Need fresh recommendations for music, books, film in February? The RUSSH editors have you covered. In February the team is making its way through the Awards Season nominations and our designer Teressia Carr is back with another anime movie. Bon Iver and Björk are coursing through our headphones, meanwhile it's a month of memoirs with Edward Enninful and Patti Smith's best sellers doing the rounds. Below, what the RUSSH editors are watching, reading and listening to in February 2023.
Hannah Cooper
Fashion Editor At Large
Watch... Triangle of Sadness. This film was equally grotesque and visually captivating and I LOVED it. So beautiful and strange.
Read... I always have a fiction and nonfiction on the go so I can choose either pending my mood. At the moment I'm reading Edward Enninful's biography A Visible Man which is perfect for our Resilience issue, what a life! I'm also re-reading Agatha Christie's The Body in the Library, I love a good trashy murder mystery.
Listen... Björk's entire catalogue. There's a Björk album for every mood.
Teressia Carr
Designer
Watch... Coming on here with my anime recommendation of the month. Weathering with You – you can find it on Netflix! Although sad and dramatic, I love the visuals Makoto Shinkai creates of rainy Tokyo city. Makes me feel cosy and equally gets me excited to travel there next month.
Read... My favourite read this month is actually one better suited to the coffee table. Hey You! Keep Going by Ellie Hopley (better known for her art and comic Instagram Shuturp) is an absolute burst of serotonin. The witty yet inspirational illustrations are highly relatable, and always a crowd-pleaser with any visitor. A flick through on my own never ceases to make me giggle. It’s the little things.
Listen... Rihanna’s 2023 Super Bowl megamix. Over and over and over again.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaigns Manager
Watch... American Horror Story. I’m a longtime fan of the AHS franchise, and there is nothing more satisfying for my dwindling attention span than a succinct 45 minute microdose of silly AHS horror to get the blood pumping.
Read... Just Kids by Patti Smith. Late to the party with this one, but this book feels like a time machine back to New York City’s golden era and I’m loving every page.
Listen... Bon Iver. I recently saw him in concert and my love of his peculiar genius has been revived.
Meg Nolan
Digital Operations Manager
Watch... Cruel Intentions: The 90s Musical. I was pretty dubious as to whether the musical could live up to the movie but I was very pleasantly surprised. If you’re in Melbourne between now and mid-March and have a penchant for musicals I would definitely recommend it.
Read... Honestly, bank terms and conditions. I’ve been doing a finance reshuffle and you probably should be too. If you’re someone who is working super hard to save your money but don’t regularly check to make sure you have it in the best high interest account(s) then this is your sign to go do your research. The Barefoot Investor is a good place to start if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Listen... Aretha Franklin’s discography. I’ve always been an Aretha fan (how can you not be happy when you’re listening to soul) but after watching Respect (the 2021 biopic on her life) this weekend I have a renewed love for her and her music.
Jahlia Solomon
Digital Writer
Watch... Aftersun. That's all.
Read... Do something nourishing for your brain and follow @poetryisnotaluxury on Instagram. There, you will find a delightful selection of poems to keep your mind fed and senses intrigued.
Listen… The algorithm gods did something right this time and served up this album by Σtella. The folky sub pop collection of songs are produced by Redinooldschool and are truly mesmerising. The two met in Athens, and you can hear that Greek influence woven throughout the album. Play the songs at your next backyard dinner party or degustation picnic.
Jasmine Pirovic
Arts & Culture Editor
Watch... I'm going to Thailand soon and I've been watching a lot of Andy Ricker and Mark Wiens YouTube videos for ideas in Chiang Mai. I also enjoyed The 50 Year Argument, where Martin Scorsese examines the history of The New York Times Book Review, and Lukas Dhont's moving coming-of-age film Close.
Read... Everyone is talking about Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, including my local bookseller. I bought the book on his recommendation and it's a favourite for a reason. It follows Sadie and Sam who meet in a hospital gaming room and are united by an appetite for video games. I'm currently up to the section where the tables have turned and Sam is caring for Sadie after an icky breakup.
Listen... To Townes Van Zandt and sing your blue heart out. Podcast-wise, Pandora Sykes is dropping new episodes of Book Chat and Dolly Alderton has joined forces with Caroline O'Donoghue again on Sentimental Garbage to discuss Runaway Bride. In case you still long for The High Low.
Ella O'Keeffe
Fashion & Brand Features Editor
Watch... I finally watched Pamela, A Love Story, and it did not disappoint. Seeing Pamela sit in her truth and tell her own story was as liberating as it was emotional.
Read... I'd love to say that I've been reading anything but press releases off the back of shows, but being in the midst of fashion week, this is unfortunately all I've had time to read "cover to cover" this month.
Listen... Charli XCX's Welcome to my Island remix is the anthem of Pride month. No ifs, ands, or buts!
