Daily Archives: July 4, 2022

When we look at music history, many elements of each movement and subgenre, from visuals to sound, can usually be traced back to gay culture. Even long before LGBTQ+ was in the cultural zeitgeist, a lot of rocknroll pioneers were Black blues musicians who happened to be queer, like Little Richard and his forebearer Billy Wright as well as Bessie Smith and Big Mama Thornton. But one of the biggest subcultures involved in music with an extremely rich history was the underground club culture that paved the way for dance music, even though it is not afforded the same cultural reverence as rock or punk. Larry Levan was a gay black DJ who worked at the Paradise Garage in downtown New York and he is considered responsible for the ascendance of almost all genres of current electronic music as we know today.

The 80s was obviously a culturally complicated period. Fall of the Berlin Wall, Iran-Iraq War, Chernobyl, and especially the AIDS crisis which plagued the community and brought on unprecedented levels of tragedy. One of the ways that Queer people dealt with the trauma was by going to the clubs, but these clubs were more than just sites for dancing. In New York City at the beginning of the 70s, many queer people of color and allies came together with an intention to create safe spaces where they could be themselves and be with others in ways not permitted in the everyday world, rather than adapting to fit the heterosexual notions of nightlife. And music was obviously an essential part of these gatherings, and the sound of these events eventually developed into disco.

One of the descendants of disco was new wave, which also incorporated elements of post-punk and synth pop, and the genres ties to gay culture also go far and beyond. One of the most well known stars in this camp with many ties to gay culture is arguably Debbie Harry from Blondie whose ties to the New York club scene and Queer underground nightlife goes all the way back to Studio 54 and collaborating with Andy Warhol. Frankie Goes To Hollywood, who are often considered the butt of a joke when referring to the 80s, were also one of the pioneers in their own way. Their songs Relax, Rage Hard, and Welcome to the Pleasuredome were unabashedly gay with sexually hedonistic undertones.

Another new wave band that achieved their Queer icon status pretty quickly despite none of the members being Queer themselves was the British synth-pop and rock band Depeche Mode. One of their biggest hits People Are People quickly became a gay rights anthem and was largely played at a lot of the clubs in the 80s and 90s. Martin Gores iconic leather ensembles were, without question, was something he got from visiting queer leather bars and underground dungeons. And lets not forget The B-52s as well and their iconic ode to boys and bikinis: Rock Lobster. The B-52s were one of the earlier groups that were equally influential as Blondie, and they simply overlap with queer culture. A few of the members were also queer themselves. Front man Fred Schneider told Michael Martin of Out.com:

Rock Lobster got airplay on college and independent radio, but the bigger stations were told not to play us. Nobody was out then. I mean, our friends knew [we were gay], and we werent trying to be coy. Once, we were onstage and somebody yelled, Is this a queen band? I think they thought Kate [Pierson] and Cindy [Wilson] were drag queens. So I said, Yes, were a queen band! What really put us over was performing the song on Saturday Night Live in January 1980. After that, our album flew off the charts.

In time, queer culture and dance music largely became synonymous with one another. The genre was not only popularized and even produced by the community both behind the scenes and at the forefont, but the songs themselves resonated with the understanding of what it meant to be gay and reflected a burning desire to be seen. It inspired a movement of inclusivity and accessibility, and even though it is largely thought to be hidden by mainstream media, it is only hidden if you are not willing to look because it has always been there.

Advertisement

Read more:

Tracing the Queer Roots of Dance Music and Club Culture - The Young Folks

Here at CBC Music, we're always on high alert for new songs by Canadian artists.

This week, we're listening to new tracks from:

Scroll down to find out why you need to listen.

What new Canadian tunes are you currently obsessed with? Share them with us on Twitter@CBCMusic.

To hear more about these standout songs, tune in to CBC Music Mornings every Thursday and Toronto's Here and Now every Wednesday afternoon, both available viaCBC Listen.

After nabbing a Juno Award in 2021 for her debut album, Elegant Traveler, jazz guitarist Jocelyn Gould is back to outdo herself with Golden Hour, a stunning collection of six originals and four standards. Her solo rendition of "Sweet Lorraine" is beautifully timed and phrased, and saxophonist Jon Gordon is an eloquent guest on three tracks, but I'm singling out her quartet's take on "Lover Come Back to Me" as especially tidy and swinging. Following a pensive solo intro, Gould's guitar is joined by Will Bonness's piano, Rodney Whitacre's bass and Quincy Davis's drums for a breathless ride through this Sigmund Romberg classic. The guitar-piano interplay in the tune's head will put a smile on your face, and Gould, Bonness and Davis each take impressive solos that'll have you replaying the track to catch all the nuance and fun. Robert Rowat

"I'm a lone ranger in this lonely world," announces Julianna Riolino confidently on the chorus of her brand new single, which was accompanied by the announcement of the Toronto-based singer-songwriter's debut solo album this fall. Riolino, normally a member of Daniel Romano's backing band the Outfit, has flipped the script to take centre stage, as Romano becomes the guitarist for her songs this time. With finger-snapping backup singers, a honky-tonk piano and distinctive vocals, "Lone Ranger" is both a long, cool drink and a clarion call for Americana fans to listen up: Riolino is about to make her long-awaited solo mark. All Blue comes out Oct. 14 via You've Changed Records. Holly Gordon

