Choose print. Choose analogue - not the aesthetic, not the conspicuous consumption, but the genuinely analogue. Switch off, relax and absorb what’s in front of you. No Wi-Fi connection required.
Choose print. Choose human creation. Reject the slop served on a platter by the screen in favour of received wisdom.
Choose print. Choose mind expansion. Plant the seeds of a new specialist subject.
Choose print. Choose brain training. Steal back your attention span inch by inch and then take a mile. Build it article by article. Print is cheaper than selling your intelligence and buying it back.
Choose print. Choose slow. Resist the undercurrent of rolling news and drink in your information like it’s piping hot. Feel calm.
Choose print. Choose the experience. The flap of pages, the smell of freshly cut paper, the gloss, the tactile slipping of the cover between your hands.
Choose print. Choose the in-between moments. Waiting rooms, the rambling train journey, the extended loo break. (We all do it).
Choose print. Choose creativity. Slip a few pounds into the purse of a few writerly someones with ‘unrealistic dreams’. Stop those dreams from drying up in a world that doesn’t want them to survive.
Choose print. Choose human connection. Shapeshift into the mind of somebody else. Digest their experiences. Bond with a stranger. Watch your empathy stretch.
Buy a magazine. Choose print.
Michael Lawson
Track of the Week
'Cult of Celebrity' by Lambrini Girls
At some point or another, someone was going to unleash their fury about the nauseating contents of the Epstein files in song. And who better than Lambrini Girls? In their first new single since their brilliant debut album Who Let The Dogs Out?, they're holding a dagger to the throats of the one per cent, dripping with sarcasm as they unpack the Faustian bargain the regulars on Epstein island made. Amid the mockery, there's icy moments of truth: "They can be as young as you want, just don't get caught." And, as ever, their riff-work beautifully toes the line between catchy and spiky. Listen and rage.
We need to talk about Ye
Anyone else feel queasy when Ye's live return across three nights of Wireless Festival in London was announced? The controversial rapper hasn't performed on UK shores for over a decade, and in that time, his behaviour and cultural status have changed rapidly.
In the last few years, Ye has zigzagged from making profoundly antisemitic comments - even releasing merch branded with swastikas more than once - to atoning and seemingly swinging back the other way just as quickly. Though, last we heard, he took out an advert in the Wall Street Journal to more formally apologise and admit he "lost touch with reality", citing a bipolar disorder type 1 diagnosis and a “four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed [his] life".
Regardless of this, and of how connected his mental health and spates of hatred could be, the damage has already been done. Ye has suffered few consequences for his actions and now gets the biggest platform he's had in years in the UK. As the Jewish Leadership Council's statement to The Guardian outlines, it's also taking place in a particularly volatile time when it comes to antisemitism. There might even be the potential for disaster - if he even makes it into the country.
“It is deeply irresponsible for Wireless festival to be headlining Kanye West. The UK Jewish community is facing record levels of antisemitism, including a terrorist attack in Manchester, the attack on ambulances in Golders Green and foiled plots which would have killed many more," they said.
“West has repeatedly used his platform to spread antisemitism and pro-Nazi messaging. His most recent apology must be considered in the context that he went on to sell swastika T-shirts and release a song called Heil Hitler after apologising previously. Any venue or festival should reconsider before providing their platform to Kanye West to spread his antisemitism.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has also condemned the booking. "“We are clear that the past comments and actions of this artist are offensive and wrong, and are simply not reflective of London’s values," he said.
Then again, hardly anyone seems to be discussing this legal case, which was due to goto court back in January...
Camila Curcio
Moth Club - 1, unaffordable housing developments - 0
London gig-goers will know what a special spot MOTH Club is, with its gold lame backdrop, sharp eye for new talent and quirky school disco-like club nights. Despite facing threats from proposals to build flats adjacent to the venue, the venue's been given a giant shot of hope after one of these proposals was rejected by Hackney Council.
The flats' proximity to MOTH Club was one of the main reasons the proposal was rejected, especially since the proposal “fails to demonstrate that the new residential use would not result in unreasonable restrictions being placed on the [venue]”. The proposed development also didn't provide enough affordable housing and was too inaccessible for disabled residents and the site also had “a strong possibility of containing remains of archaeological importance”.
This is brilliant news, and by far the right decision by Hackney Council. Still, as Moth Club pointed out in their official statement, they're not out of the woods yet. There's still one more pending proposal for flats near them that they're waiting on, and as such, your support is still as urgent as ever.
Sean's on the Music Venue Trust's podcast
Much like bees, we rather like cross-pollination. Sean had a get-together with the Music Venue Trust's Toni for a brilliant deep-dive into the role of independent music media in shaping grassroots culture on their podcast, The Last Safe Space. (You might also notice that their sponsor, Fightback Lager, is also a sponsor of Bulletproof, the new independent music festival taking place in London who we are media partners with).
Sheffield comes together to save The Lughole
The Lughole in Neepsend, Sheffield has ended up at crisis point over a business rates bill they've been trying to contest. In fact, the situation reached fever pitch when bailiffs stormed into the community-owned venue mid-gig to demand an immediate payment or risk equipment being seized.
The Lughole opened in 2022 in what used to be a joinery and workshop and as such had to have the purpose of their building reclassified to a music and events space for business rates purposes. The decision was backdated to November 2020, making four years of business rates payable at once, even for years before the venue had opened and the building was being renovated. An attempt to challenge the decision was unsuccessful.
Repaying the debt gutted the venue of their cash reserves, but a crowdfunding campaign ended up proving wildly successful. They hit their target within four hours and have now surpassed it, with the extra money now going "towards much needed repairs and updates to the venue including essential PA upgrades".
"Their community stepped up, acted fast, and made sure a vital venue could keep its doors open," remarked the Music Venue Trust.
p.s. for anyone wondering why there was no DiS podcast this week, Sean is unwell and it may be another week off next week. You can catch up with clips from our recent episodes on the Drowned in Sound YouTube channel.