are you a big lyrics person? i think my favorite thing about wilco is the lyrics, its like poetry set to music, just wondering if your dad’s passed that lyrical sensibility on to you. also, are any particular song lyrics that mean a lot to you? (they dont have to be wilco, but i guess they can be…). much love!

I find myself listening to the production and stuff most of the time. Forever Young by Bob Dylan is special to me because my dad sung it at my bar mitzvah.

how do you feel about sigur ros? if you haven’t done so already, please listen to ‘inni mer syngur vitleysingur,’ because i’ve never heard a happier song, plus it’s got a nice beat. oh, and in icelandic it means, ‘within me a lunatic sings.’ have a good day!

You know Icelandic?!?!?!!! I haven’t heard any Sigur Ros. Thanks!

This has probably been asked before xD, but what are some of your favourite albums? All-time, current, whatever. :)

UH RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD: Marquee Moon – Television, M+S – The Ms, Ram – Paul McCartney, Jewellery – Micachu & The Shapes.

hello. you are so cool. i am the mom of a 1 and a half year old. how do i make sure he turns out as cool as you? he already says wilco (weco) and record (reco) and we watch documentary on The Who and we also watch “i am trying to break your heart” often. we eat a vegan diet. i will buy him a Holga camera for his birthday and send him to Montessori school next year. what else should i do to ensure he turns out as cool as you? unfortunately his dad is not jeff tweedy from wilco, but he is a musician. so he has that going for him right? help me!

Haha Weco! That all sounds good to me. Make sure he eats his vegetabows.

my seventh grade orchestra (public school) is pretty amazing for their ages and experience, but sometimes they just act wacko and manic. do you think it might be because they are seventh graders… or string students? and how might I inspire them to continuously perform at higher levels? btw I asked them and they said “give us donuts” and it’s kind of working but I am running out of $$. well not really but it’s at least partially unethical. and the instruments are getting dirty.

I’ve never heard of wacko manic string students, and having been a 7th grader one year ago I think that’s probably the cause. Solution: find cheap donuts. Solution #2: is the material cool?

have you heard of “fever ray”?

Yeeaup. Haven’t heard much, though. This music video is creepy/beautiful.

hallo. do the kids at your school treat you differently because your dad is in a famous band? do any of them read your blog? do they ever ask you about it?

No not really. Sometimes a kid might make some stupid comment like “well shah cuz he’s fAYmus” / along those lines. I don’t think any of them read my blog (but some parents do).

In one of your past posts, you and your friend took pictures with a cheap disposable camera and since I’ve been on winter break for about a month, I’ve been going through disposables. They are so fun and a challenge at times. The best part of a disposable is knowing that it’s all gone and you get to send them off to develop! Thanks!

Sure thing! They are immensely fun.

Hiya! This made me laugh uncontrollably for no apparent reason and I wanted to share it with you cause you rule. It’s a Jackalope! HA! It’s not real so don’t get to excited yet, but do check this pic out and try not to smile… k seriously! xo. Jaunty Jackalope: http://tinyurl.com/dc4ab5

HAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaa.

What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s happened to you recently?

Mistook one teacher for this other really… uncool one. Laughed at stuff that wasn’t supposed to be funny.

I’m spending a weekend in LA in a few weeks. I have never been there (am coming from NZ) so what do you recommend I do/see/visit? Thanks!

Well, I don’t live there but the auto museum is pretty cool.. and that donut place with the massive donut on top. I can’t say much because we spend most of our time there at my aunt and uncle and other aunt’s house.

Sometimes, I just wanna fly to Neverland. Do you think that everyone in some way is afraid of growing up?

..Maybe. When I was little I wanted to be older SO BAD (SO BAD) to drive and shave and have a cell phone and be a policeman/racecar driver. I feel like that (for driving, only, really) but I also miss being a wee lad and using my imagination more.

Can you roll your R’s? I can roll both my R’s and my D’s for some reason.

YEAH! A cool person named Ellen taught me when I was about 6. How do you roll your D’s?

how many roads must a man walk down before you can call him a man?

ASK BOB DYLAN WHYDON’TYOU.