Montreal's Moonshine collective is back with a new club-ready single. "Obomi Nga" is a teaser for what to expect on SMSfor Location Vol. 5, the much anticipated followup to their Juno-nominated compilation album,SMSfor Location Vol. 4. They enlisted the help of Brookyln's Uproot Andy, Kinshasa's MC Redbul and MC Azas and recorded the track among their three respective cities. Moonshine prides itself on having a truly global sound and incorporated some Amapiano flare into "Obomi Nga." The South African dance music genre has been gaining popularity outside of its home country and is set for a worldwide takeover. Amapiano is punctuated by simmering baselines that sound like they're on their way somewhere but they never quite reach their destination it's a genre that favours an even, consistent rhythm over prolonged buildups and extravagant, cathartic release. "Obomi Nga" follows suit, its catharsis lying in the steadiness of the percussive rhythm and the call-and-response chorus. It's the kind of song you could dance to all night. Kelsey Adams

There are too many arguments to make for or against Drake's surprise dance album, Honestly, Nevermind and for the most part, they're in direct conflict with each other. On one hand, he went a different way,delving further into a sound he's skirted around for years. On the other hand, underneath the glitzy guise of genre exploration, it's still the same old Drizzy his tame, sing-rap falsetto nursing an ego once again bruised by women, disloyalty and his overall indifference.

For me, any chapter in an artist's story is meant to be there so I don't think about it much deeper than that,thoughI find it intriguing that one of the album's most underrated songs is one of only two that his faithful producer Noah "40"Shebib touched.The Gen Z little cousin to classics like "Passionfruit" or "With You," "Down Hill" boasts an effortless pop sensibility that really shines, considering it's made up of just sparse finger snaps, atmospheric synth and choir chants. The storyline is nothing new, but tossing on a Drake dance album in the thick of a June heatwave is that really what we came for? A bottom line to consider: don't overthink it, or him. If you're ready to be annoyed by a new Drake album, you'll find a way to get there, no matter the format. But if you let yourself sink into the movement, the highlights, the zeitgeist, you might be surprised by how you feel about it down the road. Jess Huddleston

Halifax folk-pop duo Pillow Fite formed mid-pandemic with singer Art Ross arriving brand new to the scene and practiced guitarist Aaron Green stepping out from local bands Floodland and Hello Delaware and their genuine, lyrically sharp songs of sapphic love found a fanbase immediately. Their debut EP, Flutter, doesn't aspire to any one genre, which lets Ross and Green stretch and test their songwriting skills to see where they land. On "Cellar Door," that place is a dark-country corner, where Green balances his electric guitar and banjo to create a moody but expectant bed for Ross as they sing, "Your body feels like a landmine that I wanna stroke and kiss/ I need a map to see my path I hope there aren't paths that I've missed."

"'Cellar Door' was written in the first month with a new partner, when the romance is fresh and desire is intense," explained Ross via email. "This song is dear to my heart, it was written in a weird time of my life," they continued. "I was newly divorced, living on my own for the first time, and starting to build healthy connections." Flutter was released June 24, and I'd highly recommend listening well past this stellar opening song. HG

Mine, mine, your body is mineTo play with it, legislate it, honey, I'll decideI wanna care less(Careless, careless) I wanna care less

Tami Neilson's raucous, rousingresistance anthem was almost prescient. Neilson wrote the track, the third single from her forthcoming album,Kingmaker, as a response to a collection of sexist, misogynistic dating tips she came across in a 1938 issue of Parade Magazine. One of the tips read: "Careless women never appeal to gentlemen. Don't talk while dancing, for when a man dances, he wants to dance." Neilson's song has already been on repeat in my personal playlist for weeks. But since last Friday, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned 50 years of Roe v. Wade and legal abortion, it's taken a new place in my head and my heart.

Neilson is one of countless musicians who took to social media to express dismay at the landmark ruling, writing: "Have spent the last week doing interviews for KINGMAKER, repeatedly answering the question of why there is so much 'anger' in the lyrics. This is why. It is righteous anger. It is personal." What's supremely powerful about "Careless Woman" is the space it makes for rage alongside its joyful expression of liberation. They are a shared rhythm, especially in the face of oppression, and Neilson conjures a perfect three minutes of soulful pop defiance. Andrea Warner

It was a surprise when Diplo dropped a remix of bbno$'s hit "Edamame" late last year, but it was also a stamp of approval from the superstar DJ. Fast forward six months and we now have the two artists dropping "Pogo" another unexpected release, and likely another hit from this relationship. (Surprises do seem to be bbno$'s M.O., whether it's through his fashion choices, his choice of collaborators or that he pops up everywhere, including the 2022 Juno Awards.) "Pogo" is deeply rooted in house music, and pushes the Vancouver-based rapper's sound into club anthem territory. The classic house groove will have your body moving from the first few bars, but it's at the two-minute mark where we hear that quintessential fresh bbno$ delivery, and when the track slides into the pocket of excellence. Ben Aylsworth

More here:

Moonshine's cathartic, club-ready single, and 6 more songs you need to hear this week - CBC.ca

As the summer sun settles over Denver, this seasons trends have transpired in remembrance of retro styles. The 1970s is making a comeback, fused with Y2K nostalgia and contemporary designers.

Festival fashion is an insightful indicator of what styles will take shape for the upcoming season. Coachella 2022 gave fashionistas clear direction for what the summers fashion scene would have in store. As The New York Times and Grazia observed when reviewing Coachellas fashion scene, this years festival-goers dressed in on-trend outfits that blended elements of the 70s and Y2K. This comes as no surprise since vintage trends are always re-emerging into the popular zeitgeist.

Here at 303 Magazine, we curated looks according to trends predicted to break into the summer scene. Roller City Wests nostalgic atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for a retro-inspired fashion editorial. This photoshoot plays around with vintage styles while also implementing a modern edge.

