💿 DJ Cait #2: Nothing November

Frou Frou, Eusexua, lesbian Christmas rom-coms

Hi party people!

It is with great pleasure that I bring you the second edition of DJ Cait: everything I have been listening to this month. I have decided to expand this series to include books, movies, or anything of the sort when I see fit. Hooray!

I do not take pleasure in reporting that November has been uninspired. Lenin once said “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” I forgot who said this and tried to incorporate the quote into a blog for work, but recognized that I should not quote Lenin at my corporate marketing job. Needless to say, this is a month where nothing ever happens. But Caitlin what about the election — that was a nothingburger. Not elaborating.

I would call it “writer’s block” but that doesn’t exactly describe what I am experiencing. I feel writer’s block when I know I have something to say, but I don’t know what it is, or I don’t know how to say it. Right now, I’m not sure I have anything to say. When I read, watch, or listen to something interesting, I feel that others have already said it. What could I possibly contribute?

Anyways, here’s what I’ve been wanting to share with you this month. You can listen along and see what else I’m listening to on the DJ Cait playlist.

NOW LISTENING: 🎧

Cmon by Fred again… and Brian Eno

Secret Life, the collaborative album between Fred again… and Brian Eno received mixed reviews. Whenever you read a review that says an artist “reimagines” a genre or an influence, the reviewer is looking for a nice way of saying “derivative.” That’s okay, because I still enjoyed this song. It’s intimate and vulnerable, and carries a lightness and sincerity that we are pretty starved for.

Out of curiosity, I wondered how Fred again… met and collaborated with someone like Brian Eno. What did that studio session look like? What did they discuss? I looked it up, and the answer is nepotism.

Good Guy - Demo by Frou Fou

Thrilled to announce that I am learning and growing as a person because I do not care that this artist is getting popular on Tik Tok.

(A sign that blinks and says APPLAUSE appears above you).

If the song Headlock becoming popular on Tik Tok means that more people will be exposed to Imogen Heap’s talents, then I am happy about that. However, I am proud to say I discovered her through the Shrek 2 soundtrack.

Though I love Ms. Heap’s solo work, I actually prefer the music she makes with Guy Sigsworth. They just keep getting better and better (this EP was released 20 years after their debut album!) and the music ages like a fine wine. I love the way they experiment with different types of sounds (like the phone dial sound in this song) but still make something very listenable and catchy.

Drums of Death by FKA Twigs and Koreless

I am counting down the days until FKA Twigs releases her album, and I already have FOMO for that Coachella set. If you caught the last edition of DJ Cait, you would know that Eusexua was the moment at the last CorePower class I attended. If you teach workout classes and include this one on your playlist, I’m there!

IZ-US by Aphex Twin

Sometimes, an ambient song leaves you with a potent bittersweet feeling. It’s like Aphex Twin reduced bittersweetness down to its purest form and imbued it into the song. Maybe it’s the kid talking at the beginning that primes you for nostalgia, or the beats that sound like rain, but this feels like something you’d play during a wistful fall afternoon or staring at your own reflection in a puddle.

We Are Making Out by Mura Masa and yeule

This is the first song that’s actually given me the “indie sleaze revival” feeling that everyone was talking about forever ago. It’s mostly danceable with a touchingly sincere acoustic guitar in the last 40 seconds. It reminds me of a band like The 1975 or MGMT in their heyday, but a little more grungy. It evokes the hopeful and giddy feeling you got when you finally moved to the city or went to your first party, when the world and new friends were at your fingertips. I’m writing this like I’m an old man but that’s what the song feels like. Don’t shoot the messenger.

NOW READING: 📚

Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber

I’m really late to the David Graeber train. If you caught my tone in the opening paragraph, you might know why I decided to hop on.

Based on a viral essay of the same name, Graeber describes our current economic and political environment through the lens of “bullshit jobs,” or jobs that don’t do anything productive or valuable. These jobs take a profound psychological toll and build resentment towards those who do not have bullshit jobs, like nurses or mechanics. Graeber breaks it down in a very matter-of-fact, authoritative tone that makes it easy to understand.

I wish that I could find every single one of those viral “READ THESE BOOKS BEFORE YOU DIE (or turn 25)” lists to replace Misleading History: Volume III (don’t bother reading I and II) and Philosophy of Assholes 101 with this book. I wish every tech bro would read this book. I mean, really anyone with a 21st century job should read this book. If you haven’t already, you should read this book.

NOW WATCHING: 🎞️

Happiest Season, AKA the Kristen Stewart Lesbian Christmas Rom-Com

Well, it’s just what the title says. Harper (Mackenzie Davis) invites Abby (Kristen Stewart) to her parents’ house for Christmas, without telling her that she isn’t out to her very WASP-y, politically involved family. I went into this movie with extremely low expectations (I think I am just burned out from too many bad Christmas rom-coms), and was pleasantly surprised. It made me laugh, smile, cry, and get into a festive spirit. It’s not a perfect movie—Abby’s GBF John (Dan Levy) delivers a handful of clunky lines that I could only describe as “writers’ room’s idea of what a gay, liberal man says”—but it’s miles ahead of any rom-com I’ve watched lately, ESPECIALLY a Christmas one. The plot is ridiculously unrealistic and the characters are fabulous, complete with cameos from beloved drag queens Jinkx Monsoon and BenDeLaCreme.

SUGGESTION BOX: 🗃️

Do you have a song, book, or movie you want me to review? Let me know and I can put together a list of subscriber recommendations. I’d love to find ways to make this series more interactive and highlight some more perspectives and tastes.

That’s all folks! Here’s hoping that December will be less tired and more inspired. It always helps to curl up with a silly movie or a devastating book.