The Back Half

#35: Klimt & Schiele, Christine and the Queens and 8 Mile

Fri, 23 Nov 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman are joined by Michael Prodger to discuss the Klimt & Schiele exhibition at the Royal Academy, and then review a Christine and the Queens gig and celebrate another noniversary.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#34: Halloween, the Goldsmiths Prize and Orinoco Flow

Fri, 02 Nov 2018 16:49:06 GMT

Tom Gatti, Kate Mossman and Ryan Gilbey discuss the new Halloween film and then celebrate another noniversary. Plus, we hear from the six novelists shortlisted for the Goldsmiths Prize.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#33: The Booker Prize, Fahrenheit 11/9 and Sleeping Satellite

Fri, 19 Oct 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the 2018 Booker Prize and Michael Moore's new film Fahrenheit 11/9, and then celebrate another noniversary.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#32: John Grant, Maniac and CeeLo Green

Fri, 05 Oct 2018 17:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss John Grant's new album Love is Magic and the Netflix series Maniac, and then celebrate another noniversary.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#31: King of Thieves, The Clock and But I'm A Cheerleader

Fri, 21 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the British heist film King of Thieves and Christian Marclay's The Clock installation at Tate Modern and celebrate the noniversary of the 1999 film But I'm A Cheerleader.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#30: Paul McCartney, Cold War and Tubthumping

Fri, 07 Sep 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new Paul McCartney album Egypt Station, the Polish film Cold War, and celebrate the noniversary of Chumbawamba's "Tubthumping".

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#29: Unforgotten, Sweetener and The Fugitive

Fri, 24 Aug 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the ITV crime drama Unforgotten, the new Ariana Grande album Sweetener, and another noniversary.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#28: The League of Gentlemen, writers' collections and Man O Man

Thu, 26 Jul 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the return of The League of Gentlemen, the strange collections of objects that writers amass — with guest appearances from Audrey Niffenegger, Tom Holland and Howard Jacobson — and the noniversary of the short-lived Nineties reality show Man O Man.

Read: Writers on their collections

Kate Mossman's profile of the League of Gentlemen

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#27: Fun Home, Summer Listening and Save Tonight

Fri, 13 Jul 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, analyse summer album releases from Let's Eat Grandma and Iggy Pop & Underworld, and celebrate another noniversary.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons .

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#26: Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones at 85 and Men in Black

Fri, 29 Jun 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new Michael Jackson exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, Quincy Jones's 85th birthday part at the O2 Arena, and Men in Black — the Will Smith film released 21 long years ago.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#25: Frida Kahlo, Atlanta and I'll Be Missing You

Fri, 15 Jun 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new Frida Kahlo exhibition at the V&A, Donald Glover's FX series Atlanta, and the 1997 Puff Daddy and Faith Evans song "I'll Be Missing You".

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#24: Long Players with Deborah Levy and David Mitchell

Fri, 01 Jun 2018 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss oversharing musicians and nineties adverts, and we hear from novelists Deborah Levy and David Mitchell about their favourite albums: Joni Mitchell's Blue and David Bowie's Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

#23: Mood Music, Arctic Monkeys and Willow

Thu, 17 May 2018 15:20:58 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new play at the Old Vic Mood Music, the Arctic Monkeys' sixth album Tranquility Base Hotel + Casino and celebrate the noniversary of Willow.

Get in touch on Twitter @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts or via thebackhalfpodcast@gmail.com.

Further reading:

Kate Mossman's review of the new Arctic Monkeys album.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#22: Beast, Soul Music and Gladiator

Thu, 03 May 2018 09:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new film Beast, the BBC Radio 4 programme Soul Music and celebrate the noniversary of Gladiator.

Get in touch with questions or noniversary suggestions on Twitter via @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts.

Further reading:

Ryan Gilbey's review of Beast.

