Vandal Factory

Welcome to the full interview with Annabel Turpin taken from episode #32. Annabel is Chief Executive Officer at Storyhouse in Chester, which incorporates a library, theatres, an independent cinema, a restaurant, and is a community and creative social hub. We talk about how Annabel works with freelancers and the processes she puts in place. Annabel also talks about calling out other organisations f...

Freelancers: Assemble! In this bumper special episode, Henry and Natalie have gathered unique contributions from across the UK. Featuring writers, dancers, musicians and visual artists and Trade Unionists, we explore the good, the bad and the ugly parts of being self-employed in the arts and culture sector. Thank you to our wonderful contributors: Annabel Turpin, Hannah Khalil, Zita Holbourne, Jan...

A live panel discussion recorded at the 10th Leeds Palestinian Film Festival on 6th December 2024. Three Palestinian creatives share their thoughts on the role of arts to tell urgent stories. Featuring actor and presenter Sarah Agha, classical musician Saied Silbak and director and producer Abed Al Ju'beh. Hosted by Natalie Quatermass. Thank you to the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival and the panel...

The full unedited interview, taken from episode #31. On his last ever UK tour, rapper and activist B. Dolan discusses his latest album 'The Wound Is Not The Body', his writing process and his feelings ahead of the 2024 US presidential elections. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify. You can support the podcast on Patreon! For as little as £1 a month yo...

The unedited interview taken from episode #31. Artistic Director of Derby Theatre Sarah Brigham talks about 'Welfare', a show written about the Derbyshire mining community. Sarah talks about her career directing political stories and facilitating community work. We discuss gate-keeping, accessiblity, inviations and how Derby Theatre creates routes for the community. Find us on Facebook, Instagram...

Henry and Natalie return after a haitus to discuss political music, theatre and community work. On his last ever UK tour, rapper and activist B. Dolan discusses his latest album 'The Wound Is Not The Body', his writing process and his feelings ahead of the 2024 US presidential elections. Theatre director Sarah Brigham talks about 'Welfare', a show written about the Derbyshire mining community. Sar...

Henry & Natalie host a live episode recorded on the Rebel Rouser stage of Greenbelt Festival 2024. Featuring 'broken folk' musicians Lunatraktors: choreographer and percussionist Carli Jefferson (she/her), and partially-sighted vocalist and researcher Clair Le Couteur (they/them). As well as a hearty performance, we discuss the questions: what’s left when we’ve have post-apocalyptically lost e...

Taken from episode #29, this is an unedited interview with Amber Massie-Blomfield about her new book 'Acts of Resistance'. The book is a vital exploration about art and it's power to make a better world. Amber Massie-Blomfield writes about the artists who have treated the protest site as their canvas and contributed to movements that have transformed history.

Your friendly podcast about hope & anger, joy & rage, love & justice. Featuring Marina Barham, the co-founder and General Director of Al-Harah Theater talking about their work bringing joy to communities living in the West Bank of Palestine. We also interview Amber Massie-Blomfield about her new book 'Acts of Resistance' about the power of art to make a better world. We also have a con...

In this bonus episode, Henry chats with playwright Laura Horton and actor Peyvand Sadeghian up at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Their show, Lynn Faces, is a funny, farcical and poignant new play, exploring the impact of abusive behaviour, the power of friendship and how silliness can be healing. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify. You can support th...

Emilia from queer punk band The Menstrual Cramps talks about the origins of their scrappy DIY band, their new EP and the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign. This is a unedited version of the interview from episode #28. Check out that episode to hear a song chosen by Emilia inspired by the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spoti...

We finally got rid of the Tories! But don't let your guard down, as we're still discussing hope & anger and social justice in these changing times. In this episode, Emilia from queer punk band The Menstrual Cramps talks about the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign. Lighting designer Jess Brigham contributes to the Freelance Feelings Factory. Billy and Lou from The Hangout Youth CIC talk about cre...

With the 2024 Genral Election round the corner, we asked: What would you change about funding, structures and management of arts and culture? This is exactly what we put to actors, writers, directors, thratre-makers and musicians across the UK. In no particular order, you’ll hear ideas and provocations from: Dermot Daley, Boff Whalley, Lisa Holdsworth, Daniel York Loh, Luke Skilbeck, Peyvand Sarde...