I’m curious; do you ever read the reviews that Wilco get? What are your reactions to them?

Nuh-uh.

so suppose someone had never ever ever heard music before, any, at all. they ask you where to start. what would you say?

Fela Kuti.

SOMEONE IS VERY COOL.

SOMEONE IS VERY COMPLIMENTARY.

If you could be the drummer for any band, ever, (besides your own), which one(s) would you choose?

I’M COMING FOR YOU GLENN KOTCHE. COMING FOR YOU.

please poll a few acquaintances: if the internet was a country, would it be communist or capitalist?

Capitalist.

also: how do you feel about people asking you to judge them?

In what context? It is flattering for people to want your opinion.

What’s your blood type?

Um, creepay.

But what should I scream for? This is my theme park!

I googled this and it seems you are a ‘Drake’ fan.

Would you accept candy from a stranger?

DEPENDS. If that stranger was Gob Bluth, this is a definite yes. But I guess he’s not a stranger considering we party on his yacht every weekend. Until he blew it up.

Are you a coffee or tea drinker?

I kinda don’t like either, but some tea is yummy. My coffee experiences extend to instant powder mixed with chocolate milk.

Are you all about the music? What about the fame? fortune? ladies?

I share an opinion with Tavi on this one. Being “famous” has different implications than “well-known,” and a lot of times what it means to be famous is walking down red carpets (speaking of which..) and being engulfed in paparazzi, which isn’t appealing. Being recognized and acknowledged for your work/accomplishments is nice, howevah.

What are you views on deodorant?

I should use it more often than I do!

PART 2: CHARLES THELONIOUS EDISON LLOYD III*

(* extraneous titles added for dramatization)

CHAR SAY WHA?

This is the first time we met him out of the hospital.

(caption “lyk wut are u doing 2 my face?” also, look at Danny and Kendall’s beautiful home.)

My dad and Charlie really connected that trip.

Straight out of the Modern Family “Lion King” scene.

TRIP NUMERO 2. These were taken last week.

Well, that’s about all the best photos I’ve taken of Charlie. There’s a whole other album from the day before we left, but that one is being saved to be on its own..

Save your “oh me lordy” comments for the Char-spam you’re about to be served (tomorrow or something).

* just kidding. this state produces some-percentage% of our ORANGE JUICE and that deserves some R-E-S-PECT.

EPISODE 1: CAR RIDE + CBS STUDIOS

I had an episode of crazy-finger shutter-crazy-CRAZAY in the car ride from the airport, which resulted in the creation of about 400 blurry, sideways photos. All I really wanted was a picture of one of those awesome trees that seem to be in lots of places on the west coast.

Basically practically really literally the two goodies.

Leah is insane. We were on our way to CBS Studios for Wilco’s taping on Craig Ferguson. There was a camera ban inside for the most-part, but we were able to take ‘em out on a mini tour before we left.

THE LIGHT, OH

outside

Leah has a cool feelm cammy-cam.

I love this.

The Price is Right studio.

We could take pictures, but no one was allowed to touch.

More stories and peek-sures after sleep and learnin’.

SAM’S HAND IN PHOENIX!

My favorite things about Phoenix were a) fam-times – playing games and opening prizes with Debbie, Sara, Julee, Todd, Jerry, Keegan, Olivia, and those two’s dad Jason (who was unfortunately in the hospital at the time [he's alright now]). 2) receiving a cup of moonsand. MOONSAND. AS SEEN ON TV. 3) being around mountains / warm weather / pewl-swimming. My dad’s solo show was also a chailight.

Keegan! -looking at his new Star Wars helmet.

Olivia! -being a supastah.

My dad! -in Keegan’s helmet.

Eh, speaking of trips, I’m going to (-go to there AAH THIS IS A MEDICAL CONDITION) L.A. tomorrow for a MusiCares benefit – honoring Neil Young – that Wilco will be playing. We’ll also see Charlie & Co. (co. as in, y’know, those other relatives. whatever. Charlie’s the main gig [just joking Danny, Leah, Kendall & everyone LUV U 2]). Oh and I haven’t really “recapped” last time either.. possible combination partay?

