No Tags

Still high off the fumes of January’s first Big Beat Cinema episode, we return to the scene of the crime this week for a follow-up film special with Finn, Manchester’s very own pope of trash.In this episode, we start by diving into your feedback, ranging from literary theory to eyewitness accounts from big beat OGs. We expand the official BBC canon with even more movies, including Go, Twin Town and The Bourne Identity.We then go deeper, asking what Big Beat Cinema tells us about life in the ‘90s and ’00s, how class fantasies and lad’s mags shaped the subgenre, and whether that UK government anti-piracy ad is a forgotten classic of the movement. Finally, we try to locate the last gasp of BBC and explain why Moby and Fatboy Slim fell out of favour with Hollywood.If you’re enjoying No Tags, please do rate, review and subscribe on your podcast app of choice. We’d also ask you to consider subscribing to our paid tier, which costs £5 a month and helps us continue braving some of history’s greatest slop to bring you these regular podcasts – not to mention honing our amateur Photoshop skills. Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

A jam-packed episode of No Tags this week, but we had a lot to catch up on. Central Cee’s debut album Can’t Rush Greatness is out (02:56) and it’s UK drill’s biggest album to date, almost by default. Eusexua (10:07) might be the record that finally sells us on FKA twigs? And we talk about the grey zones of desire in Babygirl over in film corner (18:32).But then onto the main event: we’re joined this week by NYC DJ and virtual pop architect umru (30:09). A key member of SoundCloud’s class of the mid-2010s, umru officially graduated to the hyperpop top tier in 2017 with his work on Charli XCX’s game-changing Pop 2 mixtape. He’s since worked with the likes of Hannah Diamond, Tommy Cash, Hyd, Dorian Electra and more while releasing his own music on PC Music and, this year, LuckyMe. He’s also one of our favourite DJs, with an anything-goes approach that feels firmly in the legacy of faves like Total Freedom, Evian Christ and Ryan Hemsworth. We also talked about his past life running parties on Minecraft, leak culture, pop’s Splice era, and the link between PC Music and Pirates of the Caribbean.A little housekeeping: after a small delay the second pressing of No Tags: Conversations on underground music culture should be arriving in the next week, so if you missed out the first time, head to Shopify to place your order.In the meantime, if you’re enjoying No Tags, please do rate, review and subscribe on your podcast app of choice. We’d also ask you to consider subscribing to our paid tier, which costs £5 a month and helps us continue planning, recording, editing and transcribing podcasts like this one. Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Finn McCorry, a DJ and NTS host, dives into the fascinating world of Big Beat Cinema, a playful exploration of stylish heist films from the late '90s and early '00s. He discusses the vibrant interplay between big beat music and iconic movies like Ocean's Eleven, reflecting on the genre's decline and past popularity. The conversation touches on the unrealistic depictions of technology in films and critiques the commercialization of dance music in cinema. With humor and nostalgia, Finn reveals how these elements shaped our cultural landscape.

The conversation kicks off with a deep dive into alarming safety concerns at London’s Drum Sheds nightclub following recent tragedies. The duo debates the best music year of the century, passionately defending 2013 with names like DJ Rashad and Kanye West. They also announce an exciting film season inspired by dance music called Big Beat Cinema, blending their love for movies and tunes. Personal anecdotes about quirky New Year’s resolutions and festive birthday experiences add a humorous touch to their lively discussion.

Henry Bruce-Jones, a prominent music commentator, joins the discussion on the best and worst tunes of 2024. The conversation dives into the cultural impact of contemporary pop, exploring the rise of bubbling music and the dynamic influence of Danish artists. They debate standout albums and genres, from underrated pop to the evolution of rap, highlighting energetic fusions and emotional connections. With playful commentary, they reflect on the year’s musical landscape, celebrating diverse voices and innovative newcomers that are reshaping the industry.

What do The Simpsons, Dawn of the Dead and the Facebook page for Tom and Chal’s former employer have in common? They’re all overrun by zombies.Prompted by the publication of No Tags’ first physical book, in this episode we return to our long-held worry about disappearing archives. As older platforms fade away, can we be bothered to start again with the latest social media fads? Will gated micro-communities be the saviour of underground scenes, or just a cul-de-sac? And what the hell happened to The Simpsons?We take a detour into the history of the zombie in folklore and popular culture for answers, before a speed run through films, tunes and extracurricular updates, from Predator and Wild Things to Scooter, Pa Salieu and Blumitsu live.You can pre-order No Tags: Conversations on underground music culture now. Come down to the free launch party at in Dalston on 3rd December with Kode9, Flo Dill and music from Jennifer Walton! Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

