Media consumption is a big part of working in media – and the RUSSH team take our book, podcast, film, TV show and music recommendations seriously. Whether we're flocking to our local cinema to catch an Italian language film, tuning into the series adaptation of our favourite book, spending our free time buying tickets to Vivid gigs or tempering our stressful day with a spot of light reading before bed – we're never not letting the cultural capital flow. So what did we watch, listen to and read?
If you were wondering what the RUSSH team have been consuming during the month of May 2024, we've asked them to divulge below ...
Kitty Callaghan
Contributing Editor
Watch … I enjoyed watching Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell in Scoop, a drama on Netflix retelling the process of securing and filming the 2019 BBC television interview of Prince Andrew for UK program Newsnight. It’s a story that on one hand feels made up, but at the same time seems apt for the royal family.
Read … I have been reading/looking through Pipilotti Rist’s Sip My Ocean exhibition catalogue from 2017. I found it on a bookshelf recently. Her work is timeless in my eyes, and I love that her practice encompasses so many mediums. I remember going to the show at the MCA at the time and now wish I had been paying closer attention.
Listen … I am really into Linda Martell lately. I read about her shortly before Beyonce’s Cowboy Carter came out, about how she never really had her time in the spotlight. Beyonce is bringing a new audience to her music. Discovering artists from the past that you never knew existed is always a beautiful thing. I’m also loving Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ new single Frogs. Lastly, I am back on a Jimmy Little loop – his album Messenger from 1999 is an Australian masterpiece in my opinion.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Production Editor
Watch … I went to the cinema a few weeks ago to see La Chimera, an Italian language film starring Challengers’ Josh O’Connor as a British archaeologist-turned-grave-robber. It viscerally reminded me of my claustrophobia, but also made me want to take an Italian holiday.
Read … I have been absolutely loving my copy of Erik Jensen’s Angry at Breakfast this month, which I picked up from Berkelouw Books on ANZAC Day for its beautifully designed cover. It compiles ten years of editorials Jensen wrote for The Saturday Paper, and has constantly caught me off guard with its sharp wit and piercing insights on recent Australian politics.
Listen … Living life in a post-Fred again.. deficit has meant leaning into his back catalogue of work – specifically Secret Life (2023), an experimental and atmospheric collab between Fred and mentor Brian Eno (i.e. the godfather of ambient music). It’s a fantastic soundtrack for slow mornings and late nights.
Karen Leong
Art & Culture Writer
Watch … I’ve begun a cult classic: Neon Genesis Evangelion. It’s a snapshot of 90s anime and chrome-plated aesthetics that always commands my attention. Otherwise, I’m gearing up for the start of Sydney Film Festival. Kinds of Kindness, House of Seasons, and Bong Xi Fa Cai at Dendy Awards are my top picks to attend.
Read … I’m a quarter of the way into Cher Tan’s Peripathetic, which is a collection of essays in her sardonic, inventive prose. It is cultural criticism, autofiction, and literary experiment all in one. Otherwise, I’ve been thumbing through old issues of RUSSH whenever I have a spare moment. Jasmine Pirovic’s Seeing Comes Before Words feature in the Wonder Issue is a knockout from the past.
Listen … Vivid is fast encroaching, and I have two tickets to Devonté Hynes with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, as well as Sky Ferreira to attend. To prime myself, their discography will be on constant rotation. Otherwise, everything will truly be quite embarrassing.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor-In-Chief
Watch… Cass and I recently watched La Chimera by Alice Rohrwacher last week, an Italian film starring Josh O’Connor. I thought it was so beautiful, it had the old nostalgic feel of cinema – which also made me want to learn Italian. And yes of course, I am watching Bridgerton season three. I actually only started season one like, two weeks ago… so watching is a light term, perhaps binge-ing is the correct one.
Read… I have just started reading Edward Enninful’s biography A Visible Man. He’s the ex-Editor-In-Chief at British Vogue. Really amazing story about how he became, and reached to his success today – 10/10 would recommend, especially if you’re interested in entering the fashion industry.
