Hello, thank you, and welcome. I love you for being here!
Add to List is my Sunday round-up. It’s the small things that brought me joy, evoked an emotional reaction, or became some short-lived stability in the past seven days.
Obsession
man oh man! Martin Luke Brown
I was at EartH Hackney on Thursday to watch this guy and some of his special guests. Supported by James Smith (who played some of his new tracks from his upcoming album— very excited about that), Martin also welcomed his old band, Fizz to the stage for a brilliant rendition of Close One. Stick it on as you make your Sunday lunch, it’s an absolute banger.
Martin’s sound is a sort of melancholy mellow hug in musical form. The vibe is smooth but the lyrics tackle the rough. There’s mention of mental health and masculinity; love and loss. It’s an album about hellos and goodbyes, about rises and falls, and sitting in the struggles.
A beautiful influx of emotion, and I am sure will be an outlet for many. And if you don’t care much for lyrics, melodically it’s just a beautiful indie soul of an album.
This week, this is my most played track:
Confession
I’m trying to learn the Raye rap.
In much less Hackney-cool musical vein, this song has been on FULL WHACK this week and I have I Would Like A Ring on a loop in my brain.
p.s. can we just take a moment to appreciate Raye?. What she’s done and continues to do for the industry is spectacular. I adore that she released this song as part of her five year plan which includes finding true love. Let’s all manifest that for her.
Shook
New potential diagnostics for Endometriosis.
So moved to see that sufferers speaking up about these conditions is finally having an impact. Thrilled to see this coverage, as well as experts chatting to influential CEO Steven Bartlett about the topic in The Women’s Health Debate.
Cook
I started the week in Marbella, and finished the week in London. I promised a lots of ‘carbs in Marbs’ last week but have to say I somewhere failed on the documenting of that. There were plenty o’ bravas consumed, some gambas pil pil (of course, with the bread to mop up the confit garlic oil) but honestly? My carbs mostly came in the form of Cava…
Some other foodie highlights:
Beef carpaccio, capers, umami mayo & burrata — Nosso Beach Club. We had lunch at one of Marbella’s best beach clubs. You know the sort: neutral palette paradise. Balinese-style rattan shades waft overhead with the sea breeze, the light pokes through asymmetric driftwood structures as laid-back jazzy house plays through the speakers. Yet, despite its glamorous vibe, this was a welcoming, family-friendly type of place. We also ate a lot of sushi, but somehow devoured it ahead of getting a good picture. Good tunes, good mood, good times.
Home-cooked Pork tenderloin, with apricot and orange salad. So I’d love to be able to claim I made this one. I didn’t. It’s a long-standing family recipe belonging to my friends’ family. The lightly spiced and lean pork is a perfect pairing with the sweet apricot, and the fresh orange. Serve alongside couscous, and — you guessed it, vino blanco.
What is your favourite European ice cream and why is it a Maxibon? Chocolate side to be eaten first— come on, I’m not a sociopath.
Book
Nobody Belongs Here More Than You, Miranda July
Finished this one beach side with a glass of Cava. And when holidaying with others? I’ve decided short stories are an unparalleled beachside read.
Swim, chat, story. Wine, nap, story.
Repeat.
Look
The last outing for my teensy Tezenis bikini.
Can’t Stop Scanning
Latest episodes of BBC’s Blue Lights.
This series filled the Line of Duty and Happy Valley shaped holes in my life.
I was lucky enough to sit down with the highly talented Katherine Devlin for coffee ahead of the show’s release. She was alluring and intelligent, and we discussed all the important stuff (like Guinness and dirty martinis). You can read it here.
Forward Planning
After the sad departure of acting icon Diane Keaton, I’ll be binge-watching her films (while sporting a turtleneck, of course).
The Family Stone will be a very different type of Christmas watch this year, Because I Said So is an underrated family rom-com, and as a writer, I adore ‘that scene’ in Something’s Gotta Give — the one where she’s heartbroken and bashes out a whole book while blubbering. Bold choices, big feelings.
Plus a couple of announcements:
- and I are hosting a substack open mic night on 29th October. I’ll be trying to think which bit of writing I should read this week. If you’re a writer on here and fancy coming, sign up here. We’d love to meet you (and hear your words!)
A bit of experimental fiction I wrote last year has been selected to be published in Ache Press’ extended magazine alongside some incredibly talented voices. Due to increasing prices and the impact of cost-of-living crisis, they need pre-orders to ensure this gets published. If this sounds like your thing, and you’re able to support, you can pre-order yours here.
I will be binge watching Diane too , sporting a turtle neck and dark rammed spectacles