This is the story of a band that could have been. I hated music lessons at school. You know – the compulsory classes, often on a Friday afternoon, where you had to learn what crotchets and minims are, and play things on Casio keyboards. Someone would always manage to trigger one of the pre-loaded backing… Continue reading Where it all began
Category: music I love
The fourteen-year wait
Remember how exciting it used to be – when we were younger, and less measured about such things – to discover an emerging band or artist that sounded like they were making songs just for you? And how much of a thrill it was to finally get your hands on their debut album, after weeks… Continue reading The fourteen-year wait
Is it over yet?
It’s tempting to say that this year has been a write-off, a total horror-show, my own annus horribilis. And honestly, the last few months have been patchy at best. But if nothing else, I’ve at least gained some wisdom this year. Whether I’ll put it to good use is another matter entirely – but ANYWAY,… Continue reading Is it over yet?
On delight
I love writers who can articulate the magic and wonder of everyday joys. If you can capture in prose the beauty of a pale blue sky on a frosty December morning, the happiness of being licked on the face by a puppy, the sense of relief of waking up early on a Saturday and knowing… Continue reading On delight
Latest good stuff, 27th August
Gather The Daughters, Jennie Melamed With hindsight, it was not a good idea to read this book while watching The Handmaid’s Tale (that season finale; Jesus Christ). A dystopian tale set on a remote island where women are first the property of their fathers and then their husbands, it does not make for a joyful,… Continue reading Latest good stuff, 27th August
Desert island discs
At some point soon, I’m going to have to come to terms with the fact that I’ll probably never appear on Desert Island Discs. Not as long as I keep putting off writing the several books I have planned in my head in favour of the instant gratification that blogging brings, anyway. At a friend’s… Continue reading Desert island discs
Words and music, July 2018
I still have no idea what to call this round-up of things I’m currently reading, watching, listening to and generally amusing myself with. If you have any snappy suggestions, do please share then with me. Puns appreciated. Waxahatchee I was lucky enough to see indie project Waxahatchee (led by Kate Crutchfield) in Brighton a couple… Continue reading Words and music, July 2018
For your eyes and ears
You’ll be pleased to know I’m down off my political soapbox for moment. Here’s what I’ve been reading and listening to over the last week or so… The books Conversations With Friends, Sally Rooney This has been on my to-read list for months, as it was widely praised upon its release last year, and most of… Continue reading For your eyes and ears
This was the year…
2017 began in a funk of rolling, raging anxiety that I honestly thought I’d never recover from, and is ending with the loss of my darling, darling grandmother. And yet despite those things, it’s been a pretty good year, on balance. 2017 was the year… …I started taking antidepressants, and they gave me my life… Continue reading This was the year…
Sunday Stuff, 03/09/17
I’m writing this with a slightly damp, sparko spaniel next to me on the sofa. He’s called Noodle – don’t ask, because I’ve no idea how we arrived at Noodle, I wanted to call him Cassius or Gulliver – and he’s like a silky-eared, jewel-eyed toddler. Bouncy, playful, loving and a little bit chewy at… Continue reading Sunday Stuff, 03/09/17
Inbetween Girl 