Now I know there's an end to lockdown in sight, however tenuous, my need to escape has doubled. Tripled. Intensified in ways I didn't know were possible.
Last April and May, being restricted to my garden and the walks near my house was unbearable. I'd lost the world. It's amazing how quickly I just got used to that feeling of loss over the months that followed. Since the second lockdown I've lived in a blank land of getting through the week, then the next, then the next. I'm sure you can relate. The places I'd ached to see at the start of the first lockdown were so out of my reach they became unreal, and I stopped reaching out for them.
On Tuesday morning I had a panic attack, brought on by waves of realisations of the things I would be able to do in the not-too-distant future. At the same time, I found Radio Garden, a website (and phone app, although I've not used that yet) that takes you all over the world via local radio stations. I'd found a way to reconnect with the vast outside before it was forced on me, linking myself to places and people from far, far away, gently reminding myself about the joy of adventure, rather than the fear of the unknown.
I've been listening to songs about partying at the end of lockdown in Black River, Jamaica, and relaxing with deep house in Cala Llonga, Ibiza. I tuned into a live dancehall and reggaeton set in Achimota, Ghana, and found alternative electronic soundscapes and sound art in Kiev, Ukraine -- all underscored by local adverts and DJs expressing deeply relateable sentiments: There's a sale on at a local department store. Get your taxes sorted in time for the new financial year. Wear your masks. Be safe and look after yourselves - and listen to music. A world of resilient strangers, united by a global tragedy, comforted by a DJ and their immaculate playlists.
Other Stuff
I've decided I'm obsessed with Billy Nomates. She's cool, she's punk af and she's got an amazing voice. Like Peaches with country harmonies, with bluesy gravel. Listen to No.
Lawrence Ferlinghetti has died at the age of 101. Read "I Am Waiting".
I said this week "If I had nothing else to do today I would write 4000 words on how Leon Vynehall is pushing deep house/ambient techno into exciting new shapeshifting landscapes, and that Mothra is a masterpiece that will shape decades of dance music to come" and I meant it. Listen to it here.
BabelColour creates astonishing colourised images from historic lithographs and photographs. His recent work on an autochrome of photographer Frank Eugene taken by photographer Alfred Stieglitz in 1907 and it's amazing - and of special importance to beer nerds as it clearly shows the colour of two different beers being enjoyed in Munich (pointed out by Beeretseq).
Migrateful is a cookery school in Clerkenwell where asylum seekers and refugees are sharing their knowledge and cookery skills in a safe space, and passing on their own local food traditions. You can find out more and support the project here.
Alicia Kennedy on "why justice is more important than innovation".
Adam Wells pairs cider with different chippy teas. Of course, it's fantastic.
My Stuff
The wait is over: my bread roll essay "Bun! A Taxonomy Of The British Bread Roll" is now available to read on Pellicle. If you know me at all, you'll know I've been talking about working on this for ages. It's been about 18 months, on and off. I've never tried to work on a project like this before, so I really hope you enjoy it.
I'm running a Zoom for bar managers/owners to chat about coming out of lockdown, for support, inspiration and other useful things. NO SALES PITCHES! I PROMISE! It's literally only for us all to have a freakout in the company of people who understand, and then work out how to move forward from there. Interested? Sign up here.
If you enjoyed this newsletter and feel like buying me a cup of hot chocolate (my current vice), you can do so via my my Ko-fi. Thank you very much!
Latham's The Bakers - Laurel Molly