Category Archives: Pop culture

Freelancer’s Blues

It isn’t easy being a freelance arts writer. While I’m fully aware there are worse jobs to have (I previously worked in a call centre, a hotel and in retail, uggghhh) there are a few issues with this bizarre occupation. Firstly, some publications insist that they will pay you, only to renege at the lastContinue reading “Freelancer’s Blues”

Vintage Films: Cabaret

If Sally Bowles was around today, she’d most likely be chronically online, binging on TikTok make-up tutorials and dance crazes.She’d be oblivious to the outside world, unaware of the conflicts in Ukraine and Israel, or the orange menace that is Trump. Bob Fosse’s film has endured, because the theme of “divine decadence” amid the encroachingContinue reading “Vintage Films: Cabaret”

Why Series 4 (2022) of Drag Race UK Is My Favourite

Not all drag queens are created alike. RuPaul’s Drag Race was in danger of becoming a little bit safe, until she (legendary queen RuPaul Charles) and the producers (World Of Wonder) sent it to the UK. No judgment, but to me, it felt like our American sisters on their shows were more about looks, glamourContinue reading “Why Series 4 (2022) of Drag Race UK Is My Favourite”

The Inexorable Rise Of Waitrose Indie

Alternative music with the crusts cut off, Waitrose Indie is really having its moment in 2024. The reasons for this are many and complicated: firstly, the music industry is a tough one to crack, so if you attended a posh school or had musician parents, you already had access to insiders who could provide businessContinue reading “The Inexorable Rise Of Waitrose Indie”

Overlooked Classics: Monkey Dust

Monkey Dust could be the darkest animation ever shown on TV. Forget cats called Fritz, Cartman and co or even Quagmire on the vastly overrated Family Guy, this was brutal. Created by the truly warped minds of Harry Thompson and Shaun Pye, characters such as the Meat Safe Murderer, Pretentious Hipsters and Paedophile Finder GeneralContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: Monkey Dust”

Lost In Music: This Mortal Coil

Formed by 4AD bosses Ivo Watts-Russell and John Fryer, This Mortal Coil made some of the most sublime, prescient music ever. Not everyone was keen. AR Kane dismissed them as simply “people in black clothes with shaved heads” and the second album by the collective , the dense,sprawling Filigree and Shadow (also my favourite) wasContinue reading “Lost In Music: This Mortal Coil”

Possibly, Definitely, Actually… Maybe…

Whisper it, but it appears that the feuding Gallagher bros Lennon and Brains are actually getting the band back together. Yes, Ahr Kid and Songwriter Kid are apparently reforming Oasis. The overrated monobrows will be touring next year. I’m with the ever-quotable Bjork who described Oasis as “bad boy scout music”. Their laddish, Beatles -worshippingContinue reading “Possibly, Definitely, Actually… Maybe…”

How Sharon Needles Transformed Drag Race

Once upon a time, there was a new entertainment franchise called Ru Paul’s Drag Race. Now, this little TV show was a little bit of a risk, because drag as reality TV concept hadn’t yet quite taken off: too subversive to be mainstream and too niche to be ‘normal ‘. The money wasn’t quite thereContinue reading “How Sharon Needles Transformed Drag Race”

Album Review: Geneva Jacuzzi – Triple Fire

LA musician and performance/visual artist Geneva Jacuzzi has a lot of heat around her…pun intended. It’s clear that she’s ambitious and talented, her synth pop sound coming over like she chewed up and spat out the entire eighties decade. So there’s a Warholian flavour to brand new album Triple Fire . Opener ‘Laps Of Luxury’Continue reading “Album Review: Geneva Jacuzzi – Triple Fire”