Hrishikesh Hirway

Right.

Before that dinner and before this opportunity came up, what had been your plan for working?

Like, what was your dream job after college?

So in the moment when you raise your hand saying, I could take this job.

How did that fit in with your dream of being a novelist?

Were you thinking at that time, I can do both of these things at the same time?

Or were you thinking, I'm going to put the writing on pause for a second and have this other job because what a wonderful opportunity?

Do you remember how you felt when you were going into that meeting?

My conversation with Emma Straub continues after this.

For more than just the 69-month songs?

Because Stephen Merritt also has all these other projects as well.

Yeah.

And so all of that was under your purview.

You said you loved the lyrics and the jokes.

What about the other aspects of the music?

At what point,

do you think you realized that this music was going to be braided into your life?

To sell merch.

And were you excited about this idea?

Or were you scared about the idea?