Sat 11 July - Chris Haigh 2 - Eastern Europe

Chris Haigh  violinist and fiddle educator on Eastern European traditions on his own journey of encounter with tunes and song from the other side of the Iron Curtain, growing up during the Cold War and being fascinated by musics of the former Soviet Union. Plus tunes from Chris's own theatrical Soviet Swing concept band the Kremlinaires. Chris is the author of Hungarian Fiddle Tunes and Exploring Klezmer Fiddle for Schott Music and his Youtube The Fiddle Channel  is educating a new generation of fiddle players.

Listen Again - Chris Haigh - Fiddle - Eastern Europe

Sat 4 July - Chris Haigh - Violinist & International Treasury of Fiddlesticks

Chris Haigh violinist and fiddle educator shares something of his life story from Huddersfield Junior Orchestra through prog rock group the Speedy Bears to being the illuminary that we know and love for helping us through our instrument learning. Insights into playing swing, klezmer, 'composing a traditional sounding tune, riffs, bowing and styles. Is it hard to improvise? What is rock violin and why do so many guitar bands call you into the studio to play like the classical session players in Eleanor Rigby? Musings and some history. Plus country swing and I attempt a minor swing improvisation in the manner of Stephane Grappelli. Chris has written and published at least ten books covering so many aspects of fiddle education and in addition publishes useful 'how to' and information on the violin on 'The Fiddle Channel' on youtube  - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcpPCtg0HHPa42ZGsmphefg

Listen Again - Sat 4 July 2020 - Chris Haigh - Fiddle Educator

Sat 27 June - Klezmer instrumental - Francesca Ter-Berg

Klezmer – A Vessel of Song. Cellist and musicologist Francesca Ter-Berg (http://www.francescaterberg.com/) shares thoughts on the musical tradition of the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe. Prayer, melody, beats, heterophony. With archival recordings and contemporary interpretations. For more information see thenewsagents.blogspot.co.uk.

Listen Again - Francesca Ter-Berg - Klezer

Sat 13 June - Hassan Tha Kreator - Nigerian Sci Fi - Sci Fi Drama

Hassan tha Kreator Nigerian filmmaker talks about sci fi and his own work. At age 18 his first film Aduke bagged the best student movie in Nigeria. Also radio sci fi experimental drama from Ann Grim, Laura Netz, Jude Cowan Montague and Matt Armstrong.And launching 'Plague Songs' a new project of songs, lyrics by Martin Rowson, music by Jon Tregenna.

Listen Again - Sat 13 June - Nigerian Sci Fi - Hassan Tha Kreator

Sat 20 June - Neapolitan Song - Norman Mine

The artist Norman Mine on Neapolitan song, teaching some classics songs include Funiculì Funiculà, and Munastero 'e Santa Chiara, and remembering what the music meant to him as a child from Naples who moved to Rome while he was at school and later to London as an adult. His family, dialect, the tunes and the significance of Neapolitan classic songs in his life, and of his first collaboration with sound artist Lori E Allen for the re-interpretaion of some classics as Il Sole Mio, Passione.

Listen Again - Sat 20 June - Neapolitan song - Norman Mine

Sat 6 June - Mark Stafford & H P Lovecraft

Graphic novel, HP Lovecraft, Busan (Korea), English countryside and more in conversation with Mark Stafford, cartoonist and fellow author with David Hines of Lip Hook 'a tale of rural unease' published by Self-Made Hero. We talk True Crime. With original Lovecraftian musics by Montague Armstrong. For more information see thenewsagents.blogspot.com

Listen Again - Mark Stafford & H P Lovecraft - Sat 6 June 2020

Sat 30 May - Graphic Novels and Grandparents - Sarah Lippett & Danny Noble

Danny Noble discusses her own Jewish grandmas as part of her memoir Shame Pudding. Topics from rock 'n' roll, anxiety, picket lines and life growing up in the big city with a genius brother. Sarah Lippett chats about making a graphic novel about the life of her maternal grandparents, Stan and Nan. Plus lockdown music about a delightfully evil grandmother made by the Desperado Housewives with Helen McCookerybook and Kath Tait.

Listen Again - Graphic Novels and Grandparents - Sarah Lippett & Danny Noble