Cool people like cool things, which is why we asked Michael Imperioli to share a taste of his taste on Perfectly Imperfect.

Michael Imperioli is a New York City-based actor and musician best known for playing the iconic Christopher Moltisanti on the best TV show of all time, The Sopranos, and for his recent role as Dominic “Dom” Di Grasso on the second season of The White Lotus. Michael’s art-rock band, Zopa, has sold out two shows at Baby’s All Right this week and Stella Rose and The Dead Language is opening at tonight’s show + Julia Cumming of Sunflower Bean is DJ-ing after Zopa. Lucky for us, Michael is here to tell us what he’s been into.

Without further ado

Michael Imperioli (instagram)

📽️ In a Year of 13 Moons - R.W. Fassbinder

Do not watch this film if you are depressed, sad or melancholy because it will severely compound those feelings. But if you want to see how a genius filmmaker can create spectacular moods and atmospheres of real despair and pathos then this film is for you. It's a visceral experience and a challenging one at that...more like a cinematic occult ritual. Take particular note of Volker Spengler's fearless performance and also the "Frankie Teardrop" scene for an example of what I mean about creating a sensory poem of anguish using sound and visions.

😈📕 Satan In Goray - Isaac Bashevis Singer 

Singer is my favorite fiction writer of all time. This dark fable set in a small Polish village in 1648 depicts the moral corruptions and transgressions that sweep up the townspeople as they embrace the deceitful and profane teachings of a false prophet. It is a thrilling work, written with a vividness and verisimilitude that feels like an historical account.

📕 Under Tiberius/ Me and The Devil - Nick Tosches

The final two books written by what may be the most underrated writer of the last 20 years. A rock journalist who found great acclaim with his biographies of Jerry Lee Lewis and Dean Martin among others, Tosches' fiction is as great as any American novelist of the recent past. This pair of books is a one/two punch that plunges the depths of the human soul with a profound understanding and accuracy regarding the dark edges of human nature. The first is set in ancient Judea and tells the story of Emperor Tiberius' ex-speech writer who, through his exceptional P.R. skills, turns a charismatic lay-about into the Messiah. The latter book is a modern vampire tale and Tosches uses himself as the central character; an aging novelist who roams the late night streets of Downtown Manhattan indulging in urges most carnal and sanguinary.

🎵🌟 Groupie (Superstar) - Delaney and Bonnie

This rather obscure 1969 b-side would later become a huge hit in 1971 when it was recorded by The Carpenters with some of its risque lyrics (as well as its title) changed. Written by the great Leon Russel and Bonnie Bramlett and featuring Clapton himself on guitar, this song moves and haunts me everytime I hear it. One of the great melodies in rock history.

🐟🐢🦆 Feeding the fish, turtles, ducks, and other birds lakeside in Central Park. 

I have found some of these creatures to be as noble and true as many human beings.

🎙️ The Brian Lehrer Show 

(on the radio weekdays 10am-12pm WNYC 93.9FM) The voice of New York City.

📕 I Fear My Pain Interests You - Stephanie LaCava

My favorite novel of the last year. Once begun, this one is impossible to put down yet you will want it to go on and on. It's about love, sex, family, fame, identity and yes, pain. With an ending so transcendent and full of hope it made me cry.

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