Josiah asked (BEGGED) me to write the opening this week because he had nothing to say and would just post his own tweets again, instead suggesting I “write about running with coop.” I don’t need to be asked twice!
Folks – canicross. It’s a sport that is popular in Europe, where so many cool and good things are enjoyed by the masses (no citation). What you cannot see in the photo above is that I’m wearing a kind of modified climbing belt, which Coopie is attached to by this bungee line while he pulls as aggressively as his teeny body can in a specially-designed harness. This is all a little more necessary when your dog weighs more than 25 pounds, but it’s a pretty fun way to spend a Sunday morning regardless. I wake up at like 6am to do this. Last week I drove an hour to meet up with a group running in a particularly scenic spot. I am in so many WhatsApp threads. I love it. I have no idea who I am anymore.
Here’s some stuff we’re listening to this week.
Caroline Polachek “Starburned and Unkissed”
Sam: Josiah was, in my memory, a very early and passionate advocate for We're All Going to the World's Fair back in the heady days of 2021. And he was right to be, it was probably the best movie that year and definitely the best movie yet made about being on the internet. Recognizing that no one is reading this for a take on I Saw the TV Glow, I still MUST say that in the same way Jane Schoenbrun’s first feature conjured the FEELING of being young and online, their latest manages the same feat for the entire universe of nostalgia in all its equally wonderful and toxic fullness. A highlight of the original music that undergirds the film is this Caroline Polachek song, which plays out on screen in a way that I have not been able to stop thinking about since seeing the film last week, walking home, and immediately listening to this again, and again, and again. I can’t be cool about this. It’s all I think about. I almost bought the movie for $20 just to watch it again, but I really need to save money right now.
Jos: Other than by accident when she autoplays after A G Cook or something, I’ve never intentionally listened to a Caroline Polachek song. Who, from context clues, I can gather was the Normie’s Choice for modern outsider pop. Well, until Katy Perry and Camila Cabello pressed the Charli XCX button. I also haven’t watched I Saw the TV Glow just yet. I’m sure I will at some point, but to be honest I don’t like watching movies while my loud ass air conditioner is on. Okay this song has really cute warbly guitars. It’s a great movie soundtrack song. I get it.
Ibibio Sound Machine “Pull the Rope”
Sam: Summer 2022 was all about Ibibio Sound Machine’s Electricity, so just as a massive “heat dome” settles over me, Josiah, and the rest of the east coast, I have finally tucked into the latest Ibibio joint. And it rocks! You hanging outside? You barbequing? You walking or driving to hang or barbeque? Pull the Rope has you covered. I was coming home from running some errands in the car this past weekend and Ashley told me she should hear this from about a block away. You’re welcome!
Jos: Dude how are you like, living your best life in this heatwave? I have been sitting around half naked, straddling my filthy AC unit (I recently found a knob that I had never noticed [on the AC not myself] which I opened and a huge pool of liquid came out everywhere [again, on the AC unit, not me]). I really thought my trip to Portugal would turn me into a summer guy but it turns out I just like it when it’s 23 degrees outside for a couple days. Interesting little indie funk song you’ve got going on here. Not really fucking with it at all. I say this with all due respect (I’m trying to hide how cruel of a question this is), but do you like the A24 Talking Heads compilation?
The Softies “I Said What I Said”
Jos: When the AC is a-blastin’, I don’t really listen to music. And if I do, I put on my over ear headphones, and then Sara walks into the room like 15 minutes in to say hi and absolutely scares the living shit out of me. So I haven’t been listening to as much music this last week. It’s also probably because there isn’t any new Mod Sun or mgk. But there is new music from the Softies, Rose Melberg and Jen Sbragia’s beloved ‘90s twee project. I love how this song just feels like a dreamy intro as the Softies sing at each other in the forest. Would love to do that shit.
Sam: I don’t usually watch the music videos even if there is one, but I’m so glad I saw these two wonderful smilers! I bet they have no AC issues. You can’t smile like that if you’re having Josiah problems. This is just so great! I will admit the heat is finally starting to get to me, but this is making it all feel like part of a pleasant summertime I’m enjoying. Thank you!
Cold Cave “Hourglass”
Jos: Saw this one beside the Softies and thought fuck it, only former pod guests in my section this week. Cold Cave is interesting because they came out with a decent amount of hype, and seemingly very few people have cared about most of what they did ever since. I also think it’s kind of a dead time in history to be making synthed-out sombre new wave. But I still fuck with it. I’m not sure I can last through an entire 5 minute song no matter how much I like it, but maybe I will. This is really nice. Wow I did listen to the whole thing.
Sam: Wow I just scrolled down and I KNOW Josiah is miserable because this CAN’T be it? There aren’t fifty British TV shows you’ve somehow shoehorned into the end of this thing? PLUS you made me write the intro?? I always hated Cold Cave for purely contextual reasons, it just seemed like another really annoying thing that people I hated were excited about. But as I mature and realize that most of those things were popular because they were good (the Strokes, sports, weed), I must also now admit that I aged into loving New Order so this will do in a pinch. Did we have this guy on the pod? That seems like a big deal? Did people like it? Wait didn’t I eventually have a good reason to hate this guy? Okay I did some googling and now remember the entire “Boyd Rice situation.” Oh no now I have to tell Josiah I’m including that so he doesn’t look racist.
Jos: Look man, you like Matt Skiba, who was in the same boat, but much, much lamer.