One of the Internet's Best Newsletters
Oh Messy Life #35
Welcome to Human Pursuits, the column that features need-to-know names and stories in media and other creative spaces. Today, a quick Q2 report to celebrate another milestone, and updates from Friends of the Newsletter, including Yang-Yi Goh, Rebecca Jennings, Josh Zoerner, Lindsey Hartman, and more.
I was taking photos of Bealby Point at Phony! Records when I got the notification.
Human Pursuits is #52 rising in Substack’s Music category.
I generally try to avoid getting tangled in the digital weeds. Writing is subjective. What makes a piece successful is not always reflected in external metrics. Maybe once a month, I’ll check my open rate and subscriber count. But I’d rather try to measure things against my own internal compass. How much effort am I putting in? How much fun am I having?
That said, there’s a slight thrill that comes with having your work recognized, even fleetingly. This year, I’ve been experimenting with new formats and strategies. I’ve been trying to improve as both a writer, interviewer, and publisher. For the most part, I feel I’ve been successful. If nothing else, I’ve been getting my reps in.
A friend once described Human Pursuits as a meandering throwback to blogging, and I think that just about sums it up. At its core, it’s a niche publication. It’s one of the Internet’s best newsletters, but it’s not necessarily for everybody. I appreciate whatever readership it gets.
In December, I posted some basic stats that captured a snapshot of the year that was. I plan on doing that again, but it’s interesting to see how things are shaping up halfway through 2025. It’s a testament to what happens when you overcome your own creative inertia. World domination is possible, sure. But mostly, the reward is that you get to keep going. It’s not much, but in my experience, it’s honest work.
Oh Messy Life
ICYMI: Last week’s interview was with GQ Senior Style Editor Yang-Yi Goh. We discussed his early days working in the U.S., the importance of repetition, adult angst, his undying love for blink-182, how the magazine business is changing, and whether he’s interested in discovering new music.
Rack City: Yang also has a new series where he explores the do’s and don’ts of vintage shopping.
This week’s reading included on extreme sex stunts, and Josh Zoerner from on the ambitious leap of his second-ever drop, which featured designs inspired by AFI and My Chemical Romance.
Dagny Tepper and the team at Pilot are undertaking a new venture, Pilot Analog Lab. “Books, objects, stories you can hold. Projects across Art, Music, Tech, Wellness, Hospitality, Fashion, produced alongside our crew of trusted collaborators. Powered by Pilot’s signature experimentation and a commitment to craft.” Inquire here.
I really like Libero’s pink polo. Meet Lincole.
Oh, and Lindsey Hartman helped design some new merch for her pals in Paramore. She writes:
Originally, these were made as “encore tees” for Hayley () and fans were so obsessed and started making their own, it was so cute
Proper Chune
Leah showed me this song over breakfast, and I liked it so much I had to include it in this week’s send. Huge chorus.
My next guest is…
Musician King Isis. Their new EP, SIRENITY, is available wherever you get chunes.
Meme machine
