Best Benjamin Percy Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 182: Vinyl Sessions with Hotel Californa; PechaKucha in York; Moby Dick at York Theatre Royal; The Resilience and Excellence of York band Percy 36:54

5d ago36:54

36:54

Graham reports on the return of Vinyl Sessions and the, perhaps, surprising, hidden depths of The Eagles, as the band's Hotel California is played in full in front of a packed and appreciative crowd in Harrogate. Charles has a fun and fascinating evening at a PechaKucha event in York and then asks: how do you evoke a whale inside a theatre in Simpl…

1
Episode 181: Yes, Live in York; Demarco's Edinburgh Book; Billie Eilish; Dexys Live in Scarborough; Vinyl Sessions Prreview 34:51

15d ago34:51

34:51

Charles taunts Graham with a review on Charles Hutch Press of Yes, live in York. Will Graham ever see Yes live? Graham discusses the book, Demarco’s Edinburgh (Richard Demarco and Roddy Martine, 2023) about the history of Edinburgh International Festival chronicling the struggles and success of legendary Scots maverick arts impresario, Richard Dema…

1
Episode 180: Interview special with Chantel McGregor; Isaac Hayes and Gatefold Record Sleeves; National Service; Anton Lesser in York 35:02

24d ago35:02

35:02

Charles and Graham welcome special guest, musician, Chantel McGregor. Bradford born, Chantel is a rock musician and female guitar prodigy, who enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history, to achieve a 100% pass mark at BTEC, with 18 distinctions. Chantel followed this with a First Class Honours degre…

1
Audio from May 8th, with John Wiswell & Anya Johanna DeNiro 38:53

1M ago38:53

38:53

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on May 8, 2024, with guests John Wiswell & Anya Johanna DeNiro. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! John Wiswell John Wiswell’s novel Someone You Can Build A Nest In was published by DAW Books in April and received starred reviews in Library Journ…

1
Episode 179: Cult Film Return to the River's Edge; New Powell and Pressburger Documentary; Paloma Faith Live at York Barbican 37:40

1M ago37:40

37:40

Graham looks back on Return to the River's Edge; the cult 1986 teen film directed by Tim Hunter that foretold Twin Peaks and the Grunge movement. Charles reports on a new documentary about Michael Powell & Emetic Pressburger. Made in England : The Films of Powell and Pressburger - the under appreciated luminaries of British cinema - is directed by …

1
Episode 178: David Remfry; Monet in York; Michaela Yearwood-Dan; Tony Cragg at Castle Howard; RIP Keith LeBlanc 36:21

1M ago36:21

36:21

Graham reports on his meeting with David Remfry, Britain's coolest artist, aged 81. Graham met him at his new exhibition, We Think the World of You - People and Dogs Drawn at The Mercer Gallery, Harrogate's only public gallery, once again proving itself indispensable with a high quality exhibition of national interest. Charles is fresh from seeing …

1
Episode 177: Seriously Taylor Swift; Amy Winehouse - Back to Black the Filmography 29:55

2M ago29:55

29:55

Graham has a confession to make - he's worrying about Taylor Swift. Is it time to take one of the world's newest billionaires seriously? Charles is drawn to Graham's more positive view of the Sam Taylor-Johnson Amy Winehouse biopic. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegos…

1
Episode 176: Remembering Graham Naysmith from the Pale Saints; Philosophy Stars Chomsky and Baudrillard; Alex Garland's New Film, Civil War 38:09

2M ago38:09

38:09

Graham pays tribute to guitarist Graeme Naysmith, co-founder of the Leeds band, The Pale Saints and remembers when they played one of his own Charm nights in Harrogate. Time moves on - Looking back at two of the western world's greatest political philosophers of the last half century - Noam Chomsky and Jean Baudrillard and whether two of their best…

1
Audio from April 10th, with Robert Levy & Jennifer Marie Brissett 1:00:09

2M ago1:00:09

1:00:09

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on April 10, 2024, with guests Robert Levy & Jennifer Marie Brissett. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Robert Levy Robert Levy’s novel The Glittering World was a finalist for the Shirley Jackson Award and the Lambda Literary Award. His collectio…

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Episode 175: Steve Howe and Yes; Benjamin Francis Leftwich Live; Magna Carta Book Update; Beatles Exhibition; William Doyle 32:12

