I’ve never lived in New York, but when I’ve been there as a tourist and have always been fascinated by the bohemian hipster scene—the NYC hipster clothes and the music. I would often try my best to blend in and observe. Now I know my efforts to be part of that crowd worked beyond my dreams.
Two winters ago I was in the Dunkin Donuts on Lafayette, drinking a coffee and planning my day, when in walked Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips. I tried not to show my excitement. He stared at the pastries on offer for a good minute, motionless, just making his choice—or maybe on another planet entirely. Finally, he stepped back from the counter, swung round, and looked right at me! I sat like a deer in headlights. He walked up and said, “Let’s step outside.” I had no idea what was going on. Was he going to fight me? I thought to myself, “When the guy behind ‘Yoshimi Battles The Pink Robots’ asks you to do something, you just do it and pick up the pieces later.” So we stepped outside. He brought out a pack of Lucky Strike cigarettes. The box was battered, like it had been on a dozen tours with him. There was neon-yellow scribble all over it. He asked me for a light, then offered me the lit cigarette and asked me to light another for him. We stood in the doorway of the Dunkin Donuts, smoking and watching crates of fresh octopus being delivered to the Chinese restaurant opposite. And that was it.
