New Books, New Obsessions

Top 8: Brian de Palma, The Armed, Cyberpunk and James Sallis

1

I’m not sure if everyone on this list knows this — or just assumes it — but I don’t write crime novels for a living. I’ve got a day job in academia, as part of a music program. Also: Iain Ryan isn’t my real name. It’s Ian Rogers. I mention all this because next year Bloomsbury Academic is publishing a book I co-wrote about Brisbane (Australia) indie-rock band Screamfeeder. I love this series and my co-author Ben Green was an incredible co-pilot.

2

While I’ve been working on the Screamfeeder book mentioned above, I’ve also completed line edits for my next novel The Strip (2024) and worked at drafting that book’s sequel. So, that’s three book projects at once. It’s been a stressful couple of months and the only thing keeping my vibe in check is meditation. Call me basic, but my favourite guided meditation is on Spotify, right here:

3

How have I lived my whole life thus far without seeing Brian de Palma’s film BODY DOUBLE? It rules! Such a lurid, weird film. While I was watching this, I found myself thinking Are they allowed to do this? I can’t believe they did this! Truly wild. I realised I’ve seen almost none of the de Palma classics, so buckle up for more de Palma content in the coming weeks.

4

The new Aphex Twin track is a ripper. L.A. punk collective/art-project The Armed also released this gloriously deranged single:

5

Grant Wamack has a new book out, the first entry of a Cyberpunk series. Haven’t dived into this yet, but I’m looking forward to it. Wamack is part of the Broken River collective, which is always worth a look. I wrote about J David Osborne’s Broken River Cyberpunk book here.

6

This is nice:

7

I’m currently reading Chris Hammer’s TREASURE AND DIRT, a fairly gritty Outback Noir. Not my favourite genre by a long margin, but I’m enjoying it. Also nearly done with DIFFICULT LIVES, HITCHING RIDES by James Sallis. It’s a collection of his critical writing about crime novelists. The earlier sections of the Sallis book feature deep dives into the lives of Jim Thompson, Chester Himes and David Goodis. And while all of it is interesting, oh man, those early pulp dudes were loose units, each and all. Goodis used to pay women to trash talk him during sex.

8

I’m not into the Marvel EU at all, but this New Yorker history of their film business is fascinating. If Martin Scorsese made a movie about this, I’d be there in a flash.

That’s enough.

— IAIN

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