jamesdavidward.comIt’s been a while since I wrote about what podcasts I’m listening to on this blog. If you go by my habits, then the amount of time I spend listening to podcasts (and sometimes audiobooks) even when I’ve been without a significant commute for some time now proves I hold them in high esteem. So, worthwhile to go over my current approach and subscriptions.
Tl;dr – making creative things in Leicester. Get involved.
Over three years of living in Leicester, I met a load of talented people, who just give away their time either through generosity or because they don’t quite realise how special they are. Also, I made friends with these people.
The other thing that happened is my confidence in writing, and my output, increased by a lot. (Also, directing is fun apparently.) (Also also, I like doing radio.) So, when I stopped pretending to a degree/graduated (ymmv) it seemed imperative to keep doing this sort of thing, because it’s what (all I’m) good at.
One project I did while in university has proved to be the catalyst for doing all of this. Basically, things got out of hand. William Breden came to me with an idea for a musical skit, taking the piss out of musicals and cheap dates with affection. This has snowballed into a full-length show at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival in February 2014. However, we needed to bill it under some sort of company name, rather than just vaguely go “here’s a show”. Also, through our collaboration, there proved to be a lot of common interest in doing a wide variety of stuff independent of any groups we’re associated with.
Enter Rebel Breed.
From November 2012 to June 2013, I presented a show on LUSH Radio called Culture Corner. It ran for eleven episodes, each centring around an interview with someone artistic and interesting. Each guest read from works they admire and love, talked about them, and often indulged me in discussion of how they make their own art. Plus, other people sent in recordings of themselves reading poems and stories they loved and wanted to share. There was even a short-lived Erasmus correspondence series from my friend Alex Hatcher, Letters From America.
Sadly, graduation means the end of my time on LUSH Radio. Luckily I got to interview most of the people I would wish to during the show’s short run, but it’s a format (and hobby) I like and am not going to give up easily. So, in due course (when I can find guests and a decent microphone) it will be resurrected as an occasional podcast series. Plus, there are rumblings that a version of the show, presented by a past guest may well continue on LUSH – more news on both these things as and when.
Until then, here is the complete run of radio shows for your enjoyment (I particularly like the episodes with Nick, Sara, and Edward, if you want somewhere to start).
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