art – EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS

The Cut Season 2 Episode 37

This time next week we shall be on a scheduled team get-away, somewhere in the wilds of Norfolk. Don’t be surprised if episode 38 comprises of a postcard of Blakeney beach and a recipe for a decent crab sandwich. We badly need the break. Our brains are mush, our souls are weary. We need time by the sea and the solace of old friends.

But today we can still offer up some treats. Racing samurai, the biggest potato hotel in the world and the musical stylings of Brushy One-string await.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 36

We lost Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry. Texas turned into Gilead. The New York subway system turned into a sewer. Look at the world a certain way and you can feel it slipping out from under you. But then witness the triumphs of the Paralympics or the return of Abba and know there’s good news out there. You just have to see with the right eyes.

This week: how caffeine lit the spark to the fuse that blew up the future, the logical endpoint of the square meal and the Rainbow Connection between Miss Piggy and Yoda.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 35

A tough month for rock ‘n’roll, with the passing of both Dusty Hill and Charlie Watts. Both guys knew how to get the funk and grind into their music, and both understood the essential ridiculousness of the life. Charlie in particular offered up a ‘don’t give a fuck’ attitude that was no affectation. For the most part, he knew there were better things to be doing. We could all use a little more of that perspective on the life/work balance.

Anyhoo. Join us this week as we thumb through cookbooks, consider the most influential band ever and yes alright talk a bit more about Ted Lasso.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 34

The year continues to flap around in unexpected and bewildering ways like an uninvited squid in the bathtub. The Great Game in Afghanistan moves into a new, ugly phase. A beloved comedian dies, leaving us in fits of giggles at his legacy while calling for the revival of his long-forgotten sitcom. The nation realises just how dire the supply chain problem is as the unthinkable happens and Nando’s runs out of chicken. Boy howdy, it’s been a week.

We’re here to offer some respite, with more base level comics instruction, an admiration of The Madonna With The Long Neck and a chat to the guy who brings the good vibes to the ball game.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 33

This week was, to be frank, a struggle. The demands of the day gig were more intense than ever, pushing up against the other parts of our lives with increasing insistence. We had trouble getting links for the issue in the face of an stream of negativity and all-round ugliness.

And yet. On Wednesday a joint meetup between the staff of The Cut and our pals at Reading Writers, the first face-to-face gathering in eighteen months, was a balm and a boozy joy. At the last minute, we found our quota of linkertainment… with a little help from our friends. And here we are, early on a Saturday morning, glue and scissors in hand, patching together the issue you’re reading now. Life may get in the way, but it will also find a way.

A comics-heavy episode this week. Suck it up, it’s good for you.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 32

Wait, it’s August? When the heck did that happen? Wasn’t it, like, Easter two weeks ago? I guess as we haven’t really had a summer as such it’s easy to lose track of time. One event you can depend upon is the Saturday drop of your favourite internet compendium. It may come down to the wire sometimes (our editor is putting this issue to bed less than ninety minutes before hitting the go button) but we strive to be there for you. A little structure in wobbly times.

In this week’s ep, we start and end with comics, take in some bread and rice and consider the lightning.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 31

It’s been a strange and unsettling week. We have been to the cinema and eaten out. Three times! We have been to Ikea to sort out bits and bobs for a badly-overdue refurb of Cut Central. We even went to the launch night of a swinging new arts hub in the middle of Reading. Sitting on the first floor terrace, enjoying the views of Crispy Dosa and the Oxford Road Travelodge while sipping a glass of wine we thought to ourselves ‘Is this how it used to be? Is this what normal feels like?’ It’s been so long. Kinda nice to crack open the airlock. But, yes, strange.

This week we go lowbrow with the comics coverage, extremely geeky with the music bit and go wild in a famous bathhouse.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 30

A week of freedom, and to our eyes little seems to have changed. Most people are still wearing masks and socially distancing. We went to one of our favourite pubs in Reading (The Fox And Hounds in Caversham, try the loaded fries) which was table service only and all the more pleasant for it. It feels like we’ve heard the official advice, saw it for bullshit and decided to stay safe. Well, for the most part anyway. It could all shift again by this time next week.

But hey, at least we have links for you. Comics chat, saving chocolate and a disagreement about vinyl.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

(featured image from our pal and X&HTeam-mate Dominic Wade).

The Cut Season 2 Episode 29

The Second Summer Of Covid. We are entering unknown territories, expected to act as if things are back to normal when they clearly are not. Will you be wearing a mask when you next go shopping? What happens if you get pinged by the NHS app? It feels to us that we have to navigate these strange new waters without a map or guidance, left by a government with other priorities to sink or swim. Strange days indeed.

Anyway. Let’s check out this week’s linkeration, which includes Nicolas Cage and a pig, the late renaissance of a pair of musical legends and a comic about wombats.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.

The Cut Season 2 Episode 28

Well yes so football, apparently. Any excuse to throw beer in the air instead of down your neck which seems to be the more logical place for it to go. For those of you who enjoy such diversions, have a jolly nice time and we hope you get the result you want. As for The Cut… business as usual.

This week, that business includes the race to document the Titanic before it vanishes, an extremely horrible book and the pitfalls of translating English nonsense verse into Chinese.

Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Cut.