Vandal Factory (East Leeds Community Radio)

Dani from Faintest Idea talks about their new ska-punk masterpiece. Performance poet Hannah Davies reads from her new collection Dolls. Plus we discuss student activism, current issues and Henry performs a classic poem that he's updated. It's all good fun for you lovely Raptors.

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Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes."

Slash Fiction are a south Yorkshire punk band whose new album 'We'll Hold This Line Until Hell Freezes Over' is a masterpiece of raw and wonderful anthems. Henry is joined by Niamh, Jess and Dan who discuss principles of Trade Unionism, DIY culture, solidarity and song-writing.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Saturday 6th January 2024 we attended an important community demonstration down our road. Crossgates Library is over 75 years old and for generations has been at the heart of this community in East Leeds. Unfortunately, due to 14 years of austerity and councils being desperate to balance the books, Leeds City Council have decided to sell the Library at auction.

People from 8 to 89 years old came together to say, 'Give us, the people of Crossgates, more time to try find an alternative!' listen to this clip to hear just a few of their voices.

Please lend your support to this campaign by doing the following:

1. Sign the petition: https://chng.it/NtHw5bXNMN
2. Email local Cllrs and MP
3. Attend the next demonstration this Saturday (more details on the Save Our Library Building FB Page)

The unedited interview taken from episode #31.

Artistic Director of Derby Theatre Sarah Brigham talks about 'Welfare', a show written about the Derbyshire mining community. Sarah talks about her career directing political stories and facilitating community work. We discuss gate-keeping, accessiblity, inviations and how Derby Theatre creates routes for the community.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Art and activism! Together at last!

Nat talks to professional mermaid and eco-artist Lucy Meredith about public space, theatre (and swimming pools) and the importance of benches.

Meanwhile Henry reports back from the TUC march in That London. We have banging music, 15 year-old Mimi talks about her Suitcase Story and Henry Does His Own Thing (e.g. reads a poem).

Henry and Nat chat: COP26 a cop out? Reflecting on the climate movement with theatre director Zoe Lafferty. We discuss 'success' and tactics, as well as the usual questions of hope. Laurence Johnson and Mairi Claire Bowser from BECTU about sustainabilty in film and TV. Plus interview and performance with poet Chris Singleton and some bangin' tunes.

Please be aware during the show we discuss Joe Solo recieving an award. This has since been withdrawn.

Hope Not Hate's statement: https://twitter.com/hopenothate/status/1461060330126258181

Joe Solo's statement: www.facebook.com/joesolomusic/posts/10226322159341961

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We spoke to Peyvand straight after her show at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Peyvand is a performer whose show, DUAL دوگانه is an award-winning solo show made in collaboration with a multi-national team featuring drag, animation, and the voice of Pedar (if you know, you know). It’s a show about being British, Iranian, stateless, as well as punky, mischievous and dangerously political.

We talk about the show, cats and Oi! and punk music!

Check out episode #17 of the Vandal Factory podcast (titled The Seeds and the Tools) to hear Peyvand’s song choice and more discussion about art and activism.

Henry and Nat chat to theatre dirctor Freyja Winterson about ways communities can use art to challenge the climate crisis, and Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan about the power of political performance poetry.

Plus all your favourite features: Nat’s Banger of the Hour and Henry Does His Own Thing.

Links to the things discussed in Nat's Provocation Station:

https://www.ianbyrne.org/righttofood-campaig

https://www.mothersofinvention.online/

www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3d_UsYgt1c

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Natalie talks to British-Palestinian Shaymaa Tannira who is desperately fundraising to help her family escape from Rafah, Gaza.

Please donate whatever you can via her Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/82a0748c

Shaymaa chooses to share two songs that have been giving her strength in recent months Habayebna by Angham and Ghorbet Watan by Mohammad Jneid.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

For months in Leeds, a sparky crew of photographers and video-makers have been documenting the demos. They've been capturing moments of anger, grief, hope and community with the sharpest shots. We gathered a handful of these snappers to discuss technique, story-telling and camaradiere.

You can find their inspiring photos on Instagram:

imdmilo

racheloleary_

kholaandhercamera

tammyshafi

sumaiyyashafi

and honourable mentions to:

mikebettney

outcast77

We're proud to present Vandal Factory's first podcast in front of a live audience! Recorded as part of BIG UP FEST at The Tetely in Leeds on 4th November 2023!

We invited photographer Shy Burhan and rapper Henny Hurtz to talk about their work in social change and community arts. Henry performs a brand new poem and Nat's provocation revolves around HOPE. With a few bangers from Lowkey and Grace Petrie along the way.

