I’ve been reading the great Kathy Acker again, someone whose blunt, unvarnished prose is like steel and concrete. She’s timeless because Americans are, as we are in the UK too, struggling to make ends meet. Her books represent the desperation, the lost love, family stress, romantic disappointments and the defiance of those who slipped throughContinue reading “A Kathy Acker Playlist”
Category Archives: Profile
Bad Cover Versions: Flea and Nick Cave – Wichita Lineman
Oh… dear. I’m beginning to wonder if Nick Cave should give up music altogether, given the mediocre last album and this teaming up with Flea. Yup, actual Flea of RHCP. Together at last, nuts n gum. This cover of the Glen Campbell song is truly insipid. It’s a tremulous dirge, but not in a goodContinue reading “Bad Cover Versions: Flea and Nick Cave – Wichita Lineman”
Iona
1973-2026 Iona Kewney was a dancing paradox: feral sprite; anarchist angel, punk diva, badass elfin. She often shocked as well as delighted audiences who were used to less. She slipped through genre and discipline like few before her. She was a unique, beautiful performer in an industry that expects you to stay in your lane.Continue reading “Iona”
30 Years Of Baz Luhrmann’s “Star Cross’d Lovers”
As Valentine’s Day doth approacheth, I take a look at the enduring classic, as reimagined by Australian director Baz Luhrmann. I bloody HATED Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet when I first saw it at the cinema in 1996. I felt that transposing the Shakespeare classic to Venice Beach and bringing in nineties slackers in HawaiianContinue reading “30 Years Of Baz Luhrmann’s “Star Cross’d Lovers””
The Lolita Problem
Kidcore; Jenna Ortega as ‘Wednesday’, ‘St Trinians’, ‘Pretty Baby’, Jodie Foster in ‘Taxi Driver ‘, a young Britney Spears, Natalie Portman’s early roles, Kawaii, groupie tales, sexy young models, schoolgirl strippers, Page 3 and of course, the book from which the fetish arose- these are all massive cultural touchstones for many fans of pop culture.Continue reading “The Lolita Problem”
Lost In Music: Before Lana Del Rey … Mazzy Star
She Hangs Brightly was the debut album from Mazzy Star, aka guitarist Dave Roback and vocalist Hope Sandoval. Previously, with singer Kendra Smith, they were Opal, but she was replaced, and the (ugh, I hate this word) jailbait prettiness and sleepy drawl of Sandoval proved more marketable, it seems. Released in 1990, essentially the duoContinue reading “Lost In Music: Before Lana Del Rey … Mazzy Star”
Bad Cover Versions: The Damned- See Emily Play
Oh… Dear. The Damned have always been a huge source of joy and affection for me, as they were the first live band I ever saw, back in their ‘Phantasmagoria’ era. They were great, even though they were already past their best by then. And I love the original version of this by Pink Floyd,Continue reading “Bad Cover Versions: The Damned- See Emily Play”
Legacy Acts
At the end of last year , I was unfortunate enough to hear the most recent single from David Byrne, ‘T Shirt’. It’s made of thin material indeed, and I say that as someone who likes some Talking Heads work and his projects with Eno and St Vincent. Likewise Kylie and her insipid Christmas single,Continue reading “Legacy Acts”
Lost In Music: Alt Blk Era
Nottingham sisters Nyrobi and Cheya Becket-Messam are kicking a hole through musical genres and expectations. The dynamic pair make music that straddles EDM, indie and metal, and their sparky debut album ‘Rave Immortal ‘,which was released last year, earned much critical and fan acclaim. Their outspoken attitude on issues like Black culture and disability, cheekyContinue reading “Lost In Music: Alt Blk Era”
The Film Surprise Of 2025
Yet again, I’m in the minority, it seems. Most sequels, albeit with a few exceptions, are not very successful. The recent Todd Phillips ‘ Joker sequel and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice weren’t blazing triumphs, although I liked the former very much, as I felt it explored the nature of celebrity earned through notoriety very well, and IContinue reading “The Film Surprise Of 2025”
Hit The North 