2M ago32:12

32:12

Graham recounts interviewing Steve Howe of Yes about their forthcoming UK tour and York Barbican gig. Benjamin Francis Leftwich live in Leeds? Yes please! Charles is captivated by a fascinating gig at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club. Graham enters the crazy world of data retrieval as he reveals how he nearly lost his entire draft manuscript for a book…

1
Episode 173: Ruskin and Brantwood house; Rolling Stones Connection to York; The Holdovers; Steve Harley RIP 39:15

3M ago39:15

39:15

Graham reports on his recent stay in John Ruskin's house at Brantwood in the Lake District- but is the Victorian art critic and social reformer really as relevant to the 21st century as his supporters claim? Graham also talks about his recent pilgrimage to a secret rock n roll shrine in a York pub related to the Rolling Stones. Charles talks about …

1
Episode 174: Jesus and Mary Chain Back on Form; Monet in York; Suits You - The Fast Show in York 39:38

3M ago39:38

39:38

Charles and Graham get heady with the quality of the new album from the Jesus and Mary Chain and celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Glasgow band. Glasgow Eyes is their best album in over twenty years. Monet in York. Monet’s ‘The Water-Lily Pond’ will be the central feature of a major new exhibition at York Art Gallery to mark the 200th anniversa…

1
Audio from March 13th, with Richard Butner & Moses Ose Utomi 52:28

3M ago52:28

52:28

Here’s the audio from the March 13, 2024 Fantastic Fiction at KGB reading series, with guests Richard Butner & Moses Ose Utomi. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Richard Butner Richard Butner’s short fiction has appeared in Year’s Best Fantasy & Horror, been shortlisted for the Speculative Literatu…

1
Episode 172: Interview Special with Music Journalist Dave Simpson 37:18

3M ago37:18

37:18

Graham and Charles take the opportunity to interview music journalist Dave Simpson as a followup to the previous episode looking at the grassroots music venue crisis sweeping the country. it so happens that Dave had just the other week written about this very subject in an in-depth article for The Guardian. Dave Simpson is one of the UK's leading m…

1
Episode 171: Music Venue Crisis Threatening Live Music; Wise Children's Blue Beard; Yard Act's New Album; William Doyle's Springs Eternal 38:45

4M ago38:45

38:45

Graham focuses on the extreme difficulties being faced by venues and music artists as yet more venues announce closure. If the decimation of the live music circuit continues what will this mean for the future? Charles is thrilled by Emma Rice's version of Blue Beard for her company Wise Children, this remarkable piece of theatre is currently to be …

1
Episode 170: Arts Funding Crisis; Harrogate Community Radio; 23:53

4M ago23:53

23:53

Graham calls for an emergency debate on arts funding and reports on working with Harrogate Community Radio at a music event last week at All Saints Church in Kirkby Overblow. The perplexing talent of William Doyle as evidenced on his new album Springs Eternal. Plus when is swearing funny in films? Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @…

1
Episode 169: American Fiction; Bob Marley: One Love; Let There Be Light...In Harrogate; Roisin Murphy 34:19

4M ago34:19

34:19

Does new film, American Fiction merits a ton of Academy Awards? Graham Chalmers discusses his thoughts. Charles leads discussion around the value of musical biopics as against documentaries in the wake of the release of new film, Bob Marley: One Love. Graham reports on a new light installation coming to Harrogate and then explores the deceptive cha…

1
Audio from Feb 14th, with Isabel Yap & Randee Dawn 49:31

4M ago49:31

49:31

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on February 14, 2024, with guests Isabel Yap & Randee Dawn. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Isabel Yap Isabel Yap is the author of Never Have I Ever: Stories, which was published by Small Beer Press in 2021, and was named one of the 2021 Best Boo…

1
Episode 168: The Woman in Black; One Love and Class 34:19

4M ago34:19

34:19

Charles reflects on the enduring success of the play, The Woman in Black and why it is the perfect introduction to theatre for audiences more used to television and film. Graham reflects on class and the arts as Lashana Lynch, one of the stars of the new Bob Marley biopic One Love, makes the point that people from a working class background have be…

1
Episode 167: The Last Dinner Party and The Zone of Interest 21:22

4M ago21:22

21:22

Graham reports on how the unfairly maligned The Last Dinner Party's just released debut album revives 1970s Queen and ABBA with 21st Century attitudes. Charles and Graham discuss why Jonathan Glazer's remarkable new film about Auschwitz - The Zone of Interest - is only part of a new wave of provocative directors working in the new cinema of satiric…

