Sharon O'Connell
@messyectomorph.bsky.social
Music writer (dCS Audio, Electronic Sound, Metro, Uncut). Ex staffer at Melody Maker and Time Out. Coastal dweller. Art, film, books etc.
They need to sell this miracle condiment in bigger jars. There’s nothing not improved by it (which I realise says quite a lot about my cooking). Atm elevating a cheese omelette…
December 18, 2025 at 7:43 PM
They need to sell this miracle condiment in bigger jars. There’s nothing not improved by it (which I realise says quite a lot about my cooking). Atm elevating a cheese omelette…
This year’s award for the most inspired (& rather stylish) Christmas tree goes to…
December 14, 2025 at 3:29 PM
This year’s award for the most inspired (& rather stylish) Christmas tree goes to…
A warm & sunny 8 degrees. Outlook - fabulous.
December 13, 2025 at 11:53 AM
A warm & sunny 8 degrees. Outlook - fabulous.
The supermoon & sunrise in the same sky, a few hours ago - this stuff never fail to blow my mind. Infinite cycles, for all eternity…
December 5, 2025 at 10:58 AM
The supermoon & sunrise in the same sky, a few hours ago - this stuff never fail to blow my mind. Infinite cycles, for all eternity…
Après le déluge…
December 2, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Après le déluge…
Further to today’s news item: am old enough to remember a time when teddy bears were not AI-equipped & likely to dispense advice on kink. They were passive companions, like Tessa, whose fur I loved off.
November 29, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Further to today’s news item: am old enough to remember a time when teddy bears were not AI-equipped & likely to dispense advice on kink. They were passive companions, like Tessa, whose fur I loved off.
Sitting outside, actual sun on actual face. It’s 4 degrees. I am immeasurably warmer than I was inside my flat.
November 26, 2025 at 10:54 AM
Sitting outside, actual sun on actual face. It’s 4 degrees. I am immeasurably warmer than I was inside my flat.
“There’s no one else quite like them” is lame praise, I know but really - Tortoise. They were phenomenal: dazzlingly on point & edge-of-the-seat compelling; 90 mins raced by in what truly felt like 30. Props to James Elkington for his more than capable depping for Jeff Parker, too.
November 22, 2025 at 4:42 PM
“There’s no one else quite like them” is lame praise, I know but really - Tortoise. They were phenomenal: dazzlingly on point & edge-of-the-seat compelling; 90 mins raced by in what truly felt like 30. Props to James Elkington for his more than capable depping for Jeff Parker, too.
My excitement has been building. Slowly & steadily, of course…
November 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
My excitement has been building. Slowly & steadily, of course…
Went to see some “electric rock ‘n’ roll” last night. (No identification needed.) Loved the fact that L was wearing a piece of jewellery modelled on his own image. And that he was going back to London afterwards, on the train.
November 22, 2025 at 11:22 AM
Went to see some “electric rock ‘n’ roll” last night. (No identification needed.) Loved the fact that L was wearing a piece of jewellery modelled on his own image. And that he was going back to London afterwards, on the train.
If you’re a Pavement enthusiast (that’s everyone, right?) then get your paws on this lively & comprehensive Ultimate Music Guide from @uncutmagazine.bsky.social I took a deep dive into Brighten The Corners (their best, imo) & tracked Malkmus’s solo adventuring but there’s a ton of w/e goodness here.
November 7, 2025 at 12:38 PM
If you’re a Pavement enthusiast (that’s everyone, right?) then get your paws on this lively & comprehensive Ultimate Music Guide from @uncutmagazine.bsky.social I took a deep dive into Brighten The Corners (their best, imo) & tracked Malkmus’s solo adventuring but there’s a ton of w/e goodness here.
Birthday felicitations to the brilliant Bill Woodrow, 77 today. I especially love this assemblage, Car Door, Armchair and Incident, from 1981.
November 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Birthday felicitations to the brilliant Bill Woodrow, 77 today. I especially love this assemblage, Car Door, Armchair and Incident, from 1981.
