This week: Book loving, boy band member Ian Craig Young Brown talks dumplings, denim and why a little kindness goes a long way.
This week I feel pretty lucky to be to introducing you to the one and only Ian Craig Young Brown. Over the course of nearly a decade I've known Ian under a hundred and one guises; as a top notch neighbour, an inventive and easy going director, a trusted confidant, a make-you-dance-again musician, a bold chef (and incredible host), a fellow maker of excellent halloween costumes and as a trusted authority on books-to-buy-for-other-people (including the time he recommended a novel to impress my lecturer that I totally took credit for).
It's hard to pinpoint exactly how we've stayed friends all this time, but I have a lot of respect for Ian - he is one of only a handful of people to be up front and honest with me when I've been in the wrong. Perhaps the most endearing part is that I know he'd be the first to throw up his hands and admit he's not perfect either; there's something to be said for a friend who see's the need to meet you down where you're wallowing.
Recently sit a bit in awe of my buddy. Some people undertake the immense pressure of writing a book. Some people go on profound journeys of self discovery. Some people pack up and leave their lives behind in search of pushing themselves further. Ian has gone ahead and done all three at once, leaving behind an ostensibly dreamy life in Auckland to undertake writing his debut novel in Dublin, Ireland. Maybe we'll be lucky enough to preview a snippet when it's ready !
From over 18,000 kilometres away, Ian was kind enough to answer some of my questions...
If someone was going to write a blurb about you, what would it say ? What would you like it to say or not say ?
I’d hope it would be something along the lines of: Just a guy trying to make himself and the world slightly better, one story and one song at a time.
How do we know each other ? Do you remember how we met ?
If I remember correctly it was through the magic of Seane, many, many years ago? And then I just couldn’t get rid of you.
Editors note: Like mold in the shower, I am hard to get rid of. Also Seane is a person (not a fancy way of writing scene) and our rad pal just got married!
What do you “do”? When you’re not eating or sleeping ? What do you wish you did ?
I write stories and sing songs. To be honest, I am eating and sleeping more than I care to admit so I suppose I wish I had more time to write stories and sing songs.
(You can check out the full Dad Jokes discography and sweet sweet shirts HERE)
What is something you would like everyone to care more about ?
I wish people we just more aware of the world around them. If everyone focused outwards, just for a few moments a day, instead of inwards then the world would be a much better place. Pick up one piece of garbage, help one stranger, listen to someone without just waiting to talk.
Where is your favourite place to eat and what do you order there ?
I’d have to say Mr Zhou’s Dumplings. Spring Onion Pancake. Homely Style Tofu. Potato, Eggplant, Capsicum. Fried Vegetarian Dumplings. Don’t even need a menu.
Try things. No matter what was just give it a go. The possibility of not discovering something that could be your favourite thing ever is so much worse than maybe not liking what you did. And if everything DOES go wrong, well then you’ve got a great story for a dinner party.
What was the hardest thing that happened to you in the last year ?
I finally was forced to face my mental illness issues and I was incredibly sick for a couple months. I had kind of kept it all bottled inside and it came out at 30 in one big go. As you could imagine, it was a terrible experience. I have to say that I’m grateful for it though because so much good has come out of it. I wasn’t the best or most open of people before hand. Hopefully I’m a bit better now, but at least I’m trying.
What's the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given ? How did that advice come to you ?
I recently read the entirety of the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, and in the book the Grim Grotto there is the line:
“the amount of treachery in this world is enormous, and that the best we could do was one small noble thing”
Like most of the lines in those books, that one really resonated in my brain. Just one small noble thing.
What is the one thing that will never leave your wardrobe and why ?
I’ve got a black denim jacket that I’ve had for about 10 years now. It’s got a patch on the front of a piece of pizza that my friend made for me. I will wear that jacket until it falls apart.
What is something you wish 16 year old you had known ?
Try things. No matter what was just give it a go. The possibility of not discovering something that could be your favourite thing ever is so much worse than maybe not liking what you did. And if everything DOES go wrong, well then you’ve got a great story for a dinner party.
What is your greatest fear ?
Not having done enough. That I haven’t helped enough, that I haven’t made enough, that I haven’t learned enough. The list goes on.
What do you love least/most about yourself ?
It’s hard to live with the idea that I’ve hurt people that I care about. I’m still on the hunt for my favourite thing. I’ve only just started to let myself look.
What is your greatest extravagance/secret shame that you spend money on ?
Books. I can’t go into a bookstore and leave without buying SOMETHING. Usually it’s two or three things.
It’s hard to live with the idea that I’ve hurt people that I care about. I’m still on the hunt for my favourite thing. I’ve only just started to let myself look.
If you were to die and come back as a person or a thing, what would it be?
Easy. A dog in an upper middle class family. No question.
What are you listening to, reading or watching that you think everyone should know about ?
Ask Baba Yaga: Otherworldly Advice for Everyday Troubles by Taisia Kitaiskaia. It’s a perfect little companion that fits in your pocket and is a great escape from everyday troubles.
What song or songs can you not help but dance to/play over and over ?
SOS by ABBA. It never fails.
Who do you most admire and why ?
Anyone who can put themselves out there in order to create something that’s going to bring something positive into the world. Anyone who can quiet that little voice inside them that says it’s not worth it or it’s no good. Those people are the ones who are most worthy in my eyes.
Big thank you to Ian Craig young Brown for humouring me ! I look forward to stealing a glimpse of the first version of your book.
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