The Age of Earthquakes

2017-12-17: Douglas Coupland and Shumon Basar chat to Jarvis about their book The Age of Earthquakes, co-authored with art curator Hans Ulrich Obrist and graphic designer Wayne Daly. 50 years after The Medium is the Massage, Marshall McLuhan's groundbreaking book on the influence of technology on culture, The Age of Earthquakes extends the analysis to a post-internet society. Jarvis also shares some facts about the winter Roman festival of Saturnalia and its parallels with Christmas; and asks for unconventional songs that get us in the festive mood. Birthdays: Eddie Kendricks, Ray Wilson, Ron Geesin, Erskine Caldwell and John Kennedy Toole. 

COMING SOON 

A Surrealist Sunday Service

2017-06-11: Don your diving helmet and aqualung, and plunge into the depths for an encounter with 'the marvellous'. Jarvis marks the anniversary of the 1936 London International Surrealist Exhibition. Archive news reports recall the controversy surrounding the event; documentary clips tell how the artworks, found objects and 'primitive' pieces were brought together; and a lady remembers witnessing Dalí nearly dying in a diving suit as he prepared to lecture. The Surrealists used their art to access dreams and the unconscious: an unexplored part of reality. In that spirit, Jarvis tries creating his own expressive Surrealist sound piece with cut-up tape recordings courtesy of William S Burroughs. Birthdays: Barry Adamson (praising Bernard Herrmann), Jacques Cousteau (an Undersea World clip), Gene Wilder (Francophile) and Pete Murphy (on Bauhaus's greatest hit). 

A Self-Help Cosmic Journey

2017-05-28: Imagine your couch has turned into a spacecraft and let Jarvis guide you on a self-help cosmic journey, exploring inner and outer space as we question our place in the universe. Featuring intriguing excerpts from Walker Percy's book Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book. Along the way, we encounter a tap dancing Thora Hird; Cold War commotion with the aviator who landed in Red Square; a super-serene Jeff Bridges; and a thriller writer's lively appetite for scrambled eggs. Birthdays: Thora Hird, Ian Fleming, Walker Percy and György Ligeti (a unique choral composer). 

The Liverpool Mass and Rousseau's Dream

2017-05-21: Body art, a modernist Mass and a mesmerising painting… On 13th May, Jarvis introduced Pierre Henry's inaugural Mass at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. 50 years later than originally planned, the pioneering work by the musique concrète composer was staged in the space by his collaborator Thierry Balasse and arts organisation Bluecoat — we hear all about the event. During his trip, Jarvis was given a book which got him thinking about music and mysticism. Urging us to gaze at Henri Rousseau's painting The Dream, he reads the bewitching poem Yadwigha, On a Red Couch, Among Lilies by Sylvia Plath. Plus: notes from The Ivors awards; and on this day The Empire Strikes Back was released and two landmark solo Atlantic flights were taken. Birthdays: Noel Fielding (on tennis), Henri Rousseau, Martin Carthy ('I don't do jolly'), Mr T and Fats Waller.

Playtime with Jarvis, with Steven Johnson

2017-04-09: Inspired by his conversation with Brian Eno, Jarvis invites Steven Johnson to talk about his book Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World. Steven tells Jarvis about how leaps forward in human knowledge have often come through our love of fun, creativity and entertainment. He starts with ancient music, bone flutes and the link between chanting and language. He shows the direct line from music boxes and player pianos to programmable music and computation. He describes how a moment of childish delight led Charles Babbage to conceive of the computer, and considers the wide-reaching influence of Daphne Oram. Looms, typewriters, calculators, bitcoin — Steven explains how technological and cultural innovation is often driven by our urge to make new music. Birthdays: Charles Baudelaire, Tom Lehrer, Hugh Hefner (making excuses), Valerie Singleton (reluctant convent girl), Seve Ballesteros (remembered by caddie Dave Musgrove) and Carl Perkins. Valete: Alessandro Alessandroni.

Brian Eno (4) - ambient music

2017-01-01: Brian Eno welcomes Jarvis to his studio to talk about his album Reflection. First, Jarvis recreates the moment Brian's concept of ambient music was born — with a nod to an earlier version of the idea, Erik Satie's 'furniture music'. Then over tea, Brian talks about his first ambient album, Music for Airports; his working process and techniques; and his fascination with the interplay between new technology and human creativity. He also emphasises the value of optimism in uncertain, revolutionary times — and the importance of experimentation and play. Then we explore more from the world of ambient music — Jarvis mentions the book/CD Ocean of Sound by David Toop. Lastly, we hear about Brian's software that recycles lyrics into profound new combinations. 

Adam Curtis (3)

2016-10-16: Documentary film-maker Adam Curtis tells Jarvis about his iPlayer film HyperNormalisation. The film explores his theory that our current culture is in a chronic state of uncertainty and confusion — everybody knows that the system is broken, but we carry on anyway because we haven't really got anything to replace it. He talks about capitalism; individual expression versus collective action; the role of artists; why he thinks marches and digital activism never seem to effect lasting change; the limitations of the internet; and how we need to come up with a positive approach to the future. Also in the show: for the BBC's 1970s season, fond memories of the John Peel sessions; Marconi Union's 2011 appearance on the Sunday Service; and an ingenious use for the new plastic fiver. Birthdays: Nico (revealing her only regret).

