Best Ian Forth Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 138 - Ian Forth: "Every Little Thing Gonna Be Alright" 52:12

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13d ago52:12

52:12

Author Ian Forth divides his time between Bordeaux, France and Wales. His debut story collection Hazlitt and the Mobility Scooter (Hard Travelling Books) was released this year. He's also a memoirist, with two published titles: Water Under the Bridge: Recollections from an Only Life, and Canal Conversations: Cycling on the Canal des Deux Mers. We r…

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SF0198 Peak Pulp Revisited 30 Years On 1:06:59

5d ago1:06:59

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Pulp are back in 2025 but their heyday was the 90s when they influenced the artists featured in this episodeBy Ian Deeker Forth

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SF0197 Self Referential Songs 1:06:12

19d ago1:06:12

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Songs with the title or the content about the band who are singing it.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 137 - Michael Hopkins: "Foreclosure" 59:41

27d ago59:41

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Wisconsin author Michael Hopkins is an award-winning writer whose debut collection Never Stop Exiting (Cornerstone Press) was released this year. It has been called "stealthily complex and persistently compassionate" by Phong Nguyen, author of Bronze Drum. We read "Foreclosure," a story from the collection. https://www.michaelhopkinswriter.com/ Sup…

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SF0196 The Twilight Turntable Co-Hosting Episode 1:17:41

1M ago1:17:41

1:17:41

Co-hosting with Paul Howarth and Tony Harris, my friends over at the Twilight Turntable podcast: they choose some tracks to reflect the story of their musical lives.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 136 - Lauren D. Woods: "Clementine" 1:05:48

1M ago1:05:48

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Washington DC author Lauren D. Woods discusses her debut collection The Great Grown-Up Game of Make-Believe, winner of the 2024 Autumn House Fiction Prize, with her husband and SST alum Andrew Bertaina (Ep. 10). We read her story "Clementine," which was first published in The Antioch Review. Support the show…

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SF0195 Merge Record Label 1:14:11

2M ago1:14:11

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Tracks from bands signed to the doyen of US indie labels, MergeBy Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 135 - David Haynes: "That's Right, You're Not From Texas" 1:06:25

2M ago1:06:25

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Missouri author David Haynes's long-awaited debut story collection Martha's Daughter has finally arrived after seven novels and five books for young readers. It is the sixth volume in McSweeney's OF THE DIASPORA series. SST alum Stanley Stocker (Ep. 42) interviews David about his life and work, and we read "That's Right, You're Not From Texas," whi…

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SF0194 Beauty lies in the eye 1:05:58

2M ago1:05:58

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All eyes on this collection of tracks about watching, looking and seeingBy Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 134 - Lisa Alvarez: "Manuel" 1:09:31

2M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

In her debut collection Some Final Beauty and Other Stories (University of Nevada Press), California author Lisa Alvarez writes about her home town of Los Angeles with deep affection. These compelling stories chronicle lives that are indelibly affected by pivotal moments in the history of the city and of the world beyond, honoring the courageous pe…

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SF0193 The Cure- The First Ten Years 1:07:02

3M ago1:07:02

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Olivia Rodrigo inviting Robert Smith on stage at Glastonbury seems the perfect excuse to revisit the first 10 golden years of The Cure.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 133 - Olajide Omojarabi: "Messenger Meg" 1:02:12

3M ago1:02:12

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Nigerian author Olajide Omojarabi discusses his story "Messenger Meg," which was published in the Ploughshares Summer 2025 issue. The interview is conducted by fellow writer Daniel Dykiel. Olajide reads "Messenger Meg" in the episode. Support the showBy Jon DiSavino

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SF0192 The Mythology of England 1:04:46

3M ago1:04:46

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England, more than any other country arguably, has attracted a boatload of myths about its history and how it affects the country and its people today. Here are some songs on that theme.By Ian Deeker Forth

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SF0191 Non Human Narrators 1:12:37

3M ago1:12:37

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An episode in which the tracks are sung by non-humans. Animals, insects, computers, guitars, aeroplanes, zombies, lasagne and lightning rods.By Ian Deeker Forth

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SF0190 Promises, Pacts and Pledges 1:03:48

4M ago1:03:48

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Songs of promises, songs of pacts and songs of pledges. Pretty well as described.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 132 - Veena Gokhale: Annapurna's Bounty 44:54

4M ago44:54

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Montreal author Veena Gokhale's new collection, Annapurna's Bounty: Indian Food Legends Retold (Dundurn Press), is a literary smorgasbord. It's a potent brew of folk tales, myths and legends taken from India's rich tapestry of oral and written history, re-imagined for modern readers. But the best surprise is the inclusion of recipes for the individ…

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SF0189 Horses 1:06:19

4M ago1:06:19

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Tracks by horse-related bands (of whom there have been a recent flurry) and tracks about horses. A surprisingly productive paddock.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 131 - J.D. Barker 34:59