Title: A-Dev. Also, I really like this picture but didn’t include it due to possible redundancy.

These (and the other five crappy ones) cost me a collective total of $2. We’re looking into more business opportunities.

Eat at Home, Monkberry Moon Delight – Paul McCartney

See if you can spot this post title. It’s probably like.. 50 pixels above this!

scares me.

I really love feelm pictures. People who say digital is better or film is better maybes haven’t given the other a chance. I think there are A TON of parallels with music on this one; analog, acoustic, digital, electronic. On both things I lean toward liking more film/acoustic than digital/electronic, but ultimately I think they’re just two very different shindigs in the same medium.. then also two very much the same shindigs on slightly different mediums. Sometimes I try to understand electronic music like a sculpture – a person is forming music with different tools and materials (sounds, or marble or clay or something). And I think the same thing applies to digital photography, where you start with something taken from what’s already there, and then it’s processed in these tools and materials. I guess film is still the same thing, but with a more physical (analog) nature.

Yeah they’re the same thing (depending on your perspective of “real”) never mind ANALOGICAL WISDOM FAIL but not really jk lol ttghdaswjinup (time to go have dinner at synagogue with jew-mates I’m not using punctuation).

What is your least favourite school subject? Do teachers like you? Are kids in your school stuck up? Random quick-fire questions. ahah.

My least favorite would have to be Spanish, but because of the class (not the language). I think teachers like me [when I'm not pencil-drumming]. The kids – no, not really stuck-up, more like walk-around-with-hand-in-pants.

Do you know yet what profession you’ll pursue when you get older?

Hopefully music, photography, and writing (in order of me-likey).

what is that funny section on the right side of your blog that says “click clack” and has 2 semi-trippy space pics under it?

Those are links to the music category and photography category of this here blog.

How often do you actually “tour” with your dad (living on the bus for days at a time, etc)? What is a typical day like for you when you are on the road with him?

Just sometimes in the summer. Ride the bus, go to soundcheck, explore city, watch show, hang out on bus, sleep on bus, ride the bus. I LOVE sleeping on the bus.

how do you come up with the titles for your posts? they seem a bit, well, random.

A lot of the time they’re quotes from awesome televisión shows or inside jokes or something. Actually all the time.

I must say that you have lovely hair. My friend is very interested in “flippy” hair, and I sent her that Uncle Mario thing, and she became very happy.

What Uncle Mario thing? Thank you!

Hi Spencer. I was just thinking about how when I was your age (12 years ago) I was really interested in the Diary of Anne Frank and very interested in the Holocaust and the history of what happened there, etc. I know its more of a girls book, but have you ever read her diary/book? Since you blog and she was also a writer/journal-er I thought it could appeal to you. That book touched my heart forever and is still one of my favorites to this day.

I am super interested in WWII and the surrounding events. I’ve never read the Diary of Anne Frank but I think we will in high school, and if not I’m sure it’s in my house.

Sorry about the tragic fate of your Diana. Holgas are better anyway. Have you heard of a lensbaby? Expensive but so rad! I’m buying one soon. Please get yourself one because I’d like to see the results! (I started reading your blog on a regular basis once you discovered toy cameras so I really enjoy when you discuss your interest in photography.) You’re a good photographer, in addition to being (by all appearances) an all around swell kid.

Aw, thank you. Luckily I also have a Holga! I saw a Lensbaby ad and clicked on it and was VERY IN-TREE-GUD. They are expensive (but so is basically every lens). Thank you so much.

I like Cutty. I had a cat named Kooby who used to growl when people came to the door and also toss a ping-pong ball down the basements stairs over and over again just to chase after it. I named her Kooby because my best friend’s cat was named Kooby. Cutty, Kooby, Kooby, Cutty. The End.

Hehe, Kooby. I like Cutty, too. He’s a poor old man, though. :(

Hi. It’s too bad I’m like three years older than you cuz we would be pals. Anyway, please tell me you a Bob Dylan fan.

Three years! That ain’t too bad. Bobby D is a homeskillet-e (yes I’m a fan).

as a traveler to new zealand, how much do you adore flight of the conchords?

