This Is My Voice
A series of conversations, highlighting the work of Black and Asian people in the arts
Welcome to This Is My Voice, where we'll be hearing from some of the most exciting Black and Asian voices in literature, art, theatre, poetry, film-making and more - and tackling issues like representation, and diversity in the arts industry.
We are back with another series of exciting interviews to keep us going through lockdown.
EPISODE TWENTY: Iphgenia Baal
Today we're talking to writer Iphgenia Baal, whose new book - Man Hating Psycho - is out now.
We chat about terrible first jobs - and the unnecessary categorization of almost everything in life...
Man Hating Psycho by Iphgenia Baal is out now from Influx Press.
EPISODE NINETEEN: Andrea Carter
Today we're talking to Andrea Carter, from the international visual arts producer "D6 Culture in Transit"
We talk about the effects the pandemic has had on the arts - and how it might begin to recover
D6 has just launched the plans for the new Sanctuary in Culture programme, and have spend lockdown refurbishing and building brand new studio spaces.
You can find out more about their work on Twitter, or via their website.
EPISODE EIGHTEEN: Melissa Tutesigensi
Today I'm talking with journalist and writer Melissa Tutesigensi - whose work was featured as part of last year's Durham Book Festival.
We also reminisce about university life, and wonder what living and working in London will be like - post-pandemic.
You can find out more about Melissa's work by following her on Twitter or Instagram. Theres more information about the Durham Book Festival available here too.
EPISODE SEVENTEEN: Ashton Owen
Today I'm chatting with actor, playwright and puppeteer Ashton Owen.
He turned his childhood experiences into a one-man play - Outskirts, which was screened online during the most recent lockdown.
We talk about opening up about racist experiences within mixed race families, and how representation is changing.
Ashton is hoping that post-lockdown, he'll be able to take Outskirts on tour to other areas of the UK.
He's also working with Sheringham Little Theatre on more elements of the Rewriting Rural Racism project.
You can find out more about Ashton's work from his Twitter and the Rewriting Rural Racism project from Sheringham Little Theatre - via their Twitter or website.
EPISODE SIXTEEN: Elizabeth Chakrabarty
Today I'm talking with Elizabeth Chakrabarty, who is about to release her debut novel - Lessons In Love and Other Crimes.
We discuss the struggles of cracking the publishing industry as a person of colour and how to talk about love, from a place of hate, and vice versa.
You can find out more about Elizabeth, and Lessons In Love and Other Crimes via her Twitter.
The novel is out on the 15th of April from The Indigo Press.
EPISODE FIFTEEN: Tariq Shah
Today we're chatting to Brooklyn based writer Tariq Shah, who is about to release his debut novel, Whiteout Conditions.
We talk about dealing with Toxic masculinity, the state of Post-Trump America, and the age old debate between Chicago and New York - who has better pizza?
You can find out more about Whiteout Conditions, released on the 15th of March from Dead Ink books, by visiting Tariq's website, or finding him on Twitter and Instagram.
EPISODE FOURTEEN: J.A. Mensah
Today I'm talking with J.A. Mensah, a writer and novelist whose debut novel "Castles From Cobwebs" is out now
We discuss intersectionality, how to create your own country and the wild beauty of the North East of England.
You can find Castles From Cobwebs in bookshops now, and J.A. Mensah is also taking part in two virtual events: the Quiet Place Book Club and the New Words Festival.
EPISODE THIRTEEN: Degna Stone
Today I'm chatting to the poet Degna Stone, who's latest collection "Handling Stolen Goods" is out now
We discuss connections between poetry and theatre, and how the Coronavirus pandemic has changed creativity.
Degna's collection is available from Peepal Tree press, and you can listen to her piece "Probably" on soundcloud
You can find her on Twitter, Instagram or through her website.
EPISODE TWELVE: Neema Shah
Today I'm chatting to novelist Neema Shah, who's debut - Kololo Hill - was written while Neema juggled a full time job.
We talk about some of the many significant parts of British history left out of school curriculums, and the joy of combining food from different cultures.
Kololo Hill is available now, and Neema is currently working on a second.
You can find her on Twitter, Instagram and through her website.
EPISODE ELEVEN: Hannabiell Sanders
Today I'm speaking to Hannabiell Sanders - one half of the Afro-Latin Percussion and Brass duo Ladies of Midnight Blue.
