Two Big Egos in a Small Car

Off the back of a nervy nil-nil draw between England and Scotland in Euro 2020, Englishman Charles and Scotsman Graham assess where we are with further re-openings for cultural venues and events following the decision not to re-open fully, as planned, on 21 June. Graham proposes that Ben Wheatley, the British director responsible for In A Field in England, High Rise and Rebecca, is way ahead of any other, as his latest film, In The Earth, opens. Amid the rise of woke revisionism, Charles suggests that we should instead appreciate the great work done in the name of British culture by the Blue Plaques Society.

Graham and Charles have invited Harrogate based nature writer, Rob Cowen back onto the podcast to talk about the publication of his new book of poems, The Heeding, with illustrations by Nick Hayes. The book contains 35 poems written over the past year, reflecting on the pandemic. Rob also reads two of the poems, sharing his thoughts on their writing and what they mean to him.

Charles reports back on his fresh air visit to the new sculptures at The Himalayan Gardens and Graham reminds us of some of the more advanced thinking at the heart of T-Rex's musical culture. Charles reviews Velma Celli's new drag shows at the double in York and Graham celebrates ten years of Metronomy's album, English Riviera. Graham also gives us a look at the Top 20 Most Inspirational Novels of All Time. Charles reveals York's own version of The Masked Singer saga, mulls over this year's biggest Oscar winner, Nomadland and then gets down with the dogs in the 101 Dalmations prequel, Cruella.

Charles and Graham head straight to the subject of musical re-evaluation, as they explore the evolution of reputations around such luminaries as Nick Drake and Sinead O'Connor. Graham lets Charles in to his secret Thursday Night Film Club with a focus on the work of Jean-Luc Godard. Graham feeds back his thoughts on the public art commission on tour and currently on the Stray in Harrogate to mark the passing of those who succumbed to Covid-19, In Memoriam. Charles shares his joy and admiration for the latest exhibition in York Art Gallery by Grayson Perry.

Fresh from a trip to the Lake District, Graham reflects on the glory that is the Lakes and gives his verdict on multiple Oscar winning film Nomadland. Charles feels sorry for the UK's Eurovision entrant with his now legendary nul points and Graham bigs up the even bigger legend that is Paul Weller with his sixteenth solo album release, Fat Pop. Charles looks forward to an enterprising audio trail in York, Love Trails and Graham assesses the ongoing Harrogate Film Festival. Both Charles and Graham look at the continuing presence of Zoom in our lives and wonder whether that will continue to grow.

Charles and Graham chew over the latest news in the easing of lockdown and assess the opportunities to get out and about. Graham looks at some local gigs coming up and Charles explains how he is suddenly busy reviewing the new shows at the Theatre Royal, and 41 Monkgate in York and the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough. Graham gets all glam with a deepened appreciation of the joy to be found listening to Marc Bolan and T Rex and Charles sees Red with the latest release and impending live shows from Welsh rockers Manic Street Preachers.

Charles and Graham take stock of the impact of the recent elections; decry the proposed fifty percent cut to the arts in academia and give a cautious welcome to the news from the Young Vic that they will be live streaming all their productions going forward: what will this mean for other organisations? Graham reports back on two new art exhibitions as they open in Harrogate and Charles asks Graham to reflect on disappointing endings in television drama series and pop and rock music.

A spiky Charles fumes at the possible threat to the return of live events, Graham introduces the new album by indie stalwarts Teenage Fanclub and Charles bangs the drum for Riz Ahmed's current film, Sound of Metal. As has been reported, Tom Cruise has been filming Mission Impossible 7 locally. Charles and Graham take a look at his enduring appeal. Graham reads a first draft extract from his book about Harrogate's prog rockers, Magna Carta and Charles reflects on the rise and rise of lies and lying as an accepted practice at the heart of contemporary politics. 

Charles and Graham discuss Oliver Stone's upcoming JFK documentary as his controversial political drama celebrates its 30th anniversary, accompanied by a special online interview for Harrogate Film Festival. The duo review Mick Jagger's lockdown knockdown single, Eazy Sleazy, recorded with Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, and reflect on the passing of Bay City Rollers' Les McKeown and the (Stein)man who wrote Meat Loaf's mountainous hits. In new research, the happiest music fans are into jazz, but why is this? More new events are being announced, but others have been cancelled due to Covid insurance issues, notably Deer Shed Festival, so what more can be done to help keep music live?

In an interview special Charles and Graham interview York-born singer-songwriter Benjamin Francis Leftwich ahead of his new album.

Benjamin Francis Leftwich released his first album Last Smoke Before the Snowstorm in 2011 which made the Top 40 on the UK album charts and kick started his successful career to date. He is celebrating the ten years since with the release of his fourth album, To Carry a Whale.

Candid, as ever, Ben opens up about his life and some of the issues he has faced since that debut, as well as the freedom and joy he finds in being able to collaborate with other musicians and make his own music.