Reality Check: Apocalypse (cinema) now

Reality Check: Apocalypse (cinema) now

In a pair of on stage interviews recorded at this year’s Sci-Fi London festival, Alex Fitch talks to a couple of film makers about their recent takes on the apocalypse in film; Dekker Dreyer whose film The Arcadian stars Lance Henriksen and Brian Thompson, and mixes the iconography of shamanism with elements of the road movie in a post-apocalyptic setting and Maxì Dejoie whose film The Gerber Syndrome is an Italian take on 28 Days Later…, using a pseudo-documentary style to follow a member of a biohazard clean-up crew who is scouring the streets looking for the contagious and is the first overtly political zombie film in a long time. Alex and Maxi are also joined by Gerber producers Claudio Bronzo and Lorenzo Lotti (in Italian and English).

Stills from The Gerber Syndrome and The Arcadian

Stills from The Gerber Syndrome and The Arcadian

For more info about this podcast and a variety of other episodes you can download, please visit the home of this episode at www.sci-fi-london.com

Links: Directors’ websites – www.dekkerdreyer.com and www.maxidejoie.com
Trailers: The Arcadian / The Gerber Syndrome

Reality Check: Apocalypse (cinema) now [ 49:31 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Dan Wilson – The Philosophy of Mediadropping

‘The Philosophy of Mediadropping’ is a relentless musing on the practice of mediadropping – the dropping of home-made CDs, DVDs, tapes, books, manuscripts, etc. in public places for random people to find.

Mediadropping is a pathological habit of mine. My old Resonance show, ‘The Exciting Hellebore Shew’, documented many mediadroppings in detail (or tapedroppings as I referred to them back then, as cassette was the weapon of choice). Special ‘music’ was consigned to cassette or CD-R and scattered hither and thither. Over time, an instrumentarium was built up specifically geared toward sonically shocking unsuspecting mediadropping recipients.

Mediadropping may be seen as a physical analogue of the ‘crapflooding’ and ‘trolling’ phenomena of the internet age, but this is a debatable comparison to be treated in a later posting here. In the meantime, tune in to catch ‘The Philosophy of Mediadropping’ and hear Luscombe’s voice fed through a sawn-off trolley and a garage door. Feel the cassette-grot erode your tolerance threshold.

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Panel Borders: Cancer Comics

Panel Borders: Cancer Comics

Continuing our month of shows about medical comics, we have two recordings of creators’ very different approaches to tackling the issue of cancer in sequential art. In another presentation from last year’s Graphic Medicine conference, Suley Fattah talks about his anthologies Drawing the line and Drawing the line again, which collect a selection of new comics about the subject of cancer to raise money for related charities. Also, Alex Fitch talks to cartoonist Ross Mackintosh about his moving autobiographical book Seeds which depicts his father’s battle with the disease.

Covers of Seeds by Ross Mackintosh, Drawing the line and Drawing the line again curated by Suley Fattah and Kasra Ghanbari

Covers of Seeds by Ross Mackintosh, Drawing the line and Drawing the line again curated by Suley Fattah and Kasra Ghanbari

For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: For more information about Ross Mackintosh’ Seeds, www.seedscomic.blogspot.com
For more info about Drawing the line and Drawing the line again, www.benefitcomic.com

Listen to Brian Fies talk about his work

Info about the 2011 Graphic Medicine conference, 9-11 June 2011, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago

Recommended events:

Comics Launchpad, Birmingham

This weekend, a unique event takes place at The Studio, Birmingham, bringing together seasoned professionals and aspiring creators from around the world with one thing in common: a passion for comics.

The first event of its kind, Launch Pad includes a full programme of workshops and seminars designed to inform and inspire budding writers and artists, along with opportunities for portfolio reviews and face-to-face feedback.

Speakers at the one day conference include legendary creator Klaus Janson, DC Comics Senior Editor Joey Cavalieri and 2000AD Editor Matt Smith, and the event is officially supported by Marvel Comics, DC Comics, Rebellion Entertainment, Diamond Distribution and a host of other major publishing companies worldwide.

Join International Comics Shows at The Studio in Canon Street on Saturday, June 18 and find out how to make your career take off.

The Conference is limited to 300 delegates and includes an option to attend the exclusive after event roof garden party with complimentary food and drink.

