Slug of Time Podcast

A Bite of Stars, A Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 14

Richard Tunnicliffe joins Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about Thomas M. Disch’s “The Squirrel Cage”. It’s a story about a writer writing for no one, or for everyone - he’s not sure which (lol Livejournal). Beezer Magazine’s “Numbskulls” make a brief appearance, as does John Searle’s “Chinese Room” thought experiment, a song by Kraftwerk, and a classic spoken piece by Alvin Lucier.

A Bite of Stars, A Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 13

Rebecca Levene sits in with Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about Brian Aldiss’ 1957 short story, “All the World’s Tears”. It’s about a vitiated ecology, a mechanized society, and a desolate, wind-swept mansion where love may not be all you need. Music is “In the Pines” by Bill Monroe and His Bluegrass Boys, and “Ask” by the Smiths. Elisha reads the story for you first.

A Bite of Stars, A Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 12

Magnus Anderson joins the Slug Lords to talk about Arsen Darnay’s short story, “Such Is Fate”. It’s about a gypsy, a sailor, a tank of liquified gas, and what we can learn from the past. Music comes via Olivia Newton-John and Prince, and Elisha reads the story at the front of the programme in case you don’t have your copy of the September-October 1974 “Worlds of If” to hand.

A Bite of Stars, A Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 11

Victoria de Rijke joins Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about “Aye, and Gomorrah”, a tale of sexless astronaut prostitutes and the people who worship them. I’m not making that up! It was written by Samuel R. Delany in 1966 and Elisha reads it at the beginning in case you haven’t. Music is “I Blood Brother Be” by the Shock Headed Peters.

A Bite of Stars, A Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 10

“Track 12″ by J.G. Ballard gets Slugged this week, with Richard Thomas joining Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to discuss it. Elisha reads this odd story of revenge via home recording in case you haven’t; music comes courtesy of John Foxx, Stero Total and Iannis Xenakis, and there’s a miniature laboratory cyclone thrown in for good measure.

A Bite of Stars, a Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 9

We pick up with Pete Baran joining Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions for “Zirn Left Unguarded, The Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerley Dead”, written in 1972 by Robert Sheckley, read here by Elisha. Music includes the Electro Hippies, Pere Ubu, DJ Rolando, and Marlene Deitrich. Originally broadcast Sept. 9, 2008, on Resonance FM 104.4.

A Bite of Stars, a Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 8

Kat Stevens joins Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about Choose Your Own Adventure books, speaking with animals, and “Build Up Logically”, an unclassifiable short story written in 1950 by Howard Schoenfeld. It’s about two men who can summon the entire universe from thin air but spend most of their time at parties. Elisha reads the story in case you haven’t.

A Bite of Stars, a Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 7

Ken Hollings joins Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about “The Tactful Saboteur”, a tale of civil servants and their multi-phase sexual life cycles. Written by Frank Herbert in 1964, it’s read by Elisha at the front of the programme. Music this week is “Funiculaire” by Readymade.

Next - “Build Up Logically” by Howard Schoenfeld

A Bite of Stars, a Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 6

Al Ewing joins Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury, the famed 1952 story about a dinosaur safari gone wrong. Lots of other Bradbury and time travel tales get a look in, and Elisha reads the story at the front of the programme in case you haven’t.

Next - “The Tactful Saboteur” by Frank Herbert

A Bite of Stars, a Slug of Time, and Thou - Episode 5

Dave Queen joins Mark Sinker and Elisha Sessions to talk about the outrageous 1927 short story “The Red Brain”, written by Donald Wandrei when he was supposedly 16 years old. Elisha reads the story at the front of the programme and music comes courtesy of Budgie, Rush and Bad Brains.

Next - “A Sound of Thunder” by Ray Bradbury