"Best of the Other Sides" by Kate Bush

Kate has released a collection of B-sides (a reference to back in the day when singles were released on actual 45rpm or 12" vinyl records). These songs never appeared on an album so it is sweet to have them gathered in one spot. And it contains one of my favorite Kate songs called "Under The Ivy." The enigmatic lyrics sung over Kate's achingly tender piano music hint of a much larger, bittersweet narrative.

It wouldn't take me long
To tell you how to find it
To tell you where we'll meet
This little girl inside me
Is retreating to her favorite place

Go into the garden
Go under the ivy
Under the leaves
Away from the party
Go right to the rose
Go right to the white rose
(For me)

I sit here in the thunder
The green on the grey
I feel it all around me
And it's not easy for me
To give away a secret
It's not safe

But go into the garden
Go under the ivy
Under the leaves
Away from the party
Go right to the rose
Go right to the white rose
(For me)

It wouldn't take me long
To tell you how to find it

Also included in the collection is her harrowing song "Experiment IV" with a video featuring Dawn French and Hugh Laurie!

We were working secretly for the military
Our experiment in sound was nearly ready to begin
We only know in theory what we are doing
Music made for pleasure, music made to thrill
It was music we were making here, until...

They told us all they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone from a distance
So we go ahead, and the meters are over in the red
It's a mistake in the making

From the painful cry of mothers
To the terrifying scream
We recorded it and put it into our machine

But they told us all they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone from a distance
So we go ahead, and the meters are over in the red
It's a mistake that we're making

It could feel like falling in love
It could feel so bad
But it could feel so good
It could sing you to sleep
But that dream is your enemy

We won't be there to be blamed
We won't be there to snitch
I just pray that someone there
Can hit the switch

But they told us all they wanted
Was a sound that could kill someone from a distance
So we go ahead, and the meters were over in the red
It's a mistake we've made

And the public are warned to stay off

And finally, it is such a pleasure to hear again the powerful, sobering "Walk Straight Down The Middle."

Can't move my arms
Can't move my legs
Can't say no
I can't say yes
Can't help myself
I need your help

We go: Ooh, ooh, what do we do now
We just can't move?
We're calling out for Middle Street
We go: Oh, ooh, what do we do
We just can't move?
We hang on to every line
And walk straight down the middle of it

He thought he was gonna die
But he didn't
She thought she just couldn't cope
But she did
We thought it would be so hard
But it wasn't
It wasn't easy though

I can't say yeah
I can't say no
Can't begin
Can't let go
Help me now

Go: Ooh, ooh, what do we do now
We just can't move?
We're calling out for Middle Street
We go: Ooh, ooh, what do we do now
We just can't move?
We hang on to every line
And walk straight down the middle of it

He thought he was gonna die
But he didn't
She thought she could never cope
But she did
And we thought it was all over
But it wasn't
It hadn't started yet, nooooo

Walk straight down the middle of it
Walk straight down the middle of it
Calling out for Middle Street
Calling out for Middle Street
Walking straight down the middle of it

"Best of the Other Sides" is out now digitally, but will also be released on colored vinyl On October 31, 2025, All Hallows' Eve!

https://www.katebush.com/


Kate Bush is magic. Kate Bush taught me how to fly.

"One of the Greats" by Florence + The Machine

Holy sh*t. This is another wrenching, powerful song from Florence Welch. "One of the Greats" is apparently inspired by her near death experience while touring her last record in 2023. From her new album "Everybody Scream" out on Halloween...apropos for a record that explores themes of spiritual mysticism, witchcraft, and folk horror, as well as womanhood, partnership, aging, and dying.

On Radio 1's New Music Show with Jack Saunders, Welch said of the song:
"I just can’t believe I’m putting it out. It was recorded in one take and it was the first take we did. I wrote it with Mark Bowen from IDLES and he played the guitar and I just kinda sang it straight from the page and this is the take. It’s just one of those things, you’re always asking the label if you can put out a song that’s five minutes long so with this one I was like, ‘They’ll never put this out the way we really want to put this out, seven minutes long,’ but they were like, ‘Yeah, we love it,’ and I was like, ‘Okay…’ […] I guess it was sort of a long poem I had and I never really, with every song I’m like, ‘Well, I’ll never put this out, I’ll never put it out,’ but it was one long poem I wrote about greatness or the cost of it or why do I want it? Who gets to decide what that even is? And then it was also kind of a joke, so it’s like really serious and also really unserious song as well. And it kind of evolves in this train of thought and that’s very much how it was recorded but I guess I wanted it to feel like you were disintegrating into nothing at the end ‘cause it is sort of about the process of creativity being like a sense you sort of destroy yourself for something and then you kind of dig yourself up all over again to do it again and you’re like, 'Why do I keep doing this? What is this thing that I’m reaching for?’ There’s a Martha Graham quote that’s called ‘Divine dissatisfaction’ and I think that sort of sums up the process for me, it’s this sense of this like divine dissatisfaction that just keeps propelling you forward all the time."

