Month: November 2020

College basketball tips off this week, and the best show on the hardwood (at least until the NBA comes back) will be Oklahoma State’s Cade Cunningham, the No. 1 recruit in the nation and an offensive maven who will likely hear his name called first in the 2021 NBA Draft.

The Cowboys’ season will begin with a relatively quiet game against the University of Texas-Arlington, but any time Cunningham plays this season, it will be must-watch television. Cunningham is already dominating preseason All-American lists and NBA Draft boards after a tremendous season at Montverde Academy last year, and for good reason. In a league that is placing a premium on toolsy jumbo playmakers, Cunningham could enter the NBA as already one of its most valuable players.

Maybe Cunningham isn’t quite at the level of Zion Williamson, Anthony Davis, or LeBron James as a consensus top prospect, but he’s not far off. Rarely do players enter the NBA with such polished skill coupled with physical tools that make him NBA-ready. Cunningham isn’t a household name like those guys were on the days they entered college (or, in LeBron’s case, from the time he was 16), but there’s no reason to doubt he will be soon, and the NBA will have another brilliant young star.

In the NBA Draft, it’s all about gauging the outcomes. There’s a chance Williamson isn’t the perennial MVP candidate we expected him to be, but there’s a chance Cunningham is. It likely is a bit more likely that Williamson is that guy than Cunningham, but their range of outcomes overlaps. Comparing that to a player like Anthony Edwards Jr., for whom just about everything would have to go right for him to be an MVP at all during his career, shows how much Cunningham alone changes the thinking for teams drafting at the top of the 2021 Draft.

Listed at 6’8 and 220 pounds, Cunningham looks like a more lithe Luka Doncic or a stronger Paul George. That frame and his solid athleticism allow him to get just about anywhere on the court and make him a mismatch against just about any defender. While most people his size use that advantage as a scorer, though, Cunningham’s best quality may be his passing.

Already, despite being just 19 (Cunningham is older for a freshman and nearly reclassified to be a freshman last year), the Arlington native has just about every pass in his bag, both in transition and in the halfcourt.

At the same time, Cunningham has clearly put in work on his jump shot to go along with a quick first step. He’s also a solid leaper and because of his size, can work the post or the perimeter. From the day he gets to the league, he is going to be a nightmare to match up against. At the college level, it’s going to be nigh impossible to keep him from getting wherever he wants to go.

As with many young players, defense is not his biggest strength, but Cunningham fortunately has solid size and length that make him less of a concern on that end than, say, Trae Young. There have also been enough flashes as a team defender to ensure Cunningham at least understands his responsibilities on that end and provide optimism he could be pretty good in time.

And while this year’s Cowboys team is going to be pretty young, junior team captain Isaac Likelele will be back and give Cunningham a decent scorer to set up, in addition to senior guard Ferron Flavors. We saw Young set the world ablaze with a similarly weak supporting cast in 2017-18. It doesn’t take much when you have this much talent.

Coming off a Draft in which there was very little elite talent and no real prize for tanking, the 2021 class is strong overall, but Cunningham is easily the best prospect in the class heading into the college season. A team like, say, Detroit that looks like it will really struggle this year could really benefit, especially as few teams look dead-set on tanking right now.

It’s not as if Cunningham doesn’t have competition, either. The 2021 class is strong overall, and deep on wings, the most valuable position in the NBA. But you won’t see Brandon Boston or Keon Johnson on preseason All-American lists. Cunningham is a head above his counterparts.

What that means is that while Cunningham likely dominates college basketball, NBA teams will be making moves in conjunction, trying to figure out a way to get their hands on a perfect modern NBA player and one of the most gifted players to come along in the draft in years.

North Carolina punk rapper Nascar Aloe brings unstoppable energy to UPROXX Sessions in this week’s episode as he rips through an twitchy performance of “I Throw A Fit.” The song’s title is apt; Aloe never stands still for a moment. His infectious aura vibrates off the walls as he calls out Donald Trump, police, and politicians in railing screed against the hypocrisy of the “land of the free.”

