Every episode an invited guest tells us all about a cultural obsession or attachment they had during their younger years. It could be a film, a pop group, a videogame, or something else. Whatever it may be - we sit down to discuss and unpack its impact on the guest, and the longstanding influence or relevance to today's culture, if any. Hosted by Conor Baird.
Music by thomasandmatt: https://soundcloud.com/thomasandmatt
Find our socials at https://linktr.ee/obsessionhasmemory
For singer-songwriter Harvey Lancaster-Rous, Lana del Rey is more than a fleeting obsession. She’s an idol, a genius, and a mirror - the pivotal influence in finding his voice as an artist.
Drawing parallels between darker aspects of the queer male experience and Lana’s wayward woman motif, Harvey traces a journey from dedicated choirboy to gallivanting circus act, from working in gay saunas to gracing open mic stages.
We chat about Lana’s legacy, the limits of love, and how the highs and lows of learning to sing again - and simply learning to live again - has seeped into the songs on Harvey’s upcoming debut EP.
24 Mar 2024
Action Heroines with Conor Baird LIVE (hosted by Hailey Maxwell)
As a teen Hailey Maxwell met Conor Baird when he was ‘already cool’. But what followed was still a journey of coming of age together and finding connection through each other's obsessions.
Hosted with a LIVE audience at Glasgow Project Room, Hailey interviews Conor about his new film ‘Femme Disturbance’ and how important Action Heroines were during his closeted adolescence. Hailey recalls memories of their shared past to contextualise her experience of the film, probing the wider socio-political climate of the time… How did it feel for both of them to explore new identities and media whilst growing up in the west of Scotland?
23 Sept 2023
Miley Cyrus with Meredith MacLeod Davidson
Surprisingly Meredith MacLeod Davidson had initially kept Miley Cyrus at arms length, despite being intrigued enough to watch Hannah Montana over her younger sister's shoulders. But by overcoming her internalised misogyny Meredith was not only able embrace Miley, she became OBSESSED. We discuss Meredith’s new zine ‘Miley’, which positions Meredith’s own coming of age and Miley’s continual escape from the Disney image against America’s conservative pushback and grapple for identity in the 2010s. If you’re not sure about the genius of Miley, or even pop music, then this one’s for you because Meredith is here to change your mind… and she can’t be tamed!
26 Jul 2023
Free Willy with Ruby Lawrence
Ruby Lawrence had always been interested in animals. But the 1993 film Free Willy sparked an intense passion for whales and a desire to know everything about them. Crushes on characters Jesse and Nadine sure did help… or confuse things! Whales became the ultimate living thing, resulting in some magical encounters across the world. Ruby tells us how she identified with this game changer of a trilogy and its portrayals of captivity, family and love - whilst her own family was shaken by cancer. We also chat about Ruby’s evolving investment in the natural world and hopes for a more communal, cultivating future.
21 Jun 2023
Maverick with giacinta frisillo
One Summer long ago, giacinta frisillo found themselves home alone making a VHS copy of the 1994 film Maverick, so that they could watch it every day. In secret. Every. Day. In this episode giacinta opens up about their journey in living with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and the ways this can manifest. We go ‘all in’ on Mel Gibson’s titular character and the supporting ones: Graham Greene’s indigenous representation and Jodie Foster’s not-so-dumb-blonde. What are those difficult distinctions between shame, embarrassment and comfort?
16 May 2023
Return to Oz with Ross Fleming
Artiste Ross Fleming and I pop some proseccs and revisit Return to Oz, the 1985 feature film starring a young Fairuza Balk - seen as the darker but less successful sequel to Wizard of Oz. We share our similiar coming out experiences and finding your queer superhero power within. Hear how the dark-camp-fantasy genre is a staple in Ross’ work, such as his new perfumey film project ‘No Place Like Homme’ - an art film influenced directly by Oz! Thank f*** for art classrooms being safe spaces... PROTECT QUEER KIDS AT ALL COSTS!
23 Mar 2023
Battle Royale with Steff Baird (SIBLING EDITION)
Our ultraspecial guest this time round is Steff Baird - my sister no less <3! She’s been so obsessed with the ultraviolent Battle Royale that it’s been included in her gamertags and online usernames for almost 20 years: @RinoaTakako. We talk about our family ties, the bedroom as teenage sanctuary, gothic girls in catholic schools, obsession hand-me-downs, Japanese horror, and of course all iterations of Battle Royale - the film, novel and manga!
12 Mar 2023
Big Brother with Maxine McKay
hello 1ST EPISODE! hear our lovely debut guest Maxine McKay (who is she? where did you find her?!) chat all about the golden years of Big Brother UK. reality TV may be Maxine's medicine but does she have what it takes to be your new housemate?
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