The Jude Allen Quinn Show

No matter how much much my involvement in writing may begin to consume my time and effort, my first love in the creative arts will always be music and if I myself cannot release new music then I feel obliged to promote the plethora of talented artists that exist in my locale on both sides of the Irish Sea. Ironically dwelling on the east coast of both islands I find myself listening, not only to my friends of years gone by, but to a number of recording artists with aspirations of integrity above all else. For that they must be saluted and for their music they must be commended, which is exactly what I intend to do through my radio/podcast show.

The Jude Allen Quinn Show can be found at both mixcloud and spreaker, the first episode is Lennie Small's House of Mirth #1 - enjoy

Jude

Shane. G. O'Hagan: Author Interview Part III

JQ - Shane we've gotten to know a little bit about you so I feel its time to discuss the book itself...

JQ - Please describe the book in 20 words.

S: A young man deals with depression and mental instability whilst destroying his liver and brain with chemicals.

JQ - What inspired you to write “My thoughts bore me”?

S:I came home for Christmas after my first term training to be a teacher and my mum reminded me that if things went wrong or if teaching wasn’t for me then I could always come home and try something else. That was lovely of her, and I appreciated it, especially as I was lucky enough to have family and friends who look out for me and support me. Ridley doesn’t have that. The book isn’t based on my experiences at all, but had my situation been different, it might have been.

JQ - Why does the world need “My thoughts bore me”?

S: For the last few years, young people have been coming out of full-time and further education and finding that the world has forgotten about them. For anyone who finds that their life has hit a dead end and they don’t know where to go, they can empathise. A lot of (usually rich, entitled and secure) individuals see this generation of lost boys and girls as lazy dole moles who are sucking up the tax contributed by everyone else. Ridley is trying his hardest with the hand that fate dealt him, and he’s not doing that well. What else does he have but substance abuse, anonymous sex and casual violence? Maybe he’ll find the solution to all of his problems.

JQ - What gives you most pleasure in writing?

Getting a story out of my head. When it’s inside, bouncing around, it rears its head as I’m trying to get to sleep and screams at me. Once it is on paper, edited and complete, then I can sleep. Until another story comes along, that is.

JQ - Will we be seeing more of Ridley in the future?

Probably not as a main character. His story has been told as much as it can, and having him re-emerge would answer some questions which are better left alone. I plan on returning to Four Acres, but focusing on secondary characters like Colm and Cynthia or completely new ones like the Doyles and Alexanders. There are a lot of sad, dangerous stories left to tell.

JQ - Shane, thank you very much for your time. It has been an absolute pleasure to gain an insight, however slight, into one of the most creative minds to come from these shores. I wish you all the best with the book and look forward to any future releases.

You can purchase "My Thoughts Bore Me" in both paperback and Kindle formats at amazon.co.uk  

Shane. G. O'Hagan: Author Interview Part II

• If not yourself, who would you be?

 

I’d love to be a journalist of some description, but one with some self-respect, not a writer for the Sun or Daily Mail. Louis Theroux would be a fun guy to be, like Jeremy Paxman, as you’d just antagonise people all day. That or an actor on an improvised comedy show or movie, not because I think I’m funny but because they seem to have so much fun in the outtakes. I’d love to be Mark Millar too, because not only does he write comics, but he just throws them together from the most offensive topics he can think off, much like Frankie Boyle.

 

• Where would you like to live?

 

I’ve always wanted to live in a big city, and I’ve pretty much fulfilled that dream being in Edinburgh. A few year ago, I would have chosen a big European city like Berlin or Rome, but I think I’d just like their weather more than anything else.

 

• Your favourite prose authors.

 

Bret Easton Ellis, Irvine Welsh, Iain M. Banks. Their fiction is what inspires me. It inspires me because it’s so inspired. They say that Asimov and Clark revolutionised Sci-Fi, but Ellis, Welsh and Banks revolutionised the written word. Hunter S. Thompson should be there too, but he’s more of a poet.

 

• Your favourite poets.

 

Hunter S. Thompson, Jack Kerouac, Shakespeare. Shakespeare is an obvious choice but that’s because he’s amazing. It’s like saying that Cadbury’s is the world’s most popular chocolate. It is for a reason. Allen Ginsberg is good, too, but he supports NAMBLA so there’s some respect lost as a human, but not a poet. Philip Larkin. Roald Dahl. There’s something about simple over-elaborate yet beautifully written prose being poetic.

 

• Your favourite painters and composers.

