Creative is as creative does

Liam Stretch / Culture Editor /@liamstretch

It was an auspicious day when my parents bought our family’s first (and last) Handycam. When other kids were off filming Jackass-like stunts, their sporty adventures, or family holidays, I took to documenting my creative outlets. I coordinated full puppet operas, made stop-motion clay films with my brother (the screenplays of some are worthy of Aardman), and would film my lip-syncing prowess. I’m so glad I did this. It steered me towards the creative career I find myself in now and instilled unwavering confidence in my sense of self and my creative identity. That’s how many creatives get their legs – most far more capable than I – by just doing what they love, and maybe, just maybe, they end up getting paid for it! Don’t worry, though. I’m not ‘unsporty’. I have a black belt in Karate – so watch out! 

THE MILKY WAY 

Germany’s Milky Chance, Clemens Rehbein (guitar/vocals) and Phillip Dausch (bass/ percussion), have released their brand-new mixtape Trip Tape II. In this album, the duo takes the listener on a cosmic journey with eleven new indie hits spanning a selection of new original songs, demos, and covers. I fell in love with their covers of Do You Really Want To Hurt Me? and Harry Styles’ As It Was. 

4 stars

UNBELIEVABLY REAL 

Gaslit portrays the Watergate scandal and a band of maniacal manipulators. Sean Penn and Julia Roberts play John and Martha Mitchell – US attorney general and his wife. These two give impeccable yet disturbing performances, capturing the discourse of those under the Nixon administration amid war and domestic turmoil. A thriller with black comedy elements. 

4 stars

SELF-IE EXPRESSION 

Crying on the Phone is a wonderfully modern and relatable collection of poetry. Penned by Johanna Cosgrove – an award-winning actor, comedian, and entrepreneur – this book perfectly captures contemporary conflicts, confusions, and crushes, in a way that many children of the ‘80s, ‘90s, and ‘00s will identify with. The poems are accompanied by artworks by Darien Fisher. My favourite is Grief in the Garden. Simple. Brilliant. 

5 stars