Yuval Noah Harari

2016-10-09: Jarvis explores some startling new ideas with author Yuval Noah Harari, who talks about his book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. Yuval contemplates the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the rest of this century, from overcoming death to creating artificial life. Are organisms really just algorithms and is life really just data processing? What's more valuable: intelligence or consciousness? What will happen to society, politics and daily life when non-conscious but highly intelligent algorithms know us better than we know ourselves? There's much to meditate on… Birthdays: John Lennon (reading his poetry), PJ Harvey (on performing live), Sharon Osbourne (on hotel hygiene) and Camille Saint-Saëns.

States of Mind

2016-02-07: Curator Emily Sargent talks to Jarvis about States of Mind, an exhibition at the Wellcome Collection. It explores issues around consciousness, including identity, perception, synaesthesia, somnambulism and memory disorders. Throughout the show, Jarvis reads from the book which accompanies the exhibition; and the music bed comes from William Basinski's Disintegration Loop series, music archived on magnetic tape which has deteriorated rather beautifully. And listeners suggest music tracks that can alter our own states of mind. On This Day, a film premiered about a puppet who gains consciousness, Disney's Pinocchio. We also hear an extract from Stephen Hawking's recent Reith Lecture. Birthdays: Danny Goffey, Ray Mears (on his fascination with forests), Charles Dickens (Armando Iannucci enthuses about the author), King Curtis, Ashton Kutcher, Emo Philips (on visiting the school psychologist), Ossip Gabrilowitsch, Juliette Gréco and Eddie Izzard. Valete: Maurice White.

Sleeping with MAX RICHTER

2015-12-13: With only 12 sleeps to go until Christmas, Jarvis meets contemporary classical composer Max Richter to talk about his 'lullaby for a frenetic world', Sleep.  The eight-hour piece premiered on BBC Radio 3 live from the Wellcome Collection in London, where the slumbering audience lay in beds and the musicians played in shifts. Max discusses his interest in exploring the relationship between music and the subconscious mind. Jarvis recites a dreamy snippet of Coleridge and the listeners suggest some sedative sounds of our own.  Plus: another nod to the Paris climate change talks, and on this day the last ever moonwalk took place — just how would you get to sleep on the moon? Birthdays: Jackie Clune, Jamie Foxx, Tom Verlaine and Lester Bangs. 

DAVID EAGLEMAN

2015-11-08: Jarvis is joined by neuroscientist David Eagleman to talk about his new book The Brain: The Story of You. They discuss how human brains develop, the amazing workings of the unconscious mind, how we perceive memories in slow motion, and the idea of uploading a personality to a computer. David also discusses his role in Max Richter's Sleep project, and talks about sleep and dreams. Birthdays: Bram Stoker, Gordon Ramsay, Nerys Hughes, Alain Delon, Parker Posey, Paul McKenna, Hermann Rorschach, Rickie Lee Jones and Ken Dodd.

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6 Music Live at the British Library

2015-09-27: Ahead of this year's John Peel lecture hosted by Brian Eno, Jarvis and Mary Anne Hobbs broadcast live from the foyer of the British Library. In this special extended edition of the Sunday Service, the library's curators give Jarvis, Mary Anne and Matt Everitt unique access to the printed archives as well as taking them deep into the secret basement where the audio archives are stored. Jarvis also applies for a Reader Pass and author David Cavanagh drops by to talk about the broadcasting career of John Peel. 

Brian Eno (3) - a cappella

For the last Sunday Service before Christmas, we have a bit of an office party and hear some dubious cracker jokes. As it's the time of year for carolling, Brian Eno returns to the show to talk about his fondness for a cappella music. He shares a range of examples of sweet and strong singing without instruments. There is also a snowy story read by Iggy Pop, about a father and son's skiing trip on Christmas Eve.

The Very Special World of Lee Hazlewood

Special episode marking 50 years since the release of Lee Hazlewood's debut solo LP.  Featuring Hazlewood-related tracks, archive nuggets, and fresh insights from his fellow singers, musicians and producers.  We also learn a little Esperanto, and salute the late great Nelson Mandela and author Colin Wilson.

BOB LIND

Jarvis returns to Paris and instructs us in the French tradition of 'à la rentrée'. On This Day, Michelangelo's David statue was unveiled, but how did the V&A make their plaster cast decent? Jarvis's guest is folk-rock musician Bob Lind. They debate the differences between poetry and lyrics. Bob remembers his relationship with Charles Bukowski. They discuss songwriting and Bob says he prefers performing live to recording — he explains why he's returned to recording after a break of 40 years. Also On This Day, Star Trek first aired and sticky tape went on sale. This week's recipe is for meatballs. Birthdays: Aimee Mann (on writing sad songs), Peter Sellers (performing a sketch), Harry Secombe (with a classic Goon Show gag), Benjamin Orr, Neko Case, Jimmie Rodgers, Patsy Cline, Asha Bhosle, Alfred Jarry, Siegfried Sassoon (a reading of his poem Attack), Martin Freeman (on his career choice) and Peter Maxwell Davies.

