Sunday Swoon. October 21st

Derek Jarman teaches me a lesson, mothers ruin and some stunning music…

1. You can always rely on Jack White  to come up with beautiful music videos (even if slightly dark and gothic in tone). For I’m Shakin’ we get double Jack in moody blues and blacks. I will never tire of the way he pronounces the word nervous in this track and the subtle colour flicks and changes (nail varnishes changing colours, gloopy blue tears to black) are a joy to spot.

2. As Derek Jarman slowly went blind during his battle against AIDS he wrote Chroma. His love letter to the colours he painted his life with. Yes it is sad, tragic and moving. But more than that it is a lesson to us all, a reminder that looking is not truly seeing. He has made me use my eyes again. “I wrote this book in the absence of time. If I have overlooked something you hold precious – write it in the margin…. I know that my colours are not yours”

3. Despite scrambling to sign up for The Gin Club in Soho’s Star at Night on the day it was announced it has taken me an age to make the pilgrimage to sup on mothers ruin. It was worth the wait and will be a new favourite haunt. Perfect Autumnal setting, cosy and candlelit.

4. Bat for Lashes released The Haunted Man this week. Regular readers here will know I adore her music and all that she stands for (on this instance not just ethereal beautiful music but for appearing in the buff, not a scrap of make up on the album cover). This album perfectly suits this time of year, soundtrack to my autumn.

5. I won’t say anything about Beasts of the Southern Wild other than to say it takes a lot to get me to a cinema so if I recommend a film then it’s usually meant a lot to me, and it’s likely that it’s made me cry. No spoilers. Just that it’s beautifully shot and reminds you of all we’re meant to find precious in life.

Sunday Swoon. May 27th

Charles Dickens, Beach House and Wes Anderson. Providing magic for the heart and soul….

1. My friend leaned over to me during Beach House at The Village Underground and whispered “she sounds like God”. I can’t top that for words. I struggle to think of anyone that sounds as unique as Victoria Legrand without going back to the days of Nico. What keeps your eyes fixed on this woman is that so rare element of mystery. The tracks they played are on this spotify playlist, personal highlights being Turtle Island, Other People, Zebra and New Year. Village Underground is also a fantastic venue, intimate with a sound system that fills up every inch of air.

2. I am ashamed to say I had never visited The Museum of London, nestled in that sci-fi strange but beautiful area in Barbican. Charles Dickens is the man who finally got me through the doors. Inspiring exhibition which took in his relationships not only with London but the people he surrounded himself with. I was unaware just how much Mr Dickens cared for women’s rights (although now I see clearly in his books that he was). He built Urania Cottage in Shepherds Bush, a home for destitute women. He also personally arranged for 56 ‘fallen women’ to begin new lives in Australia. He’s my new feminist hero.

Standing in front of his writing desk and chair, drafts of well-known books, even a shopping list to his servant for “a cooked ham and pork pie from Fortnum & Mason’s” amazed me. These artefacts and trinkets from the past have survived for us to be inspired and amazed by. Exhibition runs until June 10th so there is still time to visit.

 3. Wes Anderson is hands down my most cherished film maker, he has never disappointed me. The attention to detail, the tiny intricacies, the almost graphic novel feel to his films that are tinged with heart-breaking emotions (feeling so alone in the world, misunderstood, disconnected, childish innocence) tug at my heart every time without fail. I don’t want to give anything away about Moonrise Kingdom so all I will say is every character is adorably quirky, the soundtrack is predictably genius and you should all go and see it.

4. Just as Foxbase Alpha was a soundtrack to my awkward teen years Saint Etienne’s Words & Music will now become part of mildly less awkward thirties. Released this week it’s been my accompaniment to balmy walks through London after work as I weave my way onto the sunny side of the street. Inexplicably it brings the seaside to the city for me, and I also adore the soft soothing singing from Sarah Cracknell, its like an old friend.

5. I scoffed down my first ever Banh Mi this week and my stomach just really needs to tell you how amazing it was. This is a Vietnamese baguette stuffed with pickled carrots, coriander, cucumber and grilled meats. This particularly one that I drooled over had pork belly, Vietnamese sausage AND pate. Not one for the vegetarians I’m afraid (sorry Morrissey fans)! If you happen to know a place that you consider serves the best Banh Mi in London please tip me off? ♥

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Sunday Swoon. May 13th

Naughty words in 12A films, a bee singing in a cafe and Richard Hawley with PMT….

1. Beautiful gig at The Gallery Cafe in Bethnal Green on Tuesday night for Sea of Bees even if a small, narrow venues mean I spend a lot of time on tip-toes straining to see. She is perfection live, understated and an endearing mix of vulnerability and charm. Highlights including Gnomes, Skinnybone and a cover of  John Denver’s Leaving On A Jet Plane. Would recommend this venue to Londoners, bargain drink prices, decent looking menu and intimate setting for music. However, get there early to ensure a clear view.

2. I picked this book up on Tuesday morning as I dashed out the house and realised I had no reading material in my bag (and therefore risked eye contact with strangers. scary) & I couldn’t put it down. I was reading it under my desk at work (the book concealed under the desk, not I). For anyone who adores words and has a streak of geekiness in them then The Etymologicon by Mark Forsyth (The Inky Fool) is a must read. Engaging, educational, quirky and delicious. Left me pondering whether Destiny’s Child know they’re sang about burglars in bugaboo?

3. I hate spoilers so I shan’t say much about Avengers Assemble other than it was epically brilliant with moments of comedic aceness. Also, I doff my cap to Joss Whedon for getting the word ‘Quim’ into a 12A unnoticed. If you happen to be one of the few that’s not been enticed by this yet then it’s well worth the extortionate cinema prices.

4. Richard Hawley has gone all dark and mardy and it suits him. No more poetic wanderings through the streets, no more lamenting over the end of a relationship at Valentines. Standing At The Sky’s Edge is exposed, raw and something has given him the hump. It suits him.

5. The Cribs have also released their album In The Belly Of The Brazen Bull this week. It’s tin-can gritty chip your tooth drunk, harking back to the early, less slick, days of The Cribs. Therefore it is bloody excellent.  ♥

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