Welcome to Wren Corp
Mustard had the pleasure of speaking with founder of Substack newsletter Good Cup of Bad Coffee, artist, photographer, and co-host of The Corn Corner podcast Wren.
Oh that is absurd.
is an expression that Mustard hears humans say. This expression is most commonly used in regards to the prices at grocery stores. You can tell how shocked (or frustrated) by the prices a human is by how little or how much they emphasize the word - that. If that has more punch than a high school bully you can expect them to seek out a manager. On the other end of the spectrum if that sounds more a hesistant high schooler giving a speech they will accept the price and move on.
Nevertheless this made Mustard wonder: what does it mean to be absurd? Absurdity, like the human word “weird” or “woke” is dependent on the speaker. The defintion of of these words is flexible. Anything can be absurd, weird, or woke. Human language is wonderful and messy. You are probably reading this right now with a thousand different words going through your head you consider to be absurd. What are they?
Mustard has observed that some humans love the absurd (and the act of being absurd.) Meet
. Wren is an enigma; founder of the Substacker publication Good Cup of Bad Coffee, photographer, artist, and co-host of The Corn Corner Podcast. If you are like Mustard they first discovered Wren on Notes. Here is the first Note by Wren that caught their attention:As a food product (that also employs a human intern) they responded. Mustard, like Since then Mustard and Wren have had exchanged plesantries across Notes. Wren has the iniate abilty to explore the absurdity that is both food and life. Their newsletter explores everything from salad bars, bread, donuts, and salad dressing. As Wren continued to publish their newsletter they knew they wanted to speak with more about not only Good Cup of Bad Coffee but also their other ventures.
In our conversation below we had the pleasure of speaking about things that are Wicked, being multi-talented, woodfire pizzas, salad dressing and so much more.
1. Mustard is grateful and appreciative to have you join them at Music Shelf. How are you doing today?
I just had left over Pad Thai, so my day is a solid 11/11.
2. Mustard has observed that your Instagram handle is "Wicked Wren." They wonder what are some things you find wicked? As a condiment Mustard is curious; what does it mean to be wicked?
The broiler on the high setting can be a wicked teacher. You put toast under there and you’re flirting with the devil.
3. You are a lover of the mundane and absurd. Do you have any favorite mundane human tasks? What makes something absurd? Have you ever found yourself in an absurd situation before?
Telling Siri to set a timer is humiliating. Also talking to an automated operator machine feels ridiculous. “SPEAK TO A PERSON”... Just kill me. I generally find myself in the most absurd situations on planes. I recently saw a man take out a portable DVD player and open a binder filled with DVDs of The Blacklist. I’ve seen a priest reading the funny pages. I witnessed a man decline the in-flight beverage, but change his mind once his seatmate requested to have his declined beverage. The stewardess offered an additional coke zero (big can) but the seatmate declined, which is all so thought provoking. Maybe this is my next Substack.
4. They have also observed that you are an artist, photographer, writer, and metal vocalist. Which came first? How would you describe your creative process?
Music definitely came first. I played drums in bands then went to college for music. Ironically it’s the thing I do the least of, but that is changing. Creatively I am inspired by everyday situations and the humor and irony that is inherent in them. I am always open to these nuggets entering my brain and feel like a lot of “being creative” is just keeping your intention in the front of your mind. I see these situations because I look for them. Usually when something makes me randomly laugh a couple times I know it needs to be made. Or if I have to come up with an idea for a specific project, I will stare at a blank wall until a little strand pops up that I can pull on. And if (when) that fails, I just watch a Tim Heidecker thing and steal it and change it a little.
5. Not only that but you are also the Co-host of The Corn Corner Podcast and the CEO of Wren Corp. Mustard is curious how you balance all of these? What does Wren Corp specialize in?
I journal compulsively and really believe that helps sort the brain. Big list maker and doodler too. Balancing everything truly boils down to efficient workflows in post production. The post process, for all art, has the potential to eat time to absolute nonsense. My goal is always to enter post in a way that allows me to stay on the creative side of the art and not become a technician. Once you’re trying to fix things, you’re cooked.
I can promise if you look under your sink, there’s a couple WrenCorpTM products.
6. For those who have not had the pleasure of listening to The Corn Corner podcast how would you describe it to a new listener?
The most important podcast of the modern day podcast renaissance.
7. What corner of a room is the best to admire or eat corn in?
The left one so you’re by an outlet for charge they phone.
