King of the Buttons

Towards the Point? Series Three, Show Six

In this show we attempt to cut through the fog of folk via The Coen Brothers new film "Inside Llewyn Davis", we catch up with Mary Epworth as she brings her melodic wonder to the confines of a pie shop in Southsea and we consider the passing of Folkmaster General Pete Seeger.

'Ray of Sunlight' by Mary Epworth appears with kind permission of the artist and is copyright Mary Epworth/Hand of Glory Records, All rights reserved 2013.

'Towards the Point?' is written and presented by James Sandy & Dave Allen and is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

This show was originally broadcast on Mon 24th February 2014.

Towards the Point? Series Three, Show Five

In this first show of 2014 we take on a looming epic of cinema in the shape of Steve McQueen's '12 years a slave', get illuminated by lamps through a new collaborative exhibition at the Aspex Gallery from Strong Island, University of Portsmouth and Anglepoise, set you some folk based homework and round up some choice local events.

Towards the Point? is written and presented by James Sandy & Dave Allen and is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 27th January 2014.

Check out our blog at: towardsthepoint.blogspot.com

Towards the Point? Series Three, Show Four- Happy Xmas/New Year

In this the last show of the year, we beat the post Christmas lull with a review of a recent BBC4 documentary on the origins and success of the Blues, we trawl the depths of culture to lurk out new year themed art, music and song, as well as look back at some of our favourite things from 2013. There's also a couple of festive blues tunes and an exclusive live track from Willy Mason. 

"Show me the way to go home (Live at Pie and Vinyl- 2/3/13)" by Willy Mason appears courtesy of Fiction/Polydor Records and the artist. All rights are reserved and copyright 2013.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 30th December 2013.

'Towards the Point?' is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

Towards the Point? Series Three, Show Three @ Tongues & Grooves 10th Anniversary Festival

In this show we round up highlights from Portsmouth's Tongues & Grooves 10th Anniversary festival of poetry and music. There are interviews and readings from poet Stephanie Norgate, a musical interlude through George March and Nick Molyneux's 'Beautiful suchness of things' and a round up of forthcoming events local and further a field.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 25th November 2013.

'Towards the Point?' is written and presented by James Sandy & Dave Allen and is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

The work of all the artists and poets featured appear with kind permission, all rights are reserved and copyrights observed 2013.

Towards the Point? Series Three, Show Two

In this show we consider the biopic and its focus on the casualties of our popular culture, look at life through the conceptual frame of a new exhibition of Jamie Shovlin's work and corner Turin Brakes at Southsea's Pie and Vinyl as they promote their new album' We were here'. 

'Time and Money' (Album version) appears courtesy of Turin Brakes/Cooking Vinyl and is copyright 2013. All rights are reserved by the artist.

'Towards the Point' is written and presented by Dave Allen, James Sandy and Simon Mobbs and is a King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 28th October 2013.

With thanks to Pie and Vinyl.

Towards the Point? Series Three, Show One

In this is the first show of our third series we piece together the life and work of Eduardo Paolozzi at The Pallant House Gallery, we delve into the murky underworld of Victorian London with some help from local author William Sutton and his new book 'Lawless & The Devil of Euston Square', we preview some of the upcoming events for October's Portsmouth Book Fest and consider 'Access All Areas'- a new exhibition space at the Guildhall. 

The show is written & presented by James Sandy, Dave Allen and Simon Mobbs.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 30th September 2013.

'Towards the point?' is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

Towards the Point? Series 2, Show 10

In this last show of the current series we go mad in the country (metaphorically) as we take in three local exhibitions looking at the Land Art movement. We consider a retrospective of the genre, take on the work of Nancy Holt & Robert Smithson and examine the etchings of Paul Nash. A for musical relief there's a review of a new anthology of long gone Sheffield indie band 'Longpigs' and we point to some choice local activities for the summer break. 

Due to copyright restrictions 'Blueskies' by Longpigs is not included in this podcast version.

Towards the Point? is written and presented by James Sandy, Dave Allen & Simon Mobbs and is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

This episode was first broadcast on Monday 24th June 2013.

A Towards the Point? A sea shanty special- Towards the Plank!

In this bank holiday special we explore the shanty and songs of the sea. Our studio guest Tony Spender of local group "Deck and Fo'c'sle" helps guide us on our choppy voyage and there are live recordings from them throughout. We also assess the recent "Son of Rogues Gallery" double album and its attempts to get current artists to cover old songs from the ships, and we catch up with Janet Ayers as she attempts to transform her 'Blokes Singing' project into a regular shanty night. There's also some local events info to keep you busy. This show was first broadcast on Monday 27th May 2013. ' Towards the Plank! ' was written and presented by James Sandy & Dave Allen and is a King of the Buttons production for 93.7 Express FM. Simon Mobbs was the Editor at large for this show, Ellie West- Thomas provided excellent  sound production for Deck and Fo'c'sle and our guest presenter was Tony Spender. Due to copyright restrictions the tracks from Rogue's Gallery & Sons of Rogue's Gallery do not appear in this podcast version.

Towards the Point?- Series Two, Show Eight

In this show we take on the new 'political concept album' by former Beta Band frontman Steve Mason and consider the state of the protest song. There's an interview with Merseybeast Ian McNabb as he tours his new album 'Eclectic Warrior' and we attempt to unravel the virtue of French cinema via Francois Ozon's new film 'In the House'.

'(I Just Wanna) Rock n Roll My Life away' appears courtesy of Ian McNabb and all rights are reserved by the artist 2013.

' Towards the Point?' is presented by James Sandy, Simon Mobbs & Dave Allen and is A King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 22nd April 2013.

Towards the Point?- Series Two, Show Seven

In this show we take in a new exhibition at The Pallant House Gallery on the work of R.B. Kitaj, catch up with Willy Mason as he tours his "Carry On" album (and get an exclusive live track from his Pie & Vinyl set) and we get to the bottom of the new David Bowie album- tracks and cover alike!

"Towards the Point?" is written & presented by James Sandy, Simon Mobbs and Dave Allen and is a King of the Buttons Production for 93.7 Express FM.

This show was first broadcast on Monday 25th March 2013.

"Pick up Truck (Live at Pie and Vinyl)" appears courtesy of Willy Mason/Fiction Records. All rights are reserved and the material is copyright of the artist (2013).

Thanks to Pie & Vinyl for their help in the making of this programme.