My recommendations this week
A short list, because I'm on the way to the wilds of Wales
Hello! No proper post from me today, as I’m on my way to the edge of the Black Mountains in Wales for a few days. I’m very excited about being in the middle of nowhere for a bit!
So, here’s a very brief list of things I like this week.
I’m not a massive pub person, but The Lamb on Holloway Road in London’s Highbury is a curious place that feels ‘real’ in a land of curated bars and pubs run by large groups. They don’t do cocktails or food (but you can have something delivered) and there’s lots of live music. Dave the Keys was playing when I went on Thursday night and there was the opportunity to sing along (tunelessly) to songs like Elton’s Goodbye Yellow Brick Road. I loved it.
Speaking of music, this is REALLY embarrassing, but I’ve only just found out about Jamie xx. I was so confused about all the artists with X in their names, and whether you pronounce them as a Roman numeral or not (Hello Charli XCX), that I barely took note of their music.
Anyway, Jamie xx is an effing brilliant DJ and musician, and I love his Loud Places song (from, er, nine years ago). Something I’m less embarrassed about is knowing the song it samples, Could Heaven Ever Be Like This by Idris Muhammed, from 1977. The year I was born.
And finally: Nigella Lawson’s flourless chocolate brownies are my go-to, take anywhere treat. They remind me of, well, me, so I even took them with me on a long-haul flight to Singapore last year to nibble when 12 hours of being stuck in a long metal tube got a bit much. Yesterday, I made some for my family in Wales. I hope they survive the car journey…
See you next week!