Henry and Natalie interview Elvi and Chris about We're Not Going Back, a powerful play about Women Against Pit Closures during the 1984-85 Miners Strike. Argentinian artists Florencia and Clare from Music For Science discuss how they collaborated with scientists.

Natalie talks about her nourishing International Women's Day activities, and Henry shares a brand new poem recorded live. Plus music from Grace Petrie, Joe Solo and a brand new feature: The Freelance Feelings Factory!

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Info here: patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Episode photo copyright Mike Bettney

A few of our favourite moments, chats, provocations and poems from the first 10 episodes of the Vandal Factory show! Check out the full episodes for the meatier morsals.

Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (please).

Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes"

Nat and Henry talk to two special guests: Occult metalhead comedian Andrew O'Neill about their 5-star show Geburah and trad folk singer Johnny Campbell about their latest album True North. Plus Cerys from Leeds band Ómoia introduces their track 'The Sickness'.

Stick around for Henry & Nat's chewy chat about silence, messaging and impact in performance and protest.

Come get naughty with the landscape! Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

The full unedited interview, taken from episode #31.

On his last ever UK tour, rapper and activist B. Dolan discusses his latest album 'The Wound Is Not The Body', his writing process and his feelings ahead of the 2024 US presidential elections.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Marena Riyad is a Palestinian comedian, actress and Henna artist living in Dallas, Texas. She was a semi-finalist for the funniest comedian in Texas and was as a finalist for Miss Arab USA representing Palestine. She talks about the power of a story-teller and her artistry on stage working with an audience.

Natalie and Henry talk about her Kufiya Comedy events for people who don't always feel welcome at mainstream comedy spaces (and how actually the bit after a gig is the fun part!).

Plus we dissect the Great British Bake-Off and Jaffa Cakes!

In this bonus episode, Henry chats with playwright Laura Horton and actor Peyvand Sadeghian up at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their show, Lynn Faces, is a funny, farcical and poignant new play, exploring the impact of abusive behaviour, the power of friendship and how silliness can be healing.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Nat are back! Joe Solo talks about his new album, Never Let Them Win, and how punk shaped him. Petrol Girls talk about their new album, Baby: Changing sounds, feminist lyrics and panic attacks. Plus all your fav features: Henry Does His Own Thing (aka reads a poem), The Banger of The Hour is totally innocuous, and Nat's Provocation Station is about mental health and White Hot Panic.

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A live panel discussion recorded at the 10th Leeds Palestinian Film Festival on 6th December 2024.

Three Palestinian creatives share their thoughts on the role of arts to tell urgent stories. Featuring actor and presenter Sarah Agha, classical musician Saied Silbak and director and producer Abed Al Ju'beh. Hosted by Natalie Quatermass.

Thank you to the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival and the panel to allow us to release this audio.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Taken from episode #29, this is an unedited interview with Amber Massie-Blomfield about her new book 'Acts of Resistance'. The book is a vital exploration about art and it's power to make a better world.

Amber Massie-Blomfield writes about the artists who have treated the protest site as their canvas and contributed to movements that have transformed history.

"People of Leeds are friends of salt and revolution."

Henry and Natalie visit East Street Arts and meet Juman Quneis and Taqi Spateen, with special thanks to the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival.

Juman is a film-maker from Ramallah in the West Bank whose documentary work has influenced Palestinian law. She's in the UK studying film and volunteering with the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival. She talks about her work, as well as her vision for a documentary about murdered journalist Shireen Abu Akleh.

Taqi Spateen is a visual artist-activist who has worked across the world. He's visiting Leeds to paint a mural on the side of East Street Arts' building. He talks about the inspiration for his artwork, being arrested by the Israeli Occupation Forces and why he loves a classic Italian song.

And finally we are joined by Jon from East Street Arts talking about the importance of visual street art, large and small.

Photograph by Shui.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

In this special 2-parter, we champion Palestinian artists and voices in the struggle for rights and freedom against a brutal military siege and occupation. Our hearts, our rage and our solidarity goes out to everyone during this horrific time.

Thank you to all the artists who continue to guide us through humanity's darkest hour.

In part 1, Henry and Natalie discuss the ongoing invasion of Gaza and why we need to raise our voices in solidarity. You'll hear Palestinian hip-hop and conversations with the directors and volunteers of the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival. We play urgent audio from Artists On The Frontline, a collective response to the occupation in the West Bank. Plus people attending the Leeds demonstrations share their emotional insights and anger as we rally to demand: FREE PALESTINE.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Natalie visited the Palestine Unveiled art exhibition, a one-day pop-up event at Cole's Gallery in the Leeds Corn Exhange. Celebrating solidarity through visual art and fund-raising for medical aid, Natalie met artists speak about their work and the vital importance of fund-raising.

