Up Early To Prep-Prep-Prep, Busy Day To Cap A Cruisy Week
Weekend Links and Updates
Up early today - been at it for a couple of hours already. I can no longer sleep in. Especially as I’ve somewhat overbooked today; back-to-back podcasts with great guests and then off to see Things I Know To Be True at Circa Theatre tonight - to review.
You must love what you do, they say. You’re so lucky - they say that too. Yes. And yes. Of course. But it requires research. There’s always work to do to get the gigs - you get up and prep, you read and research and listen and work and fit things in.
And that’s fine. My choice. And it was a fairly quiet week all up - I think. A bit of work. Family still in town visiting. But there’s lots on in the coming weeks, and always something to plan.
Hey, next weekend is Booktown in Featherston. This has to be one of the coolest little literary festivals going. And as we’re in the winter months now we’re reminded of all that went on hold last year and how lucky we are to (fingers crossed) plan for such events this year. This time next week I’ll be doing a quick reading in Featherson as one of the pop-up poets. Check out that link above or look at the photo below. What a line-up! I’m stoked to be part of it.
Also, speaking of poems, I was chuffed to see my poem on the wall in Wellington yesterday. Not the first time I’ve seen it - but one of the very first times I’ve seen it for myself - kind people send me photos of the Phantom Billstickers poetry posters as they see them but this time I was able to pull over and take a snapshot myself. Yay. (And thanks again to Phantom!)
This week’s podcast was a little different - A chat with my good buddy Matt Pender. But really the chat was all about Prince and how we became friends through mutual fandom. (Call it a coda to last week’s Substack newsletter about Prince five years on). I’m planning a few more of these sorts of podcasts, anniversary editions, themes that go beyond just the Q&A conversation with a particular guest; instead getting a guest on to talk primarily about someone else. So let me know what you think - and share any ideas of what (and who) you’d like to hear.
REVIEWS:
I love the work of Nathan Salsburg. Great guitarist. You’ll hear him doing solo acoustic instrumentals or as an accomanying player - but here on a second volume of his Landwerk series he loops the run-on groove of old 78s and then plays spacey, mercurial electric guitar atop. It’s the best kind of chill/ambient music to work to - or just drift off with. So good.
Tom Jones is sounding as good at 80 as he ever has. I loved writing about his new album. It’s very, very good with lots of nice surprises (a track was on yesterday’s Something For The Weekend playlist, you might have noticed). Bonus, Tom was also a recent guest on Marc Maron’s WTF podcast. Good chat.
Want some kick-ass new jazz? Yes you do. Then you want Alexa Tarantino’s new album. Great sax player and composer, with great taste in covers (Wayne Shorter is clearly a hero) and a super-good band.
I had very few words for Alela Diane’s new live album. I just want people to hear it. It’s so beautiful.
Steve Cropper is closing in on 80 and also still making vital music. Because he’s always been a hired gun I can’t tell you that the songs here are wonderful but the playing is. And if you’ve ever been a fan then that should be enough.
And The KLF long ago deleted their whole catalogue - now they’re putting it back together piece by piece, via series of compilations and mixtapes for the streaming generation. Here’s their “Chill Out” album - or at least a version of it. A must have in my book.
READING:
I started Murakami’s new book of short stories just last night. And loving it. I’m not any sort of Murakami completist - I’ve got a long way to go but I admire his work (what I’ve read of it) and I’m really intrigued by this instantly.
I’ve also decided to go all in on Calvin & Hobbes (thanks Wellington library!) because I’ve hardly ever read it but it comes so highly recommended from many that I know and love and trust. And I’m already instantly a fan from just the first few pages of this massive tome. Looking forward to a lot more.
And I didn’t know about The Happy Reader literary mag/journal until I found this issue. Basically the first half is a long-form interview and the second half is stories around a classic piece of literature, explored from all angles. Cool concept.
WATCHING:
The big acheivement this week was finishing the first series of Twin Peaks. Been on this big David Lynch kick lately - as readers here will know. And in the middle of boasting about seeing almost everything he’s done I had to admit that I’d never seen a complete episode of Twin Peaks. I’ve read so much about it and seen so many clips and the recurring motifs in Lynch’s work and his signature style meant that I had all but fooled myself into believing I’d seen it. Well, I’m not sure if I’ll go the full route but I loved the first season. Also managed to snap a rather Lynch-ian (to my mind) photo while the DVD boxset was getting close to wrapping up.
I can’t think of much else I watched - a couple of the Peanuts TV movies from the 80s because I re-read an old Peanuts strip from my childhood (well it was made in 1976, in fact but I first read it in the 80s) and we’re still trucking on with the ultimate guilty pleasure: Devious Maids. Absolutely loving it. Lol. (No shame).
LISTENING:
I mentioned British poet Selima Hill here recently so it was a treat to hear this podcast (Hill talking with Emily Berry) as part of the Poetry Society Poetry Review Podcast Series (my thanks to Emma Neale for the tip-off there).
Vulture Prince is the new album by Arooj Aftab. I believe it’s her third. It’s been on rotate here all week - just the thing, a calming agent. Sublime. Must hear stuff.
And this is a few weeks old now but I just caught up with Florian Habicht Playing Favourites For Kim Hill. Go there for the great chat and wise song selections. But stay for the filmmaker dropping an F-bomb live on the national broadcaster.
LINKS:
I do pump out the poetry - but I was pretty chuffed with this one! I also have a YouTube channel full of poetry vids.
On Substack, you can subscribe (for free) to Little Fish Echo Park and get a nice seafood recipe twice a month to you inbox.
Nice New York Times article here on a new bunch of guitar players to check.
Well, this has been a pleasant break from research for the podcasts but first guest arrives in an hour - so back to the final cram. Talk to you next week. Share any links that have taken your fancy below. And leave any feedback about what you’d like to have included here at “Sounds Good!”
