HIGHLY RECOMMENDED W/ COW
* Providing the A's to the 5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Q's today is COW — a group of music makers from Liverpool whose 2019 EP ‘All My Friends Are Dead To Me’ will have you reminiscing about 90s guitar music even if you’re too young to literally reminisce (and you can catch the track ‘Happy Birthday’ in the HI54 Mix CD ‘U…KAY?’)
#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”?
Adam Jones (Drums): "Swoon" by Silversun Pickups is up there as one of my favourites.
Jason Baxter (Rhythm Guitar): Matthew McGurty. Super talented, multi-instrumental songwriter from Runcorn. He worked unbelievably hard to finance, write, record and produce his debut album, I think everyone should hear it, it’s just great music, with heart, y’know.
Matthew Webster (Bass): If you've never heard Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon then that album for sure - from start to finish it's incredible on every level.
Kyle Lee (Vocals/ Lead guitar): It's not really a new album but I would be completely lost without Sparklehorse's first album.
"Vivadixiesubmarinetransmissionplot" was recommended to me when I was about 18 and it's been there with me through every break up, every death and just about any hardship life throws my way. We're also named after one of the tracks on the album too.
#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)?
JB: Well, Trey Parker is a legend, South Park has been killing if for years. Their ability to take the p**s, yet offer genuinely insightful social commentary, it’s a beautiful thing. Also, The Book of Mormon, bravo guys, bravo!
MW: The 2018 doc Dominion. That's on YouTube if not Netflix.
KL: I really enjoyed the Netflix series "Hip Hop Evolution". It ties in two of my favourite things, History and Music and it's really well made and the perfect binge for a lazy Sunday afternoon.
As for films, I really like films where nothing really happens, a snapshot into someone else's life. Films like "Garden State" or "Old Joy" appeal to me on a few different levels.
#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)?
AJ: I don’t read for fun.
JB: I quite like pop-up books, exciting stuff. Yeah, I’m not really a reader, I wouldn’t listen to my advise if I were you, ask Webs - our bass player - he could/should genuinely work in a library/local book store.
MW: Solitude by Anthony Storr. Everyone needs to be able to be with themselves before they can be with others, and the importance of being alone when needed. This book reminds you of that in a very refreshing way.
KL: The same friend (Carl Gintis) who recommended Sparklehorse bought me a copy of Jim Dodge's "Stone Junction" one Christmas. It was the first time in a while where I couldn't really put a book down until it was finished. It's the perfect escapism book with some really interesting characters thrown in for good mix.
#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?
AJ: Youtube
JB: Reddit.com can be a pretty decent way of connecting with people, there’s a good music community there, spread over various ‘sub-reddits’ you just have to look for them. It’s great for feedback, networking, technical advise etc … It’s also a decent place to find visual artists to collaborate with, there are plenty willing.
MW: I don't watch much but the YouTube channels Academy Of Ideas and Kurzgesagt are great channels, I've seen all their videos and they give you a lot to think about.
KL: I don't really have a "go to" Web Site apart from the usual Youtube and Socials. I'd say spend a bit of time finding unsigned band pages. If you find someone you like, buy their Single, EP or album from their Bandcamp page. Bands make no money these days and as great as streaming platforms are for the consumer, they're really not that kind to bands in the way they pay.
#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.
AJ: Listen to the Joe Rogan Podcast. It’s fantastic with real interesting people of all walks of life
JB: I’d simply recommend that people try to get more involved with their local music scene, there is usually far more going on than it would seem, and you’ll meet some really interesting people. Go out and be a part of something, there’s nothing to lose and plenty to gain.
MW: Less time on screens - when possible do one thing at a time and give it your full attention, whether it's listening to music, reading, eating, being with people. Give them all as much attention as you can and you'll get much more from the day.
KL: Buy less stuff, recycle and donate.
…and if you like what you’re hearing, go do some further COW-flavoured audio exploring over on the Soundcloud / Spotify.
