David Lynch
The Fire This Time Originally published in Metropolitan In a scene straight from one of his films, David Lynch stands huddled beneath an enormous tree, strong winds lashing branches overhead and scattering leaves against the dark afternoon sky. One hand cups a cigarette, the other is pressed to the trunk as though in quiet communication....
Spencer Murphy
Into The Abyss Originally published in Huck One morning this summer I woke at 4am in the spare room of Spencer Murphy’s north London flat. I dressed quickly in the dark, creeping into the kitchen to find Spencer sipping coffee, up an hour already. We quietly loaded bags of camera equipment into the back of...
The Merry Pranksters
The Kool Kids Originally published in Huck Ken Kesey was already something of a literary sensation when, in the summer of 1962, Dean Moriarty stepped off the pages of On The Road and into the increasingly strange story of his life. Tom Wolfe, in his seminal book on Kesey’s psychedelic adventures, The Electric Kool-Aid Acid...
Sebastian Horsley
Narcissism And Neurosis Originally published in the New Statesman, photography by Spencer Murphy Three months ago a photographer friend and I met with Sebastian Horsley while researching a book on outsiders in British society. We arrived at his Soho flat to find him hanging out the first floor window, exchanging innuendo-riddled pleasantries with a woman on...
Part2ism
Cardboard City Originally published in Modart Your mum would love Part 2. Biodegradable graffiti? She’d probably call him a ‘thoughtful young man’ and bake him some ginger biscuits. But as usual, she’d be missing the point. His new breed of disposable urban art – the aptly named Part2ism – may be removable without the need...
Agents Of Change
Ghosts In The Walls Originally published in Huck Don’t bother asking Agents Of Change for the location of their revolutionary Ghostvillage Project, because they couldn’t tell you even if they wanted to. “You mustn’t go there,” says the amiable Timid, his face clouding with concern. “We can’t advertise it, or tell anyone where it is,...
Record Shops
Independent: A Celebration Of Soho’s Record Shops Photography by Spencer Murphy Life moves pretty fast, as a better man once said. As writers we’re used to the ravages of passing time rendering our work irrelevant, but seldom have my words been so swiftly outdated as when I wrote the record shops section of the last...
Sample Culture
The Art Of Recycling Originally published in Modart “In the future, records will be made from records.” John Cage, 1956 In Poliarte my dreams, it always happens the same way. The call is long distance; the voice on the other end quivering, almost tearful. “We’re being sued for £500,000,” it says. “They’re coming for you....