To find out more or to book your place go to: http://www.comicslaunchpad.com

Continue reading →

Panel Borders: Cancer Comics [ 43:43 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Sine Of The Times 11/06/2011 – Guy Andrews

So with 2011 rushing past us and leaving 140 b.p.m. well in the last decade how could we neglect one one of this years most exciting purveyors of sticky sub 120 grooves? This week Mr Guy Andrews joins us in the studio to chat about his inspirations and drop us an exclusive mix. Get in the groove by checking out his productions over at soundcloud http://soundcloud.com/guyandrews

Tracklist

Jamie XX – Far Nearer
Deadboy – Ain’t gonna Lie
Gang Colours -Firework in pocket
Elgato – Music (Body Mix)
Guy Andrews -Your Notion (Forcomming discobelle)
Fanu Samurai – our dreams are like water
John Coltraine – Naima
Iambic – Keep Your Hold (feat. Hannah Cartwright)

Guy in the mix—–
Midland – Bring Joy
Instra:mental – Thomp
Vessel -Ton
Bok Bok – Reminder
Morco Del Horno & Dj Swerve – Ho! Riddim (Marco’s Original Mix)
Boddika -Breezin
Jackal Youth – Let Me Be
——–

Guy Andrews – RN&FLY (Exclusive)
Guy Andrews – 4030

Redinho – Power Look
Cornelia – Aquarius Dreams (Will Ward Remix)
Teeth – Shawty (FaltyDl Remix)
Koreless – 4D (Pictures Music)

Sine Of The Times 11/06/2011 - Guy Andrews [ 1:30:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Wavelength – John Wynne

Interview with sound artist John Wynne about his installation at Beaconsfield Gallery London: Soundtrap IV which runs from 10th September to 18th October 2009 www.beaconsfield.ltd.uk
On 24th September at 7pm Rex Lawson will give a performance of Nancarrow studies for player piano and will join Ed Baxter and John Wynne in a discussion on sound art, player pianos and cultural redundancy. Admission five pounds, booking advisable: bookings@beaconsfield.ltd.uk (Since this programme was broadcast, the installation has been bought in its entirety by Charles Saatchi).

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Hooting Yard: Further Spookiness At South Mimms.

“I’m afraid I have never seen any of your plays,” said the glintist, “My work keeps me fantastically busy, and on the rare occasions I might be free to make a trip to the theatre, I often have to go to a kiosk on a seaside pier where a charlatan healer makes enigmatic passing movements of his hands over my anomalous windpipe.”

This episode was recorded on the 21st October 2010. A complete transcript of this episode can be found on Frank Key’s Hooting Yard website. Accompanying Hooting Yard On The Air, the five publications We Were Puny, They Were Vapid, Gravitas, Punctilio, Rectitude & Pippy Bags, Unspeakable Desolation Pouring Down From The Stars, Befuddled By Cormorants and Inpugned By A Peasant And Other Stories are available for purchase

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Voice on Record: Episode 57 (Listeners’ Choice)

Voices and recordings, ranging from William Faulkner’s Nobel Prize acceptance, more relevant than ever, through Tolkein’s Tom Bombadil, via Arthur Lowe and John Le Mesurier to Hugh MacDiarmid’s remarkable scots poetry and finishing up with the splendid and lovable Gerard Hoffnung.

Originally broadcast on 14th December 2010

Voice On Record is produced and presented by Sean Williams. Each episode features a selection of recordings of the human voice which have been preserved on vinyl. Historic events stand alongside esoteric guides to better bowling. Arid studio recordings are juxtaposed with location recordings rich with fascinating incidental sounds.

http://www.voiceonrecord.blogspot.com

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Hello GoodBye Show 4 June 2011: Serafina Steer and Lime-Headed Dog

This is the final episode of Hello GoodBye before we take our well earned Summer holiday!

This afternoon we welcome the return of two of the capital’s finest perpetrators of contemporary, abstract pop music; Serafina Steer & Lime Headed Dog.

Plus, we also have Matthew Reynolds & Hannah from the Ukulele emporium The Duke Of Uke discussing the fact that their shop is currently under threat of closure.