Antonia Quirke's piece about Soul Music.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#21: Janelle Monae, The Looming Tower and Jim Crace

Fri, 20 Apr 2018 17:25:58 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss Janelle Monae's new album Dirty Computer and the Amazon-Hulu series The Looming Tower. Then, they hear from novelist Jim Crace, an interview that was recorded at the Cambridge Literary Festival. Finally, they celebrate another significant cultural noniversary.

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#20: Wonderstruck, A Quiet Place and Do the Bartman

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 17:00:37 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss an improbable film double bill: Todd Haynes' Wonderstruck and John Krasinski's A Quiet Place. Then, they celebrate the noniversary of Simpsons novelty single "Do the Bartman".

Get in touch with questions or noniversary suggestions on Twitter via @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts.

Further reading:

Ryan Gilbey's review of Wonderstruck.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#19: Sting & Shaggy, Annihilation and the bumbag

Thu, 22 Mar 2018 11:24:06 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the unlikely musical collaboration of Sting and Shaggy on the album 44/876 (out on 20 April), review the new Alex Garland film Annihilation (with special guest Helen Lewis), and celebrate the noniversary of the bumbag (or fanny pack, if you're American).

Get in touch with questions or noniversary suggestions on Twitter via @tom_gatti or @ns_podcasts.

Further reading:

Kate's interview in New York with Sting and Shaggy.

Helen's review of Annihilation.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#18: Sade, All Too Human and Final Destination

Wed, 07 Mar 2018 12:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the music of Sade and mourn the loss of the dinner party album in the age of Spotify playlists. Then they're joined by Michael Prodger to discuss the "All Too Human" exhibition at Tate Britain. Finally, they celebrate the noniversary of the Final Destination franchise.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#17: Threads, I, Tonya and Jarvis at the Brits

Thu, 22 Feb 2018 13:08:38 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman are joined by Jude Rogers to discuss the 1984 nuclear disaster drama Threads. Then they talk about the Oscar-nominated film I, Tonya, and finally celebrate the noniversary of Jarvis Cocker invading the stage at the 1996 Brit Awards.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#16: Hamilton, the Fatberg, Loveless and "Just Say No"

Thu, 08 Feb 2018 17:24:16 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the blockbuster Broadway musical Hamilton and the arrival of the fatberg at the Museum of London. Then they are joined by film critic Ryan Gilbey to discuss Andrey Zvyagintsev's Oscar-nominated film Loveless and to celebrate the noniversary of the "Just Say No" campaign by the cast of Grange Hill.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Further reading:

Helen Lewis on Hamilton.

Ryan Gilbey's interview with Andrey Zvyagintsev.

Credits:

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#15: When the Wind Blows, Beck and shabby chic

Thu, 25 Jan 2018 16:21:43 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman revisit Raymond Briggs' 1986 animated feature When the Wind Blows and discuss Beck's latest album Colors. Then they celebrate a noniversary sent in by a listener: it's 38 years since the "shabby chic" interior design trend was born.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Further reading:

Roz Chast on her "cruellest month" calendar for the New Yorker.

Kate's interview with Beck.

An interview with Rachel Ashwell about shabby chic.

Credits:

When the Wind Blows is rereleased on DVD by the BFI and available here.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#14: Coco, Kiri and Alexandra Burke's Hallelujah

Thu, 18 Jan 2018 17:05:12 GMT

On the NS culture podcast this week, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman are joined by film critic Ryan Gilbey to discuss the new Pixar film Coco. Then they analyse Jack Thorne's new drama Kiri and celebrate the noniversary of Alexandra Burke's "Hallelujah".

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#13: The Post, Radiohead vs Lana Del Rey and Mr Bean

Thu, 11 Jan 2018 17:12:49 GMT

On the NS culture podcast this week, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new Steven Spielberg film The Post, the plagiarism accusations dogging pop music and the noniversary of Mr Bean.

#12: McMafia, Once Upon a Time in Shaolin and Pipes of Peace

Fri, 05 Jan 2018 14:18:49 GMT

On the NS culture podcast this week, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the BBC's new international crime thriller McMafia, a book about the Wu-Tang Clan's mysterious album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin and the noniversary of Paul McCartney's single "Pipes of Peace".