Calling himself “the new Sid Vicious,” Nascar Aloe experimented with different styles and stage names until settling on his current in-your-face punk persona. He’s proven prolific, dopping projects at an alarming clip that fits his DIY, anything-goes mentality. Most recently, he dropped the three-song Battery Clash! EGO Bite, which contained the songs “Hi,” “Abyss,” and “Dysfunctional.” Earlier this year, he also released The Garage Tapes featuring Ghoulavelli and Miyagi. Though he’s not highly active on social media, he has used it to call out disparities and oddities of the modern music scene. He’s part of an anti-establishment wave of young, punkish rappers that includes characters like Jasiah, Joey Trap, and Tokyo’s Revenge.

Check out his raucous performance above.

UPROXX Sessions is Uproxx’s performance show featuring the hottest up-and-coming acts you should keep an eye on. Featuring creative direction from LA promotion collective, Ham On Everything, and taking place on our “bathroom” set designed and painted by Julian Gross, UPROXX Sessions is a showcase of some of our favorite performers, who just might soon be yours, too.

In December 2018, The Utah Department of Transportation opened the largest wildlife overpass in the state, spanning 320 by 50 feet across all six lanes of Interstate 80.

Its construction was intended to make traveling through the I-80 corridor in Summit County safer for motorists and the local wildlife.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that there were over 100 animal incidents on the interstate since 2016, giving the stretch of highway the unfortunate nickname of “Slaughter Row.”

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Forty-six deer, 14 moose, and four elk were killed on that stretch of highway in 2016 and 2017 alone.

The number of deaths is a tragedy for the local ecosystem but the situation is also dangerous for humans traveling at high speeds on the interstate.

via UDOT

When authorities agreed to build the $5 million project some were skeptical about whether it would work. There was a fear that the animals would be too afraid to cross the bridge. A three-mile cattle fence was installed leading up to the overpass to encourage wildlife to make their way towards the structure.

Well, the skeptics can rest easy, because footage from a surveillance camera recently released by the department of wildlife proudly proclaims, “It’s working!”

Surveillance video taken over the past seven months shows that bobcats, coyotes, deer, mountain lions, moose, and even bears all use the structure.

Deer

via UDOT / Facebook

Coyote

via UDOT / Facebook

Bear

via UDOT / Facebook

“From what we can tell, the number of accidents there is down dramatically,” UDOT spokesman John Gleason told the Salt Lake Tribune. “At least initially, it appears the investment in safety is paying off. And we expected it to take several years before the animals got used to using it, so this is great.”

UDOT believes it will take up to five years of studying the bridge to know if the project will work long-term.

via National Wildlife Foundation

News of the bridge’s early success has to be good for developers in Southern California building the world’s largest and most urban wildlife crossing. The crossing above the busy 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills, just outside of Los Angeles, will be 165 feet wide and span 200 feet.

The $85 million dollar project created mostly with private money aims to help improve genetic diversity in the local mountain lion population and increase biodiversity in the area.

“Genetic decline, which is the result of isolation from these freeways for these cats is getting so bad, that they’re starting to show birth defects,” Beth Pratt with the National Wildlife Foundation told LAist.

Two different microclimates have developed on each side of the freeway and this will allow them to reconnect.

“This project offers an opportunity to kind of stitch those two spaces back together,” he said, “and allow that transition to occur naturally.”

Let’s face it, Thanksgiving 2020 won’t resemble what it was last year or any year before that. Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, there will be far fewer people attending family dinners and Friendsgivings. And with more than 11 million Americans (and counting) having suffered from the virus since it first emerged in the U.S., most folks are likely to skip even socially-distant gatherings in an effort to prevent further spread of COVID-19.

Fewer seats at the table means smaller Thanksgiving spreads this year. But just because you’re being responsible doesn’t mean you have to skimp out on the holiday fixings. Or all the bottles of wine you’ll need to pair with your stuffing, turkey, and sweet potato pie. It’s been a rough year for many of us. A lot has changed and a lot has been lost. But we’re still here, and that’s something to be thankful for.

It’s definitely a good enough reason to break out the good grapes.

Regardless of what’s on your menu this holiday, there are plenty of solid wines that should have a place on the table. To help with your Thanksgiving prep, we’ve rounded up eight superior bottles that will put you in the holiday spirit, whether you’re spending the day with your family over Zoom, sitting down with your quarantine cluster, or feasting alone. You don’t have to spend a gazillion dollars to enjoy any of these picks, either.

All of the bottles listed are under $40 and can be found at retail shops around the U.S., or ordered online via the linked prices below.

