Site search

Author Interview: Chidiebere J Anumudu

Author Chidiebere J Anumudu talks to Literature Editor Kate Hewett about children's book Chuka and The Arusi

Author Interview: Clive Henry - Racism is Real

Kate Hewett talks to author Clive Henry about his book, Racism Is Real...

Rock City at 40: George Akins on Nottingham's Best Loved Venue

Nottingham’s legendary nightclub and live music venue Rock City turns forty this month, but celebrations will be quieter than usual due to the pandemic. We couldn’t let the occasion pass without a chat with owner George Akins of DHP Family about the history of Nottingham’s most famous music venue...

Nusic New Music Podcast #237 with Mez, Jonny Olley, Chloe Rodgers, George Gadd and More...

This week’s New Music Podcast features new music inspired by Maccy D’s, the most long-awaited debut single ever, plus a detailed breakdown of a rapper’s tax arrangements.

This podcast may contain some fruity language. Sensitive ears – you have been warned.

Witch of the East's Singer Aeris Houlihan on Her Turbulent Journey to Their Upcoming Album

With a story that wouldn’t look out of place in a HBO series, Witch of the East lead singer Aeris Houlihan certainly has plenty of experience to draw upon for writing new material. From serving in the armed forces to spending months incarcerated in Eastern Europe as a transgender woman, she talked to Alex Mace about her fascinating story, as well as the band’s upcoming music...

Notts-Born Singer-Songwriter Natalie Duncan on Her New Album, Free

There aren’t many things in life that are a given these days. One exception, however, is the guaranteed beauty of a new album release by Notts-born singer songwriter Natalie Duncan. Free, which was released on 31 July this year, is Nat’s first full-length album since 2012, and is full of her customary soul-infused melodies and candid lyrics. Featuring tracks written over a number of years since 2012, it’s one heck of an expansive record, brimming with vivacity and ambition. We caught up with Nat to chat about her Notts roots, the new record and her musical life in the age of COVID-19….

Interview: A Catch-up with Nactus Kunan

Sitting on lots of newly released material but with no imminent chance to share it live with fans, we caught up with Jack and Joe of local alternative four-piece Nactus Kunan to see how they've been keeping busy...

Streaming from a Distance: George Gretton Interview

The local musician has been busy in his bedroom studio finishing his latest EP, soon to be released to the world. When Alanah Kholsa caught up with George, ‘streaming’ was the order of the day, as she learned about his virtual gigs and his latest single, Slipstream.

Writer Josh Helmer on His New Self-Published Dystopian Novel, Dark Wonders

With life currently feeling like it’s been torn from the pages of a dystopian novel, now seems like the perfect time to release a novel exploring themes like technology, society and the future. Luckily for us, that’s just what Joshua Helmer has done with Dark Wonders. We caught up with the Nottingham writer to discuss his self-published debut novel...

Interview and Video Premiere: Taking a Sec with Daisy Godfrey

Addie Kenogbon catches up with local rising star Daisy following her much-anticipated second release, as we share a first look at the stunning new video.

“All my life I’ve been taught that the police won’t help me” – Artist and activist Kay on George Floyd, police brutality and the ongoing protests in Britain…

For many, the death of George Floyd was quickly contextualised as an American problem. Stories of racial profiling and police brutality have grown to become expected from a country that seems more divided than it has been in a generation, leaving many in Britain feeling disgusted at how things are done on that side of the Atlantic. But, as the events of the last week have shown, the illusion that issues raised from Floyd’s killing are consigned to the US has been roundly smashed, with thousands taking to the streets in eighteen countries around the world (as well as all fifty US States) to support the Black Lives Matter campaign, which is now considered the largest Civil Rights campaign in history. Growing up in the projects of Alameda, California to Eritrea-born parents, artist and activist Kay – who works under the name The Rainbow Prince – has seen the way police brutality and racism takes form on both sides of the pond, having moved to Nottingham six months ago. And as Notts gets ready to play its part in the movement with a protest on Sunday 6 June, we talk to Kay about why activism is important in the UK…

Nusic New Music Podcast #227 with George Gretton, Wolf Club, Mollie Ralph, Do Nothing and More...

Midlands' Mix: Documentary Series Showcases Nottingham's Upcoming Bands

Ella Farnsworth's new documentary series Midlands' Mix aims to bring light to the best upcoming bands Nottingham has to offer...

Interview: Local Musician Sasha Assad Shares Her Ambitions and Lockdown Experience

We caught up with emerging singer songwriter Sasha Assad (virtually of course) to chat about her ambitions, and to find out how she's coping with lockdown...

