There's more content than you would believe. Hopefully this will make finding it a bit easier...
Comfort, colour and joy: we spoke to Megan Crook about her clothing empire
Fri 11 Oct 2024Among the array of shop fronts in Sneinton Market, one you are not likely to miss is the vividly colourful Megan Crook. In addition to The Textile Guru, her separate fabric and haberdashery store, Megan Crook designs, sews and sells her own range of vibrant and quirky clothing, with a focus on inclusivity, sustainability and fun. We went along to chat to Megan to hear more…
Our October cover artist Steve Cole talks photographing Ratcliffe-on-Soar
Mon 07 Oct 2024This month’s cover artist Steve Cole tells us more about his stunning photography of Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station
Nadia Whittome talks about the benefits of wealth tax
Tue 01 Oct 2024Nottingham East Labour MP talks about the benefits of wealth tax
We speak with Wunderhorse about life, Rock City and everything in between
Sat 28 Sept 2024If you’re looking for a fresh and fast-rising guitar band to get excited about, look no further than Newquay-formed quartet Wunderhorse, who released their acclaimed second album Midas back in August. Ahead of a sold-out headline show at Rock City this month, we spoke to frontman Jacob Slater about the ethos behind the record and his past experiences playing live in Notts.
We speak with Pale Waves about influences and their mature new album, Smitten
Wed 25 Sept 2024With their fourth album Smitten released on 27th September, Pale Waves are continuing to make big waves of their own. Ahead of the release, we caught up with drummer Ciára Doran to hear about the band’s influences, creativity and experiences…
Comedian Pierre Novellie talks about autism, the Isle of Man and his dislike of mouth noises
Mon 23 Sept 2024Acclaimed comedian, Pierre Novellie, returns to Nottingham for a gig at the Canalhouse. Leftlion caught up with Pierre recently to find out more about his recent autism diagnosis and his new act.
We chat with DECO about their debut album and the joy of touring
Sat 21 Sept 2024Formed in 2011, with roots in the Midlands and beyond, there’s a lot to unpack with 80s-influenced band Deco – and they've only just released their debut album. With two Nottingham shows imminent, lead singer Max Kendall found time to sit down with LeftLion to talk about the new record, as well as the band’s headline tour, and everything in between…
We chat to midlands brand Groovy Garage about the appeal of Streetwear in Notts
Thu 19 Sept 2024Notts is no stranger to the streetwear world. Once home to the likes of iconic 80s/90s independent streetwear shop GForce, whose stylish and original garms made waves around the globe, recent years have seen the likes of Mimm, Garms, Relic x Hooked and Hidden Garmz open shop in the city.
With a new kid on the block, Groovy Garage launching its second Midlands presence in Nottingham’s Urban Outfitters, it begs the question: ‘Why does streetwear have Nottingham in such a chokehold?’ Ahead of Groovy Garage’s launch, we chatted to their director Jack Tavener, and delved into the rise of streetwear culture.
We talk to Boston Manor about chart success and Nottingham memories
Mon 16 Sept 2024Experienced Blackpool-based rockers Boston Manor have recently released their fifth album, but success still brings them joy and surprise. We spoke with vocalist Henry Cox as the band waited for news of Sundiver's chart position, and prepared to lift the roof off Rock City...
Comedy and conspiracies: we chatted to Dom Joly about his upcoming show at Nottingham Playhouse
Thu 12 Sept 2024Can Dom Joly save Nottingham from the conspiracy theorists? He chats with LeftLion about his struggle with extreme believers, his new book and his globe-trotting adventures.
GrowNotts talk to us about greening up Nottingham with their colourful street planters
Fri 06 Sept 2024You may have seen some of the planters dotted around town looking extra loved up lately - a dash of colour around Canning Circus, Bridlesmith Gate becoming an altogether more pollinator-friendly aisle to walk down. A lot of this greening action can be traced back to GrowNotts. Angelena Efstathiou caught up with grower-in-chief Jack Harris, to hear all about how they’re greening up our city whilst bringing the community with them…
We speak to surrealist Maximillion Speed about collaborative art exhibition Circus of Life
Tue 03 Sept 2024The circus is coming to town later this month, with an array of artistic feats on display in a new exhibition at Surface Gallery. Showcasing the work of six very different artists, The Circus of Life playfully reveals both inner and other worlds, with shared themes of mental health, healing, playfulness and illusion. Ahead of the exhibition’s grand opening, artist Maximilion Speed treated LeftLion to a chat about the strange workings of creative thinking, why art should be made by humans, and what to expect from the work on show.