Lynea Donald is wearing the Sunny Jumpsuit from Hailee Grace, $112.

A commonality between 70s and Y2K fashion is that trends were heavily influenced by music and dance. Both eras favored styles that made a splash on the dance floor while also allowing freedom of movement. In 2022, fashion will be formed by our desire to dance into the summer with stylish musical artists like Harry Styles as the soundtrack.

Gabriela Melgar (left) is wearing black wide-leg pants from Dillards, $29 and the DIY Scarf Top from Hailee Grace, $35. Mya Valenzuela (middle) is wearing a corset top from Hott Pink Matter and wide-leg denim Free People pants from Dillards, $78.

70s silhouettes will call the shots in this summers pant trends. High-waisted bottoms are still dominating peoples closets, along with straight-leg and wide-leg pant styles. Bell bottoms and flare pants have made their way back into trends as statement pieces. Their reputation as disco-dancing attire tells us that fashion is leaning toward freeing styles that are inspired by the music scene.

Silk scarf tops, denim-on-denim and unexpected cutouts liken this summers trends to the Y2K era, which has steadily integrated into contemporary fashion since early last year. In the early 2000s party scene, the most popular fabrics were soft cotton, silk and linen. These fabrics will be the perfect airy materials for bracing hot weather and crowded dance floors this summer.

Valenzuela is wearing a jacket from local designer Mariah Hodges of Electric Bubblegum.

Denim is a staple in the Americana aesthetic, especially for westerners. Thankfully for denim-lovers, current trends call for an onrush of denim in every shape and shade. Denim two-piece sets, jumpsuits and jackets are the best way to get creative with a classic material.

To shop these looks, check out local brands like Hott Pink Matter,created by local designer Audra Stachnik, and Hailee Grace, who are raising the bar for designers and retailers with their modern takes on old-school fashion. Items like flamboyant corset tops and vintage-style jumpsuits prove that both brands know what Denver trendsetters are looking forward to wearing this summer.

Aislin Stewart is wearing a Free People denim jumpsuit from Dillards, $128 and a handbag from Electric Bubblegum.

Neons have circulated back into trends after a long reign of minimalist neutrals in modern fashion. Post-lockdown, shoppers are interested in brighter hues that will bring out their optimism and zest for life outside of quarantine. Joyfully saturated brights and cheery warm tones are expected to enliven summer looks.

Valenzuela is wearing a dress from Dillards and a handbag from Electric Bubblegum.

Candy-colored accessories will be the perfect way to add a pop of color to any outfit. Translucent or opaque, an exhilarating color palette makes accessories the most exciting way to give an outfit extra spunk. This summer, include a decorative bag or eclectic jewelry to create a more dynamic look. Kitsch has never been cooler, so be sure to embrace your youthful side with star, heart and butterfly motifs.

Electric Bubblegum, a local brand created by designer Mariah Hodges, champions unique liquid glitter accessories. Hodges rainbow confetti handbags and jewelry are the ideal way to enhance a summer look.

Melgar is wearing the Jade Floral dress from Dillards in 70s Color, $129.

Few things evoke the essence of a 70s flower child more than swirling floral prints and colorful crochet knits. The free-spirited mantra of the flower child has not only inspired lifestyles, but also fashion. As we break free from the pandemic, carefree florals and comfortable knit materials are a reflection of what we want to experience in 2022.

Donald (right) is wearing the Pop Pink Edie Crochet Set from Dillards, $139.

Vibrant floral designs are attracting attention as this seasons go-to print. Combining florals with a midi-dress, skirt or loose blouse can create a flowy, fresh and feminine look.

Meanwhile, colorful crochet knits continue to infiltrate summer fashion, proving that knitwear is not just for colder seasons. This trend borrows from the 70s obsession with crochet knit vests, halter tops and dresses. This summer, sport a matching knit set for a fashion-forward festival look or street style moment.

Stewart is wearing the Maya Ruched dress, $129 and green platform heels, both from Dillards.

Take a step into a more daring shoe style this summer as trends point towards strappy sandals and tall wedges. While platforms and strappy heels arent necessarily the easiest to dance in, they can brighten up the dance floor if they come in electrifying colors. When it comes to footwear, this summer is all about embracing a prismatic palette.

Futuristic platform heels have also returned, taking fashion to new heights. This footwear trend can be further elevated with the addition of dazzling embellishments, such as rhinestones. Shoe trends are also taking notes from the disco age and Y2K by involving shiny metallic and translucent materials.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Photoshoot Credits

Photographed by Roxanna Carrasco

Location provided by Roller City West

Lead Stylist Ashleigh Perri

Clothing and accessories provided by: Dillards, Electric Bubblegum, Hott Pink Matterand Hailee Grace

Models Mya Valenzuela, Gabriela Melgar, Aislin Stewart and Lynea Donald

Hair by Jasmine Mills

Makeup by Mary Willis

Fashion Editor Abby Schirmacher

Fashion Writer Isabella Moses

The rest is here:

Roll Into Summer With These Retro-Inspired Fashion Trends - 303 Magazine

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- The Cottonwood Center of the Arts is hosting a new event called Cars and Stripes, which highlights 13 different artists across the nation that take part in "Kustom Kulture".

The Cottonwood Center for the Arts describes Kustom Kulture as "the zeitgeist of custom car and motorcycle culture that grew in popularityin the 1950s and continues today. Greasers, hot rodders, moonshiners, and psychobilly's are among the subcultures associated with this movement, and the style of artwork that developed alongside itis equally as diverse and iconic."

