Send us a text The old is the new: Graham on experiencing modern US jazz star Kamasi Washington at Project House in Leeds. Good news for Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture as art deco venue is to reopen in August with new Yorkshire Symphony Orchestra launch. Record Store Day boost for Bradford and the lingering influence of Leeds indie scene of 25 ye…

Send us a text Graham and Charles take a look at the struggle facing small venues in the UK, the continuing rise in ticket prices and the beauty of My Bloody Valentine. Graham examines why The Beatles road manager and the hidden aspects of the story are unlikely to come out in Sam Mendes forthcoming films on the band. Graham explores the work of th…

Send us a text Interview special: Toby Manning Toby Manning is a London-based music journalist, author, and academic with a career spanning popular culture, music, and political history. He’s best known for his work examining the intersections of music and ideology, often through a Marxist lens, as well as his deep dives into specific artists and c…

Send us a text Graham and Charles report that York is about to have Britain's biggest independent book store with Topping Books https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/ Is it going to be an opportunity or threat? Charles asks what do two Robert De Niro for the price of one add up to in The Alto Knights? Plus Edwin Collins announcing autumn final tour after …

Send us a text Graham explores why Steven Soderberg's new spy/com film, Black Bag starring Cate Blanchett and Michael Fassbender isn't as good as his best and most under-rated film, The Limey from 1999 which starred Terence Stamp and Peter Fonda. Charles and Graham chew over the headliners for this year's Glastonbury Festival. Graham takes a look a…

Send us a text Graham rejects on this year’s Academy Awards: Is Anora really the Best Picture of this or any other year? The Beta Band are reforming and are coming to Leeds. Richard Hawley is to play Museum Gardens in York this summer. Hurrah! It's the twentieth anniversary of the releases of his classic album Coles Corner. Charles reports on sci-f…

Send us a text CHarles and Graham interview Yorkshire-based Scottish musician, Gary Stewart. Gary Stewart is a Scottish singer/songwriter who has carved out a strong fan-base in his adopted home of Yorkshire with songs about paranoia, love & resilience. When not playing his own music, the left-hander plays drums for fellow Bandcampers Hope & Social…

Send us a text Graham explores the mystery of rock n roll and Jim Jarmusch's 1989 film Mystery Train and talks about his meeting with Marxist rock writer Toby Manning at a Harrogate International Festivals event last week. Charles shares his recent experience at the National Museum of Science and Media in Bradford, UK Capital of Culture 2025. Charl…

Send us a text Charles and Grham interview 10cc's Graham Gouldman ahead of his latest tour with his band, Heart Full of Songs. The band line-up comprises Graham, 10cc live band members Iain Hornal and Keith Hayman, and Dave Cobby. In 2014 Graham was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame – an arm of America’s National Academy of Music. Fellow …

Send us a text Graham reports on BBC 6 Music's State of Independent Venues Week which for once makes Leeds and York look great. Graham and Chales share further thoughts on Bradford City of Culture's programme. Charles reports on David Hockney’s exhibition at Saltaire in Bradford. Succession actor Brian Cox is about to return to the stage for Edinbu…

Send us a text In a packed podcast episode: Graham asks if Netflix is really beating the BBC at the numbers of viewers game in the UK? Graham and Charles have been listening to Mogwai's new album The Bad Fire and wonder why the band never quite hits the peaks. Is new film The Brutalist just too brutally long? Graham reports on the sold out Vinyl Se…

Send us a text Graham and Charles honour titan of US cinema David Lynch whose recent death at the age of 78 brings to an end the career of one of cinema and television’s true greats. Graham asks if the new Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown is a complete success. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegos…

Send us a text January and February are often the best months for new films but how good are critics’ favourites Nosferatu and A Real Pain? Graham looks at the recent launch of Bradford as this year's City of Culture and the way the City of Culture idea has evolved since it was first launched in 2013 by the Tory government from an idea in 2009 by t…

Send us a text Graham and Charles interview Grant McPhee, a Scottish film director, cinematographer and writer. Books: Two oral histories of Scottish indie music history - Hungry Beat: The Scottish Independent Pop Underground Movement (1977-1984), published by White Rabbit Books in 2022, and Postcards From Scotland: Scottish Independent Music 1983-…

Send us a text Graham discusses how two dystopian British films in 2006 (V for Vendetta and Children of Men) predicted the politics of now. Charles takes a look at the new Robbie Williams biopic Better Man. Graham enjoys a brilliant compilation by crime author, Ian Rankin called Behind the Counter and then previews his forthcoming Vinyl Sessions Q&…

Send us a text Charles and Graham revisit their best live music gigs of the year for 2024 with a competitive countdown of their Top 5. Charles celebrates the extraordinary production of Bluebeard by Wise Children as his theatre event of the year, which he saw when it played at York Theatre Royal. Graham reports on seeing comedian Maisie Adams at a …

Send us a text Graham shares his recent experience on BBC 6 Music plugging his many years in the Harrogate music scene on the Craig Charles show. Graham wonders how two new very different films manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory (Blitz and Conclave). Finally, Graham reveals two new books coming up in 2025 - including his own, hopefull…

