Mik Artistik's Ego Podcast

For our final episode of Season 1 of Mik Artistik’s Ego Podcast - Mik sat with Leeds based abstract artist Nicolas Dixon!

Back in the 90s he was a house DJ in Leeds, he travelled to the Far East and was a resident DJ for the Thai Mafia! Three years later he turned his hand to art and returned to Leeds to pursue a career as a visual artist.

In todays episode the lads discuss growing up in Leeds and the nightclub scene, travelling and Djing across Burma, Japan and Australia, discovering drawing and painting,working with artist Mikey Brain and English DJ and producer ‘Eats Everything, following Leeds United and of course his famous ‘Bielsa the Redeemer’ mural.

To follow Nicolas and his latest projects, head to his socials:

Twitter : @nicolasdixonart

Facebook : @nicolasdixonart

Instagram : @nicolasdixon

Website: https://www.nicolasdixon.co.uk

As the first season of the podcast draws to a close, we just want to say a big thank you to all for tuning in each week, leaving comments and messages of support! It’s been a real tonic, we are still learning the ropes in the podcast world, our hope for Season 2 is that we bring more surprises and interesting stories from amazing guests (with a few less phone beeps and background noise!)

In the meantime Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip will be back for your viewing pleasure in the autumn for their UK tour, (‘The A Tour’) - Get your tickets via our website https://www.mikartistik.com/live and we look forward to seeing you out on the road!

For Episode 15, for the penultimate episode of series 1 of Mik Artistik’s Ego Podcast, Mik sat down with multi award winning writer, actor and filmmaker Michael Stewart!

Michael is an all round creative and several of his plays have been professionally staged including his adaptation of Dracula, as well as his work appearing on BBC Radio 4, his debut book ‘King Crow’ was awarded the Not Booker prize by The Guardian in 2011. He is now Head of Creative Writing at University of Huddersfield.

Michaels latest book release is  Ill Will: The Untold Story of Heathcliff, which was published by HarperCollins. His most recent work has been the creation of  the amazing ‘Bronte Stones’ project - four monumental stones placed between the sisters birthplace in Thornton and the parsonage where they wrote their famous work in Haworth, inscribed with poetry by Kate Bush, Carol Ann Duffy to name but a few

In today's episode Mik and Michael chat about growing up in Salford, writing non stop for 20 years, Edgar Allan Poe, The Bronte sisters, the last wolf in England and their mutual love for Eugene Chadbourne!

Follow Michael’s latest project Bronte Stones and all other updates on his socials:

Website: http://www.michael-stewart.org.uk

Twitter : @headspam

For episode 14 of Mik Artistik’s Ego Podcast, Mik sat in the sunshine with Jonny and chatted to British screenwriter and musician, Alice Nutter!

Alice sang and performed with English rock band Chumbawamba, they played all sorts of unusual venues, from squats to benefits until their track ‘Tubthumping' (or ’I Get Knocked Down’  as it’s also known) hit the UK pop charts in 1997. She left the band in 2006 to pursue a career in writing, creating pieces for Television, radio and theatre!

In todays episode Alice talks about running wild at the age of 14, taking drugs and going to Northern Soul all nighters, and living in a squat, turning down a million pound deal from Nike, getting her english A-level at 28, working with writer Jimmy Mcgovern - Creator of TV Drama series ‘Cracker’, and how people clapping gives you confidence!

You can follow Alice and keep up with her current projects here:

Twitter: @alicenut1

For episode 13 Mik caught up with musician, promoter, music historian and all round dandy - Mr Gaz Mayall! 

Son of British blues legend John Mayall, Gaz is the founder of London’s longest running one nighter  ‘Gaz’s rockin blues’ in Soho. He also performs with his ska band The Trojans!

In today’s episode the guys sit and chat about the notorious ‘Colony Room Club’ in Soho, modelling for Lucian Freud, gardening for Bez from the Happy Mondays and hunting game with a bow and arrow!

You can follow Gaz to keep up to date with his endeavours here:

Instagram: @gazmayall

Facebook: Gaz’s Rockin Blues

Twitter: @gazsrockinblues

Website: https://www.gazrockin.com/gass-rockin-blues

For Episode 12, Mik met with Keeley Forsyth in Harrogate in the sunshine earlier this year.

After 20 years of success as an actress in countless British shows such as BBC drama Happy Valley, The Casual Vacancy, ITV's Heartbeat and Coronation Street. Keeley suffered a serious illness and after time away has reemerged and is focusing on being a musician and singer - releasing her debut album Debris in 2020.

Pitchfork music magazine described the album as 'arid and beautiful'

It's a melancholic and stirring piece of work,  showcasing the influences of Scott Walker and Nico - make sure you check it out!

Mik and Keeley sat together and chatted about Adam Smith and the 'pay what you feel' cafe', dealing with dark moods and depression, combining the voice and the body to make music, the joys of Christine and the Queens,  working with Matt Bourne and being in full make up for 12 hours in Hollywood blockbuster 'Guardians of the Galaxy'!

Keeley's album 'Debris' is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music and purchase on Bandcamp. For all up to date information on Keeley's current projects be sure to follow her on socials:

Twitter: @keeleyforsyth

Instagram:@keeley_forsyth

Facebook:@keeleyforsyth

Bandcamp: Keeley Forsyth

Website:http://www.keeleyforsyth.com

For Episode 11, Mik sits down with Nathan Clark - the owner of The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds!