Listen… I have been listening to some Chappell Roan, and Challengers soundtrack (obvi). I would highly recommend listening to that when you need to be productive. Also, a bit of Blood Orange (thanks to Challengers), and the Call Me By Your Name soundtrack. I’m telling you now – listen to movie soundtracks! And as soon as I can find La Chimera’s , I will be listening to that too!
Megan Nolan
Marketing Manager
Watch… I’m late to the party here, but I’m two episodes into the TV adaptation of Three Women, which is out on Stan at the moment. If you’ve been following RUSSH for a while then you’ll know that I loved the book by Lisa Taddeo, and so far the adaptation seems to be fairly true to the characters and storyline, which I always appreciate.
Read… Reading feels HARD at the moment as I never feel quite awake enough to get through more than a few pages of a book at a time. Lucky for me a new issue of RUSSH was just released and I’ve been taking my time getting through it to savour the long-form pieces in particular. My fave so far is by our very own Isabelle Truman and answers the question "Where does one find inspiration and ideas today?"
Listen… I’m still on Beyonce’s country album, Cowboy Carter. It’s one of those albums that grows and changes as you keep listening to it – probably due to the fact that it has a whopping 27 tracks. To fully appreciate it you need to listen to it from start to finish, preferably somewhere where you can dance, cry and cheer without fear of judgement.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio & Campaigns Manager
Watch… The Twilight Saga. I’m currently up to New Moon. As soon as the air gets chilly, I’m on the lounge, blankets piled on, cup of tea and chihuahua in lap. It’s time to rekindle my youth and wish I was a vampire again.
Read… AFW show notes. It’s nice, after heading backstage at shows last week, to take a moment to stop and reflect about the collections I saw and the stories and intentions behind them.
Listen… How Soon Is Now? By The Smiths. It’s one of those songs that I have heard all my life in film and in passing, but only now just learned the name of.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch… Not surprising, but I have binged the first half of Bridgerton's third season. I love the fashion (Googling corsets rn) and diversity and after all, I’m a sucker for love. Penelope’s character is so multi-faceted and she is in her prime this season. Cannot wait for June 13th!
Read… I’ve been nose-deep in the new Ideas issue of RUSSH, which very recently hit newsstands. You’ll have to pick up a copy yourself (if you’re not already subscribed to RUSSH, that is) to experience the brilliance this issue has to offer.
Listen… Again, I’m one of many in spending hours listening to Billie Eilish’s new album Hit Me Hard and Soft. No notes.
Phoebe Holden
Designer
Watch … My favourite 2024 films (so far) have been Poor Things and Anatomy of a Fall, I was obsessed with both and plan to rewatch them. The Boy, the Mole the Fox and the Horse is a lovely little book by Charlie Mackesy and something I flick through when I feel blue, and Apple TV and Mackesy adapted this into an animated short film which was a very cute, comforting and equally emotional watch. I should also admit that I am a hard-core MasterChef Australia fan. The 16th season is currently running so that is how I spend 7:30–9:30pm every Sunday through to Wednesday (team Stephen Dennis).
Read … Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason is one of my favourite books of all time, which I reread recently and recommend to everyone – it is fantastic. Mystery and thriller books have never really been my cup of tea but I have been binge-reading a fair few this month (easy escapism for cold days I guess!) None of This is True by Lisa Jewell totally hooked me, so I tried out both Nita Prose and Freida McFadden’s The Maid series and surprisingly enjoyed all four. I’d like to get through a few more Murakami books next month as I loved The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle last year, Kafka on the Shore maybe?
Listen … My usual lineup of podcasts was on rotation each week, After Work Drinks by Grace O’Neill and Isabelle Truman, (UN)Cover Girl by Beatrice Hazlehurst and Ivana Rihter, Every Outfit by Chelsea Fairless and Lauren Garroni and I recently discovered Bon Appétit’s Dinner SOS which I adore. My favourite musician is Nick Cave, who I was very fortunate to see live at State Theatre earlier this month, I have had the Sydney set list on repeat when I need a pod break as well as Kendrick’s Not Like Us.
