I write to you from the cobblestoned streets of Lisboa.Where much to the disappointment of the customs agent who stamped my passport, I am not here to surf Nazaré. I’m not here to surf at all — although I may find something to ride Tuesday between storms it sounds like. I am far from the surf this weekend — attending a conference about the future of the Internet hosted by Urbit — which sounds very far from surfing. And is. But there is something to learn here. And it’s near the sea — everything in Portugal feels near the sea. Even in the city center, sardines, muscles, salted cod and corvina dishes line the bistros where we alternate sips of sparkling wine and espresso with the locals and prevalent expat community between drizzly walks for more sardines, espresso, and wine. It’s a fun lifestyle to dip into. Last night we dined on steak and tuna at Da Noi — an epic spot for food and drinks during your next trip to Lisbon. Today, we’re learning about privacy, censorship, data and AI.

Back in Texas, my colleagues Jackson, Brandon and Michael are busy trying to convince Anton Newcombe of The Brian Jonestown Massacre to shoot an on-camera interview at the Levitation Festival with us. So far, his only response: “I can’t, fucker.”

We’ll get him though. We’ve seen Dig. We know he wants to talk. He’s just being camera shy.

If you want to see and feel what it’s like to be at Levitation Festival be sure to follow along on our Instagram, we’re broadcasting live, bunking with skater Evan Smith and the Drink Weird crew. Be sure to read Jackson’s daily dispatches on our website for reviews of the shows. He’s serving you a full helping of new music to discover and he’s writing pen to paper reviews in his Lone Star lager-stained notebook in the middle of sweaty, swirling pits and head banging. He’s also got the insight into the live sets of all those bands you’ve always wanted to see live, like High on Fire, Dead Meadow, Shannon and the Clams, Flat Worms and Ty Segall. Trust in Jackson.

Me, I’ve got another espresso on deck and much to learn about the future. We launched a new column this week called Notes from Underground that’s been so helpful to us that we’re all now sprawled across the globe doing things. All sorts of things.

If this week isn’t a good representation of what Inherent Bummer is about: Portugal, live music, censorship discussions, drinks and food in the streets of Europe, pen to paper with surfing and seafood nearby, I don’t know what is.—Travis Ferré

[Above artwork: tst by Romina Malta]