 

A popular choice – Da Vinci, but not for the Mona Lisa or any of those things, but for his notebooks. We throw around the word “genius” these days and attach it to people like Kanye West, but they don’t deserve it at all. Da Vinci was a genius. Beethoven was a genius. Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, they’re geniuses. Modern composers like Michael Kamen and Nobuo Uematsu deserve a mention as well as Jeremy Soule. John Williams, too.

 

• Your favourite heroes in real life.

 

Steve Buscemi. After 9/11, he volunteered to his old firefighting squad to help clean up. He did it anonymously, though how anyone could miss his face is beyond me. David Attenborough for spreading knowledge. All teachers (that do a good job). People like JK Rowling and Stephanie Meyer, not because they write well, but because their fiction (however good or bad it might be) gets people to read. Say what you want about Katie Price, but she gets people to buy books who probably haven’t read anything outside of the Daily Star in years.

 

• Your favourite heroes in fiction.

 

Jack Bauer. He took down a helicopter with a handgun and came back from the dead thrice. John McClane. Ned Stark. Tony Stark. There’s a brilliant bit in The Ultimates, where Iron Man is thrown into Grand Central Station by The Hulk. At this point, he’s dying of a brain tumour and gets drunk to numb the pain. His tech team find him, and he’s a mess. He’s thrown up inside his helmet, he’s in a cold sweat and he tells them to pull the plug on the mission, because he can’t do it, he’s too scared. This little kid comes up and says, “But Iron Man, if you don’t save New York, who will?” He gives the kid the thumbs up and flies off for Round Two. What a guy.

 

• Your favourite names.

 

I love Jack and will be on for any character in a movie or book with that name, no questions asked.

 

• Your pet aversion.

 

I’m not averse to any pets, but I can’t have disrespect. Costs nothing to be polite.

 

• What characters in history do you most dislike?

 

The generals in the Confederate army during the American War for Independence. There’s a big deal about the politics behind their politics, and the slaves they’re fighting for the right to keep had a very important place in the economy. The emancipation of those slaves would cause unknown problems in terms of labour and how money changed hands. They were still racists, though, and greedy, much like the modern Republicans. Even before that, the colonists slaughtered Native Americans left and right. Humans are the worst.

 

• What is your present state of mind?

 

Happy, happiest I’ve been in a while.

 

• For what fault have you most toleration?

 

Stupidity, just because I like correcting people.

 

• Your favourite motto.

 

My family motto is “Victory or Death”, and although it’s badass, I don’t really subscribe to it. My favourites are either the scouts (Be Prepared), Google (Don’t be evil) or Pokemon (Catch ‘em all).

Shane. G. O'Hagan: Author Interview Part I

JQ: First of all Shane thank you for agreeing to this interview. You've recently published your debut novel "My Thoughts Bore Me" which in itself is no mean feat but before we get down to brass tax perhaps we'd like to get to know you a little better...
 

• What is your favourite virtue?

S.G.O'H: Virtues are generally just self-control against some hedonistic pleasure, so I’d have to choose something like a good temper. Not temperance, however, which is just plain silly.

• What are your favourite qualities in man?

S.G.O'H: Our compassion. Rarely has it been exhibited outside of self-preservation within other species. The ability for one human to look at another and understand their situation is amazing, never mind their purposeful decision to do something about it.

• What is your favourite occupation?

S.G.O'H: Teacher, obviously. Advancing the human race one child at a time. That and the holidays.

• What is your chief characteristic?

S.G.O'H: Friendliness and good nature, especially towards strangers. You might be the first person that day to smile at them.

• What is your idea of happiness?

S.G.O'H: Every day I wake up early and realise that I have a full day ahead of me, by my own rules.

• What is your idea of misery?

S.G.O'H: Not trying, just accepting failure. I’m guilty of this with regards to sports because I’m afraid of embarrassing myself.

• What is your favourite colour and flower?

S.G.O'H: My favourite colour is green because some guy once got me into a band called Green Day...My favourite flower is lavender because it smells amazing. I used to have a lavender plant in my front garden and I remember pulling entire stems off to give to girls when I was six. I was such a player back then.

Part II coming soon... 

In the meantime "My Thoughts Bore Me" is available in both Kindle and paperback format from 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Thoughts-Bore-Me-ebook/dp/B008LFI63E

An Exploration of Time and Space: World War I 1945 - 1939

Now I'm not one for believing in doomsday theories or Armageddon conspiracies but as I fell into a slumber, no more than two nights past, I had a realisation of sorts as I lay in bed. I realise that many a man will have had such epiphanies and the majority can be discounted immediately, but I compel you to continue and give me just a little of your time to consider what I have to say. I propose that time is, in fact, moving backwards as we know it.

