Somebody Somewhere – Turning Red – The Old Internet
...and other recs this week
Kia ora, welcome to this week’s newsletter.
Last week I experienced a hat trick of minor miracles: I found my old iPod, then I found the USB charger that goes with it, then when I plugged it in it still worked. I was expecting it to be full of mid-2000s indie [cue: The National – Mr November], but instead my archeological scrolling uncovered evidence of an era I’d completely forgotten about – the Google Reader era. [record scratch]
For many who were part of it, the Google Reader era (approx. 2007-2011) remains the internet’s clear pinnacle. Basically it was just a platform where you could subscribe to blogs and read (and share) them all in one place, and evidently I followed a lot of obscure mp3 blogs that posted stuff like hidden gem Brazilian folk albums from the 70s and high quality rips of original pressing Beatles records (as if I’d ever be able to hear the difference).
Where I’m going with all this is that Substack has an app now and it’s giving major “Google Reader 2.0” vibes. If newsletters are the new blogs (idk – seems like something someone might say) then here’s the place to read all the ones you subscribe to (including this one if you want) in one lovely and relaxing app (as opposed to your unruly and stressful inbox). Friend of this newsletter Emily Writes downloaded it and said “It’s like the old internet!” which was all I really needed to hear – now I just need to find some mp3 newsletters to follow and I’m back in business.
–Cal
🎧 New this week on The Spinoff Podcast Network
It started with a bunch of lads watching the cricket in a caravan and has grown into one of New Zealand’s most interesting and powerful media innovations. Duncan Greive got the full story of the rise of the Alternative Commentary Collective from co-founder Paul Ford on The Fold [Apple | Spotify] this week.
New Zealand’s supermarket duopoly was under the microscope last week following the release of a major new report from the Commerce Commission. On When the Facts Change [Apple | Spotify], Bernard Hickey looked at the ways supermarkets have been squeezing massive profits out of both suppliers and consumers for ages.
It’s the end of summer, when musicians all over the motu should be wrapping up their busy touring and festival schedules. After three years of cancellations, Nē? [Apple Podcasts, Spotify] checked in with kaiwaiata Anna Coddington and Te Kahureremoa Taumata about what the hustle looks like in 2022.
Simon Bridges announced his retirement from politics yesterday, citing the opportunity of “a media project or two” among his reasons why. Gone By Lunchtime [Apple | Spotify] has a new episode scheduled to come out tomorrow morning. Suspicious timing, no?
And out later today, The Real Pod [Apple | Spotify] recaps one of the most sudden and shocking heel turns in Married at First Sight Australia history as retreat week turns toxic.
📺 Somebody Somewhere
Sam says: “Somebody Somewhere, which dropped in its entirety on Neon last week, is the best thing I’ve watched this year. It follows 40-something Sam (alt-cabaret legend Bridget Everett) dealing with the aftermath of her sister’s death and trying to find where she sits in the world, or at the very least in her small hometown of Manhattan, Kansas. It’s full of so much heart, humour and generosity towards its characters, and Everett is absolute fire whenever she’s on screen – burning with charisma and presence.”
🎥 Turning Red
Emily says: “The new Pixar movie Turning Red on Disney+is such a wonderful film. We watched it as a whānau and all got so much out of it. It's such a delightful watch and so wonderful to see young women and girls be treated with so much respect and dignity in a kids movie! Absolutely my favourite movie of the year so far.”
💿 angel in realtime.
Shanti says: “I've been listening to Gang of Youths’ latest album, angel in realtime., on repeat. Based around the death of lead singer David Le'aupepe's father and the revelations that followed, there's an emotional intensity to the whole album, which has some tracks that are almost completely stripped back and some that are incredibly textured. While Gang of Youths is an Australian band, the connection to Aotearoa is particularly interesting; two of Le'aupepe's brothers live in Auckland, and the album samples a range of Pacific music and uses the vocals of the Auckland Gospel Choir. I think it's the only time I've heard non-New Zealand musicians reference Grey Lynn.”
💿 Things Are Great
Chris says: “Only Band of Horses could look at the state of the world and decide now is the right time to release an album called Things Are Great. They're decidedly not, but Ben Bridwell and co make a pretty compelling case that all you need is a hot dinner, a sunset view or a bar room crush for life to be pretty damned good. The album was written pre-pandemic and it shows, harking back to a simpler time when this kind of band (see also: My Morning Jacket, Modest Mouse) ruled playlists and festival stages. I dunno, there's just something kinda wholesome about an old school indie-rock group sticking firmly to their knitting to meet the moment.”
🏟️ Sumo
Josie says: “The second sumo tournament of the year started on Sunday, meaning we get two whole weeks of the world's greatest sport. Every day until March 27 you can catch the best sumo wrestlers in the world going at it. Extremely short rounds, very impressive displays, and highly-trained athletes – it's the ultimate entertainment for the time-poor. Reigning champ Terunofuji is still in good form, but my eyes are on Abi and his beautiful lashes.”
OK, that’s all we’ve got time for this week. Please hit reply to get in touch, and of course feel free to share with anyone else who might like to subscribe too. See you next Wednesday 👋
