If you need a good cry, listen to this podcast
And a woman tops the albums chart just in time for international women's day (a very real holiday)
Thank you for all the positive vibes when I moved last week! In one final uber ride to get the last of my belongings to my new place, “Die With a Smile” played on the radio. I think it was the third time I’ve ever heard it. And that’s beautiful. Next Thursday we will return to our regularly scheduled programming. Until then, here’s one quick podcast recommendation.
A couple of weeks ago I attended On Air Fest, a podcast/media festival in Williamsburg. There were talks and networking opportunities, but there were also live podcast tapings (How Long Gone, Modern Love, Lemme Say This, etc.). On the afternoon of my first day, I was perusing the event program, trying to decide what to attend next, when I saw that the musician Eliza McLamb would participate in a podcast called Hyperfixed. I didn’t remember seeing her name there before, and I’d never heard of the podcast. But I’m such a fan of hers, and I’ve never seen her in person, so I knew I had to go.
The podcast I ended up watching had its host, its subjects and me in tears! I almost don’t want to spoil its content for you, because the storytelling is so great. But the gist is this: In Hyperfixed, the host Alex Goldman will go to great lengths to solve any person’s problem. In this episode, Alex helps out a guy named Keenan. The podcast describes it this way: “Keenan always had this question about his mom's past, and he turned to us for help. And then we turned to him for help.”
Just know that Eliza didn’t sit down for an interview or a game. I ended up seeing her perform. Please listen to this episode to find out how this all came to be, and then let me know what you think! I’m desperate to discuss.
❤️ LOVE NOTES ❤️
Pitchfork put out a “zine” with Bladee on the cover. I’m pretty sure if a “zine” comes out of a media conglomerate like Condé Nast, it’s just a magazine. But ok!
We finally have a release date for “The Giver,” aka the song Chappell Roan performed on SNL: March 13!
As I type this, I’m preparing to watch the final episode of this season’s “Love Is Blind.” Has anyone noticed how much more licensed music they’ve used this season? The show’s overly specific AI-like music has been the subject of memes over the years, but this season featured songs like “Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish, “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz and “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi. In an interview with Variety, the show’s writer said:
It’s our fifth anniversary, and music has always been such a big part of the show. We decided to creatively lean into celebrating the great love songs — not all of them, obviously, there’s no way to get every great love song in there.
So useful to know that they didn’t use all the love songs! Anyway, the real, human-made music on this season has felt so off to me, and I’m so glad Clover Hope looked into why that is.
I’m sure someone already sent you the video of Amanda Seyfried playing a dulcimer and performing Joni Mitchell’s “California,” but maybe you want to watch it 10 more times.
RIP to David Johansen, a New York icon and the front man of the New York Dolls. I’ve been fascinated by him and his band since I was little, and that interest continued through my NYU Gallatin concentration thesis in college. They’re one of my earliest memories of discovering how much fashion, makeup and performance can impact how a song makes you feel, or even what you think it’s about.
🚨 VIBE CHECK 🚨
What the people are actually listening to:
Tate McRae’s new album “So Close to What” debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. While I’m not super familiar with her music, having a pop record like this at the top of the charts is a great start to Women’s History Month. I loved her episode of Las Culturistas. And I did not know she’s in a relationship with The Kid Laroi…no comment there.
“Luther” is still at No. 1 on the singles chart. And “Die With a Smile” moved up to No. 2 because it played in my uber last Saturday.
💋 HOT DATE 💋
I’m With Her at Close Up, Feb. 25
I attended a lovely listening event for folk/country trio I’m With Her’s new album, “Wild And Clear And Blue,” which they announced this week. After the album finished, they performed a couple of new songs together and sounded like a group of angels. I never made the connection that these three—Sarah Jarosz, Aoife O’Donovan and Sara Watkins—all have successful solo careers. I especially loved Sarah Jarosz’s album last year. Between the three of them, they have seven Grammys! Close Up is an intimate jazz-focused listening room/venue on the lower east side that I really hope to visit again soon.
Faye Webster at Radio City, Feb. 26
What really surprises me about Faye Webster is how much the teens love her. The teens sitting in front of me seemed SHOCKED when the show ended and Faye hadn’t performed her biggest song. One of them looked like she might cry. Little did they know an encore would begin about 30 seconds later…I also was not familiar enough with Faye to know about her thing with minions. The more you know.
🔥 Old Flames 🔥
Almost every month, I make a playlist full of songs I’m loving. Once the month is over, I start a new one. This has allowed me to create monthly time capsules, and now I’m sharing them with you!
Last March I was listening to… Madi Diaz, Mannequin Pussy, and I had a days-long obsession with “Crush” by Mandy Moore.
In March 2023 I was listening to…Fever Ray, the Aces and the new “Taylor’s Versions” of “If This Was a Movie” and “Eyes Open.”
In March 2022 I was listening to… This was when “Anything But Me” by MUNA came out and changed my life (more on that another time…maybe). I also was addicted to “The One” by Tracy Bonham because it was on an episode of “Yellowjackets.”
In March 2021 I was listening to… Wow, looking back this was a big release month. “Be Sweet” by Japanese Breakfast, “Pretty Places” by Aly & AJ, “Pay Your Way In Pain” by St. Vincent, “Crush” by Ethel Cain, and the first Taylor’s Version vault track ever, “You All Over Me.”
In March 2020 I was listening to… A dark, dark time! But I have very fond memories of listening to spring-y, girly songs like “Wind on Tin” by Jess Williamson, “Thriving” by Diet Cig, “The Steps” by Haim, “Gaslighter” by The Chicks.
In March 2019 I was listening to… This one is PACKED with 79 songs because I was randomly going through one of Tavi Gevinson’s Rookie yearbooks (IYKYK) and added every single song mentioned into this playlist. Some have become my favorite songs ever! A few examples: “Axemen” by Heavens to Betsy, “I’d Rather Eat Glass” by Excuse 17, “Penetration” by Lucid Nation. (Yes it’s mostly riot grrrl)
😘 Friday I’m in Love 😘
This week’s notable album releases:
“Mayhem” by Lady Gaga
“Blood on the Silver Screen” by Sasami
There are only two things you actually need to know about me. My name is Natalia and my favorite podcast is Las Culturistas. They end every episode with a song. I end every newsletter with a song.
“Looking For a Kiss” is my favorite New York Dolls song. I wanted to share a video of them performing it (there’s no music video—it’s 1973!), but the most crucial part of gets cut off here. I love this song because it calls out an unexpected inspiration for the Dolls, the girl group the Shangri-Las. The opening spoken line, “When I say I’m in love, you best believe I’m in love, L-U-V,” comes from the Shangri-Las song “Give Him a Great Big Kiss.”
P.S. Happy International Women’s Day