Those who attend the event can expect a wide variety of works ranging from pinstriping to portraiture, sign painting, illustration, and more.

The Director of Creation at the Cottonwood Center for the Arts, Jess Preble, said that she wanted to bring this type of art into a professional setting to showcase a style of art that many people don't usually see.

"I thought it would be an incredible experience for our community to see artwork that you would never expect to see in a formal gallery setting -- in a formal gallery setting," said Jess Preble.

Many of the artists at the event are pinstripers. Pinstriping is the application of a very thin line of paint or other material.

One of the local artists, Patrick Rau, is a local pinstriper. Rau said his dad built hot rods growing up, and he drew inspiration from seeing the artwork on cars. He said this is the first time he had his art displayed in a professional gallery setting.

"I was nervous at first, but it's pretty exciting, especially seeing how many people are interested. People had no idea that this type of art even existed," Rau said.

The Executive Director, Jon Khoury, says his goal is to give all artists a place to express their different art styles.

"A good part of the mission for Cottonwood Center for the Arts is helping identify artistic talent and giving people the opportunity to express themselves through their specific art, and in this case, it happens to be pinstriping and artistic visions for automobiles," Khoury said.

The Cars and Stripes event is happening for the whole month of July. The gallery will be open Monday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m.

Read more here:

First-of-its-kind exhibit in Colorado Springs showcases custom car and motorcycle art - KRDO

The myth of the perpetual American road is one of the oldest and most patriotic stories ever to be told in the United States, featuring lonely, wandering characters trying to find purpose in the wilderness of the countryside. Wide, endless and sprawling, these American back roads and highways represent a poetic landscape rife for self-discovery, led by the inspiring muffled vibrations of the music of the liberating car stereo.

Much like the classic American western, the road movie relies on an exploratory narrative where characters explore their own frontiers whilst pushing the physical borders of discovery. Such journeys take characters across the length and breadth of America, encountering hitchhikers, strange, desolate locations and surprising challenges, each weaving together to create one all-encompassing story of personal revelation.

Such stories are peppered throughout the history of American cinema, from the early tale of Bonnie and Clyde in 1967 to the same storys modern reimagining in 2019s Queen & Slim, with the core narrative of self-discovery in the context of cultural change being pertinent to the subgenre.

Indeed, back in the 1960s, the power of Americas mythical past was still fresh in the mind of the zeitgeist, as the western genre remained a significant genre of contemporary Hollywood. Built on the very constructs of American idealism, the genre is one that remains inextricably tied to the identity of the nation itself, representing the values of liberty, justice and courage that the country itself holds so dearly.

Despite holding a neo-noir crime identity, with a narrative based on the real-life crime spree of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, theres no doubt that the 1967 movie, directed by Arthur Penn, is also a contemporary evolution of western cinema. In pursuit of liberty and the freedom of the American dream, the pair robbed gas stations, restaurants, and small-town banks, operating in Texas and New Mexico, trading horses for a 1934 Ford Model 40 B Fordor Deluxe sedan.

Much like the road movie, ever since the genres inception in the early 1920s, Western cinema has changed with the winds of America, becoming one of the greatest cinematic signifiers for the social and political changes the country has undergone in the past century. This mythic genre was too based on an idea of a lawless rural America where the true essence of the country seeped blew with the momentum of the tumbleweed.

Penn wasnt the only one to notice this truth either, with Dennis Hoppers cult classic road movie, Easy Rider presenting a tale that closely resembled the daring exploration of a timeless western story. Creating one of cinemas most countercultural road trips, Hoppers 1969 film is a hippie romp that would become part of the fabric of the late 20th-century movement. Chronicling a modern American odyssey perpetuated by the ideals of the bohemian subculture, Easy Rider journeys through Arizona and New Mexico, chronicling an epic journey that takes in all the sights, smells and noises of 60s America.

Led by an equally counter-cultural team that included actors Peter Fonda and Jack Nicholson, the film represents the change in American ideology that occurred throughout the middling decades of the late 20th century. Out on the open roads, such subversive ideas are explored through a haze of marijuana smoke, as the concepts of all-American freedom are discussed in the context of an increasingly commercial country that is slowly restricting the liberty of the wild west.

Such a sentiment crossed over into the 1970s, with Two-Lane Blacktop illustrating an American counterculture on the move. Burgeoning with the ongoing injustice of the Vietnam war, the youth of America found solace in the liberty of the open road.

The wide and wild endless roads of the American highways represented a poetic landscape in which self-discoveries were made for an energetic new generation, their expressive soundtracks of identity blasting out the windows of Ford Mustangs and Cadillac Coupe DeVilles. Such individuals explored their frontiers whilst pushing the borders of discovery, engaging in fleeting conversations with hitchhikers whilst fantasising about relationships and their place in Americas fluctuating identity.

Young and bohemian, the nameless lead friends, played by the singer-songwriter of Sweet Baby James, James Taylor and Dennis Wilson, the drummer for the Beach Boys engage in a relationship that exists solely for their love and endless facts about cars, the means by which every inch of the country can be discovered and claimed.

It is in the depths of these rural corners of the United States where the truth of the country lies, a truth that has been built by decades of myth-making that paints the essence of America to belong in the flourishing national parks, teeming wildlife and love for liberty above all. Though, this constructed truth is as genuine as the claim on a red MAGA hat, simply echoing back to a fictional idea of America that is poorly made out beyond the smog of capitalist constructs and corporate ventures that truly make up the backbone of the country.

