Assistant
@assistant.bandcamp.com
Jonathan tweeting. Assistant make lovely jangle pop from Brighton: Felt/Yo La Tengo/Stereolab etc. CERTAIN MEMORIES is our masterpiece; our new single is FLOWERS. Fanzines available; radio show starts 16/11/25 on Untidy Radio.
Pinned
In The April Sun (Indie Pop Fanzine #3) -- OUT TODAY! from Assistant
In The April Sun (Indie Pop Fanzine #3) -- OUT TODAY! from Assistant
assistant.bandcamp.com
Good morning everyone. The 3rd issue of my IN THE APRIL SUN indie pop fanzine is now on sale. I have stock in hand so will be posting out right away. It's a beautiful issue, so do share/grab one. It has some lovely stuff in it; Heavenly, the Lemonheads, Chime School, The Felt Tips & much more.
I have been writing a review of Robert Forster's lovely Strawberries LP tonight; and listening while I write to Cory Hanson's song 'Lou Reed', which is very very lovely. And really lovely writing-music.
coryhanson.bandcamp.com/track/lou-reed
coryhanson.bandcamp.com/track/lou-reed
Lou Reed, by Cory Hanson
from the album I Love People
coryhanson.bandcamp.com
December 27, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I have been writing a review of Robert Forster's lovely Strawberries LP tonight; and listening while I write to Cory Hanson's song 'Lou Reed', which is very very lovely. And really lovely writing-music.
coryhanson.bandcamp.com/track/lou-reed
coryhanson.bandcamp.com/track/lou-reed
Reposted by Assistant
Now playing on https://untidyradio.com Just For a Second by Orlando.
December 27, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Now playing on https://untidyradio.com Just For a Second by Orlando.
Hurrray!
Now playing on https://untidyradio.com Song for Jil by Assistant x Shopfires.
December 27, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Hurrray!
There are 8 zines left for sale on my Bandcamp! I have only heard lovely things about this from people who bought copies, so who knows? Maybe worth getting! Lots of nice writing about indie pop for £6.
assistant.bandcamp.com/merch/in-the...
assistant.bandcamp.com/merch/in-the...
In The April Sun (Indie Pop Fanzine #3) -- SELLING FAST! from Assistant
In The April Sun (Indie Pop Fanzine #3) -- SELLING FAST! from Assistant
assistant.bandcamp.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:30 PM
There are 8 zines left for sale on my Bandcamp! I have only heard lovely things about this from people who bought copies, so who knows? Maybe worth getting! Lots of nice writing about indie pop for £6.
assistant.bandcamp.com/merch/in-the...
assistant.bandcamp.com/merch/in-the...
We just watched a film called The Holdovers which you’ve probably already seen. If you haven’t, I really recommend it. Very lovely; I cried (but I cry watching most films as I am sentimentally-compromised).
December 26, 2025 at 9:20 PM
We just watched a film called The Holdovers which you’ve probably already seen. If you haven’t, I really recommend it. Very lovely; I cried (but I cry watching most films as I am sentimentally-compromised).
The two records that have soundtracked our Xmas so far - thanks to @goodbyewudaokou.bsky.social & @timeveleigh.bsky.social
December 26, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The two records that have soundtracked our Xmas so far - thanks to @goodbyewudaokou.bsky.social & @timeveleigh.bsky.social
Reposted by Assistant
Some reflections on the year: in 2025 I outgrew my parents; found myself making decisions (with my wife obvs) in a small, torn, labile family (renewing at one end, expiring at the other ). Hard hard hard - & who am I, anyway? Work was frequently stressful but I worked on some wonderful books.
December 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Some reflections on the year: in 2025 I outgrew my parents; found myself making decisions (with my wife obvs) in a small, torn, labile family (renewing at one end, expiring at the other ). Hard hard hard - & who am I, anyway? Work was frequently stressful but I worked on some wonderful books.
Reposted by Assistant
Beyond delighted with this lovely review of Certain Memories by @marktheblogger1.bsky.social in the new issue of #BlitzedMagazine. To walk in to a branch of Smiths and pluck a magazine off the shelf and find your work mentioned it is a new & hugely joyful experience.
January 3, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Beyond delighted with this lovely review of Certain Memories by @marktheblogger1.bsky.social in the new issue of #BlitzedMagazine. To walk in to a branch of Smiths and pluck a magazine off the shelf and find your work mentioned it is a new & hugely joyful experience.
