Mike Doughty Reads From Memoir and Performs Tonight at The Cactus Cafe
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Mike Doughty (I kept pronouncing it “DOW-tee” but Matt Reilly tells me it’s “DOH-tee”) is not the sort of individual who relies on a publicist to mediate the words that describe what he does, what he creates, or his observations on anything. He pretty much tells it like it is, in so many words, getting right to the point. And you cannot help but smile in spite of yourself.
Take, for example, Doughty’s musings and semi-adventures in the ridiculousness and beauty that is Immutable/Inscrutable. Aside from the numerous drawings and paintings he dug up from the Inter-webs to proclaim that “January is Bad Phil Lynott Art Month!” last month, you’ll find gems like this on his blog: “I realize the non-drinky life isn’t everybody’s bag, but, I must say, I was stoked, when I headed out for the evening, that I probably wouldn’t come home with puke on me, and, if I did, it probably wouldn’t be mine.”
Or even his website, on which he wrote this about his album Yes and Also Yes: “I used a capsule of the antidepressant duloxetine as a percussion instrument on some tracks. I held the tiny pill between my thumb and forefinger, put it close to the mic and shook it so it made a schka-schka-schka! sound.”
The songwriter, and former frontman of ‘90s post-grunge/experimental quartet Soul Coughing, gives us an unflinching look into his life with his memoir, The Book of Drugs. There couldn’t be a better title for it. He shares his sordid tales of addiction, stripped away of any of the glamor or romance that’s often applied to the rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle, and stories of the tumultuous times with his band, including its destructive, crash-and-burn end. It’s full of “weirdness, and messed-up-ness,” as Doughty puts it, but within, you see his humor and brilliance shining through.
Tonight marks a special occasion. Doughty is in Austin for an exclusive performance tonight at the Cactus Cafe, located in the Texas Union at 24th St. and Guadalupe, on the UT campus. He’ll read parts of his book and play songs in between, followed by a Q&A session. There are two shows scheduled tonight, one at 7:30 p.m. and a late show at 10:30 p.m. Don’t miss it.
Podcast: Download (2.0MB)