Slash Fiction are a south Yorkshire punk band whose new album 'We'll Hold This Line Until Hell Freezes Over' is a masterpiece of raw and wonderful anthems. Henry is joined by Niamh, Jess and Dan who discuss principles of Trade Unionism, DIY culture, solidarity and song-writing. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify. You can support the podcast on Patreo...

Natalie visited the Palestine Unveiled art exhibition, a one-day pop-up event at Cole's Gallery in the Leeds Corn Exhange. Celebrating solidarity through visual art and fund-raising for medical aid, Natalie met artists speak about their work and the vital importance of fund-raising. She speaks with artists Salma Kuhail, Mahgull Khan, Fatima Asad and Josh Sutton. Follow them on Instagram: @mahgulls...

"People of Leeds are friends of salt and revolution." Henry and Natalie visit East Street Arts and meet Juman Quneis and Taqi Spateen, with special thanks to the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival. Juman is a film-maker from Ramallah in the West Bank whose documentary work has influenced Palestinian law. She's in the UK studying film and volunteering with the Leeds Palestinian Film Festival. She...

Film director and actor Richard Weston chats about his latest film 'Sparked', a drama about boxing and men's mental health set in working class Birkenhead. Richard talks about his love for film, his own experiences of mental health as well as the importance of boxing clubs for working class communities. To listen to a song chosen by Richard, head on over to episode #25: Rage Is Valid. Find us on F...

Our full, unedited interview with poet and activist Shareefa Energy. We discuss her jounrey into performing, her work in the West Bank of Palestine and the power of political poetry. A poem performed by Shareefa and a song she selected can be heard on episode #25 of the Vandal Factory podcast 'Rage Is Valid'. Find us on Facebook, Instagram and X and search Vandal Factory Playlist on Spotify. You c...

Arts & activism, hope & anger, solidarity & rage! Henry & Natalie are back with an interview with indomitable poet and activist Shareefa Energy, who talks about her journey into performance poetry. Film director and actor Richard Weston chats about his latest film 'Sparked', a drama about boxing and men's mental health set in working class Birkenhead. Plus Khairani Barokka shares o...

For months in Leeds, a sparky crew of photographers and video-makers have been documenting the demos. They've been capturing moments of anger, grief, hope and community with the sharpest shots. We gathered a handful of these snappers to discuss technique, story-telling and camaradiere. You can find their inspiring photos on Instagram: imdmilo racheloleary_ kholaandhercamera tammyshafi sumaiyyashaf...

We are the artists! We won't be silenced! Henry and Natalie storm MPF with a special live episode about hope, anger, arts and activism. The duo are joined by folk-punk shredder Erica Freas who plays a few tunes and talks about the value of softness to be powerful. Next up is Liv Wynter: punk poet, host, play-wright and musician. We talk about class, Palestine and their high energy night How To Cat...

Henry and Natalie interview Elvi and Chris about We're Not Going Back, a powerful play about Women Against Pit Closures during the 1984-85 Miners Strike. Argentinian artists Florencia and Clare from Music For Science discuss how they collaborated with scientists. Natalie talks about her nourishing International Women's Day activities, and Henry shares a brand new poem recorded live. Plus music fro...

Natalie talks to British-Palestinian Shaymaa Tannira who is desperately fundraising to help her family escape from Rafah, Gaza. Please donate whatever you can via her Go Fund Me page: https://gofund.me/82a0748c Shaymaa chooses to share two songs that have been giving her strength in recent months Habayebna by Angham and Ghorbet Watan by Mohammad Jneid. You can support the podcast on Patreon! For a...

Nat and Henry talk to two special guests: Occult metalhead comedian Andrew O'Neill about their 5-star show Geburah and trad folk singer Johnny Campbell about their latest album True North. Plus Cerys from Leeds band Ómoia introduces their track 'The Sickness'. Stick around for Henry & Nat's chewy chat about silence, messaging and impact in performance and protest. Come get naughty with the lan...

Why did hundreds of protesters carry placards featuring watermelons through Leeds? Every Saturday, over 1000 people of different faiths, ages and backgrounds march to demand a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the miltary occupation of Palestine. On February 10th 2024, not only did this march centre the story of the watermelon, it featured the first ARTISTS & CULTURE WORKERS BLOC. People working...