Weekend Jam: The Raveonettes - Young And Cold

I am genuinely sorry for the lack of updates as of late. But for once in my life I have actually been kind of busy. Not really in the fun way, though. Springs are always weird. For some primitive reason they give me all these ambivalent feelings: I do love it, all the light, how even the rays of the early morning sun feel warm on your face and that the ice that was floating on the lake just last week has suddenly disappeared. But at the same time spring makes me restless and my life just seems to be over the place. I'm definitely sensing that in the air right now.

About exactly a year ago, there was a song that I found myself constantly singing along to and right now it speaks to me again. I don't know why. It does mention spring but in this spring time dust I'm not, for a change, loving anyone (in totally unrequited way) way too much. But my neighbours have definitely heard a rendition or two of the song for it's become my current guitar playing favourite. Fun fact or not, last year when I got myself a new guitar I almost picked the one Sharin is playing here. But didn't. So that wasn't really worth mentioning. But hey, let's finally listen to the song!

The Raveonettes playing Young And Cold live at RTL2.

Weekend Jam: Martha Wainwright - Proserpina

I wouldn't mind if Martha Wainwright was waiting for me at the gates of the paradise.

Martha is hell of a woman. I can't really even describe what makes her so attractive to me. There's something sensitive in her and it meets with something harsh and she just oozes sex all over the place. But to be more precise, she's also a strong and independent artist, sensual and captive performer and an amazing person overall. And she has a lovely, unique voice. Am I praising her enough?

She's also a perfect example why I love older women so much.

I had a lovely time trying to choose this jam. I could have gone on and on. I'm still going on and on.

If I was a typewriter I couldn't really do anything else at the moment except keep on pushing the keys s, e, x and y repeatedly and I'm not even sorry. 

Things you should see: Lip Service

 

Sam (Heather Peace), Sadie (Natasha O'Keeffe), Frankie (Ruta Gedmintas), Tess (Fiona Button), Cat (Laura Fraser), Lexy (Anna Skellern). Let's ignore the fact that for some mysterious reason Cat looks like a creepy wax figure here. 

First thing, Lip Service is a bit of old news and second thing, I probably wouldn't use "should" unless it was in the title of this series. But I felt inspired to write about this thing since I've been rewatched the series. I don't know why I thought that would be good idea. I wouldn't want anyone to became the emotional wreck I am at the moment so I'd be pretty cautious with this recommendation. Then again, if you're either a total TV junkie for anything involving gay ladies or someone who's gets a kick out of pain and suffering, well, then you've found exactly what you've been looking for! Congratulations. 

So for those, who missed the train the first time, Lip Service is a British drama series about friends living in Glasgow, Scotland. It was made between 2010 and 2012 for two series which equals twelve episodes. So it doesn't take much of your life to binge watch it. Time wise, that is. As all the main characters have serious lady loving tendencies, it's been compared to The L Word. Because hello, there really aren't any shows about lesbians but also maybe because the three main characters on series one kind of have The L Word counter parts. But Lip Service has more realistic touch. Could be that it's British, could be that there actually are straight people, too, could be that it feels culturally more familiar to me on personally level. Plot wise I wouldn't expect much more, though.

Basically both series revolve around love triangles (with mostly different people) and other stuff happens but I really didn't care for all the subplots that much the first time, let alone the second. And basically if one should compare for example fourth episode of each series one is left wondering if this even is the same show. But it's not bad really. I mean it's not like watching the Real L Word. Occasionally it's really good. And funny. Besides if you get emotionally involved with all the shipping, you're in for a hell of ride. I really didn't feel that strongly about any ship but that doesn't mean I weren't falling for certain characters are caring about what happened to them. In other words, yet again, I got way too involved emotionally.

