Influential Novelists . . .

I was thinking the other day about which contemporary, living novelists have influenced my own writing the most. I have compiled the below list, each of these novelists has inspired me greatly, and I hugely admire their writing and artistic practice.

1. Jean-Philippe Toussaint
2. Tom McCarthy
3. Stewart Home
4. Tao Lin
5. Gwendoline Riley
6. Gabriel Josipovici
7. Lydie Salvayre
8. Dumitru Tsepeneag
9. HP Tinker
10. Niven Govinden
11. Tony O'Neill
12. Ben Myers
13. Noah Cicero

I think what I admire in each of the above is their steadfast individuality and approach to their work. All their work stands out alone as original and completely relevant. If you haven't read any of the above I would suggest you do so.

I reckon a future influential novelist will be Steve Finbow. Just finished his debut novel Balzac of the Badlands and I can't wait to read more of his work.

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Tao Lin . . .

‘A kind of themelessness . . .’

Tao Lin speaking about his latest book (and his previous books). What is noticeable in this interview is how in control Tao Lin is. He is a writer who knows exactly what he is doing. It has nothing to do with his age. So many people focus on his age. It is to do with the understanding of philosophy and fiction, and more importantly (for writers such as Tao Lin) a deep understanding of fiction, what fiction is, its limitations, its failings. Tao Lin is trying, with language, to express something we felt pre-language. He is like Beckett in this ontological understanding of things. Tao Lin is interested in the seeing of things . . . Like Beckett, Tao Lin senses things, rather than wastes time with words trying to describe them.

It is of no surprise, then, when Tao Lin says ‘maybe the next stage is to not write a book . . .’

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Jesus Christ . . .

It's official: Tao Lin is a polymath . . . All hail! "Jesus Christ." (the indie band)!

OMG!

Tao Lin is widely regarded as the Poet Laureate of Generation Y. Carles from HIPSTER RUNOFF blog is widely regarded as the subconscious voice of Generation Y. These two influential voices have come together to form "Jesus Christ." (the indie band).

This is not a band--this is a sound project. Tao and Carles are looking to capitalize on emerging music + audio media markets. The product is intended to be something that you can 'authentically empathize with', more so than a traditional 'indie band.'

"Jesus Christ." (the indie band)'s tentatively titled Is This Really What You Want? EP is 'slated' for a Fall release. The two childhood friends spent 1 month recording the EP in Tao's studio apartment. The EP is a soundscape journey through the challenges of a modern relationship. It will be available digitally, physically, and emotionally.

LISTEN TO THEIR DEBUT SINGLE HERE

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