Issue №51 | 6 July 2020 | ‘People, I’ve been sad’
Issue №51 | 6 July 2020 | ‘People, I’ve been sad’
Good morning, good morning.
We have a slight spring in our step, having just seen one another for the first time in four wretched months. Alex’s wish came true, and he finally got the Pizzarova he’s been dreaming of for nearly half a year. And lads, it was a sweet, sweet moment.
We want you to have a spring in your step, too. So we’ve given you plenty of reasons why you should watch the new Eurovision Song Contest film on Netflix (despite the relentless gentle trolling from critics across the globe), as well as a round-up of our favourite bits of content we’ve foraged throughout the week. Alex and Freya
What Freya has been up to this week: Moved house. Went wild camping in the Quantock Hills. Overcame stubborn insomnia with Radio 3’s Night Tracks programme. If you’re feeling wide awake at 11pm, or just fancy discovering a wide range of calming soundscapes, it’s exactly what you need.
What Alex has been up to this week: Started rinsing Japanese city pop albums from the 1980s. Such as this. It’s groovy as balls.
Hear
A couple of podcasts…
If you enjoy dipping your toe in the true crime genre but don’t fancy spending the long evenings surrounded by stories of dead bodies and ominous strangers, this may be the podcast for you.
Documentary-maker Jenny Kleeman digs into the story of fertility doctor Jan Karbaat, who was exposed as having used his own semen to impregnate his patients without their knowledge.
He was determined to help his patients get pregnant and create life — by any means possible. It’s a cracking investigation. Freya
Out to Lunch with Romesh Ranganathan
Restaurant critic Jay Rayner’s podcast Out to Lunch has been rebranded during lockdown as In for Lunch, as Rayner joins guests over Zoom to chat over a takeaway.
This episode, however, was recorded before lockdown, so it does slightly feel as though you’ve stepped back in time without the compulsory references to the dreaded Corry V.
Romesh discusses life as a vegan and shares stories of his early stand-up gigs. He also touches on his body dysmorphia, which isn’t something he opens up about often. Insightful, and as entertaining as you’d imagine. Freya
Read
An article…
Airplane! at 40: the best spoof comedy ever made? By Scott Tobias for the Guardian
If you haven’t seen Airplane! you need to stop reading this and come back when you’ve got a date in the diary to watch this surrealist comedy masterpiece.
If you have watched — and consequently love — this work, you’re going to want to read this article that argues why, at a grand 40 years old, this film is undoubtedly the best-in-class.
But seriously, just watch this film. You will be in stitches. Alex
A book…
When Nell Stevens went to Bleaker Island (an isolated island in the Falklands), she went with the intention of writing her first novel. Feeling creatively bereft and slightly overwhelmed, she instead ended up writing a first-person account of her experiences in the derelict landscape in total isolation. Bleaker House is the result of that writing project.
For anyone feeling a little creatively stunted during lockdown and has been suffering with paranoia and lack of human contact, Bleaker House will be of great comfort. Freya
Do
A film…
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga (Netflix)
Ok, it’s time to lay the ground rules. Please lighten up and take off that serious face you put on when you’re watching independent art house films.
This film is cheesy. Eurovision is cheesy. And we love cheese.
You’ll follow the story of a musical duo (the unlikely but brilliant partnership of Will Ferrell and Rachel McAdams) as they embark on their journey to Eurovision Song Contest success.
Expect lots of singing from past and present contestants, a slightly unbelievable plot, dubious acting, Piers Brosnan and that very self-aware Eurovision kitchsness that makes us smile without realising. And I think we all need a bit of that right now. Alex
Dates for your diary
A round-up of upcoming virtual events to do from home…
These are becoming few and far between. Apologies. It seems authors, musicians and publishers are getting as bored with online events as we are.
Catch-up:
Nadine Shah’s Payback with Caitlin Moran
Singer Nadine Shah has been interviewing various people from across the music industry on her Instagram page, and if you’re a fan of anything to do with Caitlin Moran — Times columnist, who started life as a music journalist — and her nonsense ramblings, this is well worth a watch.
Wednesday:
6.30pm: Taffy Brodesser-Akner, author of the brilliant Fleishman is in Trouble (if you haven’t read it, GET ON BOARD. It’s the perfect lockdown novel) and celebrity profiler for The New York Times Magazine is in conversation with journalist Hannah MacInnes. Free, tickets here.
Cribs of the Week
We went to Bradford-on-Avon earlier this year and it was, to be quite frank, a joy. The historic Wiltshire town is home to this stunning shop, studio apartment and courtyard garden. The stained-glass and original features are the cherry on top of an already pretty tasty cake.
Warrenders Fairlight, East Sussex
This bungalow/barn conversion makes maximum use of the landscape views, with bifold doors and big ol’ windows throughout. Some of the interiors choices are a little questionable though. Lilac kitchen. Need we say more.
Foley House, Bermondsey Street
We’ve talked previously on the Noiseletter about our obsession with Bermondsey, and here we are again — with our dream apartment. Looking out over the superb White Cube Gallery, this one-bed flat makes use of its minimal space and unusual sloping ceilings and delivers a package of absolute architectural delectation.
#Capitalism
Alex has found another excellent board game. It’s called Codenames. If, just like us, you’re a fan of words, you’ll love this little box of fun.
Freya loves a floaty off-the-shoulder number because she’s a reckless heathen, and this one is a notable treat.
Odds and Ends
Spending your lockdown days with your legs plaited wondering which tree you might be able to wee under without fear of interruption? This is the answer.
Viola Davis has a bloody terrific point here.
Freya’s been moving house this week and this is a relatable mood.
Matt Hancock as a Depop hipster.
Wholesome squirrel-based content for you here.
