Pop quiz: Aside from making great music, what do David Bowie, TV On The Radio and Massive Attack all have in common? Answer: the oh-so-awesome indie band Dragons of Zynth. Bowie’s a fan of theirs, and they’ve worked with TV On The Radio and Massive Attack.
In this installment of Culture Klatsch, we hear from the band’s drummer j.Bernard, who let us know that his show on October 29 at 92YTribeca is particularly special to him – it marks his five-year anniversary with the band.
Where do you go for news when you start your day?
I start with the news, then find out what the world is thinking, then get to work. I generally start with MSNBC and the BBC.
What are your favorite websites?
Definitely The Huffington Post and The Daily Beast. After that its Rolling Stone, Newser, and Twitter.
How much do you use Twitter and Facebook (or other social networking services)?
I tweet therefore I am. Facebook is a dying star in the universe of human connection. I read an amazing tweet the other day that said, “Twitter makes me fall in love with strangers that I may never meet. Facebook makes me hate the “friends” I already know.” That pretty much sums it up.
What book are you currently reading (or the last one you read)? Print or digital?
Nothing beats the feel of actually turning pages. I read numerous books at once; that’s how a drummer’s mind works. One Day It’ll All Make Sense by Common, Supernatural by Graham Hancock and Mad as Hell by Dominic Sandbrook.
What magazines do you subscribe to?
GQ, Details, The Nation, Rolling Stone
What are your current (or all time) favorite television shows?
In descending order. “The West Wing,” “The Cosby Show,” “M.A.S.H.,” “The Chappelle Show.”
What’s the last movie you saw?
Margin Call. Do not sleep on this film. Aasif Mandvi & Jeremy Irons. ‘Nuff said.
What’s the last performance (dance/opera/theater) you attended?
I got immersed in the New York Film Festival. I saw Carnage the new Polanski flick, then sat in on Anna Bolena to take a nap.
What’s the last music purchase you made?
The Great Escape Artist by Jane’s Addiction, Devil’s Halo by Me’Shell N’Degeocell and Mylo Xyloto by Coldplay.
What radio shows or podcasts do you listen to?
Everything on Rappamello. “The Deep House Cat Podcast.” And most importantly “Planet Money” on NPR.
What’s your favorite piece of art on display in your home?
I have three. A wide angle shot of the Chicago skyline, an autographed poster of Ken Burns film JAZZ, and a poster from the movie The Black Power Mixtape.
Where do you go / what do you do to “disconnect”?
I turn off my phone and meditate. Inner silence is priceless.
j.Bernard plays at 92YTribeca on October 29.
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