Alexander Billet
@ubupamplemousse.bsky.social
I write about music and arts, cities, and radical memory. Author, "Shake the City" from 1968 Press. Substack: alexanderbillet.com Insta: instagram.com/ubupamplemousse/
Haven't been on socials lately for many reasons: travel, applying to PhD programs, exciting personal news, the holidays… and, honestly, the need for a much-earned break.
I'll more consistent in the coming year. In the meantime, here’s James Ensor’s The Bad Doctors (1892).
I'll more consistent in the coming year. In the meantime, here’s James Ensor’s The Bad Doctors (1892).
December 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Haven't been on socials lately for many reasons: travel, applying to PhD programs, exciting personal news, the holidays… and, honestly, the need for a much-earned break.
I'll more consistent in the coming year. In the meantime, here’s James Ensor’s The Bad Doctors (1892).
I'll more consistent in the coming year. In the meantime, here’s James Ensor’s The Bad Doctors (1892).
Shameless plug for my presentation at the upcoming @histmat.bsky.social conference in London. Talking art, (post?)modernism, and a useful methodology for radicals.
October 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Shameless plug for my presentation at the upcoming @histmat.bsky.social conference in London. Talking art, (post?)modernism, and a useful methodology for radicals.
This poem by Assata Shakur has been getting shared round a lot since her passing a few days ago. For good reason. It's quite lovely. #RIP
September 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM
This poem by Assata Shakur has been getting shared round a lot since her passing a few days ago. For good reason. It's quite lovely. #RIP
“It is only for those without hope that hope is given.”
― Walter Benjamin, who committed suicide 85 years ago today.
#WalterBenjamin #criticaltheory
― Walter Benjamin, who committed suicide 85 years ago today.
#WalterBenjamin #criticaltheory
September 26, 2025 at 4:12 PM
“It is only for those without hope that hope is given.”
― Walter Benjamin, who committed suicide 85 years ago today.
#WalterBenjamin #criticaltheory
― Walter Benjamin, who committed suicide 85 years ago today.
#WalterBenjamin #criticaltheory
Scene from a weekend.
September 15, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Scene from a weekend.
September 13, 2025 at 3:18 AM
September 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Gladwell's always been a dundering ballbag, ready to write things that seem insightful and daring but are in fact just the same warmed over tripe as every other middle of the road columnist. This latest pivot is part of it. He’ll probably get a $2 million book advance for it.
September 5, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Gladwell's always been a dundering ballbag, ready to write things that seem insightful and daring but are in fact just the same warmed over tripe as every other middle of the road columnist. This latest pivot is part of it. He’ll probably get a $2 million book advance for it.
Skyline. Downtown LA. Late summer.
September 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Skyline. Downtown LA. Late summer.
When I wrote this last week, the upcoming 80th anniversary of #Hiroshima was, oddly enough, not on my mind at all. History often makes your argument for you.
#filmsky #literaturesky
alexanderbillet.substack.com/p/it-will-be...
#filmsky #literaturesky
alexanderbillet.substack.com/p/it-will-be...
August 6, 2025 at 3:18 PM
When I wrote this last week, the upcoming 80th anniversary of #Hiroshima was, oddly enough, not on my mind at all. History often makes your argument for you.
#filmsky #literaturesky
alexanderbillet.substack.com/p/it-will-be...
#filmsky #literaturesky
alexanderbillet.substack.com/p/it-will-be...
August 2, 2025 at 8:40 PM
July 27, 2025 at 1:41 AM
I have no idea if this is significant, but evidently my blog is now number 42 in “rising” music Substacks. Good for me I guess? Anyway, you should subscribe. #writing
July 20, 2025 at 4:56 AM
I have no idea if this is significant, but evidently my blog is now number 42 in “rising” music Substacks. Good for me I guess? Anyway, you should subscribe. #writing
June 29, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Dear @netflix.com. Stop trying to make me watch Poop Cruise. I’m not going to watch Poop Cruise.
June 26, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Dear @netflix.com. Stop trying to make me watch Poop Cruise. I’m not going to watch Poop Cruise.
Now and fucking forever. LA strong…
June 9, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Now and fucking forever. LA strong…
Was happy to speak alongside Adam and Tish Turl for the launch of Adam's book Gothic Capitalism at Le Grande Transition in Montreal. Even if none of us were able to be there in person.
#booksky #literaturesky #art #music #Marxism
#booksky #literaturesky #art #music #Marxism
June 2, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Was happy to speak alongside Adam and Tish Turl for the launch of Adam's book Gothic Capitalism at Le Grande Transition in Montreal. Even if none of us were able to be there in person.
#booksky #literaturesky #art #music #Marxism
#booksky #literaturesky #art #music #Marxism
May 16, 2025 at 4:26 AM
I am, at long last, done with my review of Toby Manning's essential Mixing Pop and Politics: A Marxist History of Popular Music. Now the hard part: finding a place to #publish it.
#BookSky #writingsky #literaturesky #psychedelic #glam #rock #rap #hiphop #soul #cultureindustry #marxism #music
#BookSky #writingsky #literaturesky #psychedelic #glam #rock #rap #hiphop #soul #cultureindustry #marxism #music
May 6, 2025 at 1:27 AM
I am, at long last, done with my review of Toby Manning's essential Mixing Pop and Politics: A Marxist History of Popular Music. Now the hard part: finding a place to #publish it.
#BookSky #writingsky #literaturesky #psychedelic #glam #rock #rap #hiphop #soul #cultureindustry #marxism #music
#BookSky #writingsky #literaturesky #psychedelic #glam #rock #rap #hiphop #soul #cultureindustry #marxism #music
New issue of Locust Review is out, and my short reflections on the death of #DavidLynch in the wake of the #LosAngeles #wildfires are in it.
#filmsky #surrealism #psychogeography #losangeleswildfires #hollywood #writing #literaturesky
#filmsky #surrealism #psychogeography #losangeleswildfires #hollywood #writing #literaturesky
May 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
New issue of Locust Review is out, and my short reflections on the death of #DavidLynch in the wake of the #LosAngeles #wildfires are in it.
#filmsky #surrealism #psychogeography #losangeleswildfires #hollywood #writing #literaturesky
#filmsky #surrealism #psychogeography #losangeleswildfires #hollywood #writing #literaturesky
Thanks to 6 Dollar Shirts for the #juryduty attire. #DiscontentDrip
April 30, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Thanks to 6 Dollar Shirts for the #juryduty attire. #DiscontentDrip
In dark times, I’ll take the wins I can get. And this is a sweet one.
#YNWA #LiverpoolFC #RedSky #Anfield #MightyReds #Champions
#YNWA #LiverpoolFC #RedSky #Anfield #MightyReds #Champions
April 27, 2025 at 6:00 PM
In dark times, I’ll take the wins I can get. And this is a sweet one.
#YNWA #LiverpoolFC #RedSky #Anfield #MightyReds #Champions
#YNWA #LiverpoolFC #RedSky #Anfield #MightyReds #Champions