1
Episode 166: English Teacher Live in Leeds; ABC Live in York; New Album From Bill Ryder-Jones; Rory Stewart's Politics On the Edge; 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

Graham has been to see emerging Leeds band, English Teacher and reflects on a superb night at The Crescent. Charles by contrast went to see ABC with the South Bank Symphonia at York Barbican performing hits including the glorious Lexicon of Love. Graham also discusses how Bill Ryder Jones's new album Iechyd Da hits new heights - or perhaps depths -…

1
Episode 165: Pop Artist, Pauline Boty; Poor Things; Overrated Netflix Films; York Art Gallery Exhibition Charges 35:36

5M ago35:36

35:36

Graham discusses two jarring moments in an otherwise brilliant new book about Pauline Boty, the most overlooked British Pop Artist of the 1960s. Charles and Graham reflect on the new film by Greek director, Yorgos Lanthimos, Poor Things, which features an astonishing performance by Emma Stone and is a film dividing audiences over its feminist crede…

1
Episode 164: Indie Bands and their Hype; Shed Seven's First Number One Album; Priscilla Reconsidered; The Miracle of Mr Mick 35:31

5M ago35:31

35:31

Graham wants to correct some wrong perceptions about indie bands Bar Italia and The Last Dinner Party. Former guest (Episode 153) Rick Witter's band Shed Seven gets its first Number One album and Charles challenges the view that they are not as important as other bands of the same era. Graham confesses that in last week's episode he got a few thing…

1
Audio from Jan 10th with P. Djéli Clark & Eric Schaller 1:08:53

5M ago1:08:53

1:08:53

Here’s the audio from this month’s Fantastic Fiction at KGB reading series, with guests P. Djéli Clark & Eric Schaller. A full house with great readings from both authors and some nice words for recently passed authors Richard Bowes and Terry Bisson (Terry was the co-founder of the Fantastic Fiction reading series in the late 90s). P. Djéli Clar…

1
Episode 163: Sofia Coppola's Priscilla; Pauline Boty and Harrogate's Creative Underground; Why BBC 6 Music Should Create its own Chart 36:28

5M ago36:28

36:28

Graham and Charles take a look at what Sofia Coppolla's new film Priscilla says about Mr & Mrs Elvis and contrast it to Baz Lurmann's own take on the couple in his film, Elvis. Harrogate gets a mention in a brilliant new book on Pauline Boty, the most overlooked figure in the British Pop Art movement of the 1960s. As the charts of the year reveal y…

1
Episode 162: Christmas Presents; Michael Mann's Ferrari; Christmas TV 32:12

6M ago32:12

32:12

Graham's Christmas presents are, possibly, the best arts-related presents anyone got this year anywhere on the planet and very well worth talking through. Graham wonders if Michael Mann's new movie Ferrari is finally the first great film made about cars. Charles considers what has been popular on TV this Christmas Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in…

1
Audio from Dec 13th with S.L. Coney 27:58

6M ago27:58

27:58

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on December 13, 2023, with guests Holly Black & S.L. Coney. Only S.L. Coney’s audio is included in this recording. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Holly Black Holly Black is the #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy …

1
Episode 161: Review of the Year (Part Two) 36:30

6M ago36:30

36:30

Charles and Graham continue looking back at their cultural highlights from 2023, this time focusing on their films of the year. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

1
Episode 160: Review of the Year (Part One) 30:09

6M ago30:09

30:09

Charles fights through the floods to join Graham for a review of the cultural year. The duo discuss the films, plays, books and albums that most impressed them in 2023. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

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Episode 159: Harrogate Theatre's Pantomime: New Todd Haynes Film, May December; Shane MacGowan RIP 36:40

7M ago36:40

36:40

Longer wording: Charles and Graham are moved to discuss just why why Harrogate Theatre’s pantomime is the best in the world. Graham discusses Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman's chemistry and why May December is Todd Haynes's slipperiest film. A sombre conclusion as the great songwriting talent of The Pogues' Shane MacGowan is considered after his…

1
Episode 158: Berlin Re-visited; Ian McMillan's Very Yorkshire Opera; Robert M Pirsig's Zen And The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance Reassessed 38:28

