Music Sparks Memories
The other night, we played “glamglare radio” on Apple Music—an algorithmic playlist based on our listening habits. Curiously, it served up some of our favorite songs from the ’90s.
How did Apple Music know? Obviously, it did not exist during that time. However, I used our shared “Ruby” account, which I originally created for access to media before Apple introduced the family plan, so it may still carry some signals from the iTunes era when we used to digitize and play our CD collection.
In any case, we thoroughly enjoyed the ride. The ’90s have been on our minds a lot lately. For one, we are working on a novel set in 1995 London, right as Britpop was taking off. But more importantly, Elke and I met in 1990—around this time of year—and we share a lot of good memories from that decade.
Of course, music has always played a significant role in our lives. One song we both instantly and fondly remembered was “Caffeine” by Babylon Zoo, the UK-based project of Jas Mann. He is better known for the international hit “Spaceman,” which rose out of nowhere to ubiquitousness in 1996. Levi’s used it in a jeans commercial, a common springboard to chart success in the ’90s. “Spaceman” had an instant appeal, from the what-is-that-supposed-to-be intro over the fusion of glam and electronic industrial rock to Jas Mann’s snarling, theatrical vocals. It sounded like nothing else at that time.
While Babylon Zoo is often dismissed as a one-hit wonder, their debut album The Boy With the X-Ray Eyes holds up, packed with super-catchy tracks, including the aforementioned “Caffeine.” However, Jas Mann released one more Babylon Zoo album in 1999 before he left the music industry to go into film production and business development.
On the very same playlist, we also stumbled over a brand new band, Witch Post, the transatlantic duo of Alaska Reid and Dylan Fraser. Alaska is from the West Coast and not an unknown at glamglare, and Dylan is from Scotland. Together, they set out to combine their different musical backgrounds and “reclaim band music.” As much as we are skeptical about duets, their voices blend together beautifully in their edgy indie rock songs.
Congratulations to The Deli Magazine’s 20th anniversary. Celebrate with The Deli Mag and other magazines – including yours truly – at Baby’s All Right on April 20 with DJs, live music, and more.
glamglare favorites
Listen to glamglare favorites on Spotify, Apple Music, or below on YouTube.
Of course, this week’s five new songs in the glamglare favorites playlist occurred on the 90s playlist Oliver mused about. Basically, every song on that playlist could have been a contender for this playlist but here are the five that stood out:
- From Scotland: “Roll to Me” by Del Amitri
- From Iceland: “Bachelorette” by Björk
- From New York City: “Up on the Hill” by Fun Lovin’ Criminals
- From the U.K.: “Zodiac Sign” by Babylon Zoo
- From Ireland: “Zooropa” by U2
Song Pick of the Day
Listen to/watch all seven songs on YouTube. Follow our daily updated playlists on YouTube, Apple Music, or Spotify for the 50 latest Song Pick of the Day features, or subscribe here to receive them in your mailbox in real-time. Thank you for following us and sharing the excitement.
“The Artist is Absent” is the latest single from the new pandemic-inspired album of Norwegian all-around artist Jenny Hval, out on May 2. In her new English-language track “Dancing On Volcanoes,” Gwenno explores “the need to dance as a cathartic act” and announces her upcoming album Utopia, due in July. London-via-Cardiff musician Marged delivers the shape-shifting pop track “Sick,” a reminder to care for ourselves and one another.” Sick.” The Italian singer/songwriter Madisine unveiled a dramatic new song, "Slow Down.” Watch the cinematic video for clues. Also from Italy, georgia, georgia reflects on self-improvement while beginning a new relationship in "oblivious.” Austin-based Mobley reveals another chapter of his concept album We Do Not Fear Ruins, with “Yesterday’s Another Day,” out next Wednesday. Finally, New Mexico dream pop duo Tan Cologne announces their third album, Unknown Beyond, for June 20 with the mesmerizing new single, "Cloud of Mirrors."
Nine Photos of “Woven Histories” a the MoMA
I caught the member preview of this stunning new exhibition at the MoMA, which explores how textiles — woven, knotted, braided — have shaped modern abstraction. Featuring over 150 works spanning over a century, it weaves together themes of labor, identity, and lived experience through pieces by Sonia Delaunay, Anni Albers, Rosemarie Trockel, and more. Highly recommended!
Enjoy some impressions here.
(2, 3) I loved these room dividers by Anni Albers.
(4) Artwork by Jack Whitten, whose work is currently on display at the MoMA, and I couldn’t recommend it more enthusiastically. (See our recent newsletter.)
(6) Painting by Yayoi Kusama, neither a pumpkin nor polka dots, but fascinating nonetheless.
(9) My lovely party: “0ne's company, two's a crowd, and three's a party” - Andy Warhol.
Photos: Elke Nominikat