The end of the years is near, but our cultural consumption is showing no signs of slowing down. From the new reads lining our bookshelves, to remixes we can't get out of our heads, here's what the RUSSH editors are watching, reading, and listening to in October, 2024.
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch… This month I subverted plans to see The Substance and ended up in the cinema watching The Wild Robot instead. It was heart-warming and heart-breaking at once. I really love animated films.
Read… I’ve been taking my time with Year of the Monkey by Patti Smith, a copy of which I picked up at the Notting Hill bookshop on a recent trip to London. I’ll never tire of Smith’s way with words. It’s prose-y and melancholic and makes me want to hitchhike to San Francisco to drink black coffee by the sea.
Listen… I was recently recommended DIIV’s new album, Frog in Boiling Water, which I’ve been loving. Top track is definitely 'Brown Paper Bag'. It’s swelling and lush, and has sent me spiralling back into my shoegaze / dream pop playlists. Definitely recommend for fans of Beach House or My Bloody Valentine.
Samantha Corry
Assistant to Editor-In-Chief
Watch… Last night I watched The Substance. Lots of thoughts, like how I don’t think I will eat a roast dinner for a while, and I am also terrified of Dennis Quaid. But the concept and acting was very good, just be prepared to be disturbed. I also just started Nobody Wants This which, of course is good, and I actually watched Pride and Prejudice for the first time (the Kiera Knightly version). It really blew my mind that it’s one of the best-known romance stories, and there is not so much as even a kiss. Incredible. And finally I saw Deadpool and Wolverine which was not the best… a little bit too meta for me. I’m actually just realising I have seen quite a lot of films. Boy and the Heron I really liked too, but who doesn't love Studio Ghibli? Oh, also Hellraiser purely because of Drew Starkey.
Read… I have Intermezzo, Normal People, and Cleopatra and Frankenstein to finish…
Listen… I just got last minute Coldplay tickets which I am very excited about, so I have been listening to them more than usual. Alongside them, I've also been listening to Tyler, the Creator's latest single 'Noid' in anticipation for his next album Chromakopia. But also One Direction sadly :( RIP Liam Payne.
Megan Nolan
Marketing Manager
Watch… Sex and the City reruns. Somewhere between the Brat Summer energy taking over the world and feeling uninspired by my wardrobe I decided that I needed some Carrie in my life, and honestly I don’t regret my life choices.
Read… I’ve been coming back and forth to Jia Tolentino’s Trick Mirror for a while now and I’ve finally finished it. It’s a series of essays about internet culture, marriage, scams, and contemporary feminism. I found it challenging and uncomfortable but in the best possible way.
Listen… Angie McMahon’s Light Sides EP. It’s only five tracks and it’s an extension of Light, Dark, Light Again which is one of my favourite albums of all time. It’s floaty and ethereal and feels like the start of summer.
Olivia Repaci
Creative Studio and Campaigns Manager
Watch… I’ve been keeping up with the cultural zeitgeist this month, binging Nobody Wants This in 24 hours and watching Anna Kendrick’s new film Woman of the Hour. Both were enjoyable watches at a time when I’m after easy wins!
Read… Airplane timetables and Uber number plates… I’ve been travelling a tonne this month!
Listen… I have really been enjoying Bon Iver’s feature on the Brat remix album, with his and Charli’s version of 'I Think About It All The Time' really levelling the song up. Also, loving the country vibes of Sabrina Carpener’s 'Slim Pickins'.
Phoebe Holden
Designer
Watch… I took myself to the cinema for a solo screening of The Substance and loved it, the fashion, cinematography and message was *chefs kiss*. I have rather strong opinions on cosmetic surgery and modern beauty standards so this was very much up my alley.
Read… I read Sally Rooney’s Intermezzo and enjoyed this, I’m not a huge Rooney fan but this was probably my favourite. The Years by Annie Ernaux and A Waiter in Paris were my other October selects (hard to guess my favourite city isn’t it…)
Listen… Mostly just audiobooks and pods this month, although Marlon Williams is still making an appearance around dinner time. I went in with zero expectations but surprisingly, I quite enjoyed Liane Moriarty’s new book Here one moment which was free via Audible.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch… My summer watch list is long: Disclaimer, Nobody Wants This and Monsters are up there. In terms of what I have watched, I finally saw The Substance and it was dark but gripping. Shook me to my core.
Read… Like my watch list, I have a stack of untouched books sitting in my kindle. My most recent download was The Cartiers: The Untold Story of the Family Jewellery Empire. Can’t wait to devour that. I’m still really deep in Substack, as well; ‘Dump your matcha and have a cigarette bitch’ by Sarah Noack is both funny and fascinating (plus, I’m obsessed with Blue Zones and hope to live in one someday).
Listen… Like Sam, I’m off to Coldplay next week. Lots of ‘Yellow’ on repeat right now. I also got tickets to Khruangbin, my kind of easy but funky background listening. Given we’re just wrapping up deadline week for our anniversary issue, I have spent MANY hours accompanied with this playlist by Zoë Foster-Blake, as well. I am extremely particular when it comes to writing conditions. I can’t handle chatter, the TV or music with lyrics. It’s got to be soft, ideally classical. And it HAS to come through my headphones, it can’t be out loud (weird, I know). This playlist strikes that chord. Thank you, Zoë.
Kirsty Thatcher
Digital Editor
Watch... I was reluctant to jump on the Monsters bandwagon, but I finally did and now I'm hooked (partly on the show itself, and partly on Cooper Koch). I'm planning to keep the thriller vibes going with Disclaimer and The Substance next. On a lighter note, I burned through English Teacher this month, which was created by and stars Brian Jordan Alvarez (who you'll likely recognise from TikTok).
Read... I've heard mixed reviews on Intermezzo, but now that I've finally got my hands on a copy, I'm keen to dive in. I'm also heading to 'An Evening With Dolly Alderton' in Sydney next week, so perhaps I'll revisit Everything I Know About Love...
Listen... It's not a new obsession, but I'm still firmly in the grips of Ride, a hilarious podcast by Benito Skinner and Mary Beth Barone. I've been waiting patiently for their Halloween episode to drop; they're always particularly funny. In terms of music, I've had Lizzy McAlpine's new song, 'Spring Into Summer', on repeat. Strong nostalgic vibes.