In series one, I really loved Cat, although it was probably more Laura Fraser's face that I was attracted to than Cat's neurotic ways. The second series made me such an emotional mess for reasons I don't want to go into but you all who've been through what I have, know what I am talking about. I was iffy whether I should just ditch the entire show but there was a reason I couldn't. And the reason was Lexy Price. About everyone and their mother fell for Lexy, who came in as a new character on second series, and why wouldn't they; that was the character the show probably was missing earlier and it definitely lift it to whole another level. It definitely wasn't just Anna Skellern: Lexy was so dreamy she will likely remain among my most loved TV show characters until the end of time. Pretty much an actual dream girl that one.

But actually, no matter what's your type, you probably find a character to fall head over heels in love with. Or at least to identify with. And I personally value good personal chemistry among actors and feels the show gives me. Good writing is always a plus but then again one of my favourite TV shows is Rizzoli & Isles, so there's that. Oh, and also if you have a thing for accents, you're in luck. (That is unless it is the accent you have and you don't find it hot.) The show sets in Glasgow and if you ask me, the Scottish accent is the best of them all. Also, Anna Skellern's from Australia. Sweet! So there you go. Enter with caution and get ready to encounter all your emotions, probably during one single episode.

Weekend Jam: Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Didn't It Rain

This weekend we're jamming to the godmother of rock & roll and the superstar of gospel music: Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Born in 1915, Tharpe first gained popularity in the 30's and 40's and was an inspiration to all those generally considered to be the so-called first rock stars. And she really should be hailed as a queen of them all. Just look at this cool lady belt it out with her whole heart and soul and rocking that lovely Gibson SG. I really can't decide if this is the best thing ever or the best thing ever!

 Rosetta Tharpe playing Didn't It Rain in Manchester, England in 1964.

Catherine Keener: you bet I'm keen on you

Within a couple of days I've watched films Enough Said and Lovely & Amazing both of which were, well lovely and amazing. Enough said. (I have really outdone myself with bad puns halfway the first chapter.) Both were written and directed by Nicole Holofcener whose work I seem to have been drawn to, judging by IMDb, without even realising so. So I think it's safe to say, she's pretty awesome. And one thing that we definitely have in common, is our love for Catherine Keener.

Because Catherine Keener, oh wow, really. First of all, have you seen her?! Just look at this heavenly creature:

 

What even is that hair?

Those cheekbones are really to die for and overall everything about that face and her stature, the way she carries herself is kind of... regal even. I totally thought she was a lot taller than she is. Also her voice. And that laugh. You know, the list could go on and on.

Who Catherine Keener really is, as a person, is kind of a mystery though. She doesn't seem to be too big on interviews and now that I think of it, I don't really know that much about her. But I consider myself a good judge of character. And you can always tell something about a person even if they really aren't revealing that much. I do remember reading that she went to all-women's college and loved it for all the feminism and strong women. And that she left the Oscars once to attend a Yeah Yeah Yeahs gig, wearing the same dress. And apparently she's kind of obsessed with nuns (you and I both, sister) and wanted to be one as a kid. Pretty much my definition of a cool person.

Not only is she secretive and cool but also productive. I mean, I think I've seen a ton of her work and there's still about as much to see. She stars in many films that could be labelled as some really bizarre stuff (like Living in Oblivion, Being John Malkovich or Synecdoche, New York) a.k.a. my favourite stuff. But also in just really random things. Like, well now Academy Award nominated film Jackass Presents: Bad Grandpa (although her scenes were apparently cut from the final version). And if someone does that and A Late Quartet within a short period of time, you can say their body of work is eclectic to say the least. And probably that they couldn't care less what other people think. That really is the fastest way straight to my heart.

 

Weekend Jam : Anneke van Giersbergen & Agua de Annique - Wonder

There are beautiful female voices. And there are otherwordly beautiful female voices. One of them belongs to Anneke Van Giersbergen. Something in her voice and also in her presence shakes me to the core. Her voice is not only really beautiful, it's also somehow haunting, filled with soothing and gentle melancholy. I remember I saw her live with her previous band called The Gathering many years ago. She must have been one of the most wonderful life performers I've ever seen as her whole presence was filled with such sincerity and inner light. You could see she was being completely herself and everything she sang came straight from her heart. That's not something you get to experience too often.