I crawled up from under the earth
Broken nails and coughing dirt
Spitting out my songs so you could sing along, oh
And with each bedraggled breath, I knew I came back from the dead
To show you how it's done, to show you what it takes
To conquer and to crucify, to become one of the greats
One of the greats

I kept a scream inside my chest, killed everyone I'd ever kissed
Hung them on the wall like trophies, each name, a stain upon my lips
I told the truth but could never see it through
You see yourself hung on the wall but that song is not about you
I wrote down all my fumbling visions transmitted by a television
Got everything I thought I wanted and cried hungover in a hotel closet

Did I get it right? Do I win the prize?
Do you regret bringing me back to life?

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead

I did my best, tried to impress, my childhood dream made flesh
And my dresses and my flowering sadness, so like a woman to profit from her madness
I was only beautiful under the lights, only powerful there
Burned down at thirty-six
Why did you dig me up for this?

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead

You'll bury me again, you'll say it's all pretend
That I could never be great being held up against such male tastes
Because who really gets to be one of the greats, one of the greats?
But I've really done it this time (Ah-ah), this one is all mine
I'll be up there with the man and the ten other women (Ah-ah)
And the hundred greatest records of all time (Ah-ah)
It must be nice to be a man and make boring music just because you can (Ah-ah)
Now don't get me wrong, I'm a fan (Ah-ah)
You're my second favourite front-man (Ah-ah)
And you could have me if you weren't so afraid of me
It's funny how men don't find power very sexy
So this one's for the ladies
Do I drive you crazy?
Did I get it right?

Did I get it right? Do I win the prize?
Do you regret bringing me back to life?
Did I get it right? Do I win the prize?
Do you regret bringing me back to life?

Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting

Too feminine to function
A pile of bodies and a trail of destruction
I will let the light in, I will let some love in
I will be happy, it will be perfect
I will let the light in, I will let some love in
I will be happy, it will be perfect
I will let the light in (Arms outstretched, back from the dead)
Streetlights bursting overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead
Arms outstretched, back from the dead
Streetlights bursting overhead
Arms outstretched
Arms outstretched
Streetlights bursting
Overhead
Overhead
Streetlights bursting
Overhead

https://florenceandthemachine.net/

Caramella in Las Vegas

There is a new restaurant in Las Vegas called Caramella. And the design is a lot of fun to behold. Created by Fettle Design with locations in both London and Los Angeles, the team looked to another place and time for inspiration. Their site describes it best: "We developed unique individual spaces inspired by the music genre of the late ‘70s Italo Disco, that capture the escapist, playful spirit of the Italian ‘70s." And I can absolutely see it.

Guests enter through an archway and pass by a classic pasticceria (Italian sweetshop) before entering the restaurant itself. Slathered with lots of red, leopard, and 70s motifs like Missoni-like flame stitch upholstery and a disco ball DJ booth in the hidden speakeasy, the space feels energizing. I want to have pasta and cannoli, and then dance all night at the bar to anything produced by Giorgio Moroder (preferably "I Feel Love" or "Rumor has It" by Donna Summer!).

https://taogroup.com/venues/caramella-italian-restaurant-las-vegas/
https://fettle-design.co.uk/

"Why I Love The Stars" by Laurie Anderson

Laurie Anderson is a national (and international) treasure and living legend. She is responsible for some of the most innovative music and musical inventions in the last one hundred years. I have seen her live many times over the last many decades (I saw her perform her "United States I-IV" in the 80s!) and whenever she is performing live in an area near me, I make an effort to attend. And I am always blown away by her storytelling, her presentation, her uniqueness, her musicality, and her astonishing ability to pinpoint aspects of culture and life from a new perspective, cutting to the heart of things in a devastating way (in the video below, she introduces herself as being from the former United States of America...).

So I am extremely grateful that we get to virtually attend this recent concert of hers. Filmed at the Chapelle Sainte-Jeanne-D'arc in Paris for a private concert as part of the Arte series, she titled this show "Why I Love The Stars." She assembled a marvelous group of musicians who are clearly skilled at improv. This is an hour and ten minutes of magic. Please enjoy.

