The Next Big Thing Archive

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November 2005

Captain of the Saucer Squad

Friday, November 25, 2005

Works-in-progress by guitarist Marc Ribot. Wordplay, with lexicographer Erin McKean, “They Might Be Giants” singer/songwriter John Linnell and Boston College junior Billy Hurley. An artful diatribe against bad table manners. And the latest in a series of characters created for The Next Big Thing by David Cale.

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Unsentimental Journey

Friday, November 18, 2005

We look back at the many careers of a taxi driver, and at the remnants of two very different singing careers – one belonging to comedian Jonathan Katz, the other belonging to jazz violinist Matt Glaser’s mom. Also, a journey to a Drive-In movie theater in Vermont which doubles as a motel. Travels with wild plants and animals, low to the ground. And finally, a visit with a fictional character overwhelmed by domesticated animals, and domestic life more generally, performed by Steve Buscemi.

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We Require an Assertion of Value

Friday, November 11, 2005

A mischievous and dark short story written by the late Donald Barthelme. Conversations with philatelists. A telephone sing-along by some folks who don’t get out much anymore. Classically-influenced pop/punk music from singer/songwriter Regina Spektor. And another round of "Stump Zero Boy" with our favorite vocal acrobat.

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On and On

Friday, November 04, 2005

Some things are seemingly endless - the minutiae of tax law, the training that goes into becoming a professional body builder, or that now-famous vocal interlude that launched Donna Summer to the top of the charts. And then there are things that ARE endless. Like infinity. This week, we dissect all that goes on and on, with the help of astrophysicist Janna Levin, writer Sven Lindqvist, and voice coach Betsy Parrish.