Send us a text Rob Chapman, music writer talks about his current book, Unsung: Unsaid. Syd and Nick in absentia - about Syd Barrett and Nick Drake. About Rob Chapman: Rob Chapman was the singer with the Bristol-based band the Glaxo Babies and with the British alternative rock band The Transmitters, a music journalist for Mojo and other magazines an…

Send us a text Charles and Graham give a rundown of their Top 10 films from this year.; Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

Send us a text Charles and Graham take a look at their favourite albums of 2024, looking back at a blockbuster year for female artists. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegosBy Graham Chalmers and Charles Hutchinson

Send us a text Charles and Graham are joined by novelist and short story writer, York based Ross Raisin to talk about his recent triumph in the BBC National Short Story Award with Ghost Kitchen and life as a writer. Ross Raisin was born and brought up on Silsden Moor in West Yorkshire. He is the author of four novels: A Hunger (2022), A Natural (20…

Send us a text Graham examines how and why successful film franchises end up losing the plot in a comparison of disappointing new film, Paddington 3 with The Godfather 3. Graham discusses his recent talk on Nirvana, why the band were punk, not grunge, and how their story weirdly mirrors The Sex Pistols. Charles reports on Dear Evan Hansen at Leeds …

Send us a text Graham declares that Nick Cave is no god - as he assesses the opening night of the British leg of his 'Wild God' tour at Leeds Arena last night. Charles reviews The Pretenders at York Barbican: why Chrissie Hynde remains the coolest woman in rock. Alex Cox's Sid and Nancy - The 70s never stopped: Graham is reappraising Alex Cox's 198…

Send us a text Graham tells us what he learned by talking to Sean O'Hagan from the High Llamas when he saw the band at Hebden Bridge last weekend. Graham has also been watching Fellini's Roma (1972) in Italian! And visiting the new William Morris arts and crafts exhibition in York, which of course Charles has seen too. The duo comment on the recent…

Send us a text A massive thank you to all our guests and collaborators, we've made it to our 200th episode! To mark such a special occasion Charles and Graham are absolutely delighted to welcome Peter Brewis, co-founder of Sunderland indie legends, Field Music. Peter is here to talk about the new Field Music album, Limits of Language. Keep in touch…

Send us a text Graham discusses how his Supertramp Q&A session with legendary music producer, Ken Scott went in Harrogate. Ken Scott was shooting from the hip and taking no prisoners. Graham also reflects on the future of guitar bands as he attended an all-day gig at the Brudenell Social Club in Leeds. The arts world turned up for the funeral of Be…

Send us a text Graham discusses his recent travels in modern Emilia-Romagna, how Romeo and Juliet mania is Verona's Harry Potter and why the absence of Ramones t-shirts worn on the streets is probably an expression of Italy's innate coolness. Charles applauds the 'annus miraculous' for Shed Seven's 30th anniversary tour and album releases amid the …

Send us a text Graham pays tribute to Harrogate poet and musician, Heath Common who has sadly passed away. Read Graham's obituary. Graham and Charles discuss how English Teacher winning this year's Mercury Prize finally recognises Leeds as a music city. Charles reflects on seeing the incomparable Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve at their 15 Songs in …

Send us a text Charles and Graham talk to Leeds based writer and musician, Boff Whalley about his new musical for Red Ladder Theatre Company. Sanctuary - co-written with playwright, Sarah Woods - is a brand-new musical that welcomes us in and asks the question: do we want safety and freedom for only ourselves, or for us all? Graham reports on meeti…

Send us a text Graham and Charles discuss meeting Jim Moir (AKA Vic Reeves) at his new exhibition at RedHouse Originals in Harrogate which leads into a discussion about bird art. Graham has been listening to upcoming Irish garage-punk band, Sprints. Charles reviews Alan Ayckbourn’s new play, Show & Tell at the Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.…

Send us a text Charles and Graham continue reflecting on their Edinburgh trip with a discussion about the Edinburgh Art Festival. Graham has finished his biography of Chris Simpson and the band Magna Carta and shares next steps and a few thoughts about what it was like getting to know the songwriter behind one of Britain's least known bands from th…

Send us a text Graham and Charles reflect on another superb Edinburgh Festival visit. Charles talks about his favourite films at Edinburgh, whereas Graham opts to share some of his “celebrity encounters", including a memorable encounter with Argentinian-Italian director, Gaspar Noé. Graham was at Leeds Festival this weekend and saw Lana Del Ray but…

Send us a text At the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival, Charles and Graham take the opportunity to interview documentary filmmaker, author, curator and former EIFF director, Mark Cousins and talk to him, in particular, about his latest book, Dear Orson Welles and Other Essays, a series of ‘conversations’ with the artists, poets, directors…

Send us a text Graham discusses the decline of main stream films since the 1970s after having recently watching Woody Allen's Manhattan (1979) and John Landis's Animal House (1978). Coming up at the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival what are Graham and Charles looking forward to? Charles reflects on Banksy’s latest artwork series, the cove…

