Nº 39: Britt Astrid Alphson
The writer and filmmaker recommends solo-matinee-movies, physical planners and 24hrs in Los Angeles.
We’re back with writer and filmmaker Britt Astrid Alphson. Read on to find out what she’s into, and if you’re new here, hit subscribe for secret recommendations once a week.
Britt Astrid Alphson is a writer and filmmaker living in New York. Subscribe to Britt’s Substack where she publishes fictional short stories and personal essays!
☞ WHITE NOISE BY DON DELILLO: Can’t believe I deprived myself of DeLillo’s writing for so long. Had to stop reading this book on the train to work because it was giving me an existential crisis (in a good way)!
☞ MATINEES AT FILM FORUM OR IFC (OR BFI): I think seeing films alone is a kind of sacred experience; you don’t have to perform yourself watching the movie for the person you’re with. And seeing films alone during the daytime… Incredible. Pretty sure IFC is doing a Wong Kar Wai retrospective in perpetuity, if you would like to check that out.
☞ POOG PODCAST: Love both Kate Berlant and Jacqueline Novak – everything they do as comedians is hilarious. This quasi-sarcastic (yet completely earnest) take on wellness podcasts is no exception.
☞ KIMCHI IN THE FRIDGE: Kim Chee/pickled vegetables (extra sour, never sweet-can bring me back from the ledge.) Keep as a late-night snack.
☞ PHYSICAL PLANNERS: Using Google Calendar/Notion/Outlook can feel truly robotic. I have planners dating back to high school; writing down that I had to study for an AP Gov test or go to a Track Meet felt un-momentous at the time but has a real “trapped in amber” effect now.
☞ LUNA COLLECTIVE: May be biased because I write for this publication, but just such a special community/site. Nice to read writing by young people about rising artists.
☞ 24 HOURS IN LOS ANGELES:
BARS:
Break Room 86: This is a genuine Koreatown speakeasy, wherein you enter through the loading dock of a hotel. There’s 80’s nostalgia décor and karaoke suites – its a gem – especially in LA, where a lot of the going out spots have gotten a bit overrun by ‘Influencers’ :’)
The Short Stop: Ladies, let’s give the Cha Cha Lounge photobooth the rest she deserves (this is coming from a reformed Cha Cha Lounge fanatic). The Short Stop has a photobooth, pool table, dance floor, etc. Good for a weeknight when you want something low-key.
FOOD:
Sticky Rice: Street-stall/diner selling Thai comfort food at Grand Central Market in DTLA. Have been getting the yellow curry and panang curry here since high-school, its absurdly good.
Reddi Chick: Had to look up the proper name of this place, because everyone in my ether has simply called it “the chicken nugget place” up until now. It’s so notorious it need not be named!! In the Brentwood Country Mart.
STORES:
Silverlake Flea: Happens every Sunday!
Reformation Vintage: Genuinely the best vintage shopping you will do in Los Angeles – so well curated, but sadly expensive. If you go, say hi to my friend Dev who works there
BEACHES:
Deeper into Malibu you go, the better.
♪ LISTENING TO: “Kinky Love” by the Pale Saints is an autumnal classic, Alex G’s 2010 album “Race”, and my sister Kristiane’s song “3 Friends” – so, so beautiful.
☠︎ HATES: When people think apathy is revolutionary!
TY Britt! Subscribe to Britt’s Substack here and follow her here!