5M ago34:59

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As a child, NY Times bestselling author J.D. Barker would never set foot in the basement. He'd read the stories about what happens to little boys who wander off into places like that. Now he's writing those stories - and they're doing the same thing to a whole new generation of readers. SOMETHING I KEEP UPSTAIRS is his latest. It's from Simon & Sch…

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SF0188 Pre Brexit, Pre Trump, Pre Covid, Pre Podcast - It's 2015 1:06:22

5M ago1:06:22

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A world before all the weird things happened. Top tracks from 2015.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 130 - Catherine Bush: "Skin" 41:07

5M ago41:07

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Toronto author Catherine Bush writes about intimacy and connection - but ventures far beyond the human-to-human. She explores the indefinable realm where it may be possible for the natural world to reveal to us the sublime nature of all things - if we have the courage to see. Her new collection is Skin (Goose Lane Editions). For this episode, the t…

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SF0187 He's on the phone 1:07:16

5M ago1:07:16

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From dial tones to iPhones via payphones, a short history of great phone-related tracks.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 129 - William R. Hincy: "Flying" 57:51

6M ago57:51

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SoCal author William R. Hincy discusses his collection WITHOUT EXPIRATION, winner of the 2021 American Book Fest American Fiction Prize. He's the host of the long-running literary interview series on YouTube known as WRITERS DRINKING WHISKEY. We read "Flying," which was first published in Ancient Paths Literary Magazine. https://williamrhincy.com/ …

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SF0186 In the city 1:06:01

6M ago1:06:01

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City life can be thrilling or alienating. Here are some tracks about city life to suit every mood.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 128 - Laury A. Egan: "The Impaired Pair" 40:55

6M ago40:55

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Award-winning NJ author Laury A. Egan's new collection is Contrary - an eclectic mix of twenty-one stories which also includes a two-act play. She's the author of seventeen books of fiction and four poetry volumes. We read her story "The Impaired Pair," which appears in Contrary. https://www.lauryaegan.com/ Support the show…

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SF0185 Guided by Guided By Voices 1:09:10

6M ago1:09:10

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30 years after the release of Guided By Voices' classic twin album assault of Bee Thousand and Alien Lanes, here's a tribute. Also features some bands they've influenced.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 127 - SAW PALM: Florida Literature and Art - Issue 19: Florida Strange 1:04:18

7M ago1:04:18

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The literary journal Saw Palm was created in 2006 by John Henry Fleming, Phd and the MFA students of the Creative Writing Program at the University of South Florida. Saw Palm's mission is to go beyond the tourist brochures and capture the unique experience of Florida lives, landscapes, and tropes. The episode features a discussion about the making …

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SF0184 RIP Clem Burke, Dave Allen, David Thomas, Rick Buckler 1:09:13

7M ago1:09:13

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A tribute to Clem Burke of Blondie; Dave Allen of The Gang of Four; David Thomas of Pere Ubu; and Rick Buckler of The JamBy Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 126 - Caitlin Galway: A Song for Wildcats 50:05

7M ago50:05

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Award-winning Toronto author Caitlin Galway speaks with us about her "mad scientist" approach to writing, which has produced some of the most startling and original fiction being written today. Her new collection is A Song for Wildcats, published by Dundurn Press. https://caitlingalway.wixsite.com/caitlin-l-galway Support the show…

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SF0183 Your full name please 1:06:56

7M ago1:06:56

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Not just your name, but tracks with your full name.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 125 - Pratap Reddy: "Storm in a Teacup" 59:47

7M ago59:47

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Canadian author Pratap Reddy was born in India, but has lived in Mississauga, Ontario since 2002. In his fiction, he pays homage to the courageous men and women who have braved hardships of every kind while seeking a new future in the West. His new collection is Remaindered People & Other Stories (Guernica Editions). From the collection, we read "S…

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SF0182 The Carolinas, North and South 1:07:42

8M ago1:07:42

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Take a trip to the Appalachians for a selection of tracks from North and South Carolina.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 124 - Sarah Freligh: "All That Water" 1:02:01

8M ago1:02:01

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Award-winning NY author Sarah Freligh joins us to discuss her new collection OTHER EMERGENCIES (Univ of Arkansas Press), which is the 2025 Moon City Press Editors Choice Selection. Her oeuvre includes several poetry collections and a novella. We read "All That Water," which was first published in Stone Canoe. https://sarahfreligh.com/ Support the s…

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SF0181 Hey! 1:05:54

8M ago1:05:54

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Tracks with "Hey!" in their title. A plentiful supply: it's tough to leave so many good ones out.By Ian Deeker Forth

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SF0180 Bonus Ep: Steve Pringle hosts Ian for Mix Tapes podcast 1:06:01

