You know the drill. On Bandcamp Friday, all the proceeds go directly to the artists! April 5 is the next Bandcamp Friday. Here are some picks! (My write-ups are fewer this week because I’ve been sick.)
Discothèque – “It’s Not a Sin” maxi-single Dark synth pop from Andy Kubiszewski (Stabbing Westward, The The, etc.) and Andrea Becker.
Trailer Swift – VariantFind Trailer Swift competing tonight in this year’s Boston’s Rock & Roll Rumble. Prepare yourself by purchasing their 2023 release. Note: I’ve known the singer since kindergarten, so I’m biased.
Hard Skin – Why Do Birds Suddenly Appear Another must for Lush fans, this compilation also includes a track with Miki Berenyi. Plus: Manda Rin from Bis!
Blushing – PossessionsThe third Lush must. Miki Berenyi also appears on this album! (Yes, I searched for her on Bandcamp and this is the result.)
The Jesus and Mary Chain – Glasgow Eyes“Our creative approach is remarkably the same as it was in 1984, just hit the studio and see what happens. We went in with a bunch of songs and let it take its course.” – Jim Reid via Bandcamp.
It’s another Bandcamp Friday on March 1! That means Bandcamp waives their revenue share and more money goes to musicians. Here are some picks.
Hinds – “Coffee” The Spanish garage rock band Hinds is back with a fantastic new single.
The Smile – Wall of Eyes The haunting and cinematic new album from Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood along with drummer Tom Skinner.
Rykarda Parasol – Tuesday MorningParasol’s fifth album is a delight. Imagine Siouxsie Sioux fronting a lounge act.
Ian Sweet – SuckerIan Sweet is L.A.-based Jilian Medford who has created an album of glorious sad girl synth pop.
Elisapie – Inuktitut Canadian Inuk musician Elisapie’s Inuktitut is a unique and gorgeous album of covers. She’s translated songs by Pink Floyd, Blondie, Metallica, and others into the Inuktitut language. I can’t get enough of this one.
Ekko Astral – QuartzThis EP by D.C. punkers Ekko Astral is a fun romp.
Here are some picks for this Bandcamp Friday! Bandcamp is one of the better way to support artists online. On Bandcamp Fridays, even more of the money you spend goes to the musicians.
Gushing by Crayola Eyes
Crayola Eyes – Gushing (2023) Psychedelic shoe-gaze from Jakarta, Indonesia. Props to my friend, Phillip, for introducing them to me.
Hot Pink Sauce – “Feel” (2024) Emma Anderson of Lush/Sing-Sing brought this dreamy single to my attention. Looking forward to hearing more from this British duo.
Girl Ray – Prestige (2023) British band’s ode to the TV show Pose. Fun dance pop. Apple Music describes it as “disco escapism.” I get the ear worm bop “Everybody’s Saying That” stuck in my head constantly.
Black Cross Hotel – Hex(2022) Darkwave industrial from Chicago.
The Morelings – Same Century (2017) Ethereal pop. Recommended if you like Cocteau Twins or Siddal.
Lovina Falls – Calculating the Angle of Our Descent (2023) This debut ranked as one of my top albums of 2023. Glistening dream-pop from Boston’s Valerie Forgione (formerly of Mistle Thrush).
Sprints – Letter to Self (2024) I already know that this Irish band’s debut is gonna be one of my faves of 2024. It has the energy of a Sleater-Kinney album. Frenetic, guitar-driven, and a pinch of pop.
Sadly, I didn’t get out to movie theaters as much as I used to. When you’re dynamically disabled, you have to conserve your energy. Going to the movies might not seem like it takes that much effort, but when the disabled toilet is broken and the only functioning one is on the other side of the theater and you’re using a wheelchair … you can guess why I haven’t seen Killers of the Flower Moon yet. I did manage to see Barbenheimer on different weekends though!
Here’s the list of my favorite films of 2023. This list is dynamic (like me!) so follow me on Letterboxd for updates. Parentheses show how I watched the film.
15. Talk to Me Creepy Australian horror flick with a diverse young cast. (Borrowed from library)
14. Red, White & Royal Blue This was fun. Of course the book is better, but I love seeing queer lit being adapted. (Prime)
13. Nimona A sweet adaptation of N.D. Stevenson’s graphic novel. (Netflix)
12. Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour I missed out on tickets for the real thing, so seeing Eras in the theater was second best. Being in a theater filled with women and girls was refreshing. There was dancing, clapping, and of course, singing. (In theater)
11. Renfield Nic Cage as Dracula. Nicholas Hoult as Renfield. Plus Awkwafina! Need I say more? (Borrowed from library)
10. The Killer Michael Fassbender stars as a serial killer who constantly listens to The Smiths. My social media handle is an ode to The Smiths, soooo yes, this movie was made for me. (Netflix)
9. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse A great sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Stunning animation. (In theater)
I don’t care what anyone says, I love flerkittens
8. The Marvels More of a sequel to the excellent Ms. Marvel TV series than Captain Marvel, I found this movie to be a delight. Who doesn’t love a superhero who has a flerken as a sidekick? (In theater)
7. Infinity Pool Doppelgängers and Alexander Skarsgård. Yes, please. (Borrowed from library)
6. Saltburn Barry Keoghan and Jacob Elordi smolder in the sophomore film from director Emerald Fennel (Promising Young Woman). (Prime)
5. The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar This short film clocks in at 39 minutes and is everything you’d want from Wes Anderson and Benedict Cumberbatch. Henry Sugar was my favorite of Anderson’s Roald Dahl adaptations. (Netflix)
4. Oppenheimer Am I the only one who gets “Oppenheimer,” by the Old 97’s stuck in their head at the mere mention of Christopher Nolan’s epic opus? (In theater)
3. Beau Is Afraid I’m probably an outlier, but I adored this bizarre film. (Borrowed from library)
2. Asteroid City I even like The Darjeeling Limited. That’s how much I like Wes Anderson, so of course I loved his latest outing. Blink and you’ll miss Pulp’s Jarvis Cocker as a cowboy singer. (Borrowed from library)
1. Barbie Much like seeing Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in theaters, it was a joy to be in a theater filled with women (though I attended with two men). Yes, I cried. (In theater/MAX)
Here’s what my year in books looked like. Follow me on GoodReads for details and reviews. You may note that at least three of the books feature disabled lead characters. Some of my favorites (not necessarily released in 2023) are:
10. Cut Loose!by Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz (The sequel to The Chance to Fly)
Pop Culture Omnivore 