This is the News, August 2024 round-up. Due to severe toothache and a technical issue there was no fresh interview this week so I decided to cobble together a round up of the news from http://youtube.com/@YCTR that randomly added up to one hour exactly, including: OASIS REUNITE MUSIC SNOBBERY SUPPLEMENTS, TOOTHACHE & HANGOVER CURES LIZ TRUSS vs LET…

Mike Watson and Bram E. Gieben talk to Rob Faure Walker, author of Love and the Market: How to Recover from the Enlightenment and Survive the Current Crisis.Buy Love and the Market from Bristol University Press here: https://bristoluniversitypress.co.uk/love-and-the-marketPre-order Bram and Mike's books here: https://www.revolpress.com/Follow Revol…

Author, critic and Revol Press founder Mike Watson discusses his new book Hungry Ghosts in the Machine: Digital Capitalism and the Search for Self. This is a preview. To listen to full episodes of Strange Exiles, sign up at ⁠⁠strangeexiles.substack.com

Recorded in the middle of the far right riots across England , myself and Louisa (She Drew the Gun) had a somewhat subdued conversation to the backdrop of the hate ripping through the UK and even suprisingly in her hometown of Liverpool. I made a youtube video with my thoughts about all of that topic here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mg7bF4w6eg…

Today we go to New York to chat with legendary guitarist/ writer Grasshopper aka Sean Thomas Mackowiak of Mercury Rev fame. This is one of my favourite bands of all time . They came along at a pivotal moment for me as I started digging deeper for more underground records. I remember 'Yer Self is Steam' blowing me away with mixture of curiosity, fea…

I have known Elliot Castro for many years through the clubbing/ party scene but it wasn't until I watched his new BBC documentary that I became aware of his incredible backstory that saw him in a 'Catch Me If You Can' style real life movie that saw him travel the globe in first class seats and 5 star hotels despite being skint and unemployed He was…

(Reuploaded the right interview as of Saturday 3rd August because the previous one was from January 2021, sorry about that ) This is a very special bonus episode of YCTR this with the iconic voice of the 90s Mary Kiani (TTF) live from Australia as we discuss her UK tour and her pub choir fundraiser for Carlton Studios. We also discuss the rave era,…

this week we spin 'The Wheel of Dystopia' to celebrate Bram E Gieben (aka T3xtur3) launching his debut book called 'The Darkest Timeline' which includes everything from cyberpunk consciousness to climate hacking , social media & surveillance, A.I and apocalypse movies, corporations and comic books to name just a few hard hitting topics. You may kno…

Author, journalist, media theorist and zine kid Roy Christopher joins us to discuss publishing, hip-hop, Afrofuturism and more. This is a preview. To listen to full episodes of Strange Exiles, sign up at ⁠strangeexiles.substack.com

on the day that James celebrate their first ever number 1 studio alvum with 'Yummy' we speak to founding member, guitarist and songwriter Saul Davies who answers fan questions and gives us insight in to the making of the record and forty years of rock n roll. These guys have outlasted madchester, Britpop and several more scenes before and after but…

Tom Spirals is the powerhouse behind An Danssa Dub who are currently touring Europe from Glastonbury to Italy . Tom has also emceed for the likes of Mungo's Hifi, and performed with Skayaman, but right now is enjoying huge success with his future dub project that combines trad scots music with a heavy twist of bass that comes with a sound system ed…

Mike Watson and Bram Gieben interview Adam Turl, writer of the forthcoming Gothic Futurism: And the Working Class (2025, from Revol Press).See details on that book here: https://www.revolpress.com/gothic-futurismSee Locus Review here: https://www.locustreview.comSupport Revol Press at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/revolpressAdam Turl is an a…

We are joined by one of Scotland's greatest stand up comics Mark Black who rose to fame last year with his parodies of Jamesa English and Gerry Cinnamon . Mark also performs with Doss who we interviewed two episodes ago which you should also check out if you haven't already. This was rfecorded live from Puerto Escondido , Mexico earlier in the year…

An interview with Revol Press founder Mike Watson, and an extract from the new book The Darkest Timeline by Bram E. Gieben. This is a 30 minute preview. To listen to full episodes of Strange Exiles, sign up at strangeexiles.substack.com

We spoke to Matt McManus about the dangers of the Radical right wing, covering Trumpianism, Dostoyevsky, Nietzsche, and much more along the way.We also asked Matt about his writing process, gaining valuable insights into his approach.You can find his book The Political Right and Equality (Routledge) here:https://www.routledge.com/The-Political-Righ…

We speak to the voice of one of my favourite Irish bands of all time Maighread Ní Ghrásta of Blackbird & Crow fame. This was recorded a few weeks back now when I was in a garden in Tepozlan, Mexico. We discuss Irish passports, Paegenism , Stage fright, Why Blackbird & Crow broke up and her new solo theatre/ musical hybrid. This is perfectly timed t…

on the eve of The Euros as thousands of Scotland fans fly out to Germany , and Hunter & McMustard chase their first top 40 chart placement , it seemed only right to share with you a chat I had with the colonel himself John McMustard. This was recorded a couple of months ago as I recovered from food poisioning in a cheap, budget, windowless hotel in…

Kieran Hurley discusses his breakthrough Scottish rave culture classic Beats, how to kick off a career in the arts, and his life as an acclaimed writer for stage and screen.

