OFF-TOPIC — VOL.1
Art, craft, culture, and everything in between.
OFF-TOPIC is a monthly (occasionally more frequent) newsletter for art, craft, culture, and everything in between.
Welcome to OFF-TOPIC — a more hand-curated newsletter on creativity in a world ruled by algorithms. Expect a mix of new discoveries and reminders across art, design, film, and music, with occasional detours into other rarities.
Brian Eno’s new interview is filled with pure wisdom from a true artist🎹. Also, Zane Lowe became a key voice in interviewing icons. Only sometimes, his overly balanced takes end up diluting his authenticity. I’d love to see him lean into a more unfiltered, even radical perspective on today’s music scene and its stars.
“Inspiration does come, but it has to find you working.”
—Brian Eno‘School is hell’ episode in Adolescence hit hard. Kids creating an alienated language felt like Villeneuve’s ‘Arrival’ set in elementary school. That episode captured the disconnect🔌 with youth, both today and in the days to come. Of course, I'm not downplaying the show's main focus or the broader issues it highlights. But I felt that episode was particularly strong because it captures the root cause and the environment where the disconnect first begins.
I’ve been playing Steven Julien’s DJ Kicks a lot, but his new EP even more. He’s found a new sound that’s both nostalgic and modern. It’s interesting how London leads the way in bringing unique-sounding artists across many genres (e.g. John Glacier, Nilüfer Yanya, Yussef Dayes…etc). I know this is a hot take, but I’m ready to die on that hill unless someone resurrects me by injecting Detroit🇺🇸 into my body.
The new Season 3 theme for The White Lotus took me an episode to get used to, but once the lead kicks in halfway through the euphoria hits. Sometimes I believe a show’s theme song can carry the whole show. Similar to Britell’s ‘Succession’. And now with the show’s star composer Cristóbal leaving I’m convinced the formula of "Rich People Behaving Badly" is coming to an end. Also, Chilean🇨🇱 musicians and composers feel like they’re from another world. Having artists like Cristóbal de Veer and Nicolás Jaar on your country’s roster is wild.
Listening to Trevor Noah’s podcast ‘What Now?’, I discovered Josh Johnson a while back, and I seriously think he’s one of the best comedians🎤 out there. He delivers complex political and cultural topics in a way that’s funny, intellectual, and sometimes just incredibly plain, but in a perfectly effortless kind of way.
SUNO AI music is both terrifying and fascinating. It might wipe out mediocre ghost👻 production, especially in commercial stock music. But it becomes an instrument when used creatively, opening new musical possibilities.
I’ve always loved sound systems. There’s something about the clarity, warmth, and physical presence of a great setup. Over the years, they’ve found their way into more intimate spaces: listening bars, cafes, and basements. London has some great ones, and now that I’m back in the Netherlands, I know Amsterdam’s got a few good spots too. I’ve yet to discover what Rotterdam has to offer. And yes, I know, Seoul 🇰🇷 is calling. Custom builds like Devon Turnbull’s and H.A.N.D.HIFI’s are some of my current favourites. The Friendly Pressure x Stone Island collaboration shows sound systems are deeply embedded in mass niche culture.
Brunoise cuts🔪are my latest obsession, they’re like therapy for the brain. We might be at peak educational content online, but somehow there are still these fun little corners of the internet where you can learn satisfying skills.
I just finished reading Oliver Burkeman’s new book, Meditations for Mortals, and one piece of advice that stuck with me is treating your to-do list like a menu. You don’t try to order everything… unless you're a psychopath (and honestly, sometimes I come close😂). You pick one main thing to focus on. Maybe you skip the starter, but in my case, I guess you always leave room for dessert.
There’s something powerful about group performances. I've recently seen a performance by Curro Durbanville High School that blew me away, and it reminded me of those older, popular pieces choreographed by Sadeck Waff. I love that level of precision📐, but I’m also drawn to performances that focus more on flow than synchronicity, like the work from La Horde or Anne Imhof’s art performances. No surprise that so many ads or music videos today use group dance. It’s like the Helvetica of ideas. It just works.
PIET’s “Farmers League Collection” was shown at Estádio Pacaembu during São Paulo Fashion Week and the show was open to the public. Opening a runway to the public, especially in a football stadium, reflects how streetwear and football⚽️ culture keep blending. A trend that doesn’t seem to fade (love it).
Gabriel Moses' work over the past two years has been incredibly inspiring. His style is so distinct and stands out in today’s fast-paced visual culture. It reminds me of a quote by Miles Davis: “Man, sometimes it takes a long time to sound like yourself.” That feels especially true for visual artists today. Also, there's a 16-room exhibition of his at 180 Studios, one of my favorite exhibition spaces in the world.
Aspect Ratios with Sinners Director Ryan Coogler — I can't say enough how much I love this. Like someone said on YouTube: "I never thought understanding aspect ratios could be this easy. Thank you, Ryan and Kodak!" 💯!
Fade out, fade in next time!
That’s a wrap from me. Hit me with your faves and recs if you’ve got any!
If this felt good to read, it might feel better to share it with others. 🙏