1) This week’s new release playlist features singles from Billie Eilish, Tierra Whack, Machine Gun Kelly, Baby Keem & Travis Scott, the Lumineers, and Sturgill Simpson, albums from Matt Sweeney & Bonnie “Prince” Billy, Juan Wauters, and the Coral, archival releases from PJ Harvey, Pink Floyd, Metronomy, and a Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac tribute from classic rock and British blues legends. [Spotify]
2) As Jazz Fest(ing in Place) began on the station, news broke that two WWOZ DJs passed away this week, as well as another New Orleans staple, our friend Michael Martin. We send our love to their families and friends, as well as the city’s music and theater communities. [WWOZ]
Politics
3) You may have seen Seaspiracy on Netflix (quick poll: worst title of the year or just worst title ever?), but don’t freak out. “An expert in fisheries sciences from Washington University… highlights some of the issues with the prediction [for the oceans to be devoid of fish by 2048.] ‘The definitions of “collapsed” by the authors are based on catch data, but these do not necessarily reflect abundances of fish populations.’” [Science Alert]
4) What is Biden waiting for on the FCC (and U.S. Postal Service)? He needs to act soon, says the Daily Dot. [Daily Dot]
5) I’d like to remind everyone that Donald and Melania Trump got vaccinated in January and didn’t tell anyone. Just something to think about as you parse this: “Vaccine supply in America is now higher than the demand, thanks in no small part to the backbone of American dingery, conservative white men. Forty-nine percent of Republican men say they have no plans to get the vaccine. These bold titans of industry literally cannot roll up to Walgreens two times in the span of four weeks and get a shot. Over 575,000 people are dead from a new and deadly virus, and these guys cannot be bothered to just show up to two appointments.” [Men Yell At Me]
6) “As America continues to grapple with racism and police killings, federal action over police reform has stalled in Congress. But at the state level, there is movement and steps toward reform are underway in many U.S. cities, including Philadelphia, Oakland and Portland.” [The Conversation]
Books / Writing
7) “He’s pursued several dozen investigations into sexual harassment at major scientific institutions, published in Science magazine, The Verge, and his own blog, where he works for no pay. Danielle Kurin, an archaeologist at the University of California, Santa Barbara, sued [him] for defamation after he published a series of blog posts about allegations of Title IX violations and sexual misconduct against her and her former husband, respectively. She’s asking for $18 million in damages.” [Columbia Journalism Review]
Movies
8) After that travesty (aka the alleged “2021 Oscars”), we’re nostalgic for a time when disastrous awards shows or unscripted moments were actually entertaining or at least worth sharing. Here’s one from the 1994 MTV VMAs, where Sandra Bullock and Adam Sandler presented… and Sandler revealed his romantic affair with Keanu Reeves. [Digg]
See you next week! If you need more music, here’s a Grace Jones playlist curated by the Guardian.