We talk about the importance of a diverse musical language, and the freedom which can come from performing...
Hannabiell is also the founder of Harambee Pasadia - a cultural organisation and festival in the North East.
She's hoping they will be able to bring the festival back in 2021.
EPISODE TEN: Catherine Johnson
Today I'm talking to the the multi-talented author Catherine Johnson, who's written everything from books for children and historical fiction, to working on a screenplay for a new series, focusing on the lives of Black Tudors in 17th century London.
We talk, in particular, about how Black History Month is still vitally important when it comes to diversifying education.
Southwark - the historical drama with Catherine as screenwriter - is currently being developed for TV.
EPISODE NINE: Patrice Lawrence
Today I'm talking to Young Adult and Children's author Patrice Lawrence - who's written books like Orangeboy, and her newest release, 8 Pieces of Silva.
We discuss feeling seen as people of colour within literature, and the importance of libraries...
EPISODE EIGHT: Sara Collins
Today I'm talking to award winning novelist Sara Collins - who's debut - 'The Confessions of Frannie Langton' is a glorious gothic romance, which is set to get the TV treatment.
We discuss the need for black and non-white heroines in literature, and the struggles of creating that first novel.
EPISODE SEVEN: Wayne C McDonald
We're back for Series 2! To kick off our second series of the Podcast we're chatting to actor and DJ Wayne C McDonald - who is set to become the first black actor to take on the role of Macbeth in the North East.
We talk about his concerns for the future of theatre and how a love of music kick-started everything.
Wayne is set to take on the role of Macbeth as soon as he can, and you can find out more about his work on social media, and through his radio show.
EPISODE SIX: Elaine Castillo
This episode we cross the Atlantic, to speak to novelist Elaine Castillo in California.
We talk about her book - America Is Not The Heart - and everything from food and family, to politics and Anime.
EPISODE FIVE: Sunayana Bhargava
In Episode 5, we're chatting to poet Sunayana Bhargava - who, just days before we spoke, had completed her PHD in Astrophysics.
We talk about leading a double life between poetry and science, and fighting to be heard in both her industries.
Sunayana will be part of the upcoming Oxford Science and Ideas Festival - and you can read her poem in the OX magazine.
EPISODE FOUR: Krishna Muthurangu
In Episode 4 - we're chatting to Krishna Muthurangu - a filmmaker and director from the North East of England.
He tells us about growing up - in his words! - in the middle of nowhere, and how he came to film-making from a love of skateboarding and heavy metal....
We talk about all things film - and the potential future of the industry post-Covid 19.
You can find out more about Krishna's work by checking out his own website, or his work site Turps Film.
EPISODE THREE: Olivia Hannah
In Episode 3 - we're chatting to playwright Olivia Hannah - who's first full length play; Braids was due to take to the stage earlier this year, before lockdown began, after she was named one of Live Theatre's Associate Artists for 2018/19.
Olivia Hannah's Braids will hopefully be back on stage at Live theatre in Newcastle as soon as possible - and until then she's working on her second play.
EPISODE TWO: Riaz Phillips
In Episode 2 - we are talking food - as we sit down with food writer and activist Riaz Phillips - who's coordinated a collective recipe book called Community Comfort - raising money for Black and Asian people affected by the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Riaz tells me how he gathered together over a hundred cooks - all with migrant heritage - to put together the collection - and what his go to comfort meal is...
Community Comfort is a e-book collection of over a hundred recipies from chefs with migrant heritage - raising money for the families of Black, Asian and minority victims of Covid-19
Bellyful - By Riaz Phillips, and Community Comfort, are both published by Tezeta press.
EPISODE ONE: Rachel Long
In our first episode, we meet poet and writer Rachel Long, founder of the Octavia Poetry Collective for Womxn of Colour, who's about to release her first collection of poems "My Darling From The Lions"
Due to lockdown we wrangled with technology to speak over Zoom - where I was very jealous of Rachel's ability not to kill plants - and the sunshine streaming in through her window!
Rachel's collection "My Darling From The Lions" is published by Picador, and will be released on the 6th of August.
Like our theme music? It's Sparks by Chael
You can find out more about Chael here, the track is used under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License from Free Stock Music.