Category Archives: Art, books, theatre, cinema

My new novel: “Hope Rising”

Posted on July 27, 2020 by John S

I’ve just published my new novel “Hope Rising” on Amazon and Kindle. It’s the follow up to “The Decision” which came out in 2018. Like “The Decision” it is set in 2027, and it continues the story of the eco-socialist … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Politics and social | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Graceland – the Book and the Place

Posted on April 28, 2020 by John S

This is a blog I’ve been meaning to write since last year. One of the many pleasures of the End of the Road festival are the interviews that take place in the mornings and early afternoon in the literary tent, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Photos | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Music and Landscape – a concert and album by Caoimhin O Raghallaigh and Thomas Bartlett; a book by Richard King

Posted on October 10, 2019 by John S

Music has always been connected to its environment, and to the landscape – or the seascape, the cityscape. Environment can shape the nature of music – is it to be played outdoors or in a cathedral, in a club or … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh Festival 2019

Posted on August 14, 2019 by John S

I’m just back from a few days at the Edinburgh festival. What an amazing event it is – a huge and diverse celebration of the arts. In the five days I was there I could only scratch the surface of … Continue reading →

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“Blinded by the Light” – the film

Posted on August 5, 2019 by John S

“Blinded by the Light” is a film about a British Asian teenager growing up in the 1980s in Luton who discovers the music of Bruce Springsteen. It transforms his life. The film comes out on 9 August here in the … Continue reading →

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My novel “The Decision” is now on Amazon and Kindle!

Posted on November 15, 2018 by John S

Regular readers of this blog will know that I first published “The Decision” in March this year. It’s now on Amazon and Kindle. See the link here or at the end. “The Decision” is a dystopian political tale set in … Continue reading →

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Edinburgh Festival 2018

Posted on August 25, 2018 by John S

I’m just back from a few days in Edinburgh, enjoying the Fringe, the International Book Festival and just the vibes of that brilliant city. Kath and I hadn’t booked any shows in advance as we’d been unsure whether we’d be … Continue reading →

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Jehnny Beth and Simon Armitage at King’s Place, 9 June 2018

Posted on June 14, 2018 by John S

Last Saturday Kath and I went up to King’s Place, near King’s Cross, to hear a fascinating discussion between Jehnny Beth, the singer with the band Savages, and the poet Simon Armitage. It was facilitated by Radio 4’s John Wilson, … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Poems | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

My novel: “The Decision”

Posted on April 28, 2018 by John S

I’ve written a novel. It’s called “The Decision”. It’s now available for sale – direct from me at the moment. Like to know what it’s about? Here’s a summary; “The Decision” is a novel about politics, the environment, relationships and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Random stuff | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Leeds, Manchester, Aldous Harding, 18-19 November 2017

Posted on November 21, 2017 by John S

Aldous Harding is a singer from New Zealand who has been described as psych-folk. In other words, the foundation of her music is folk, but it twists and turns into something quite different. Her second album, “Party”, came out this … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, books, theatre, cinema, Music - concerts, lists, reflections, Photos | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment