Posted on Wednesday 20th May 2020 at 10:30
Each week we’ll be sharing the alt. tickets Social Distancing Survival Guide.
The concept is simple: we choose three records, three movies, a boxset to binge and a podcast.
We all have our favourites that we always go back to, but it is always a good idea to try something new – especially right now – so be sure to keep up to date with our choices and let us know via Twitter which albums, movies, series and podcasts you recommend.
This week Samuel Heaton, who works for DHP Family & Rescue Rooms booking shows and doing music promo, talks us through his top picks, and he gave us a bonus few choices!
ALBUMS //
Lover by Noah Gunderson
This is one of my favourite artists and favourite KEXP sessions. This album was on repeat for the first few weeks of lockdown. The more I listened to it the more I enjoyed it. I’m a huge fan of Noah and it’s been wonderful watching his art progress across each album release over the years. The most incredible and captivating solo shows i’ve ever seen was him headlining the Borderline in London back in September 2017. I was expecting a full band show to be honest but he came out with a stunning, beat up tobacco burst Gibson J45 acoustic and just owned the room for an hour or so. You could hear a guy hiccup on the other side of the room it was silent. He’s an outstanding songwriter who has progressed tremendously from album to album. I’ve felt proud of him even though i’ve never met the guy. It also mad to think he played in Nottingham’s Rescue Rooms main bar at Dot to Dot once upon a time.
Endless Summer by The Midnight
If you’re a fan of anything to do with the 80’s, whether that’s the neon lighting, the old game arcades, ripping guitar solos, big drums reverbs, synthy bopping baselines, catchy singalong chorus’ and songs you want to dance to while you’re making a stir fry then you’ll love The Midnight. They bring everything fun about the 80’s and package it up into album releases. Enjoy and you’re welcome!
Big Red Machine - Big Red Machine
I’m a big fan of Bon Iver and The National, so when Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner collaborated on a record together it was pure joy for me to learn about. This is a record I go back to a lot but over the lockdown it has brought a comfort and happiness to my days at home - their is an energy to this album that feels inspiring to me. I’ve been creating a lot as a result and look forward to collaborating more when things get back to it.
FILMS //
Princess Diaries 1 & 2
Shut up!? Who hasn’t seen and loved this movie? I did the classic sign-up to Disney+ when the lockdown kicked in and this was one of the first pair of movies I smashed out. A great throwback and wherever Genovia is I’d like to visit someday!
Toy Story 4
What is there to say about Toy Story other than it being an easy-going and brilliant. The fourth film I didn’t expect to enjoy as much, as with most movies on their fourth go they just don’t cut it but this was actually great! Toy Story still has it and it even made me well-up at the end when Woody said to buzz “Th… OH WAIT SPOILER!
Rookie of the Year
This was an absolute GOLDEN find twice in my life. The first time was back in 1996 and my mum let me take home a film of my choice from Blockbuster West Bridgford. This video got borrowed and it became a regular rent out for years after before being forgotten until my recent Disney plus subscription. The story is basically where a baseball crazy kid gets an injury to his throwing arm and it heals 100x stronger, so much so that he gets invited to play professional for the Chicago Cubs Major League baseball team. Imagine that! Not only is it a feel good, funny and classic happy ending Disney film it has Daniel Stern (Marv from Home Alone) and John Candy in among loads of others who are some stand out actors in nostalgic films for me.
McFarland USA
Another Disney+ discovery, and one I just gave a chance because the production looked more modern and up-to-date than a lot of others on the service. It actually made me cry (is there a trend here) and I didn’t expect to enjoy it anywhere near as much as I did. It’s an inspiring true story of a coach in a nowhere town who turns the life around for some students whilst they and their community do the same for him and his family. Think of it as an American/Mexican ‘Coach Carter 2.0’ except its Kevin Costner and not Samuel L Jackson ha! A good Sunday afternoon movie… Wait, what day is it?
TV SERIES //
After Life 2
This series has had loads of press being Ricky Gervais’ latest release. The first series I enjoyed but didn’t resonate with me as much as the this one, it was a whole lot better the second time around. These outtakes linked here should make you forget about the world for a moment. This series had all the honest British wit, charm and sentiment you’d want in a programme. The score is right up my street as well being an ambient/post-rock music nut hearing music from; Goldmund, Hammock, This Will Destroy You as well as loads more…
Rust Valley Restorers
The Rust Bro’s is essentially about grinding at your passion until something comes of it all whilst keeping big smile on your face. This real life TV show is set at a garage in “Rust Valley” with mechanics coming together to restore brilliant, classic cars with the hope of bringing joy to peoples lives and making a living out of it. Surrounded by a beautiful Canadian mountains range they just make sure they have the upmost fun doing so. I really enjoy this show and it’s easily binged. It’s inspiring and joyous to me watching a bunch of people enjoy what they do this much and reminds to keep this within my own work. It’s good trash tv with a big heart!
Queer Eye
A none-guilty pleasure this one. I return to this a lot and quote it more often than anyone will ever really know on a daily basis. This is a programme about five people with unique talents coming together for one good cause - helping others. There is so much more to it than that, but essentially, I just love the feel good energy and positive change they promote. I grew up watching the original show back in the 90’s with my dad and sister growing up, so it’s awesome that a remake has come back around. I love it and if you’re a fan of, or interested in overhauling your cooking, fashion, home interior, life changes and/or looking “gorrrg” then this is something you may enjoy too!
PODCAST //
Stuff You Should Know
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfR7mqPB-UU
I love this podcast. I’ve spent countless journeys to and from gigs on tour and commuting to work listening to Josh and Chuck discuss all sorts of various things over the years. So much so that Josh and Chuck have become friends you’ve never met to me and thousands of other listeners. They’re great and chuck has a great laugh! Each episode is about something, and it could be anything. If you think of a topic they’ve probably done it sometime over the decade. It’s lighthearted, interesting, thought provoking and a fun way to learn about loads of new (or really old and not so obvious) things with each episode. Great for starting conversation points at your favourite local music venue with a pint. It’s a bit daunting leaping into a new podcast and choosing where to start, so if you can’t decide on a topic to get going on, then here’s some of my stand out episodes:
1. SYSK: What’s with the Winchester Mystery House
2. SYSK: The Disappearance of the Yuba Country Five
3. SYSK: Is