Such representation of this broken idea of national identity was presented in Terrence Malicks extraordinary debut feature, Badlands, a film that follows two protagonists who reveal a dark truth about the country in the late 20th and 21st century as they engage in a ruthless killing spree.

Exploring how American commercial values poisoned the idea of the mythical wanderer in the countrys wilderness, Malicks film comments on the technological revolution that saw televisions find their place in households across the country and the status of the celebrity grow astronomically. Where the travelling myth-makers of the past found meaning on their own terms, the lead character of Badlands, Kit (Martin Sheen), self-consciously moulds himself on the famous rebel and youthful celebrity, James Dean.

Defining himself by the icons he admires and creating a fake image of himself based on others, Malick demonstrates how the ideology of the American countryside has been corrupted by a pervasive commercial force as his lead character finds identity in the ones manufactured by him by modern media. Is there indeed no meaning in the barren landscapes of rural America?

The horror movie craze that infested culture throughout the late 1970s and 1980s would certainly suggest that any national identity had been destroyed by a pervasive contemporary evil, with the likes of Tobe Hoopers 1974 movie The Texas Chainsaw Massacre demonstrating this in abundance.

Taking place in the forgotten outback of Texas, where the land is littered with the fossils of cattle alongside rarely-used gasoline stations and forgotten graveyards, Hoopers film encapsulates the idea of rural America as a mass necropolis. Embodying the slowly defiled identity of the country itself, the film is driven by the villainous Leatherface and his cannibalistic family, representing the strange victims of such a change.

This land mocks liberty and toys with justice, with the dust of the Texas landscape totally devoid of any hope at all; such that its a wonder why any young people would want to walk its ground at all. Seeking out the resting place of their grandfather, Sally Hardesty, her brother Franklin and their three friends set on a road trip across the Texas wasteland whereupon they become the latest victims of the lands barren hope and lack of law.

Such law, order and justice are flouted and mocked in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, a terrifying horror film that speaks to the insecurity of America that was suffering the bruises of the Watergate scandal as well as the ongoing Vietnam war. Damaging the legitimacy of the countrys political foundations, such events demonstrated that the law, order and liberty that the USA was built on, may no longer exist.

Battered by the events of the 20th century, by the final decade of the 1990s, America was battered and mutated, a far cry from the heroic myth of the country represented in ancient westerns. Society had been indelibly changed by the events of the previous decades and cinema responded as such, with the feminist masterpiece giving a brand new perspective on the American road movie.

Where often a male lead would grab the steering wheel of a road movie, here Ridley Scotts Thelma & Louise takes inspiration from Spielbergs Sugarland Express and reimagines the typical male-buddy film with female protagonists. Written and creatively masterminded by screenwriter Callie Khouri, who would win an Oscar for her debut piece of work, the film is a Western-inspired, venomously-spiked escape to Mexico, avoiding Texas at all costs.

A frenetic movie that prods and ridicules old stereotypes, Thelma and Louise would represent more modern attitudes to the idea of the American country, ideas of gender and social status that were reflected in the tender Kelly Reichardt movie Old Joy, released during the infancy of the 21st century. A pensive exploration of gender and individuality in modern America, Reichardts film represented a sign of things to come for the contemporary road movie.

Followed by Melina Matsoukas Queen and Slim in 2019, a road movie that casts an analytical light on contemporary issues and offers a sobering parable that forces reflection, Matsoukas play on Bonnie and Clyde would bring the genre full circle.

Finding meaning and solace on the American highways, the titular protagonists of Queen and Slim engage in fleeting conversations with strangers both friendly and hostile whilst fantasising about their relationship and their place in an ever-more volatile American society. Young, gifted and promising, their lives represent the reality of so many in contemporary life as Melina Matsoukass film yearns for a time and place where such injustices are finally put to bed.

Indeed, this demonstrates the transition to a brand new myth of the rural outback where new attitudes towards gender and sexuality force the traditional qualities of the American country to be reconsidered and re-evaluated. The sacred allure of the American road still invites personal myth-making, but in an informed modern society, awake to the injustices of the past, this new distant dream is a far cry from the one of old.

Follow Far Out Magazine across our social channels, onFacebook,TwitterandInstagram.

Most popular

Read the original here:

Road movies and the myth of rural America - Far Out Magazine

The Alt Community is an emerging culture that is uniquely African and is increasing in popularity among the Gen Z demographic. Alt, short for Alternative, originated as an avenue for unconventional self-expression that transcends the traditional . At the centre of the Alt movement, is the desire to remain sincere to oneself regardless of existing traditions or cultural restrictions.

The Alt movement arguably has its origin in Nigeria, with musical Artists like Teezee, BOJ, Tems, Odunsi and Lady Donli driving the movement but the sub-culture is visible among young Africans across the continent. Sichangi, from Kenya and Amaarae from Ghana are among the musical artists from other parts of Africa who are propagating Alt sounds. Beyond music, Alt has grown as a lifestyle and its influence is also visible in fashion and the visual arts. Mowalola and Tse are some of the creative influencers that are driving the Alt movement in fashion and photography respectively.

There is also a growing number of creative entrepreneurs in the Alt community. These young individuals are running their own businesses and thriving within Africas creative ecosystem. By optimising the internet, they are carving their distinctive identity and propagating the growth of the Alt community in Africa.

Google, through the Alt Residency is spotlighting and contributing to Africas cultural zeitgeist by exposing Alt creatives and expressionists to skills that can be harnessed through the lens of YouTube, YouTubeShorts, Search and Google Arts & Culture and enable creatives to scale up in their businesses and career.