She speaks with artists Salma Kuhail, Mahgull Khan, Fatima Asad and Josh Sutton.

Follow them on Instagram: @mahgulls.art, @salma.kuhail, @its_fatimaasad, @redfezbooks.

With reflections and insights from Leeds poet Tallullah Howarth and friend-of-the-show Fozia.

Your friendly podcast about hope & anger, joy & rage, love & justice.

Featuring Marina Barham, the co-founder and General Director of Al-Harah Theater talking about their work bringing joy to communities living in the West Bank of Palestine.

We also interview Amber Massie-Blomfield about her new book 'Acts of Resistance' about the power of art to make a better world.

We also have a contribution from curator and arts producer Katrina Man for our Freelance Feelings Factory feature.

This episode was recorded at Greenbelt Fest, a celebration of arts, activism and belief.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry & Natalie host a live episode recorded on the Rebel Rouser stage of Greenbelt Festival 2024. Featuring 'broken folk' musicians Lunatraktors: choreographer and percussionist Carli Jefferson (she/her), and partially-sighted vocalist and researcher Clair Le Couteur (they/them).

As well as a hearty performance, we discuss the questions: what’s left when we’ve have post-apocalyptically lost everything? What is the difference between solidarity and chairty? How can we roll deeper?

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Gill Crawshaw is a curator who draws on her experience of disability activism to organise art exhibitions and events which highlight issues affecting disabled people. We discuss the history of the 19th century textile industry and her new book Rights Not Charity. Plus her exhibitions and her most recent project, Any work that wanted doing, bringing together disabled people’s voices from the past and present, as disabled artists respond to the hidden histories of disabled mill workers.

We finally got rid of the Tories! But don't let your guard down, as we're still discussing hope & anger and social justice in these changing times.

In this episode, Emilia from queer punk band The Menstrual Cramps talks about the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign. Lighting designer Jess Brigham contributes to the Freelance Feelings Factory.

Billy and Lou from The Hangout Youth CIC talk about creating space for LGBTQIA+ Youth and their film Beyond Ls14. Speaking of space, Henry and Natalie discuss heterotopia and place-making community work.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Natalie return from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (#EdFringe) - with strong opinions (as always!). We met and recorded an interview with SHEWOLVES (awooo) a company (and play) about female friendship and solidarity. We talk about the difficulty in defining community/participatory/outreach arts work using François Matarasso. Henry Does His Own Thing (aka reads a poem) and we play banging tunes.

Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (please).

Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes."

First up, Henry reports back from Manchester Punk Festival, featuring a host of punk poets sharing their thoughts (and vibes). We play 'Ale of Punk Band' (play/drink along at home!). We have a chat with guitaist Frances Bolley, who features in the queer punk opera Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Plus discussion on grassroots vs big picture activism, the Kinder Tresspass and more poetry and banging music!

Henry and Natalie speak to workers on strike on February 1st, marching and rallying in Leeds City Centre. Workers, and young people, speak from the heart about why they are fighting for better working conditions that will benefit us all.

Henry and Natalie return to the Studio to interview Natalie Davies and Rachel Flint from People Poetry - a group that meet weekly with Space2 to write and share poetry.

This episode dives into solidarity and building accessible, welcoming, warm and political spaces to change the world...one poem at a time.

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Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes."

How's your hope? How's your anger?

Henry and Nat chat to theatre director Dermot Daly about his work on the play 'My Voice Was Heard But It Was Ignored', dealing with age, sexism, class, race and education. The duo also natter with youth worker and DJ Sumayah Khan about work with young people and the joy of discovering nightclub spaces for South Asian communities. Plus banging music, perfomance poetry and a whole heap o' joy.

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Vandal_Factory

Anti-Fascism, envriomentalism and community activism!

Sharon Bailey talks about the Battle of Stockton, when in 1933 fascist Blackshirts were beaten back by the working class movement. The campaign talks about celebration and resistence in the 21st century. Hetty from Pigfoot Theatre chats about their new show, Hot In Here, touring to Leeds on October 28th. It uses dance, real-life stories, and music to share the action taking place internationally against climate injustice, and the UK’s place within it. The show is powered by the first energy-harvesting dancefloor in live theatre. Nat worries she might be dead inside...is she?!

Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook (please).

Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes"

CJ runs Black Lodge Press, creating radgey, spikey, angry, cheeky and bold artwork for posters, stickers, t-shirts and baby clothes. CJ talks about discovering street level Anarchist culture, getting into zine-making and gig-going, joining anti-austerity protests and what it means to create angry art.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Film director and actor Richard Weston chats about his latest film 'Sparked', a drama about boxing and men's mental health set in working class Birkenhead. Richard talks about his love for film, his own experiences of mental health as well as the importance of boxing clubs for working class communities. To listen to a song chosen by Richard, head on over to episode #25: Rage Is Valid.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Henry and Natalie return after a haitus to discuss political music, theatre and community work.

On his last ever UK tour, rapper and activist B. Dolan discusses his latest album 'The Wound Is Not The Body', his writing process and his feelings ahead of the 2024 US presidential elections. Theatre director Sarah Brigham talks about 'Welfare', a show written about the Derbyshire mining community. Sarah talks about her career facilitating community work and how Derby Theatre works with community groups.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Political theatre, direct action and community projects!

What a summer! Henry and Natalie talk about a community project with young people exploring food and injustice called SERVING UP. We reflect on the fight against the Far Right showing up in the local area. Problem Patterns introduce their banging punk song 'Letter of Resignation'. Henry reports back from Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where he chatted to theatre-maker Peyvand Sadeghian about her show DUALدوگانه, an award-winning solo show made in collaboration with a multi-national team featuring drag, animation, and an Anglo-Persian pop soundtrack.

It's a bit of a film special this month, as Henry & Natalie talk to Mosa Mpetha and Madeline Shann. Mosa is part of Iconic Presents and Scalarama Film Festival. She programmes queer, fun films in unusual, DIY spaces. Madeline is a theatre maker, choreographer, performer who has produced a screendance called The Spring about our relationship with the environment.

Plus all your favourite features: Nat's Banger of the Hour and Henry Does His Own Thing.

Info on Madeline Shann's The Spring here: www.madelineshann.co.uk/the-spring

The SKA playlist Henry made (and is very proud of) is here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2NpRQ5RxasXrKt67JCv7RI?si=f56a7f2cf5634a1d

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Emilia from queer punk band The Menstrual Cramps talks about the origins of their scrappy DIY band, their new EP and the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign.

This is a unedited version of the interview from episode #28. Check out that episode to hear a song chosen by Emilia inspired by the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

In this special 2-parter, we champion Palestinian artists and voices in the struggle for rights and freedom against a brutal military siege and occupation. Our hearts, our rage and our solidarity goes out to everyone during this horrific time.

Thank you to all the artists who continue to guide us through humanity's darkest hour.

In part 2, Henry and Natalie share ways people in the UK have been organising, fund-raising and taking direct action. How have culture organisations and workers rallied to stand with Palestine? We play audio from incredible Palestinian artists: poet Farah Chamma, illustrator Aya Ghanameh, multidisciplinary artist Areej Kaoud and musician Saied Silbak. Khairani Barokka, Hanan Issa, Mohammad Saloo share their heartfelt poetry in support, and Em from Rootweave introduces their vital song 'From The River To The Sea'.

ROAD TRIP! Henry and Natalie visited Manchester People's History Museum for the exhibition: Nothing About Us Without Us. How have disabled people used visual art, theatre, film and music to fight for equal rights, represention and survival in an ableist world?

You'll hear from poet and artist Vince Laws about his powerful shrouds, part of his DWP Deaths Make Me Sick series. Folk duo The Lunatraktors unpack their version of song Unquiet Grave and we chat to curator Gill Crawshaw about textiles, art and industry.

Plus we play banging music, Henry Does His Own Thing and Nat has a provocation.

Political theatre, anti-war music and protest poetry!

Mark Thomas talks about England & Son, his one-man play by Ed Edwards about class, crime, capitalism, empire, stolen youth and stolen wealth. Seth Mowshowitz from Fold discusses their latest single 'Forever War' about the Military Industrial Complex. Fold are a Leeds band amplifying humanitarian perspectives & critical reflections. Both Mark and Fold are performing at the Old Woollen in Leeds, England & Son hits there 25th January, Fold play 21st March.

Meanwhile Henry and Natalie are in That London for a Palestine Solidarity march, and meet Temina talking about her handmade stickers and hoodies from Gaza Activists.

Please subscribe and share! Find us and get in touch on Facebook, Instagram and X. Find for the Vandal Factory Playlsit on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Why did hundreds of protesters carry placards featuring watermelons through Leeds?

Every Saturday, over 1000 people of different faiths, ages and backgrounds march to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the miltary occupation of Palestine. On February 10th 2024, not only did this march centre the story of the watermelon, it featured the first ARTISTS & CULTURE WORKERS BLOC. People working in the arts sector marched shoulder-to-shoulder.