Pola - The Notts Company Making Sustainably-Sourced Ice Lollies

We talk to the brains behind Pola, the Nottingham independent company creating sustainably-sourced ice lollies filled with plenty of tasty homegrown ingredients...

Notts Rebels: George Africanus

In celebration of the Nottingham Castle Trust’s #VoicesofToday campaign, our Notts Rebels series continues with the story of George Africanus, Nottingham's first black entrepreneur...

Future for Business: Marie's Story of Retraining as a Nurse

It’s a pretty daunting time to work for the NHS. Under more scrutiny than ever before, and overwhelmed by a health crisis that, at the time of writing at least, shows no signs of slowing down, they’re literally risking their lives on a daily basis. While most of us are probably thankful that we don’t have to face working in healthcare right now, Marie, who has retrained through the Futures for Business scheme, is just about to start...

Interview: Corrina Rothwell on Life as an Artist and the End of Blather

After almost two years of unleashing the manic brilliance of writer Adrian Reynolds in an illustrative fashion, our regular feature, Blather, sadly came to an end last month. Instead of getting all melancholy about things, we chose to celebrate its time between the pages by catching up (over email, of course) with the local lady behind the brushes: Corrina Rothwell. Under the spotlight we get chatting about Blather’s beginnings, the pleasures and perils of being an artist and the inspirations behind her brand of explosive abstract workings.

Interview: Susan, Conducted by Daphnellc for City Beat Radio

Susan is a singer, songwriter and performer, originally from Notts. Daphnellc also produces and performs, with a regular show on City Beat Radio. What happens when two creative, musical minds have a natter together? Listen back to the interview to find out...

NHS @ 70: The Organisation Collecting Your Stories, Memories and Opinions of the NHS

Up until recently, it’s fair to say that many of us have been guilty of taking the NHS for granted. But as the coronavirus continues to wreak havoc on the country, stretching the health service to its absolute limits, you can’t help but feel that, as a nation, we’re finally starting to truly understand the value of what we’re lucky to have. One organisation was well-ahead of the curve on the appreciation front, however, as the NHS at 70: The Story of Our Lives project has been collating stories, memories and experiences of the NHS for a few years, and 2020 has seen them focus their attention on the East Midlands. We talk to Oral History and Public Engagement Coordinator James McSharry to find out more...

Fleur East talks living in lockdown, reality TV and her new album, Fearless

After two stints on The X Factor, including finishing runner-up in 2014 where she became the first contestant in the show’s history to reach Number One on the iTunes chart during the competition, singer, songwriter and radio presenter Fleur East has walked an interesting path through the music industry. With her new album Fearless released last month, we caught up with her to talk about reality television, the unexpected truths of the music industry and how she’s handling lockdown...

Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome on the Government's Response to COVID-19, Returning to Care Work and Being a Female MP

In a time when politicians are regularly accused of being out of touch with everyday life, Nadia Whittome showed why her constituents in Nottingham East were right to place their trust in her during the last General Election. While no one would have blamed her for stocking up on essentials and hunkering down in safety, Britain’s youngest MP made the decision to put herself on the frontline of COVID-19 by returning to care work, the profession in which she worked prior to her election victory last December. With a unique, first-hand perspective on the devastating impact of the virus on the country’s most vulnerable people, we talked to the Labour MP about the ongoing lack of personal protective equipment, the impact of cuts to health and social care services and the Government’s response to coronavirus…

Historical Author Emily Brand: "I feel a sort of security in writing about real people who lived, loved and died, generations ago"

Emily Brand is a local historian who’s been researching the Byron family tree and all its drama-sprouting branches. With a close look at life in the eighteenth century, her fourth book The Fall of the House of Byron is released this month. We sat down for a digital chat with the author to find out more...

Interview: Electronic Music Open Mic Night Notts

Nick Strang speaks with Stewart Cuthew, responsible for running Notts’ branch of events that swap the acoustic guitars for synths and buttons. If you’ve been exploring the art of production in lockdown, you might wanna show yer new skills at its next night when things are up ‘n’ running again. For now, have a read and learn about the unique creative community...

89-Year-Old Albert Johnson: “I want to go to Jamaica, one last time”

As a member of the Windrush Generation who came to Britain in the 1950s after World War II, 89-year-old Albert Johnson devoted his life to being a well-respected and productive member of society. His reward? Being threatened with deportation and denied his legal rights as part of the 2017 scandal. With the dream of returning home to his native Jamaica one final time, we talked to Johnson as he looks back on a life of hard work, endurance and survival…