8. Throughout 71 episodes of The Corn Corner you and Cam have talked about job interviews, pup play, poptarts, and so much more. Mustard wonders how you and Cam decide on a topic? How do you both prepare for an episode of The Corn Corner?
We have a guided meditation surrounding what is most important for people to hear.
9. You recently sold out of the first issue of "Wren Art Volume 1." Could you share more about how you put this volume together? What is included in this collection?
Instagram is a soul sucking void that eats our hard earned art. I was making work and realized it was getting buried so quickly. Looking at the past 12 months, there was enough work to tell a nice story, so this book was born. It’s 40-something pages of staged photography, street photos, and some writing & illustrations. Shockingly the design and layout was wildly rewarding. It gave new life to work I honestly didn’t like. There were many times I suddenly enjoyed photos I previously disliked once they were next to each other. Also the book pointed out common themes I use that I didn’t realize. One is money, which I like a lot.
10. You began writing in your downtime and feel like you can express 100% through your writing. How has being on Substack helped inspire you creatively?
There are no stakes in writing. If I write 2 pages and it sucks, I just delete it. Photography is much different. You can plan and prep, but it’s a team sport with many variables. Photography is more centered in clear communication and direction. I also don’t have any writing heroes I am trying to appease in my mind, which just means I'm illiterate.
11. Your newsletter Good Cup of Bad Coffee explores the absurdity that is inherent in food. And life. Can you recall the first absurd food you came across? What elements are required for food to be considered absurd?
Everyone’s first absurd food is the boiled egg. I remember on a fishing trip seeing my childhood best friend open a ziplock with about 5 ½ boiled eggs in it. That kinda thing stays with you. I think the absurdity in food comes from how humans interact with the item. For example, a Nerd’s Rope is goofy, but not inherently absurd. If someone says “the Nerd’s Rope is my favorite candy” it’s now absurd.
12. Did you ever expect to be interviewed by a condiment?
Yea this actually checks out.
13. People love to talk about woodfired pizzas. Why do you think this is?
People love to add qualifiers to foods to raise the appeal. Words like homemade, artisan, or even self serve. And it makes sense. Food is mostly about story. The word “woodfired” depicts a resource that has to be fussed over and folks like their food fussed over.
14. Who the heck is eating Hershey Kisses?
Idk but when you find them send them over to The Corn Corner to be interviewed.
15. In your first newsletter on Substack you declare: Don't eat the bread. It is never worth it. Why does every other bread hail in comparison to the bread at Cannon's Restaurant?
Do not eat the bread is a warning based on a very common experience that often happens under the dim lights of Italian American eateries all across the world. It’s a cautionary tale. The exception to this bread rule is of course Cannon’s due to my mother enjoying this bread and saying it was good. Unfortunately Cannon’s has been closed for 20 years so good luck.
16. Why should a human never steal from a restaurant? (Unless it is Chilli's?)
Well, restaurants have it hard. Be cool and tip well. Here’s another crazy thought: when you’re in the bathroom, do one thing to make it cleaner than when you got in there. But you want that little cast iron at Chilli’s? That’s between you and your god.
17. Ranch is the bad boy of dressings. What type of trouble do you think Ranch gets itself into?
He’s at Boost Mobile trying to get his phone turned back on right now, I promise that.
18. Should Ray Romano consider creating his own salad dressing company? What do you think would be Ray Romano's premiere salad?
Romano’s Own has a ring to it. It would be a heavy pour style dressing with a flip top that breaks after the third use. The security seal would be a nightmare to remove. It would definitely have “pecan” in the name or one of the other B-team nuts.
19. One of the rules of your home is that YouTube videos are not permitted to be shown to anyone. What are some of the dangers of watching YouTube videos?
I allow free range YouTube in the house and next thing you know I’m watching someone from 2009 perform an acapella cover of Bad Romance. Just not worth that risk.
20. Where is the best to keep in touch with all things Wicked Wren?
Wrenstuff.com
Talking in the aisle
are you subscribed to Good Cup of Bad Coffee?
Have you listened to The Corn Corner podcast?
What is your favorite salad dressing?
Music Shelf with Mustard is a publication that interviews independent musicians from all across the globe. It is read in 32 states and 19 countries. Check out previous interviews here.
Music Shelf with Mustard originally began in early 2021. Inspired by independent musicians on social media application TikTok Mustard knew they had to do something to help share their music. Shortly after Music Shelf with Mustard was born. Its goal is to highlight independent artists from all across the globe. Mustard appreciates you taking the time out to read this interview.
What great and astonishing words.
hot mustard right here. I like this.