Coffee Grinds: 02
Netflix's Ripley, Hot Priest, things I'm listening to, things I'm reading, things I'm missing, and a shout out to Wayback Machine
On my mind this week: the new Frank Turner, ‘Ripley’ and why is Andrew Scott so hot (even and especially when evil??), reading things, and some late aughts nostalgia for the music industry.
The music critic in me can’t turn my brain off.
It’s been a year since I wrote a proper music review, the last being Arkells’ Laundry Pile. My music blog Infectious Magazine has been shut down for well over five years.
The thing I once identified myself as, “music journalist,” effectively doesn’t exist for me anymore.
And yet.
After a decade in the music industry, most of it as either a journalist or publicist, I still find myself conditioned to think that if I’m not listening to new music the second it comes out, I’m already behind.
Failing.
I got into music journalism when I was twenty-one and it became my whole world. I don’t know how to do things any other way. You’re on the periphery or you’re everything and Infectious Magazine was everything.
For five years, it stayed that way. Then I launched my music PR company and that became everything. For the first time, music journalism took a backseat and it was because I’d found a way to do so many of the things I loved about journalism and apply it to the thing that came with a paycheck.
This is why they say it’s dangerous to turn your passion into a career but, how can anyone help themselves?
So I became Angela from Muddy Paw PR instead of Angela from Infectious Magazine. But I didn’t mind because I quickly built a business that could support me, and got myself invited to speak on industry panels, to parties, and to shows. I was IN it.
But then life got chaotic and work picked up and priorities changed. As I aged closer to my late twenties I let Infectious Magazine slow to a halt until finally, sadly, I decided to shut it down in 2019.
I thought I could always get it back.
It turns out you can’t always get it back. This isn’t a metaphor. You literally can not get it back it if you haven’t backed up the files, which I had not.
A decade of hard work and a legacy of words and photos and interviews just….gone.
But now, perhaps because so much of the novel I’m writing focuses on the music industry and music journalism specifically, I find myself missing it quite a lot. I miss interviewing bands, reviewing albums and being a part of the community.
I feel like I’ve gone through a whole identity crisis several times over since the pandemic and I’m finally back where I belong.
Anyway.
I’m putting this interest in getting back into music journalism out there in case maybe, somewhere, the right person sees it.
Part I: What I’m listening to
Once upon a time my mom and I drove 2,000 miles to see Frank Turner perform at Red Rocks. It was then, and remains today one of the absolute best experiences of my life.
I’ve always said Frank Turner is the best performer I’ve ever seen live. The energy and genuine joy he radiates is unparalleled.
Years ago I saw him open for Arkells in their hometown of Hamilton and hands down that is still THE best show I’ve ever attended. It’s been fun to have seen Arkells performing both before and after this tour and see what they took away from the experience. That’s always been one of my favorite parts of the music industry, is the privilege of watching bands grow.
Recently, Frank Turner put out a new album.
So did Arkells for that matter.
I don’t consume music as quickly as I once did. I used to devour it as soon as it came out, often weeks before it dropped (the perks of being a music journalist!). Now, I find I’m much slower to listen, often stumbling into it days or weeks later.
I’m still working my way through both of these, but enjoying every second. I miss writing reviews, but it’s nice to just listen to the music without the pressure of critique.
Part II: What I’m watching
Well it’s happened. We’ve officially abandoned The Affair 4.5 seasons in. The first season was great, the second ok, and it’s really gone off the rails from there. With only 1.5 seasons left to go, we let it slip back into the ocean. (If you don’t get that joke, it’s ok, but if you do, kudos.)
In place of it, we started watching Ripley.
And I can’t get it out of my head.
At first I thought it’s just because Andrew Scott is at his hottest when he’s just a little bit evil.
I mean…right? To say nothing of Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock.
But no, it’s not that. Although you have to hand it to Scott. He really is a great actor. The more obscure the role the better.
What makes the show stand out amid a sea of endless streaming options is how compelling a character study it is. Dark and twisty, nuanced and quirky, Scott’s portrayal of Ripley isn’t the naive and charming man that Matt Damon played in the movie. Instead, he’s calculated and methodical. Complex.. A little creepy even. He's unsettling from the start.
I love it.
I haven't read the books (yet!) but my understanding is that Book Tom is a pretty even split of the two.
Another difference: The movie is visually bright and full of youthful energy. Even with the whole murder thing looming in the background, you feel like you’re right there on vacation with them. Who doesn’t love this scene?
But there is none of that in the show. It’s fraught with tension right away. Dickie and Marge take a backseat to Scott’s portrayal of Ripley and for good reason. This is a case study in one man’s slow descent into psychosis, and it’s his story and his alone. The goal and much of the plot from the movie remain the same, but the way each adaptation arrives there is entirely different.
Which brings me to this: go watch this show immediately if you haven’t already. It is stunning. Visually, cinematically, story-wise, it is beautiful and atmospheric in a way I haven’t seen done in ages.
If you’ve seen it I’d love your thoughts. I don’t know anyone else who has besides my husband and I’m dying to talk about it!
Part III: What I’m reading
I’m still reading The Ballerinas. It’s taking me a little more time to get through it but only because I love it so much and life has been a little more hectic. My usual reading time has turned into “squeeze in extra work tonight so you can write more tomorrow” time and so, I’m a little behind.
But also, I just LOVE this book. I don’t want it to be over. I find myself reading and re-reading passages, taking note of beautiful phrases and wanting to really absorb it. I’m so glad the author has another book out. Normally I run into this issue with debuts where I fall in love with someone’s writing and then have to wait two years to get more! Ah, the benefits of being late to the party.
I’ve also been devouring the audiobook for The Husbands. I heard about this through
podcast (love) and so when I wrapped up Yellowface, I turned to this.It’s the perfect blend of light and compelling that I need to distract me on my runs. I think I have about 3 hours left, so I expect to wrap it up in the next week.
Next week:
I was going to include some exciting book news here but this is LONG and I don’t want it to get buried so, stay tuned for an exciting announcement next week! :D :D :D
P.S.
if this is what you really came for (who can blame you?!) here you go:
I just DMed you on IG with Conspiring Madness!