Lockdown! at the Disco #4: The Snoozetime Special Episode

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Hi, how are you? Come in! Get comfortable.

You’re listening to episode 4 of Lockdown! at the Disco on Comics Youth Radio with me, your very tired host, Amy Roberts – broadcasting live from her bedroom in Fairfield and Kensington in her pyjamas.

Today I’m keeping my voice a little lower than usual and I’ll be a little more gentle in my delivery because this episode is The Snoozetime Special and it’s going to be full of songs to promote rest and relaxation. And they’re songs which might hopefully help you to enjoy a nice nap or to drift off to at night.

We’ll also be talking about different things you can do for your wellbeing and to promote calm so that we can all get our sleep sorted during these difficult times. So get into your snuggiest pair of pyjamas and wrap the duvet around you. Take a deep breath in (BREATHE) and let it out. And let all the bad out as you exhale - like a nasty stench through an open window. Because everything is going to be alright in the end. And know how I know? Well, first let’s put on our Worried Shoes with Karen O and the Kids:

TRACK #1: “Worried Shoes” by Karen O and The Kids

That was Karen O and the Kids covering “Worried Shoes” by the late, great Daniel Johnston. That was from the wonderful soundtrack that Karen O did for Spike Jonze’s Where the Wild Things Are which is a beautiful adaptation of that classic children’s book by Maurice Sendak.

And I think “Worried Shoes” is one of the best songs ever written about having anxiety and working your way through those feelings. It’s a song that suggests that anxiety isn’t something you can necessarily shoo away or just shake off. It’s something you carry with you and that you have to learn and develop new habits for in order to deal with it and live with it in a way that’s healthy.

But it’s also a song that suggests that we don’t have to haul that weight around full time. Shoes are for walking but shoes can also be taken off. You don’t need to wear your troubles to get to wherever it is you want to be.

The majority of us are likely experiencing a lot of anxiety right now for any number of reasons. The world feels very uncertain and so much of our lives feel on pause and blurry. But don’t just live with that anxiety – if you can, expend that energy somehow and use it constructively. Turn that anxiety into something that can carry you and push you into peace and calm.

Put on your worried shoes and stomp that anxiety into the dirt.

And when we’re trying to get some sleep, anxiety can be the beast that tip-toes into our tummies and taps onto our skulls and keeps us awake when we’re exhausted and desperately trying to rest.

We all need to find things that can help quieten that noise in some way. And for some – myself included – simply listening to music to drift off to can really help. This is “Better Rooms” by Gorky’s Zygotic MynKi.

TRACK #2: “Better Rooms” by Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci

TRACK #3: “Over the Ocean” by Low

That was Gorky’s Zygotic Mynki with “Better Rooms” which was requested by Comics Youth head honcho Rhiannon – who has been working impossibly hard this week. And I very much hope she gets some well deserved rest and some sleep today!

And that was followed by “Over the Ocean” by Low. I’ve been listening to a lot of Low recently because they’re a really beautiful, chill band who delve into some difficult emotions with a serene gentle clarity and they just bring me back to peace. Listening to them also reminds me of someone who is very dear to me and that I’m missing a lot right now.

If you’re like me, then maybe one of the things that’s keeping you awake at night or that wakes you up far too early feeling restless and abstract - is that you feel very far away from some of the people that you love the most. And that distance can really press upon you and feel very heavy.

If you’re feeling that right now, then create playlists that summon the spirit of that person or those people close to you. Surround yourself with objects that remind you of them. Bring their t-shirt to bed with you. Or use one of their recipes to do some baking and scran the whole lot before you go asleep. It might never taste as good as how that person makes it, but you’ll still find it reminds you of them anyway.

They’re always closer than they appear.

Getting a good night’s sleep is actually a little like following a recipe, to be honest.

You know? Good sleep is about finding the familiar and rooting yourself in it. It’s about routine and structure and calm. It’s about finding the right combinations of things and sticking to them.

It’s a recipe. And everyone makes it differently.

Here’s one ingredient for mine right now. This is “Hope We Can Again” by Nine Inch Nails.

TRACK #4: “Hope We Can Again” by Nine Inch Nails

TRACK #5: “Song to the Siren” by This Mortal Coil

That was This Mortal Coil with their iconic cover of Tim Buckley’s “Song to the Siren” and I’m playing that for my dad. That’s a really special song in my family and it’s one of those songs which has continued to pop up in surprising and unexpected ways throughout our lives – as these things tend to happen. Sometimes you find patterns in life and you just have to keep following them.

Before that we had Nine Inch Nails with “Hope We Can Again” from their latest album Ghosts V: Together. That album is actually part of a double release from the band and it’s currently available for free download from their website – I think it was actually released at the very start of lockdown and ya boi Trent Reznor must have very kindly realised how beneficial this album could be for people so he just made it a free release. Probably because he can afford to. Either way, ta mate. It’s been very much appreciated over here.

