From Substack gems (from former RUSSH alumni) to new releases by some of jazz and pop's bright young things – the RUSSH editors have been busy this August consuming plenty of newness. Music Editor Alys has finally made a dint in Suede musician Brett Anderson's biography, while Digital Editor Kirsty Thatcher has been keeping her Wednesday nights cleared for weekly drops of The Summer I Turned Pretty (let's be real – who isn't).
For all the goss on what the RUSSH editor's have been watching, reading and listening to this August, read on...
Cassandra Dimitroff
Features and Production Editor
Watch … Very belatedly – Past Lives by Celine Song. It was subtle and masterful. I cried at the end.
Listen … my body’s my true north by Felivand. The perfect rainy day soundtrack (of which there have been many).
Read … Continuing my self-led art education with a copy of Monsters: What Do We Do with Great Art by Bad People? by Claire Dederer. Also, adoring Phoebe Holden’s Substack Brink Notes for some of the chicest recs on the internet. I will be making those crispy roast Jerusalem artichokes with ricotta and capers post-print deadline…
Mia Steiber
Digital Strategy Director & Associate Publisher
Watch … As tempted as I was to do a Game of Thrones rewatch, I instead opted for some new content. I saw Eddington which to be honest, I didn’t love. I personally thought it was heavy-handed and too long. I also finally watched The Materialists which I really liked, even if I didn’t agree with the go-back-to-your-ex-who-doesn’t-remember-to-wash-his-bath-towels message at the end. I do recommend the Lilo & Stitch live action, it was very sweet.
Listen … The new Deftones album is out, Private Music, and I’ve been loving that. I’ve also been diving into a bit of Pierce the Veil since their tour was announced. Plus, I’ve had the Hottest 100 of Australian Songs playlist going in the car.
Read … It’s been a busy month with a lot of late nights, so I have been slack on the reading front. But I’m about to head on holiday and I’ve packed a copy of Hot Milk. It’s being made into a film with Emma Mackey, and I want to read the book before I see the movie version.
Kirsty Thatcher
Digital Editor
Watch… The Summer I Turned Pretty, obviously. I’ve also discovered Rake, which is an old(ish) Australian dramedy that’s on Netflix. It’s so addictive. I also watched Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (eight years late, I know), and Sydney Theatre COmpany's production of The Talented Mr Ripley. Both excellent.
Listen… New Olivia Dean and Audrey Hobert. I’m also really enjoying Good Hang with Amy Poehler, and have been re-listening to some old episodes of How To Fail with Elizabeth Day.
Read… Admittedly these are still on my to-read list, but Rytual by Chloe Elisabeth Wilson and Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid.
Emily Algar
Beauty Editor
Watch … I watched Splitsville the other night. It’s silly but very entertaining. I’m also really looking forward to watching One Battle After Another. I love Leo! What can I say…
Listen … I currently love the Jazz House 2025 Spotify playlist for background noise. There’s also a Spotify playlist called Icons Only that is excellent. The Rolling Stones, New Order, Queen, Oasis, Foo Fighters… It’s like it was made by my Dad (except he’s still the kind of guy that listens to the radio).
Read … I just got a copy of Amy Odell’s Gwyneth biography. Excited about that…
Alys Hale
Music Editor and Creative Producer
Watch … I’ve been re-visiting The Thick of It with my partner and have dubbed it "our adult Bluey" for midweek watching. I intend to go on a cinema binge when I get some time off in the next few weeks.
Listen … The new Cass McCombs record, Interior Live Oak is pretty incredible sounding with great lyrics and even an Elliot Smith inspired number on there. I’ve been listening to the latest season of Natalie Haynes Stands Up for the Classics before bed to learn about Hestia as I drift off to sleep.
Read … I’ve finally made a start on Afternoons with The Blinds Drawn by Brett Anderson so I will inevitably be listening to a lot more Suede records as the book progresses.
Stacey Gaskin
Consumer Revenue Manager
Watch … Wednesday’s have been my favourite day of late… all thanks to Connie Baby on The Summer I Turned Pretty. I also watched The Map That Leads to You this week and I wasn’t prepared for the ending. I enjoy KJ Apa’s performances in everything he is in. His music is great too.
Listen … While I may or may not be the odd one out in the team, I love Taylor Swift, so I’ve been listening to her music in the wake of the announcement of The Life of a Showgirl coming in October.
Read … Substacks. I have to shout out The Rich Creme by Emily Morello, Kirsty Thatcher’s and of course The Brink Notes by Phoebe Holden. The Comfort Chronicles by Stephi Blackwell is also a must for all things delicious.
Samantha Corry
Social Media Coordinator and Assistant to the Editor-In-Chief
Watch … I watched Weapons and it was incredible. No notes. Even if you are scared of horrors, please go watch it. I promise it isn’t that scary! I re-watched The Golden Compass – slaps even harder as an adult if I do say so myself. I really want to watch Eddington and I also have been watching TSITP, of course. And I also re-watched Stranger Things ahead of the new season coming out in November.
Listen … Royel Otis’s new album Hickey, Olivia Dean’s new song Man I Need, Sombr’s new album, and Doja Cat. So many new albums out at the moment, I love it!
Read … I’m going to count this as a reading, but I have a preview of Audible’s Pride and Prejudice audiobook with Harris Dickinson as Mr Darcy. And I listened to it in a day, it was very good.
