Description

Tonight?s RNR Book Club features special guest interviewer Travis Elborough in conversation with both Richard Cabut and Cathi Unsworth to celebrate the launches of their respective new books, Looking For A Kiss (PC-Press, 2023) and Season of the Witch: The book Of Goth (Nine Eight Books, 2023). Copies of both books will be available for purchase on the night.

Cathi Unsworth?s Season of the Witch: The book Of Goth charts the rise and influence of Gothic music during the Eighties as a reaction to the profound social change wrought by Margaret Thatcher?s government. Spawned by punk, bands like Siouxsie and the Banshees, Joy Division and The Cure were the architects of a new music that distilled the darkness of the times. Shaped by the politics of an era ? from the Cold War, the Miners? Strike, privatisation, The Troubles and AIDS ? its gender fluid, outlaw imagery and innovative, atmospheric music spoke to a generation of alienated youth.

By the time Thatcher left office in 1990, Goth had imprinted its will on the cultural landscape as deeply as the Iron Lady herself. Written by Cathi Unsworth, a lifelong Goth, teenage music journalist, acclaimed crime writer and biographer of punk icon Jordan, SEASON OF THE WITCH is a personal and social history of an enduring counter-culture, one that steadfastly refuses to give up the ghost. Buy the book here https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/season-of-the-witch-the-book-of-goth-cathi-unsworth/7427583?ean=9781788706247

Looking for a Kiss is the post-punk classic novel?.. A drug-fuelled beat/punk, love/hate story?? Like a bitter sweet John Coltrane solo crashing into Einstürzende Neubauten?.. whilst immersing themselves in drugs, sex, magic, chaos and the post-punk music of the time our protagonists Robert and Marlene struggle to find themselves and their lives in Camden, London, England?.. Books like Looking for a Kiss are a flare in the dark.

This special extended and amended edition of Looking For A Kiss features new text, photos and artwork. There are introductions by Jeff Young (Ghost Town, Eastenders, Holby City), Cathi Unsworth (Seasons of the Witch), non-fiction pieces about the novel?s punk, positive punk and post-punk background, as well as further original diary entries, etc. Buy the book here http://www.pc-press.co.uk/

All this and a suitably post punk, Gothique and Camden Town centric DJ set from We Got Killers to set the mood before, after and between the no doubt fascinating, erudite chat and Q & A.

Description

The Dublin Castle is a legendary pub and music venue located 2 minutes away from Camden Town tube station. It has been run by the same family for over 28 years and features 4 live bands every night as well as a great selection of beers, ciders and wines.

There are DJs after the bands on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and a fabulous jukebox in the front bar if you’re after a more relaxed atmosphere.

But what is it that makes the Dublin Castle the long-standing centre of the indie rock universe? Is it because it’s Madness’ birthplace? Because its stage has been graced by everyone from Blur, through Coldplay, Supergrass, The Killers, The Arctic Monkeys, Billy Bragg, etc? Is it because it was no surprise to see Amy Winehouse behind the bar serving costumers? Or Suggs? (who, mind you, tended to ignore costumers and serve himself) Or is it because far from being just another Camden venue it has established itself as an indie rock institution? The answer is that it’s not only because of its musical heritage that people come to the Dublin Castle, it’s because whilst you enjoy a pint, play some tunes on the jukebox, check out the live bands, get your dancing shoes on for our DJs, chat to our friendly staff or even stage-invade a little, you’re inadvertently being part of this movement the Dublin Castle leads, this cultural legacy. Expect no castle battlements. Just pure rock and roll royalty.

94 Parkway,

Camden Town,

Greater London,

England,

NW1 7AN.

020 7485 1773