Best Indie Author Diaries Podcasts (2024)

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Episode 192: Interview Special with Mark Cousins, Documentary Filmmaker, Author and Curator 32:11

3h ago32:11

32:11

At the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival, Charles and Graham take the opportunity to interview documentary filmmaker, author, curator and former EIFF director, Mark Cousins and talk to him, in particular, about his latest book, Dear Orson Welles and Other Essays, a series of ‘conversations’ with the artists, poets, directors, and filmmaker…

1
Episode 191: Were Mainstream Films Better in the 70's?; Edinburgh International Film Festival Preview; Banksy's Beasts; Graham's Idea for a Play 35:12

6h ago35:12

35:12

Graham discusses the decline of main stream films since the 1970s after having recently watching Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979) and John Landis's Animal House (1978). Coming up at the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival what are Graham and Charles looking forward to? Charles reflects on Banksy’s latest artwork series, the coverage it has att…

1
Episode 190: Edinburgh International Film Festival; Dan Baldwin Exhibition at Red House Art Gallery; Purple Signs in York; Vinyl Sessions 32:28

2d ago32:28

32:28

Graham and Charles are looking forward to the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Graham previews a new exhibition at Red House Art Gallery in Harrogate by Dan Baldwin Charles highlights the York Purple Signs campaign, and especially their posters trying to establish behaviour patterns in relation to drink. Go Steady! We’ve got enough histo…

1
Episode 189: 34:28

19d ago34:28

34:28

Graham takes pleasure in hearing some unexpected hits from the current Deer Shed Festival in North Yorkshire including Simon Armitage and The Coral. Charles reflects on enjoying the sculpture park at Thirsk Hall, as well as the Himalayan Gardens near Ripon. Newby Hall and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Graham discusses great essay writers: How recen…

1
Episode 188: Mark Billingham at Theakston's Crime Writing Festival; Shed Seven live at York's Museum Gardens; Pink Floyd Rock Archaeology 37:18

16d ago37:18

37:18

Graham spoke to bestselling crime author Mark Billingham at the world's greatest crime writing festival in Harrogate last week, the Theakston's Old Perculier Charles reviews Shed Seven in Museum Gardens, York. Futuresound’s three day festival with a homecoming celebration for the band - though they never left York. Graham discusses rock archaeology…

1
Episode 187: Edinburgh International Festival Programme; Tribute Acts; I am Your Tribute in York; Yoko Ono at Tate Modern 37:46

24d ago37:46

37:46

Graham continues his preview of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival and why it is a return to its strengths. Graham considers why he genuinely doesn’t like tribute acts. Charles agrees but then adds how much he enjoyed, Sarah Louise Young's I Am Your Tribute, all about tribute acts at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, Graham celebrates Yoko…

1
Episode 186: Kettles Yard and Jim Ede; Bomb Squad's Rise of the Vandals in York: Edinburgh International Film Festival Update 34:06

1M ago34:06

34:06

Graham discusses the brilliant new book, Ways of Art by the Sunday Times art critic, Laura Freeman. Ways of Art tells the story of art collecting legend Jim Ede, the creator of Kettle's Yard in Cambridge Charles reports on Bomb Squad's latest exhibition in York, Rise of the Vandals, which took place over three weekends at 2, Low Ouse Gate. The exhi…

1
Episode 185: Interview Special with Pete Oxley, founder of the band Hejira, who celebrate the music of Joni Mitchell; New film in the works by indie film legend, Richard Linklater; Glastonbury 2024 Highlights ... 32:00

1M ago32:00

32:00

Graham and Charles interview Pete Oxley, the guitarist and bandleader behind, Hejira - a group that celebrates the music of Joni Mitchell and is definitely not a tribute band. Their setlist is drawn from Joni Mitchell's live album, Shadows And Light. Comprising highly experienced jazz musicians, Hejira is fronted by the brilliant Hattie Whitehead. …

1
Episode 184: Summer Music Festival Preview; Graham's Celebrity Diaries; Arts Manifestos; Vinyl Sessions in Harrogate Preview 36:55

2M ago36:55

36:55

Charles and Graham preview summer festivals including Deer Shed Festival and Leeds Festival. Graham revels in his exciting diary: meeting the star of Ken Loach's last film The Old Oak and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey in Harrogate in the same week. Charles reports on how the arts are being treated in the election manifestos. Graham previews the next …

1
Episode 183: Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets vs Foo Fighters; Unfortunate at the Grand Opera House, York; New Viggo Mortensen Film, The Dead Don't Hurt; Cowton live at Brudenell Social Club 39:38

2M ago39:38

39:38

Graham reports on seeing Pink Floyd, well Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets in York and Foo Fighters in Manchester in two days. Who won? Charles considers what makes a good new musical stand out, after seeing Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at Grand Opera House, York? Graham reflects on Viggo Mortensen's new film as director -…