8M ago1:06:01

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A bonus episode, essentially the first episode in the podcast Steve's Mix Tapes; Ian is interviewed by Steve Pringle.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 123 - Fija Callaghan: "Life, Death, and Other Complications" 45:29

8M ago45:29

45:29

With her debut collection Frail Little Embers, UK author Fija Callaghan has created a literary offering that will enchant and delight readers. In this beguiling work, she's re-imagined myths and folk and fairy tales, offering inspiring examples of the resilience of the human spirit. We read, from the collection: "Life, Death, and Other Complication…

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SF0179 The Transgender Episode 1:08:32

9M ago1:08:32

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In a darkening world, aiming to throw light on transgender musical artists with this episode featuring their work.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Understanding the K Pop Phenomenon 20:36

9M ago20:36

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It would have taken a particularly gifted Nostradamus in the 1990s to predict both the demise of the traditional western rock band and the rise and rise of their South Korean replacements. yet that's what happened? But how did it happen? Join me as we take a medium-sized dive into what K Pop is all about and how come it's been such a runaway succes…

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Episode 122 - T.D. Johnston: "The First Key" 1:04:23

9M ago1:04:23

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Indiana author T.D. Johnston is the founder and editor of Short Story America, a small press that publishes the Short Story America anthology series in addition to author story collections and novels. Friday Afternoon and Other Stories, his first collection, won the 2017 International Book Award Prize for Short Fiction. We read "The First Key" from…

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SF0178 The Third Man (and The Third Woman) 1:08:46

9M ago1:08:46

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Three-piece bands, sometimes called power trios, in the third part of our Graham Greene inspired trilogy of episodes.By Ian Deeker Forth

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What is this obsession with ranking records? 19:20

9M ago19:20

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The best and worst double albums ever. The 50 greatest cover versions of all time. The 100 greatest British albums of all time. The greatest indie anthems ever. The 100 greatest albums you've never heard. The 50 darkest albums of all time. The 101 albums to hear before you die. Why must we always rank rank rank these records? Let's have a medium-si…

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SF0177 The End of the Affair 1:06:47

10M ago1:06:47

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Valentine's Day is upon us once more. But the flowers of romance can fade and die - as these tracks tell us, all too sadly.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Why did everyone watch Top of the Pops? 20:11

10M ago20:11

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The terminally uncool "pop" programme from the terminally uncool state TV station, BBC1. A recipe for failure, surely. And yet, everyone watched Top of the Pops. Why was that? Take a trip back in time to the culturally hegemonic imperial phase of the programme; to a time when it was great act of subversion to play air guitar as you mimed to your hi…

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SF0176 Brighton Rock 1:05:51

10M ago1:05:51

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Brighton Rock was a novel by Graham Greene. But there's also plenty of great (alternative) Brighton rock music (and post-punk and other genres) - as this episode demonstrates.By Ian Deeker Forth

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"Disco Sucks!" Could a "Disco Demolition Night" now happen again? 18:55

10M ago18:55

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In July 1979 Steve Dahl organised a Disco Demolition Night at a baseball game in Comiskey Park, Chicago. Infuriated by disco music and its chart dominance it was the latest in a growing nationwide "Disco Sucks!" campaign. That night ended in a riot. But some have argued it also ended disco as a genre. But now, is the distrust between a liberal elit…

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SF0175 Monosyllabic Songs 1:06:55

10M ago1:06:55

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An episode with track titles of just one syllable. A monosyllabic masterpiece, you might say.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Do Lyrics Matter? 21:41

11M ago21:41

21:41

Sure, we've all got a favourite carol or maybe anthem and words matter with them. Hard to imagine a hymn with la-la-las instead of lyrics halfway through. But you know how people say "I never forget a face, but I'm no good with names." It seems to be a badge of honour for some people to say they can't be bothered with lyrics, almost as if it shows …

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SF0174 Break's over, get back to work 1:08:27

11M ago1:08:27

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Getting 2025 off to a depressing start with a selection of alternative songs about workBy Ian Deeker Forth

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SF0173 Festive Forthy Pt 3 2024, #14-1 1:13:33

11M ago1:13:33

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The third - and Top 14 - in our trilogy of the best alternative tracks from 2024.By Ian Deeker Forth

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Episode 121 - Holiday Episode Redux 1:51:48

11M ago1:51:48

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We've brought back a newly-packaged edition of our 2022 Holiday episode, featuring stories selected from our contest submissions that year, as well as a few by authors who were guests on the podcast. We've added a story from 1917 that was discovered in the archives of Project Gutenberg, and was featured in Episode 4 of the first edition of Short St…

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SF0172 Festive Forthy Pt 2 2024, #27-15 1:01:04

12M ago1:01:04

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Episode 2 of a trilogy looking back on some of the best alternative music tracks from 2024.By Ian Deeker Forth