Discover My Unique Hobbies Outside Of Writing
How does a graphic novelist unwind after a day of creating disturbing nightmares and spinning them into stories? You might think it’s all about writing, but believe it or not, my passions extend far beyond the pages of my graphic novels.
Some of my passions might seem like side hustles, while others are just weird interests that keep me entertained. But if you know me, you’ll realize I don’t exactly gravitate towards the usual hobbies or what society deems ‘normal.’
So, humour me for a moment. I’m about to pull back the curtain on what a graphic novelist like me does when he’s not buried in pages of scripts.
Some of these activities might be right up your alley, while others might make you squint. But hey, these are my quirks, and if they’re not everyone’s cup of tea, well, it doesn't bother me in the slightest.
MURDERFOLK
First up is Murderfolk—a genre of music, not a request.
This alternative genre of music dives headfirst into the darker side of life, tackling topics like addiction, trauma, mental health, and even serial killers. It’s not exactly the soundtrack for a romantic evening with a special loved one, but it is a genre that doesn’t shy away from the uncomfortable.
Murderfolk, or Southern Gothic as it’s sometimes called, has roots in old-school murder ballads but surprisingly emerged from the Folk Punk scene. While Folk Punk often waves the political flag, Murderfolk prefers to dig into what it means to be human—no politics required (thank God).
The genre’s trailblazer is Amigo The Devil, who started it all with his song ‘Perfect Wife,’ a darkly comedic take on domestic abuse. From there, bands like ‘The Tejon Street Corner Thieves,’ ‘Bridge City Sinners,’ and ‘The Dead South’ have kept the flame alive.
Before Murderfolk came into my life, I was deep in the Alternative Metal scene, fronting a band called ‘Abuse.’ Our music tackled heavy themes too, but from a more introspective angle. Those days are behind me, but the music never really left. Discovering Murderfolk felt like finding a kindred spirit in the music world—one that doesn’t need a full band, just an acoustic guitar (or banjo) and a voice.
So, I dove into Murderfolk with enthusiasm, hitting up open mic nights and playing full sets, often leaving the crowd horribly offended by the lyrical content.
These days, I play less often, but I still love grabbing my acoustic guitar, strumming out tunes that are deeply ingrained in my psyche, and dreaming of recording some new songs someday.
TAROT
Now, let’s dive into something I’m not only passionate about but also happens to be my side hustle: Tarot reading.
You’ve probably heard of Tarot, and I get it—it’s one of those things that makes people raise an eyebrow. I’m not here to convince you that I can see the future or contact the dead. What I do is a bit more down-to-earth.
When I read Tarot for someone, it’s all about reflecting on where they are right now, exploring different outcomes, and figuring out how to steer things in the right direction—or away from the not-so-great ones.
Tarot has a rich and mysterious history, and there’s no shortage of decks to choose from. Personally, I’m a big fan of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck, but I’ve got a whole arsenal of Tarot and Oracle decks that I use both for my own reflection and for my clients.
Not everyone is into Tarot, and that’s cool. But for me, it’s a fascinating blend of art, technique, and history.
If I’ve piqued your interest, keep an eye out—I’m in the process of setting up a section on my website where you’ll be able to book a reading with me. Who knows, you might just uncover some insights that hit the mark
STRANGE DEATHS
Death is one of those big, scary topics we all try to dodge. Let’s be honest, none of us are thrilled about the idea of our own mortality, and our brains aren’t exactly designed to handle the weight of knowing we’re all on a one-way trip.
However, even though I share the common fear of death, I’ve got this strange fascination with the bizarre and unusual ways people have met their end.
I’m clearly not flying solo here. The very existence of The Darwin Awards is proof that there’s a whole crowd interested in the oddities of demise.
Now, I don’t spend all my time obsessing over this, but whenever I get the chance, I dive into stories about those strange, peculiar deaths that make you go, ‘Seriously, how did that happen?’
In fact, my morbid curiosity has sparked a project I’m pretty excited about—a podcast called ‘Death By Misadventure.’ I’m working on bringing it to life and hopefully adding it to this site in the near future. It’s all about exploring these weird and wonderful tales of mortality, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with anyone who’s as intrigued by the macabre as I am.
LOST MEDIA
Ever since I was knee-high to a grasshopper, I’ve had a deep-seated love for ‘Doctor Who’—classic Who, to be precise. And if you’re a true Whovian, you know that Classic Who has been brutalized by a nasty little practice known as ‘Junking.’
Back in the old days, before anyone dreamed of home media or reruns, TV stations had this charming habit of wiping old tapes to make room for the new. They’d record over them or just toss them out, and ‘Doctor Who’ was hit hard by this. At one point, over 200 episodes of the beloved sci-fi show had been lost to the void. Thankfully, thanks to the relentless efforts of heroes like Ian Levine, we’ve clawed back many of those episodes, leaving us with only 97 missing.
But let’s not kid ourselves—‘Doctor Who’ wasn’t the only show to suffer this fate. The sad truth is, most of the media from the 1920s has vanished into thin air. We’re talking about a mere 20% of the films, music, and books from that decade still existing today.
Luckily, there are dedicated media hunters—those brave souls who’ve scoured the globe hunting down lost relics of media. Their quests for even a fleeting snippet of forgotten footage are nothing short of incredible, and I could spend hours lost in their incredible tales.
But enough about my fascination with lost media. I’ve got one more intriguing topic to cover before I let you go.
MORBID CURIOSITIES
I’ve got a soft spot for what I like to call ‘Morbid Curiosities’—a fancy term for all things delightfully macabre. These are the kinds of objects that might give most folks the heebie-jeebies but have a peculiar charm to me.
From taxidermy and vintage medical equipment to an unused coffin, my collection is filled with items that most people would rather avoid. But to me, they’re not just creepy artefacts; they’re beautiful pieces of history that shouldn’t be hidden away or shunned.
Sure, the idea of having a coffin in the corner of your room might make some people’s skin crawl, but I find it strangely comforting. There’s nothing like a constant reminder of your own mortality to give yourself a kick in the ass and make the most of life.
My home has a cozy, if unconventional, vibe with my taxidermy friends keeping me company as I dive into a good book or movie. I even worked a vintage 1950s prosthetic arm into my convention displays for ‘Ed Gein: Demon Hunter,’ because… why not?
So, as the saying goes, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure. In my case, one man’s coffin nails are just another set of collectables.
While I haven’t laid out every quirky hobby or side hustle I’m into, I hope this gives you a decent peek into my world. Yes, my interests might be a bit offbeat and might even raise a few eyebrows.
The fact of the matter is, there’s no need to worry about someone like me who’s upfront about his morbid fascinations. I wear my heart on my sleeve—metaphorically speaking, of course. It’s the ones who hide their quirks and passions that you should be wary of, because those are the folks who might just have a sleeve covering someone else’s heart.
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