Send us a text Graham and Charles are looking forward to the 77th Edinburgh International Film Festival. Graham previews a new exhibition at Red House Art Gallery in Harrogate by Dan Baldwin Charles highlights the York Purple Signs campaign, and especially their posters trying to establish behaviour patterns in relation to drink. Go Steady! We’ve g…

Send us a text Graham takes pleasure in hearing some unexpected hits from the current Deer Shed Festival in North Yorkshire including Simon Armitage and The Coral. Charles reflects on enjoying the sculpture park at Thirsk Hall, as well as the Himalayan Gardens near Ripon. Newby Hall and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Graham discusses great essay wri…

Send us a text Graham spoke to bestselling crime author Mark Billingham at the world's greatest crime writing festival in Harrogate last week, the Theakston's Old Perculier Charles reviews Shed Seven in Museum Gardens, York. Futuresound’s three day festival with a homecoming celebration for the band - though they never left York. Graham discusses r…

Send us a text Graham continues his preview of this year's Edinburgh International Film Festival and why it is a return to its strengths. Graham considers why he genuinely doesn’t like tribute acts. Charles agrees but then adds how much he enjoyed, Sarah Louise Young's I Am Your Tribute, all about tribute acts at Theatre@41, Monkgate, York, Graham …

Send us a text Graham discusses the brilliant new book, Ways of Art by the Sunday Times art critic, Laura Freeman. Ways of Art tells the story of art collecting legend Jim Ede, the creator of Kettle's Yard in Cambridge Charles reports on Bomb Squad's latest exhibition in York, Rise of the Vandals, which took place over three weekends at 2, Low Ouse…

Send us a text Graham and Charles interview Pete Oxley, the guitarist and bandleader behind, Hejira - a group that celebrates the music of Joni Mitchell and is definitely not a tribute band. Their setlist is drawn from Joni Mitchell's live album, Shadows And Light. Comprising highly experienced jazz musicians, Hejira is fronted by the brilliant Hat…

Send us a text Charles and Graham preview summer festivals including Deer Shed Festival and Leeds Festival. Graham revels in his exciting diary: meeting the star of Ken Loach's last film The Old Oak and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey in Harrogate in the same week. Charles reports on how the arts are being treated in the election manifestos. Graham pre…

Send us a text Graham reports on seeing Pink Floyd, well Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets in York and Foo Fighters in Manchester in two days. Who won? Charles considers what makes a good new musical stand out, after seeing Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch at Grand Opera House, York? Graham reflects on Viggo Mortensen's new fil…

Send us a text Graham reports on the return of Vinyl Sessions and the, perhaps, surprising, hidden depths of The Eagles, as the band's Hotel California is played in full in front of a packed and appreciative crowd in Harrogate. Charles has a fun and fascinating evening at a PechaKucha event in York and then asks: how do you evoke a whale inside a t…

Send us a text Charles taunts Graham with a review on Charles Hutch Press of Yes, live in York. Will Graham ever see Yes live? Graham discusses the book, Demarco’s Edinburgh (Richard Demarco and Roddy Martine, 2023) about the history of Edinburgh International Festival chronicling the struggles and success of legendary Scots maverick arts impresari…

Send us a text Charles and Graham welcome special guest, musician, Chantel McGregor. Bradford born, Chantel is a rock musician and female guitar prodigy, who enrolled at the Leeds College of Music and became the first student in the college’s history, to achieve a 100% pass mark at BTEC, with 18 distinctions. Chantel followed this with a First Clas…

Send us a text Graham looks back on Return to the River's Edge; the cult 1986 teen film directed by Tim Hunter that foretold Twin Peaks and the Grunge movement. Charles reports on a new documentary about Michael Powell & Emetic Pressburger. Made in England : The Films of Powell and Pressburger - the under appreciated luminaries of British cinema - …

Send us a text Graham reports on his meeting with David Remfry, Britain's coolest artist, aged 81. Graham met him at his new exhibition, We Think the World of You - People and Dogs Drawn at The Mercer Gallery, Harrogate's only public gallery, once again proving itself indispensable with a high quality exhibition of national interest. Charles is fre…

Send us a text Graham has a confession to make - he's worrying about Taylor Swift. Is it time to take one of the world's newest billionaires seriously? Charles is drawn to Graham's more positive view of the Sam Taylor-Johnson Amy Winehouse biopic. Keep in touch with Two Big Egos in a Small Car: X @2big_egos Facebook @twobigegos…

Send us a text Graham pays tribute to guitarist Graeme Naysmith, co-founder of the Leeds band, The Pale Saints and remembers when they played one of his own Charm nights in Harrogate. Time moves on - Looking back at two of the western world's greatest political philosophers of the last half century - Noam Chomsky and Jean Baudrillard and whether tw…

Send us a text Graham recounts interviewing Steve Howe of Yes about their forthcoming UK tour and York Barbican gig. Benjamin Francis Leftwich live in Leeds? Yes please! Charles is captivated by a fascinating gig at Leeds' Brudenell Social Club. Graham enters the crazy world of data retrieval as he reveals how he nearly lost his entire draft manusc…