7M ago38:28

38:28

Charles reports back on his return to Berlin after 34 years and how he felt about the changes since his visit there with Graham in November 1989 immediately after the wall "came down". Charles and Graham reflect on meeting Barnsley bard Ian McMillan in Bradford at the St George's Hall premiere of his very Yorkshire version of Rossini's opera, The B…

1
Audio from November 8th, with Cadwell Turnbull & Victor Manibo 49:45

7M ago49:45

49:45

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on November 8th, 2023, with guests Cadwell Turnbull & Victor Manibo. Hosted by Matthew Kressel and Mercurio D. Rivera, who was subbing for Ellen Datlow. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Cadwell Turnbull Cadwell Turnbull is the award-winning author…

1
Episode 157: Fashion on trend?; Yorkshire's Now Then and Now And Then; Sunderland's Indie HQ 32:30

7M ago32:30

32:30

Graham unexpectedly introduces a new fashion slot, where he reviews the surprising return of a plethora of fashion styles enjoying a comeback. Charles explores the Yorkshire phrase "Now Then” with a look at Rick Broadbent's new book Now Then: A Biography Of Yorkshire and Richard Hawley's new compilation album Now Then and follows up with questions …

1
Episode 156: Whither BBC 6Music?; How The Rolling Stones Invented Punk 38:52

8M ago38:52

38:52

Graham is wondering just what is the role of BBC 6Music in light of the latest official radio listening figures after a scheduling revamp? Plus, why if MOJO magazine is 30 years old does it feel more like 80? Graham contests that The Rolling Stones had an underrated role in inventing punk rock. Charles spots dinosaurs hoving into view. Keep in touc…

1
Episode 155: SIr Ranulph Fiennes in Harrogate; New albums from The Coral, Peter Brewis and The Rolling Stones; Killers of the Flower Moon 35:52

8M ago35:52

35:52

Graham recounts his recent encounter with Sir Ranulph Fiennes at the Raworths Harrogate Literature Festival. Charles asks Graham to choose a winner from threw new albums that have piqued his interest: The Coral's Sea of Mirrors. Peter Brewis of Field Music's with his new album, Blowdry Colossus and the first new album of original material in eighte…

1
Audio from Oct 11th, with David D. Levine & Matthew Kressel 44:56

8M ago44:56

44:56

Here’s the audio from the October 11th, 2023 Fantastic Fiction at KGB reading, with guests David D. Levine & Matthew Kressel. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! David D. Levine David D. Levine is the author of Andre Norton Nebula Award winning novel Arabella of Mars, sequels Arabella and the Battle of…

1
Episode 154: Magna Carta Update; Mike Skinner's Debut Film; New Cinema Releases - The Great Eascaper and The Old Oak 36:46

8M ago36:46

36:46

Graham reveals how close he is to finishing his book on Harrogate band, Magna Carta and one particular highlight, when Chris Simpson and Magna Carta played the Gaza strip and there was a riot. Graham also reports on the news that Edinburgh Filmhouse appears to have been saved...Charles shares his thoughts on three new films, Michael Caine and Ken L…

1
Episode 153: Interview Special - Shed Seven's Rick Witter 36:14

9M ago36:14

36:14

Charles and Graham speak to Rick Witter of Shed Seven, discussing the story behind the York band's new album, next January's A Matter Of Time, the upcoming autumn tour, early band names for Witter and Paul Banks, and what it takes to be among the great survivors of Britpop. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twob…

1
Episode 152: Lisbon, Portugal and its Music Scene; New Alan Ayckbourn and John Godber Plays; Why Five Star Lead Singer is now Living in Harrogate 39:17

9M ago39:17

39:17

Graham recounts his adventures in Portugal after a trip to Lisbon: taking the temperature of the music scene in Europe's oldest and hottest city as he celebrates his 20th wedding anniversary. Charles reviews Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play in Scarborough, Constant Companions, his 89th, as he foresees human-android relationships of the near future, and…

1
Episode 151: September Songs; Burnby Hall Gardens' Brass Band Sundays; Dr John Cooper Clarke's memoir; Kevin Rowland and Dexys at York Barbican; Harrogate War Memorial Project 34:05

9M ago34:05

34:05

Charles turns all autumnal, reflecting on music just right for the month of September and confesses he enjoyed a brass band recital at Burnby Hall Gardens in Pocklington. Graham delves into poet John Cooper Clarke's 2021 autobiography I Wanna Be Yours and wonders what makes a classic memoir? Charles reports on seeing Dexys in theatrical mode at Yor…

