Illness as a metaphor, 'The Zone of Interest', Lou Reed's 'Vicious' and his last tai chi moves, plague thoughts, online masks and avatars... my mind wanders from my sick bed to the street and back again. STORY links here markmordue.substack.com/p/fever-ray

I went to see Lydia Lunch, Joseph Keckler and Jack Sargeant at The Great Club in Sydney's Marrickville. Out of the past and beyond time, nostalgic and dreamy, aggressive and witheringly humorous. And certainly inspirational, if not always easy to 'Like'. markmordue.substack.com/p/night-of-the…

Inside the disinformation industry - UnHerd unherd.com/2024/04/inside…

On Thursday I felt some impulse to drive to Westfield Bondi Junction for the day of reflection and condolences that had been declared in the wake of the previous weekend's awful stabbing rampage inside the shopping centre. LINK to story here: markmordue.substack.com/p/black-ribbon…

Nick Cave and Colin Greenwood live at the ICC Sydney Theatre. Much to reflect on... ghosts ships, spiritual music, songs and their "essences" (as Cave put it), the way music in a live setting can transport us. READ my review/essay here on the night here ~ markmordue.substack.com/p/ghost-ships

MOTHER'S DAY ON A RED DIRT ROAD When my mother was younger her hair was jet black, at least in my memories and in old photos I have seen. She was an Elizabeth Taylor fan. Used to wear a beauty spot just like the actress... FULL STORY at The Slider: markmordue.substack.com/p/mothers-day-…

Been spending my time thinking about the value of anti-heroic narratives and how they fit into our world in the wake of watching 'Baby Reindeer' and the arrival of the Sydney Writers' Festival this week. Apex predators of consciousness examined... smh.com.au/culture/tv-and…

My response to Beth Gibbons album ‘Lives Outgrown’ in today’s Weekend Australian Review. The ex Portishead singer has been listening to Fairport Convention, Pentangle and Steeleye Span, tracking old English soul magick for a new century…. #bethgibbons #portishead #electricfolk

For those of you who missed it… open.substack.com/pub/markmordue…

Here's a new essay of mine called THREE SONGS. As my snapshot introduction-cum-subtitle puts it, "If music be the food of love... Nick Cave, James Taylor, Thin Lizzy, dead friends, male identity and the meaning of life in songs." Link here: markmordue.substack.com/p/three-songs

"McDonalds has a problem. At their Stanmore outlet near midnight Saturday 12th October the place is overrun. It’s chaos and the kids working here are not alright... " Full story at my Substack account The Slider. Link here: markmordue.substack.com/p/the-hunger-g…

My review of BLAK FUTURE, the SWXSW Sydney event on Saturday showcasing First Nations artists approved by The Kid Laroi, with a lot of help from Triple J's Unearthed and Blak Out programs... markmordue.substack.com/p/scars-and-st…

events.humanitix.com/addi-road-writ…

Sushi Dragon open.substack.com/pub/markmordue…

open.substack.com/pub/markmordue…

instagram.com/reel/DBkrZkzhO…

open.substack.com/pub/markmordue…

Australia Day Again... YOU CAN READ my story on the Yabun Festival in Sydney, Australia Day and 'change the date', post-Voice blues and the politics of art, music and hope on the link to my Substack account here... markmordue.substack.com/p/australia-da…

Dastgah open.substack.com/pub/markmordue…