Reposted by Assistant
An album which absolutely deserves your time if you have a bit to spare. Really great stuff from a year or so ago. Great work by @reseraphin.bsky.social
Still not quite ready to do my albums of the year list but this’ll v likely be in the mix - the excellent Fool’s Mate by R.E Seraphin on @safesuburban.bsky.social.
I wrote about its “many moments of tactile, introspective brilliance and self-awareness” here:
start-track.com/album-r-e-se...
I wrote about its “many moments of tactile, introspective brilliance and self-awareness” here:
start-track.com/album-r-e-se...
Album: R.E. Seraphin – Fool’s Mate – START TRACK
start-track.com
October 31, 2025 at 4:24 PM
An album which absolutely deserves your time if you have a bit to spare. Really great stuff from a year or so ago. Great work by @reseraphin.bsky.social
Some reflections on the year: in 2025 I outgrew my parents; found myself making decisions (with my wife obvs) in a small, torn, labile family (renewing at one end, expiring at the other ). Hard hard hard - & who am I, anyway? Work was frequently stressful but I worked on some wonderful books.
December 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Some reflections on the year: in 2025 I outgrew my parents; found myself making decisions (with my wife obvs) in a small, torn, labile family (renewing at one end, expiring at the other ). Hard hard hard - & who am I, anyway? Work was frequently stressful but I worked on some wonderful books.
Reposted by Assistant
Honestly, there have just been SO many good records this year. These have been the standouts for me! The 12 albums which Jonathan has unilaterally given the Assistant stamp of approval! Thank you for your music, all.
December 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Honestly, there have just been SO many good records this year. These have been the standouts for me! The 12 albums which Jonathan has unilaterally given the Assistant stamp of approval! Thank you for your music, all.
Honestly, there have just been SO many good records this year. These have been the standouts for me! The 12 albums which Jonathan has unilaterally given the Assistant stamp of approval! Thank you for your music, all.
December 24, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Honestly, there have just been SO many good records this year. These have been the standouts for me! The 12 albums which Jonathan has unilaterally given the Assistant stamp of approval! Thank you for your music, all.
December 23, 2025 at 8:31 PM
Reposted by Assistant
Should the next Assistant record be a 10”? I really love this format.
December 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Should the next Assistant record be a 10”? I really love this format.
Should the next Assistant record be a 10”? I really love this format.
December 23, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Should the next Assistant record be a 10”? I really love this format.
Reposted by Assistant
Assistant are gradually pulling together their end of year lists, as tis the season. Here’s Pete’s.
December 21, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Assistant are gradually pulling together their end of year lists, as tis the season. Here’s Pete’s.
Here's a link to playback of my last radio show of the year: songs from @thesuncharms.bsky.social, The Go-Betweens, Julian Cope, @europeansunmusic.bsky.social, Hen Ogledd and @robertrotifer.bsky.social - and lots more (quite. few from Australia here). Happy Xmas BTW
www.mixcloud.com/jonathanship...
www.mixcloud.com/jonathanship...
Fresh Ingredients with Jonathan Shipley - Episode 6 (21/12/25)
Listen to Fresh Ingredients with Jonathan Shipley - Episode 6 (21/12/25) by Jonathan Shipley for free. Follow Jonathan Shipley to never miss another show.
www.mixcloud.com
December 22, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Here's a link to playback of my last radio show of the year: songs from @thesuncharms.bsky.social, The Go-Betweens, Julian Cope, @europeansunmusic.bsky.social, Hen Ogledd and @robertrotifer.bsky.social - and lots more (quite. few from Australia here). Happy Xmas BTW
www.mixcloud.com/jonathanship...
www.mixcloud.com/jonathanship...
Reposted by Assistant
Some of favourite albums of 2025. If you see your cover art you've given me great pleasure and joy this year. Thanks to all of you 🩷🙏🩷
December 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Some of favourite albums of 2025. If you see your cover art you've given me great pleasure and joy this year. Thanks to all of you 🩷🙏🩷
Reposted by Assistant
We are KNOCKED OUT by this fantastic review of Lowlands by @assistant.bandcamp.com in the latest edition of his astonishing fanzine In The April Sun. A thoughtful, passionate labour of love, it's unsurprisingly nearly sold out; get your copy now!
