When Bill Janovitz arrived in Massachusetts with his family, he was unimpressed. Halfway through high school, Bill’s family moved from a verdant suburb on Long Island to a rural community in Massachusetts that was a full half hour from a movie theater. With far less stimuli than he had found at his old home, Bill was initially bored with The Bay State, but would gradually change his mind after moving away to college at UMass Amherst.

What Am I Making is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

At university, Bill found a bustling community of writers, musicians, and budding intellectuals. He studied with renowned poets and crossed paths with a number of new friends that would eventually go on to define a swath of American indie-rock that would conquer the country in less than a decade.

While at UMass, Bill built his own band, Buffalo Tom, and began to immediately gain traction. The band made a name for themselves playing across New England and venturing further afield along the eastern seaboard building a fanbase and a sterling reputation along the way. Over the course of a forty year span, Buffalo Tom have released eleven full-length albums and toured around the world.

In addition to his work in Buffalo Tom, Janovitz is also a celebrated author. He has written for the famed 33 ⅓ Series as well as publishing an exhaustive biography of Leon Russell in 2023. His most recent written effort, The Cars: Let The Stories Be Told, is a definitive history of one of rock’s biggest acts. The book is a thrilling look at a marvelous band that is often not given their proper kudos.

Bill and I also spent a few minutes discussing some of his “day job”, as we geeked out on the glorious beauty of mid-century architecture and design. Outside of his writing and work in music, Janovitz has built a real estate firm focused on the mid-century treasures that abound throughout Massachusetts. Bill shared a bit of his love for MCM design, and why Massachusetts is rife with it.

Near the end of our interview, Bill describes himself as a rambler, and I am quite sure that I would qualify for that title as well. So, here are a pair of ramblers covering indie rock, The Cars, MCM, and a whole bunch more.

Cheers,

Matty C

Get full access to What Am I Making at whatamimaking.substack.com/subscribe