What did Nathan Barley ever do for us? Well, he anticipated apps; Dapper Laughs, cloutrage, posho influencers, hipsters, and trending. He was making random, faux-artistic and pointless #content before pretty much anyone at the time…at least, on TV. His cruel viral pranks on poor timid Pingu (Ben Whishaw) arrived at the time of ‘happy slapping”Continue reading ““The Idiots Are Winning”: Part Three”
Category Archives: Profile
” The Idiots Are Winning “: Part Two
Watching Nathan Barley again, there’s an episode (episode 5: Vice) where Barley reveals his true colours. He’s a scumbag, like Tate, Mizzy, or any manosphere jerk -off. This is the dark side of Nathan, and one of the darkest sitcom episodes ever made. Is it even a sitcom? Probably more of a satire, really, andContinue reading “” The Idiots Are Winning “: Part Two”
Worst. Music. Documentary. Ever.
What a howler music documentary Madonna: The Name Of The Game, from 1993, is. Presented by Troy McClure alike (albeit with Ned Flanders’ stylist) Mark Bego, it’s got all the insight of a tabloid article, and the production values of an Alan Partridge corporate video. And nothing says Madonna like an ABBA hit for aContinue reading “Worst. Music. Documentary. Ever.”
Jane Birkin’s Legacy
Jane Birkin ‘s death was announced a couple of days ago. It’s obviously really sad, as it is when anyone passes away, especially one who impacted upon popular culture in a myriad of ways. Every column and obituary piece upon her passing has defined her as “a style icon”. That’s fine, but she was aContinue reading “Jane Birkin’s Legacy”
Evelyn Is Everything (We Need)
Evelyn Wang is the modern hero we need. Evelyn Wang is the human repository of contemporary problems,dreams, hope and fears. Evelyn Wang is the epitome of overwhelm. Everything Everywhere All At Once, directed by Daniels, really does deserve all of its plaudits.If ever a film addressed contemporary society, it’s this. Michelle Yeoh, who deservedly wonContinue reading “Evelyn Is Everything (We Need)”
The Wicker Man at Fifty
Awww, poor Sergeant Howie. If you’d just shagged Willow, you wouldn’t be meeting such a horrible demise… I recently rewatched The Wicker Man, as it’s now the same age as me. What struck me upon watching it again is that it’s kinda a musical – albeit one with sex, Paganism and (spoiler) ritual murder. TheContinue reading “The Wicker Man at Fifty”
The Coruscating Genius of Rowland S Howard
Lean, Dracula lean, and tall, with a pallid, angular face, Rowland S Howard cut a cool figure, ideal for an alternative musician. He didn’t so much play guitar as slash at it, his chiming, coruscating sound ricocheting in the night air. This was a violent, unsettling noise- a howl, a siren cry. My then- partner,Continue reading “The Coruscating Genius of Rowland S Howard”
Overlooked Classics: The Butcher Boy
Both the book by Patrick McCabe and film, co-adapted by McCabe with Neil Jordan, are brilliant. Francis Brady could have been a Holden Caulfield, but he was much, much more insidious: a study in everyday psychopathy. Francis Brady, portrayed with equal parts cheek and horror by the wonderful Eamonn Owens is the titular character. SomethingContinue reading “Overlooked Classics: The Butcher Boy”
That 6Music Shake- Up
Working as a freelance writer, I’m always working from home these days, which means a constant soundtrack from my favourite radio station, 6Music. My favourite DJ is Mary Anne Hobbs, the mellow techno earth mother. She’s wonderfully eclectic, playing everything from Shygirl to Queens Of The Stone Age. I’m also really chuffed that Deb GrantContinue reading “That 6Music Shake- Up”
The Notorious JT
From the late nineties onwards, the blistering prose of JT Leroy captivated many, many readers all across the world. Like a cross between Kathy Acker and Dennis Cooper,his fiction resonated, weaving high art from low places. In person,too, Leroy bewitched the literary establishment, a taciturn, androgynous and socially awkward figure in shades, wig and hat.Continue reading “The Notorious JT”
Hit The North 