#47: FRM editors recs
Our editor, Odwa Zamane, checks in with a fresh batch of recs including shoegaze & gloomy post-punk music, Heavy Traffic Magazine, Caroline Calloway, and more!
We are fast approaching #50 carefully-curated FRM newsletters (and not showing signs of slowing down anytime soon!), so this is me taking stock of the moment & using this opportunity to thank each and every one who has been supporting the newsletter thus far! And to those who are new–welcome :))
As a publication, we have so much more in store for the remainder of the year; a few cheeky surprises which shall all be revealed in good time! But for now, just make sure that you are subscribed & stay connected to what’s happening in the front row.
So without further ado, here’s what I’ve been into recently.
🎸💫 Shoegaze & gloomy post-punk music
I think I’ve been in a weird place emotionally over the last few weeks and how I can confirm that is through what I’ve been listening to. Shoegaze & gloomy post-punk music is basically all that I have been able to stomach throughout this period; honorable album mentions go to: My Bloody Valentine – ‘Isn’t Anything’ (1988); Bar Italia – ‘Tracey Denim’ (2023) and Interpol – ‘Turn On the Bright Lights’ (2002).
I too, like Caroline Calloway, know the feeling of being betrayed & sold out by my closest friend. Having someone who was previously on your side turn on you, blinded by their own greed & creative envy of you; it is not something I would wish on my worst enemy. So coming across Caroline Calloway’s story for the first time felt very personal to me; albeit her book being titled ‘Scammer’, I feel as if she is much more than that. A calculated Girlboss; a recovering drug addict; a phenomenal linguist; as well as a dramatic writer, the list goes on… Listening to her speak on podcasts more recently reminds me that it’s okay to be crazy; to be perceived as fake by outsiders, or even #cancelled by majorities of people. More so, she has taught me that channeling my anger into productivity can actually be a good thing. As she mentions: “Rage + Purpose can be incredibly powerfully constructive”.
Absolutely phenomenal film. The soundtrack is even better; funny enough most of it was curated by Kevin Shields, who is the frontman & lead singer for My Bloody Valentine. I feel like Sofia Coppola and I actually have a lot in common.
Idk how to describe it but I’ve really been into looking at different fonts lately. Let’s call it a temporary font affinity lol. And I think this is one of the reasons I’ve recently been into Heavy Traffic Magazine–a New York-based niche literary magazine by Patrick McGraw, which publishes an array of long-form fictional writings collaged from different underground writers. Interview Magazine describe the magazine as a “Heavily Edited Alt-Lit Mag” whilst Heavy Traffic describe themselves as a “Cold Anti-Community Project”; I think there is enough space for both statements to apply.
🍗😍 KFC dunked wings
I know some of you may judge me for this one… so do so now! But I think dunked wings could be one of KFC’s greatest inventions; period.
His artworks feel quite personal to me. Actually, my first-ever tattoo is David Shrigley’s illustrated manifesto title, ‘Weak Messages Create Bad Situations’. The art elaborates on his lived experiences through the combination of situational irony & satire; weirdly it feels very nostalgic, like we’ve somewhat lived the same experiences. A poignant quote about the book says:
“Lots of individuals in society today are feeble-minded. They don't know what the hell is going on. Unfortunately many of these people are responsible for running the country. They don't know the difference between a precious jewel and a piece of animal turd. Weak messages create bad situations. Strong messages create good situations.”
🎸🎚 Live on KEXP
I’ve been following this live music broadcasting show on YouTube since 2015. KEXP are a nonprofit organization fostering relationship and community building through broadcast, online, and in-person music experiences. KEXP operates one of the most influential listener-supported music radio stations in the world, broadcasting from Seattle (USA), through their website and mobile apps. Some of my favourite episodes have included live performances from Car Seat Headrest, Alt-J, The Smile, and so many more!
📖🌍 ‘Known and Strange Things’ by Teju Cole
This is what I am currently reading. An old friend actually gifted me this book years ago back in Cape Town; Teju Cole is a fantastic writer and reading this book kinda reminds me of the importance of immersing myself within literature created by exceptional Black writers. From a range of interests, such as photography, travel, history, politics and more, these collections of essays are intelligent, sharp, witty & yield a pleasurable sweetness.