NARC. #188 out now!

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

This month’s cover stars are Durham pop punx Martha, who are back with a new album of invigorating and infectious songs. Paul Brown discovers the despair, defiance and sheer joy of camaraderie that motivates them. Images by Victoria Wai.

Elsewhere this month, there’s previews of live shows from Xeno & Oaklander, Ren Lawton, Ruth Lyon, The Snuts, BCUC, Maximo Park, Amateur Ornithologist, Dystopian Future Movies, beabadoobee, Penetration, Naima Bock, Peaness and loads more; plus exhibitions Hinterlands and Jala Wahid at BALTIC and Peter Hanmer at Newcastle Arts Centre; comedy courtesy of Luisa Omielan at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Sean McLoughlin at The Witham and a whole host of post-Fringe goodies at The Stand; there’s a bumper crop of theatre at Northern Stage, with productions A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Noughts & Crosses, The Importance of Being Earnest and Quiet Rebels gracing the stage, plus gobscure’s Heartfelt at Live Theatre, Utopian (ts&cs apply) at ARC, Menstrual Rage at Hartlepool Town Hall amongst much more!

Interview-wise, Maria Winter speaks to vocalist and guitarist Tim Cox from eclectic local alt. rock band Bosola about the influences behind their new EP; Matt Young talks to Newcastle band Charts & Graphs about their foray into new wave on their new album; Cameron Wright discovers the multi-faceted talents of Francesca Pidgeon, aka Dilettante; is theatre the obvious next step for an anarchist ‘one hit wonder’? Lee Fisher questions Dunstan Bruce to find out; Liv Aldridge delves into the literary delights on offer at this year’s Durham Book Festival; James Barker discovers what inspires and delights alt. country songwriter Jack Mylchreest ahead of his new EP release; Ali Welford discovers the connections and creativity sparked between folk artists Phil Tyler and Sarah Hill; Cameron Wright talks to acclaimed experimental duo Witch ‘N’ Monk about their unique, multisensory performance; Steve Spithray dives into the cinematic shorts that make up this year’s Sunderland Shorts Film Festival; Damian Robinson talks to literature-influenced band The Shining Levels about their new project which inspired by Pat Barker’s The Silence of the Girls; the first full Unthanks album in almost eight years feels like the sun coming through the clouds, Lee Fisher spoke to Rachel Unthank to find out why; Cameron Wright hears about the array of talent gracing Middlesbrough stages at this year’s Twisterella Festival, a celebration of the brightest and best new music; Jake Anderson talks to Teesside quartet We Tibetans about finding solace in creativity, and discovering a new lease of life on their new single; Lizzie Lovejoy talks to author Lisette Auton about her collaboration with filmmaker Rob Irish and why disability and cultural access needn’t be mutually exclusive; plus comedian Cal Halbert themes songs around his relationship with alcohol in Mixtape.

In the Review section, there’s reports from the front row of The Weather Station, Warmduscher, Dave Stewart, Faye Hield, Doug Stanhope, Deadletter, Hooveriii, Katy J Pearson and more; reviews of Demos by The Inklings, Blame Yourself, KITES, Jordan Caygill and The Collectors; reviews of local singles and EPs including Charlie Thomas, Head of Light Entertainment, Fine Night Elements, Catch The Sparrow, Gone Tomorrow, George Boomsma, Sam Nix, Reservoirs, Human Tooth, Eve Cole and more; plus album reviews of new releases from Dry Cleaning, Woolcraft, Martin Francis Trollope, Chorusgirl, Courtney Marie Andrews, Loyle Carner, Alvvays, Boston Manor, Johanna Warren, Goat, Mightmare, PVA, Meat Wave, Rachael Dadd and more.

Enjoy!