We speak to leader of the post-punk hip hop hybrid movement DOSS aka Sorley Mackay to talk about the trials and tribulations of being a DIY band from Glasgow including the Brexit effect of touring europe, London parking charges and the history of his career so far. I mean it when I say they are my favourite new Scottish band right now so make sure …

I got interviewed for a change . So I thought it might be a good way to start Season 4. I had spent the day recording the forthcoming Girobabies album and was a few hours away from going to Mexico when David Foote asked me if I would like to do an interview for the Davidicemal podcast in Sound Sound studios where we already were. So here it is. Mor…

We talk to Emma Stamm about Mark Fisher, the Limit Experience, Digital Capitalism, internet culture and more. Here are the links to the articles discussed: https://reallifemag.com/who-can-it-be-now/ https://social-epistemology.com/2022/04/18/curiosity-and-anti-economy-a-response-to-florian-jaton-emma-stamm/ http://www.ladeleuziana.org/wp-content/up…

How do you finish a season of amazing guests? Well you release one of the biggest guests we have ever had all the way from New York. Gordon Raphael . The guy who produced The Strokes first two albums and has worked with the likes of The LI=ibertines, Ian Brown, 808 state, reggina spektor and the wildehearts. And to make it even more interesting thi…

Probably one of the biggest independent bands in the UK right now and one of my personal festival favourites, we chat to the sound of Bristol, Dutty Moonshine of Dutty Moonshine Big Band. And at the time of this conversation the band were in the top 10 iTunes chart which is an incredible achievement for someone unsigned . They also tour Europe rele…

Tam Dean Burn is the voice you hear every time you listen to an Irvine Welsh audiobook. He sings for a band called The Scars and also been part of a Rabbie Burns punk fusion band called The Bum Clocks. And as an actor has appeared on The Acid House movie by Irvine Welsh and everything from River City to Outlander. As I said last time, this is anoth…

A conversation I had with musican, comedian and viral sensation Zara Gladman who has since sold out two nights at Oran Mor as part of teh Glasgow Comedy Festival. This was recorded in late August 2023 the day before we were both interviewed at the Edinburgh fringe, by Darren McGarvey at The Stand. Since then , Zara's profile has skyrocketed with on…

Revol Books launch their Theorize and be Damned podcast with a chat with Bram E. Gieben about his forthcoming book The Darkest Timeline.Preorder Bram's book here: https://linktr.ee/thedarkesttimelineSubscribe to the Revol Press Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/revolpressRevol's Instagram: revol_pressPortrait of Bram E. Gieben in thumbnail by L…

David McKerracher of Theory Undergound and Michael Downs of The Dangerous Maybe join us to discuss David's book Timenergy, capitalist realism, universal basic income and more.

A conversation with award-winning novelist, essayist and screenwriter Ewan Morrison about the ideology of cults, the dangers of nihilism, and his remarkable novel ⁠Nina X⁠.

A conversation with rapper, activist and educator John Spence aka Johnny Cypher, an outspoken and passionate advocate for climate justice who uses hip-hop to help people find hope in dark times.

We speak to one of my all time favourite rappers / writers/ streamers B Dolan of the good ole U.S of A on the 50th birthday of Hip Hop . We discuss his influences, life on the road and his recent spinal surgery alongside rap beefs, the post-lockdown music business and American politics plus much, much more. Please consider supporting this content b…

I think my first memory of Rosie was her having my 'My oath is to the people' written on her hand as she made her first appearance in parliament. She also made headlines by going to Cornton Vale prison for refusing to pay a fine she received for her anti-nuclear protest outside parliament. Other controversies included protesting G8 on the floors of…

From poverty and heroin addiction in the schemes of Edinburgh to becoming an assistant director of Trainspotting 2. This is the incredible story of writer, film-maker and rapper Garry Fraser as he rolls out his new series Supply & Demand. Episode 1 out now to watch for free on youtube. It is a masterclass of writing , acting and production. All the…

Writer and futurist Joshua Ellis is back to talk about infrastructure collapse, right-to-repair, allotments, and his plans for less toxic social networks. We ask the question... why does no-one in the apocalypse ever have a Haynes manual?

