a strange gift to care

a coldness, mixed media on canvas, 2024 © Megan Chapman

Interpol released a new album at around 6 am my time and I was there listening in the dark of morning. A 54 year old grown-ass woman, transfixed. 

I was transported to my childhood bedroom - where I was again listening to a new record. First side, any repeats? Play those a few more times, get to know them. Then flip it and find a gem or two and then flip it back and listen again. Find the grooves - the patterns and paths inside the music. Get lost in the story of the lyrics on the sleeve, and then the visuals. Usually, I would favour one side over the other and then after a week or so things would come together and I would have a complete picture of the new album. 

Like a detective looking for clues, it was an embodied experience - intense musical frisson. I am grateful to be so completely entranced by sound. 

I have already found my first repeater of the day on Interpol's new album, This Mirror Weighs a Ton. Wounded Soldier plays over and over on my big head phones. The vocal's edge, the lyrics and rhythm pull me along and keep me hooked.

I have written about Interpol and what their music means to me and my art, and how it has shown up in my life throughout the 19 years of this blog. It's a wonderful and strange gift to care so much about this band. 

On this perfect grey and rainy morning, I put sugar in my tea in celebration.

What do these shapes mean

This week saw a return to business as usual after the delightful visit from my neice. I returned to my studio routine and my job. 

I did still manage a bit of fun last weekend. I enjoyed a coffee meet up and some hyper local charity shopping with a pal last Saturday and then on Sunday another pal and I went to see the Phoebe Anna Traquair Murals. We also popped into a few other fringe art offerings, a lovely cafe, and a graveyard - so that's a great time in my book! I have seen the murals several times now but it was a treat to take our time and to really look at them. 

I painted a small painting (above). It is odd but has something I like about it. It doesn't exactly sit in the small series I have been working on but that's okay. 

I also finished a book I picked up in our local charity bookshop while browsing last week. I really enjoyed Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. I see it has been made into a film. I watched the trailer after I finished the book and I am glad I read the book first. I will definitely read more of Ishiguro's work. I am unsure how I missed him all these years - after all he wrote The Remains of the Day. Klara and the Sun is beautiful, moving, and very timely. 

Things cross your path when they are meant to I guess. 

That's all I have for you just now as I have a busy day ahead tomorrow. 

I hope you are well, happy, and inspired wherever you are. And if not, tomorrow is another day. Keep fighting! 

Holiday in Edinburgh: Fringe Edition!

It feels like a long time has passed since I posted last week. Since then, I had a wee staycation in the city. I never take holidays, so when my youngest niece said she was popping over for the Fringe I decided to make the most of it too.

I don't think I had been to anything relating to the Fringe since 2019 (otherwise known as the before times). My niece picked several shows and I joined her for three on Monday and then I chose a show for Tuesday and she joined me. My niece went on to see many other shows as well and got a good survey of the Fringe offerings and venues.

I wanted to make note of the Fringe shows I attended this week. You can click on the links below to read about them - all are good and worthy of your money and support.

1. QFWFQ - Gregory Nussen 
Summerhall (Former Gents Locker Room)
2. Tether by Wonder Fools 
Summerhall (Main Hall)
3. Jess Fuchs - Feral 
Pleasance Courtyard (Bunker Two)
4. The Tao of Lloyd - Dennis Trainer Jr.
Assembly Rooms (Drawing Room)

I would highly recommend Tether - I shed a few tears, the venue was great - the music incredible and it was a moving cross cultural story and experience. A stunning minimalist production. 

I would also highly recommend The Tao of Lloyd. It was a tour de force of Gen X memory and reverie against a backdrop of taoist concepts and thoughtful and even somewhat risky political angst. Out of the four shows we attended together this was the only one that wasn't sold out and I feel it deserved to be. If you are left of the dial (musically and politically) then get a ticket and go support this show. Actor Dennis Trainer Jr. fully embodies the role. The show will leave you thinking about it days later. 

We also saw a bit of art, sampled some cafes and restaurants, the crowded Royal Mile and Grassmarket and the various festival courtyards for the vibes and a spot of people watching. We enjoyed wandering New Town and Stockbridge too. Edinburgh was hot, sunny, otherworldly, and a bit of a blur (and I live here - so that's saying something). 

We even made a day trip to enjoy Dunbar and to retrace our final steps overlooking the sea along the John Muir Way (which we completed together 4 years ago now). It was great to put our feet in the water this time around. While there we also enjoyed the lovely Found Gallery. It is a friendly space filled with beautiful and accessible work. It was especially great to see artist Dan Murray's paintings and prints there. 

We also explored the slightly calmer wilds of my neighbourhood in Leith enjoying the local cafes and wee shops. We also popped in to see my good pals at Cyan Clayworks for their brilliant Fringe offerings.

While we were there, they recommended that we dash across the street to take in Worship: a solo exhibition by Surface Ritual at Customs House Gallery. The exhibition focuses on faith and culture through the gaze of the Ghanaian Diaspora and continues through the 16th of August. While there, I bought a zine of vegan Ghanaian recipes and have been assured I now have the best recipe for Jollof Rice. I am looking forward to making it. Go check out the exhibition this weekend.

I had a great visit with my niece and it really made me appreciate living in such a beautiful, walkable, buzzing city of culture. We can never take it for granted. We must keep supporting the artists and the locals that make it what it is.

And to all the artists and arts workers taking creative risks and sharing your gifts, thank you.

Keep fighting!

Gold is the colour of now

And that's all I have to say about that. 

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