They’re awesome. I’m pretty sure my mom saw Murray at the airport there. Oh and New Zealanders are generally the kindest people on Earth.

i read in your ‘about’ section that glenn kotche is one of your favourite drummers . . . he’s one of mine too! what’s it like to have him in your dad’s band? i imagine that’s exponentially cool!

It’s awesome! He taught me how to drum roll when I was 6.

I took your advice and recorded “I’m Only Sleeping” for my toddler nephew’s Christmas album, but alas, I am not the Beatles and I sounded sucky. Instead I covered this (http://videogum.com/archives/music-related-content/the-shins-perform-on-nick-jrs_009395.html) among several others, and did record “All Together Now,” a much more forgiving Beatles song. Approve?

Approve! Yo Gabba Gabba!

What do you think of the name Oscar? How about Imogen? What about Eloise? :)

Is Imogen a boi or gurl name?

what is this box?

It’s where you test my music knowledge, ask for advice on baby names, and tell me I have nice hair (just kidding – say or ask whatever you want).

where do you think most of your creativity comes from – within yourself or from the outside world? and when you have a creative moment how do you best like to express yourself? just wondering. :)

Um, I think it’s part personality and part influence, for anybody. Writing or music – stuff like that.

Hey just wondering – How long have you been playing drums? You are sort of like a drumming ninja, honestly. But don’t get a swelled head about it or anything…

Thanks! Since I was dos years old.

Oklahomie here again. Thanks for directing me to Time Out. I finally made it to Chicago this past weekend and had some fun! What a beautiful place. I recently got myself a dslr and am trying to explore all sorts of photographic avenues. Do you find that film is more difficult to work with than digital exposure? What’s the most noticeable difference between film and digital (aside from the surprise of the film portrait)?

Well, with a digital camera you can make the camera do stuff for you. I just used my mom’s Olympus OM-1 for the first time today and it can be a challenge to manually set aperture, shutter speed, and focus all on your own. Generally I think analog photos have a lot more character, but digital can be just as beautiful if “done right.”

Diarrhea. Thoughts?

POOP.

This weekend I went sledding on the dunes in Michigan (so fun), passed some funny car wash signs (some = 1), and came upon Fartless Popcorn (we would buy some but then we might have to sue them for false advertising. OH OH OH cough okay no.) AND OH WHAT’S THAT THIS IS A THREE DAY WEEKEND *AND*  SCHOOL WEEK? I must be fartlessing.

“n e wA” ever since the Record Club where I was slightly disappointed, I’ve neglected to talk about them anymore. Grudge much?! No! It’s Beck! And that would be arrogant! This is a “behind da scenes” clip from Jame Lidell (the actual track is here, but this video kinda haz it).

Just to let you know, this dude is really cool. And so is this track and James Gadson. How…. how…. How sick are those musical beats?

That’s all de la now (took a spanish test today, aced obvz). Tweedy, signing off.

HIPSTAMATIC JOURNEYSSSSS

It begins with creeper pictures of mathmates

used WITH. OUT. CONSENT. (bloggers’ revolt)

Will-sitting-in-a-comfy-chair-pushed-up-to-the-table-with-upside-down-math-book-in-face

– and stuff around school (the hallway chapter).

Wall.

Window.

Exit Sign.

A dude on a roof across the street with a flamethrower (the us~ [usual]).

Finally, the library.

Sarah, Izzi, research partners. USED WITHOUT CONSENT AGAIN GLUB–GLUB–GLUB (that’s supposed to be some type of evil laughter). NEXT:

HIGHLIGHT!

Izzi, as we spoke to a librarian, spotted two Asian women wearing the same exact outfit (obviously twins / cool human beings); made the decision to spontaneously embark on a mission of stalk-itude; after failed attempts of taking photos through crevices in bookcases, feigned a scavenger hunt to justify asking for picture.

Target acquired. Mission accomplished. (Left: Izzi. Center: Awesome Lady 1. Right: Awesome Lady 2.)

This has been a feature presentation Hipstamatic Journey. Thank you, and THREE DAY WEEKEND!