HIGHLY RECOMMENDED W/ OLD AMICA
* Providing the A's to the 5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Q's today is Johan and Linus of Old Amica — a Swedish duo using the internet to collaborate whilst 100s of kms away, whose lovely new album ‘Taiga’ is out now on Whitelabelrecs (and you can catch the track ‘Nora’ in the HI54 Mix CD ‘STOP TALKING… I’M TRYING TO THINK’).
#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”?
Johan: I’ve been without an amplifier for my turntable for almost a year, but finally got a new one last month. The other day I took out one of my all time favourites which is “Late for the Sky” by Jackson Browne. That record is so beautiful and majestically sad with unbelievable melodies.
For something newer I have to mention King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, a seven-piece band from Australia that has a massive output - released five (!) records in 2017 and will have at least two out this year. They kind of defy categorization and do everything from smooth psychedelic pop to progressive rock to thrash metal, and they have yet to release something that’s not great.
Oh, and I just finished listening to 17h of recordings for OK Computer, which has been fascinating so that should be mentioned as well.
Linus: For me it’s Johanna Knutsson - "Tollarp Transmissions". Because it’s a beautiful record.
#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)?
L: Instead of a movie or series I want to recommend the site mubi.com. Every day a new movie is introduced, and after 30 days it's gone. So you “only” have 30 movies to choose from, which is perfect for me. They often choose really good movies, both new and old, from all around the world.
J: This is a tough one because there are so many great tv shows these days, but the comeback of Twin Peaks two years ago had me so excited and it exceeded all expectations and hopes. It was dark, suggestive, funny, scary and trippy all at the same time. Episode 8 was one of the best things I've ever seen.
I still think about that season at least twice every very week.
#3. I (AND BY “I” I MEAN “THE PERSON THAT IS READING THIS”) AM GOING TO THE BOOK STORE (OK, PROBABLY AMAZON) 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)?
J: “To the Lighthouse” by Virginia Woolf. I guess chances are you already read this, but it’s even better on the second read, when you just can float with the ebb and flow of it. It does so many things, but I particularly like how time is represented as a living presence and how objects flicker and dissolve just like memories do.
L: Stig Dagerman. Start with some of his short stories. If you like it, continue with novels like A Burnt Child or The Snake. I started to read him a couple of months ago and I can not stop. Worth every sentence.
#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?
J: Hmmm, tough one. I really try to spend less time looking at screens, but I often fail. Scrolling through them right now and can’t really find anything that stands out, which in itself is a bit sad. Can I say reddit? I’ll say reddit. And this video because it never stops giving:
L: The best:
#5 - AND FINALLY… PLEASE GIVE ONE COMPLETELY UNAIDED RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU THINK EVERYONE SHOULD START DOING / USING / WATCHING / EATING / THINKING / QUITING / ETC-ING TO MAKE THEIR LIVES A LITTLE BIT MORE BETTER AND/OR BEARABLE.
L: Go to see a live show with one of your favourite artists. And even if it’s not really one of your favourites, or even someone you’ve heard of before, go anyway. Could be fun.
J: I love the Bose QuietComfort wireless headphones II I got a couple of years ago. I remember rediscovering so much music with them because they remove all possible distractions and noise, and they make commuting lovely.
OK folks, there you have it. Things that Old Amica think you should consider incorporating into your day/life. Before you log off and go head off to a concert with your noise cancelling headphones, make sure to follow Old Amica on the Facebook / Instagram / Twitter and then also give ‘Nora’ a listen below…
