Earl’s World: The Filtered Excellence: July 1, 2021
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Bob Geldof once asked us, “Where is the filtered excellence!?” It’s right here. Once a week we take a break from comedy to bring you this week’s picks of the best things to watch, the most interesting things to do, great things to try, the best picks to read, our favorite things to listen to and more.
WATCH THIS
Starstruck. Comedian Rose Matafeo created, co-writes and stars in this new HBO Max series as Jessie, a New Zealand millennial living in East London. She shares an apartment with her best friend Kate (Emma Siri), and works two jobs as a part-time nanny and movie concessions. Her life changes when she has a New Year’s Eve hookup with Tom Kapoor (Nikesh Patel), unaware that he’s a movie star. Jessie tries to shrugs it off as an extraordinary event in her otherwise uneventful life. But after a series of random run-ins, she and Tom quickly realize that its more than just a fling. But what’s in question is whether or not they can make the necessary life adjustments to make it work. Matafeo, who recently had success with her stand up special Horndog, effortlessly makes the transition into series television, conveying both confidence and vulnerability as Jessie. She has terrific on-screen chemistry with Patel, and they perfectly capture the excitement, anxiety and uncertainty that comes with a new relationship. It’s a wonderful 21st century take on the classic screwball comedy anchored by Matafeo’s breakout performance. Starstruck is available now on HBO Max.
LISTEN TO THIS
Sharecropper’s Son by Robert Finley. He didn’t start recording until he was 66, but singer-songwriter Robert Finley continues to prove that age ain’t nothing but a number with the release of his third album. Teaming up again with Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys, the Louisiana native shifts from blues, soul, rock and gospel with autobiographical songs about growing up picking cotton, life on the city streets, jail, falling in and out of love and the search for a better life. Auerbach’s rich production provides the perfect backdrop for Finley’s vocals, which effortlessly goes between a deep South growl to a falsetto that will reduce you to mist. Easy Eye Sound has quietly brought back roots music back into the mainstream and this album builds on its legacy, Sharecropper’s Son by Robert Finley is available now on all major streaming services.
Music Of The Years Gone By by Ryan El-Solth. Guitarist Ryan El-Solth spent his time in lockdown making an atmospheric, dreamlike EP of songs that spans several generations. From Broadway (If I Loved You) to Bach (Sarabande), Bing Crosby (I Don’t Stand A Ghost Of A Chance With You) to Frank Sinatra (In The Wee Small Hours), Hollywood (Laura) to John Coltrane (Lonnie’s Lament), El-Solth puts his spin on the material that is haunting as it is beautiful. He also adds two originals (Rest, Bygones) that proves that he’s a formidable composer in his own right. Melodic, moody, anchored in rich melodies and stunning virtuosity, it’s an EP that transports you back to another place and time. Music Of The Years Gone By by Ryan El-Solth is available now on Bandcamp and all major streaming services.
READ THIS
Depeche Mode by Anton Corbjin. When Depeche Mode sought out the services of photographer/filmmaker Anton Corbjin in 1986, they had one goal in mind: to give them a visual identity that matched their sound. The Dutch artist, best known for his work with U2, was hesitant at first, mistakenly believing that the group were pop lightweights. Of course he was wrong, and their collaborations would become a benchmark in rock history. To coincide with their 2020 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame – Taschen released Depeche Mode by Anton Corbjin, a limited edition, detailed illustrated history of the band, signed by the group and Corbjin. It became the fastest selling collector’s edition book into the company’s history, and bowing to public demand, Taschen re-released the book in a smaller, more price-friendly edition. It features over 500 photos from Corbjin’s archive containing formal and informal portraits from all over the world, live shots from every tour since 1988, sketches and designs for stage sets and album covers, handwritten captions and an extended interview with Corbjin. Done with full cooperation with the band, the images are simply stunning. It’s a much have book for any true Depeche Mode fan. Depeche Mode by Anton Corbjin is available now through www.taschen.com
DO THIS
New York: More Life. In 1981, the CDC first reported on a dangerous new virus that would be known as AIDS. To mark the 40th anniversary, The David Zwirner Gallery will host More Life, a series of solo exhibitions featuring artists whose lives were cut short during the first twenty years of the epidemic. It will include Marlon Riggs’ 1989 experimental film Tongues Untied; Derek Jarman’s seminal 1993 film, Blue, along with some of his paintings; a selection of photographs by Mark Morrisroe, and an expansive look at the Silence=Death Collective, who created the now iconic Silence=Death poster. There will also be a series of conversations and videos with Gregg Bordowitz, Avram Finkelstein, Ted Kerr, Sarah Schumann, Pamela Sneed, Tilda Swindon and Wolfgang Tillmans, among others. While the AIDS crisis is far from over, this exhibit reminds us of those we lost, the battles to bring more awareness, and the ongoing efforts to find a cure. More Life will be at The David Zwirner Galley through August 6th. You can also go to www.davidzwirner.com for more information.
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Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.
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Earl Douglas is a writer/photographer based in New York City. A frequent contributor to The Interrobang, Earl is also Executive Director for the New York chapter of The Black Rock Coalition. Earl worked in radio for nearly two decades at WNEW-FM and XM Satellite Radio, which included being the on-air producer for Carol Miller, Scott Muni and Ron & Fez, and a contributor to Opie & Anthony. Earl has also independently published a number of books including Black Rock Volume 1, Urban Abyss, Mobile Uploads, and For Shimmy. His latest project is the photojournalism magazine PRAXIS, which is available exclusively through Blurb.com.