The Brudenell is a live music venue and social club in Hyde Park and is an institution in Leeds! Having celebrated its 100th Anniversary a few years back, the ‘Brude’ (as it is affectionately known) has hosted some amazing events and gigs over the years, from Jonathan Richmond, Sleaford Mods, Martha and the Vandellas, Joanna Newsom and ….Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip!

Mik and Nathan  sat and chatted about all sorts - Nathans career as a professional footballer playing for Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield and for Portland in the USA, his work over the past 20 years making the Brudenell a stand out venue, harvesting local talent, ‘Unity day’, Cabaret heaven and what makes a DIY band! 

To keep up with Nathan and all events and shows at the Brudenell, follow their socials:

Twitter: @nath_brudenell 

Instagram:@nath_brudenell 

Facebook:@leedsbrudenell

Youtube: Brudenell Social Distancing Club

Website: http://www.brudenellsocialclub.co.uk

NEWSFLASH: Mik Artistik’s Ego Trip have announced the annual Christmas homecoming show at the ‘Brude’ on 23rd December!

Get your tickets booked as it’s always a great night!

https://brudenellsocialclub.seetickets.com/event/mik-artistik-s-ego-trip/brudenell-social-club/1986023

What a cracker we have in store for you - in today's Episode Mik and Jonny sat down  a few weeks back with the legend that is Mr Keith Allen!

Keith is a well renowned actor, comedian, musician and presenter, with an amazing C.V. He was one of the originals of the comic strip with Alexei Sayle and Rik Mayall, and appeared in Danny Boyle’s films ‘Shallow Grave’ and ‘Trainspotting’. 

He worked and co-wrote New Order’s hit single ‘World in Motion’ for the England world cup squad and was a member of Fat Les releasing the hit England world cup anthem ‘Vindaloo’.

Keith most recently appeared on our screens earlier this year in ITV drama series ‘Pembrokeshire Murders”. He is also father to singer Lily Allen and actor Alfie Allen!

In today's episode the lads sat together and discussed borstal and other detention centres, when Keith ran away from home at 15 to France, blagging his way into theatre productions, plumbing, and putting on The Clash’s first gig - and building a golf course outside his house during lockdown!

Ready yourself,you’re in for a treat!

Keith isn’t currently on social media platforms but you can still catch up with The Pembrokeshire Murders on itv player, and listen to Vindaloo and World in Motion on repeat!

 

P.s there is quite a bit of swearing in this episode so maybe keep the kids out the room!

For Episode 9, Mik sits down with the lovely Casey Orr!

Casey is an award winning American Photographer and artist originally from Delaware USA,  she now resides in Yorkshire where she works as a researcher and Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University. She is also a  member of the Feminist Art Collective The Erotic Power of F=

Casey’s  photography explores themes such as the lives of women, the interconnectedness of all living things, and our relationship to nature and notions of home and belonging. 

In this episode Mik and Casey sat together and chatted about being a photographer and connecting with the subject, her current project ‘Saturday Girl”, life during lockdown, loving the colour yellow among other things!

If you would like to hear more about Casey current projects, follow her socials:

Twitter:@caseyannorr

Instagram:@caseyorrphoto 

Website: https://www.caseyorr.com

For Episode 8, Mik sits down and chats with film and tv director, writer and bee keeper, Bill Anderson!

Bill is a film and TV director, directing BBC series Doctor Who, ITV series Mr Selfridge, as well as many other successful tv dramas. He is chair of Directors UK. He is also a writer, and beekeeper, and has written a book entitled ‘The Idle Beekeeper’. Bill runs a course called ‘The guide to idle bee keeping’ and is also a regular contributor to the Idler magazine!

In this episode Mik and Bill sat down and chatted about Screaming Lord Such, bee keeping, Casablanca and Black Lives Matters.

You can follow Bill’s writing below:

Idler magazine: www.idler.co.uk and Bill Anderson for Idler Magazine

His book ‘The Idle Beekeeper’ is available to buy online at Waterstones, Amazon and many good book stores!

For Episode 7, Mik sits down and chats with Vic Godard - singer and songwriter formerly of Punk band Subway Sect!

Vic Godard is a singer and songwriter formerly of Punk band, Subway Sect. They formed in in 1976 after a suggestion from Sex Pistols manager Malcolm McLaren, going on to release music on Rough Trade records. After various re-incarnations and labels, Vic retired from music in the mid-eighties and became a postman. In the 1990’s Vic returned to music and has continued to be a creative artist releasing a 30 Odd Years box set on GNU records.

Mik and Vic sat down together last summer and chatted about F.C United of Manchester, the trouble with drummers, touring with The Clash, being a postman for 30 years - along with lots of other things!

The lads finished off their chat with a long game of table tennis!

Vic has a new album called ‘Moments Like These’ which was due for release in November, so check out his socials to find out where to get your hands on it!

Vic's socials:

Twitter: @vic_godard

Bandcamp : Gnuinc

Facebook: @gnuinc

Website: http://www.vicgodard.co.uk

 

P.s There is a little bit of background noise on the recording (but we think it adds to the atmosphere!)