HIGHLY RECOMMENDED W/ PRINCESS CENTURY
* Providing the A's to the 5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED Q's today is Princess Century — a music-maker out of Toronto who recently released the lovely single ‘Stupid Things feat. Fragrance’ (and you can catch that track in the HI54 Mix CD ‘NOT LOST / NOT FOUND’)
#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”?
I met the husband-wife duo Local Suicide by chance, standing outside in the parking lot where my studio is located here in Berlin.
They were drawn to my French Bulldog and we ended up chatting about music, Greece, eating Octopus, magic islands etc. They are such kind and charming people, and they make great music together, as well as DJ incredibly well curated sets at local favourite Hör. Awesome people, making awesome music- what more can you ask for?! And who doesn’t love a flying saucer video…
#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)?
Iʼm not a big TV person, but during my Corona quarantine, while I was sick and fearing my demise, I enjoyed the sexy new series from HBO called The White Lotus.
Itʼs not a big secret and probably most people have seen it by now, but I found it very refreshingly fun, queer, and naughty. I recently stayed in a posh hotel in Tenerife while on tour with Emel Mathlouthi which hauntingly resembled it….and it made me feel like a stupid white lady, ordering Campari Spritzʼs on the terrace overlooking the ocean…it creeped me out how similar that experience was, and I felt almost embarrassed. But I tipped well!
#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)?
I wish I could pretend that Iʼm a big nerdy reader, because I find people who read incredibly sexy. My ex could get through a whole novel in one day, itʼs a French thing I guess…but I was recently given a copy of Art Sex Music by Cosey Fanni Tutti. Itʼs been a nice read while Iʼm traveling again, and itʼs an interesting perspective from a female musician that I admire deeply, a glimpse into another time.
If Iʼm allowed to give 2 recommendations then I would recommend Walk Through Walls by Marina Abramović, itʼs also a book that I found very inspiring. Sheʼs a controversial character, but at the core sheʼs an inspiring artist and someone that I admire. I met her briefly in London at a gallery where she was showing some of her earlier studies and research before she created her institute. I literally stood next to her while she showed me a giant pile of rice and lentils, and I was instructed to separate them and count each piece and write it down when I was finished- a form of active meditation.
#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?
I find myself going on YouTube more than any other website. I still listen to music there and find new recommendations which are actually worthwhile and interesting. I am a total Spotify hater, so this is my prime source of music hunting. Maybe Iʼm too old or too stubborn, and I know the quality on Youtube is also not great…but I like the way it leads me down rabbit holes and peopleʼs weird playlists. Itʼs a strange format but I like it, and thereʼs a lot of cool old stuff there that weirdos have uploaded. I would be sad if that was gone and Spotify just ate the entire world with its ugly soul.
Iʼm also a big fan of Emojiʼs. I think they provide a really fun way to communicate instantly and can become very comedic in some contexts.
#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.
Well, water. Sounds simple but most people are walking around totally dehydrated. We drink sweet, salty, caffeinated, alcoholic drinks without question, but water is always like, meh. Iʼm making an effort of drinking more water every day and it helps me feel better in my mind and body.
That and journaling. I am a big fan of journaling, making lists, mood diaries etc. I love my notebooks and pens and find it really therapeutic to take a quiet moment and spend 20 mins every morning or evening to jot down whatever is flowing in my brain. And we all know that turning off the phone is part of this kind of thing. Iʼm not addicted to my phone, I use it as a tool, but I keep it well away from me most of the day and I love my relationship with it.
OK folks, there you have it. Things that Princess Century thinks you should consider incorporating into your day/life. Before you log off and go write in your journal about how you need to be drinking more water, make sure to follow Princess Century on the Facebook / Instagram / Twitter and then also give ‘Stupid Things’ a listen below…
