Marcellus Hall first made a name for himself as the frontman of Railroad Jerk, which released four albums on Matador between 1990 and 1996 before breaking up. Hall and RJ drummer Dave Varenka went on to form White Hassle the next year, issuing a handful of records until disbanding in 2005. These days, Hall is pursuing a solo career, and he just released his debut album, The First Line, on Isaac Brock’s Glacial Pace label. Aside from the music, the 13-track LP also shows off Hall’s other big talent: illustration. Since moving to New York City in the late ’80s, Hall has seen his artwork appear in the likes of The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal, and The First Line features a 44-page book showcasing his art. Not only is Hall guest editing magnetmagazine.com all week, he’s also drawing illustrations to accompany everything he writes about. Read our brand new Q&A with him.
Hall: The sun beat down on the lonesome sidewalk. You rode your bike with Angela 16 miles from Manhattan to Cypress Hills, Brooklyn, and on to Ridgewood, Queens. Henry Miller was born in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, and rode his bike well into old age. Your plan is to live well into old age. That is, to live well, well into old age—barring any infirmities, of course. In which case you have advised your as yet-unborn offspring to pull the plug and throw a party.
Video after the jump.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdAoZ5iWiMA