Consider this; the main events in our history so far have seen man develop towards an infinite point of technological advancement. Yet our collective behaviour would suggest that we are no more fit to wield such weapons of potential destruction than our simian cousins in London Zoo. If we were to assume that we began with an infinite knowledge of our universe and had in fact chosen to destroy it, whether consciously or subconsciously, then certain things would begin to make much more sense.

Take our love affair with war for instance. We must begin here by understanding that the possibility for nuclear war is redundant as it serves the purpose of no man to eradicate the human race. If we look at the major conflicts of humanity in reverse order we can see a distinct pattern whereby old enemies battle it out for dominance and control of natural resources. Each time a war of great magnitude occurred, although truthfully there can be no other kind; the weaponry at military disposal became significantly reduced in quality. This being the knock on effect of years of blood shed and barbarism. If we believe time to travel under the current definition we see man improving his arsenal and developing his thirst for cruelty. The former proposition would highlight not only a tendency for evolution, but also a more tangible understanding of the effects of war. Par example, the world was almost destroyed between 1945-39 and thus when 'old' quarrels were reignited in 1918 soldiers were forced to prevail with less than adequate weaponry as all sides struggled to come to terms with the devastation of the previous war. If we were to assume that time is indeed following the path we currently accept then surely man would have learned his lesson as far as war and tyranny are concerned? Your humble narrator would like to think so anyway.

My argument as far as war and peace are concerned is brief. Though it is my aim to inspire curiosity not to bore you with triviality and details of little consequence. You may still be asking yourself how can this be and even possibly be searching for loopholes in my theory. The fact is, you are asking  questions. Next time we shall consider Religion and the sense that can be drawn from a paradoxical time shift. Remember, unlike light, time does not travel in straight lines.

Jude 

Greatest 20th Century Spy?

Camden and "Proud".

    I arrived in London on a terribly damp and extremely dank May afternoon, though this did little to quash the overwhelming sense of importance and significance the city throws down like a gauntlet every time I visit. As the clouds threatened to open overhead I took to pastures below the surface and made my way from Victoria to Camden Town. I made my journey in search of a converted stable known as "Proud". Enigmatic as they come, the website danced circles around the actual location and were it not for an inside tip on a large steel horse I may still be struggling through the hustle and bustle that is naturally draped across Camden Market during the infamous bank holiday weekend "crawl".

    As I entered the venue I was immediately taken aback by the intimacy of the main room and its subtle juxtaposition to the outer area that consisted of stables converted to seating booths with high definition television screens and the seemingly obligatory fus-ball table. Only for a few well placed white and purple spotlights the main room was shrouded in total darkness. Comfortable sofas were delicately arranged around the room allowing maximum comfort to the most respectful or crowds already assembled. Delayed ever so slightly by the human traffic naturally accumulated on Cup Final Day, I made my way to the bar aware that on stage sat the figures of Ciaran Lavery and Aaron Shanley. The atmosphere generated within such unique confines was startling to say the least and as I struggled in the most Scottish of ways with London prices, I knew, alas, I was in for a special afternoon.

    Since his was the first and most distinctive voice my ears encountered I shall begin the performance of Ciaran Lavery. Having heard Ciaran perform many times centre stage for the ragtime Americana bandits they call Captain Kennedy; I had an idea what to expect from this gig. Well, at least that’s what I thought as I made my way to the big smoke. With ears open I could not believe the haunting undercurrents present in the naturally maturing melodies of this still very young man. The rough gravel of his voice was succinctly complimented by the vulnerability of his character as he put it on show for the whole world to see. A circus of the heart, mind and soul where tickets cost not penny one. The accomplishment with which he teased the guitar into submission surpassed any expectations held by thine own self, for I was of the impression that the focus here was lyrical content as opposed to the musical accompaniment. Both were magnificent and the strumming, plucking, picking patterns on display were inspirational on both a personal and professional level. If the Postman ever got tired of the doldrums, learned to play guitar and shared the stories he had to tell, you can bet they wouldn’t be far off what was to be heard on a rainy night near Soho. Combined with quasi-stories about old train sets, which may have gone slightly over the head of many an English audience member, Ciaran’s set made for a thoroughly enjoyable showpiece. As I watched him on stage I got the impression that each step in this young man’s rise to “fame” had been meticulously planned. Yet I find it impossible to believe that you can choreograph the tenderness and fragility inherent in the substance behind the man. Then again this could all be supposition. Only time will tell.

