Index on Censorship's What the Fuck!? podcast: Penny Rimbaud

Index on Censorship's What the Fuck!? podcast: Penny Rimbaud

Author: Index on Censorship December 1, 2020 Duration: 16:57

In this episode, Index's associate editor Mark Frary talks to musician, poet and activist Penny Rimbaud, who founded anarchistic punk band Crass in the 1970s.

He talks about why the battle isn't against Donald Trump but against all US presidencies and why the British are the most repressed in the world. He says the Sex Pistols and the Clash were only playing at being angry.

He also says everyone should change their name, as he did, and why his poetic namesake is the inspiration behind his new album, Arthur Rimbaud in Verdun, now out on One Little Independent Records.

The high-concept album is based on a fiction constructed by Penny which places the French poet Arthur Rimbaud (who died in 1891) at the historic and tragic battle of Verdun in 1916. It is influenced by the sounds of John Coltrane and the visuals of Jackson Pollock.


There's a constant, global conversation happening about who gets to speak and what stories are allowed to be told. Index on Censorship magazine podcasts brings you directly into that dialogue, moving beyond headlines to examine the real-world battles for free expression. Each episode draws from the deep well of experience and reporting that has defined the Index on Censorship organization for decades. You'll hear from journalists facing threats for their work, artists navigating creative suppression, and activists challenging silence in all its forms. This isn't just theoretical discussion; it's grounded in the urgent, often personal struggles shaping our media and culture. The podcast offers nuanced commentary that connects the dots between news events, artistic movements, and the fundamental right to share ideas. Expect thoughtful interviews, on-the-ground reports, and analysis that refuses to oversimplify complex issues. By tuning in, you gain a clearer understanding of the forces that seek to limit speech and the resilient individuals pushing back. It’s essential listening for anyone who cares about the unfiltered stories that define our world.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 25

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