Issue 3: Khruangbin
Welcome to the third issue of Everything Is Made Up and sorry for the delay (again again).
If you'd like to know if I'm alright, say, "You alright?"
Laura Lee of Khruangbin
Good morning/afternoon/evening to everyone. This is the third issue of my newsletter. Blah, blah, preamble.
As always, sorry for the delay. Guess who forgot and also had a son to look after since the last issue? This guy. I’m gonna try setting up drafts before the Sundays these come out. Or carry on doing it whenever I remember. Whatever.
This week’s issue is dedicated to Khruangbin because I’ve not stopped listening to them all week. Live video, albums, interviews, all of it. Con Todo El Mundo was one of the best albums of last year and you should give them a try if you haven’t already.
Okay, enough blatherskite. Let’s begin.
For The Mind
Zero 7’s Simple Things Turned 18 Today - Not today, but when I wrote it. Simple Things has been an important album in my life and I put a stream of consciousness-style essay together for it. Never underestimate the power of a single lyric. You never know when “I’m watching porn in my hotel dressing gown” might have a profound effect on someone.
The Secret History of Tiger Woods - This was doing the rounds after Tiger Woods turned back the clock on a rollercoaster career. It’s a long read split into acts and goes through his early life, peak, and subsequent fall from grace. He has his problems (that friendship with Trump is janky as hell) but with a club, arguably, there hasn’t been anyone better.
The World According to Jeff Goldblum - More of a testimonial and I’m sorry for the ironically awful user interface from GQ. I watched Jeff’s (can I even call him by his first name?) Hot Ones episode and that man is dripping in finesse. I’d love to have even an ounce of his calm charisma. Or his noodling skills.
For The Ears
Raleigh Ritchie - Time in a Tree - Fans of Game of Thrones will know him as Grey Worm but Jacob Anderson’s music alter-ego is equally as accomplished as a singer/rapper. I found this song on Twitter and I love it. Like really love it. Nobody gives me direct recommendations other than my girlfriend anymore (she likes Grey Worm for different reasons).
Khruangbin @ Villain for Pitchfork Live - This is for the ears and the eyes, although I’ve ripped the audio and listen to it at least every other day. The first time I heard it, I listened to it about 50 times in the space of a few weeks. The acoustics were sublime (as a producer, I love well placed reverb and I’d love to know how it was achieved), the musicianship was incredible by all sides, and everything just clicked. One of those moments you could never achieve the same way twice and that’s why it’s such a treasure.
Anderson .Paak - Ventura - Oxnard polarised listeners. Ventura brought them back. I loved it and if you liked Malibu, .Paak in general, or music at all, you’ll like Ventura. Velvety smooth soul, that bubbles and effervesces where it needs to.
For The Feet
Lizzo shooting and fluting - I’m sure you’ve seen this before but the ENERGY in that shoot could move mountains. And she went right back to playing her flute. I stan.
The Nike Cage adverts in full - My all-time favourite adverts. Cantona was the perfect master of ceremonies and the best footballers in the world were all there in a cage, playing 3v3. The rules were simple - first goal wins, losers go home.
Salif Lasource - This guy has been hot on Instagram with his dancing to sped up Michael Jackson songs (great way to avoid copyright strikes) and he’s smooth like butter. I’m super critical about anyone doing these moves because impersonators often suck but this isn’t an impression - he’s just that good at dancing.
Well I’m gonna make like a shepherd and get the flock outta here. Thanks for reading and join me next time for more of the same. Any comments or suggestions, get in touch!