Nathan Asplund

504/GWT

Nathan is an artist and educator based in Long Beach, California

Email: nathanxasplund@gmail.com
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etc.12/5/25I learned that Rich Jacobs passed away this week after a long battle with cancer. I didn't know Rich personally, but I’ve always admired his creative output. He seemed to radiate positive energy, and had a desire to connect with other people through art. He also had his finger print on so many things I enjoyed. The foundation skateboards logo, artwork for Brotherhood (the legendary Seattle hardcore band), a mural in downtown Oakland, countless zines and books. I met Rich at the Printed Matter Art Book Fair once. He was kind and gracious, down to talk while a young 20 year old me probably punished him. I bought one of his MOVE zines, and he gave me a CD too, just to share. I’ve been playing the CD this week while commuting on the 710 freeway, imagining my life with a soundtrack. Sparse acoustic guitars, ambient noises. 


We lost Al Barile this year as well. I went to a Beton Arme show over Thanksgiving break, and they covered Glue by SSD. I can't even remember what I did, but I lost my mind, moshing and stage diving. It was a blur. My glasses smashed into my face during a dive and I had a bruise over the bridge of my nose for a week. Al Barile gave me permission to be straight edge and proud. Indignant even. I found straight edge at a time when I needed it most and the lyrics, attitude, and energy of SSD resonated with me deeply. RIP Al and Rich. 
 

Gotta stick together
Gotta stick together
Gotta stick together
Gotta stick together like glue
Like glue, like crew

11/27/25Starting this thing in response to feeling burnt out on social media, specifically Instagram. I don't like the feeling of competing with content creators and reels when I post things that I’m interested in, and I hate deriving value from likes. I think there's something nice about sharing what I’m up to, but I don't think these apps are for me anymore. It feels less like “social” media, and more like a highly addictive content/slop machine. 


This year has been a good reading year. I covered surf noirs, Japanese murder mysteries, exorcisms, and epic family sagas. My favorite book this year was probably The Exorcist with Tapping The Source and Out tied for a close second. Lately Alitzah and I have been reading in the evenings, staying off our phones and calling it early for bedtime. The bookshelf got rearranged recently. There's less clutter and the record player is in a nice snug spot. 


“Tsundoku (積ん読) is the phenomenon of acquiring reading materials but letting them pile up in a home without reading them. The term is also used to refer to unread books on a bookshelf meant for reading later.”

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