music has been important to the writing of Memphis.
as a character, he is a mixtape of sorts.
he’s been with me a long time —
ten years, give or take.
through my own farmhouse years,
through crossroads of faith,
identity,
and the image of an angel who fell because of empathy —
before that word was weaponized against the woke.

i saw a being whose broken heart led to his own demise.

at a time when my own belief was breaking,
he arrived to ask questions,
to sing the song of my breaking heart.

evil, and the pain it inflicts,
should break your heart.
should make you angry.

and music
is the language of an angry soul,
a hurt spirit,
a broken one.

and memphis,
as he came to be known to me
and maybe now to you,
is music.
like johnny cash,
or the crushing, vengeful riff in that raveonettes tune.

memphis is there.
and this is his mix.