About Jay Babcock
I am an independent writer and editor based in Tucson, Arizona. I publish LANDLINE at jaybabcock.substack.com
Previously: I co-founded and edited Arthur Magazine (2002-2008, 2012-13) and curated the three Arthur music festival events (Arthurfest, ArthurBall, and Arthur Nights) (2005-6). Prior to that I was a district office staffer for Congressman Henry A. Waxman, a DJ at Silver Lake pirate radio station KBLT, a copy editor at Larry Flynt Publications, an editor at Mean magazine, and a freelance journalist contributing work to LAWeekly, Mojo, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Vibe, Rap Pages, Grand Royal and many other print and online outlets. An extended piece I wrote on Fela Kuti was selected for the Da Capo Best Music Writing 2000 anthology. In 2006, I was somehow listed in the Music section of Los Angeles Magazine's annual "Power" issue. In 2007-8, I produced a blog called "Nature Trumps," about the L.A. River. From 2010 to 2021, I lived in rural wilderness in Joshua Tree, Ca.
Arthur Magazine 
Just wanted to say I appreciate Arthur’s mix of the great and weird, in art, music, whatever comes along, with The Wobblies, who were among the greatest, weirdest, most truly radical bunch in American history. Franklin Rosemont’s excellent book “Joe Hill: The IWW & The Making Of A Revolutionary Working Class Counterculture” ties together the militant revolutionary spirit back in the early 20th century with the artistic avant garde and bohemian lust for life that was taking place. A good post to start 2011, thanks.
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Any union led by a guy named “Big Bill” has got my vote for righteousness. Ah, for the days of an organization like the IWW…
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What an excellent documentary. WTF has happened to the fighting spirit of the American working class? Nowadays we just eat one shit sandwich after another. Bring back the Wobblies!
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oleolo: Thanks for the kind words and the book rec. Ordered the Rosemont.
Necromancer and Steve: Thanks. The Wobblies still exist. http://www.iww.org/
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