But those two albums Ghosts V: Together and Ghosts VI: Locusts are a yin and a yang. They’re the dark and the light and they’re absolutely stunning to listen to back to back as a pair. I’ve been very much enjoying listening to these two albums while walking through my local park on my own, clearing my head. Keeping my feet entertained, as they say in Animal Crossing.  

If I can be completely honest with you all – and I feel like I can, we’re all friends here aren’t we? – I’m struggling with disassociation and that’s especially true right now. And maybe you’re struggling with episodes of disassociation right now too? It’s the brains way of protecting us during times of mental hardship.

Disassociation can make you feel disconnected from the world and from yourself. It can severely skewer your perception of time and identity. And it can be scary and difficult. Particularly when you’re struggling to sleep.

Ghosts V and Ghosts VI by Nine Inch Nails have been really helping me through those episodes. They make something that feels so abstract and surreal feel peaceful and almost cinematic – like I’m watching my life unfold on screen in a really beautiful and serene way. And that really helps.

So I urge all of you to find something that helps you process such feelings and experiences. And I also urge you all to remember that some of the mental health challenges that you may be experiencing right now – be it anxiety, depression, grief, or disassociation – can sometimes be your brain’s way of trying to protect you from or to try and process this collective trauma that we’re all going through as a community and as a society right now. So be patient with your brain and be kind to yourself and remember that everything is temporary. We are always in flux. And we have the power to adapt and to survive. And to sleep!

TRACK #6: “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl” by Broken Social Scene

TRACK #7: “Those to Come” by The Shins

That was “Anthems for a Seventeen Year Old Girl” by Broken Social Scene followed by “Those to Come” by The Shins. And they were requested by our art director Ste and his awesome partner Rhiannon. I also wanted to give a huge shoutout to their little baby Art A.K.A Lil’Chonk – because Ste shares pictures and videos of this big lovely lad with us and it really brings a lot of light to our team during a very stressful and tiring time.

In fact, I wanted to give massive props in general to the Comics Youth team and to our young people. All of whom are really working so hard right now and pulling together and pulling each other through this moment.

This week we’ve launched The Stay Safe Club which is a project where we’re going to be sending out a bunch of free lockdown care packages to children and young adults aged 8 – 25 across the Liverpool City Region and we’ve been absolutely inundated with messages of thanks and support ever since.

We’re really humbled and grateful to everyone who has shared this project and who has been in touch with us about it and we’re actually completely floored by the response we’ve had overall.

We’ve had a lot of people ask us how they can help to support us and this week we’re going to be launching our Patreon so that people can become monthly Patrons of Comics Youth and help to give a small amount of money to us each month which will be a massive support to the services we provide.

It’s very tricky right now, people. But we’re carrying the light still. Keep an eye on our social media for updates on that and the small but great ways that you can support us through all of this.

And now a little something from Welsh musical marvel Kelly Lee Owens. This is “Keep Walking” on Comics Youth Radio.

TRACK #8: “Keep Walking” by Kelly Lee Owens

TRACK #9: “Jenni” by Big Thief

That was “Keep Walking” by Kelly Lee Owens followed by “Jenni” by Big Thief, which is pretty nice dreamy double bill, I’m sure you agree?

One of the things I love about “Jenni” by Big Thief is its sense of place and atmosphere. And that’s something that’s very important when trying to make a space that’s conducive to sleep. We talk a lot in our Safe Spaces group about ways that we can create and maintain peaceful, welcoming and safe environments in our homes right now. Even if the place that we call home doesn’t necessarily feel like any of these things – and I know that might be the case for some of you listening.

So wherever your space is – that room or area that makes you feel tranquil and protected – make sure that you nurture it. Put in the time to keep it clean and tidy whenever you find the energy to do so. Fill it full of things that you love and things from people that you love. Make it snug and calming. Make it somewhere you long to rest your head.

Our next two songs have been requested by a couple of our young mavericks from our Safe Spaces group. First up is “First Blush” by Locket as requested by Rosie.

TRACK #10: “First Blush” by Locket

TRACK #11: “Empty Bed” by Cavetown

That was “Empty Bed” by Cavetown and it was requested by Lucas Mannion who I would like to continue to thank for giving me weekly updates about what bread his mum Sarah has been baking while in lockdown. I’ve managed to find a somewhat decent bread from my local Lidl but it’s no sourdough. I dream of sourdough, people. I dream in sourdough. Sourdough is my love language.

A huge shout on ways to keep your body feeling restful for bedtime and for sleep is to try and find anything too high in sugar for the few hours before you go asleep. And – I know we’re all huge caffeine heads here at Comics Youth – but restricting your caffeine intake. And that includes stuff like cola or energy drinks or just basic cups of tea is also very important.