September 1, 2013

Jarvis returns with tales of his summer adventures! Including surviving the absolutely boiling weather; the Venice Biennale; the Big Melt in Sheffield; the End of the Road Festival; a Beck-inspired concert at the Barbican; the Despacio project in Manchester; the Rory McEwen exhibition at Kew; and at a lakeside cocktail bar, an entertainer making a surprising song choice. Today in history, World War II began — Stephen Fry recites WH Auden's poem about that day — Martha the last Passenger Pigeon died, the Cod Wars started, and Hemingway's The Old Man and the Sea was published. Plus, what could replace The A-Z of Peel: perhaps recipes for Sunday lunch? Birthdays: Edgar Rice Burroughs (we learn Tarzan's language), AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (founder of Krishna Consciousness), Johann Pachelbel, Violet Carson (in character as Ena Sharples), Barry Gibb (recalling the Saturday Night Fever premiere), Bruce Foxton (on lyric-writing), Gloria Estefan and Armi Aavikko (video).

DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

Jarvis meets natural history film-maker Sir David Attenborough. They discuss the origins of singing and the significance of music and rhythm to every human culture. David remembers his 1950s series The Song Hunter, produced with ethnomusicologist Alan Lomax. It was an early showcase for folk and popular music on BBC television — although David recalls one disastrous performance! He also reads out advice from Victorian explorers, hints at a forthcoming project with Björk and explains how elaborate songs and plumage can attract a flighty female. They consider our amazing, sometimes daunting, ability to access music written throughout history. Jarvis asks David about the importance of connecting with nature, and how he feels about the closure of BBC Television Centre. David has dedicated his broadcasting career to sharing science and culture with everybody, and for that Jarvis thanks him. Birthdays: Florian Schneider and Andrew Sachs (talking about his love of animals).

With Film Director GRANT GEE

1-2-0-2-2-0-1-2: today's date sounds like a soundcheck!  Jarvis asks listeners for film music recommendations, as tonight is the Baftas.  Director Grant Gee talks about his film Patience: After Sebald.  He describes WG Sebald, his unique writing style, and the trippy journey through Suffolk which Gee tries to recreate in the film – we hear a chilling clip.  This Day was the Battle of the Herrings, and Munch's painting The Scream was stolen: there's a [3m37s] soundpiece of the best screams in rock.  Jarvis reads some of Darwin's favourite poem The Excursion by Wordsworth, which is about the origins of mankind.  Anticipating Valentine's Day, Raina Lampkins-Fielder reads a romantic menu from The Futurist Cookbook.  Birthdays: Grant McLennan, Lisa Hannigan, Joseph Jordania (his theory of choral singing), Charles Darwin (poetry), Raymond Kurzweil (on the fusion of people and machines), Ray Manzarek, Franco Zeffirelli, Abraham Lincoln and Darren Aronofsky (aural inspiration from Black Swan).

LEONARD COHEN

Jarvis nervously interviewed his hero Leonard Cohen on stage this week, to mark the release of his 12th studio album, Old Ideas. The show also features material from John Peel's session with Cohen on Radio 1 in 1968, including a clip of the news report that day. In the interview, Cohen is humorous and modest about his musical skills, repeating that he finds writing laborious and discouraging. He seems to be wary of analysing his working methods too deeply. But he's found touring invigorating and he also fondly remembers the support of his formidable London landlady in his early days. Then there's a megamix of Cohen songs, archive clips and related music, followed by some artists influenced by his work. Birthdays: Horatia Nelson, WC Fields, Sacha Distel, Bettye Lavette, Tony Blackburn and Germaine Greer (discussing the Female Eunuch).

Getting into the Spirit of Things

 
Cash registers ping a carol: but is shopping the true spirit of Christmas? Jarvis asks what gets you into the spirit of things.  On This Day, Llywelyn the Last died; The Rolling Stones staged their Rock 'n' Roll Circus; Che Guevara addressed the UN; Indiana joined the USA; and Alcoholics Anonymous co-founder Bill Wilson had his last drink.  Jarvis reads a story by Grace Paley about her mother, and explains how you can help ATP Recordings make a music video.  Astronaut Gene Cernan reflects on Apollo 17, the last manned moon landing -- Jarvis thinks about space and the film 2001: A Space Odyssey.  This week, Ted Hughes was honoured with a plaque in Poet's Corner, so we hear him explain how to capture the essence of a creature.  Birthdays: Marco Pierre White (on what makes a great chef), Jon Brion, Grace Paley, Jermaine Jackson, Kamehameha V and Brenda Lee.