Author Archive
September 16, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Billy Idol: The Roadside (ep)
Billy Idol The Roadside (ep) BFI Records, Inc, under exclusive license to Dark Horse Records/BMG rights This is one of the first sets of recordings by Billy Idol in nearly a decade. He’s been on the circuit touring but not much in the way of new music. I’m sure many of his fans are just […]
September 15, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Talent
I put a copy of my book next to one by Billy Collins. Only one thing separates us now.
September 15, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
R.I.P. Norm Macdonald
Norm Macdonald had died. He was 61. He was diagnosed with cancer nearly a decade ago. He kept it quiet – telling only a few close friends. He wanted privacy. He wanted the comedy to continue when and as it did. He wanted that untainted. Norm Macdonald was a comedy genius, a comedian’s comedian – […]
September 15, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Joseph Bishara: The Spiderweb Meditations
Joseph Bishara The Spiderweb Meditations Void Recordings Joseph Bishara works, primarily, as a soundtrack composer – and has credits for sound-design, engineering and producing – he’s collaborated with people like John Carpenter and Diamanda Galas; even Ray Manzarek of The Doors, and appears to be the go-to composer for James Wan, right up and including […]
September 14, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Lockdown Poetry
I thought I’d share some poems I’ve written in lockdown. I’m not sure they signify a state of mind – then again that’s exactly what poetry does. And all the time. Anyway, here are some of the newest poems I’ve written – across the last couple of weeks: Two Fires
September 13, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: There’s No Name Suppression In New Zealand
There’s no name suppression in New Zealand There are no privileged without charms There’s no name suppression in New Zealand We all know who you are But everybody’s talking about Covid-19 Cause everybody’s talking about Covid-19 But we’re as safe as can be so move us to level three! We have no restrictions We have […]
September 13, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Moritz von Oswald Trio: Dissent
Moritz von Oswald Trio Dissent Modern Recordings The Moritz von Oswald Trio is back. First album in six years. New line-up, two-thirds of the trio replaced. It’s amazing how the name-player in the trio is almost never the star, just the constant; the conduit. The music filters through him – indeed his electronic processing of […]
September 12, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: Facts
The hardest you’ll ever work is for no pay – anyone telling you they’re paid the big bucks to work hard hasn’t had to work for nothing. If true, they’d have told you that at the time – not after.
September 12, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Reading In Stolen Moments
To have time to read is, I swear, the ultimate luxury. But at the same time, it’s nourishment for the soul. And I consider it a necessity. To be brain-fried to a level where you cannot sit with one book for FOMO regarding all of the other books you’ve bought or have on loan might […]
September 11, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Poem: The Most Learning I Ever Did At School Was In One Day On A Field Trip To The Abattoir
We watched the cows get loaded up the ramp where they walked to their death, a fear in their eyes. They put their heads down low as the bolt went through their ear. And then a big dull sound as they hit the floor. A chain dragging them, one-by-one, by the ankle and lifting them […]
September 11, 2021 by Simon Sweetman
Clickbait: TV
It’s a Netflix show, so much like Russian Doll and You and, er, most Netflix shows, it’s made to be watched in the background while you also scroll through your phone. It’s also probably pretty sure it’s a lot smarter than it is. This is Netflix. Starring Adrian Grenier (Entourage) – though to say he […]
September 11, 2021 by Simon Sweetman