The latest round-up of everything that’s been happily distracting us at Caught by the River…
Still from Scottish documentary ‘Lost Treasure’, shot in Sutherland in July 1956. Photograph: National Library of Scotland Moving Image Archive
Lost Treasure, an uncompleted film abandoned in 1956, has finally received its premiere, and will be touring Scottish cinemas this spring. The film documents the depopulation of the Scottish Highlands, highlighting the divide between the country’s urban and rural communities.
Ya Smell Me, the ace new 6 track EP from Jeb Loy Nichols now out as a super limited edition 10″ vinyl. Buy a copy here.
In the first episode of Notes from a Musical Island, music writer Laura Barton visits parts of the rugged countryside of Northumberland and the coastal city of Sunderland to explore how music and landscape are intimately related. An additional 3 episodes of the programme focus on Lancashire, Birmingham and London.
Will Millard tells the story of the River Taff, travelling from its source in the Brecon Beacons National Park to Merthyr Tydfil.
Photo: Anna Falcini
Anna Falcini takes a walk on the Isle of Grain, the furthest tip of the Thames estuary, with Rick Goldsmith, Iain Sinclair and Andrew Kotting. ‘From a transit van next to us emerged two men dressed for the rough terrain and climate of Grain like two modern day Dickens characters, full of colourful language evoked in the guttural estuary inflection, ready to combat vermin and targets with an air rifle.’
Bob Stanley revisits Nik Cohn’s 1969 book Awopbopaloobop Alopbamboom: ‘[It] transferred the underworld grit, diamond-studded teeth and overflowing dresses in Cohn’s imagination to the glamour, the ostentation, the ruthlessness and grubbiness of the pop business.’
Emma Warren gets to know the people affected by the Calder Valley’s Boxing Day Floods for The Canal & River Trust.
Finally, if you haven’t already, wrap your ears around the supreme talents of one Meilyr Jones. Here he is interviewed in the Guardian on the eve of his album 2013‘s release. Meilyr will also be found on the Caught by the River stage at Port Eliot festival in July.