Banshee 2018 Sonoma County Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.9%
Average Price: $28

The Wine:

The vintners of Banshee Wines pride themselves on producing superior, standout Pinot Noir. They own several vineyards across Sonoma County, California where the grape grows with its own unique character based on its terroir, or rather the surrounding climate, soils, and various other earthly elements that add to a grape’s taste.

The 2018 label is a mashup of each Banshee Pinot plot, resulting in a wine that is both silky and savory, sour and sweet.

Tasting Notes:

Here is the mixed berry pie you probably won’t be baking for Thanksgiving. A mélange of macerated berries is the aroma this wine gives. On the sip, blackberries and plum are most prevalent, but out-of-nowhere comes a splash of sour cherry. It’s a surprisingly tart note that’s followed up with a slightly herbal and savory, short finish.

Bottom Line:

Pair this wine with your holiday sweets like hot blackberry pie or apple crumble topped with vanilla ice cream. All that fruit and sweet creaminess of the ice cream—not to mention the contrasting temperatures—will make for one refreshing yet fully flavorful end-of-meal experience.

Marques de Murrieta Rioja Reserva 2015

ABV: 14%
Average Price: $29

The Wine:

This blend of Tempranillo, Garnacha, Mazuelo, and Graciano produced in Spain is quite simply harmony in a bottle.

Seriously, this wine is singing with ripe fruit, acidity, and body. It’s aged for 18 months in American oak barrels, then spends another year in the bottle to produce what is truly an elegant and refined vino, packed with as much character as the favorite aunt you may not get to see this holiday season.

Tasting Notes:

This wine is rich in dark fruits that radiate from the bottle once the cork is popped. Dried black cherry and juicy black plum get a lift from cedar and tobacco while a touch of spice (that’s the Garnacha you’re tasting) simmers in the background. The wine is supple and plush with meaty tannins—the naturally occurring polyphenol found in plants, fruit skins, and seeds that lend to its astringency—that are rounded out with a hint of cardamon in the long and lingering finish.

Bottom Line:

The juicy complexities mixed with the velvety soft tannins and fruit flavors of this wine make it a mellifluous pairing for baked turkey and stuffing (and/or dressing, depending on where you live).

Château Malescasse 2017

ABV: 13.5 %
Average Price: $22

The Wine:

This wine is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon and Petit Verdot from the Haut Medoc appellation in the Bordeaux region of France. It’s pretty juicy thanks to all the Merlot, which makes up 53 percent of the wine.

Tasting Notes:

This wine shows a ton of black fruit—think blackberry, blackcurrant, and blueberry. You can taste a bit of menthol in the finish, which gives this jeweled red wine a pretty and light texture that also leaves a cooling sensation in the mouth.

Bottom Line:

This is no-fuss wine. It’s smooth and easy to drink and has just the right amount of juiciness to stand up to any roasted or baked bird that may be gracing the table. This one would also be great to cook with.

Consider adding a splash to cranberry glazes and sauces, and especially your red sauce pasta and after-Thanksgiving stews.

Oak Farm 2018 Barbera

ABV: 15%
Average Price: $25

The Wine:

Have you ever spent a sunny, brisk fall afternoon rummaging through the woods, foraging for mushrooms and herbs and berries? Well, you may feel like you’ve done all those things after a sip of this earthly deliciousness. Comprised of Barbera and Petite Sirah grown in Lodi — the center of California’s Central Coast — this wine is equal parts fruit, spice, and earth that adds up to a medium-bodied bottle that is truly dynamic.

Tasting Notes:

Fragrances of fresh baked pie waft up from the glass. You can smell the bounty of berries and fruit that make up the filling, the flaky and subtly sweet crust enveloping its decadent insides. On the sip, the garnet red wine is a bouquet of hibiscus petals and leaves mixed with a blend of spices, seasoning, and an array of wild mushrooms that satisfy the palate.

Bottom Line:

The pairings for this bottle are endless. Drink this with your Thanksgiving meats. Sop up a side of mashed and sweet potatoes and buttered rolls with a sip or two of this. Use this wine for balsamic glazes and drink a glass while you dine.

Braised collard greens, roasted rainbow carrots, and even a cheese plate will be taken to new heights with this wine.