A cruel & unjust punishment, I think we’d all agree. His struggle starts now.
November 1, 2025 at 1:30 PM
A cruel & unjust punishment, I think we’d all agree. His struggle starts now.
Halfway through & still dazzled & charmed by this skilful jump-cut of a novel. I loved his ‘… Kavalier & Clay’ but couldn’t get with ‘Telegraph Avenue’. At all. But this is a total joy - vivid, funny, profound, generous. A coincidence that ‘Wonder Boys’ is Michael Douglas’s best film? I think not.
October 30, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Halfway through & still dazzled & charmed by this skilful jump-cut of a novel. I loved his ‘… Kavalier & Clay’ but couldn’t get with ‘Telegraph Avenue’. At all. But this is a total joy - vivid, funny, profound, generous. A coincidence that ‘Wonder Boys’ is Michael Douglas’s best film? I think not.
The surrealistically-inclined artist (& eco protester) Isabel Rock has imagined the need of fish for shoes when they wed - I mean, who would deny them? - & made these extraordinary pairs from papier-mâché accordingly.
October 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The surrealistically-inclined artist (& eco protester) Isabel Rock has imagined the need of fish for shoes when they wed - I mean, who would deny them? - & made these extraordinary pairs from papier-mâché accordingly.
This is the beautiful Bella, guardian/boss of my temp residence & bane of the life of resident dog. She’s 14 & could easily live to 60, I’m told. That’s quite the pet commitment. Bit disappointed in her literal parroting, tbh. It’s a LOT of ‘ça va’.
October 10, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This is the beautiful Bella, guardian/boss of my temp residence & bane of the life of resident dog. She’s 14 & could easily live to 60, I’m told. That’s quite the pet commitment. Bit disappointed in her literal parroting, tbh. It’s a LOT of ‘ça va’.
She speaks no English, I speak no Arabic. But there is always the international language of enTREATy.
October 10, 2025 at 8:39 AM
She speaks no English, I speak no Arabic. But there is always the international language of enTREATy.
Please allow me to boast about this empty beach. Not that I made it myself - but I did just nap on it. Magnificent…
October 9, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Please allow me to boast about this empty beach. Not that I made it myself - but I did just nap on it. Magnificent…
I wobbled with “Purity”, which often felt stodgy, I remember. This is fantastic, though- a rich, compelling narrative & perfect pacing, plus recognisably cringe behaviour by believably conflicted characters on almost every page. Also - funny. Perfect #holidayreading (thanks, Oxfam).
October 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I wobbled with “Purity”, which often felt stodgy, I remember. This is fantastic, though- a rich, compelling narrative & perfect pacing, plus recognisably cringe behaviour by believably conflicted characters on almost every page. Also - funny. Perfect #holidayreading (thanks, Oxfam).
Trying the daily Three Good Things exercise. Again. Today’s number one…
September 20, 2025 at 10:51 AM
Trying the daily Three Good Things exercise. Again. Today’s number one…
You say ‘sfumato’…
September 12, 2025 at 5:05 PM
You say ‘sfumato’…
Sheesh. How deep were they digging?
August 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Sheesh. How deep were they digging?
Just delivered, my first post-Brexit passport - reigniting my anger & despair at everything I/we have lost. Travel/residence freedoms no small part of a disastrous decision we chose to bloody make. Absolute bollix to it.
August 27, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Just delivered, my first post-Brexit passport - reigniting my anger & despair at everything I/we have lost. Travel/residence freedoms no small part of a disastrous decision we chose to bloody make. Absolute bollix to it.
Nobody turns to Philip Roth for shits & giggles but… jeez. In terms of telling life truths, he’s totally unforgiving. This (from ‘Everyman’) is brutal - but beautiful in its boldness, too. (Stiff drink now required.)
August 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Nobody turns to Philip Roth for shits & giggles but… jeez. In terms of telling life truths, he’s totally unforgiving. This (from ‘Everyman’) is brutal - but beautiful in its boldness, too. (Stiff drink now required.)