If I drink any caffeine past about 2 or 3pm then I can usually still feel it rattling my bones at around 10 or 11pm. Switch to decaff, people. Stay hydrated. And swerve the night time sugar binges if you can – that’s easier said than done though, innit?

Let’s have a little something sweet right now though, shall we? This is the wonderful “White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean and it was requested by Rosa.

TRACK #12: White Ferrari” by Frank Ocean

TRACK #13: “Dear Nora” by Girlpool

Frank Ocean’s Blonde continues to be just one of my favourite albums of recent years and it genuinely seems to just get better every time I listen to it. And it’s really an album about the trauma of adolescence and about figuring out your place in the world and finding the strength to be resilient and proud about who you are and how you exist within it.

Following that was “Dear Nora” by Girlpool, from the album Before the World Got Big and which I think pairs really beautifully in a thematic way with Blonde in how it’s an album about navigating life as a young adult and standing tall as the person you’re growing up to become.

For many young people, sleep patterns have become a very difficult thing to maintain during all of this. Maybe you’re staying up until the wee, early hours of the morning and then waking up late in the afternoon. Or maybe you’re going to bed super early and then waking up at 4, 5 or 6am wide awake and restless.

But just remember that time is but a construct. Especially right now where time is just a slippery eel of a thing that none of us is really getting a tight hold off. So whatever schedule is working for you is totally fine, you know? 9 – 5 isn’t a thing right now. However and whenever you’re able to get some kip is absolutely fine. So don’t be sweating it.

As requested by Lucas, this is “Landslide” by Oh Wonder on Comics Youth Radio.

TRACK #14: “Landslide” by Oh Wonder

TRACK #15: “Pulling Our Weight” by The Radio Department

That was “Landslide” by Oh Wonder followed by “Pulling Our Weight” by The Radio Department which is a fantastic song that I’d forgotten all about. So mega thanks to Anna for requesting that one.

The show is slowly crawling to a sleepy end right now. Which brings us to a really important vibe that I think can help us all right now in relaxing and just hushing our brains up a little bit and getting ourselves into a nice cosy state where we can sleep.

And that vibe is meditation or mindfulness. I’m sure many of you have some kind of an app on your phone that you use for this, or maybe you prefer to use YouTube videos as a guide. Whatever it is that helps you, keep doing it. It’s so good for you and great for your mental and physical wellbeing.

And if you don’t have an app or you use any online tutorials then I really urge you to give some a go. Find something that you connect with and that works for you.

One meditation that I learned a few years ago is something that I continue to practice when I’m struggling to sleep or feel restless in my mind and in my body. Maybe you can do it with me now:

So now, if you’ll allow me to get real awkward about this.

Get yourself comfortable and slowly close your eyes. Adjust your posture, keep your back straight and tall and proud and drop your shoulders. Let the weight of the world slip off them and roll out into the floor beneath you and disperse into nothingness.

Take a deep breath in and then slowly release.

Deep breath in and then slowly release.

And as you keep slowly breathing in and out, I want you to imagine you’re currently sat on the beach.

You can feel the sun bake against your clothes and your skin. You can see the brightness of the sun through your eyelids.

The sand gathers between your toes – give them a wiggle, make shapes in the grains -  and there are birds all around, calling to each other and you’re listening to them. You’re with them. And as you breath deeply in imagine that your lungs are pulling the waves of water in towards you.

And as you exhale, imagine that you’re gently pushing those waves back out into the tumble of the surf.

The air tastes salty from the sea.

And the sound of the waves crashing glistens out with each breath in and out.

Keep imagining the sun, and those birds, and the beach, and those waves – and you controlling those waves with your breath, because you are safe and you are in control and you are enough – don’t let go of those breaths or that beach as we roll into “Ocean Breathes Salty” by Sun Kil Moon.

TRACK #16: “Ocean Breathes Salty” by Sun Kil Moon

TRACK #17: “These Days” by Nico

That was Sun Kil Moon covering “Ocean Breathes Salty” by Modest Mouse from Tiny Cities, which is an album of beautiful Modest Mouse covers from 2005.

And it was followed by the ever beautiful “These Days” by Nico. And that brings our episode to a slumber lovely end.

Next week’s episode is all about Love – platonic love, romantic love, familial love, and the love that we deserve to be extending to ourselves. We’re want your shoutouts to people that you love and we want your song requests for songs about love that maybe present the idea in a new and radical way.

The episode will be all about ways to show kindness and love to other people and to ourselves, so if you have anything you’d like to share on that then please get in touch via our social media channels or directly with me via email amy@comicsyouth.co.uk.

And with that we say goodnight and sweet dreams. Until next time dear listeners, stay safe and stay sassy and my god, get some sleep, get some sleep, get some sleep, get some sleep (fade out)

TRACK #18: “Dream a Little Dream of Me” by The Mamas and the Papas