"You know the reason I really love the stars?
It's because
we cannot

hurt them.

We can't burn them
or flood them
or make them overflow.
We can't blow them up
or turn them out.

But we are reaching for them.
We are
reaching
for them."

https://laurieanderson.com/

Laurie and Lou's Three Rules For Surviving Our Current Times (When There Is No Time To Think)
Rule #1: Don't be afraid of anyone. Can you imagine what your life would be like if you weren't afraid of anyone?
Rule #2: Get a really good bullsh*t detector...and learn how to use it.
Rule #3: Be really...tender.

"Song To The Siren"

Many versions. Just because...

http://www.timbuckley.net/
https://4ad.com/artists/thismortalcoil
https://www.instagram.com/elizabethfraserofficial
https://www.sacredbonesrecords.com/collections/amen-dunes
https://www.brendanperry.com/
https://bryanferry.com/
https://www.robertplant.com/

BEAUTY: Clothing--Harri

London Fashion Week wrapped up yesterday and all in all, it offered some interesting moments. And this must surely be one...

After graduating from the Menswear MA program at the London College of Fashion, Indian-born and London-based artist and designer Harri started showing two years ago. His most recent SS'26 collection showed pieces in his signature rubber latex, but the silhouettes were quite disarming. He entitled the collection "MuseumWear" and was inspired by surrealist art. Aside from the literally inflated proportions of many pieces, what I find interesting is how latex is usually associated with tight-fitting garments that often come from the fetish community, but in Harri's hands, they can take on a casual, draped expression seen in coats and jackets (I love the metallic silver jacket!).

https://harri.store/

BEAUTY: Clothing--Paolo Carzana

Welsh designer Paolo Carzana is still relatively new but has already amassed some clout: he is a recipient of the British Fashion Council NewGen award and has BFC support money to put on shows, and is also an artist in residence at the Sarabande Foundation, the arts foundation supported at the bequest of Lee Alexander McQueen.

His vision is fairly singular, much like McQueen. While promoting his Fall Winter '23 collection entitled "Queer Symphony," he said, "It’s mainly related to this idea that everything I was ashamed of as a kid is now my strength. Up until I was 17, I would literally pray every night to wake up straight, and pray to be normal. And every single day, I was bullied in school, when I didn’t even know who I was."

It is a shared story among many of us in the gay community, one I have heard many times...surviving emotional, psychological, and often physical abuse and attacks to emerge on the other side, despite or probably because of it all, with a hunger and drive to create something beautiful, to express a force that could not be taken from us. I can attest to the truth of this from my own personal experience. So I feel great tenderness toward, kinship with, and interest in the creations of Paolo Carzana.

His sartorial vernacular is made of delicate fabrics tied and stitched together that seem like creations from some dream world, as if those wearing his garments should be lounging around on marble terraces in bright Pre-Raphaelite splendor, or in a lush production of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." (In fact, he showed his SS '25 collection in the garden of his own home in Hackney, seen here.) The cuts feel like they are memories of historical clothing, like tattered remnants of a far-away homeland after a shipwreck, and his beautiful sheer, ripped, ruched tops and trousers seem like they belong on wood sprites, elves, fairies. There is a hushed beauty to the silhouettes and construction of the garments that casts a spell.

The cherry on the cake of his brand is his earnest commitment to sustainability. He uses deadstock or recycled fabric, and he uses plant dyes and spices to color his fabrics, including black walnut, Himalayan rhubarb, wild cherry bark, turmeric, tea, hibiscus, and apple wood.

And for this SS '26 collection at London Fashion Week titled "The Last Pangolin On Earth," he set his usual sprites and spirits loose in the Reading Room of the British Library! Apparently he spent hours there this summer immersing himself in historical reference books showing prints and drawings of animals and sea life that humanity has driven to--or near to--extinction...hence the title. After the show, he told Sarah Mower at Vogue, "Really my focus is on the genius of mother Earth, and the monster of humanity and how we are working and treating the planet. It’s always been a big conflict to me to use animals as inspiration in terms of fashion, because I’m vegan. So my obsession with this collection was finding a way to honor nature and its preciousness in a way that was really abstract. I try to question what we call supernatural—usually it’s about being on another planet, or somewhere else. But so much of what is on our Earth is super nature—supernatural colors that you can't believe, and the textures of plants and a world of things that were created." It is precisely this touching earnestness and authentic narrative, as well as the gentle beauty of his creations, that caused several show-goers to shed a tear or two.

