A handful of songs, films, and books that keep me going
Learning how to garden and seeing myself represented in stand-up: it's a start
Whenever things are particularly rough, I turn to books, film, music, and television to help soothe the sting of my immediate surroundings. When my youngest daughter had colic, I played Monty Don’s Gardners’ World on repeat. The sound of a shovel in dirt, of birdsong in a topiary garden, of his soft accent explaining that anyone could garden if they took the time. It was a balm on my hay-wiring brain.
This woman gets it:
But not all the material I consume during hardship is about escape. I sometimes prefer to lean into culture-crit nonfiction, intense memoir, or tales about grief and loss. Then maybe, I’ll pick up a fantasy book and let my mind bask in some other world. It’s not one thing or the other, it’s a mix of pleasure and pain that keeps me feeling alive, grateful, and curious. Here is a short list of some of the best music, films, television, and books I’ve heard, read, and loved over the past year.
Wild Mountain Thyme was adapted by Belfast musician Francis McPeake in the 1950s from the 19th-century song "The Braes of Balquhither," written in the early 1800s by Scottish poet Robert Tannahill (1774–1810) and composer Robert Archibald Smith (1780–1829).
Let’s start sweet and slow. Take an ancient Irish folk song, add in the epic talents of Collier, Laufey, and Dodie, and cue a swoon-worthy performance by the National Symphony Orchestra — and you’ve got me in tears.
I have seen this performance countless times, and I still get verklempt with emotion each time Dodie sweeps in with “I will range through the wilds…” Then Jacob Collier does his thing where he transforms the audience into his own choir. If you haven’t seen him do this before you might want to keep going and watch his performance of Fix You with Chris Martin (Coldplay) while you’re at it.
A quick history lesson: In 1920 Ireland was partitioned, resulting in six counties remaining part of the United Kingdom. A subsequent period of conflict known as "The Troubles" fueled by sectarian tensions and political divisions. Since then, Irish has been eroding (and marginalized) in Northern Ireland, due to British occupation, suppression, and Anglicization.
I’m going to say it: this was the best film of 2024. Kneecap (a Belfast hip-hop group) follows the unlikely rise of three musicians who rap in their native Irish language, despite ridicule and stereotype. It’s a true story and the lead characters are spectacularly played by themselves. I am floored that it was snubbed at the Oscars. Some believe that they were left in the dust on the long list because of their outspoken views. This interview with Strombo where Naoise Ó Cairealláin brings up Stormzy’s self-censorship right before a McDonald’s deal sums it up.
Anyway, this film is so timely. And it has the chaotic energy, heart and music reminiscent of films like SLC Punk and Trainspotting. In so many ways we’re all told to “speak the Queen’s English or sit down.” By all means, sit down to watch this film, and then you know, stand the fuck up.
The Ugly History of Beautiful Things
Note: if you want to buy books from your local bookshop, but prefer to shop online, you can use bookshop.org which will direct your order to your closest one.
Maine-writer Katy Kelleher delivers an arresting collection of essays on “Desire and Consumption.” Weaving memoir and research, she begins each essay with her nostalgic adoration of items found in her makeup bag, vases, and perfume bottles. Then researches the often forgotten, often ugly history of these things we’re taught to covet. Her section on silks, shells, mirrors, and musk is particularly incredible. But the final essay on marble somehow manages to pull in themes of race and existentialism in a somehow hopeful conclusion.
I’ve always felt confused by my attraction and repulsion for the things that should make someone “more beautiful,” and this collection lays it all out. (As I sit here and look at my chipped gel-polish I need to soak in chemicals to remove).
Want to know a little more before you dive in? You can start with this interview on Maine Calling with Jennifer Rooks.
Goo Goo Dolls - Iris, life in Buffalo (in a rainstorm)
Ok, the “best” of 2024? Maybe not, but I had to share this video. Is there anything more 90’s than the Goo-Goo Dolls? Maybe if they were performing Iris? (His red leather blazer coat has been etched into my brain forever). Maybe if they were also all getting drenched in a rainstorm? I recently came across this live performance one night drinking wine with friends. I can’t tell if was John Rzeznik’s chunky silver chain, or the lyric, “I don’t want the world to see me,” but I am immediately back in high school listening on my Shockwave discman.
I’ve always felt like a sidekick, and women who look like me still play one. (Did any other Asian women recoil watching the preview for new tv show Running Point with Kate Hudson, once they saw Brenda Song as her frantic assistant? Just me?)
I grew up in Toronto and Markham’s Chinatown and spent summers in my aunt and uncles restaurant (ilu always The Golden Dragon). Still a lover of film and drama, I would jump at the chance to play a sidekick. The main character of Interior Chinatown is Willis Wu, an actor dreaming of playing the heroic protagonist, but keeps getting cast as Generic Asian Man, Background Oriental Making a Weird Face, or Disgraced Son. While, the women in his life get to be: Pretty Oriental Flower, Dragon Lady, and Girl with the Almond Eyes. As Asian people living in America, we’ve all played versions of these roles in white people’s stories. This book takes those roles back, using a detective show script to highlight the ridiculousness of our outdated stereotypes. Although, can something be outdated if we’re still being mocked in Hollywood? I’ll have to get back to you on that.
This is my new favorite literary journal. It’s based in Maine, so I’m not biased at all ;) I always get lost in their beautiful issues. You’ll find poetry, stories, and creative nonfiction which celebrate being outdoors and challenge conventional thinking. I especially loved Gibson Fay-LeBlanc’s poem in issue 1. In issue two look out for Ryan Brod’s essay “Good Blood,” and Jaed Coffin’s “Searching for Uncle Danny.”
Sierra Farrell, American Dreaming
My long debated love for country music still roils inside me. Then comes along an artist like Sierra Farrell and I feel redeemed. It’s a love story, this pursuit of “American Dreaming.” Something about being on the road and searching for the country so many of us still believe in. The one we fell in love with once and hope returns. It’s a narrative, a poem, a sonnet, a rally-cry. A long lost love I hope doesn’t get filed under: the one that got away.
Ronnie Chieng: Love to Hate It
One industry is—and perhaps always has been—at the forefront of representation. (Maybe it has something to do with that fact that we have some funny shit to complain about?) Asian comics are crushing stand-up right now, and Ronnie Chieng is no exception. Love to Hate It is his 2024 followup to his brilliant Asian Comedian Destroys America! After a somewhat slapstick start about his IVF journey (weird sentence to write, but there it is), he settles into some epic rants and roasts about MAGA, Asian family-chats, and Baby boomers. The above clip was a highlight for me, so maybe don’t play it if you want to experience it as meant to be, in situ.
Before I leave you this cool Sunday in early spring, a little Monty Don. I only recently came across his 2000 essay in the Observer about how gardening helped him through a dark period of depression. I’m clinging to that idea now, that sowing the seeds for the future is not just something fun to do, but an transformative act for the both the plant and the gardener.
What are your favorite films, songs, and books keeping you going right now? Comment so I can share in the pleasure of being alive and free. Not so many of us have that opportunity.
Until next time,
Coco.
Listen the Goo Goo Dolls Live in Buffalo DVD is personally responsible for the preservation of my well-being on so many occasions. Highly recommend.
Much needed list. Thank you for sharing, Coco! I can’t wait to look into some of these. 🌷