Nick Cave performing Stagger Lee in Copenhagen is electrifying
I have seen Nick live three times so far and his live performances of this song Stagger Lee are always a big highlight. The song escalates and gets harder, darker and more intense as it goes on. This is definitely my favourite Nick Cave song because of how incredible it is to see live. Who would have thought a song about sodomy and murder would be so unbelievably amazing.
Chill Sounds: The Serpent’s Egg by Dead Can Dance
I love this band and it’s mysterious, Celtic, Gregorian darkwave vibe. They have a very dedicated cult following and would be incredible to see live. Dead Can Dance were formed in Melbourne in 1981 by Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard. I am a bit of a fan girl of multi instrumentalist, composer and singer Lisa Gerrard of Dead Can Dance. You would have heard her work before, she has also composed award-winning soundtracks for famous films like Gladiator, Whale Rider and Ali.
Weird quirky books that nobody in the world ever asked for or needed
Did you ever want to know how to speak to a cat about gun safety? Or how to play with a lion’s testicles?
No? Perhaps you will want to know after seeing this Twitter thread!
The Crannogs of the Ancient Celtic World
Prehistoric and neolithic crannogs in Scotland, Wales and Ireland were small man-made islands inside of lochs which acted as boltholes during times of danger and added legiitimacy and a sense of ownership over vast swathes of land in the ancient Celtic world. Often these small islands were used to build neolithic roundhouses or forts, some of these have been reconstructed in the British Isles today. Read more on the Bushcraft UK blog and eMorphes
Ashes, a poem by Robert Okaji
To sweeten the dish, add salt. To bear the pain,
render the insoluble. She envied
the past its incursions, yet the past yields to all,
avoidance to acceptance, trees to smoke.
My mother brought to this country a token of her death to come.
Now it sits on my shelf bearing implements of music.
In her last days I played Sakura on the mandolin,
trusting that she might find comfort
in the blossoms fluttering through the failing notes,
a return to mornings
of tea and rice, of
warmth and paper walls and deep laughter.
Today the rain spells forgive
and every idea becomes form, every shadow a symptom,
each gesture a word, a naming in silence.
Scatter me in air I’ve never breathed.
Read more poetry on Robert’s incredible blog O at the Edges
This doggo’s selfie in the park
This naughty pup pressed record on a phone in the park and took a selfie. What a handsome and distinguished boy. Special mention goes to the little tongue poking out.
You cannot save people, you can only love them
If you have loved ones, friends and whānau who are living their lives in an unhealthy way, then it can be really difficult to hold your tongue and not cast judgement on them or tell them how they can change and become happier/healthier and stronger. This will just make them feel angry, or judged or cause them to distane themselves from you. A very wise friend told me that you can only love them, closely or from afar, and also set a good example that they can follow, if they choose to make changes.
The Luttrell Psalter – A Year in a Medieval English Village
The Luttrell Psalter was an illuminated manuscript commissioned by Sir Geoffrey Luttrell, lord of the manor in Lincolnshire somewhere between 1320-1345. The exquisite manuscript contains canticles, a mass and it’s richly decorated by vibrant scenes from rural life, strange fantastical beasts and humorous and cheeky scenes. It charts life across the wheel of the year during medieval times.
Here, Crows Eye Producions have created a wonderful short film which brings alive the pictures in margins of the Luttrell Psalter. The chanting you hear in the short film is actual medieval songs. Crow’s Eye also have some incredibly interesting videos about other aspects of history as well, definitely worth a sub.
You can purchase a fascimile of the Luttrel Psalter as well.
Kanariya Eishi performs a Rakugo of Noppera-bō
Kiwi/Japanese Rakugo artist Kanariya Eishi performs the creepy ghost story of Noppera-bō– the story of a ghost (a yokai or fantastical Japanese creature) which looks like a human but has no face. Eishi’s performances are always very enjoyable, engaging, funny and sometimes creepy – because he’s able to immerse you right into the story and switch effortlessly between playing several characters. It’s nice to spend some time learning about these legendary Japanese stories in English using a traditional form of Japanese entertainment. It’s a great channel to follow if you are an enthusiast of Japanese culture.
Content Catnip 
Ha, I’ve never seen this rakugo-in-English performer! Thanks for sharing. He did an interesting job with that Lafcadio Hearn story!
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Yes he is very entertaining, worth a sub for sure 🤗 Thanks for your comment Jonelle
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