Umberto Cesari Moma Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon Rubicone IGT 2018

ABV: 13%
Average Price: $15

The Wine:

Who says red wine can’t be mouthwatering? This blend of Sangiovese with a tidbit of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot hailing from Italy certainly is. While it’s completely elegant with soft tannins, its flavorful finish completely washes the palate and leaves you salivating for the next glass.

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of cocoa, raisin, and red berries are jumping out of the glass, while the sip feels like new suede. There’s some acidity that greets the palate and a hint of spice in the finish, but overall this is a delicately balanced wine that may likely leave you licking your lips after each sip.

Bottom Line:

The undeniable smoothness of this wine makes it incredibly easy to drink. Sure, it’s perfect complete on its own but it’s also very capable of moistening the palate after eating white meats that lean on the drier side.

Château de Villemajou Grand Vin Red 2016

ABV: 14%
Average Price: $33

The Wine:

This wine is a blend of Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache is one of the many fantastic wines derived from one of Gérard Bertrand’s massive estates in the Languedoc region of France. This is the big, bold, bad boy at the dinner table. This wine is full of body and structure just firm enough to cut through the heartiest of Thanksgiving dishes.

Tasting Notes:

Aromas of toasted bread slathered with blackberry jam smother the nose, while the palate is cloaked in deep, dark cherry muddled with sprinkles of whole peppercorns. The finish is enticingly dry and heavy. You’ll feel the weight of this wine from the first sip to the last.

Bottom Line:

This is a full-bodied showstopper that’s meant to be experienced alongside more sumptuous meals like, ya know, Thanksgiving dinner.

William Estate 2018 Napa Valley Chardonnay

ABV: 14.2%
Average Price: $27

The Wine:

Chardonnay grapes picked all across Napa Valley aid in this wine’s creamy, sophisticated taste. Fruit from the St. Helena AVA influence the fruit flavors, and grapes from the breezy Carneros region bring the citrus vibes and crisp acidity. Meanwhile, Chard from the Oak Knoll AVA supplied the sturdy bones of the wine.

The blend of regional fruit was fermented and aged in oak barrels, lending to its bold body and distinctive taste.

Tasting Notes:

This wine is oozing with aromas of buttery croissants and dulce de leche while the sip is fresh with notes of Bosc pear, yellow apple, and Meyer lemon. It’s rich and creamy with a velvety structure that gets a blast of character in its long finish that zings with acidity.

Bottom Line:

If you’re looking for something that is both voluptuous and refreshing, this wine is your go-to.

Valados de Melgaço Alvarinho Reserva 2019

ABV: 13.5%
Average Price: $25

The Wine:

Rarely do you find a wine as spritely and effervescent as Alvarinho paired with a holiday meal. But this Thanksgiving isn’t anything like the Thanksgivings of the past, so why not take a break from tradition and try something different?

This vibrant Portuguese wine from Monção e Melgaço is bursting with cheery character, which is really all you need to survive the holidays.

Tasting Notes:

This wine tastes like apples and nectarines invited a few flowers over for a cute little party. Maybe lemon made an appearance and brought a little CO2 and turned the shindig into an all-out rave.

But seriously, this wine is bubbling with juicy fruit aromas and it is very lively. You can even make out a few bubbles when pouring it in the glass—a signature characteristic of Portuguese white wines. On the sip, the wine is busy — with apple notes like Delicious green and yellow apples, Pink Lady apples, and Royal Galas. There’s a hint of floral lingering in the shadows while zesty citrus fruit brings it all together. The finish is booming with minerality and, boy, is it looonnngggg.

Bottom Line:

This wine is a break from the norm, and it has just enough texture and personality to cut through the plethora of starchy sides that are loaded onto Thanksgiving plates. This holiday is full of tradition — this year, try something new for a change.

With how stress and anxiety-filled 2020 has been, we’re more than ready to gorge on Thanksgiving food. From deep-fried turkey to sausage stuffing to creamy, buttery mashed potatoes — we love it all. The more meat and carbs the better. And what to pair with this (socially-distanced, Zoom-based) seasonal feast?

How about scotch whisky?

The vanilla, caramel, toasted oak, and (oftentimes) smoky peat flavors work perfectly with all of the savory, salty, and heavy foods you’re sure to eat this time of year. To find the best options for pairing with a big fall meal, we once again went to the experts for their input. We asked some well-known bartenders to tell us their favorite scotch whiskies for drinking on Thanksgiving.

Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask

Felipe Muñoz, head bartender at Sweetleaf Cocktails in Long Island City, New York

I think the best Scotch for Thanksgiving dinner would be Glenmorangie Quinta Ruban Port Cask. It has a nice fruit flavor and a bit of spice, but the port cask makes it almost a meal.

On top of all of that, it’s like a dessert all in one bottle.

Speyburn 10

Brandon “Habi” Habenstein, beverage director at The Kitchen & Bar at Bardstown Bourbon Company in Bardstown, Kentucky

I’m not a strong believer in drinking spirits while eating an entrée. However, as with most things in life, there are exceptions. If you insist upon having some whisky with thanksgiving dinner, Speyburn 10-year is the way to go. This Scotch is amazingly delicate, which is crucial to not detract from the delicious foods you’ll be eating.

A vibrant, bright citrus note will act as a palate cleanser while the delicate finish allows broad flexibility for the following bite of food, agreeing with rich gravy on potatoes or a tart cranberry sauce.

The Balvenie 14-year-old Caribbean Cask

Iain McPherson, owner of Panda & Sons in Edinburgh, Scotland

The Balvenie is one of those great Scotch brands that you can conveniently find in most places. I love their 14-year-old Caribbean Cask expression. The rich and honeyed flavor profile you get from the rum casks works so well with Scotch. It matches perfectly with your favorite savory Thanksgiving dishes. This is because the sweetness of the Scotch cuts through the salinity of food, like a hot knife through butter.

Glenmorangie 10

Andy Printy, beverage director at Chao Baan in St. Louis

Although I usually enjoy a Scotch that’s a bit of a palate-wrecker, Thanksgiving is when I switch it up. With family coming together — in regular years — and a variety of foods and flavors, going a little lighter is the move.

With the tallest stills in Scotland, this dram has far fewer of the heavy minerals and a lighter body. Vanilla and orange dominate while having enough acid to keep you grubbing until nap time.

Bruichladdich Classic Laddie

Seth Falvo, bartender at The Hotel Zamora in St. Pete Beach, Florida

Conventional wisdom says that Thanksgiving is for bourbon, but an unpeated scotch is a highly underrated option that will pair with anything on your plate. My favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is sweet potato pie, and in my humble opinion, no whisky pairs better with a slice than Bruichladdich Classic Laddie.

While the whisky itself is not peated, Islay water still gives the nose faint hints of peat smoke that clash with the aromas of sweet potato and marshmallow quite nicely. The toffee and tropical fruit flavors of the whisky pull everything together without allowing the pie to overwhelm your palate, which makes it the perfect way to end your Thanksgiving dinner.

Glendronach Revival 15

Hayden Miller, head bartender at Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in Miami

Glendronach Revival 15 is so rich and delicious, you might be using the holidays as an excuse. I can’t think of a better whisky to pair with Thanksgiving fare.

Bruichladdich Octomore 11

Gavin Humes, bartender at Scratch|Bar & Kitchen in Encino, California

They say the number one rule for beverage pairing is ‘drink what you like,’ and ultimately, they’re exactly right. I’m not sure there are a lot of big peaty Scotches that will go perfectly with all the different sides and items on a Thanksgiving table, but the Octomore 11 is a great one for after dinner. The smoky quality makes it almost feel like drinking a campfire that keeps exploding in your mouth… in a good way.

It’s a fantastic whisky, and one I’ll be enjoying this Thanksgiving.

Lagavulin Distillers Edition

Dan Marlowe, mixologist at Modena in Washington, DC

I’m very partial to peated scotches and for poultry and light fare I would choose a Lagavulin 16 Distillers Edition. The regular 16 would suffice as well, though it lacks the sherry cask finish that brings such warming dark fruit notes to the lips in the Distiller’s Edition.

Monkey Shoulder

Eric Vincent, bartender at Sparrow in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Monkey Shoulder is my Thanksgiving pick because it’s a fantastic gift that you can now crack open and drink at dinner. Delicate peat to complements butterscotch and spiced notes — think pimentos.

Ardbeg an Oa

Frederic Yarm, USBG bartender in Boston

I am a big fan of Ardbeg an Oa. While I am a big fan of smoky whisky after dinner, I tend toward less smoky ones during meals especially with rich, hearty ones like Thanksgiving with lots of roasted flavors and an abundance of fruit and vegetable side dishes. Here, the whisky’s caramelized fruits, apple, citrus, and spice complement Thanksgiving foods so well and the smoke doesn’t overpower.

