14-05-2025
Something for the Weekend: Adam Matthews' cultural picks
Adam Matthews is the vocalist with rising Dublin pop electro duo Phoeno, who have just released their latest single, Safety.
The band's name comes from Dublin's iconic Phoenix Park. Adam and long-term musical collaborators Liam Corbett took to taking long runs together during the many Covid lockdowns - on these epic treks, they'd talk sounds, lyrics, themes... and thus Phoeno was born.
We asked Adam for his choice cultural picks...
FILM
A recent film that blew me away and also stuck with me was Smile 2 (I also love the first one ) – but this film had everything, The director's choices have such a presence throughout the film – the set pieces are amazing and the film is carried expertly by Naomi Scott. The film follows an uber famous pop star, Skye Riley, so not only do we get the horror aspect of her being tormented by this freaky entity, we also get proper moments of original music - some staged for concert and also raw acoustic piano moments. They also released an EP on streamers to accompany the film!
MUSIC
I still have a CD player in my car so I make a habit of buying old albums in charity shops (when I say old I mean from the 2000's – albums I loved when they came out). The current album on rotation in my car is Feeder's Pushing the Senses – the production is so great and the lyrics never stop hitting me. Standout moment is Morning Life. More recently, Nerina Pallot's A Psalm for Emily Salvi is an ear feast.
BOOK
I won't even lie here – I love slasher movies and in a bid to beat the film adaptation release next week, I'm currently reading Clown in a Cornfield – fun and summery vibes! I can confirm the book delivers on its title, there is in fact a killer clown in a cornfield.
THEATRE
Thisispopbaby's variety extravaganza RIOT is back in Vicar Street this July (17th – 20th) - I am in this show with many stunning performers and a very good time is guaranteed! Tixckets are on sale as we speak!
TV
Dying for Sex on Hulu/ Disney Plus - I just finished watching this. It's a one season series and I have no idea why I don't hear people talking about it – you get some of the best acting from leads Michelle Williams and Jenny Slate, the directing is exquisite and the cinematography is gorgeous. You can really feel its authentic New York setting.
GIG
Phoeno are headlining The Workman's Cellar in Dublin on the 25th of this month – the only gig you need to hear about!
ART
I'm kinda fanatical about instant photography – I love taking photographs and love polaroid portraits, so I try to follow as many instant photographers as possible on Instagram. I'm learning how other people are working with polaroid and instax.
PODCAST
The Louis Theroux Podcast never fails to deliver and never disappoints - I loved listening to his recent chat with the always iconic Sharon Horgan.
TECH
A digital camera called Flashback – I supported it on Kickstarter. It basically works like a disposable camera; you unload your 'roll' of film to the app on your phone and after 24 hours you get an alert to say your roll of film is ready to view. The photos looks incredibly similar to the ones a real 35mm camera would give you.
THE NEXT BIG THING...
We're in a golden age for Irish music and Irish art. Our culture is the next big thing, and we want Phoeno to be front and centre in that cultural wave.
