by laura beth

Kenny and I are big fans of FOUND Magazine. Our first full day in Phoenixville, while perusing the local shops, we came across a flyer for the FOUND Tour. We walked across the street to Wolfgang Books, and realized that the tour stop was to be at that very bookstore May 4th (tonight)!

A little about FOUND: After finding a misplaced note on his car, Davy Rothbart started collecting all sorts of FOUND items. Davy and friends eventually collected enough material to put together a magazine, the first issue appearing in 2001. There have been 5 issues since then, and they are sooooo addictive. Davy has gained a crack team of helpers and is now collaborating with other artists, writers, musicians, and whatnot. He's contributed to my favorite radio program, This American Life and Steve Buscemi has even optioned a movie based on his book, The Lone Surfer of Montana, Kansas. FOUND also has had several other books published, including hardcover collections of finds, FOUND Polaroids, and Dirty FOUND. I'm especially interested in LaPorte, Indiana and Requiem For A Paper Bag. Hopefully we can pick them up soon!

Anyhoo, the show. So fun. We showed up around 8; people mingled, drank complimentary wine and beer, and looked at books. The bookstore is super cozy, and there was a big turnout, so we were surprised to get front row seats. The show began with Davy introducing himself, then he proceeded to read through a stack of finds, each photocopied and slightly rumpled. I really liked that he just had a rough stack of paper there, worn from being read over and over. He knew each piece of paper so intimately, and as he picked them up, before he even had a chance to really look at them, he announced who found them and in what city, with barely a glance.

After a while, Davy's brother Peter shared some songs he has written, based on finds sent in to the magazine. For most of the songs, he creates an imaginary back story. Most were hilarious, and some sweet, one was really, really heart wrenching. I was alternately sobbing and laughing my bum off throughout the night. At the end of the night, Kenny and I visited with Davy for a while, and he made us promise to send in photocopies of our Butt Rockers Scrapbook. In fact, we have a whole stack of finds to send to the magazine, and had we known about the show before leaving California, we would have brought them. Davy seems like a real stand up guy. He's very genuine and takes interest in each person he meets.

I think that FOUND has really got something good going here. I have always been a bit of a pack rat/collector, and throughout my life have picked up scraps of paper and oddities that have caught my eye. There's always a sense of wonder: Who wrote this note? Did it reach it's intended recipient? What kind of interesting person belongs to this shopping list or grocery store receipt? what the heck is this little plastic thing and what does it do? Davy and FOUND have taken it to a whole new level, and thanks to them we all get a peek into the lives of strangers.

Here's a nice interview article with Davy.

Be sure to check out the events page to see if FOUND is coming to a city near you.

Peter has a few albums outs: The Sight of Any Bird and Songs For the Long Lonely Drive, and if you check out the music link on his web page, you can listen to some of the songs.

Do yourself a favor and buy all 6 issues of FOUND either online or at an independent bookseller near you!