music – Page 2 – EXCUSES AND HALF TRUTHS

The Swipe Volume 1 Chapter 1

New year, new start. If you’re expecting the usual Saturday hit of The Cut—well, things have changed a bit. The Excuses And Half Truths newsletter is now The Swipe, a more personal take on the week. It’s an incremental shift rather than a complete restart, but I hope you like the tweaks.

You still get your links. You still get your song. You also get an overview of what I’ve been enjoying this week. I’ll try to keep it positive. Recommendations rather than warnings. You don’t need me grumbling at you while you’re easing into the weekend.

Lots to see and do. Let’s get it started.

Wherever you are, whenever you are, however you are, welcome to The Swipe.

The Final Cut

Let’s address the big question first. Yes, this is the last episode of The Cut. The offices will be closing at midnight, the Crew moving on with blessings and happy thoughts to new and exciting adventures.

It’s not the end of the Excuses And Half Truths newsletter, though. Think of this moment as a restart, a chance to address a couple of points which have irritated Editor Rob for a while.

That Editor Rob thing, for a start. It’s time to take ownership, stop hiding behind a (let’s be honest) fictitious office of grizzled journos and wide-eyed juniors. A singular authorial voice is the requirement. Hello. My name is Rob Wickings and from next week I will be your host and patron.

Of course, the annoying fact that New York Magazine already has a newsletter-style supplement called The Cut makes this venture look even more like a copycat. In our defense, the whole thing was set up as a lockdown venture with very little foresight. We have the ability to change things up and be more ourselves. A proper email newsletter will be available in the New Year as well, if you prefer. In fact, this is a chance for you to make your wishes known. Is there anything you’d like me to cover? Are there any tweaks to the service you’d like to see? Hit me up. I’m always listening.

A lot will not change. The winning structure—ten posts with a bit of context, finish with a song—stays. So does the delivery time. Saturday at 10am, just in time for me to relax with Matt and the gang for Saturday Kitchen.

Next week, then, I would be delighted for you to join me for Volume 1, Chapter 1 of The Swipe.

For now, though, one last run through the turnstiles. Now is the time. Here is the place. This is The Final Cut.

The Cut Season 3 Christmas Wrapup

So, this is (nearly) Christmas. Are you ready? It’s a complicated time of year. The general pressure is on family, peace, gift-giving and happiness. But that may not be how things are for you. Family relations can be difficult. Money’s tight. Peace? Well, Putin’s still on his bullshit. All told, you could be excused for turning your back on the whole charade.

But the day can be an excuse to make your own sort of merry. After all, we celebrate in late December as the winter slowly begins to retreat and the darkest day is over our shoulder. It can be a time to reflect, take a breath, and make plans for the year ahead. Above all, it can be a moment where you gather the people you love and show them you care, in whatever way you can.

If nothing else, take comfort in a tiny chink of regularity and sweet routine.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 46

How’s your festive countdown running, if you do such a thing? Tree up? Deccoes strung? Cards posted? If not, too late! Oh well, probably better for the environment not to send so much paper around just to have it go in the recycling. To us, it feels like we’ve almost forgotten what to do after two lockdown Christmases. Still, even if plans are askew, there are always mince pies. Whatever your belief system, you can always have faith in them.

And of course, in your regular Saturday visit from your pals at The Cut. This week: lies! Viking detectives! A recipe! And an anti-Christmas anthem.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 45

Editor Rob notes:

I woke this morning to do the construction, polish and delivery of this here missive, which has become a very pleasing way to start the weekend. It clears the mind and focusses me on the day ahead while TLC snoozes upstairs. Quiet time. My time with ten links, a song and The Readership.

Today the garden is coated in a thick layer of frost. The heavenly sky-daddy has shaken out a tub of decorative icing sugar, and everything is twinkling. The light is soft, pearlescent. Everything is peaceful. It’s a clear signal we’re coming to the end of another tumultuous year. This time next week I will be 56. This time next month we will be living in the twenty-third year of the twenty-first century, a phrase which feels wildly science-fictional to me. Who knows what 2023 holds? It seems crazy to try and make any predictions. Perhaps next year this blog will be entirely written by a chat bot with art by Dall-E, and I will be surplus to requirements.

I like to hope not. For one thing I’d miss the Saturday mornings, and this quiet time with you, Readership.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 44

December! Holy macaroni, it’s December! We’ve been a bit turned around what with the Nanowrimo and the family bereavements and all the hey hey hey but even so! Who pulled down the big switch and turned winter on without us noticing? X minus 22 days, Readership. You better not pout…

This week: marmalade, food which may not be food and a momento mori just to stop things getting too jolly.

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

Mary And Scooter And The E Street Shuffle

Something a bit different this Saturday, as I’m still a bit sideways after last week’s bad news and a bumpy time at work. I’ve given The Cut Crew a week off and decided to offer up a bit of home-grown short fiction.

The following piece was written for a competition set up by my local writing group, the esteemed Reading Writers. I’m pleased to report it won first place. The field was especially strong so a win felt very special.

The prompt was to base the story around a song. I decided to go more widescreen and based it on the early albums of Bruce Springsteen, as well as the songs which influenced his formative tunes. His new album of covers, Only The Strong Survive, is a stone groove by the way.

I hope you enjoy Mary And Scooter And The E Street Shuffle.

The Cut Season 3 Episode 43

This episode is dedicated to the memory of Gwendolyn Sampson (1921-2022), Editor Rob’s maternal grandmother. A force for good in this world and sadly missed. So long, Party Nan.

In the face of this sad event and ongoing Nanowrimo responsibilities, we will again be running a reduced service this week. Please adjust your expectations accordingly.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 42

A slightly truncated ep this week. Editor Rob is deep into the annual assault course/self-inflicted torture that is Nanowrimo, and is lost in wordcount. We dedicate our November output to the brave souls, dreamers and fools who take on the challenge every year. We salute you.

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

The Cut Season 3 Episode 41

November has arrived. it has brought storms along just to add to that authentic winter apocalyptic vibe. Yuk, no fun. Why not huddle up under a blankie with something sweet and someone warm, and enjoy this week’s cavalcade of curiousity?

AC/DC! Witchcraft! Ragging on Elon Musk! And several other links!

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