The Alt Residency is an exclusive residency hosted and curated by Google Africa in Nairobi, Kenya. The goal of the residency is to provide a platform for creatives in Africa who identify as alternative/ non-mainstream to engage with Google.

It will also be an opportunity to upskill African Alt creatives with relevant career skills by using specific online platforms (YouTube, YouTube Shorts, Search and Google Arts & Culture) to help them connect better with their audience and harness value as they move the Alt culture forward.

Globally, the creative economy is projected to reach a global valuation of $985 billion by 2023 and this represents 10 percent of global GDP before 2030. The creative economy in Africa has recorded massive growth as a result of the influence of the internet. Artists, musicians, creators and filmmakers now have the opportunity to connect with a global audience using digital platforms like YouTube, Search and YouTube Shorts.

Google is committed to helping these creatives thrive, and providing a platform for diverse voices and expressions.

In 2020, billions of people came to YouTube to share skills, launch businesses, and positively impact their communities.

YouTube has become a mainline for African artists to connect all over the globe, exporting African music to fans around the world and enabling collaborations within the global and regional music industry. Cultural movements grow and build on YouTube: African music is one example along with K-Pop, Latin music, and more. YouTube has played an essential role in the discovery and development of African sound, exporting African music to listeners worldwide. Of the 25 most watched Sub-Saharan-Africa artists on YouTube, more than 70% of their views come from outside Africa.

The Black Voices Fund, Class of 2023, is now open for applications. The fund created in 2020 recognizes and equips Black creators, artists, songwriters, and producers with the resources and support to enable them to thrive on YouTube.

As part of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund Class of 2022, each of the 26 African YouTubers selected received seed funding alongside dedicated support to help them develop their channels. They also took part in bespoke and hands-on training, workshops, and networking programmes.

The 2021 BVF cohort included 133 grantees hailing from the United States, Kenya, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, and Nigeria-with 26 creators and artists from Africa.

In May, YouTube commemorated Africa Day with a series of initiatives including sessions targeted at creators in Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, and the popular Africa Day concert which is now in its 3rd edition. As with previous years, Africa Day was leveraged as a platform to showcase our ongoing commitment to the region through products and initiatives that empower people and businesses.

As with previous editions, the Africa day concert was also leveraged to reaffirm YouTubes ever-growing role in propagating Afrobeats globally. The 2022 Africa Day concert included an in-person recording session, and a virtual livestream to hold on back-to-back days, unlike previous editions which were only live streamed virtually on YouTube.

More:

Alternative youth culture finds a home at Google - TechCity

Its been almost 25 years since Geoffrey Spider Nugent knocked on his Aunty Emily Bishops door looking for somewhere to crash and became one of Coronation Streets most unlikely icons. The young eco-warrior was brimming with enthusiasm and eccentricity, and his passion for environmental issues and principled stand against the establishment dragged Weatherfield towards the 21st century.

Last seen on screen on 2003, Spider, played by Martin Hancock, has come home to the cobbles with a secret more of which later. Introduced as an outcast, Spider struck a surprising chord and caught the zeitgeist that has since seen his alternative attitudes develop into the social norm. How many Corrie characters can claim to have had such an impact on the way we live our lives?

History has come to Spiders side, observes Hancock, in an exclusive interview with RadioTimes.com. The things he was passionate about all those years ago we take for granted now: the environment, climate change awareness, reducing our carbon footprint I think he made a contribution to that. We dont think twice about recycling, going vegan or having a fuel efficient car, its just what everyone does these days.

ITV

The growing eco warrior movement of the mid-90s attracted huge media attention at the time, personified by protestor Swampy (real name Daniel Hooper) whose defiance, dreadlocks, tie-dye jumpers and festival-in-a-field vibe along with his cheekily charming persona were the inspiration for Hancocks alter ego.

There were some who wanted to demonise eco-warriors and the great thing was we humanised them through Spider. Occasionally he was a doofus, but he became our doofus rather than one of them. Im enormously respectful of the real activists and quick to say Im an actor portraying them, and never wanted to distract from what they actually do.

Id sometimes get told off by the Vegan Society for slip-ups, like drinking beer in the Rovers or having a meringue or something, but generally the eco community were happy the cause getting some airtime, it was a platform. He brought the movement in from the cold.

Spider was an intentionally antagonistic presence created to challenge the old guard, symbolic of a shift in Corrie at the time. Producer Brian Park took over in 1997 and notoriously shook up the struggling show with shot in the arm of sensational storylines and controversial cast changes, killing off the likes of harmless stalwart Derek Wilton and bringing in the bolshy Battersbys, as well as demure Emilys rabble-rousing nephew. It was the link to the legendary Mrs Bishop that Hancock cites as the key to Spiders success.

Read more from The Big RT Interview:

He was an outsider but the connections with people like Emily allowed his views to resonate better with people. The interplay between them was hugely important and huge credit to Eileen Derbyshire, who shifted the gears on her character seamlessly and with great charm. Everyone says Spider radicalised Emily, but she was already radical, this is the woman who stopped the council demolishing the street back in the 70s. Militancy clearly runs in the Nugent family!

In almost 60 years of service as one of the soaps longest-servers, arguably Emilys defining moment was spending the night up a tree in 1998 to protest against the development of local green space the red rec, having been persuaded by Spider to join his crusade.

That was filmed up a hill in a force four gale and I discovered Eileen was much braver than me! recalls Hancock. We were surrounded by metal scaffolding and when I heard thunder I started bricking it. Eileen, on the other hand, was swinging her legs off a branch like she was on the swings at the playground! She was very fun to work with, quietly mischievous and so wonderful to me.

