The September issue of NARC. magazine is out now, available in print from outlets across the North East, and digitally via our website.

This month’s cover star is North East punk icon Pauline Murray; ahead of the release of her autobiography, she talks to Françoise Harvey about her remarkable career, the pitfalls of the music industry and staying true to her independent spirit. Exclusive images by Amelia Read.

In the Previews section, we check out live shows from Angel Du$t, Erland Cooper & Ensemble, The Unthanks, Bevis Frond, Howie Reeve, The Cinematic Orchestra, Dilettante, Lorelle Meets The Obsolete, Polyvinyl, Devon Sproule, Witch Fever, Kathryn Williams, Finn Forster and loads more. Plus comedy from Markus Birdman, Tom Davis, Raul Kohli, Mike Milligan and Carl Hutchinson; theatre shows Black Sheep, Your Voice Your World North East and Mr Punch; exhibitions featuring big names including Mike Nelson and David Hockney at venues across the region; plus Whitley Bay Film Festival and Festival of Thrift return, alongside much more!

Interview-wise, Lee Fisher chats with Hannah Peel about library music, soundtracks and making it darker ahead of her remarkable Fir Wave tour; Laura Doyle talks to Middlesbrough-born, Newcastle-based artist and photographer Jade Sweeting about her debut solo exhibition, inspired by and dedicated to every woman who rides, gets their hands dirty and wants to be free; Ben Lowes-Smith talks to disabled Syrian refugee Hamzeh Al Hussien, whose remarkable story Penguin is brought to life with the help of Newcastle theatre company Curious Monkey; Damian Robinson talks to ambitious artist Scott Hepple & The Sun Band about his psychedelic debut and their grand plans; Cameron Wright talks to mysterious Darlington band Wax Heart Sodality about their powerful debut EP; Jake Anderson talks to Teesside band Sugar Roulette about their sonic evolution ahead of their new single launch; Amy McGarahan discovers how Generator Live’s music celebration also aims to support and empower local artists; Cameron Wright talks to Northumberland songwriter Kewen & The Crosswalks whose debut album is as ambitious as it is triumphant; Matt Young talks to Newcastle Festival of Jazz & Improvised Music Artistic Director and Producer Wesley Stephenson to discuss the festival programme’s highlights and the passion for jazz music in the North East that’s bigger than ever; Dawn Storey discovers the inspiration behind Field Music artist Peter Brewis’ latest solo record; plus, Middlesbrough Art Week’s celebration of artistic talent gets supersized, Claire Dupree finds out about the exhibitions, talks, workshops, performances, events and public interventions on offer; Amy McGarahan discovers a typically eclectic line-up of artists preparing to play the all-day Gathering Sounds festival in Stockton; and promoter Chris Trew, aka Prancey Dog, reveals some of his favourite songs in Mixtape.

In the review section, we report from live performances by The Beths, Billy Nomates, Martha Ffion, Mclusky, Fortitude Valley, Hekla Goodman, Russian Circles, Swans and more; there’s reviews of local singles and EPs from Sarah Johnsone, Becca James, Tom Ieuan James, Jack Mylchreest, All Before, The Ilfords, Chloe Gudgin, YVA, Summer Night Air, Ten Eighty Trees, Last of the Fallen Angels and Idle Hands; demo reviews of music by HOPE, Kirsty Hall, NGJ, WrongSince81 and Alex Lyons; and reviews of new album releases from Kathryn Tickell & The Darkening, J.P. Riggall, The Grace Smith Trio, The Handsome Family, Rojor, Hey Colossus, Yussef Dayes, Teenage Fanclub, Explosions in the Sky, Courtney Barnett and more.

Enjoy!