Writer's Brain June Round Up
These are some of my recent articles, music recommendations, shoutouts, and smaller musings.
Writer’s Writing:
These are all the articles I published last month:
Underground DJ Sets Are Popping Up in Iconic LA Spots, Including the Walk of Fame - Thrillist
Made my debut for Thrillist last month! I came close to getting a feature here in 2023, but the uncertain media landscape unfortunately got in the way. It was clearly meant to be though, because this piece proved that temporary setbacks like that aren’t a reason to give up. I love the way this piece turned out, and I love that Framework is furthering LA’s reputation as the second best music city in the world (only behind London, duh).
Why Hayla is ready to be more than the ‘featured vocalist’ on your favourite DJ’s biggest songs - MusicTech
When I heard Hayla sing “Shiver” at Coachella, I cried. I probably still would have cried if I hadn’t spent a lovely evening hanging out with her in Los Angeles the weekend before. But after hearing how far she’s come in her career as a musician whilst eating Taiwanese food and then sitting in the five-star lobby of the Moxy hotel, it was very special to see her on one of the biggest stages in the world.
Machinedrum's New Album '3FOR82' Taps Into The Spirit Of His Younger Years - Grammy
Machinedrum’s process for making his new album, 3FOR82, represents everything I love about music. Every track on the record is made from samples he collected from tracks that he made when he was a teenager. He told me it felt like he was collaborating with his younger self, and, by extension, he was healing his younger self.
Writer’s Picks
These are some recent albums/artists that I’m thrilled to share. You can keep track of the new music I’m loving by following my 2024 Albums playlist on Spotify:
Willow - Empathogen
I never really cared about the concept of “nepo babies.” Being related to Will Smith or J.J. Abrams (Gracie Abrams) doesn’t guarantee talent. But I especially don’t care after this album. WILLOW absolutely crushed it. This is a jazz record. She applies the versatility and dexterity of her voice the same way Train applied the same characteristics over one of his thousands of legendary tenor solos. Plus, Annie has a feature so you know it’s a win in my book.
King Hannah - Big Swimmer
This is my favorite album of the year so far. Yes, you read that right. I like it more than Annie’s album. The reason for that is because Big Swimmer taps into who I am here and now more than any album I think I’ve ever heard.
With extended, droning guitar solos, Hannah and Craig explore their experience as two UK natives traveling the US on the tour for their previous album, I’m Not Sorry, I Was Just Being Me.
Throughout the album, they share their feelings of confusion and aimlessness but also wonder. They feel like strangers, but they also find it mesmerizing. I didn’t know it, but that’s exactly how I feel about the US since leaving London.
Other than a couple of visits, I’ve been gone for over a year and a half. Since that time, nowhere else has felt like home. It hasn’t been awful or anything, but I really haven’t felt like myself.
And yet whenever I go back, it’s like my soul is there floating outside the tube when I get off and have my first pint of Neck Oil or my first Honest Burger.
On this last visit, I had a long layover in London before I went to Barcelona. I landed at 9AM GMT which was 2AM on my internal clock. I had also been drinking on the plane (like a dumbass) so it was one those “haven’t gone to sleep yet" hangovers.
I did not feel good, physically. I was thrilled to be back, but I didn’t think my body would be able to catch up…
I was wrong. I left the tube in my old neighborhood of Dalston. Got a bowl of ramen and Tonkotsu East, and began walking along the Regent’s Canal. The sun was out, so it was like London was in full bloom. There’s barely enough room for two people to be side by side on the concrete pass next to the water, but bikers and runners were taking advantage of the sun’s rays, maneuvering between the pedestrians.
Nobody cared as these people pushed past them. Everyone was so happy to be out and about. Broadway Market and Victoria Park Market were both open and bustling. The park itself was decorated with picnics, dogs off leads (that’s what they call leashes) and pick-up games of football.
My body forgot it was tired. I felt like me. More me than I felt since the last time I left.
I don’t feel like me here in Denver.
To be honest, I don’t know what to do about that.
Billie Eilish - HIT ME HARD AND SOFT
I like Billie’s new album a lot. It’s very production-heavy which is cool, and it’s fun to see her want to rave it up.
Charlotte Day Wilson - Cyan Blue
Female vocalists with a deep range hit me right in the feels. There is a sensibility and resonance that is so unique, and Charlotte commands this sound. We’ve been waiting a while for a new album from her and she absolutely crushed it. She doesn’t jump between a ton of tempos and genres, but this record is very fitting for any emotion. It’s hard to explain. You have to listen.
Dua Lipa - Radical Optimism
Dua is the first straight-up pop star I think I’ve ever been a fan of. I only started listening to her when I saw a video of her partying with Chloe Caillet while she was DJing her Smile party in London. Chloe is a fucking revelation, so if she and Dua are friends I had to check her out. Then I heard the Barbie single which is frankly fantastic. Big up Mark Ronson on that one, too. Now I’ve stuck with Dua because she is honestly immensely talented. Her voice is strong and also fluttery. Her music is dance-forward, but she brings more of a stripped-down groove than a giant pop sound. It’s fun music. I like fun music.
Justice - Hyperdrama
The last time I saw Justice live, their most recent album, Woman, had already been out for a few months. Conversely, my first taste of Hyperdrama was seeing them at Coachella. I only listened to the first two singles cause I wanted a full-on experience. Gaspard and Xavier aren’t the types to replicate an album on stage, but their legendary audiovisual experience is a reflection of the newest album. Needless to say, their Coachella performance absolutely blew me away. Listening to Hyperdrama in my headphones didn’t have the same effect, but I could tell where the massive, space-battle aesthetic I saw at Outdoor Theater came from.
Writer’s Friends
I know tons of people doing tons of cool stuff.
My friend, Noah, who makes music as Spirit Motel just released his new single, “Too Damn Young.”
My friend Mike who DJs as Monsieur Frazier is directly supporting the amazing Anna Lunoe at Sound in LA at the end of the month. This might be the best party in the history of Sound Nightclub. Get tickets here.
