Welcome to our Book Club series. Reading has always been a part of my life, for as long as I can remember, and I’ve always had a curiosity into what other people were reading, often questioning my family members about the books they had on their shelves or at the pool. Over the last few years, I’ve reconnected with that joy and it has become a constant with my friends, sharing our recent favourite reads, what we’ve taken away from them and what we are excited about exploring next. Bringing those conversations to 909, our Book Club series will delve deeper into other creative’s reading history from what they enjoyed when they were growing up, their most impactful read, quotes and more. In order to extend this community of readers, there is a bonus question for those who answer where they recommend a book(s) to next person who contributes to the club.
Intervention and Ipaadi Records founder Ifeoluwa returns to the Untitled 909 platform. Since we last featured Ifeoluwa, they have released the first record on Ipaadi from Robin Stewart, continued organising workshops and parties across the UK via Intervention, continued working as a writer and lecturer and last year launched a digital archive for underground music. Their Intervention series has continued go from strength to strength, partnering up with Resident Advisor for a series of workshops and the next few parties will see sets from Anz, TAAHLIAH, Bake, Ayaya, and PMS Casualty. You can also catch Ifeoluwa at Risen Festival, CTM Festival, Venue MOT, Phonox and Flesh Queer Festival.
Your favourite childhood book?
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Tiger Who Came To Tea! That tiger is an absolute cheeky bugger, the more I think about it, the more mad that story is.
Most impactful/influential book you’ve read?
Herbert Marcuse’s One Dimensional Man. It’s critiquie of consumerism and modern industrialised / technological society as a form of social control. Something I think about a lot, especially when it comes to interpersonal relationships.
A quote that has stuck with you?
“If you’re silent about your pain, they will kill you and say you enjoyed it”. It’s a quote by Zora Neale Hurtson from Their Eyes Were Watching God. A quote that guides my life and inspires me to stand by my truth and resist internalising the trauma of being Black in this world.
Favourite writer?
Saidiya Hartman! Also want to shout out Fred Molten, bell hooks, James Baldwin, Langston Hughes, Bernardine Evaristo and all the Black writers who inspired me to write and continue writing on my darkest days.
Favourite genre?
Existential philosophy b2b critiques of race and whiteness post 1960s African (the nations that currently semi have it) independence.
A book that you recommend everyone should read in their lifetime?
I Know Why The Caged Birds Sing by Maya Angelou. It’s simultaneously a coming of age story and how you can use your love of literature to survive in a world that is anti-black.
Your favourite setting to read in?
Wrapped in my pink fluffy blanket with my fairy lights on or on a long train journey with the sun shinning of my face.
Are you someone who shares books with friends? If so, which book have you shared recently?
Yes I love lending my books out. I would also like to use this opportunity to ask people if they could please return them! I recently lent someone close to me Wretched of the Earth by Frantz Fanon – another book I highly recommend. Especially the section of nationalism.
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading Keisha The Sket! A christmas gift from my bestie Daniela – big up DD! It’s a story a lot of Black women & femmes know so it’s been a trip down memory lane as well as understanding why the author wrote it in the first place and a revision of first kisses, pipes and loves.