Now that we’ve been renewed for another six episode ‘series’, it’s time to finally promote Black Cat Radio! Hosted by myself and academic Dr Claire Nally, Black Cat Radio is an hour-long broadcast of music, news and discussion on goth – as well as sibling genres like punk, metal, industrial and other alternative styles.

It’s hosted by the kind people at Star & Shadow Cinema, a DIY community collective project in the bijou enclave of Heaton, Newcastle. Every second Wednesday at 8PM GMT we transmit the show online – it was pre-recorded until our latest episode when we finally risked it all and went out live to our listeners. Each show is then recorded and available to listen again so it also sidles into the ‘podcast’ category if you like.

As well as going live, we have another first when we return on Wednesday 18th November. Dr Nally sat down for a (Zoom) chat with the exceptionally multi-talented Rosie Garland – author, performer, compere, the very first writer in residence of the gothic splendour that is the John Rylands Library, and of course singer with famed post-punk band The March Violets, amongst her very many skills.

She and Dr Nally talked about her first poetry anthology, What Girls Do In The Dark which the publishers describe as “rooted in the realm of gothic imagination, mythology and the uncanny. It contains magnitudes and magic, feminist fables starstruck with science and astronomy.” You’ll have to tune in on the 18th for the next episode of Black Cat Radio to hear what they discussed though!

What Girls Do In The Dark is out now via Nine Arches Press and can be purchased directly from them or ordered through your local booksellers if you wish to avoid a certain multinational online vendor on this occasion!

There was also an online launch of the book featuring not only Rosie’s presence but additional guest writers Ian Humphreys and Tania Hershman – all from 7:30PM GMT on Thursday 12th November. You can watch it on YouTube here!

We intend for this to be a regular feature on Black Cat Radio, interviews and conversations with creators from across the alternative arena as part of our programming. In the meantime you can also be in touch with your requests, shout-outs, and even breaking new music as I try to catch up with the tidal wave of submissions from energetic new artists that always floods my inbox.

Ensure you’re listening every second Wednesday, on the Star and Shadow website, and join us in the chatroom to let us know just where on the gothosphere you’re tuning in from!

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