January and February are often the hardest months: post Christmas, then back to work blues; dark nights and mornings; coughs and colds; no money… failing to stick to optimistic resolutions.
Thoughts of change.
This year was much the same, but a surprising development in battling through was my discovery of several entertaining and informative podcasts, which have become my new obsession. Some are quite difficult to listen to in the house (particularly the hilarious ‘Gossipmongers’) but others, I find, quite calming and almost therapeutic (Jay Rayner’s ‘Kitchen Confidential’ which is also extremely useful) but it’s the interviews which I found most insightful, especially the hospitality-themed ‘Humans of Hospitality‘ with the co founder of Hawksmoor, Will Beckett; having visited last year, it was fascinating to hear about his struggles and inspirations. Anyone considering a career in the hospitality, should devote an hour to this.
Undoubtedly the best ‘listen’ of recent weeks was the discovery of the Two Shot podcast by Craig Parkinson in which he sits and talks about the work and careers of myriad artists, actors, cultural influences and just interesting people. He himself has been something of a silent figure in my own life over the years, silently stealing scenes in some of the best things I’ve watched in recent times: first, as my old mate Tony Wilson (fact) in ‘Control’ then a Purple Heart-peddling dancer in Northern Soul film ‘Soul Boy’; Everyman drinker in under-rated series ‘Great Night Out’ (we loved it… apparently not many other people did) then more recently, as The cereal-offering dad in Bandersnatch (the interactive Black Mirror) then, even more recently, the excellent ‘Sick of It’ and a brooding bad guy in the brilliant ‘Temple’. You’ll know his voice from a plethora of adverts, too… and then, to top it off, he’s only from bloody Blackpool and even attended the college where I spent my informative year around the same time!
Anyway, the two stand out episodes of ……. featured candid chats with Bill Ryder Jones and Gary Usher, both of whom have also featured in high moments of the past year. I’ve written before about meeting Bill at a gig last year and it was fascinating to hear the way he spoke so eloquently about his life and influences.
Meanwhile, you all know about my admiration for Usher’s restaurants and his morals, but he opened up to Parkinson – who had actually been brave enough to cook for the chef – in a very different way to the TV documentary which aired last year. It was refreshing, brutally honest – shocking in parts – and whetted our appetite for a trip to Kala in Manchester next weekend before the hugely exciting ‘Back to the Future – The Musical.’ I’ll tell you all about that next time… whilst you’re waiting with baited breath, have a go at the podcasts!
I’ve not just been listening to my phone whilst cooking. Excellent new albums by Blossoms – whose songs ‘The Keeper’ and ‘Your Girlfriend’ (arguably the greatest music video ever) just get better and better – and Tame Impala – unique and cool. Just watch the video for ‘Lost in Yesterday’. They took me back to nights discovering new bands at uni twenty years ago and feeling hip, rather than forty something with a sore hip. Then comes the old favourites, Courteeners, with their own new sound (partly inspired by the former pair) and the hauntingly beautiful ‘Hanging off your Cloud’ (part of a trilogy with a linked narrative by the fantastic writer Emma Jane Unsworth) which we were fortunate enough to hear live at an incredible hour long, tea time intimate gig in the historic Albert Hall last weekend.
Like a cross between a town hall and a church, it was an intense and incredibly special concert like none we’d really been to before. The love in that room, for the four lads and girl on stage but also for each other – and across a such a wide range of ages of devoted fans – is something which as Liam himself said at the end, nobody else has it. It feels like a family singsong but with strangers, and is always a cathartic experience.
God bless the band, indeed.
Before the gig, we were footloose and child free… so made the the most of it. I’ve written several times before of our love for Manchester. Not just the music and famous faces, but its hidden places and its history. One recently opened venue mixed the two quite beautifully, with a little help from Tom Kerridge, Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, and I’d been itching to see the interior, so surprised the Mrs with a stop off for a drink at the ornate bar in what was once the city’s stock exchange.
This was the first time I’d set foot in any of Kerridge’s sites, but I’ve been inspired by his recipes (and lifestyle choices) for years – especially his Chicken Kiev – and the menu looked mightily impressive, as was the decor and the open kitchen with its chicken rotisserie ovens, but I was a little taken aback – and disappointed – by the myriad flat screens showing football and cricket sky sports whilst the clientele ticked into their Sunday lunches, as well as the bizarre knuckledusters that doubled as handles on the dumb waiters. It reminded us of a gangster themed bar we’d frequented the previous night, and both created a slight discomfit at a time when the nation is in the grip of a gang crime epidemic. That the drinks there came to nearly thirty quid didn’t matter, because it was a memorable experience in such special surroundings. We will be back…
So much of the city doesn’t look anything like the back of a fridge, quite the opposite in fact, but many choose not to see that side due to outdated rivalries and ignorant tribalism. Thankfully, TV and film reminds cognoscenti viewers of the many cool and interesting venues across Cottonopolis, especially. I’m thinking of ‘Age Before Beauty’ from a couple of years ago, and the likes of Cold Feet and The Stranger, both of which we loved and – whilst perhaps emblematic of turning forty – I’m not embarrassed to say we’d look forward to the returns of. Similarly, Stranger Things whose new trailer dropped and the teenage us got excited about… other notable viewing included Downsizing, The Assassination of Malcolm X, Avenue 5 and (finally) the conclusion of the riveting Temple.
It wasn’t all plain sailing through the start of the year, however. Prolonged Illness. The very real threat of spreading diseases. Painfully ongoing shyness and other parental concerns… but then, lest we forget some very good news. Friends getting the all clear. Mary Seacole’s first leading role. Comebacks, and spotting sparrowhawks.
Even found time to visit an exhibition: the very clever Dorothy / Bands FC show in the Cunard Building which re-imagined bands and songs quite magnificently.
Meanwhile, a trip to the wine dark sea is on the horizon.
To prepare, I’ve reimmersed myself in all things Italian, even learning the language once more. Bought one of the most beautiful football kits ever designed. Had an incredible meal (a wonderful T-bone, and a first taste of licorizia) at Cantinetta in the village and subsequent discussion about calcio. I even discovered that Carlo is living down the road from us! I really like the Cut of his jib, Ancelotti, and bought his book. Another hero? It might be time.