#1 - WHAT IS THE ONE ALBUM (OR EP OR SONG) THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE THE VERY NEXT MUSICAL THING THAT EVERYONE PRESSES PLAY ON THE NEXT TIME THEY FIND THEMSELVES THINKING “WHAT SHOULD I LISTEN TO NOW”?

"Changer" by Fred Thomas - Fred Thomas made a trilogy of solo records from 2015 to 2018 that were really important to me, this was the second of the three.  There's a really specific approach to songwriting that isn't quite like anything else I've heard, alternating between sprawling, frenetic lyrical meditations and dreamy, experimental instrumental passages.

The songs are full of self examination, exploring themes about growing older, allowing yourself to change, facing the impermanence of things, fending off bitterness, finding joy, and trying to create meaningful art in the face of a world that can feel ridiculous.  All 3 records are fucking great.

#2 - WHAT IS THE ONE MOVIE OR TV SHOW THAT YOU THINK SHOULD BE NEXT IN EVERYBODY’S NETFLIX QUEUE (OK, DOESN’T HAVE TO BE NETFLIX, WE’RE ALL INTERNET ADULTS HERE AND KNOW HOW TO FIND ANYTHING ONLINE, ONE WAY OR ANOTHER)?

Wild Combination: A Portrait of Arthur Russell - is a really amazing documentary.  I started to get into Arthur Russell's music a decade or so ago, it's a whole world unto itself.  This film and also a book called Hold on to Your Dreams were a great window into that. 

Arthur's work is so wild and varied and it's some of my favorite music that exists.  His story is really fascinating, both beautiful and heartbreaking.  Arthur's experience and evolution in the context of American popular music is really unique and illuminating.  I learned about so much other music through learning about his.  I've watched the documentary multiple times, it's really well done.  It's on Amazon Prime at the moment. 

#3. I (AND BY “I” I MEAN “THE PERSON THAT IS READING THIS”) AM GOING TO THE LOCAL BOOK STORE (OK, MAYBE THE LOCAL LIBRARY FIRST) TO FIND THE VERY NEXT BOOK THAT I WILL BE PUTTING SOME EXTREMELY VALUABLE ‘ME-TIME' ASIDE FOR. WHICH BOOK WOULD YOU GET, IF YOU WERE ME (AND, I SUPPOSE, YOU HADN’T ALREADY READ WHAT YOU’RE ABOUT TO SUGGEST)?

Dreamland by Sam Quinones - a really fascinating book about the opioid epidemic.  Totally heartbreaking story that opened my eyes about the extent to which the manipulation of the political system in the United States and unfettered capitalism has absolutely destroyed communities all around the country.

Sounds really heavy I know but it's also a really incredible and emotional piece of narrative nonfiction.  I couldn't put it down.  I think it's an important read.

#4 - WHAT IS THE ONE WEBSITE (OR JUST ANY OLD INTERNET THING: APP, GIF, SERVICE, WHATEVER) THAT YOU WOULD GET REALLY DOWN IN THE DUMPS ABOUT IF IT WERE TO SUDDENLY GO AWAY?

The Creative Independent - a really wonderful website that features interviews with and advice from creative people - often musicians, artists, and writers talking about their process in a really personal and thoughtful way. 

The site's mission statement is "a growing resource of emotional and practical guidance for creative people" and that feels right to me.  It seems like the way artists engage with the world has been changing more and more rapidly, and being an artist requires an ongoing process of introspection self-evaluation of how you fit.  Maybe that's true for everyone.  In any case, I'm grateful for the website as a resource, and have drawn a lot of inspiration and perspective from it.

#5 - AND FINALLY… PLEASE GIVE ONE COMPLETELY UNAIDED RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD START DOING / USING / WATCHING / EATING / THINKING / QUITTING / ETC-ING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BIT MORE BETTER AND/OR BEARABLE.

Making things.  Sounds pretty basic and obvious but I'm super aware of the connection between my own happiness/mental health and making stuff.  I get joy out of completing tangible tasks with my hands.  I built a table the other day.  I've had to do a lot of DIY projects around my house over the last few years, mostly borne of necessity, because I have lots of kids and limited resources.  But I do get a sort of creative satisfaction from it.  It let's me feel like I've been useful.

Making your living space feel nice and like a reflection of yourself is important too.  But just generally speaking, making things feels good.  I get the feeling from making songs also of course, or sometimes poems or collages.  I heard a Joni Mitchell quote from a friend a while ago, where she said "You've got to turn over the soil" talking about how she goes between songwriting and painting.  One creative practice feeds and revitalizes the other.

OK folks, there you have it. Things that Beat Radio thinks you should consider incorporating into your day/life. Before you log off and go make something, make sure to follow Beat Radio on the Facebook / Instagram / Twitter and then also give ‘Real Love’ a listen below…

…and if you like what you’re hearing, go do some further beat-radio-flavoured audio exploring over on the Bandcamp / Spotify.