Texas Monthly

The Last Word: Richard Upchurch on the Inspiration Behind His Brand New Noise ‘Sound Gadgets’

by | Jan 9, 2025
Upchurch is the inventor and mastermind behind the irresistible wooden "sound toys" available from Dallas-based Brand New Noise. Mixing physical knobs and inviting touchability with electronic circuits, his boxy devices range from Moon Lander "tongue drum" recorders with delay effect to Reverse the Curse (shown above), a lo-fi audio recording gadget with pitch control, delay effects, reverse audio switch, and continuous loop switch.
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The Last Word: On the Texas Monthly-New York Times ‘Y’all’ Flap
by | Dec 11, 2024
Fort Worth-based Ratliff is one of many North Texans who've weighed in on a recent Texas Monthly story titled In Defense of "Y'all," a Perfect Word. Writer Dan Solomon wrote the piece in response to a New York Times opinion column which pooh-poohed "y'all" as "much too slangy, regional or what you might even call ethnic to ever gain universal acceptance." 
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The Last Word: Texas Monthly on What the Lone Star State Is Spending To Attract Hollywood Productions
by | Jun 23, 2023
In its 2023 session, the Texas Legislature approved appropriations of $200 million for incentives to attract film production in the Lone Star State. The state is trying to compete with states like Georgia, who've gone full tilt to lure Hollywood productions to the local economy. 
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The Last Word: Woods Capital’s Jonas Woods on Converting Offices Into Apartments
Writing in Texas Monthly, Glenn Hunter takes a look at how office buildings across the state are turning into luxury multifamily homes for tower dwellers, in yet another evolving trend in the future of office.
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