We trailed ‘big things coming’ on our last episode, and would you look at that – the big thing has come. Or is available for pre-order, at least.That’s right, it’s our first ever book. Titled No Tags: Conversations on underground music culture and designed by All Purpose Studio, this hefty tome (350+ pages) compiles every interview to date on No Tags, edited transcripts of the best of Chal and Tom’s non-guest conversations, and specially commissioned essays from four of our favourite writers and thinkers: Eris Drew, Chris Zaldua, Henry Bruce-Jones and Ray Philp. The book is available to pre-order now. We’ll also be launching the book with our first live show in London on 3rd December, taking over Ridley Road Market Bar. On the night we’ve got Kode9 giving his new talk on Sonic Warfare for the first time in the UK, celebrating a new release of his seismic 2009 book about acoustic force and the ecology of fear.We’ll also be recording a live episode of No Tags with everyone’s favourite breakfast host Flo Dill, morning doyenne of NTS Radio. Plus we’ll have music from Jennifer Walton – not only one of our favourite artists, but the wizard behind the No Tags theme tune. Entry is free, simply hit ‘Interested’ on the event page.There is also a podcast this week. We introduce the book before getting into some of our favourite recent releases (The Cure, mediopicky, Dubbel Dutch and Toma Kami) and dissecting the long-awaited debut album by Two Shell. There's also some film chat (Lords of Dogtown, Kneecap, The Florida Project) and a debate over the key historical entries in the Florida Film canon. We are confident that No Tags is the only podcast where Toma Kami and Wild Things get discussed in the same breath – and if that doesn’t count for something in 2024, what does? Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Discover the fascinating journey of Midland as he navigates his identity as a gay DJ and the profound personal experiences that shape his debut album. The conversation dives into the legacy of influential figures like Arthur Russell and the significance of community in music. Hear about the evolution of queer spaces, the complexities of artistic expression, and the joys of celebrating diversity through music and art. Plus, enjoy some heartfelt recommendations for films and reflections on the power of intimate gatherings in today's music scene.

A chunky episode, this, as we tackle the last fortnight of music news.We mull over Charli XCX’s Brat and it’s completely different but also still brat, a star-studded remix album that reworks the original from the stems up. If these are Brat Summer’s dying embers, then it’s a flame that struggles to consistently flicker – but the bright spots are very bright indeed.We pay tribute to Ka, the Brooklyn rapper who died earlier this month aged 52. A proudly independent artist, Ka eschewed industry conventions to build one of underground hip-hop’s most committed fanbases – an example to us all. We also remember Jackmaster, whose influence both onstage and behind the scenes helped define an era of British club culture, and we grapple with how to eulogise those who’ve done harm.Next we get into Chal’s recent essay for The Quietus about the current state of the dancefloor (have we truly lost dancing? And is it Tinder’s fault?), before finishing on the brilliant new album from Oklahoma dirtbags Chat Pile. Plus, the usual film chat to close.As ever, if you enjoyed this episode of No Tags, please do rate, review and subscribe on your go-to podcast app, as it does really help. We’d also ask you to consider subscribing to our paid tier, which costs a mere £5 a month and helps us continue planning, recording and editing regular podcasts.Timestamps01:03 Brat and it’s completely different…18:33 Ka28:32 Jackmaster44:10 Is everyone talking about dancing, rather than doing it?56:42 Chat Pile59:40 The obligatory films bit Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

On October 2, Amy Lamé stepped down from her post as London’s first Night Czar. Lamé had faced constant scrutiny since taking the job in 2016, especially following her chunky pay rises – most recently she was earning £132,846 a year in a period when the city’s venues have been struggling to survive. But Lamé’s achievements have also been defended by people deeply involved in the city’s nightlife.One of those defences came last week from Party Lines author Ed Gillett, who argued in the Guardian that London nightlife could end up poorer for Lamé stepping down. In this episode we’re joined by Ed to get the real tea on what Lamé was up to during her eight years in the post, how her job compares to similar roles in other cities, why she was so heavily criticised by the rightwing press, and whether it was worth having a Night Czar in the first place.Like No Tags? Give us a rating or review and hit that subscribe button on your podcast app of choice. We’d also ask you to consider signing up to our paid tier, which costs 0.04516% of Amy Lamé’s salary per month and helps us continue hosting and editing regular podcasts like this one. Get full access to No Tags at notagspodcast.substack.com/subscribe