Pop Culture Diet: Said The Whale’s Ben Worcester

As one-third (and co-founder) of Vancouver’s own indie-rock darling Said the Whale, Ben Worcester (pictured above, left) keeps himself pretty busy between touring, recording and exploring the backroads of the lower mainland with his dog, Trout. But the musician took time out from the studio this month (the band’s eighth studio album is in the works) to share his current pop-culture picks.

What I’m reading…

Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel

I read a lot when I’m travelling and I usually read wilderness adventure stories or biographies of my personal heroes. I read a really cool book recently about a guy who survives by himself in secret for 29 years in Northern Maine. He survives harsh, long winters on stolen pantry goods and never once builds a fire or speaks to another person.

What I’m listening to…

Gord Downie’s Introduce Yerself

My favourite album of 2017 is a real treasure, and a heartbreaking piece of work. Gord Downie’s last album, released posthumously, literally brings tears to my eyes. Gord and his close friend (and esteemed conduit) Kevin Drew were able to capture something so raw and emotional that I’m getting misty here just thinking about it.

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READ MOREChef JC Poirier’s Pop Culture Diet

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What I’m streaming…

Easy

I probably watch too much Netflix—it’s too easy to binge watch shows. Some of my faves lately have been Easy, Black Mirror, Mind Hunter and Manhunt. Little Destroyer

What I leave the house for…

Live music

I think the last band I watched was Little Destroyer from Vancouver—they really blew me away. The Pixies at QE theatre recently was a fantastic show, too. I know those songs inside and out and the old band—minus Kim Deal—didn’t disappoint. I couldn’t peel the smile off my face.