Further reading:

Rachel Cooke on McMafia.

The Wu-Tang Clan book.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#11: The Serial Killer Special

Thu, 21 Dec 2017 06:00:58 GMT

Kate Mossman is joined by Helen Lewis to discuss the cultural depiction of murderers, from Nineties biopics to David Fincher's Mindhunter.

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#10: A Christmas Carol, Judd Apatow: The Return and Mr Blobby

Thu, 14 Dec 2017 15:12:20 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new adaptation at the Old Vic of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, Judd Apatow's return to stand up comedy and the noniversary of Mr Blobby's Christmas number one.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#9: Happy End, Craig David and Stars In Their Eyes

Thu, 07 Dec 2017 18:51:57 GMT

On the NS culture podcast this week, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss Michael Haneke's film Happy End, the revived career of Craig David and the noniversary of the TV phenomenon that was Stars in Their Eyes.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Clips from Craig David's The Time is Now courtesy of Insanity Records/Sony.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#8: Daddy's Home 2, Björk's Utopia and the troll doll

Thu, 23 Nov 2017 11:21:14 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman are joined by New Statesman film critic Ryan Gilbey to discuss Mel Gibson's return to the big screen in Daddy's Home 2. Then, they analyse the new Björk album Utopia, and finally celebrate the noniversary of the troll doll.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Utopia by Björk is out now on One Little Indian Records.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#7: Liam and Noel Gallagher, Modigliani and Child's Play

Wed, 15 Nov 2017 13:36:12 GMT

On this episode of the New Statesman's new culture podcast, The Back Half, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the new albums from Liam Gallagher, As You Were, and Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds, Who Built the Moon?. Then they talk about an upcoming Modigliani exhibition at Tate Modern, and finally they celebrate the noniversary of that iconic horror movie, Child's Play.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Relevant links:

Michael Prodger on Modigliani.

The clip from "Holy Mountain" performed by Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds is courtesy of Sour Mash Ltd.

The clip from "For What It's Worth", written by Liam Gallagher and Simon Jons and published by Warner/Chappell Music and Kobalt, is courtesy of Warner Bros UK.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#6: Film noir, Brass Eye's Oxide Ghosts and the Reebok Pump

Wed, 08 Nov 2017 14:06:41 GMT

On this episode of the New Statesman's new culture podcast, The Back Half, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the Trump-esque sensibilities of classic film noir. Then they talk about their trip to see the new Brass Eye documentary Oxide Ghosts, and finally they celebrate the noniversary of that iconic shoe, the Reebok Pump.

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Relevant links:

Read Douglas Kennedy's piece about how film noir explains Donald Trump.

Find a screening of Oxide Ghosts.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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The Goldsmiths Prize Shortlist Special

Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:43:41 GMT

Tom Gatti heads to a pub in New Cross, south London, to meet the six shortlisted authors for the Goldsmiths Prize, which is awarded annually to a work of fiction that breaks the mould. Will Self, Sara Baume, Kevin Davey, Nicola Barker, Jon McGregor and Gwendoline Riley each read from their books, as well as talking about what led them to experiment with the novel form. The winner of the 2017 prize will be announced on 15 November and the winning author will appear at Cambridge Literary Festival on 26 November.

Get in touch on Twitter via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

The shortlisted novels:

Phone by Will Self

A Line Made By Walking by Sara Baume

Playing Possum by Kevin Davey

H(A)PPY by Nicola Barker

Reservoir 13 by Jon McGregor

First Love by Gwendoline Riley

For more details visit the Goldsmiths Prize website here.

Thanks very much to Ashley Simpson and Liron Zisser of Goldsmiths University.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#5: Gunpowder, George Saunders interview and Gangsta's Paradise

Wed, 25 Oct 2017 17:18:55 GMT

On this episode of the New Statesman's new culture podcast, The Back Half, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss the BBC's torture-heavy Guy Fawkes drama Gunpowder. Then we hear an excerpt from Tom's conversation with Man Booker prize-winning novelist George Saunders, and finally celebrate the noniversary of the immortal Coolio song "Gangsta's Paradise".

