Listen to the episode here:
If you guys don’t mind me going fully into first person mode here, but this is important. So I have long talked about my little wishlist of guests for this show, one that started even before we got into this 187 episode long rollercoaster all those years ago (seven. It was seven years ago. You’re all getting old along with me, okay?). It’s no secret I’ve been daydreaming about shooting the shit on this here thing with people whose work I have literally represented with permanent ink on my body, such as Blixa Bargeld, Michael Gira or Tom G. Warrior, to name just a few. Plus a whole bunch on a same level of admiration for me who have actually already been on the show. And I don’t want to compare people and go like you’re on a bigger list than they are or some stupid infantile shit of the sort, because it really isn’t like that, but it is true that, aside from what I mentioned before, there are artists I honestly didn’t even dare consider for this. It’s a conscious absence, I don’t omit anyone particularly, but who the hell am I to dare wish Arthur Brown on the show, for instance? Especially when this living legend, a true pioneer of experimental music, an explorer and adventurer of the outer fringes of fiery art, is busy getting ready for the release of ‘Nature’, his first album in four years?
But then, just like one of the many unpredictable events that have taken place during Arthur’s otherworldly, incomparable career, the stars and planets and mystical beings and all other kinds of weird things that swarm around in the universe aligned in a way that made it possible for Arthur to sit down with us, have a great multifaceted conversation about so many equally important things, like Nina Simone, crème brûlée, the exploring of consciousness or humanity’s place within the world, stuff like that. Oh, and he also breaks out into song. Often and boisterously, and it’s as much part of the conversation as anything else. You ain’t ready, trust me. Furthermore, because the universe really hits it right sometimes, we also got Claire Waller, Arthur’s life partner, manager and creative director to chip in with her own brilliant insights throughout the chat. As she says towards the end, as a sort of dedication regarding a song, “it’s about music. And beauty.” And it really is. All of this.
So, hey, I don’t know what else to say about this episode. Just go listen. This could well be the last episode and I’d close up shop with a satisfied grin on my face. It’s not though, but it does feel like a landmark worthy of pausing to celebrate. Thank you Arthur, thank you Claire, thank you to the mighty Gunnar for your help setting it up, and thank you to everyone out there still listening to us after seven years.
Check out the full episode on our usual Mixcloud host through the button above (or okay, just click here if you’re lazy), and if you haven’t yet, go ahead and order ‘Nature’. Trust me, it’ll win you over easily.
‘Nature’ is out on September 4th via Prophecy Productions.
You can find Arthur Brown on Bandcamp, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
(photos by Harvey Waller, main image layout by Estefânia Silva)
Want to help us, our collaborators and the bands we cover keep the lights on, and get an exclusive tote bag to show for it? Become a paid subscriber of TDM and we’ll send you one, free postage worldwide. Also, never miss a post again (‘cause you’ll get ‘em in your inbox) and access our subscriber-only posts, namely the coveted Bandcamp Basement feature. You get a free trial if you want to test the waters first. And of course you can just be a free subscriber forever, sans bag or subscriber-only posts, but you’ll get the inbox action anyway. Your call. We love you all the same. Get on it:
Join our new Whatsapp channel for another source of immediate updates and direct links.
Comments
Nothing yet. Say the first thing.
Sign in to join the conversation.