1
Dave Housley on Bridget Jones's Diary 1:12:46

2M ago1:12:46

1:12:46

In the final episode of our "marriage plot" season, we welcome fan favorite Dave Housley (author, most recently, of The Other Ones, and founding editor of Barrelhouse Magazine) to talk about a book that updated the 19th-century marriage plot novel for the 1990s: Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones's Diary. Dave had seen the movie version of the novel mu…

1
Lucas Mann on The Marriage Plot 1:16:39

2M ago1:16:39

1:16:39

We couldn't do a season on "the marriage plot" in literature without reading the Jeffrey Eugenides novel that's literally titled The Marriage Plot. Guest Lucas Mann (author, most recently, of the essay collected Attachments, and co-owner of Riffraff Bookstore and Bar in Providence, Rhode Island) joins us to discuss Eugenides' novel, which contains …

1
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

2M 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
Beth Ann Fennelly on How to Stay Married 1:12:53

2M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

Poet and novelist Beth Ann Fennelly (Heating & Cooling, The Tilted World) joins us to talk about an unconventional love story, Harrison Scott Key's How to Stay Married: The Most Insane Love Story Ever Told. We talk about learning life lessons from memoirs, how to write about difficult relationships--especially when you're still in them--and Beth An…

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

2M 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
Curtis Sittenfeld on Alice Munro 1:23:25

3M ago1:23:25

1:23:25

We continue our "marriage plot" season with guest Curtis Sittenfeld (Prep, American Wife, Romantic Comedy) who talks us through one of her favorite Alice Munro stories, why she admires it, and how it's influenced her own work. Plus: Are trains romantic? Is some writing trying too hard to be sexy? And what's the ideal bathroom situation for a marria…

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

3M 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
Peter Ho Davies on Ben Lerner's 10:04 1:22:03

3M ago1:22:03

1:22:03

Our "marriage plot" season continues, but with a twist: on this episode, novelist Peter Ho Davies introduces us to "the parent plot," which he argues is a contemporary successor to all those 19th-century novels about choosing a mate. For many, becoming a parent is not only one of life's biggest choices, but also a cultural marker of adult responsib…

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

3M 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
Tyrese Coleman on Outlander 1:19:17

3M ago1:19:17

1:19:17

Our season on "the marriage plot" continues, with author Tyrese Coleman (How to Sit) joining us to talk about the first book in the Outlander series, which is one of the most popular historical fantasy romance novels ever written. She tries to help us understand why people find it sexy, rather than tedious. We also talk about the book's relationshi…

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

3M 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
Catherine Nichols on The Tenant of Wildfell Hall 1:17:03

3M ago1:17:03

1:17:03

Our "marriage plot" season continues, with freelance writer and podcaster Catherine Nichols joining us to talk about the "least fun" Bronte sister, and her novel about what happens when you marry a drunken frat boy (or whatever the 19th-century equivalent of a frat was). Check out Catherine's podcast, Lit Century, in which she and author Sandra New…

1
Adelle Waldman on Sense & Sensibility 1:15:01

4M ago1:15:01

1:15:01

We kick off our new, 8-episode season on "the marriage plot" in literature with guest Adelle Waldman (The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P., Help Wanted) talking to us about one of her favorite authors, Jane Austen. You can learn more about Adelle and her books at her website: https://adellewaldman.com/ If you like the podcast, and want more of it in yo…

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

4M 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

4M 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
Episode 175: Steve Howe and Yes; Benjamin Francis Leftwich Live; Magna Carta Book Update; Beatles Exhibition; William Doyle 32:12

4M 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

4M 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

5M 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
Episode 172: Interview Special with Music Journalist Dave Simpson 37:18

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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 @…

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

6M 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
Episode 168: The Woman in Black; One Love and Class 34:19

6M 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

7M 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

7M 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
Ep 440: Michael Tager 58:35

7M ago58:35

58:35

We welcome writer and editor Michael Tager (Mason Jar Press; Pop Culture Poetry: The Definitive Collection ) to talk about Mindy Kaling's essay collection Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? Tager read Kaling's book during a period when he was reading a lot of memoirs and essay collections by comedians, including books by Tina Fey and Chelsea Handl…

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

7M 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

7M 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
Ep 439: Sal Pane 1:13:20

7M ago1:13:20

1:13:20

We're joined by Sal Pane--author, most recently, of the short story collection The Neorealist in Winter (winner of the 2002 Autumn House fiction prize) to discuss a pair of novellas by Italian writer Natalia Ginzburg. Plus: writing for video games, surviving winter, and cuffing season. For more about Sal, and his books, visit his website: https://s…

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

7M 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…

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