I’ve been following Kamryn Renae since early April, when I was served up a post recapping her first day hiking the PCT. Clad from head to toe in shades of pink (backpack and Nalgene included), Renae’s wide-eyed pout and pigtails initially struck me as incongruous. Who was this girl? Was she for real? Was this a schtick, or some kind of performance art? Was she actually hiking the PCT all by herself? Had she ever done something like this before? I was equal parts fascinated, inspired, and concerned. I hit the follow button. Turns out, I was not alone in my reaction. Since that first post from the trail, Renae has racked up more than 160,000 followers on Instagram. Last week, Interview called her for a quick Q&A. This week, Outside published an in-depth profile of Renae and the divisive response to her apparent naivete. Turns out that while Renae’s inexperience is real, she’s not unaware of her performance of it—or of the darker realities of a woman solo thru-hiking in America. According to writer Grayson Haver Currin, Renae represents “a new way of existing on trail,” and I agree. I’m looking forward to seeing more of it.
-VvP
|
|
We’ve written about Italian cannabis design firm Weed’d many times before, which is a testament to their quality and aesthetic. Their FB001 Burgundy Ashtray, now on sale, is no different. While you can find a lot of background on the inspiration for the lidded ashtray’s look (“ancient vessels once used to hold flowers and seeds”), I’ll be honest with you: I just think it looks cool. The color and the grooves really do it for me. It also comes in sky blue, which might be more your bag, but I dig the burgundy one. I’m not sure how long it’ll be marked down (maybe forever?), so you might want to move on it.
-DW
|
|
These are just pure fun in gummy form. Bright raspberry flavor, clean ingredients, and 10mg of uplifting THC that hits just right (I take half). Not too heavy, not too speedy. They’re perfect for a night out with friends, long walks with a new album, or days when you want to feel just a little lighter.
-VvP
|
|
What are the odds that I would be sitting in a cafe and the familiar opening chords to 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” would tumble from the speaker on the shelf? If you’ve been in a coffee shop in your life, you know the chances are pretty high. But what are the odds that this time, for whatever reason, I thought to myself,
I wonder what Linda Perry is up to these days? Decently high, perhaps. We all get curious about these things. But! What, I ask you, are the odds that on the exact day that I decided to google her name, Perry released her first album in 25 years. Such is Linda Perry’s ability to shift the world’s gravity, I suppose. Perry has famously been the writer and/or producer behind a number of hits for the likes of Adele, Pink, Gwen Stefani, and Fischerspooner over the years, pushing pop music forward in her own way. But listening to this new album is more like stepping backwards in time. Perry’s unmistakable gritty voice—at times roaring from deep within her chest, others dribbling between quiet guitar riffs—transports me back to my 1990s youth. It’s nostalgia for a different timeline, a world that unfolded differently. I’m still unpacking this album, but it’s been in my rotation since discovering it. Plus I love a song featuring a theremin.
-DW
|
|
I was texting with a friend earlier this week and we both agreed that NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert has been on a real hot streak lately. The series is never not excellent, but the last month of performances includes truly superb showings from Milo J, Amaia, and even Noah Kahan, whose earnest and infectious turn behind the desk finally made his music click for me. Last week, with the Tony Awards less than a month away, the cast of Ragtime made an appearance that gave me full body chills within the first two minutes. (I think musical theater harmonies might be my version of ASMR.) It’s a particularly compelling watch when paired with this profile of star Joshua Henry, which includes two short clips of him singing acoustic guitar renditions of his ballads from the show, both of which had me weeping. What a voice.
-VvP
|
|
Three years following his tragic death, the estate of Matthew Perry is being auctioned off for charity. It’s hard not to feel a little bit like a vulture when discussing these things, but it’s comforting to know that it’s all for a good cause. The lots of course consist of a number of Friends-related objects, but also Batman memorabilia (Perry was known for his love of the caped crusader) and a trove of art. If you’re a Friends fan, Fools Rush In fan, Batman collector, or simply want to support The Matthew Perry Foundation’s work on addiction and recovery, you can see the full collection here.
-DW
|
|
No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe. Gossamer HQ PO Box 310737 615 Clinton Street Brooklyn, New York 11231-9997 |
|
|
|
|
