Bureau of Lost Culture On the Farm with Allen Ginsberg
May 23, 2022
Barry Miles, an acclaimed biographer and chronicler of the 1960s counterculture, shares fascinating stories about his time on Allen Ginsberg's farm, a retreat for artists and misfits after the chaotic 60s. He details the farm's self-sufficient life, quirky residents, and Ginsberg's relentless creativity and activism. Miles also reminisces about the vibrant Chelsea Hotel, filled with icons like Janis Joplin and Leonard Cohen, and Ginsberg's deep embrace of Tibetan Buddhism. This conversation highlights the chaotic charm of an era where art thrived amidst turmoil.
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Building Power With A Windmill
- The farm lacked electricity so they built a windmill and buried car batteries to power tape machines intermittently.
- Miles edited tapes with only about three hours of power a day while managing communal tensions over usage.
Power Fights Over Record Players
- Miles spent his limited powered hours editing Ginsberg's recordings and dealt with guests who used up electricity to play records.
- He lost his temper when an on-off girlfriend monopolised power for her record player.
Farm Life: Animals And Winter Prep
- The farm had animals, including a cow, a horse, chickens and a pig that grew huge and tried to sleep on beds.
- Residents cultivated vegetables, pickled for winter and lived largely vegetarian and self-sufficiently.
