Letter #166

Together, we can fix it...

hi how r u 🐸,

You thought I was going to miss another entire year, didn’t you?

As if! SEE, I’M TRYING!

I’m back, it’s short, but I’m back (and I’m still short).

There’s a fairly jam packed list of interesting stuff in the TLDR section below, and I’ve got a label showcase show from last weekend that I’m desperate for you to hear too (label in focus was Ilian Tape - one of the very best, in my opinion).

But before we get into that, I have a request for you.

Yep, you.

There’s been an awful lot of handwringing about the role of business, brands, and corporates in music culture recently. It’s something I’ve written about loads before, as many of you will know (TLDR; there’s lots of terrible examples, and a few good ones, let’s focus on learning from the good ones), but this current wave seems entirely focused on the problem (creating unsustainable practices, not giving spaces time to organically incubate, having undue influence etc) rather than the solution (building and sharing practices that are self-sustaining, community focused, and strategically minded).

I’m going to write something more formal up again soon, but in the mean time, here’s my request… You are all super connected into culture and communities, and I’d love you to send me your examples of communities, parties, stations, labels - any function or facet of music culture - that you think is doing a great job. Projects like Sister Midnight, Cosmic Slop, No Tags etc… Projects that are self-sustaining, focused on community, and thinking about their contribution to the broader culture and community.

Just names is fine, but I’d love to hear from you! I’m makin’ a list (and I’ll credit you on that list!).

It’s easy to identify the problem (especially on social media), but fixing it takes work and energy, and more often than not it is NOT glamorous or good for your personal profile (at least not in the same short term way that your moan problem identification going viral is). But fixing it is more important - or at least trying to fix it.

So, please, share any recommendations or suggestions you have. It can be your contribution to saving our culture today.

Right, now we’ve fixed the issues of late-stage capitalism sanitising culture, shall we have a look at some fun stuff?

See you on the airwaves,
Jed x

PS. If you're new here, then here’s what you’ve missed so far.

PPS. Oh, and come join our lovely community, you’ll love it ❤️

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🥁 My latest (and I think greatest) lovewillsavetheday.fm shows

The section that you most likely came here for, so it’s up top.

Despite having broadcast a few shows since we last spoke, I’ve only got one show to share with you this week - it’s my label showcase from last week, focused on Ilian Tape. Listen here, tracklist below. It’s a corker.

That’s my latest and greatest, but you can find a whole load of them here - usually with full tracklists and genre tags too :-)

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📻 My lovewillsavetheday.fm recent highlights

These are my highlights from the station and the community this month…

• House of Jazz with DJ Puma was a latin psych funk jazz special

• Club Glorious was, erm, glorious. Always with the gems and classics.

• Ever wanted to know more about the harmonica player on Miss You by the Stones? ByUs interviewed him. My favourite ByUs show ever.

• Mile J Paralysis and his old man (young, wonderful man, I mean) tearing it up as ever

• My schedule mate Daphne fourfour never misses with deep techno and hypnotic cuts

• Hudson’s monthly show is a must-listen, and his latest would make any disco melt

• Finally, Digital Defiance, from one of my favourite humans on the planet, the incredible selector, and joint boss of LWSTD-FM (with Sarah G), Nick H

Come join our community here, listen live here (Friday-Sunday every week), and listen back to past shows here. If you’re here, you belong.

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🌪 TL;DR Section

You, stuff to listen to, stuff to do, and a lot of stuff to read

• To read

  • Online

    • Subscribe to Jaymie Silk’s incredible (and crucial) newsletter.

    • More people are asking the important question; got any footwork?

    • Read more about the newly formed London Nightlife Taskforce from the ever wonderful Ed (sounds dull, is important).

    • I mentioned Sun People last letter, read more here.

    • Shackleton interviewed by Shaun. Two greats.

    • Ogle at GP’s new record room / shed.

    • This Call Super interview… <3

    • SickElixer hasn’t been off my headphones since release. This explains why.

  • Books

    • Just read (these are the music and culture ones, for the full job lot click here)

      • Ten Days in Harlem. Castro visits Harlem, history in the making.

      • Jesus Christ Kinski. Sideways, but excellent.

      • Bog People. A collection of working class writers writing working class folklore in nature. It’s great, obviously.

      • The Searchers. The history of the left in the UK. Foundational.

      • Dirtbag Dreams. An incredible history of adventures in mountains. (I read a load of other running books in Jan - if you want my reccos, let me know!)

    • Next up (yes, I got distracted and I’m behind!)

      • Emma Warren’s new book, Up The Youth Club. Emma’s a buy on sight author! GO BUY IT NOW. GO. GO ON. OFF YOU GO.

      • From Hackney, With Love. Looks mega, and is about gentrification in Hackney.

      • The I Ching. Inspired so many artists, so I’m giving it a run.

      • I Regret Almost Everything. Keith McNally’s salacious biography.

• To watch

  • Industry. Yes, I’m late, but yes I’ve caught up. Blimey.

  • If you’re a producer or enthusiast, then you should get yourself on the 3024 mentor scheme.

  • Shiv took me to see Rob Auton, who was very funny yet very life-affirming. Go see him!

• To listen

  • I’m developing a TINY obsession with Grandmixxer

  • Sam Binga’s latest SWU show is filled with upcoming Pineapple releases, and it is SIDEWAYS

  • The latest Hooversound show on NTS was also ridiculous

• To do

  • Balearic London have been putting on some mega parties - and the next one is their second birthday celebration TONIGHT!

  • Finally, come join the LWSTD-FM Discord!