John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats on Anxiety, Violence, Drugs, Youth in Peril, and TikTok

The singer, songwriter, guitarist, and acclaimed author John
Darnielle is one of the more prolific creative forces you’re
likely to run across. He’s released 20 full-length studio albums,
plus a mess of EPs, tapes, and singles over his 25-plus years of
recording. And he’s written three novels in recent years as well.


In this interview, John talks about his interest in written
material about violence and horror and what he thinks might be
behind society’s stronger than ever fascination with true crime.
We also hear about his experiences on drugs, his need to get off
drugs to avoid going to prison, and his modern relationship with
wine at parties, which has a connection to his lifelong
relationship with anxiety. 


Learn about a nervous party experience with John Hodgman and why
he also makes sure to have lunch with John Hodgman at every
opportunity, even if he has a full schedule. Yep, John Darnielle,
in conversation with John Moe, talks about John Hodgman. So many
Johns. It’s a Johnslaught. They form a Johntourage. 


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Hey, remember, you’re part of Depresh Mode and we want to hear
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Help is available right away.


The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255,
1-800-273-TALK


Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.


International suicide hotline numbers available
here: https://www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines


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John's acclaimed memoir, The Hilarious World of Depression, is
available
here. https://read.macmillan.com/lp/the-hilarious-world-of-depression/


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