So this one is for you Anneke. I wish there were more voices like yours.

I knew we'd meet again some sunny day: the return of Bomb Girls

Let's just ignore Ivan (Michael Seater) on the right shall we and concentrate on these glorious ladies: Charlotte Hegele, Meg Tilly, Jodi Balfour, Anastasia Phillips and Ali Liebert. (And Marco. Played by Antonio Cupo.)

Okay, so basically this blog seems to be about me being an exclamation point about various semi gay pop culture news. But this just in: the Bomb Girls TV film has an air date (it's March 27th which is really soon and I literally just wrote it down on my calendar)! Because guys - you don't know how much I have waited for this! Well, not as long as some for it was only last summer that I watched the series but knowing it was cancelled, it was pretty much a hopeful wait from the very beginning.

Like stated when gushing about The Bletchley Circle, I have this thing for 20th century period drama and women kicking ass. These things definitely met in Bomb Girls and I was smitten. As an added bonus, there actually was a gay character. Not just an implied one. Not just on subtext level. But as a main character whose love life and other aspects of live were treated equally to her straight friends. And which is always thrilling, is having women of different age. So one of the main characters being old enough to be mother to the others was also pleasing. Her story lines had definitely that extra something the younger ones couldn't have.

source of both photos

 Meg Tilly as Lorna Corbett and Ali Liebert as Betty McRae.

 The film is to wrap up the things that were left open at the end of series two - and boy were there many! But two hours is pretty much no time at all to cover the few months that have passed (the film, Facing The Enemy, sets in spring 1943, four to five months later as the series finale) and there are so many people. I want to know how each and everyone is doing! So that can't be the end of everything?! At least this article gives some hope on that matter. But as for now, I'm just super grateful for this. I mean, that's way more than you usually get when your favourite TV show gets cancelled. And these girls, I've missed them so! For those of you who haven't seen the show: what a time to check it out. Which is obviously something you should do asap. I myself just may have to go look at some gifs of Betty McRae.

Julianne + Ellen = love

What, what, what?! Sometimes life's just so good I feel like bursting into a million pieces because I cannot handle such a crazy amount of happiness. This is pretty much the exact description of my current state. Not only is certain pretty fine woman called Julianne Moore all "hell yeah!!" about Ellen Page coming out - after all, she's been snogging ladies pretty often in her films which is something I definitely don't mind. But it turns out but they are to appear together in a film. And not just appearing really. They'll be playing lovers.  LOVERS. I have no words. I can't say anything that makes sense to express how I feel. I don't even know how I feel. What is feeling? What is life? OMG what?

With this film that will be called Freeheld and Carol to look forward to, I feel so spoiled. You don't often get to look forward to lesbian themes films. And these actually sound so good and promising. Interesting stories and casts to die for?! Can this became the new norm? Also is this middle-aged women and younger ones the thing now? Can it please be a thing? Because I'm all for it.

 And the dreams that you dare to dream really do come true.

Weekend Jam: The Julie Ruin - Oh Come On

I admit that one of the biggest themes of my daily life in the past week has been Kathleen Hanna. I loved her when she I was a teenager. She helped me to discover the whole Riot Grrl movement and all the lovely feminist jazz that came with it. She inspired me to buy independent zines from online distros and made me more aware of things in general. It did me well back then, it truly did, it boosted my confidence and made me smarter and also more open as a person. Also, I had such a huge crush on her back then.

I remember listening to Le Tigre around ten years ago but after that I pretty much forgot Kathleen. Well, I didn't truly forget her, how could you forget someone who has moved you in a such way? But I didn't listen to her bands for a really long time until recently my friend told me The Julie Ruin are touring here this year. She bought us tickets for the gig. I checked the band out. And let me tell you, if Kathleen was hot about fifteen years ago, I can hardly handle her nowadays. She has become more charismatic and her smile is even more beautiful than before. Everyone who has been close to me in the past seven, eight days truly knows what I think about her now.