Carzana's collections are co-ed, and regular readers know I usually post only men's clothing, but these garments are so magical and ethereal and, really, a-gendered, I am showing looks on both men and women. It is all swirling with charm and beauty...

https://www.paolocarzana.com/

Happy Birthday "Oh, By The Way" 2025!

Congratulations "Oh, By The Way," you are sixteen years old today!

Sixteen years ago, I had a dream in which I started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” When I woke up that morning, I went to the computer and promptly started a blog called “Oh, By The Way.” Seriously--it was the first thing I did that morning, and yes, I often act out in waking life things I have dreamt.

"Oh, By The Way" is my digital scrap book of things I like, things I would share with a close friend and say: “Oh, by the way, do you know of this artist/clothing or interior designer/model/singer/actor/gorgeous man… or, have you seen this video/photo/film... or heard (or do you remember) this song/band... or, read this book/poem/inspiring quote... or, visited this place/ restaurant/ famous building... or, have you heard of this amazing new scientific discovery?”

Followers and regular readers: thank you so much! I hope you find this blog by turns fascinating, beautiful, interesting, moving, inspiring, informative, enriching, and uplifting. Welcome to the birthday party! This year I am virtually serving Julian Angel's Blueberry Cake with Lemon Curd with a glass of iced rose-matcha from Emily Laurae! Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, "OH, BY THE WAY!"

Happy Autumnal Equinox 2025!

Today is the official start of autumn, when our planet begins to tilt the other direction, tipping the northern hemisphere away from the sun. The days grow shorter and the nights grow longer as we move indoors and into ourselves for hibernation and introspection. Autumn is a time of harvest as the earth moves into hibernation as well. It is a beautiful time, a spiritual transition, a doorway between summer and winter.

HAPPY AUTUMNAL EQUINOX 2024!

(And for our friends Down Under, Happy Spring!)

BEAUTY: Clothing--Simone Rocha

Simone Rocha is primarily a womenswear designer, and wow does she do it well. but her collections are billed as co-ed, so there are a handful of men's garments sprinkled in. For her Spring Summer '26 collection at London Fashion Week, she showed an assortment of pieces with her signature soft, romantic, ultra feminine flourishes...and for men this manifested in coats and jackets that had a sweeping bow/sash in which flowers were worn, eyelet edging, and clear plastic rainwear peppered with little flowers. It works.

simonerocha.com

BEAUTY: Clothing--Yaku

This rather new brand, Yaku by Yaku Stapleton (who graduated from the Central Saint Martins MA program in 2023 and is currently a designer-in-residence at the Paul Smith Foundation), showed a fascinating SS '26 collection at London Fashion Week (only his third time there!) based on RPG video games and Afrofuturism. He created a mythical group of people called the Télavani who exist within a magical, dystopian, past/future world. I appreciate the worn-dirty dye techniques, the layers, and the general feel of the Bedouin-esque silhouettes and cuts.

https://yaku.uk/

BEAUTY: Clothing--Di Petsa

London Fashion Week started this past week and I have been swamped with other things, but found time today to sit down and ogle the offerings so far.

I could have sworn I previously posted something about Dimitra Petsa and her eponymous line Di Petsa but I can't find anything in the archive. So here we go:

Dimitra Petsa is a Greek designer who graduated from Central Saint Martins (the storied London instiution with alums like, oh, Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton, Stella McCartney, John Galliano, Gareth Pugh, Riccardo Tisci, Grace Wales Bonner, Kim Jones, Simone Rocha, Craig Green, and Richard Quinn to name a few). Ostensibly a womenswear designer, she pioneered the "wet-look" dress worn by loads of celebs...but she inserts a handful of men's looks into her collections as well. Much like how Dolce and Gabbana use the culture and long history of their native Italy as a touchstone and endless source of inspiration, Petsa's hyper-sexy, sometimes breast-bearing shows always refer somehow to Greece and the mythology of that ancient land.

The brand's logo is a cross that resembles Poseidon’s trident and this Spring Summer '26 collection at London Fashion Week referenced the god directly on a tee shirt. The precious few male looks featured pieces evoking ancient Greek warrior-wear, and even one of her signature wet-look dresses for men!

https://dipetsa.com/

"Hounds Of Love" Fortieth Anniversary!

Forty years ago today, Kate Bush released her incredible album "Hounds Of Love." Regular readers know what Kate means to me but if you are new here to "Oh, By The Way," you can read my post about the second side of this album, a life-changing concept story called "The Ninth Wave," here.

HAPPY FORTIETH ANNIVERSARY KATE AND "HOUNDS!"