On their third, self-titled studio album, Montreal quartet Gulfer deliver thirteen intricate and incredibly fun, emo tracks. In many ways, Gulfer bridges the gap between party emo rockers like Glocca Morra and Algernon Cadwallader, and modern acts like Oso Oso and Prince Daddy And The Hyena, combining the twinkly finger-tapped guitars with infectious, rocking choruses.

To celebrate the new album, David Mitchell sat down to talk about loving Tokyo, National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation, and veganism in the latest Indie Mixtape 20 Q&A.

What are four words you would use to describe your music?

Frenetic, genuine, intricate, earnest.

It’s 2050 and the world hasn’t ended and people are still listening to your music. How would you like it to be remembered?

Hopefully it’ll be remembered as a fresh and unique take on the math-rock/emo genre.

What’s your favorite city in the world to perform?

Tokyo. Everything about playing there was so special and remarkable. The venues were so professional, they all supplied amazing backline and there would often be two sound-techs on site who were always very professional and helpful. The crowds were extremely punctual, friendly, and energetic, and every support band we played with completely blew us away. It was always a major dream to play shows in Japan, and the fact that the venues, attendees, and other bands were so outstanding was such a cool cherry on top.

Who’s the person who has most inspired your work, and why?

That is a hard question to answer as someone who is not a primary songwriter in the band, but the band that we can all probably agree on most is Algernon Cadwallader.

Where did you eat the best meal of your life?

Not sure if I can name a definitive #1 but the latest one that would make the definitive short-list is La Indita in Tuscon, AZ.

What album do you know every word to?

I’m not a big lyrics person and I listen to a lot of instrumental music so this is a tough one. I tested about 4 or 5 of my most frequently listened to albums and failed with all of them. I obviously know the songs really well but I never bother to actually look up lyrics. I think the closest answer I can give is Special Explosion – To Infinity. Andy and Liz are pretty good at enunciating.

What was the best concert you’ve ever attended?

Sigur Ros, Quai Jacques Cartier, Montreal, Sept 20, 2008. It was my first time seeing my favourite band ever and it was just a very special and emotional experience. I remember showing up to the venue (alone) at like, noon and making friends with all the other crazy superfans in line. I think the only other time I’ve ever had an experience like that (showing up super early, seeing a definitive “favourite band”) was Coheed and Cambria with Blood Brothers, mewithoutYou and Dredg in Montreal at Metropolis, Nov 10, 2005. So a tie between those two!

What is the best outfit for performing and why?

Any long-sleeve shirt and shorts. Just got a new Svalbard longsleeve in the mail so that’ll be the first one I wear next time we play.

Who’s your favorite person to follow on Twitter and/or Instagram?

Julia Grandoni. ( ig: @juliagrandoni / tiktok: @j_gx__ )

What’s your most frequently played song in the van on tour?

In Angles – “Magnolia”

What’s the last thing you Googled?

How to boil corn.

What album makes for the perfect gift?

Miles Davis – Ascenseur pour L’échafaud OST. Something for everyone on that record.

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve ever crashed while on tour?

A venue that I think was also a storage locker in Virginia Beach, VA. The place was called That’s How I Beat Shaq. Lots of really large bugs crawling around there.

What’s the story behind your first or favorite tattoo?

I got my first tattoo while I was on tour with the band Giraffes? Giraffes! in 2010. We played a tattoo shop in Kitchener, Ontario. The tattoo is a tiny V for veganism.

What artists keep you from flipping the channel on the radio?

Bush, Live, Real McCoy, Snap, Chevelle, Sonique, Mack Morrison.

What’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for you?

My mom brought me food when I was sick the other day, that was pretty nice of her!!

What’s one piece of advice you’d go back in time to give to your 18-year-old self?

Learn Ableton and practice it a lot!

What’s the last show you went to?

Stillhungry, Stevenson, Flopppy and Favourite Daughter, Casa del Popolo, Montreal, March 13 2020.

What movie can you not resist watching when it’s on TV?

National Lampoon’s Vegas Vacation.

What would you cook if Obama were coming to your house for dinner?

Impossible burger, some pickles from Moishes, maybe a nice homemade vegan poutine with the St. Hubert powder gravy.