The other important relationship from Spiders time on the street, set to be revisited now hes returned, was with Toyah Battersby. The impressionable teenager harboured a huge crush on her neighbour who inspired her to adopt many of his beliefs, even if it was just to initially get his attention.

It was two people from the awkward squad meeting and it was kind of cute, he reflects affectionately. Spider was completely unaware she fancied him at first, you had a lovely comic story of a girl from the wrong side of the tracks falling for this intellectual activist. They didnt fit with their own social groups properly, then the misfits found each other!

Hancocks chemistry with Georgia Taylor made the quirky couple instantly adored, and the actor credits his co-star for seeding the notion of his return.

Its all her fault! he grins. Last year Georgia posted a pic of us in our younger days on social media which got a big reaction from the press. It made me nostalgic, and my wife encouraged me to get in touch with Corrie about a possible return. What she actually said was, in her own special way: Youre not getting any younger! I spoke to my agent who contacted the producer, and we worked it out from there.

Having notched up nearly six years in his original stint Hancock called it a day, candidly citing Spiders storylines were in danger of becoming repetitive. It was mutual as there was fatigue on both sides, he admits. The writers needed a break as wed gone down a cul-de-sac where all we were doing with Spider was campaigning. It was time for him to move on for a little bit. Or 19 years as it turned out!

After Spider and Toyah moved to London (though it didnt last, the off-screen backstory tells us they split at some point before Toyah returned in 2016) Hancock carved out an impressive post-soap career, working steadily in high-profile projects including blockbuster movies such as Ridley Scotts historical epic Kingdom of Heaven and Defiance opposite Daniel Craig, as well as TV turns in Cradle to the Grave with Peter Kay, Endeavour and Holby City, to name a few.

He may have worked on some big productions but Hancock is happily humble enough to acknowledge the lessons he learnt from Corrie. Doing a soap or an advert are the two best training grounds for an actor, he says. An advert is two days for 30 seconds, sometimes on a soap it feels like you get 30 seconds prep for two days! Corrie taught me about framing, understanding how a shift in your position can change the composition of a shot.

There are lots of nuances you have to learn in a soap because its so fast. You learn to understand very quickly what people need from a specific shot.

Georgia always had a good balance of understanding the time constraints of a show like Corrie, but still being thoughtful about how youre going to play it and react to things. The cast put their party boots on as they enter the studio, concentration sets in, you get your game face on and youre ready to rock and roll.

Thats exactly what Hancock is doing now hes reprised the role that gave him his big break. Polite but with a playful edge, much like his character, hes clearly thrilled to be back and reviving Spiders rebellious spirit which remains as reassuringly infectious as it always was.

His mischief and militancy is fun to play. Spider thinks outside the box and doesnt always see life in a linear way, he kind of skips around and takes his own route. And theres a warmth to him and Toyahs dynamic that is picked up straight away, which I was really pleased about.

But dont expect it all to be rose-tinted reminiscing about the red rec protest, Spider is obviously hiding something as viewers saw in his comeback episode. A furtive phone conversation to an unknown caller discussing a mystery plan felt worryingly foreboding our Toyahs had enough stress after being charged with murdering her deceitful husband and watching her dreams of becoming a parent implode, is her old flame bringing more trouble to her door?

Toyah is one of his oldest friends and hes extremely worried about what shes been through. He will do what he can to help. Spider being back in her life gives her a welcome distraction from everything that is going on, which she needs, but yes, there is more to it. And that is all Ill say at this stage

Its going to be a corker, and I was surprised when I found out what is coming up. I thought I was just coming back to open a mung bean shop!

Visit our dedicated Coronation Street page for all the latest news, interviews and spoilers. If youre looking for more to watch check out our TV Guide.

The latest issue of Radio Times magazine is on sale now subscribe now and get the next 12 issues for only 1. For more from the biggest stars in TV, listen to the Radio Times podcast with Jane Garvey.

See the original post:

Coronation Street's Martin Hancock on Spider's return and the big secret he's hiding - RadioTimes

We love a binge watch, especially one of the variety where you learn something from the hours spent on the couch. Documentaries are the educational, fascinating, tangent-inducing features and series' that get us talking and thinking about topics we may not usually seek out. While a definitive list of the best documentaries appears a daunting task, we've tried our hardest to narrow it down to the cream of the crop in our guide. Across 10 categories we had to narrow it down somehow these are 20 of the best documentaries to add to. your watch lists over the coming weeks.

Accompany your viewing of McQueen with a box of tissues as you will be taken on a journey from the designers young years through to his death. With commentary from fashion industry insiders and an in-depth exploration of how McQueen cut his teeth at Saville Row, his interpolation of technology into his work and creative directorship at Givenchy.

Valentino Garavani has lived numerous lives within his 90 years, from dressing Jackie Kennedy in the 60s, Naomi Campbell in the 90s and still remaining an industry icon to this day. Valentino: The Last Emperor follows Garavani as he prepares to retire from designing in 2007, the lead up to his final show and the interest of a global corporation in purchasing the House. Featuring many fantastic moments with Giancarlo Giametti, Co-Founder of Valentino.

A four-part series where each episode is feature-length, Get Back is the ultimate immersive experience in understanding the final days of The Beatles as they were. Its George Harrison quitting the band and Paul McCartney concocting the tune of Get Back in mere moments. Its John Lennons mastery and eccentricity on show, and Ringo Starrs fantastic wardrobe rotation for all to fawn over, and truly one of the best music documentaries ever produced.