We chat to photographer Fabrice Gagos about his recent exhibition Poetraits
Mon 02 Sept 2024Through August, Phlexx Records at Cubed Cuts & Coffee hosted Poetraits, an exhibition by LeftLion photography co-editor Fabrice Gagos, showcasing a series of photographs which captured the essence of eight poets: their personal identities and creative voices. Featured as part of the 2024 Nottingham Poetry Festival, the project was made possible with support from Arts Council England. We caught up with Fabrice to discuss life behind the lens as a professional photographer.
We chat to writer LS Evans about his new novel Pleasantly Disturbed
Thu 22 Aug 2024Notts writer L. S. Evans was the late great Sean Lock’s staff writer for fifteen years, racking up credits on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and gaining acclaim from names like Harry Hill. Now he’s back with a comic coming-of-age story…
We caught up with The Art of Football about their collaboration with Self Esteem about domestic abuse
Sun 18 Aug 2024In a recent campaign with Rebecca Lucy Taylor - AKA musician Self Esteem - Nottingham based designers The Art of Football have designed a football shirt to open up a conversation about domestic abuse. Head of Brand Kelvyn Quagraine and designer Nicole Kaminska spoke with LeftLion to reflect on the collaboration and football’s light and dark side.
We learnt about geocaching: a global treasure hunt
Fri 16 Aug 2024If you’ve got a magpie eye for finding treasure and are looking for a fun low-cost activity this summer, perhaps you ought to go on a geocaching quest. This international treasure hunt transforms a regular walk by allowing the curious and intrepid to find beloved items hidden by fellow hikers, in remote and sometimes familiar places. Nott’m Lass Lucy acts as our tour guide on this outdoor adventure, relaying some of her rules and tips for keeping the game alive.
GIRLBAND! talk to us about their rising fame, the Notts music scene and what they’re currently listening to
Mon 12 Aug 2024Redefining alternative music and inclusivity, GIRLBAND! are smashing preconceptions with every release and live performance. Michael Prince recently spoke to the band for LeftLion…
We chat to Hollow Stone about new music, and keeping it real
Sun 11 Aug 2024Hollow Stone sport a diverse and unique style, with authenticity and a love of music always being placed at the forefront of their work. We caught up with lead singer James Doherty ahead of the band's album launch show at The Angel on 17th August, to hear about the album and the development of Hollow Stone's eclectic indie sound...
Nadia Whittome MP talks about the new Labour government
Thu 08 Aug 2024Nadia Whittome, the newly re-elected MP for Nottingham East and regular LeftLion columnist, talks about the new Labour government
We chat to Bruce Asbestos about his monster exhibition at Lakeside Arts this summer
Sat 03 Aug 2024Whether it’s creating giant monsters, quirky fashion or video games, one thing that is always integral to the work of Bruce Asbestos is playfulness. With an immersive exhibition of abstract inflatable monsters currently showing at Lakeside Arts throughout August we sat down with Bruce to talk about art, AI, and being a creative in Notts.
We talk to CIC Pulp Friction about supporting people with learning disabilities and Autism and their Chelsea Flower Show awards
Tue 23 Jul 2024Running for fourteen years, it all started with one college leaver’s simple ambition - getting a job. Pulp Friction has now grown into a multi-faceted organisation offering learning disabled and autistic people across Notts opportunities to get into work. Strings to their bow include running a community garden, community café, catering service, and their nominative mobile smoothie bike. Now they can add several Chelsea Flower Show awards. We met the team to hear all about their work…
We spoke to Emma Gray and Grace Carter about their new play at Broadway
Fri 19 Jul 2024Emma Gray and Grace Carter met behind the famous Broadway bar. Now they've come full circle, launching their new play Yeah, No, Fine at Broadway. But how did they do it? What challenges were there to overcome?
We spoke to Charity Shop Sue creators Dead Sweet TV about comedy writing, creating a LGBTQ+ icon and working with Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure.
Wed 17 Jul 2024From her beginnings as a YouTube mockumentary star to appearing MTV Cribs, Charity Shop Sue has won the hearts of many - but what were the beginnings of Bulwell's iconic boss laydeh? We spoke to Stu Edwards and brothers Tim and Matt Chesney, creators at Dead Sweet TV to talk about comedy writing, creating a LGBTQ+ icon and working with Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure.
Faced With Library Closures, Council Launches Consultation
Tue 09 Jul 2024Aspley, Basford, Bilborough and Radford-Lenton library are all on the chopping block. Don't miss the chance to have your say...
Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie talks about merging representation, authenticity, and empowerment with her family heritage
Mon 08 Jul 2024Nottingham designer and entrepreneur, Sara Christie, is no stranger to turning heads with her iconic, bold, statement accessories and signature chunky chains. Since the launch of her label BYSARACHRISTIE in 2020, her pieces have garnered a cult following. Fans include the likes of global superstar Kelis, popular singer-songwriter RAYE and actress Sarah Niles to name a few. Following the launch of her latest collection, The Empress Collection, we caught up with Sara to find out more…