We go live to Oakland, California to chat with Hip Hop legend Mystic aka Du Goddess of Digital Underground fame. We discuss politics, Kanye West, Mos Def, the writing process, living in Oxford, cyphers that turn to battle raps , California storms, Empress, manifesting and positive energy for the future. Thank you to all the patrons who have made al…

An interview with Brett Gregory, writer and director of the award-winning film ‘Nobody Loves You and You Don’t Deserve to Exist’. We explore the film's themes of austerity, poverty and the high cost of living, and the wreckage they have brought to the lives and mental health of so many in the UK. Content warning: This episode features discussions o…

today we interview a true hip hop legend , Slug of Atmosphere fame as they prepare to promote their incredible new album 'So Many Realities Exist Simutaneously' on Rymesayers Entertainment with a European tour. Slug is one of my favourite writers and performers in rap music so it meant a lot for him to stop by. He has created classics and collabora…

UK hip-hop pioneer and cultural archivist Juice Aleem curates the B-Sides Hip-Hop Festival and Afroflux, and is the author of Afrofutures and Astroblack Travel. We explore his rap legacy, the secret origins of Coca-Cola and KFC, and the art of Sun Ra and Rammellzee. Strange Exiles theme by Asthmatic Astronaut.…

Recorded in the summer of 2022 but previously only available on youtube. I thought it was time for our audio podcast listeners to hear this online Q and A from orwell prize winning author , cultural commentator and veteran Scottish rapper Darren McGarvey aka Loki. He was about to release his 2nd book 'The Social Distance Between Us' and his 'Darren…

We have a chat with John Robb as he celebrates the launch of his new book 'The Art of Darkness: A History of Goth' . Buy the book here: https://membranes.bandcamp.com/merch/the-art-of-darkness-the-history-of-goth-john-robb-signed Check out his speaking tour here: April 12 Glasgow @ Mono Cafe Bar (with Stuart Braithwaite from Mogwai) http://bit.ly/3…

Novelist, playwright and actor Alan Bissett stops by for a chat about his career to promote his Moira monologues that takes place April 2nd in Oran Mor . We also discuss who 'persuaded Suede' to play Stereo, My confession to Alan that my alarm clock on my phone disrupted his Edinurgh fringe show, The recent Roger Waters and Pink Floyd controversey …

From the body horror of David Cronenberg and Brett-Easton Ellis to Jacque Lacan's 'jouissance' and J.G. Ballard's 'Super-Cannes', take a deep dive into wellness cults, toxic positivity, nepo baby discourse, and capitalism's parasitic dreams of fame. Hosted by Bram E. Gieben. Strange Exiles theme by Asthmatic Astronaut. Subscribe at strangeexiles.su…

In this episode we dive into the turbulent waters of UK politics with activist and blogger Adam Richardson of Direct Democracy. A new platform party standing in the next election, they plan to offer British voters a new model for political engagement - one that harks back to the earliest forms of Greek democracy.…

Science fiction author John Barnes discusses his prophetic 1995 cyberpunk classic 'Kaleidoscope Century', a tale of espionage, meme war and technological singularity. A polymath who has co-written with Buzz Aldrin, he helps us unpack data science, systems analysis, semiotics and Cold War politics.

Today we call Australia to speak to the voice of a generation Mary Kiani who is a 90s dance music ICON with her solo records and her work with The Time Frequency. One of the best conversations we have ever had on this show for sure and to balance things out we also cover an Australian band in Glasgow in the shape of Amyl & the Sniffers. I give my r…

Critic and journalist Katie Goh is the author of the book The End: Surviving the World Through Imagined Disasters. We discuss representations of the apocalypse in fiction, film and culture at large, taking in everything from the Book of Revelations to modern revolutionary politics, The Hunger Games and Sharknado.…

We start today's show with a quick review of 'Spaceships Over Glasgow' by Stuart Braithwaite, 'Almost Home' by Mima Merrow and the 'This England' TV show. 2/3 of these helped me recover from a serious case of man-flu this week and helped ease me into sober october. This week's main event is a conversation from July 2022 with synth-pop punk icon Man…

We start things off with a quick look at our new prime minister Liz Truss and ask 'Has she ruined the national mourning for everyone?' then we have a conversation with Author/ DJ/ TV host Dominik Diamond who calls that radio all the way from Canada. This show has no adverts, funding or sponsors and is powered purely by our patreons at http://patreo…

John Higgs is a writer who specialises in finding previously unsuspected narratives, hidden in obscure corners of our history and culture, which can change the way we see the world. His work has been described as “Absolutely wonderful” by Terry Gilliam and “breathtakingly lucid” by Alan Moore. According to The Times, “Higgs’s prose has a diamond-ha…

Season 2 begins! Explore the aesthetics of the apocalypse and take a walk through the ruins of progress as we draw near to cascading catastrophic colony collapse. Bram unpacks ideas and theories from John Gray, William Gibson, Slavoj Žižek, Adam Curtis and others.

Host Bram explores the ideas, ideologies and identities discussed in Season 1, with contributions from award-winning author Darren McGarvey, psychedelic philosopher Dr Peter Sjöstedt-Hughes, activist Zoe Venditozzi, and cultural critic Mike Watson. Festive theme remixed by Asthmatic Astronaut.