Amy Winehouses career as an artist continues to live on in the playlists of many, her ability to sing cross-genre unique to the singer. In Amy, we hear insights from those closest to Winehouse, including her producer Mark Ronson, and view intimate footage of Winehouse from her childhood through to her final days.

A Compilation of the best documentaries would not be complete without a mention to Sir David Attenborough. In Life on Our Planet, Attenborough discusses how humanities destruction of nature may one day render the planet degraded and barren, uninhabitable and biodiversity populations will crash. While this doesnt sound the most uplifting a documentary, it is a prescient and timely account of what is likely to happen if we dont take immediate climate action.

A multi-series documentary rather than a standalone feature, Professor Brian Coxs Wonders of the Universe is an ideal choice for those with a penchant for stargazing and musing on worlds outside of our own. Discussing various parts of the universe, the series looks at the nature of time, human life cycles and the effect of gravity across the universe.

Released in the first half of 2022, The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe: The Unheard Tapes takes a similar format to the Andy Warhol Diaries through employing archival footage of the actor alongside reenacted scenes to emulate her experiences. It focusses on the life and untimely death of Monroe, and how she continues to be a cultural icon.

Featuring insights from filmmakers including Martin Scorsese, Wes Anderson and David Fincher, Hitchcock/Truffaut centres on Truffauts book of the same title and its impact on cinema. The French New Wave director interviewed Hitchcock over eight days in 1962 at the Universal Studios offices while composing the text. First screened at the 2015 Toronto Film Festival, the feature is narrated by Bob Balaban.

A four-part series, Bobby Kennedy for President follows is 83-day-long campaign for presidency, cut short by his assassination in June 1968. The series examines the Bobby Phenomenon of the 1960s and the influence Kennedy still has decades after his death. Kennedy confidantes and staffers offer intimate insights through the series.

Dame Helen Mirren retraces the life of Anne Frank through the pages of her diary and the lives of five women who were also deported to concentration camps as young girls, yet escaped.

Whatever Ryan Murphy touches turns to gold, and the Andy Warhol Diaries is no different. The documentary series employs an AI bot to provide the voice of Warhol himself, reading aloud passages from his diary, as scribed by Pat Hackett. Featuring insights from Jeff Deitch, Bob Colacello and Hackett herself, the series is a harrowing account of Warhols later years and his death.

Following the renowned performance artist Marina Abramovic while she is preparing for a retrospective exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in New York. Furthermore, the documentary explores how the Serbian artist redefined the understanding of her medium and how she continues to permeate the zeitgeist today.

This 2017 documentary film chronicles Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, both prominent figures in the gay liberation and transgender rights movement in New York City from the 60s to the 90s. Centring on Victoria Cruzs investigation into Johnsons death in 1992, it is a harrowing account of what was initially ruled a suicide by police despite suspicious circumstances.

An iconic exercise in documentary filmmaking, Paris is Burning focuses on New York Citys 1980s drag queens, their houses and the fashion balls still legendary in contemporary drag culture. The film also tackles pressing issues including racism and poverty and the shunning many queens faced socially as a result of performing and is one of the best documentaries produced.

One of the most well-known lawyers in the history of the United States, this 2019 documentary looks at the career of Roy Cohn and its trajectory from working with Senator Joseph McCarthy to future President Donald Trump. The title itself is alleged to be taken from a Trump quote, as he discussed Attorney general Jeff Sessions recusal from the Mueller Investigation.

Focussing on the 2018 American Congressional midterm elections, Knock Down the House looks at four women who challenged powerful incumbents and won, one of the best documentaries in providing insight to the monumental victories. These include Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Amy Vilela, Cori Bush and Paula Jean Swearengin, all who had no corporate support and pulled off a significant upset.

Utilising archival footage and audio recordings of interviews with serial killer and rapist Ted Bundy, Conversations with a Killer trawled more than 100 hours of footage to create the gripping four-part series. In the series, Bundy analyses his own life and motives and prior to his execution in 1989.

A seven-part series exposing the lengths to which the Catholic Church will conceal abuse, The Keepers is an enthralling true crime documentary. Sister Catherine Cesnik of the Archbishop Keough High School in Baltimore disappears and is later found dead, leading many to wonder whether members of the institution are capable of murder.

An exploration of the insidious side of competitive sport, Icarus begins by looking at Lance Armstrongs doping efforts at the Tour de France, the biggest cycling race in the world. Director Brian Fogel meets a Russian scientist while learning about Armstrongs methods, leading him down a much more sordid path than originally anticipated. The film won the Best Documentary Feature at the 90th Academy Awards, making it a clear inclusion on any list of best documentaries.

Much like Wonders of the Universe, Drive to Survive is also a multi-series documentary taking you into the world of Formula 1. Taking in most Grand Prixs per calendar year, the series looks at the ins and outs of professional F1 teams and features insights from the likes of Sir Lewis Hamilton, Australian Daniel Ricciardo and Ferraris Charles Leclerc. Even those unacquainted with the sport will find themselves on the edge of their seats by the end of each episode.

Commissioned by Princes William and Harry, this 2017 documentary film was produced to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the death of the Princess of Wales, retelling the seven days after her death and its impact on the United Kingdom. It is the second documentary commissioned by her sons to mark the occasion, providing raw insights into her untimely death and one of the best documentaries for providing a niche insight into her family.

A docudrama, The Last Czars explores the Romanov family towards the end of their reign over Russia in the early 20th century. The six-episode series employs actors to portray the significant moments in this period of history, interpolating created footage with expert analysis and commentary for historical insight.

Image: Pinterest

The rest is here:

20 of the best documentaries to watch, from music to nature - RUSSH