Multi-instrumentalist Serafina Steer was tutored by the living legend and sitar genius, Ravi Shankar. Serafina’s sublime song writing skills, spellbinding voice and supreme dexterity on the harp have justifiably found her gaining huge critical acclaim from an ever expanding group of admirers.

Lime Headed Dog combine abstract, cut and paste, free-form pop with surreal lyrical aplomb, the result of which is a vaguely unsettling and yet altogether thrilling and infectious wall of sound.

Tune in between noon and 1.30pm on 104.4 FM in Central London or on-line via: www.resonancefm.com

NB* The deXter Bentley Hello GoodBye Show will return to the airwaves on Saturday 3rd September 2011 @ 12 o’clock midday!

Track List

Sebastian Rochford / Pamelia Kurstin – Ouch Evil Slow Hop
Serafina Steer – Machine Room (LIVE SESSION)
Serafina Steer – Night Before Mutiny (LIVE SESSION)
Serafina Steer – Like The Wind (LIVE SESSION)
Ravi Shankar – Gat Kirwani
Serafina Steer – Interview
Trent Miller & the Skeleton Jive – Fear Of Flying
Duke Garwood – God’s In My Shoe (HG archive)
George Formby – With My Little Ukulele In My Hand
Matthew Reynolds & Hannah from The Duke Of Uke – Interview
Allo Darlin’ – My Heart Is A Drummer
Spizz Oil – 6,000 Crazy (HG archive)
Lime Headed Dog – Balloons & Dams (LIVE SESSION)
Lime Headed Dog – Where’s Beadle? (LIVE SESSION)
Lime Headed Dog – Exciting (LIVE SESSION)
Lime Headed Dog – Labrador (LIVE SESSION)
Las Kellies – Erase You
Trogons – Protest Song No. 678
Lime Headed Dog – Interview
Rude Mechanicals – The Vicar Of St. Martins

Hello GoodBye Show 4 June 2011: Serafina Steer and Lime-Headed Dog [ 1:30:00 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Panel Borders: Comic Therapy

Panel Borders: Comic Therapy

In a panel discussion recorded at the 2010 Comics and Medicine conference, Institute of English Studies, University of London, Paul Gravett talks to Brian Fies, Phillipa Perry and Darryl Cunningham about their work in portraying aspects of medical care and therapy in sequential art. Paul and the panel discuss issues of biography and autobiography on the page, the process of portraying a narrative that has a story structure as well as an element of education to it and what they learned from the experience. (Recorded and edited by Alex Fitch)

Medical comics panellists: Paul Gravett, Philippa Perry, Darryl Cunningham and Brian Fies, photo by Ian Williams

Medical comics panellists: Paul Gravett, Philippa Perry, Darryl Cunningham and Brian Fies, photo by Ian Williams

For more info about this podcast and a variety of formats you can stream or download, please visit the home of this episode at www.archive.org

Links: Official Mom’s Cancer website
Graphic Medicine website
including info on the 2010 conference
Read Brian Fies’ blog posts about his trip to London and Graphic Medicine 2011

Publisher’s page on Couch Fiction
Review by Alain de Botton
Interview with Philippa Perry in The Observer

Darryl Cunningham’s website: www.darryl-cunningham.blogspot.com
Publisher’s page on Psychiatric Tales

Listen to Philippa Perry talk about her therapy graphic novel Couch Fiction
Listen to Alex Fitch interview Darryl Cunningham about Psychiatric Tales and his other work

Info about the 2011 Graphic Medicine conference, 9-11 June 2011, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago

Panel Borders: Comic Therapy [ 49:36 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Wavelength – Soundtrap IV, player pianos

Announcement: Soundtrap IV: John Wynne; an installation for pianola, 300 recycled hi-fi speakers and vacuum cleaner at Beaconsfield Gallery, 22 Newport Street, London SE11 6AY from 9th September to 18th October. The announcement of this exhibition provided an opportunity to play some pianola or player-piano music: Alfredo Casella, Trois Pieces pour Pianola (1918) Prelude, Valse, Ragtime. Conlon Nancarrow speaks with Charles Amirkhanian from Conlon Nancarrow: Lost Works, Last Works. Study No.12 and Study No.17 from Complete Studies for Player Piano Volume Four by Conlon Nancarrow.

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