book section of site. 6. Update tour diary from touring with the Cold War Kids, leave out drug and whore addiction entries. 7. Call scrambles and minty about blacksmith collective meeting. 8. Finish mf magazine interview. Lie. 9 Call Bingham at grand palace silkscreen about book posters. 10. Finish new John Wilkes Kissing Booth demos.

What is your recipe for love?
2 parts gentlemen jack, one part fake ruffie, 2 parts yacht rock.

Please share with us a story that changed your life.
Amber, Mindy and I performing at girlfest poetry show in Hawaii. There were thumbs. There were butts. There was a move known as the fonzie hitchhiker. Nuff said.

Biography
Derrick Brown, former paratrooper for the 82nd Airborne, gondolier, magician, and fired weatherman, now travels the world and performs his written work. From Long Beach, CA, he is dedicated to bringing American poetry into rock and roll status.

As a poet, he has toured or performed with Indie rock act, Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, Comedian David Cross, Richard Swift, Pink Mountaintops and at the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival with the Flaming Lips and Animal Collective. His work has been featured in books with Jeff Tweedy of Wilco, Jeff Buckley, Jack Hirschman, Amber Tamblyn and poet laureate Ted Kooser. He has performed at the largest outdoor festival in the world, Glastonbury, as an author.

As one of the most original and well-traveled writer/performers in the country, Derrick Brown has gained a cult following for his poetry performances all over the U.S. and Europe. A poetic terrorism group has taken to tagging his metaphors across the globe. About.com called his latest collection, Scandalabra, one of the best books of 2009.

To date, Brown has performed at over 1500 venues and universities internationally including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, La Sorbonne in Paris, CBGB’s in NYC and a small Jewish youth group in Glendale.

www.brownpoetry.com

five by Kevin Staniec