December 20, 2025 at 2:48 PM
We are KNOCKED OUT by this fantastic review of Lowlands by @assistant.bandcamp.com in the latest edition of his astonishing fanzine In The April Sun. A thoughtful, passionate labour of love, it's unsurprisingly nearly sold out; get your copy now!
2025 is the year of the Octopus!!! Couldn’t they have told us sooner?? I have 9 days in which to squeeze in a whole year of octopus related activities! Can’t they make 2026 the year of the octopus? I think I’ve only eaten octopus once this year!!!
December 22, 2025 at 10:39 AM
2025 is the year of the Octopus!!! Couldn’t they have told us sooner?? I have 9 days in which to squeeze in a whole year of octopus related activities! Can’t they make 2026 the year of the octopus? I think I’ve only eaten octopus once this year!!!
The remainder of the show is fully Antipodean: songs from Piggietails (Melbourne), Bongjorno (Melbourne), The Salad Boys (Christchurch) and The Go-Betweens (Brisbane).
Hope you enjoy this lot!! And thanks for listening x x
Hope you enjoy this lot!! And thanks for listening x x
December 21, 2025 at 7:45 PM
The remainder of the show is fully Antipodean: songs from Piggietails (Melbourne), Bongjorno (Melbourne), The Salad Boys (Christchurch) and The Go-Betweens (Brisbane).
Hope you enjoy this lot!! And thanks for listening x x
Hope you enjoy this lot!! And thanks for listening x x
Somehow I totally missed this new single by @thesuncharms.bsky.social at the end of October. Playing it now on #freshingredients and excited that a new LP is imminent. This one is great.
thesuncharms.bandcamp.com/album/monste...
thesuncharms.bandcamp.com/album/monste...
Monster To Me / Tuesday Afternoon Seance, by The Suncharms
0 track album
thesuncharms.bandcamp.com
December 21, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Somehow I totally missed this new single by @thesuncharms.bsky.social at the end of October. Playing it now on #freshingredients and excited that a new LP is imminent. This one is great.
thesuncharms.bandcamp.com/album/monste...
thesuncharms.bandcamp.com/album/monste...
This is the Svetlana Boym book I was just quoting on #freshingredients. It's a academic book but v readable and fascinating on nostalgia; it's uses and abuses.
www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Nosta...
www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Nosta...
Future of Nostalgia
Future of Nostalgia : Boym, Svetlana: Amazon.co.uk: Books
www.amazon.co.uk
December 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
This is the Svetlana Boym book I was just quoting on #freshingredients. It's a academic book but v readable and fascinating on nostalgia; it's uses and abuses.
www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Nosta...
www.amazon.co.uk/Future-Nosta...
Really fab this: the 2nd song I've played tonight from @polaroidblog.bsky.social's Xmas compilation. Great lyrics too:
"27 dicembre: It’s insane to decide in advance wether you’ll be taking drugs on New Years’ Eve or not. How can you possibly have fun when you’re supposed to have fun?"
"27 dicembre: It’s insane to decide in advance wether you’ll be taking drugs on New Years’ Eve or not. How can you possibly have fun when you’re supposed to have fun?"
Natale hilare ex Roma, by Marcello Newman
from the album A polaroid for Christmas 2025
polaroidblog.bandcamp.com
December 21, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Really fab this: the 2nd song I've played tonight from @polaroidblog.bsky.social's Xmas compilation. Great lyrics too:
"27 dicembre: It’s insane to decide in advance wether you’ll be taking drugs on New Years’ Eve or not. How can you possibly have fun when you’re supposed to have fun?"
"27 dicembre: It’s insane to decide in advance wether you’ll be taking drugs on New Years’ Eve or not. How can you possibly have fun when you’re supposed to have fun?"
The next two songs are magnificent; similar and different. First the lead-in single from @europeansunmusic.bsky.social's forthcoming LP on @skepwax.bsky.social; then this song by David Westlake from his unusual, out-of-time 2022 LP My Beautiful England.
Hayes, Middlesex, by David Westlake
from the album My Beautiful England
davidwestlake.bandcamp.com
December 21, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The next two songs are magnificent; similar and different. First the lead-in single from @europeansunmusic.bsky.social's forthcoming LP on @skepwax.bsky.social; then this song by David Westlake from his unusual, out-of-time 2022 LP My Beautiful England.