Get in touch on Twitter and send us your noniversary suggestions via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Relevant links:

Watch Gunpowder on the BBC iPlayer.

Get a copy of George Saunders' Lincoln in the Bardo.

Subscribe to the New Statesman now or buy a copy from your local newsagent.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#4: Philip Pullman interview, Ghostwatch and the CD single

Thu, 19 Oct 2017 05:00:00 GMT

On this episode of the New Statesman's new culture podcast, The Back Half, we welcome guest Philip Pullman to discuss his return to the world of His Dark Materials with new book La Belle Sauvage, the first instalment in The Book of Dust trilogy. Then hosts Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss creepy BBC TV special Ghostwatch and celebrate the noniversary of that much-missed music format the CD single.

Get in touch on Twitter via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Relevant links:

Get a copy of La Belle Sauvage.

Read Rowan Williams' review of the book in the New Statesman.

Buy tickets to see Philip Pullman discuss the book at the Southbank Centre on 20 October.

Kate's piece about Ghostwatch.

Subscribe to the New Statesman now or buy a copy from your local newsagent.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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Ali Smith: The novel in the age of Trump

Wed, 11 Oct 2017 15:09:38 GMT

We take a break from regular programming this week to bring you Ali Smith's recent New Statesman/Goldsmiths Prize lecture on "why the novel matters in the age of Brexit and Trump". You can read an edited version of the lecture in this week's magazine - get your copy now. Tom and Kate will be back with a regular episode next week.

Get in touch on Twitter via @ns_podcasts or @tom_gatti.

Find out more about the Goldsmiths Prize here.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#3: Morrissey, The Deuce and the Garbage Pail Kids

Wed, 04 Oct 2017 13:00:00 GMT

On the New Statesman's new culture podcast, The Back Half, Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman discuss Morrissey's performance at 6 Music Live and David Simon's new TV show about the porn industry in New York in the 1970s, The Deuce. Plus, they celebrate the noniversary of the Garbage Pail Kids.

Get in touch on Twitter via @ns_podcasts.

Relevant links:

Listen to Morrissey at 6 Music Live.

Andrew Harrison's review of Morrissey's autobiography.

Watch The Deuce.

Emily Nussbaum's review of The Deuce.

Subscribe to the New Statesman now or buy a copy from your local newsagent to read Rachel Cooke's review.

Our theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#2: The Confession Tapes, Tricky's ununiform and Deep Blue Something

Wed, 20 Sep 2017 11:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman from the New Statesman's culture desk discuss the Netflix true crime series The Confession Tapes and Tricky's new album ununiform. Plus, for their next noniversary, they celebrate "Breakfast at Tiffany's" by Deep Blue Something.

Get in touch on Twitter via @ns_podcasts and make sure you're subscribed on Apple Podcasts here so you don't miss the next episode.

The theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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#1: Emojis, Foo Fighters and Urban Legends

Wed, 13 Sep 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman from the New Statesman's culture desk discuss the evolving cultural significance of emojis and the new Foo Fighters album Concrete and Gold. Plus, in the first of a series, they celebrate the noniversary of the Nineties teen slasher film Urban Legends.

Get in touch on Twitter via @ns_podcasts and make sure you're subscribed on Apple Podcasts here so you don't miss the next episode.

Clips from "The Sky is a Neighbourhood" and "Run" by the Foo Fighters courtesy of Roswell Records/RCA Records.

The theme music is "God Speed" by Pistol Jazz, licensed under Creative Commons.

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Trailer

Tue, 12 Sep 2017 10:30:09 GMT

Welcome to The Back Half, the new culture podcast from the New Statesman hosted by Tom Gatti and Kate Mossman. Make sure you're subscribed so you get our first ever episode, coming very soon.

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