Featuring the voices of some of those artists, songs from the Commoners Choir and Henry & Natalie introducing the story of the watermelon as read by Zara, Harris and Safiya.

Find out more about Cultural Resistence by checking out our other podcasts on Palestine.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Our full, unedited interview with poet and activist Shareefa Energy. We discuss her jounrey into performing, her work in the West Bank of Palestine and the power of political poetry.

A poem performed by Shareefa and a song she selected can be heard on episode #25 of the Vandal Factory podcast 'Rage Is Valid'.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Keith Saha is a writer and Co-CEO/Artistic Director of 20 Stories High Theatre Company based in Liverpool. We chatted to him after the performance of High Time & Dirty Monsters at Leeds Playhouse about the show. We discuss working on a 'state of the nation play', working with young people, making the show political, accessible and buzzing.

Arts & activism, hope & anger, solidarity & rage!

Henry & Natalie are back with an interview with indomitable poet and activist Shareefa Energy, who talks about her journey into performance poetry. Film director and actor Richard Weston chats about his latest film 'Sparked', a drama about boxing and men's mental health set in working class Birkenhead. Plus Khairani Barokka shares one of her latest poems from brand new collection 'amuk', and theatre director Viv Gordon shares a song that inspires her work.

We also discuss the importance and plight of freelancers in the arts sector, play some banging tunes and shout out student activism across the world!

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

With the 2024 Genral Election round the corner, we asked: What would you change about funding, structures and management of arts and culture?

This is exactly what we put to actors, writers, directors, thratre-makers and musicians across the UK. In no particular order, you’ll hear ideas and provocations from: Dermot Daley, Boff Whalley, Lisa Holdsworth, Daniel York Loh, Luke Skilbeck, Peyvand Sardegian, Daneka Etchells, Richard Burgon (MP), Seth Mowshowitz (Fold) and Jarmouse. With input from your hosts, Henry Raby and Natalie Quatermass.

Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify.

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists!

Support us on at patreon.com/VandalFactory.

We chat and dance with Bolshee CIC about the Dancefloor Project, about making nights out safe for everyone. Henry and Nat also discuss Dougald Hine's book At Work In The Ruins. What happens when there's no future to build towards? How do we make meaningful art and change in the wake of climate breakdown...and how do we keep dancing?

Plus we play tracks from The Bricks, Gaptooth and R.E.M. and Henry reads a classic protest poet from his back catalogue!

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Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes."

We are the artists! We won't be silenced!

Henry and Natalie storm MPF with a special live episode about hope, anger, arts and activism. The duo are joined by folk-punk shredder Erica Freas who plays a few tunes and talks about the value of softness to be powerful. Next up is Liv Wynter: punk poet, host, play-wright and musician. We talk about class, Palestine and their high energy night How To Catch A Pig!

Henry performs a poem and Natalie provokes the audience!

"Punk is valuable, but guess what, you can be soft and be just as powerful." - Erica Freas.

Find us on social media and our playlist on Spotify!

You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month you can be a mega legend and help make these podcasts...and allow us to commission other artists! Info here: patreon.com/VandalFactory.

Fresh from the Seacroft Climate Forum, Henry and Nat ask how do we build nourishing, powerful and political spaces to connect and build community? The pair interview Evie Manning, Co-Artistic Director of Common Wealth Theatre, and Nathan Stephen-Griffith from functional power-pop band MARTHA. Evie talks about the company and their new show (You Are Here As A Witness) and Nathan discusses the new album (Please Don't Take Me Back) and being the Millennial Housemartins.

We have bangers, poems and really, really funny jokes.

Find us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Search ‘Vandal Factory Playlist’ on Spotify for all previous stated "banging tunes."

Hey Vandals! Henry and Nat's very first episode looks at subcultures, normalising activism and political theatre and music. There's a chat with Rick Blackman about his book Babylon's Burning covering Anti‑Fascism in musical movements. Róisín McBrinn from Clean Break discusses Typical Girls, a play set in a prison where the women form a punk band.

Plus special features: Henry Does His Own Thing, Provocation Stations and Nat's Banger Of The Hour.

It's been a tough old month at Vandal Factory HQ. Henry and Natalie celebrate the life of a dearly departed friend and talk about the latest wave of violence affecting the Freedom Theatre in Palestine. But we also play a new track by Fold, talk about the actors and writers strikes in America and chat with Libra, part of Middle Child/Milk Presents' show: MODEST

How to support the Freedom Theatre:

https://www.therevolutionspromise.com/take-action

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