Jeff Elder Isn't Real is a Substack by writer and musician Jeff Elder, a place where the curtain is half open. Part memoir, part creative process, part cultural observation. Warm, honest, and a little strange. Just like life.

In this episode, Jeff reads his latest post, "Special Orange Juice" — episode 17 of his ongoing memoir. It's about the winter of 1988, a bottle of champagne, and how he wound up living in a gay bar owner's house without ever really deciding to. It's about Troy, John, the strange domestic logic of 24/7 club life, meeting Glenn and Alex from The Village People upstairs at The Max, and the first time he met his worst best friend. It's also about the night Red Red Groove played its very first show.

Audio credits: Intro/Outro music: New Order - Bizarre Love Triangle / True Faith

Subscribe to Jeff Elder Isn't Real on Substack for new posts every week, including audio versions of most every essay.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffelder.substack.com