Gulfer is out now on Topshelf Records/Royal Mountain Records. Listen here.

The Recording Academy unveiled its full list of Grammy nominations Tuesday. While many artists like Beyonce and Taylor Swift got the recognition they deserved, some big stars like The Weeknd did not. Despite breaking numerous chart records for his album After Hours, the singer did not receive a single Grammy nomination for his record — and he is understandably frustrated.

The Weeknd addressed the snub in the hours that followed the Grammy nominations list. Taking to Twitter to air his grievances, The Weeknd wrote that the Grammys were “corrupt” and called for better transparency in the selection process from the Recording Academy. Now doubling-down on his statement, The Weeknd has further responded to the situation. The singer said that, in his eyes, not receiving a Grammy nomination means he was “not invited” to attend the ceremony.

The Weeknd had apparently been in talks to perform during the 2021 ceremony, but the Recording Academy was wary when it was revealed he was also playing the Super Bowl halftime show. The Recording Academy allegedly agreed to let The Weeknd perform following a heated conversation and an ultimatum, then reportedly decided to snub him of nominations in retaliation for the situation.

Read The Weeknd’s pointed response above.

If ever there was a time to learn a new cocktail, it’s Thanksgiving 2020. Most of us will be stuck at home, not going to Thanksgiving weekend movies, and not going out to bars either. That means it’s time to order in some booze and up those bar skills. May we suggest the iconic Brown Derby?

The Brown Derby is a classic that harkens back to the golden era of Hollywood and partying on the Sunset Strip in the 1930s. It’s a devilishly simple mix of bourbon, fresh grapefruit juice, and honey syrup. It’s also actually a bit older than Hollywood, too. The cocktail is a variation on the De Rigueur — which uses scotch instead of bourbon but is otherwise the same.

The brilliance of this drink is in its simplicity. It’s three ingredients, shaken over ice. That’s it. But, as with all cocktails, the details are what make the cocktail shine. You’re going to need to make a honey syrup (don’t worry, we tell you how to make it below) and squeeze some grapefruits. Other than that, it’s just a matter of arm endurance for shaking up a frothy elixir.

Why are we calling this drink out at this particular moment is pretty straightforward. This is a deliciously refreshing cocktail that has some depth. A good, spicy bourbon adds a wintry edge. Plus, grapefruit is just coming into season right now. That means that they’re going to be prime for their juice and flavor. Lastly, the honey adds a velvet texture and really ties the warming bourbon nicely to the sharp citrus.

Let’s stop talking and get to mixing!

The Brown Derby

Ingredients:

• 2-oz. bourbon
• 1.5-oz. grapefruit juice (freshly squeezed)
• 0.5-oz. honey syrup***
• Grapefruit peel
• Ice

The real key to this cocktail is the fresh grapefruit juice that’s properly strained of all of its pulp. Look, you can 100 percent use a store-bought grapefruit juice. But the fresh juice adds that professional edge to the cocktail.

I’m using a standard bourbon from Basil Hayden’s. It’s got a slight citrus nature with plenty of oak that will shine through with a nice dose of peppery spice to accent the honey and grapefruit.

*For the honey syrup, use a 1:1 ratio of honey to water. Add both to a small pot and just bring to a boil to emulsify while stirring. Let cool completely before use. I use a 1/2 cup to 1/2 cup mix as that makes enough honey syrup for 16 cocktails. It’ll last about a month in the fridge. I keep mine in leftover Campari Soda bottles as seen below.

You’ll Need:

• Shaker (a Boston shaker is ideal but an old jar with a tight lid will work too)
• Cocktail strainer
• Mesh strainer
• Jigger
• Peeler
• Pairing knife
• Fruit juicer
• Funnel
• Bottles or glasses for juice and honey syrup
• Coupe glass or Nick and Nora glass

Method:

If you don’t store your glasses in a freezer, then the first thing you want to do is add some ice to your glass and set it aside.

Next, slice off a few, about thumb-width and length pieces of rind from the grapefruit. They should be thin but thick enough to pick up some of the pith without hitting the flesh of the fruit. A standard vegetable peeler should do this fairly exactly each time.

Time to juice some fruit. I’m using a standard tabletop juicer. So, I cut the grapefruit in half and then juice both halves.