    Aaron Shanley, to your humble narrator at least, was an unknown entity aside from the fact that he was signed to Public Sector Records alongside some fantastic Northern Irish musicians. My immediate thought, and I may as well get it out of the road now, was that he suffered from the misfortune of having been beaten to the post by Damien Rice as far as his vocal identity was concerned. It must be noted at this point that although they may share a soothing vocal tone and use a capo (and a shiny red on at that), the similarity ends here. Aaron Shanley appeared on first sighting to possess the sincerity and intensity of a man with the weight of the world on his shoulders. Lyrically he did little to quell this notion, yet as if by synaesthesia he was able to lift both his own weight, and the emotional burden of the audience, each time he stepped up to the plate and drew us in with his own brand of melancholia riddled euphoria. His fascinating chord structures and delicate melodies stood out to your humble narrator and as each song progressed I simply wished that it would not end. Very rarely do I actively pursue an artist’s back-catalogue upon first listen, but in this case I will certainly be making an exception.

The posters say the tour would feature Ciaran Lavery versus Aaron Shanley, and even though the judges scorecards were tied by the final bell, the real winners here ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, were in fact, music and the fine people of Camden.

Fancy more from artists of the same ilk? Music Plus Fire

Divorcing Jack

On New Years Eve I took up a challenge to read 12 books that had been sitting on my book case gathering dust for longer, and certainly no less, than a year. When the list was formulated I was in the middle of the "Christmas Bender" shall we say and I didn't really think about my selections very carefully. It might even be worth pointing out that I wasn't within 1,000 miles of my book case at the time. My selections were made by referencing the picture seared onto the back of my eyelids following years of neglect shown towards masterpieces that deserve a much more caring and dedicated owner than your humble narrator. I mixed a cocktail of old, new, edgy and easy titles to give me the best chance of success in the months ahead before getting on the saddle with my first title. In the time since I began the challenge I have finished one book on the list, read "A Clockwork Orange" and am currently reading "American Psycho".
    Needless to say, after 1/3 of 2012, the challenge isn't quite going to plan. I have reverted to type and randomly chosen books that take my fancy while simultaneously throwing the "challenge titles" back on the scrap heap to collect dust and look fancy when people call round. Though they never do.
     In actual fact by January 6th I had finished the first of my 12 challenge books, "Divorcing Jack" by Colin Bateman. It is only through sheer neglect for my NYResolution that I am not more advanced in my quest to conquer some of the greatest novels ever written by man. It stops now. I hereby submit my review. NAY! The first review of twelve that will shine down on you with apostolic glory between now and 2013! 

"Divorcing Jack" - Colin Bateman

    Unlike many of the titles in this challenge, when I lifted "Divorcing Jack" from the shelf it wasn't following a period of long term neglect. Rather it was following a period of self-inflicted abstinence from an author whose work I thoroughly enjoy. In order to savour the feeling I made a decision early on to take time between his published works so as to prevent the inevitable withdrawal symptoms that would surely come when I had read more material that was physically available.
    My first encounter with Mr Bateman was several years ago when I was gifted a more recent release entitled “Belfast Confidential”. It embodied many of the same qualities present in “Divorcing Jack”, though if you ask a good friend of mine he will tell you the former lacks the quality of the latter. All the same we are not here for a comparative study; you want to know what the book was like.
     The story has a simple premise. A typical Northern Irishman finds himself in hot water as a result of moonlighting for the local government while working as a journalist. A series of ridiculous yet believable events ensue as our narrator guides us through the Northern Ireland of the late 90s. The leader of the local assembly, ex-IRA members turned gangsters, Loyalist Paramilitaries, a stand up comedian, a nun and even the narrator's wife fall under his suspicions as he tries to find a tape that will help solve the murder of his, albeit fleeting, bit on the side. The results are a mixture of hilarity and suspense that leaves the reader yearning for more. There are many works of literature which deserve time and patience, yet with “Divorcing Jack” neither is necessary as the reader is immediately captivated by this well paced thriller. Each chapter leaves the reader desperate to find out what will happen next. As you probably know, there are very few books which do this well.
    Technical proficiency aside, what I enjoy most about Bateman’s work is that it’s from home and by a published author ready to move past “The Troubles” and have a look at Northern Ireland as we stand. It may not be my viewpoint, the main character is in fact politically juxtaposed to me, but it is a viewpoint all the same. A witty, captivating and scarily accurate depiction of a state that is struggling to come to terms with it’s ever changing identity. The more I read Bateman, the more I like him. I was skeptical at first and wary of his sense of humor, as it often poked fun at people or groups I related to. Yet as anyone who reads his work will find, no-one is safe from the fun poking and stereotypical Irish craic that Bateman so eloquently puts on paper on a regular basis.

Final verdict 8/10: More of the same please Colin!