Style
The End of the Late-Night Band
There’s a moment from a 2012 episode of Conan O’Brien’s former TBS show that I think about often. O’Brien’s guest, the comedian Eric André, sits down and grabs a...
The Lush Pain Music of Nourished by Time
Marcus Brown’s voice is a crooner’s voice, a baritone, emanating notes from some spot in his body deeper than his chest. Biologically speaking, this is impossible. But taking in...
Why Authentic Relationships Matter More Than Ever
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with filtered images and carefully curated social media posts, authenticity has become a rare commodity. I’ve spent years building businesses and brands,...
Pictures of Life on a Christian Commune
Kate Riley’s ambitious début novel, “Ruth,” opens in 1963, the year that its protagonist, Ruth Scholl, is born into a scrupulously managed Christian commune in Michigan. She grows up...
Local Gems: Cultural Institutions
On the occasion of our third centenary issue—this one culture-themed—we asked our writers to share one of their most treasured cultural institutions, big or small. Whether it’s a beloved...
“Caught Stealing” Makes New York a Comedic Criminal Nightmare
From the start of Darren Aronofsky’s new film, “Caught Stealing,” it’s apparent that it hits the sweet spot of his cinematic artistry—the right scale, the right scope. Set in...
Scenes from the “This Is Spinal Tap” Cutting-Room Floor
In 1982, I began shooting an almost entirely improvised film,“This Is Spinal Tap,” which also happened to be my first as a director. It transformed my life and the...
Why Embracing Constant Growth Is My Key to Happiness
I’ve come to realize that stagnation is my worst enemy. The thought of looking up two or three years from now and seeing that I’ve been doing the same...