I’m joined on this episode by Sophie Frost, who’s lately devoted a lot of her time to writing about faith, philosophy and the arts. We spend quite a while discussing the life, work and coiffure of Diamanda Galas, who Sophie describes as resembling a ‘decaying Winehouse’ and whose take on faith is every bit as idiosyncratic and impassioned as her application of cosmetics. You might wanna google her. We also talk about faith, fear, sexual panic and the Jonas brothers (and if you’ve not seen South Park’s take on the subject you might wanna peep that first too) and ask – in the wake of Megrahi’s release – whether compassion is compatible with law. If that sounds heavy we close things out with a joke about God and a feckless cockney tradesman.
There’s plenty of music too: you can expect Brooklynites speaking in tongues, girlish heartbreak and an excerpt from Boredoms’ monumental ‘Seadrum.’ If you’re feeling equal to the full 23 minute version then that’s linked to on the right, as are a slew of other faith-related tracks, including Skullflower’s feedback-heavy ‘In the Depth of the Stagnant Pond,’ which is meant to induce auditory hallucinations – kind of like Blake’s seeing angels thronging a Peckham tree maybe. For what you’re about to receive may whichsoever deity you prefer (might I suggest Glaucon?) make you truly thankful.
Spotify Playlist [link to spotify]
- Patti Smith Group – Hymn
- Diamanda Galas – Ain’t No Grave Can Hold My Body Down
- The Shangri-Las – You Cheated, You Lied
- Gang Gang Dance – Glory in Itself/Egyptian
- Cocteau Twins – Fifty-fifty Clown
- Prince – Temptation
- Leonard Cohen – Story of Isaac
- Skullflower – Black Wind
- AGF – If You
- Salem – Water
- Boredoms – Seadrum