You can also read my concert review of "Before The Dawn" where Kate and her band performed "The Ninth Wave" in its entirety here.

Read my posts about Kate's other releases: "50 Words For Snow" and "Aerial."

http://www.katebush.com/



Kate Bush is magic. Kate Bush taught me how to fly.

"I Believe In You" by Ladytron

Mmmm, what a sultry, insidious groove in this new track, "I Believe In You" by Ladytron...and I love the shocking bass intrusion at 3:40. 

https://www.ladytron.com/

Your barber will see you now, right this way...

Gentlemen,...and why not ladies too,...imagine having your hair cut and for the men, beard trimmed at the incredible Eredi Zucca in Milan, founded in 1652. Located at Via Bigli, 6, 20121, the Neo-Classical interiors feature ebonized paneled walls, intricate mosaic floors, coffered ceilings, large plaster portrait medallions, and only three private care areas with luxurious green velvet barber chairs. They sell hair, body, and beard care products through their site (although delivery to the US is probably suspended due to the current confusion of bizarre, whimsical tariffs). I really love the wunderkammer (German, meaning "wonder cabinet") or cabinet of curiosities on their homepage where they display wares amongst treasures both natural and man-made. Gorgeous!

https://eredizucca.com/

Just Say Yes!

This inspiring piece from journalist Melissa Kirsch appeared this weekend in The New York Times' The Morning newsletter. It speaks to an approach to life that can be uplifting. It recalls for me a tenet of improv acting from my theatre-training days and that is to always respond to anything coming at you with "Yes, and..."

Offer accepted

By Melissa Kirsch

This past week, true to my vow to continue engaging in summer activities until the equinox, I picked raspberries and flowers at a farm under the impossibly clear September sky. I was joined by my friend Aliza. I knew Aliza would be up for the outing because she operates on a policy that dictates if something is “on offer,” you should avail yourself of it. Of course, berry picking is not a hard sell. But I’ve been observing the way decision-making becomes simpler if you default to accepting what’s on offer: taking the slice of pie, staying out just a bit later, stopping at the strange little fair you happened to drive past. All tiny things one could easily decline, all things with potential for pleasure.

We spend a lot of time hemming and hawing, coming up with reasons we shouldn’t do things, even things that fall under the rubric of “Things We’d Probably Enjoy.” We decide not to try the dance class, afraid of looking foolish. We skip the picnic because we don’t know any of the people going. We consider the downsides and decide to stick with what’s familiar.

As much as I try to be a “yes person,” I have an unfortunate talent for turning opportunities into obligations. “It’s on offer” is such a gentle (and British) way of considering what’s available. I might decide I am, in fact, too tired or not interested in whatever’s on offer, but I’m examining the opportunity as an option, a gift, an offering — not viewing it as a problem.

“I think it’s a protection against regret, or too much judgment — often my go-to feelings,” Aliza said when I asked her about her position. She reminded me of a day this summer when we were wandering around a town we’d never been and came upon a run-down winery. A guy with a guitar was belting some off-key Jimmy Buffett covers on the patio. Should we stop and try some suspiciously inexpensive rosé? It was on offer! The wine was not great, but that wasn’t the point. By taking what was on offer, we took a departure. What could have been an otherwise unmemorable day was made indelible.

One should not, it seems worth noting, be doctrinaire about taking every single thing that’s on offer. Breadth of experience can come at the expense of depth, and what’s on offer could end up being expensive, or dangerous. I’m thinking of “take what’s on offer” as a default that can be overridden. It feels of a piece with a question I’ve taken to asking myself when I’m worried about something: “What if it all works out?” This is my attempt to shift my thinking from worst-case scenarios to best- or better-case ones. Being open to what’s on offer is similarly optimistic. This stand-up comedian could be terrible, this party could be boring, this offering could be one I will wish I’d refused. But it could also be great.

Link to original article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/06/briefing/offer-accepted.html

BEAUTY: Collage--Maryna Siliakova

Regular readers know I have a love of collage art...there is something about it that is so earnest and sincere...it says "the urge to create finds its way even if it means taking trash and ripped up images to make something of expression and beauty." It reminds me of a plant that springs up in the cracks of a cement walkway, imbued with some absolutely irrepressible power of being, a sense of tenacity and love. A collage artist says "I will take the scraps and pieces and throwaways of this world that might not mean much on their own and make...something."

Ukrainian artist Maryna Siliakova does just that...she freely uses textures and various ephemera along with images of people, places, and animals to conjure up engaging and unique narratives. Take a look...

https://www.instagram.com/siliakova_m/