1
Audio from Sept 13th, with Benjamin Percy & Josh Rountree 53:11

9M ago53:11

53:11

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on September 13, 2023, with guests Benjamin Percy & Josh Rountree. Hosted by Ellen Datlow and Matthew Kressel. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Benjamin Percy Benjamin Percy is the author of seven novels — including The Sky Vault, published thi…

1
Episode 150: Martin McAloon Plays Prefab Sprout alone; Yard Act at Leeds Festival; Best Album Covers of All Time 38:52

10M ago38:52

38:52

For their 150th episode, Charles and Graham enjoy a rare night out together at the Old Woollen, Farsley, as bassist Martin McAloon switches to guitar and vocals to execute his own versions of Prefab Sprout hits, album gems and B-sides. Did this gig, played by only a single member of the sublime north eastern band, make Two Big Egos 'Swoon' or not? …

1
Audio from August 9th, with C. S. E. Cooney & Steve Berman 57:29

10M ago57:29

57:29

The following audio was recorded August 9th, 2023, with guests C. S. E. Cooney & Steve Berman, like at the KGB Bar. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! C.S.E. Cooney C. S. E. Cooney is the World Fantasy Award-winning author of Bone Swans: Stories. Other books include The Twice-Drowned Saint, Saint Dea…

1
Episode 149: Oppenheimer; Deer Shed Festival; Grayson Perry at Wentworth Woodhouse; Blur's new album - a rethink 39:26

10M ago39:26

39:26

Graham discusses Christopher Nolan's epic movie Oppenheimer and how it sheds light on American politics as much as the race for the atom bomb - and hopefully leads a revival of film-making rooted in this world's realities, not comic book fantasy. Still with Graham, former snooker world champion Steve Davis stole the Deer Shed Festival at Topcliffe …

1
Episode 148: Edinburgh Special - Edinburgh International Film Festival and Edinburgh Art Festival 2023 37:12

10M ago37:12

37:12

Charles and Graham give their verdict on this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival and discuss some of the other events they attended too. Undoubtedly, the star attraction was the tram system! Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

1
Episode 147: Heading to Edinburgh; Mercury Prize Nominees; Amis vs McEwan 37:07

10M ago37:07

37:07

Ahead of their annual visit to Edinburgh, Charles and Graham wonder if the revived Edinburgh International Film Festival can revive the magic in its 76th year. How big is the real audience for this year's crop of new albums and this year's Mercury Prize nominees? Graham gives his thoughts on what two of the most successful British novels of the las…

1
Episode 146: Mission Impossible 7; Barbie; New Blur Album; Harrogate Crime Writers' Festival 35:21

11M ago35:21

35:21

Graham and Charles begin by looking at two of this summer’s blockbusters: Mission Impossible -Dead Reckoning Part One - the seventh film in the franchise - and then Barbie, which has now become part of a double-header moment in the revival of mass cinema attendance, alongside Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer, with some audiences choosing to see both…

1
Audio from July 12th, with Michael Cisco & Farah Rose Smith 43:55

11M ago43:55

43:55

The following audio was recorded live at the KGB Bar on July 12th, 2023, with guests Michael Cisco & Farah Rose Smith. We need your help to stay funded! Support the reading series by clicking here! Michael Cisco Michael Cisco is the author of several novels, including The Divinity Student, The Great Lover, The Narrator, and Pest, as well as the …

1
Episode 145: MIF & Alison Goldfrapp; New Albums; Tom Cruise and his seventh Mission Impossible 32:23

11M ago32:23

32:23

Having seen Alison Goldrapp at Manchester International Festival over the weekend at new venue Factory International. Graham gives his verdict on the £200m that it cost to prepare for his arrival as well the gig for solo Alison. Charles and Graham discuss how new albums are making a comeback this year or was it all the fault of HMV's stocking polic…

1
Episode 142: Elton John at Glastonbury; RIP Curzon Ripon; Wes Anderson's Asteroid City; Local Comedy for Local People; Dexys' new single alert 39:17

11M ago39:17

39:17

Charles and Graham discuss Glastonbury and its headliners, including the allegedly last UK appearance of Sir Elton John. Charles reports on the decision by Curzon Group to close its cinema at Ripon and the duo discuss the health of independent cinema. Graham gives his verdict on Wes Anderson's latest, Asteroid City and the launches into the local c…

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Benjamin Percy Podcasts

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