Once that’s done, I use a small mesh strainer and funnel to get the juice into a little bottle (again, I’m using old Campari Soda bottles — you can use anything). The strainer is there to remove the excess pulp from the juice. You don’t want bits of pulp mucking up your cocktail.

With that, we’re ready to go! I add in the bourbon, grapefruit juice, and honey syrup. I then top that up with ice to about 3/4 way to the top.

I affix my lid — I’m using a Boston Shaker but any shaker will do — and get to shaking.

I shake over my shoulder for about 20 to 30 seconds or until the metal part of the shaker is literally frosting over.

Next, I do a bigger shake in front of me in a large oval shape up and down for another 15 or so seconds. This is to really aerate the drink and build up that froth.

As you can see above, there’s a nice froth on the top of the drink. That’s what you’re looking for.

Lastly, I lose the ice from the coupe glass and ready my cocktail strainer and a mesh strainer. I’m ready to pour.

I pour through the mesh strainer into the ice-cold glass. This does two things. It removes tiny shards of ice that’ll muddle and eventually water down your cocktail while adding a little more air (body) to the drink.

Lastly, I spritz the grapefruit rind onto the cocktail and rub the rind around the lip, bowl, and stem.

It’s ready!

The Bottom Line:

You might not think you need a refreshing drink as winter sets in, but this cocktail will change your mind. Moreover, the subtle blend of grapefruit, honey, and bourbon just works so goddamn well together. It’s bright, dark, fresh, honeyed, and very sippable.

As for “why now?”

Well, this is a fairly light cocktail all things considered. It’s easy to make and very easy to drink. When you’re looking down the barrel of multiple courses of carbs and protein and then pie, you need a drink this light and refreshing as a stop-gap between rounds of food.

Basically, if you put away stuffing like we do, you’ll be glad to have a few of these as a counterbalance.

SNL has always had random host-musical guest mash-ups. It’s impossible to top the April 14, 1979 episode that paired old school comedy icon Milton Berle with Free Jazz legend Ornette Coleman. But this one comes close: the forthcoming December 12 entry features floppy-haired prince (and future Paul Atreides) Timothée Chalamet with — why not! — rock god Bruce Springsteen.

Mind you, Chalamet doesn’t exactly have a new project to sell. His pricey stab at Frank Herbert’s Dune was postponed till next fall, although the Woody Allen movie he essentially disowned — A Rainy Day in New York, in which he reportedly does a shambolic impersonation of his director — did just pop up on PVOD in America. The Boss, meanwhile, just dropped one of his best albums in years, A Letter to You, and he even directed a movie, last year’s Western Stars. How is a 71-year-old more active than a 24-year-old Hollywood hotshot?

The show announced other upcoming episodes, too: Jason Bateman and Morgan Wallen team up on December 5, while Kristen Wiig and Dua Lipa will do up the year’s final episode, on December 19. Chalamet will be making his SNL debut, though this will somehow only be Springsteen’s fourth-ever appearance, having not done the show until 1992, opposite Tom Hanks. Maybe Springsteen can sign Chalamet’s copy of Nebraska, and Springsteen can sign Chalamet’s copy of Interstellar.

Before Tory Lanez was charged in October for allegedly shooting Megan Thee Stallion in the foot, the rapper had been vehemently denying his involvement. His dismissal of the incident came to a head when he dropped the entire album Daystar to claim Megan had framed him. Megan ultimately responded through her recent track “Shots Fired,” but she had apparently penned the song the day after Daystar was released.

Speaking about the diss track and her decision to sample Notorious B.I.G.’s classic “Who Shot Ya,” Megan explained to Hot 97 why she chose to wait for its release:

“It comes a time where it gets hard to be the bigger person sometimes. And at the end of the day, I can’t just keep letting people walk all over me. I can’t keep letting people take these jabs at me and I’m not gonna say nothing. That’s just not in my nature. But when you know you’re right and you have nothing to prove, you really don’t have to give a response. But once you made it rap beef you put it on wax, now I gotta say something. I really had the song all ready. But I was like, let me just save it for the album. Because it was ready to go the next day. But I was like, lets be calm, let’s be patient, let’s see how this plays out, and let me just wait to put it on my album.’”

Watch a clip of Megan’s interview above.

Good News is out now via 1501 Entertainment. Get it here.

Megan Thee Stallion is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.